Will Sudan be Able to Form a New Government Anytime Soon?

Published October 7th, 2021 - 10:23 GMT
Sudan's military calls on prime minister Hamdok to form new government
Sudanese from the eastern Beja region block the main road of Port Sudan, 120 km west of the port, on October 5, 2021 as an act of protest against sections regarding the eastern region of Sudan in the Juba Peace Agreement, signed between rebel groups and the government in October last year. ASHRAF SHAZLY / AFP)
Highlights
Army demand in response to eastern Beja tribes' complaints of marginalization

Military members of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council asked Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to rapidly form a new government with the aim at ending the marginalization crisis of tribes, local media said Wednesday.

According to daily al-Sudani, unidentified informed sources said military members from the Council refused on Tuesday to meet a ministerial committee formed by Hamdok to address the crisis in eastern Sudan.

"The military members refused to meet the ministerial committee and asked to meet Hamdok alone before meeting any minister," said the newspaper.

It also said members representing the army exerted pressure on Hamdok to dissolve the government in response to demands to form a new government by the head of the High Council of Beja, Muhammad al-Amin Turk.

Tensions have risen in recent days between military and civilian members of the Sudanese transitional authority over the coup attempt last month.

The government has yet to comment on developments mentioned by the newspaper.

The Sudanese Council of Ministers decided Tuesday to form a committee, headed by Hamdok, to engage military members of the Sovereign Council to agree on "practical solutions" to the crisis.


Sudan is ruled by a civilian government and a Sovereign Council which consists of 14 members; five military representatives from the army, six civilians from the Forces for Freedom and Change Coalition and three members who were added in February to represent armed groups after a peace deal was signed with the government in October 2020.

Demonstrators have since Sept. 17 blocked Khartoum's airport, seaports and the main road between Khartoum and Port Sudan in protest of the peace deal with rebel groups, which Beja tribes in eastern Sudan say marginalizes the community.

The High Council of Beja Nazir has complained about marginalization in eastern regions and demanded the cancelation of the peace deal and the establishment of a national conference to approve development projects in the regions.

Since Aug. 21, 2019, Sudan has been in a 53-month transitional period that will end with elections in early 2024.

This article has been adapted from its original source.

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