State of Emergency in Sudan: Economist

In response to tens of thousands of protestors mobilizing against rising food prices in Sudan and the resignation of president Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese leader instead declared a national state of emergency. On February 22, what began as a conciliatory national address, under rumors that Bashir would step down, ended with suspension of the constitution. The Economist observes, “in practice little has changed, since several of Sudan’s 18 states were already under emergency law and the security forces have long enjoyed immunity from prosecution.” The government has banned unlicensed gatherings and protests in addition to the trading or stockpiling of fuel and other subsidized goods. Security forces have claimed approximately 50 lives since the beginning of the crisis. At the same time, Bashir’s move also points to political instability among the ruling elite: “diplomats and politicians in Khartoum, the capital, think he may yet be ousted. His latest move may have been prompted more by discord in ruling circles than by protests on the streets.” Since ascending to power in a 1989 coup, Bashir has ruled in coalition with Islamists, “many of whom now reject him.” By liquidating the government, he has empowered the army, adding the possibility of military usurpation. This move distances Bashir from the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamists in Qatar and Turkey, bringing him closer to the regional rival bloc led by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. –YaleGlobal