Seizing this Moment in Sudan to Consolidate Democratic Governance
Professor Rebecca Hamilton, author of “Fighting for Darfur: Public Action and the Struggle to Stop Genocide,” recently penned an op-ed for the The Washington Post on September 30, 2019, entitled “Seize this moment in Sudan.” Professor Hamilton, who covered Sudan for The Post from 2010-2011, discusses the democratic transition in Sudan.
According to Professor Hamilton, pro-democratic protestors, who have succeeded in lessening the power of president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, have been instrumental in civilian reformers achieving positions of leadership. But, because there will likely be no dramatic event leading up to democratic transition, it might be overlooked.
While Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, is currently on the power-sharing council that will lead the country until its next elections – scheduled for 2022 – the prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, who was chosen by the pro-democracy protestors, is forming a cabinet of diverse technocracts – more diverse than the country has ever seen.
The new minister of justice, Nasredeen Abdulbari, at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, said, “We believe peace can only be achieved if we address the root causes of Sudan’s wars, which are the marginalization by the state of the peripheries.” Because of Sudan’s history, Professor Hamilton states, this is a remarkable statement. In addition, Abdulbari hopes to advance human rights in a way that Sudan has never before seen, including the forming of a legal reform commission, and the plan to join international human rights treaties.
While democracy is finally showing signs of forward movement, there are still risks involved. Professor Hamilton points out that the structures that support al-Bashir’s reign are still in place, and history says the failure seems more likely than success. However, this should not stop the pro-democratic protestors from pushing forward, and other countries to show their support of Sudan and its wish for democracy. Hamdok and his cabinet have asked the U.S. to remove Sudan from the state sponsor of terrorism list, which would allow sanctions to be lifted, which would make the road to democracy somewhat easier.
Professor Hamilton concludes her article by saying: “In a time of growing authoritarianism worldwide, Sudan’s extraordinary protest movement serves as a beacon of hope. As Abdulbari put it in his speech to the council: ‘The people of Sudan have — by making enormous sacrifices — practically proven that ending an authoritarian regime and starting the process of establishing a free, just and peaceful society is possible. The international community should show its solidarity with the people of Sudan.’”
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