Sudan protesters rally, defying a year of post-coup crackdowns
Al JazeeraNov 26, 2022
Sudan: Military, Parties Sign Transition Deal Amid Protests
story
Image copyright: AP [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
Sudan's military and political parties on Monday signed a two-pronged initial transition deal for a two-year, civilian-led transition toward elections to end a standoff that began after the army took over in October 2021.
This preliminary deal brokered by the international community — including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UN, and the US — establishes that the civilian coalition will choose the prime minister and limits the military's role in politics and investment.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This agreement is a gilded repackaging of the status quo, which is why anti-military factions are still protesting in the streets. No government can function properly without control of the monopoly on violence, meaning the military will eventually take back control of everything once it's at odds with what the new "legitimate" political regime wants.
Pro-establishment narrative
As Sudan faces triple-digit inflation and rolling blackouts, this deal is the first sign of hope since the coup. It promises a democratic future where people can enjoy a parliamentary political system prioritizing peace over violence and the integration of outside rebel groups into the common democratic society.
