Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and other places in the country have been under fire, explosions and fighting between two generals since 15 April. The war between General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhane, the president of the transitional government, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, his number two, has left more than 500 people dead and 4,000 injured.  

The Sudanese capital is gradually being emptied of some of its inhabitants. 73,000 people have fled the shooting and bombing to neighbouring countries like Egypt. More than 800,000 people could flee the fighting in the coming days, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).This chaotic situation raises again the debate on the impact of the failure to respect constitutional orders and democratic transitions on the stability and peace of countries that have experienced repeated coups d’etat like Sudan.

Yet the 2019 transitional charter signed by the warring forces states in its articles 7 and 8 that the transitional authorities must work seriously to establish peace. And that state agencies should also work towards a just and comprehensive peace. 

As a reminder, in April 2019, following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir under street pressure, a wind of democracy blew through Sudan with a transitional government elected for a period of three years led by a civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. In August 2020, a landmark peace agreement signed between the government and rebel groups including the Sudanese Revolutionary Front raised hopes for a lasting peace in the country. 

However, the transition has been hampered by protests, inter-communal violence, and armed conflict in some parts of the country. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an impact on the country’s economy.

On 25 October 2021, the Sudanese army staged another coup, this time against the transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok. The coup resulted in major internet blackouts, reported by the Sudanese Ministry of Information.

The violence plunges Sudan back into the dark days of its history with the Darfur civil war that lasted more than 20 years and left an estimated 300,000 dead and more than 2.7 million displaced, including 230,000 refugees in neighbouring Chad alone.

AfricTivistes is deeply concerned about the current events in Sudan and demands that the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) quickly adopt a peaceful solution through an inclusive dialogue. 

Despite the signing of a ceasefire earlier this week, the situation remains unstable and fighting continues. This chaotic situation endangers the lives and rights of Sudanese citizens, as well as the peace and stability of the country.

AfricTivistes strongly condemns this armed confrontation and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to meet the urgent humanitarian and health needs of the citizens. 

We also call for the resumption of the ongoing democratic transition in Sudan, which must lead to free and fair elections. Furthermore, we call for the complete withdrawal of the army from political and economic life.

We recall that the 2019 Transitional Charter provides that the transitional authorities must work seriously to establish peace. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) also provides that people have the right to peace and security.

AfricTivistes calls on the countries of the region, Sudan’s African and other partners, international institutions and other stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to put the country back on the path to democratic transition. We also call on African forces to join forces to support Sudanese civil society in its struggle for the return of democratic order.

On 27 April, the  Sudanese civilian front  was established to end the war and restore democracy. It brings together civil society organisations, political parties, trade unions, influential individuals, etc.

Finally, AfricTivistes expresses its solidarity with the Sudanese people and its compassion for the victims of this bloody confrontation and their families.