SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: DW – Coups, cash and political complexity: What next for Sudan?

25/10/2021: DW – Coups, cash and political complexity: What next for Sudan?

DW’s feature piece on the military coup provides quotes from analysts.

Theodore Murphy of the European Council on Foreign Relations said the large pro-democracy demonstrations triggered military fears about being forced to face justice for past crimes.

Sussex University’s Dan Watson noted that the apparent failed 21 September coup attempt “was either manufacturing or used” by the military to stoke support, and the pro-military splinter faction of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC-NA) could be used to replace the existing civilian government.

Outside of urban centres, Sudan expert Alex de Waal said that rural leaders who were previously part of al-Bashir's system of "mercenary patronage" see pro-democracy demonstrators' desire to change the system "as an assault on their constituencies”.

De Waal added that the military seeks to “move [technocratic prime minister] Hamdok into a position where he stays in office, but where they pull the strings”.