2019 Sudanese coup d'état

2019 Sudanese coup d'état The 2019 military coup in Sudan culminated in the removal of President Omar al-Bashir after months of nationwide protests led by the 2018–2019 Sudanese protests movement and mediated pressure from regional and international actors. The seizure of power by the Sudanese Armed Forces led to the formation of the Transitional Military Council (Sudan), confrontation with the Forces of Freedom and Change coalition, and a negotiated transition that involved figures such as Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and representatives of civil society including Abdelaziz El Hilu and Sadia al-Mahdi.

Background

By late 2018 Sudan faced crises linked to declining oil revenues after the secession of South Sudan, recurrent Darfur conflict dynamics involving the Justice and Equality Movement and Rapid Support Forces, and international sanctions related to the Second Sudanese Civil War legacy and allegations tied to the International Criminal Court. Economic turmoil, including shortages of fuel and bread alongside inflation and austerity measures under Bashir’s National Congress Party (Sudan), fueled mass mobilization that crystallized in the 2018–2019 Sudanese protests and the formation of alliances such as the coalition of professional associations including the Sudanese Professionals Association and political groupings like Umma Party (Sudan) and National Umma Party factions. Regional actors such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar along with international organizations including the African Union, United Nations, and European Union watched the unfolding crisis, while armed groups from Blue Nile and South Kordofan maintained separate ceasefire and negotiation tracks with Khartoum.

Timeline of the Coup

Protest escalation in early 2019 followed the resignation of several ministers and strikes organized by the Sudanese Professionals Association and student unions, prompting a security response from the National Intelligence and Security Service (Sudan) and deployment of paramilitary formations linked to the Rapid Support Forces. On 6 April 2019 protests converged on Khartoum and led to clashes near the Republican Palace, culminating on 11 April when military leaders including Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) announced the removal of Bashir and the establishment of the Transitional Military Council (Sudan). Demonstrations continued on 12 April as protesters from the Forces of Freedom and Change demanded a civilian transition and staged sit-ins outside the Army Command and in front of the Union Jack Hall-adjacent squares, with sporadic violence involving the Rapid Support Forces and police brigades. Negotiations with opposition figures such as Sadiq al-Mahdi-aligned parties, the National Consensus Forces, and civil society representatives produced shifting statements about timelines for transfer of authority, while key events such as the arrest of Bashir, televised addresses by al-Burhan, and the formation of a joint civilian-military negotiation body marked the subsequent weeks.

Key Actors and Forces

Key coup actors included military commanders from the Sudanese Armed Forces notably Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces, who had origins connected to the Janjaweed militias active during the War in Darfur. Political and civil opposition was led by the Forces of Freedom and Change coalition, which incorporated the Sudanese Professionals Association, political parties such as Umma Party (Sudan), Congress Party (Sudan), Sudanese Congress Party, and figures like Sadiq al-Mahdi allies and Amin Mekki Medani-aligned lawyers. Other stakeholders included the Transitional Military Council (Sudan), former ruling National Congress Party (Sudan) members, rebel movements from Darfur including the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Sudan Revolutionary Front, religious leaders associated with the Ansar movement, and international state actors such as Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and western governments including United States and United Kingdom. Regional organizations like the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development also played roles in mediation and recognition.

Domestic and International Reactions

Domestically, the coup provoked mixed responses: jubilant crowds in Khartoum squares contrasted with protests calling for an immediate handover to civilians led by the Forces of Freedom and Change and legal challenges from opposition parties and families of protest victims. Security incidents involved the Rapid Support Forces and riot police confronting sit-in protesters and human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented abuses. Internationally, governments and organizations reacted with a range of statements and measures: the African Union suspended Sudan’s membership pending civilian transition, the United States and European Union weighed sanctions and aid adjustments, Egypt and Saudi Arabia provided political and emergency financial signals, while the United Nations called for restraint and facilitation of dialogue. Diplomatic engagement included envoys from the African Union, United Nations Mission in Sudan intermediaries, and regional mediation by Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates officials.

Transitional Arrangements and Aftermath

Negotiations between the Transitional Military Council (Sudan), the Forces of Freedom and Change, and mediators such as the African Union and Ethiopia culminated in a power-sharing agreement that established a Sovereignty Council (Sudan) tasked with overseeing a multi-year transition toward elections, alongside a Council of Ministers (Sudan) headed by civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The transitional charter addressed issues including integration of armed movements from Darfur and South Kordofan, legal accountability measures related to the ousted Omar al-Bashir, and reforms to institutions such as the Central Bank of Sudan and national security structures. Subsequent challenges included a 3 June 2019 crackdown on a Khartoum sit-in resulting in mass casualties, ongoing negotiations with rebel factions like the Sudan Liberation Movement and Justice and Equality Movement, economic stabilization efforts involving the International Monetary Fund and bilateral creditors, and continuing diplomatic recalibration with the lifting of some international sanctions and initiation of transitional justice mechanisms, including references to the International Criminal Court processes. The transitional period remained fragile amid competing interests of military leaders, paramilitary commanders, civil society activists, and regional powers seeking influence over Sudan’s future.

Category:2019 coups d'état Category:2019 in Sudan Category:Military coups in Sudan