Sudan Coup: On October 25 – just weeks before Sudan’s military was supposed to hand over control of the transitional government to the civilian leadership – General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seized control in a military coup and declared a state of emergency.
“The coup cannot continue with the mobilisation that we have seen and that we are going to see in the next days and weeks”
The army dissolved the joint civilian-military government and arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Protesters have taken to the streets to denounce the coup, but security forces have responded forcefully.
This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with Sudan’s ambassador to the United States, Nureldin Satti, who says the coup “cannot continue with the mobilisation that we have seen and that we are going to see in the next days and weeks”.
There are reports that the pre-coup economic crisis in Sudan was created by the military to destabilize PM Hamdok’s regime. Rumor has it that the military stockpiled fuel and food – something that is also confirmed by the fact that accessibility improved as soon as General al-Burhan proclaimed himself leader.
Various excuses, such as Beja tribe blocking the road, Beja tribe blocking the harbor were used as a pretext for food shortages. At the same time the military was able to transport tons of military material across the country. It could not have been a major problem to fly some loaves to Khartoum by helicopter. It is ridiculous to blame the lack of food on blocked roads. We have been able to fly for over a hundred years.
Nureldin Satti is a wise and educated man. When he says that al-Burhan’s military coup cannot succeed, one should listen. The aftermath of this coup will be long and complicated.
The whole underlying structure must be clarified. al-Burhan can hardly have planned everything alone. All culprits must be held accountable.
The courts in Sudan must decide under which criminal headings they should be prosecuted. It is not entirely impossible that one of the charges could be High Treason. It may also be relevant with international courts.
Last but certainly not least, the role of Egypt in these events must be investigated.
