SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: AFP – Sudan coup generals determined not to lose long-held power: analysts

26/10/2021: AFP – Sudan coup generals determined not to lose long-held power: analysts

AFP provide insights from political analysts on the military coup in Sudan.

The International Crisis Group’s Jonas Horner said the coup “epitomises” the army’s fears of civilian rule in the Sudan they have ruled for 52 out of 65 years, as they “maintain control over economic and political interests”, including their domination of lucrative companies.

Chatham House’s Ahmed Soliman said the military resisted reforms including professionalisation and civilian oversight of its institutions and business interests, with such critical transitional issues fuelling the political turmoil and “setting the stage for this hostile takeover”. Soliman projected the coup would lead to further instability as the military are only securing their own interests.

Rift Valley Institute’s Magdi el-Gizouli suggested that coup leader al-Burhan may talk with civilian leaders who remain free, like Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi, as "he still needs a civilian face for the government”.