The military–civilian fight for control over Sudan’s government

Abstract

In 2019, when Sudan’s long-time president Omar al-Bashir was ousted in a revolution, civilian and military leaders in the country initiated a delicate transition process to create a new form of civilian-controlled government. This process was interrupted in October 2021, when Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan deposed and arrested the prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok. The armed forces have controlled the Sudanese government for most of the country’s history, and many senior officers were against the transition to civilian rule. A large, nationwide protest movement emerged in response to the coup and has continued to demand an end to military interference in the government, even after Burhan restored Hamdok to office in November. This is because the prime minister now appears to be governing at the behest of the armed forces.