Political turmoil in Sudan
Developed by: Katarzyna Wozniak
On 25 October 2021, in early morning hours, the Sudanese army arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok[1] and another politicians. The Ministry of Information stated that the Prime Minister was arrested after refusing to issue a message in support of the coup, and according to the Interim Constitution, only he could declare a state of emergency. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan[2]dissolved the Sovereign Council[3] and introduced a state of emergency. The Sudanese military took over temporarily[4]. The actions taken by military leaders of Hamdok supporters treated as a crime and coup. However, al-Burhan's decisions provoked widespread outrage across the country, which has been fighting for democratic change for Sudan for respective years.[5].
Map 1. Sudan on the map of Africa.Despite limiting access to the net and telecommunications, and blocking all roads and bridges leading to the Sudanese capital held mass protests. In Khartoum, demonstrators headed for the army's office to express their discontent and deficiency of approval to make any forceful political changes by the army. The choice of place wasn't random. It was there on 11 April 2019, after many months of protests, that the military, police and another safety agencies headed by General Awad ibn Aufa had overthrown the government and arrested Sudan's long-standing leader Omar al-Bashir[6].
On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, during the first time since the change of power of the press conference, General al-Burhan presented the reasons for the military's takeover of power. The motive was to “avoid civilian war” and the request for “security”, shaken by conflicts between civilian factions and incitement to conflict with armed forces.[7].
It is worth reminding that on 21 September 2021, in Khartoum, the safety services thwarted an effort by supporters of the Omar al-Bashir government. 40 people were detained, including officers from the Armoured Corps and Air Force and civilians[8]. After this event, the search for guilty persons began, reflecting divisions in the Sovereign Council. Sudanese military leaders have stated that the work for the situation falls on civilian politicians who focus on seeking ways to keep power and thus neglect the Sudanese's needs. On the another hand, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok claimed that military presence had a bad effect on decisions taken in the Sovereign Council. He suggested the restructuring of the military and the complete surrender of government to civilians.[9]. The safety of the state was besides to undermine additional divisions in the civilian part of the Sovereign Council. The main civilian coalition of Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) separated respective smaller political factions, mainly due to the marginalization of smaller parties. Fragmentary factions demanded the dissolution of the government, the takeover of power by the military, and then the creation of a fresh government led by technocrats[10].
On 16 October 2021, pro-military demonstrators gathered in front of the presidential palace in Khartoum, demanding the resignation of the civilian government. They blamed the civilian part of the government for an increase in inflation (in July it reached 422%), the cut-off of fuel subsidies and the shortage of goods (because of the deficiency of a reliable agreement between the government and the Beja tribe that blocks the flow of goods from the east part of Sudan)[11]. In consequence to the anti-democratic protests, the FFC convened a counter-demonstration on 20 October 2021, which was to support civilian regulation and remove military representatives from power. The organizers of the 2 protests called on their supporters to refrain from violence. The appeal did not find much support, due to the fact that – as reported by the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors (CCSD) – 40 people were injured and many others had difficulty breathing after being utilized to suppress protests by teardrop gas safety forces[12].
These events and factors were to be arguments for the safety forces to take power. During the Tuesday conference, General al-Burhan stated that the military wanted to search the surrender of power to civilians and the transition to a democratic political system. Military leaders promised that the elections would take place as previously agreed in July 2023. The fresh interim government would be composed of technocrats from different backgrounds. During the conference, it was reported that Hamdok was being held at General al-Burhan's home and then transferred to his place of residence. It has been noted that shortly justice bodies and a legislative board will be set up to consist of young people who are not active in any party.[13]. The Russian news agency “Sputnik” interviewed General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, during which he informed that a fresh technocrat Prime Minister would be elected in the next fewer days. The first task of the fresh Prime Minister will be to establish a cabinet. The names of the candidates are not yet known[14]. General al-Burhan did not regulation out cooperation with the erstwhile Prime Minister, but the final decision is to be Hamdok himself.[15].
Photo 1. Khartoum – capital of Sudan.On Wednesday 27 October 2021, the Sudanese military government announced that it would release six ambassadors who rejected designation of the fresh military power. These will be: Ambassadors of the United States, China, Qatar, France, Head of Mission in Geneva and Sudan Ambassador to the European Union[16]. The FFC coalition, despite expanding force by safety forces, calls for continued civilian disobedience and demonstration. Workers of the Central Bank joined the strike against military takeover. It was announced that flights to and from Khartoum were cancelled by 30 October 2021.[17]. Despite the restrictions on net access and telephones on Saturday 30 October 2021, there was a immense protest throughout Sudan, during which citizens demanded that the military hand over power to civilians. In Khartoum, paramilitary fast Support Forces and army were deployed to suppress protests. 3 people died during the thousands of marches.
A military coup in Sudan has sparked global interest. Individual countries and organizations have made appeals to military power. European countries, specified as the United Kingdom and Germany, have condemned the takeover of power by the military, the dissolution of the Sovereign Council and the arrest of the Prime Minister. They besides called for the immediate release of those arrested and respect for the will of the people who want civilian democratic rule. Both Saudi Arabia and Egypt are closely following the situation in Sudan. The neighbourhood of Ethiopia, which served as a mediator between the military and civilian government in 2019, calls for respect for the will of a nation that wants to be a democratic state. Ethiopia besides pointed out that external actors would not interfere with Sudan's interior affairs. China called for dialog between conflicting parties to keep stableness in the country. The PRC undertook to closely follow the developments in Sudan and respond adequately to guarantee the safety of Chinese institutions and staff. On the another hand, the arabian League, besides afraid about the current events in Sudan, called for compliance with the constitutional declaration concluded in August 2019 between civilian representatives and the military government[18].
Photo 2. historical structures of Jebel Barkal, located about 400 km north of Khartoum.The European Union condemned the detention of Abdalla Hamdok, as well as another ministers, and called for their immediate release of the arrested. The Head of European Union abroad Policy Josep Borell pointed to respect for the right to peaceful protest and to avoid force and bloodshed. In addition, the EU announced that if the military did not reconstruct the civilian government, it would suspend financial support for Sudan[19].
France condemned the coup and expressed its support for the temporary civil-military government. At the same time, the French authorities began to wonder whether they would reverse the cancellation process of $5 billion of debt that Sudan owes France[20].
The African Union issued a message calling on Sudanese troops to respect human rights and release detained politicians. The AU recommends returning to dialog between the military and civilian wing of the Interim Government. She besides decided that by the time the government was put in the hands of civilians, Sudan would be suspended as a associate of the organization[21].
The United Nations led by Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the military coup and called for the release of the Prime Minister and another detainees. The UN has sided with Sudanese people who want political transformation. Volker Perthes, a UN peculiar typical in Sudan, suggests a return to dialog between conflicting parties. United Nations advanced Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet reminded Sudanese military leaders that limiting and depriving the community of free access to the net is against global law. The Sudanese community should be able to receive and search for the information it needs. Michelle Bachelet pointed out respect for the right to peaceful gatherings and freedom of speech by the military and safety forces[22].
The United States condemned the takeover of government by the military and the dissolution of the Sovereign Council and announced that the detention of power would have its consequences and reflected in American-Sudań relations. Meanwhile, they suspended $700 million in financial assistance to support democratic change in Sudan[23]
Turkey expressed its concern about military takeover and the removal of civilian rule. The Ministry of abroad Affairs of Turkey has called on Sudanese leaders to respect the people's will to decision into a democratic system. The Qatar abroad Ministry issued a message akin to the Turkish one, in which it expresses its concern about Sudan. Qatar calls on the parties to the dispute to keep restraint and action to “achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people”[24].
With the military taking over power in Sudan, the planet Bank decided to frost $2 billion in subsidies to support the country's economy next year. For 3 decades Sudan has been isolated from the global backing system. This has changed after Hamdok's Government introduced hard economical reforms that have led to debt reduction, backlog regulation, currency stabilisation and renewal of financing from the planet Bank and the global Monetary Fund[25]. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, along with his cabinet, introduced economical reforms which hit high-ranking officers and officials. During the regulation of Omar al-Bashir, generals controlled key sectors of the economy. They ran companies that traded billions of dollars worth of assets. According to fresh reforms, the erstwhile companies run by the military were to go under civilian management. This was an effort to recover state property seized by erstwhile high-ranking officials. To this end, a peculiar commission was set up to recover the stolen funds. A full of 20 million m was recovered2 residential land, over 0.5 acres of agricultural land and dozens of companies and organizations[26].
Finally, attention should be paid to the date of the coup by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. In accordance with the agreement reached in 2019 between the military and civilians for a period of 21 months, the Sovereign Council was to be chaired by a military typical and for the following 18, a civilian person. The first free democratic elections were scheduled for July 2023. The coup took place at the end of the military leadership of the Sovereign Council. On 17 November 2021, the Chair was to be chaired by a civilian typical elected by 5 civilian members of the Council.[27]. Is that a coincidence or not? It is hard to say clearly.
On 4 November 2021, a telephone conversation was held between General al-Burhan and U.S. Secretary of State Anton Blinken, after which al-Burhan decided to release 4 ministers from custody and velocity up talks on the restoration of civilian rule. From the minute the military takes power, there have been global negotiations and mediation activities to aid establish a fresh agreement between the military and civilian government. In UN talks, Volker Perthes mediates[28].
The Sudanese do not support talks that are meant to lead to re-civil-military regulation due to the fact that they want full civilian rule. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which was behind the organisation of protests against the Omar al-Bashir government from 2018 to 2019, called for two-day strikes (7-8 November 2021) under the slogan "No negotiations, no compromise, no power-sharing" (No negotiations, no compromises, no division of power)[29]. Strikers blocked roads and streets as part of civilian disobedience. safety forces utilized teardrop gas to disperse the crowd. 87 people were arrested outside the Ministry of Education building, where teachers objected to the changes made by al-Burhan[30]. Since the military took power in the country and dissolved the Sovereign Council for more than 2 weeks, the Sudanese had limited access to the Internet, protesters were utilizing text messages and graffiti on the walls to study further demonstrations. On 9 November 2021, a Sudanese court ordered online service providers to immediately reconstruct access to the network[31].
On 11 November 2021, a fresh Sovereign Council was established, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The fresh Council is to consist of 14 people: army commanders, erstwhile rebel leaders and fresh civilian representatives (non-FFCs). The appointment of the fresh Council was met with the outrage of the Sudanese, who immediately went to the street to express their discontent. The demonstrations took place not only in the capital and neighboring cities of Omdurman and Barhi, but besides in Port Sudan, Kassala, Dongol, Wad Madani and Geneina[32]. safety forces again utilized sharp ammunition and teardrop gas to suppress protests. They attacked 1 of the Omdurman hospitals and detained respective wounded. State tv reported that initially peaceful demonstrations rapidly became violent. Protesters attacked police station and injured 39 police officers[33]. In total, 40 people (including respective teenagers) died in protests from October 25 to November 20, 2021 and hundreds were injured. The union of doctors stated that "most victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head, neck or torso." Police denied utilizing sharp ammunition. An investigation is scheduled to take place on the death of protesters[34]. The brutal suppression of demonstrations by safety forces was met with global condemnation. Both the European Union and the UN Human Rights Commissioner have condemned the usage of sharp ammunition and teardrop gas against unarmed demonstrators. Restricting access to the net has been considered a violation of the human right to free expression of thought and preventing the planet from being informed of events in Sudan[35].
Almost a period after the military took over, an agreement was reached between General al-Burhan and Hamdok. On 21 November 2021, a political agreement was signed, which implies the reinstatement of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a declaration of conduct according to the Constitution established in 2019 and the release of all political prisoners detained since 25 October. Hamdok is to form a cabinet consisting of technocrats. FFC and SPA, or 2 major civilian factions, do not accept the agreement reached by mediators. They do not intend to recognise any military agreements and request the complete surrender of power to civilians[36]. So, is the agreement that has been concluded going to survive? Will the Sudanese agree to renew temporary civil-military rule? That's not known yet. abroad leaders and the media will follow closely what will happen in Sudan soon.
[1] Abdalla Hamdok – Prime Minister of Sudan since August 2019, economist, political analyst. He worked as chief political economist at the African improvement Bank and was the chief economist of the United Nations economical Commission for Africa (ECA). He besides served as manager of the fresh Partnership for Africa’s improvement (NEPAD) and Regional manager for Africa and the mediate East at global IDEA. He besides has more than 30 years of experience in public sector reforms, governance, regional integration and resource management in many African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ethiopia. M. Amin, PROFILE – Sudan’s fresh Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok,‘Anadol Agency’,22.08.2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/profile-sudans-new-prime-minister-abdalla-hamdok/1561921, 2.11.2021.
[2] Abdel Fattah al-Burhan – 61-year-old Sudanese general, de facto head of state. He studied in Sudanese military college and then in Jordan and the Egyptian military academy in Cairo. Burhan served as a Sudan defence attaché in Beijing. He was then a military intelligence colonel coordinating army and militia attacks on civilians in West Darfur from 2003 to 2005. Coordinator of Sudanese troops sent to Yemen to fight Hutsi rebels. He maintains friendly relations with Egypt's president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Profiles: Sudan’s military router – General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, "The African Crime & Conflict Journal", 1.11.2021, https://theafricriminologyjournal.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/profile-general-abdel-fattah-al-burhan/, 2.11.2021.
[3] Sovereign Council – Provisional Civil-military Government, established after lengthy talks in July 2019 between the military and the coalition of civilian political factions. The Council shall consist of 5 military representatives, 5 civilian representatives and 1 civilian associate elected jointly by both parties. For the first 21 months of the sovereign council was to be led by the army, and for the remaining 18 months was a civilian part of the council. The Prime Minister was nominated by the umbrella protest movement. Its task was to appoint 18 ministers who, together with the Home Minister and the Minister of Defence (chosen by the military), would form a cabinet.
[4] Sudan safety forces arrest p.m. Abdalla Hamdok, ministers, ‘Aljazeera’, 25.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/25/sudans-abdalla-hamdok-under-arrest-report, 26.10.2021.
[5] T. Varshalomiga, A. Ibrahim, US suspensions aid to Sudan after military seizes power, ‘Aljzeera’, 25.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/25/sudan-army-detains-pm-hamdok-for-resisting-coup-live-news, 31.10.2021.
[6]Sudan safety forces arrest p.m. Abdalla Hamdok, ministers...
[7] V. Pietromarchi, U. Siddiqui, Sudan’s toppled p.m. taken back home, military sources say, ‘Aljazeera’, 26.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/26/protesters-in-sudan-return-to-the-streets-against-military-coup, 31.10.2021.
[8] The President, Sudan’s p.m. says coup plotters were military, non-military‘Aljazeera’, 21.09.2021,
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/21/sudan-coup-attempt-suprested-over-failed-plot-live, 7.10.2021.
[9]Sudan military leaders blame coup bid on politicals‘Aljazeera’, 22.09.2021,
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/22/sudan-military-blames-politicians-over-failed-coup, 7.10.2021.
[10] Z.M. Salih, Sudan transition at ‘critical juncture’ as power conflict deepens, ‘Aljazeera’, 20.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/20/sudan-transition-at-critical-juncture-as-power-struggle-deepens, 26.10.2021.
[11]Thousands rally in Sudan’s capital to request military rule, "The Guardian", 17.10.2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/17/thousands-rally-in-sudans-capital-to-demand-military-rule, 1.11.2021.
[12]Crowds take to Sudan’s streets after calls for rival protests, ‘Aljazeera’, 21.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/21/supporters-of-civilian-rule-in-sudan-kick-off-rally-in-khartoum, 26.10.2021.
[13] V. Pietromarchi, U. Siddiqui, Sudan's toppled PM...
[14]Sudan’s Leader al-Burhan Says fresh Prime Minister to Be Technocrat, "Sputnik News", 29.10.2021, https://sputniknews.com/20211029/sudans-leader-al-burhan-says-new-prime-minister-to-be-technocrat-1090301860.html, 31.10.2002021.
[15]Sudan’s al-Burhan Wishes to See Prime Minister Hamdok in Politics, But It’s ‘Up to Him’, "Sputnik News", 30.10.2021, https://sputniknews.com/20211029/sudans-al-burhan-says-wishes-to-see-prime-minister-hamdok-in-politics-but-up-to-him-1090318007.html, 31.10.2002021.
[16]Sudan army sacks six envoys as coup condemnation growths, ‘Aljazeera’, 28.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/28/sudan-army-sacks-six-envoys-as-coup-condemnation-groves, 31.10.2002021.
[17] V. Pietromarchi, U. Siddiqui, Sudan's toppled PM...
[18]‘Utterly unacceptable’: planet reactions to Sudan ‘coup’, ‘Aljazeera’, 25.10.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/25/world-leaders-react-to-sudan-arrests, 26.10.2021.
[19]Declaration by the advanced typical on behalf of the EU on Sudan, European Council, 26.10.2021, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/10/26/declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-sudan/#, 26.10.2021.
[20]Coup puts into question Sudan’s debt cancellation, France says, ‘Reuters’, 6.11.2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/coup-puts-into-question-sudans-debt-cancellation-france-says-2021-11-05/, 6.11.2021.
[21]Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the situation in Sudan, ‘African Union’, 25.10.2021, https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20211025/statement-chairperson-au-commission-situation-sudan, 26.10.2021.
[22]UN chief condemns ‘ongoing military coup’ in Sudan, "United Nations News", 25.10.2021, https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1103902, 26.10.2021.
[23] T. Varshalomiga, A. Ibrahim, U.S. suspensions aid...
[24]Turkey, Qatar express 'concern' over coup in Sudan, ‘Al-Monitor’, 25.10.2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/10/turkey-qatar-express-concern-over-coup-sudan#ixzz7B4Knllak, 2.11.2021.
[25]World Bank freezes Sudan aid over coup as civilian division growths‘France 24’, 28.10.2021,
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20211027-world-bank-freezes-sudan-aid-over-coup-as-civil-disobedience-growths, 2.11.2021.
[26]Reversing Sudan’s Dangerous Coup, ‘International Crisis group’, 26.10.2021, https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/sudan/reversing-sudans-dangerous-coup, 1.11.2021.
[27] The president Military coup opens fresh Chapter in Sudan’s regional areas, ‘Al.-Monitor’, 1.11.2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/10/military-coup-opens-new-chapter-sudans-regional-ties#ixzz7BSEXZfsD, 2.11.2021.
[28]Sudan coup leader agreements with US to velocity up fresh gov’t formation, ‘Aljazeera’, 5.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/5/sudan-coup-leader-us-new-government, 21.11.2021.
[29]Sudan activists announce strikes, reject power-sharing with army, ‘Aljazeera’, 6.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/6/sudan-activists-announce-strikes-reject-power-sharing-with-army, 21.11.2021.
[30]Sudan safety forces fire teardrop gas at anti-coup protesters‘Aljazeera’, 7.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/7/sudan-anti-coup-civil-disobedience-strikes, 21.11.2021.
[31]Sudan court orders end to net shutdown‘Aljazeeera’, 9.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/9/calls-for-strike-and-civil-disobedience-in-sud, 21.11.2021.
[32]Sudan army chief names fresh government Sovereign Council‘Alazeera’, 11.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/11/sudan-army-chief-issues-a-decre-for-new-sovereign-Council, 21.11.2021.
[33]Sudan safety forces kill six anti-coup protesters, medics say‘Aljazeera’, 13.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/13/protests-planned-as-sudan-defloys-military-across-hartoum, 21.11.2021.
[34]Sudan anti-coup protest death toll draws to 40 as teenager diesel‘Aljazeera’, 20.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/20/sudan-anti-coup-protest-death-toll-rises, 21.11.2021.
[35]Sudan activists advance escape after deadlier day since coup, ‘Aljazeera’, 18.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/18/opposition-in-sudan-calls-for-escalation-against-the-military, 21.11.2021.
[36]Sudan’s Hamdok reinstated as p.m. after political agreement signed, ‘Aljazeera’, 21.11.2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/21/sudans-hamdok-reinstated-as-pm-after-political-agreement-signed, 21.11.2021.
