Is Military Take-Over the Solution to Sudan’s Political Crisis?

Sudan is in deep crisis and this is largely due to the political instability in the Northeast African country. This has led to mass protests by citizens who are demanding for the president of the country to step down from power.

These protests often turn into riots and horrid struggles between the protesters and government armed forces, leading to loss of thousands of lives and destruction of properties worth millions of dollars.

President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, who is currently serving as the seventh president of Sudan and the leader of the ruling National Congress Party has been on the helm of the country’s affairs since 16 October 1993.

Despite the increasing calls for him to step down, the 75-year-old has refused and continues to reply to the protesters with the strong arm of the force. He calls the protesters ‘rats who should return to their holes.’

The protesters have increased in numbers and become more defiant by the day. This is something that has continued to give President Omar al-Bashir a lot to worry about. Determined to do all it takes to make the president step down from office, the protesters have resorted to calls for a military takeover in the country. They believe this may be the only option to force President Omar al-Bashir out of office.

Yesterday, thousands of Sudanese protesters gathered outside the army's headquarters in the capital Khartoum for a second day running, calling on the military to back their demand for President Omar al-Bashir to step down.

The complex also houses the Defense Ministry and the official residence of Bashir, whose nearly 30-year-rule the protesters are determined to end.

Is this a right move in the right direction, considering the fact that many African countries had a very bad experience during military rule which was experienced across the continent after the colonial era?

"Sudan is rising, the army is rising," the protesters chanted.

Calling for a military take-over will be calling for a coup. Not only does President Omar al-Bashir control the military - recent events in the country where the president has said he will only step down for a military ruler has proven that the military may well be on his side.

Will a coup be a good decision for Sudan? Or will this be a case of ‘jumping from frying pan to fire’?

Header Image Credit: CNN