CIA & Update By Anastasia Ryhanych

Four months following the overthrow and arrest of President al-Bashir, a constitutional declaration was signed by the Sudan’s ruling generals and protest leaders that “paved the way for a transition to civilian rule” (Sudan - Government). The constitution was signed on August 4th, 2019 in (the capital of Sudan) after extensive negotiations. The transitional civilian government will last for an estimated period of three years in preparation for formal elections. It currently consists of an 11-member sovereign council which serves to monitor the formation of a legislative council and a council of ministers. Of the 11 members, five will be appointed by the Transitional Military Council (TMC), another five will be appointed by the Forces of Freedom and Change alliance (FFC), and the remaining member will be agreed upon by both parties. The transitional government also includes a prime minister who will be chosen by the FFC. In August 2019, distinguished economist, Abdalla Hamdok, was nominated by the FFC to fill the role of prime minister. Since Prime Minister Hamdok’s appointment and the creation of the transitional government, political action has been taken. On November 28th, 2019, Sudan approved a new law “dismantling” former President Omar al-Bashir’s regime by calling for the complete “dissolution of the political party and confiscation of all its properties”—the political party being the National Congress Party (NCP), the former party of al-Bashir (Sudan Approves New Law “dismantling” Omar al-Bashir’s Regime | News | Al Jazeera). The NCP had been in power of northeast Africa since June 30th, 1989 and did not react well to the passing of the new law. The NCP accused the transitional government of “failing to tackle” Sudan’s economic crisis and declared it to be an “illegal” institution as well as a “moral scandal” (Sudan Approves New Law “dismantling” Omar al-Bashir’s Regime | News | Al Jazeera). Despite the backlash from the party, the transitional government is committed to dissolving the former parties laws by eliminating “dehumanizing” acts and repealing “so-called morality laws” (Trump Administration Moves to Upgrade Diplomatic Ties With Sudan - The New York Times). In terms of Sudan’s relations with the United States, in December 2019, the two countries agreed to exchanging ambassadors. This will be the first time that ambassadors have been exchanged between the nations in 23 years. The installment of a US ambassador in Sudan is a sign of strengthening diplomatic ties between the nations and evidence of the Trump administration’s “vote of confidence” in the civilian rule transitional government currently in place (Trump Administration Moves to Upgrade Diplomatic Ties With Sudan - The New York Times). Secretary of State believes the exchange could ameliorate Sudan’s economic crisis and assist in the continuing transition to a civilian-led government. Moreover, Mr. Pompeo has expressed his faith in Prime Minister Hamdok in a public statement recognizing him for his “commitment to peace negotiations” (Trump Administration Moves to Upgrade Diplomatic Ties With Sudan - The New York Times). Mr. Hamdok is eager to continue improving relations with the United States and has asked the Trump administration to formally remove Sudan from the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. An official from the State Department admitted to Sudan potentially being considered for removal from the list, however, lawmakers have several conditions Sudan needs to meet prior to doing so.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sudan - Government. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/sudan/government.htm.

Accessed 22 Dec. 2019.

Sudan Approves New Law “dismantling” Omar al-Bashir’s Regime | News | Al Jazeera.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/sudan-approves-law-dismantling-omar-al-

bashir-regime-191128233310975.html. Accessed 22 Dec. 2019.

Trump Administration Moves to Upgrade Diplomatic Ties With Sudan - The New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/us/politics/trump-sudan-diplomacy.html.

Accessed 22 Dec. 2019.