Transition crisis: leader’s climb on Sudan coup

Sudanese military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s verdict Deposed Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdoki to be reinstated, is a climb from his attempt to consolidate the power in his hands. on 25 October, General Burhan dissolves Sovereignty Council, in which the military shared power with civilian leaders, declared a state of emergency and imprisoned Mr Hamdok, marking the country’s painful transition from dictatorship to democracy. But the generals apparently overplayed their hands. protesters, who Omar al-Bashir’s military-backed dictatorship toppled In 2019 and again back on the streets, protesting the army’s attempts to seize power. Despite the use of force by the military regime, the demonstrations continued, challenging General Burhan’s grab of power. He also came under heavy international pressure, especially from the US, which last year removed Sudan from its list of terror-sponsored countries. Following the coup, the Biden administration withheld $700 million in aid and made it clear to generals that any improvement in relations would be linked to the reinstatement of Mr. Hamdok. General Burhan eventually decided to reinstate them and release all political prisoners arrested after the coup. He also said that the army will support the country’s transition to democracy and the elections to be held in July 2023.

While the deal points to the military’s limitations, it doesn’t mean the transition will be smooth. Ever since Mr Bashir was ousted from power, the military has been reluctant to share power with the civilian leadership. It was forced to make some concessions only because the country’s revolutionaries had garnered significant public support, which the general could no longer ignore. Pro-democracy parties and organizations have already rejected the agreement between the military and Mr Hamdok, and vowed to continue the street protests. Mr Hamdok, a British-educated economist who worked with the United Nations, is in an unbelievable position. He refused to resign while under house arrest and continued to oppose the military coup, which prompted protests. But his decision to reach an agreement with the generals turned at least sections of the demonstrators against him. And if street protests continue, it could undermine his government and his ability to negotiate with generals. To deal with these challenges, they must first win back the trust of pro-democracy parties and organisations, and form an independent government with civil society representatives to get the country back on track. The army may have taken a step back, but it may try to grab power again. To prevent any such scenario, Sudan’s civic leaders must remain united and lead the country to full democracy and a new constitutional order.