Paris – Sudan’s military and civilian leaders on Monday signed a deal aimed at ending a crisis sparked by an October 2021 coup led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The putsch had upended a transition to civilian rule following the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir, sparking more than a year of near-weekly protests.
Here is a timeline of the standoff:
October 25, 2021: Coup
On October 25, 2021, the army arrests civilian members of a power-sharing transitional council installed after the ouster of longtime autocratic leader Bashir following a popular uprising.
Those arrested include Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.
A state of emergency is declared and security forces kill seven protesters and wound dozens in the violence.
The United States suspends $700 million in aid to Sudan.
November 11: New ruling council
The African Union suspends Sudan and the World Bank freezes vital aid to the impoverished country.
The United Nations and the US call on Sudan’s military rulers to restore the civilian-led government.
In mid-November Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader since Bashir’s ouster, forms a new ruling council led by himself.
Military figures and ex-rebel leaders keep their posts. The main bloc demanding a transfer to civilian rule is excluded.
November 21: PM’s return
On November 21, Burhan and Hamdok agree to restore the transition to civilian rule, with elections slated for 2023.
Hamdok is reinstated as premier. Several civilian leaders are released.
Protests continue and are harshly repressed.
January 2, 2022: PM quits
On January 2, 2022, as the death toll from protests mounts, Hamdok resigns.
On June 8, UN-brokered talks start but are boycotted by the main civilian blocs and are quickly broken off.
July 4: Military to step aside
On July 4, Burhan says the army will no longer participate in UN-brokered talks on a civilian government.
Protesters say they do not trust Burhan to give up power.
On July 21, amid a worsening food crisis and dire economic situation, the World Bank earmarks $100 million in aid.
October 19-20: Tribal clashes
Around 150 people are killed in the latest outbreak of ethnic clashes that begins on October 19 in the southern Blue Nile state, bringing the death toll from tribal unrest to around 300 people since July.
October 25: Anniversary
Thousands of protesters across Sudan defy security forces on the first anniversary of the coup. One protester is killed.
Another protester is shot dead on November 24. At least 121 people have been killed in the post-coup crackdown, according to pro-democracy medics.
December 5: Deal
Sudan’s military and the leaders of multiple civilian groups sign an initial deal aimed at ending the crisis, under which civilian groups will agree on a new prime minister to lead the country through a two-year transition.
Hundreds of protesters take to the streets, complaining that the accord ignores their demands for justice for slain pro-democracy demonstrators.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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