Sudan’s Transitional Military Council is Now Legitimized

Events that have transpired in the past week in Sudan have heightened tensions throughout the country even as they try to move on from the al-Bashir regime. It is hard to believe that the country will be able to move forward with the continued involvement of proponents of al-Bashir’s regimes still in power.  It appeared that the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and their regional supporter’s strategy has gained traction among political elites and granted them the legitimacy they desperately seek.

• The New Constitution of Sudan was signed on Saturday, Aug 17, and after a 48-hr delay, the leadership of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) has agreed on their cabinet members for the new government. There was a significant amount of infighting within the leadership over the best candidates for the new sovereign council, especially of candidates representing the regions of Darfur and the Nuba Mountains.  It was obvious that the selections were made by people in power without support from the locals in the regions. There was a concern if Darfur’s plight would be heard in the new government; however, recent events in the region clearly show that it will not. 
• The New Sovereign Council sworn in this morning will be headed by al-Burhan the former head of the TMC and al-Bashir’s top man in implementing the Darfur carnage. The council is made up of six civilians and five former TMC members, including General Mohammed Hamadan Dagalo the current commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The New Sovereign Council will fall under Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, after his swearing-in ceremony 9 pm tonight in Khartoum. 

In the past week, al-Bashir’s corruption trial has started in Khartoum, he faces charges within Sudan over accepting millions of dollars from Saudia Arabia. The Khartoum courts are also looking to try other members of the former regime and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, the courts have shown no interest in handing over al-Bashir and his regime to the International Criminal Courts (ICC) that still have arrest warrants out over their involvement in the genocide in Darfur. It would be more appropriate for al-Bashir to be tried by the ICC rather than the courts of Khartoum.  Additionally, the families of slain protestors from the December Revolution call for justice and retribution for the forces that carried out the acts of violence. The families have said in the absence of justice they will take to the streets to call more attention and push for justice to be served. 

The challenge for this interim government will be their willingness to stop violent attacks on civilians, resolve the longstanding crises or pursue justice for the most serious crimes. We doubt with the military taking full control after al-Bashir’s overthrow that their sector of the leadership will not try and take control of this government. Moving forward we and the people of Sudan must stand vigilant and speak up to hold the interim government accountable for their every action. 

If you can share this with 5-10 people in your network and ask them to do the same, you will make a difference.

With our collective effort, we can make a difference.  We can end it.

Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.