Sudan: disempowered head of government back to old post

Sudan’s Prime Minister Hamdok has returned to his post under an agreement with the coup plotters. The most important civil representation immediately rejected the deal. Thousands of demonstrators marched in front of the presidential palace.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has resumed his post four weeks after he was ousted by military coups in Sudan. Hamdok appeared on television with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the October coup, to sign a new power-sharing agreement.

“The decision of the highest army chief to replace the interim head of government has been repealed,” said the agreement that was drawn up with the help of foreign and national mediators.

Hamdok: “Let’s stop the bloodshed”

Part of the 14-point agreement is therefore also to revive the transitional regime to democracy, which the parties agreed on in 2019 after the overthrow of long-time President Omar al-Bashir. The ruling envisaged a power-sharing between the military and civilians and elections in 2023.

Hamdok, apparently weakened, said: “The Sudanese blood is valuable. Let us stop the bloodshed and direct the energy of the youth towards building and developing the country.” According to the agreement, all political prisoners should also be released.

Agreement under duress?

Hamdok had only accepted the new agreement under duress, the BBC quoted a spokesman for the civil alliance that set up the prime minister two years ago and ruled with him.

A new transitional council has been in power since the coup at the end of October, but it has not been recognized as a government by other countries. The coup leader and chairman of the new council, General al-Burhan, said the takeover on October 25 was necessary to ensure the security of the country. On November 11th, Al-Burhan nominated members of the transitional council to take on the role of a cabinet. The 14-member council includes at least five military representatives and none of the civilian members of the previous transitional government.

The civil parties therefore do not want to give up their protest. “We reaffirmed our clear position: No negotiations, no partnership and no recognition of the coup plotters,” declared the FFC alliance. Thousands of demonstrators marched in the capital Khartoum to the presidential palace and demanded the abdication of General al-Burhan.

40 dead in mass protests

The military took power on October 25th and placed Prime Minister Hamdok and several other ministers under house arrest. In addition, several civilians were arrested who held top positions as part of a power-sharing agreed with the military after Bashir’s fall.

The coup sparked mass demonstrations in which at least 40 people were killed. The US, Germany and other Western countries had condemned the coup and called for a return to a civilian-led transition to democracy. Economic aid was also suspended.