SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg – Sudan Coup Demands More Than Mild Outrage From the U.S.

26/10/2021: Bloomberg – Sudan Coup Demands More Than Mild Outrage From the U.S., by Bobby Ghosh

Bloomberg columnist Bobby Ghosh argues that US President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett have the chance to end the crisis of democracy in Sudan by vocally supporting Sudanese democrats, making it clear to Sudan’s military leaders that violence against peaceful demonstrators will not be tolerated, and persuading Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to press for the restoration of the transitional government, under civilian leadership.

Ghosh suggests that Bennett can differentiate himself from his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, by showing Sudan that friendship with Israel “is about more than simply signing accords,” adding that Bennett can overcome widespread Arab scepticism about normalisation with Israel by siding with the Sudanese people.

Ghosh notes that Biden may threaten economic sanctions and exercise its veto on assistance from the IMF, although this may “risk penalising [Sudanese people] for al-Burhan’s coup”.

Finally, with the international community’s appetite for military coups argued to be wearing thin, and that international support is needed to prop up Sudan’s crippled economy, Kiwuwa notes that military’s to ability to overcome pressure may be decisive.