Majzoub al-Khalifa, an advisor to Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, died in a car accident, along with his brother, on his way to Shendi.
Khalifa graduated from Khartoum university’s faculty of medicine in 1976. He had previously held the positions of governor of Khartoum and agriculture minister.
Known for his gruff manner, he was energetic, large of stature and said to be one of Bashir’s close inner circle.
Sometimes called a “thug” by his critics, he was blunt and to the point in his diplomatic dealings.
The United Nations paid tribute to Khalifa on Wednesday, offering its condolences to his family.
Khalifa was one of the point men on the 2006 Darfur Peace Accord. Unfortunately, with only one of the various rebel factions involved, and a lack of interest in stopping the bloodshed on the part of the government, the violence has continued unabated.