Sudan’s long history of human rights violations and civil war come to a close followed by amnesty and cooperation given by the United States.
A recent law officially dissolves Omar al-Bashir’s political party and remnants of his government. This action could have been a leading factor to the new amicable policies between the US. Al-Bashir and his National Congress Party ruled Sudan for over 30 years, with now current Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok in power.
Sudan’s political past is a ripe example of the success of liberal internationalism. It can be argued that 30 years of instability and continuing conflict was the effect of an authoritarian leader rather a democratic institution. The new government “embodies the demands of the Sudanese people.”
Sudan’s transition exhibits the inability to switch directly from an authoritarian regime to a new democratic government. Al-Bashir’s 30 year reign disregarded democracy for the entirety, leaving the Sudanese citizens with no memory of it. After the military coup d’etat, the Transitional Military Council took power and then handed it to the Sovereignty Council of Sudan. This Council will rule for 39 months being used as a transitional period. 2022 marks the end of the transitional rule that hopefully pave the way for a successful democracy.
Abdallah Hamdok leads Sudan’s transition to democracy, starting on July of 2019. The United States, historically known for fighting for democracy, is now supporting the new democratic regime, exhibiting democratic peace theory. Sudan has been on the United States list of “state sponsored terrorism” since 1993, but will be considered to be taken off the list with approval of congress. America’s interest in Sudan could just be out of passion, but national interest is not out of the question. Sudan is rich in oil fields, spreading across the border of South Sudan and being a reason of conflict over the past 30 years.
Placed in a shatterbelt of Africa, Sudan’s surroundings are always volatile. Will Sudan be able to hold on to their democratic transitioning government or will the unpredictable region overpower the liberal efforts? How much effort will the United State’s use to protect Sudan’s democratic hopes?