What is the issue?
The resignation of Sudan’s civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has pushed the country, already battered by political instability, anti-military protests and violence, into further chaos.
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What are the recent happenings?
- General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan disbanded the Sovereignty Council and ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in a coup in October 2021.
- As military rule became unsustainable and due to international pressure military agreed on power sharing agreement.
- Mr. Hamdok called for a dialogue to agree on a “national charter” and to “draw a roadmap” to complete the transition to democracy.
- In November 2021 Mr. Hamdok was reinstated following the deal to calm tensions and anti-coup protests.
- However the deal was rejected by the pro-democracy movement.
- It wants the power to be handed over to a fully civilian government tasked with leading the transition.
- Since then, Hamdok was unable to form his Cabinet amid relentless protests.
- According to Mr. Hamdok the deal with the military was meant to preserve achievements his government made in the past two years, and to protect Sudan from sliding to a new international isolation.
- Having failed to convince the protesters Sudan’s Prime Minister announced his resignation.
- Prior to his resignation, Sudanese security forces violently dispersed the latest demonstrations by pro-democracy protesters.
- There are allegations of killing, using tear gases, sound grenades blockade of roads and bridges, sexual violence, including rape by security forces against female protesters.
- This would push Sudan into further Chaos.
What will be the implications of recent events?
- The military miscalculated the will of the protesters. The military has power, but is in a difficult situation.
- When Mr. Hamdok was reinstated the coup, he may have calculated that the military could exercise greater control over the civilian government and elections.
- But with Mr. Hamdok’s resignation, this plan seems to have collapsed.
- A direct takeover of the government by the military would be extremely unpopular.
- Finding a legitimate Prime Minister would not be easy either.
- According to the constitutional declaration of 2019, the Prime Minister should be selected by a legislative council and then endorsed by the Sovereignty Council.
- The legislative council was never formed and the Sovereignty Council was disbanded.
- The military could appoint another technocrat.
- If the protesters fail to accept Mr. Hamdok, they are certainly not going to accept anyone the military appoints next.
How did it affect the economy?
- Protests have paralysed an already weak economy.
- Inflation has soared to over 400%.
- At least 1/3rd of the country’s population needs humanitarian assistance in 2022.
- Only a stable and responsive government can address these critical challenges.
What needs to be done?
- The military has the moral and political responsibility to resolve the crisis.
- It should immediately end the crackdown, respect the power-sharing agreement, restore the Sovereignty Council and allow the country’s full transition into democracy.
Reference
- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/transition-in-peril-on-military-crackdown-in-sudan/article38119263.ece
