This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
December 14, 2019, marked a turning point in Sudan's history as Omar al-Bashir, the country's former president, was sentenced to two years in prison for corruption. This guilty ruling is seen as a major breakthrough in bringing an end to the era of impunity that had characterized Mr. al-Bashir's rule.
Jonas Horner, a Sudan expert with the International Crisis Group, noted that the sentence helps 'break this spell of immunity that has been pervasive' under Mr. al-Bashir and his National Congress Party.
Mr. al-Bashir's rise to power in 1989 was marked by a bloodless coup, and during his reign, Sudan faced numerous challenges, including armed conflict and economic shocks. The country also provided refuge to Osama bin Laden, leading to the United States listing Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism.
However, in December 2018, protests sparked by the high price of bread erupted in the northeastern city of Atbara, quickly spreading to major cities, including Omdurman and Khartoum. The authorities responded with force, shutting down the internet, arresting opposition figures and journalists, and using tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Following months of protests led by young Sudanese, including doctors and other professionals, the military removed Mr. al-Bashir from office and arrested him on April 11, 2019. He was initially placed under house arrest but was later transferred to the Kober prison, where he once jailed demonstrators and political prisoners.
In August 2019, Sudan's generals and the opposition alliance reached a power-sharing agreement, promising to oversee elections and a return to civilian rule within three years. Abdalla Hamdok, an economist, was named prime minister, while Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan leads an 11-person sovereign council.
