SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: European Council of Foreign Relations – Sudan’s chance for democracy
Researcher Jean-Baptiste Gallopin calls for the EU to use its support for Sudan to empower Sudan’s civilian leaders at the expense of the military, warning that Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok could miss the opportunity for genuine democratisation if he is “[left] at the mercy of the generals once the international community stops paying attention to Sudan.”
With Hamdok “unassertive” with regards to the military generals, Gallopin calls for the EU to coordinate with Sudan’s international partners and press Hamdok to take measures that establish him as Sudan’s political leader. In particular, Gallopin suggests that the EU encourage Hamdok to take a more prominent role in Sudan’s peace negotiations, thereby enabling him to reap the political benefits of any peace deal.
Gallopin also suggests that European diplomats systematically favour meetings with civilian ministers and representatives of the Sovereignty Council over those with a military or paramilitary background.