One month into the Sudanese coup that has left 40 civilians dead and over 100 wounded, Sudan’s military has reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan overthrew the civilian-led government in late October, resulting in the detainment of Hamdok and a number of other political officials.
Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to condemn the General’s coup and call for the reinstatement of the civilian-led government. As of today, at least 40 civilians have been killed by military and security forces.
Officials have claimed soldiers and police used “minimum force” to contain the protesters, although their use of live rounds and tear gas has been widely reported.
Now, the General and the Prime Minister have signed an agreement in a televised event. The agreement will reinstate Hamdok’s position as he forms a cabinet of technocrats. All political officials detained during the beginnings of the coup will also be released under the agreement. More details about the terms of the deal are likely to come.
“Sudanese blood is precious. Let us stop the bloodshed and direct the youth’s energy into building and development,” said Hamdok during the televised signing ceremony.
Hamdok first undertook the role of Prime Minister in 2019, following the ousting of dictator Omar Hassan al-Bashir. In the wake of the ousting, a civilian-led group partnered with the military to agree to a power-sharing transitional period until the time came for a democratic election.
Hamdok’s compliance with the agreement has been unpopular among demonstrators, as well as multiple parties and coalitions within Sudan.
The Forces of Freedom and Change, a group which shared power with the military prior to the coup, has said they do not recognise the agreement. The group called the agreement “illegitimate and unconstitutional”.
“We are not concerned with any agreements with this brute junta and we are employing all peaceful and creative methods to bring it down,” said a spokesperson on behalf of the Forces of Freedom and Change.
Sudanese military and government officials have emphasised the “crucial roles” the United Nations and the United States played in forging the agreement.
Many civilians have vocally criticised Hamdok’s acquiescence, urging the reinstatement of all power to civilian-led governance groups.
Democratic elections are set to take place in July 2023.
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