The dismissed Governor of North Darfur, Nimir Abdel Rahman, announced on Wednesday that he does not recognize the decision to relieve him of his position, describing what was issued by the head of the Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as unconstitutional.
On January 8, the Transitional Sovereignty Council circulated a sovereign decree issued by Burhan, which ordered the dismissal of the Governor of North Darfur without stating reasons.
Nimir Abdel Rahman, who is also a leader in the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council, told ‘Sudan Tribune,’ ‘I am not concerned with Burhan’s decision to dismiss me because it lacks legitimacy and constitutional validity, and I will not recognize his decision. I was appointed by Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok under the constitutional document which the army commander overthrew.’
He explained that Burhan wanted him to wear the official military uniform and support the remnants and elements of the former regime. ‘This is not the duty of any respectable governor. I will remain a soldier serving my people in North Darfur and work with the Sudanese striving to stop the war ignited by Burhan.’
He indicated that he would work with all the forces of revolution, freedom, and change to stop the war, deliver humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, and work towards restoring the democratic civil path and building a state of equal citizenship without discrimination.
He saw that his dismissal came after his refusal to support the war and wear a military uniform to stand with the army as other state governors did.
He added, ‘We completely refuse to stand with any party in this war under any circumstances, so it’s natural to be dismissed.’
In another context, Nimir denied any proposals to remove the Sudanese army from Al-Fashir by the joint force of the armed movements signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement, noting that they work to stop the war between the two sides to preserve the lives of citizens in Al-Fashir. He believes the ideal, national, and moral position requires them to be neutral as a military force to help secure the lives of citizens and facilitate the movement of joint forces in bringing humanitarian and commercial aid and protecting civilians and civil objects.
There are widespread rumors about a plan by the joint force of the armed movements to remove the Sudanese army from Al-Fashir and hand over the city to the rapid support forces.
These reports coincided with the arrival of the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council, Al-Hadi Idris, and Tahir Hajar, head of the Sudan Liberation Forces Gathering, to North Darfur to inspect the joint force and those affected by the war.
Abdel Rahman pointed out that supporting one side of the conflict would exacerbate the conditions of civilians, endanger their lives, and stop humanitarian and commercial convoys. This happened in Al-Fashir after the press conference held by some parties of the Juba Agreement in Port Sudan, announcing their alignment with the army.
On November 16, the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Mini Arko Minawi, and the leader of Justice and Equality, Jibril Ibrahim, announced their departure from neutrality in the war and their support for the Sudanese army against the rapid support forces. Since then, the joint force ceased securing commercial and humanitarian convoys, worsening the living conditions of the residents in the Darfur region.
Nimir talked about his administration of the state during the war and his supervision of the elders’ committee that mediated between the army and the rapid support forces to reduce tension and prevent the city from sliding into bloody confrontations.
He strongly rejected accusations directed at him of favoring the rapid support forces during the past nine months, saying, ‘I achieved successes in stopping the war, and I did not meet with any of its parties to be accused of favoring any side.’
Nimir also denied that the rapid support forces supervised his exit from Al-Fashir and his transportation to the Chad border and then his return to the state early this week.
He said, ‘The talk about the rapid support forces securing me is a lie and has nothing to do with the truth. I moved from the state with forces belonging to the Transitional Council to the Kariyari area in eastern Chad, and there was no presence of any other force on the way other than the joint force of the armed movements. All my movements since the beginning of the war were secured by the army of the Transitional Council, and we did not seek help from any other force.’
