Sudan: Military Junta and Civilian Movement Leaders to Sign Historic Constitutional Declaration Tomorrow

“Potential New Beginning” Faces Challenges from Corrupt Spoilers and an Entrenched “Deep State”

August 16, 2019 - A constitutional declaration for Sudan is scheduled to be signed tomorrow in an official ceremony in presence of regional leaders and international envoys, confirming a plan for a transition from control by a military junta to a civilian-led government. The declaration will be signed by representatives of the Transitional Military Council and the the Forces for Freedom and Change, the main coalition that led a popular uprising of millions of Sudanese across the country.

John Prendergast, Co-Founder of The Sentry, said: ”This agreement is a potential new beginning for a country tormented by war and dictatorship since its independence. A major cloud hangs over the deal, though. The most likely spoiler of peace and democracy in Sudan is the kleptocratic ‘deep state’ controlled by senior figures in the military and the leader of the Rapid Support Forces, General Hemedti. The companies they control are looting Sudan's resources and budget for their personal enrichment. If this mafia network isn't countered in some way, the prospects for peace and democracy are very dim indeed.”

Dr. Suliman Baldo, Senior Advisor at the Enough Project, said: ”The Sudanese people have offered an admirable example of how nonviolent civil resistance could bring down a well entrenched and corrupt dictatorship. However, daunting challenges will face Sudan's progress to democracy and sound governance, chief among them the survival of the elements of the former regime in the institutions of the transition. The leadership of the Sudanese people’s uprising had to concede reform of the security sector to a military and security establishment with a long history of mass atrocities against its population. Justice will not be met for the victims if that concession meant that those responsible for the worst crimes will continue to enjoy total impunity as they did under the fallen regime of al-Bashir.”

Per the terms of the agreement, the military establishment will be represented in the Sovereign Council, while the Forces for Freedom and Change will nominate both the interim Council of Ministers and Legislative Council. 

Experts from The Sentry and the Enough Project are available for comment and analysis.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, +1 310 717 0606, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABOUT THE SENTRY

The Sentry is an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers and seeks to shut those benefiting from violence out of the international financial system. By disrupting the cost-benefit calculations of those who hijack governments for self-enrichment in East and Central Africa, the deadliest war zone globally since World War II, we seek to counter the main drivers of conflict and create new leverage for peace, human rights, and good governance. Co-founded by George Clooney and John Prendergast, The Sentry is composed of financial investigators, international human rights lawyers, and regional experts, as well as former law enforcement agents, intelligence officers, policymakers, investigative journalists, and banking professionals.

Learn more at www.TheSentry.org.