Sudan: Military takeover and a loss of democracy
Sudan’s military seized power Monday 25th October, dissolving the transitional government hours after troops arrested the acting prime minister and other officials. Thousands of people flooded into the streets to protest the coup that threatens the country’s shaky progress toward democracy.
The takeover comes more than two years after protesters forced the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and just weeks before the military was expected to hand the leadership of the council that runs the African country over to civilians.
After the early morning arrests of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other officials, thousands poured into the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman. Footage shared online appeared to show protesters blocking streets and setting fire to tires as security forces used tear gas to disperse them.
The U.S., Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Britain issued a joint statement in support of “a democratic and peaceful” Sudan, where the civilian government was ousted on October 25 in a military coup.
“We endorse the international community’s serious concern with the situation in Sudan. We call for the full and immediate restoration of its civilian-led transitional government and institutions,” said the statement from “QUAD for Sudan” released by the U.S. State Department.
The countries called for the lifting of a state of emergency and “an effective dialogue between all parties” to help “ensure that the peace and security for the people of Sudan is a top priority.”
However, it is as if two years has disappeared in a flash. Two years of working to bring Sudan in from the cold after almost three decades of isolation. Two years of trying to establish a civilian government. Two years of mourning those who had died in Sudan’s revolution to oust Omar al-Bashir. And two years of tentative hope that perhaps these deaths had not been in vain. In the end, all that mattered was that it was two years during which the military grew tired of partnering with civilians in a transitional power-sharing agreement. Last week, the army seized power in a coup that erased everything the Sudanese people had gained since Bashir’s military government was toppled in 2019.
Pray: For God’s wisdom amongst the rulers of Sudan, that they may return to peaceful ways. (Romans 13:1-7)
Pray: For the international community’s attempts to resolve the situation peacefully and in support of the people of Sudan, that they may positively influence the situation.
Pray: That the people of Sudan will know hope in this time of uncertainty, that they will cling on to the vision for a peaceful and democratic Sudan.
