Awad Ahmad al-Jaz

Awad Ahmed al-Jaz is a Sudanese political figure, known for his influential roles within the government of former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted after the 2019 revolution and coup d'état. Al-Jaz is a longstanding National Congress Party (NCP) member, formerly the National Islamic Front.

Biography Al-Jaz held several key ministerial positions, including Minister of Energy and Mining from 1995 to 2008, where he fostered a strategic partnership with China, leading to Sudan's emergence as an oil-exporting nation. In February 2008, he transitioned to Minister of Finance and National Economy until May 2010, a move perceived as a reward for his contributions to the petroleum industry. Al-Jaz also served as a presidential assistant (2016 – 2019) overseeing Sudan's relations with China and Turkey, countries that became significant investors in Sudan's infrastructure and energy sectors.

In recognition of his service, al-Jaz was awarded the "Order of the Righteous Son of Sudan," one of the country's highest honours.

Following the ousting of President al-Bashir in April 2019, al-Jaz was arrested and faced multiple charges, including allegations of embezzlement related to a $150 million project for the Mashkur sugar factory in White Nile State. However, in June 2022, a Sudanese court acquitted him of these charges.

In the wake of the 2023 conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), reports emerged that al-Jaz, along with other former regime officials, escaped from Kobar Prison in Khartoum and relocated to Kassala. There, he called on political parties to support the army, which drew criticism from opposition figures who accused them of attempting to leverage the military for a political comeback.