Sudan: the transition process plunged into a serious political crisis

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, president of the Sovereign Council, has demanded the dissolution of the civilian government in Sudan (illustrative image) SUDAN NEWS AGENCY / AFP

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On Monday October 11, the president of the Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan demanded the dissolution of the government.

In theory, he does not have the power; it is Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok who is responsible for such a decision.

But this statement adds fuel to the fire as the tone rises a little more each day between civilians and soldiers who share power.

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With our correspondent in Khartoum

Three weeks after the foiled coup attempt fomented according to the authorities by supporters of the Omar al-Bashir regime, the Sudanese transition process is plunged into an unprecedented political crisis.

Since September 21 and the failed coup attempt, the military in power have increased attacks against the civilian government.

Speaking to a crowd of soldiers on Monday, General al-Burhan said the army is the only credible force capable of protecting the Sudanese transition.

For their part, civilians consider that the army seeks to sabotage all attempts at reform.

They call for a complete overhaul of the security forces and accuse the generals of not respecting the constitutional document signed in August 2019. 

The problem is that this war of words is taking place against the backdrop of a crisis in the east of the country.

In Port Sudan, hundreds of demonstrators from the Beja tribe have been blocking port facilities for nearly a month.

More imports, more exports, a situation which worsens all the more the already daily shortages.

On Monday, in Khartoum, there was hardly any bread in the bakeries, because the stocks of wheat were sold. 

The Sudanese transition could well derail.

These are the worried words of Volker Perthes, the representative of UNITAMS, the UN Transition Mission in Sudan.

The United Nations mediator believes that the coming weeks will be decisive.

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• Sudan

• Abdalla Hamdok