The Situation in Sudan Student Officer: Aryan Gulati Position
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Forum: Security Council Issue: The Situation in Sudan Student Officer: Aryan Gulati Position: Deputy President Introduction The nation of Sudan has been subjugated by autocratic regimes since 1958, two years after gaining independence, whose policies have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the Sudanese people. Former president Omar Al-Bashir (President from 1989 to 2019), currently under investigation for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, reigned over Sudan for three decades and was responsible for deepening cultural divides, marginalizing the Sudanese people, partaking in multiple brutal conflicts (including the genocide in Darfur) and being unable to eliminate the instability and economic recession that plagued Sudan. The ineffective and violent leadership of Al-Bashir culminated in mass protests and his eventual arrest by the Sudanese military. In the power vacuum that followed, the military forces established the Transitional Military Council (TMC): a body consisting of military leaders with the mandate to govern Sudan for a transition period of two years. Determined to remove autocratic regimes and transition to a democratic form of government, large scale anti-government demonstrations and peaceful protests continued, demanding the immediate implementation of civilian rule in Sudan. Negotiations on a power-sharing and transition deal continued until June 3rd 2019, when paramilitary forces rampaged through a protest site, murdering, looting and destroying as they progressed, and leaving the protestors in a state of disarray. The current standoff between protest leaders and the TMC is inching towards an end, with the first part of a power-sharing deal being signed by both sides in negotiations brokered by the African Union. Regardless, international support for the Sudanese people has been limited, with the Security Council being unable to issue a condemnation of the TMC’s actions, whereas multiple member states have offered aid or otherwise assisted the TMC, leading to a strengthened resolve and capability of the military to thwart the pro-democracy sentiment that has fueled the current situation. The situation is a battle between the will of the people and the might of a government – it is the international community’s responsibility to minimize the loss of life and come to an eventual conclusion to the war. The situation in Sudan is progressively deteriorating, with the government committing constant violations of human rights and implementing an agenda of oppression and aggravated violence towards civilians. Continued protests in the face of military lockdowns, egregious abuses of human rights and continued setbacks illustrate the Sudanese people’s determination to install a civilian government. Regardless of the political outcome, it is the responsibility of the international community to intervene in Sudan to prevent further losses. Definition of Key Terms Inflation Inflation is a quantitative measure of the rate at which the average price level of a basket of selected goods and services in an economy changes over a period of time. Periods of high inflation are characterized by a sustained increase in the average price level and a fall in the purchasing power of a nation’s currency. Coup d'état A coup d'état, also known simply as a coup, means the overthrow of an existing government; typically, this refers to an illegal, unconstitutional seizure of power by a dictator, the military, or a political faction. Transitional Military Council (TMC) The Transitional Military Council (TMC) is the current military junta governing Sudan. It was established on 11 April 2019 after the Sudanese coup d'état and is formally headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Inspector of the Armed Forces. Totalitarianism A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state. In this form of governance, there is no political opposition and the government monitors and controls the lives of all its citizens. Complete civil obedience is mandatory and there is no right to free speech or assembly. Coalition An alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states. That is, when multiple parties temporary combine and work together to achieve a shared objective. Autocracy A system of government by one person with absolute power, generally a dictator or a monarch. In Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir was the autocratic leader. Darfur Genoicde The Darfur genocide refers to the systematic killing of Darfuri men, women, and children which occurred during the ongoing conflict in Western Sudan. This event began on the 26th of February 2003 and involved the Janjaweed militia terrorizing civilians in Darfur. Key Issues Ouster of Omar Al-Bashir Sudan has, under the rule of Omar Al-Bashir, long suffered from a strained economy due to limited sources of revenue and harsh sanctions by the United States. This prolonged period of recession led to a progressive decline in quality of life and continued increases in the cost of living due to high inflation and limited economic growth. As the economic situation worsened, the Al-Bashir regime implemented austerity measures in an attempt to bolster the Sudanese economy, including a reduction of subsidies on basic necessities such as fuel and bread. The reduction, combined with the rising cost of living, prompted the outbreak of protests. Initially sparked by outrage due to price hikes, the protests soon took an anti-government stance, demanding the resignation of President Omar Al-Bashir and a transition to civilian rule. On the 11th of April 2019, the Sudanese army orchestrated a bloodless coup d’état, successfully arresting the president and establishing a Transitional Military Council (TMC). The ouster of the brutal dictator created a power vacuum, however, shortly after this gesture of support, military leaders turned on protestors, declaring a 2-year military rule from 2019 to 2021. This declaration is the cause of the current standoff. Protest leaders demanded an immediate transfer of power to a civilian government and the TMC did not comply. This resulted in continued mass protests and anti-government demonstrations throughout the city. The Sudanese people have made clear their determination in this quest for democratic leadership. International Actors Until recently, international interests in Sudan complicated peace negotiations, with nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pledging $3 billion dollars in aid to Sudan’s generals, trying to bolster their forces. The autocratic leaders of these nations rely on the shortcomings of democratic governments and point to the failed Arab Spring that transitioned to the ‘Arab Winter’ to consolidate power and maintain favourable public opinion. The establishment of a successful democratic revolution in Sudan threatens to shake the foundations of the dominion of these leaders, hence they offered their support to thwart the pro-democracy movement brewing in Sudan. Additionally, nations such as the Russian Federation (see “Major Parties Involved”) that have geopolitical interests reliant on the success of totalitarianism in Sudan have opposed all forms of international intervention while supporting the TMC through aid. Furthermore, the conflict in Sudan has stymied the tide of migrants from East Africa, much to the benefit of the European Union. The EU has previously extended financial support to Al-Bashir and supports the Transitional Military Council, despite its ruthless tactics. Military rule in Sudan would allow for continued reduction in migrant numbers and therefore assist the EU in maintaining internal stability. The lack of any condemnation and the possibility of support from the EU reduces the likelihood that the TMC will cease its violent campaign. Human Rights Violations The international community has repeatedly failed in its responsibility to uphold the rights of the Sudanese people since the beginning of the Darfur conflict, when an investigation into former president Omar Al-Bashir and other military and government officials for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) was suspended due to a lack of international support. Regardless, the Sudanese government, military and paramilitary forces have continued to commit atrocities including arbitrary executions, systematic sexual violence, forced religious conversions, malicious prosecution and harassment of political dissidents and torture of prisoners. Furthermore, Sudanese people outside the Northern regions of the country (especially in the Southern parts of Sudan) have been subject to marginalization since the colonial era - largely due to British “divide and rule” policies. This historical disparity in development has fueled conflict and played a major role in igniting the crisis in Darfur. The ostracization of non-Arab Sudanese culminated in an attack on the government by insurgent forces. This resulted in a brutal ethnic cleansing program targeting the minority group. More recently, however, human rights violations in Sudan have centered around a crackdown on protesters. On June 3rd 2019, after months of successful protests, Sudan’s pro-democracy movement was battered and left in a state of disarray after a brutal crackdown by Sudanese paramilitary forces. Military forces tore through the main protest area, committing atrocities and murdering and looting in an aggressive crowd dispersal. After this massacre, the Rapid Support Forces continue