Military Takes Control of Sudan in a Coup

Khartoum, Sudan —(Map)

On Monday, Sudan’s military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, took control of the country in a coup. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was arrested, along with many members of the government. The military has reacted violently to massive protests against the coup.

General al-Burhan ended the current government, which was meant to lead to free elections and a country run by civilian (non-military) leaders. The army declared a state of emergency and took over radio and TV stations. The internet wasn’t working in much of the country.

On Monday, Sudan’s military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, took control of the country in a coup. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was arrested, along with many members of the government. Above, General al-Burhan speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting against the coup in cities around the country, waving flags and chanting, “The people are stronger!” Protesters blocked roads in the capital, Khartoum, and the city of Omdurman, setting piles of tires on fire.

Security forces cracked down harshly on the protesters, using tear gas and firing real bullets. Over 80 people were injured and at least 10 people are reported to have died.

General al-Burhan says that the coup was needed to prevent a “civil war“. He says the country will hold elections in 2023.

Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting against the coup in cities around the country, waving flags and chanting, “The people are stronger!” Protesters blocked roads in the capital, Khartoum, and the city of Omdurman (above), setting piles of tires on fire.

The coup has destroyed the carefully balanced government that was created in 2019.

In 2019, massive protests led to Sudan’s harsh leader, Omar al-Bashir, being removed as president after 30 years. Even after Mr. al-Bashir was removed, the protests continued until the country’s military agreed to share power with civilian leaders.

Since August, 2019, Sudan has been guided by its “Sovereign Council”, a leadership group that was part of a power-sharing deal between the Army and protesters. Five members of the council were from the military and five were civilians. The final member was chosen by both sides together.

In 2019, massive protests led to Sudan’s harsh leader, Omar al-Bashir ,being removed as president after 30 years. Even after Mr. al-Bashir was removed, the protests continued (above) until the country’s military agreed to share power with civilian leaders.

Under the agreement, the military was meant to lead the government for 21 months, with General al-Burhan serving as president. Abdalla Hamdok, a civilian, was chosen as prime minister. Next month, civilian leaders were supposed to be allowed to lead the country.

Foreign countries have been much more willing to give money and support to Sudan’s non-military government. Mr. Hamdok’s government has also improved conditions for the country’s women.

But life in the country hasn’t been easy. Prices have gone up sharply, and the government isn’t reducing the price of fuel as much as it used to. Some of those changes were required by foreign governments in exchange for their support.

The military was meant to lead the government until November, 2021, with General al-Burhan serving as president, and Abdalla Hamdok as prime minister. Above, Sudan’s first cabinet with female members. Mr. Hamdok and General al-Burhan are in the front row behind the table.

There has been growing disagreement between Sudan’s military and its civilian leaders.

The military was concerned about what would happen once the civilians took over. Some military leaders were afraid they might be punished for things they had done in the past. Others worried that the military would lose its place in the country’s valuable gold-mining operations.

Last month, a coup attempt was stopped. In recent weeks, there has been a protest encouraging a coup, as well as much larger protests supporting the civilian government.

Countries worldwide have condemned the coup. Some leaders worry that the difficult situation in Sudan could also make the countries around it less stable. Above, soldiers face a crowd of protesters on Monday.

Countries worldwide have condemned the coup. The United States has blocked $700 million in aid that it was planning to send to Sudan. Some leaders worry that the difficult situation in Sudan could also make the countries around it less stable.

(Front page image source: Nerizuki [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)