Osman Mirghani: President Al-Bashir requested a fatwa to kill protesters in 2013 and 2019

Interview: Musab Mahmoud

The political analyst and journalist Osman Mirghani said that he predicted the fall of the Salvation regime since the events of 2013, which claimed the lives of more than 200 youth.

During an interview with the (Sudanese Echoes) platform, Mirghani called on journalists to adhere to national lines in their writings, stressing that the army, intelligence and judiciary are a red line that should not be criticized at all. “National instititutions must be (sanctified) so that the country does not end”, he continued.

Mirghani revealed his support for the overthrow of the Salvation Regime before the December revolution because it is a corrupt regime, pointing out that he heard from people close to President Al-Bashir his request for a fatwa to sacrifice a third or two-thirds of the people from the protesters since 2013, before the RSF militia Commander Hemeidti repeated it to him personally after the fall of the regime, who in turn announced it to the people during the sit-in at the Army Commandership. Mirghani denied that he was polishing Hemeidti.

Meanwhile, Mirghani directed his criticism at the Forces of Freedom and Change after the revolution, saying that they considered the revolution part of the (spoils) to distribute positions among their friends. “The ambitions of the Forces of Freedom and Change in power were great”, he added.

Mirghani disclosed information about his previous rejection of selecting Abdullah Hamdok as Prime Minister.  “I said during the special workshops for nominations, where did Hamdok find (an application form) to apply for this position?”, Mirghani inquired.

Osman Mirghani considered the position of editor-in-chief as higher than the prime minister. He He came back to say that he abandoned the Islamists because they (did not measure up to him), explaining that the problem with the Islamists is their belief that they are the protectors of religion.Mirghani held Hamdok responsible for the fall of the first and second governments of Forces of Freedom and Change.

Mirghani believed that it is better for Sudan to be ruled through (a state of law system). Comparing the status of newspapers during the days of the Salvation revolution regime with the after December revolution, Mirghani said that the days of the dictatorship (the Salvation regime) were better, accusing the Forces of Freedom and Change of exploiting the same mechanisms of the Salvation regime government in suppressing the media by confiscating newspapers and TV channels. He continued, “They  were imitating it.”