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2021 Sudanese coup d'état

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October 2021 Sudanese coup d'état also known as the Elephant Trunk Revolution
Part of the 2019–2024 Sudanese transition to democracy
Date25 October 2021
Location
Khartoum, Sudan
15°36′32″N 32°31′43″E / 15.60889°N 32.52861°E / 15.60889; 32.52861
Result
Belligerents
Sudan Sovereignty Council of Sudan Sudan Sudanese Armed Forces Sudan Rapid Support Forces
Commanders and leaders
Abdalla Hamdok
Ibrahim al-Sheikh
Ayman Khalid
Hamza Baloul
Mohamed al-Faki
Faisal Saleh		 Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Casualties and losses
12 civilians injured[3]
Khartoum is located in Sudan
Khartoum
Khartoum
class=notpageimage|
Location within Sudan

On 24 October 2021, Sudanese military launched a successful coup against the government. At least five senior government figures were detained, including communist Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.[4] Widespread internet outages were also reported.

An unsuccessful coup had previously been attempted in September 2021.[5]

Background

2019 coup and transition to democracy

Main articles: Sudanese Revolution, 2019–2024 Sudanese transition to democracy, and 2019 Sudanese coup d'état

President Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled the country since the 1989 coup, was overthrown by the military in 2019 after weeks of mass protests. The Transitional Military Council took over the country. The protesters were represented by the Forces of Freedom and Change (FCC), which agreed to a power-sharing deal with the military, creating the Sovereignty Council.[6] According to the TMC-FCC agreement, the transition process would last 3 years and 3 months. The Sovereignty Council was to be led by a military figure for 21 months, followed by a civilian leader for 18 months. The handover was planned to take place in November 2021.[7]

September coup attempt

Main article: September 2021 Sudanese coup d'état attempt

In September 2021, a military coup attempt was thwarted by the government. According to the Minister of Information, the perpetrators were "remnants of the former regime" who tried to take control of the state broadcasters television buildings and the military central command. Following the incident, 40 officers were arrested.[8][9] Since then, tensions between the military and civilian leaders rose as military leaders started demanding reforms to the FCC coalition and called for the replacement of the cabinet.[10]

October 2021 protests

On October 16, protesters took to the streets demanding a military coup. They called for General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chairman of the Sovereignty Council, to seize control and take over the country.[10]

On October 21, pro-military protesters held a sit-in outside the presidential palace, while thousands took to the streets in support of the transitional government.[11]

On October 24, pro-military protesters blocked major roads and bridges in Khartoum. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds.[12]

Events

On 24 October 2021, Sudan's military arrested at least five senior Sudanese government figures. Later, widespread Internet outages across Sudan were reported.[13][14][15][8]

According to a Reuters witness, members of the Rapid Support Forces were stationed at the streets of Khartoum during the time of the coup.[16]

Later that day, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared a state of emergency and announced the dissolution of the government and the Sovereignty Council.[17] In a televised address, he stated that a new technocratic government would lead the country until the next elections, which will be held in July 2023.[2]

Arrests

According to Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Hadath TV, military forces placed civilian Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok under house arrest after besieging his home.[18] Industry Minister Ibrahim al-Sheikh, the governor of Khartoum, Ayman Khalid and Information Minister Hamza Baloul were also taken into custody.[18][8] Also arrested was member of the ruling Sovereignty Council, Mohammed al-Fiky Suliman, and Faisal Mohammed Saleh, a media adviser to the prime minister.[4]

Later reports claimed that they were brought to an "unidentified location", and it is not clear if Hamdok is among them, contradicting earlier information.[19] Witness reports stated that the military had been deployed across the capital, restricting the movement of civilians. International flights were suspended after the closure of Khartoum airport.[14]

Internet outages

Immediately following the incident, major Internet outages in Sudan were reported by international watchdog groups including NetBlocks. The outages were later corroborated by the Sudan Information Ministry.[8]

Media

Government-owned state television operated uninterrupted.[4]

Reactions

Domestic reactions

The pro-democracy group Sudanese Professionals Association criticized the event as a coup. The country's ruling party, the National Umma Party, similarly denounced the arrests and called on members of the public to protest in the streets.[8] The Sudanese Communist Party advocated for a worker's strike and mass civil disobedience.[8] Following the arrests, demonstrators started gathering in the streets of Khartoum, lighting car tires on fire and setting up roadblocks.[20][19][21] According to the Information Ministry, the army used live rounds to disperse the protesters.[2]

International reactions

Jeffrey D. Feltman, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, said the United States was "deeply alarmed" by initial reports of a military takeover.[21] The EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit also expressed concern.[22]

The United Nations Mission to Sudan condemned the coup and called for the immediate release of government officials,[22] similarly the African Union issued a statement calling for the release of political leaders.[1]

The governments of France and Germany condemned the coup while China urged dialogue between the Sudanese factions.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "'Utterly unacceptable': World reacts to Sudan 'coup'". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Live: Sudan's General Burhan dissolves government, declares state of emergency". France 24. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Sudan PM Hamdok arrested, military leader dissolves gov't: Live". Al Jazeera. 25 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Sudan's PM and other leaders detained in apparent coup attempt", The Guardian, Sudan, 25 October 2021
  5. ^ "Sudan failed coup: Government blames pro-Bashir elements". BBC News. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Sudan on the brink amid scramble for democracy". BBC News. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Sudan's military takes power in coup, arrests prime minister". AP NEWS. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Magdy, Samy (25 October 2021). "Officials detained, internet down in apparent Sudan coup". ABC News. Cairo. AP News. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  9. ^ CNN, Mostafa Salem, Nima Elbagir and Yasir Abdullah. "Sudanese government official says failed coup plotters were from Bashir regime". CNN. Retrieved 25 October 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b "Sudan: Protesters demand military coup as crisis deepens". BBC News. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Crowds take to Sudan's streets after calls for rival protests". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Security forces fire tear gas to disperse protesters in Khartoum". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Sudan's civilian leaders arrested – reports". MSN. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Sudan Officials Detained, Communication Lines Cut in Apparent Military Coup". Bloomberg.com. 25 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Sudan's civilian leaders arrested amid coup reports". BBC News. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Sudan's PM and other leaders detained in apparent coup attempt". The Guardian. Associated Press and Reuters. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Sudan's Burhan declares state of emergency, dissolves government". Reuters. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Sudan's PM under house arrest, cabinet ministers detained: Report". Aljazeera. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Sudan's military arrests civilian leaders in apparent coup". South China Morning Post. Agence France-Presse. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  20. ^ Abdallah, Yasir; El Damanhoury, Kareem; Salem, Mostafa; Deaton, Jennifer (25 October 2021). "Sudan Prime Minister placed under house arrest by 'military forces,' information ministry says". CNN. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  21. ^ a b Dahir, Abdi Latif (25 October 2021). "Live Updates: Sudan's Military Detains Prime Minister in Apparent Coup". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  22. ^ a b "The Latest: China urges dialogue between Sudan's factions". AP NEWS. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
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