Attack by renegade soldiers: attempted coup in Sudan foiled

The interim government in Sudan has apparently thwarted a military coup. Who is behind this is unclear. Supporters of ex-dictator al-Bashir who want to overthrow the democracy movement are suspected.

“The coup attempt has been foiled, the situation is under control,” reported the state news agency Suna in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. Previously, renegade military units tried to occupy government agencies and a state radio station in order to usurp power. But that failed.

Government: The situation is calm

There were fights, it was said. Dozens of officers who participated in the coup attempt were arrested. The situation in Sudan is now calm again.

The country with 44 million inhabitants has been on the way to democracy for two years. The transitional government made up of members of the military and members of the democracy movement is preparing elections for the coming year.

Ex-government adviser: Islamists want to return to power

It is unclear who is behind the coup attempt this morning. The former Sudanese government advisor Feiz al-Shich al-Silik said on the Arab broadcaster al-Hadath: “This attempted coup is aimed at the democracy movement, against civil society and at bringing the Islamists back to power.” There are still many supporters of the former dictator Omar al-Bashir in the military. Together with Islamists, they would strive to regain power.

Al-Bashir had ruled Sudan with a hard hand for 30 years. After mass protests a good two years ago, the military deposed him. Since then, Sudan has been led by the transitional government trying to build democratic structures.

Lots of unsolved problems

The coup attempt is only a symptom of the difficulties in Sudan, along with the economic crisis and many other unsolved problems, says al-Shikh al-Silik. “These people want to turn back the clock, they want to get back to power and fend off any transformation in Sudan.”

The transitional government was apparently able to repel the attempted coup. On TV pictures you can see how normal everyday life prevails again in the capital Khartoum. The road to democracy remains difficult for the country.