Current Affairs

Issue

Sudan’s military leadership has reinstated Prime Minister after weeks of house-arrest since the October 25 coup.

Background

The Sudan’s military had deposed the civilian government through a coup in October. Many political leaders were kept under arrest.

Details

• The prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok will be the head of a technocratic government until the elections are held.

• Democratic activists have criticized the move of the Prime Minster for becoming part of military’s design to strengthen its hold over the country.

• International community has demanded that the country return at least to partial civilian rule instead of military controlled government.

• International group, led by United States has cut off aid to the country. Sudan was already isolated for last few decades under the rule of Omar al-Bashir, who was overthrown in 2019.

Military opposition

• Military leaders are against giving power to civilians, as it would make them liable to prosecution for their previous crimes against humanity.

• In addition, they would lose the benefits of controlling lucrative sectors of the country’s economy such as petroleum.

Reasons for reinstating

• The US condemned the coup and suspended $700 million in aid. Western, Arab and African nations have demanded that the country go back to civilian rule.

• Large protests have been held in the streets of the capital. Many demonstrators have lost their lives due to military actions.

• The reinstatement is a sign of providing stability in the country before the elections that are to be conducted in 2023.

Indications

• The military leadership has formed a technocratic government led by experts and no participation of political parties is allowed.

• Pro-democracy groups have alleged that the agreement is an attempt to legitimize the coup. Many groups have demanded that military leave governance completely.

• The military has refused to go back to the power-sharing agreement that was in existence before the coup. It has refused to hand over power to a civilian.

International standing

• The military officials have close ties with powerful people in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt who would want a stable government in Sudan.

• Gulf Countries want Sudan’s support against their rivals such as Turkey and Iran. Egypt is counting on Sudan’s support to counter Ethiopia’s damming of Nile River.

• Israel has been supportive of the military generals, who were responsible for normalizing relations with them. The civilian government is still averse to idea of normalizing ties with Israel.