Sudan's conflict, explained

Vox

26 May 202310:48

Summary

TLDRThe script recounts Sudan's political upheaval, beginning with the 2018 revolution against President Omar Bashir's military regime and the subsequent coup that saw military leaders Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, or Hemeti, rise to power. Initially united, their power struggle led to a violent conflict, undermining Sudan's hope for democracy. Despite international pressure for a power-sharing agreement, their disagreement over military integration escalated into a civil war, leaving the nation divided and its people betrayed.

Takeaways

🏳️‍🌈 Sudan experienced a revolution in 2018, with civilians demanding democracy after decades of military rule under President Omar Bashir.
🔄 The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have historically held significant power, leading multiple coups and maintaining control over the country.
🛡️ Bashir implemented 'coup proofing' strategies to secure his rule, including bolstering the army and creating protectors like the Janjaweed militias.
🔫 The Janjaweed, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), were instrumental in the brutal suppression of rebellions, particularly in Darfur.
💸 Economic struggles and a severe budget allocation towards the security sector sparked widespread protests against Bashir's regime.
🤝 In April 2019, a coup by SAF commanders and Hemeti led to Bashir's removal, but protesters remained skeptical of the new military leadership.
🔄 A power-sharing agreement was established between the military and civilian protesters, with a transitional council led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Hemeti.
🔄 Tensions between Hemeti and Burhan escalated, leading to Hemeti's push for a more extended timeline for integrating the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the army.
🔥 The disagreement over the power-sharing deal and the RSF's integration led to a rift, resulting in an ongoing conflict between Hemeti and Burhan.
🌍 International pressure and failed ceasefires have not resolved the conflict, leaving Sudan's path to democracy uncertain and its people feeling betrayed.

Q & A

What triggered the revolution in Sudan on December 19th, 2018?
-The revolution in Sudan was triggered by decades of living under President Omar Bashir’s brutal military regime, with civilians pushing back for democracy.
Who were the two men instrumental in the coup against President Omar Bashir?
-The two men instrumental in the coup against President Omar Bashir were Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a former regional commander in Darfur.
What is the significance of the term 'coup proofing' in the context of Bashir's regime?
-Coup proofing refers to the strategy Bashir used to secure his power by surrounding himself with protectors while ensuring none had enough power to overthrow him, which included bolstering the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and maintaining a strong relationship with them.
How did the Janjaweed militias become a significant force in Sudan's political landscape?
-The Janjaweed militias became significant when President Bashir decided to rely on them instead of the SAF to counter the rebellion in Darfur. Later, they were given official status as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Bashir's direct command.
What economic factors contributed to the protests in Sudan in 2018?
-The economic crisis in Sudan, including the loss of oil resources to South Sudan and the government's budget allocating a large portion to the security sector while neglecting basic needs of the people, contributed to the widespread protests.
What was the role of Hemeti in the initial phase of the Sudanese revolution?
-Hemeti, as the leader of the RSF, was initially a protector of Bashir. However, as the protests intensified and it became clear that Bashir's leadership was no longer useful, Hemeti collaborated with SAF commanders to remove Bashir from power in a coup.
What was the power-sharing agreement that was reached after the coup against Bashir?
-The power-sharing agreement involved a transitional council with representatives from both the military and the protesters, where the military would have control for 21 months and civilians for 18 months, eventually leading to a civilian-led government.
Who was appointed as the prime minister following the power-sharing agreement?
-Abdallah Hamdok was appointed as the prime minister following the power-sharing agreement.
What event led to Abdallah Hamdok's resignation as prime minister?
-Abdallah Hamdok resigned following multiple military interventions by the leaders, including a staged coup in October 2021.
What was the disagreement between Burhan and Hemeti that led to their conflict?
-The disagreement was over the integration of the RSF into Burhan’s army, which would limit Hemeti’s power. Burhan wanted this to happen in two years, while Hemeti proposed a 10-year timeline.
How has the conflict between Burhan and Hemeti impacted Sudan's path to democracy?
-The conflict has interrupted the hopeful revolution, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths, thousands fleeing Sudan, and a breakdown in ceasefires and peace talks, leaving protesters feeling betrayed by the country's de facto leaders and the international community.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Sudan's Struggle for Democracy and Military Coup

The script details the beginning of a revolution in Sudan on December 19th, 2018, against President Omar Bashir's brutal military regime. Civilians demanded democracy, leading to a coup that overthrew Bashir after decades of rule. However, the same two men who facilitated the coup ended up in conflict, causing further turmoil. The history of Sudan is marked by military coups, with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) wielding significant power since independence. Bashir's strategy to maintain power involved 'coup proofing,' bolstering the army and using local Arab militias, the Janjaweed, to suppress rebellions, particularly in Darfur, leading to mass destruction and human rights abuses.

05:00

📈 Economic Crisis and the Fall of Bashir's Regime

This paragraph discusses how economic hardship and the misallocation of resources towards the security sector sparked widespread protests in Sudan in 2018. The government's budget prioritized security over basic needs, leading to the largest revolution in Sudan's history. Despite initial support for Bashir, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), eventually ousted him in April 2019. The removal was celebrated but met with skepticism, as the new leaders were seen as complicit in past violence. The RSF, under Hemeti's command, cracked down on pro-democracy protests, leading to a significant loss of life. International intervention resulted in a power-sharing agreement between the military and civilians, with a transitional council led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Hemeti, who had personal and financial stakes in Sudan's industries.

10:02

🔄 Power Struggle and the Ongoing Conflict in Sudan

The final paragraph outlines the power struggle between Burhan and Hemeti, which has escalated into a conflict with severe consequences for Sudan. Disagreements over the integration of the RSF into Burhan's army and the timeline for this transition led to a rift between the two leaders. Despite international pressure and agreements for a civilian-led government, the power dynamics and personal ambitions of the military leaders have resulted in continued violence and instability. The conflict has led to civilian deaths, displacement, and a halt to the democratic aspirations that initially fueled the revolution. The international community, which had pledged support for democracy in Sudan, is perceived to have betrayed the protesters.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Revolution

A revolution refers to a fundamental change in political, social, or economic order. In the video, the revolution in Sudan represents the civilian uprising against President Omar Bashir's military regime, seeking to replace it with a democratic system. This revolution is central to the video's theme, illustrating the struggle for change and the desire for a more just governance.

💡Coup

A coup, short for coup d'état, is the sudden and often violent overthrow of an existing government. The script describes how Sudan has a history of coups, with military officers taking power, including the coup that removed Bashir from power, which was orchestrated by military figures like Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti.

💡Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)

The Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, is the official military of Sudan. The SAF has been a significant power in Sudan's history, often involved in coups and maintaining control over the country. In the video, the SAF is depicted as a key player in the political shifts within Sudan, including supporting Bashir and later participating in his removal.

💡Janjaweed

The Janjaweed are local Arab militias in Sudan, known for their brutal tactics. They were armed and directed by Bashir to counteract rebellions, particularly in Darfur. The Janjaweed's actions, including mass killings and displacement of civilians, are a dark chapter in Sudan's history and are directly linked to the video's narrative of violence and power struggles.

💡Coup Proofing

Coup proofing is a strategy used by leaders to prevent being overthrown by creating a network of loyalists who are kept in check to prevent a unified opposition. Bashir employed this strategy by bolstering the SAF and creating the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which included the Janjaweed, to protect his regime, as mentioned in the script.

💡Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

The Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, is a paramilitary force in Sudan that was given official status by Bashir. Initially under the control of the intelligence agency, they were later placed directly under Bashir's command, with Hemeti as a key leader. The RSF played a crucial role in the removal of Bashir and the subsequent power dynamics within Sudan.

💡Economic Crisis

An economic crisis is a period of financial hardship that can lead to social unrest. Sudan's economic crisis, exacerbated by the loss of oil resources to South Sudan, contributed to the public's dissatisfaction and the subsequent protests against Bashir's regime, as highlighted in the script.

💡Protests

Protests are public demonstrations against government policies or actions. The script describes how widespread protests erupted in Sudan in 2018, driven by economic hardship and a desire for democracy. These protests were a catalyst for the political changes discussed in the video.

💡Power Sharing Agreement

A power-sharing agreement is a political arrangement where power is distributed among different parties. The script mentions such an agreement in Sudan, which included representation from both the military and civilian protesters, aiming to transition the country toward democracy.

Highlights

On December 19th, 2018, a revolution began in Sudan against President Omar Bashir's brutal military regime, with civilians demanding democracy.

Bashir was overthrown in a coup led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti) and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who then promised a democratic future.

Sudan's history is marked by military coups, with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) wielding significant power since independence.

Bashir employed a strategy called 'coup proofing' to maintain power, involving bolstering the army and using local militias like the Janjaweed.

The Janjaweed, led by Hemeti, were instrumental in suppressing rebellions and were later given official status as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Bashir's regime was marked by economic mismanagement, leading to widespread protests and a severe economic crisis in 2018.

The 2018 protests escalated into the largest revolution in Sudan's history, with protesters demanding an end to military rule and democracy.

In April 2019, Hemeti and al-Burhan removed Bashir from power, initially being celebrated but later distrusted by the protesters.

Following the coup, a power-sharing agreement was established between the military and civilians, with al-Burhan as chair and Hemeti as vice chair of the transitional council.

The power-sharing agreement was disrupted by Hemeti and al-Burhan's interventions, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok in 2022.

Hemeti and al-Burhan's disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the SAF and the timeline for this process caused a rift between them.

The conflict between Hemeti and al-Burhan escalated into an armed confrontation, leading to civilian deaths and displacement.

International pressure led to another agreement in December 2020, promising a civilian-led transitional government by April 2023.

Despite international support, the Sudanese people feel betrayed by their leaders and the international community's handling of the situation.

The once hopeful revolution has been derailed by the power struggle between Hemeti and al-Burhan, with ongoing violence and instability.

The conflict has highlighted the complexity of Sudan's political landscape and the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian rule.