A state of apprehension and political tension in Sudan portends an imminent crisis that threatens the transitional phase in which the country is witnessing from the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir’s regime.
continuous sit-in
Coinciding with a sit-in in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, demanding the dissolution of the government, the “Freedom and Change” coalition called for marches in support of the transition on the anniversary of the October 21 Revolution, which was ignited by the Sudanese in 1964 and ended the rule of the late President Ibrahim Abboud (1958 – 1964).
For the fifth day, a dissident group of the “Freedom and Change” forces is protesting in front of the government headquarters and the presidential palace in Khartoum, amid calls for the dissolution of the transitional government and the formation of other independent national competencies to manage the country’s affairs.
The sit-in began on Saturday in small groups before expanding in scope, on Monday, and spread to large areas in central Khartoum and covered most of the vital facilities, ministries and sovereign bodies, including the Presidential Palace and the Council of Ministers, in addition to closing 3 main roads, which are University Street, Al-Gomhoria Street and Al-Qasr.
On the other hand, the Alliance for Freedom and Change, the civilian partner of the military in the transitional authority, called for rallies to commemorate the October 21 revolution to support civil democratic transformation and protect the revolution.
A day for all Sudanese
The anniversary of the revolution was also considered by the defectors from the “Freedom and Change” alliance as a day for all Sudanese and not monopolized by anyone, and they also called on their supporters to take to the streets and squares in a “million”.
The coalition, which called itself the “founding platform”, includes the Justice and Equality Movement led by Jibril Ibrahim and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Arko Minawi, as well as civil political forces, and leaders, most notably: Al-Tom Hajo, Mohamed Sayed Ahmed Al-Jakoumi, Mubarak Ardol and others.
Confronting the Brotherhood
On Wednesday, the Rapporteur of the Committee to Dismantle the Brotherhood of Sudan, Wajdi Salih, warned the people not to be drawn into any language that does not resemble the values of the Sudanese people, and not to get discouraged.
He pointed out, during a press conference, that the forces of the revolution were subjected to attempts to distort and tear apart the hostile forces and dream of regaining power.
In his speech, Sudanese Minister of Cabinet Affairs Khaled Omar Youssef called for cohesion and unity in order to miss the opportunity for the remnants and putschists who think and believe in the death of the forces of the revolution.
14 pending cases
On Tuesday, the “Freedom and Change” coalition prepared 14 pending cases, calling on the government to dialogue about them and address them in accordance with the constitutional document.
The outstanding issues from the perspective of the Central Council for Freedom and Change include the reform of the Sovereignty Council and the transition of its presidency to the civilian component, reforming the government and the security and military sector, implementing security arrangements to reach a single national army, reforming the justice agencies, resolving the issue of eastern Sudan, and forming the Transitional Legislative Council as soon as possible.
International anticipation and calls for consensus
Today, the US Embassy in Khartoum called on Sudanese demonstrators to remain peaceful in demonstrations in support of the transition.
And she said, in a statement, that she was “aware of the calls for the Sudanese to demonstrate on Thursday, to express their views on the current situation in the country.”
“We encourage peaceful demonstrators and remind them of the strong American support for the democratic transition in Sudan to achieve freedom, peace and justice,” the statement added.
“We also encourage civilian and military leaders to work together in partnership to overcome their differences and take the necessary measures to implement the basic parameters of the Constitutional Declaration,” he continued.
Sudan is also awaiting an upcoming visit by the US envoy to the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, this week.
Worst-case scenario warnings
The Sudanese academic, Kamal Jahallah, said that the forces of freedom and change will strive for the success of tomorrow’s mobilization through all their energies, cadres and media capabilities to achieve a moral victory, otherwise they will lose everything.
Jahallah added, in statements to “Sky News Arabia”, that any weakness in the crowd would strengthen the second party, which the civil forces consider supported by the remnants of the former regime.
He pointed out that the Brotherhood infiltrated the current sit-in near the presidential palace and is waiting for the opportunity to spread chaos, warning, “Whenever they have an opportunity, they will not miss it.”
He explained that the remnants of the former regime still hold many threads of the political game through organizations, companies, a media machine, a 30-year rule experience and a deep state.
And he warned of what he described as the “worst scenario”, which is the occurrence of clashes between the two parties, caused by the remnants of the former regime.
shaping the political landscape
In turn, Sudanese journalist Ibrahim Musa said that the formation of the political scene in Sudan depends on the outcome of Thursday’s protests.
Moussa added, in statements to “Sky News Arabia” that the two conflicting parties of “freedom and change” are fighting over the mobilization, as each party aims to support its position based on the strength of the street.
He pointed out that there are great fears about the Brotherhood’s exploitation of the existing crisis in an attempt to apostate.
He continued, “Hamdok must have a clear opinion to prevent the country from descending into chaos, especially as there are fears of clashes between protesters.”
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