Democracy in the Balance: The Sudan Coup

In the past three years the political situation in the Sudan has swung like a pendulum between civilian and military rule. In 2019, a civil uprising led the Sudanese army to overthrow the thirty year dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir. A civil-military transitional government was established. In August 2019, through the combined meditation of the African Union and Ethiopia, a constitutional declaration was signed. The agreement included provisions for a sovereign council composed of civil and military personnel. The agreement designated the Acting Prime minister Abdala Hamdok to run day-to-day affairs of the government, and Lt. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the military chief, as the leader of the sovereign council for two years. Following this period, the military leadership would transfer power to civilian leaders by November 2021.

The arrangements between the civilian and military factions did not foster civilian rule. In September, an unsuccessful coup attempt took place. More than 40 officers were arrested. They included members of the administration of deposed President Omar-al Bashir and the military’s armored corps. This coup foreshadowed what was to come. On October 22nd, the Sudanese military, took control of the government Five senior government figures were detained. The international community immediately denounced the coup. Many members of the international community announced their intention continue to recognize Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his cabinet as the constitutional leaders of Sudan's transitional administration. The African Union declared that Sudan would be suspended from the bloc's operations until the country's civilian-led transitional government was restored. The US halted $700 million in humanitarian help, and the World Bank froze the country’s funds.

Protests quickly emerged throughout the country in the coup’s aftermath. Protestors in Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman, Sudan’s capital and major cities, demanded a return to civilian rule. They also called for the coup leaders to be tried. Authorities responded aggressively to protestors. They fired tear gas and live ammunition in all three cities. Mobile communications were either reduced or completely cut. Protestors placed barricades in the streets, which caused severe reductions in street traffic

The protests that emerged in the days followed the coup continue unabated. Thousands of Sudanese have taken to the streets to voice their opposition. At least 40 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the ongoing demonstrations. The military has denied using live ammunition . The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors ( CCSD) disputes these claims. They point out that the military has used live ammunition extensively in the capital and in surrounding cities. Doctors have treated patients with gunshot wounds, some of whom are in serious condition. CCSD also reported that individuals have been arrested outside of hospitals in Khartoum.

The continuous refrain of the protestors is a return to civilian rule. The military seems determined to continue its control of the Sudanese government. So not unlike the political situation in the Sudan for the past three years, the pendulum will continue to swing unpredictably between military and civilian rule until a solution can be reached. This instability only adds to the uncertainty about whether democracy can achieve a foothold in Sudan following so many years of dictatorship.