Statement on the Anniversary of the October 25, 2021 Coup
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the military coup that took place on October 25, 2021. This was not merely a passing event in Sudan’s modern history, but rather a pivotal turning point that reshaped the political landscape in favor of the terrorist Islamic movement and the regime of ousted President Omar al-Bashir. At dawn that day, Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared a state of emergency, dissolved the transitional government and the Sovereign Council, and arrested Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Hamdok and a number of ministers.
The coup of October 25, 2021, was not an isolated event; rather, it was the result of pressure exerted by the terrorist Islamic Movement to overthrow the constitutional order in place at the time, by leveraging its tools and strong influence within the military and security apparatus, as well as its complete control over key state institutions. It worked to disrupt political life, deepen divisions, pave the way for the coup, re-establish itself on the political scene, seize control, and block the path toward a democratic civilian transition.
The political events that paved the way for the October 25 coup require us to acknowledge that the coup did not come out of nowhere; rather, it was preceded by a tense political climate, created by the squabbles among political forces and their conflicts over power, positions, and influence, and their divisions, which weakened the civilian front and robbed it of the ability to protect the goals of the glorious December Revolution.
Instead of political forces uniting around a clear national agenda to complete the tasks of the revolution, some factions became preoccupied with trading accusations, competing for seats, and prioritizing narrow partisan interests over the higher national interest. Disagreements within the ruling coalition intensified, and opposing political alignments emerged, while the terrorist Islamic Movement and the National Congress Party exploited the division to fuel the conflict and weaken the civilian government in preparation for its overthrow.
As part of the political arrangements to return to the democratic path through the “Framework Agreement,” the Rapid Support Forces stood firmly with the civilian forces to restore normalcy and supported the Framework Agreement to put the revolution back on the right track. At that point, the terrorist Islamic Movement, its affiliates within official institutions, and its militias realized the gravity of the situation and decided to ignite a war to block the path of the Framework Agreement, remove the Rapid Support Forces from the scene, and crush the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people for civilian rule and a democratic transition.
The terrorist Islamic Movement’s restoration of its influence through the coup of October 25, 2021, was not merely a setback for the democratic transition; it was a documented crime against the glorious December Revolution that toppled the Bashir regime.
Today, as we reflect on this painful memory, we call on the Sudanese people to uphold their unity, reject all attempts by the terrorist Islamic Movement to reinstate its old regime, and work to confront it by all available means in order to end the war, address the humanitarian crisis, and move forward toward establishing and building a democratic, civilian state that fulfills the aspirations of the Sudanese people and the hopes of the martyrs and revolutionaries. We also call on all political and civil forces to learn lessons from that harrowing experience, to review their paths and positions with courage and responsibility, and to work with the Sudan Founding Alliance to build a strong and broad national front to end the war—one founded on consensus regarding national principles, respect for diversity, and a commitment to the peaceful transfer of power.
Glory and immortality to the martyrs of the Sudanese revolutions, and victory to the Sudanese people in their struggle to overthrow the Muslim Brotherhood regime, achieve peace, security, and stability, and restore the democratic civilian path.
Ahmed Tukdal San Official Spokesperson for the Sudan Founding Alliance October 25, 2026
