Opinion: Has IGAD accepted the coup against its chairman?

By Dak Buoth,

October 31, 2021 — The latest coup d’état orchestrated by the ‘Gang of army generals’ in Sudan has not only executed the Sudanese fledgling democracy but also the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). This beheaded body was established in 1986 with its headquarters in Djibouti. Its member states are Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and South Sudan. IGAD is akin to other regional blocks such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Southern African Development Community (SADC). 

The African Union (AU) alias ‘‘Toothless Organization’’ is senior to these regional entities because it comprises the 54 African states including her new born child, South Sudan. I think the AU earned this nickname from its lack of economic muscles and political will in tackling the prevailing crises in the African continent. 

Unlike IGAD, SADC and ECOWAS had done a lot in their respective regions. In Jan 2017, when former immediate Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh refused to accept poll defeat, ECOWAS unanimously threatened to send troops to force him out, which it did. Relatively, in late 2017, SADC sided with Zimbabweans against the late President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe for the sake of stability of their region. Shall I say may sir RG Mugabe continue to rest in eternal peace. 

At times, IGAD likes standing aloof in the midst of its crises due to the greed and jealousy of its member states. They become effective only when they are paid by the West to act on their own issues. The period when IGAD played significant roles was during the signing of the comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that brought South Sudan independence to Fruition on 9th July, 2011.  

What actually happened was that, in the wee hours of 25th October 2021, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), acting on instructions from General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan arrested the Sudanese Prime Minister, Dr. Addala Hamdok, who doubled as the chairperson of IGAD. Now IGAD is without a head. The one who made the arrest was said to be General Dagalo Hemiti, the Rapid Support Forces commander.

On the day of the coup, General Burhan dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency, and thus triggered widespread protests and demonstrations in the country.  As we have witnessed, millions of Sudanese people poured on streets demanding the return of civilian rule. 

However, the Generals vowed to stay put, and the clashes are still continuing. As from 29th October, there were numerous reports in the BBC radio of disappearances, arrests and fatal injuries including deaths of civilians. The clamor against dictatorship in Sudan is ongoing, and it will not cease anytime soon unless or until the notorious generals surrender. 

At the forefront of this struggle for democracy are The Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA), The International Community, Individuals and the communist parties around the world. I believe we shall win, and it’s just a matter of time. The continued suppressions and violations of civilians’ rights to protest and demonstrate is a grave issue to the proponents of human rights globally. 

You would remember after the April 2019 revolution that ousted the Sudanese dictator, General Omar Al-Bashir, a coalition government was formed between civilians and the military. 

In the coalition Agreement, President General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chair of the Transitional Military Council was made the President of Sudan. And on the civilians’ side, Dr Abdalla Hamdok was appointed as the country’s Prime Minister. 

According to the Coalition Agreement that brought the duo together, the Army represented by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was to hand over the Leadership to the civilian government after eighteen months prior to the general elections. 

Since ascending to office, the prime minister had been preaching the language of radical democratic reforms including agreeing to handover President Omar al-Bashir to the international criminal court as demanded by the Sudanese majority. As the saying goes, the guilty are always afraid. On hearing the ICC issue, some army generals started fidgeting uncontrollably. 

The Monday coup d’état was prompted by two things. One, the army and or generals knew that their time was up, but they were not willing to surrender power to the civilians as stipulated in the Coalition Agreement. Two, the generals led by al-Burhan are afraid of accountability. 

They fear that if they hand over power to the civilian government headed by Dr. Hamdok, who pledged to release President Omar al-Bashir to the Hague based court to face criminal charges that they were privy to, it’s automatic that they will come next. 

So, the only way to avoid facing this imminent criminal trial is to cling on power by hook or crook, and against the will of the Sudanese people. The latest statement by the de facto President, General Abel Fattah al-Burhan was that within a week, he will appoint a new person to replace the deposed Prime Minister, who will then assume the position of IGAD Chairmanship. The question is: will IGAD accept the replacement of her deposed chairman? I pray that they don’t, for if they do, then they will be inviting coups in the region.

The Writer is the chairman of Liech Community Association in Kenya; the views expressed here are his own, and he can be reached for comments via eligodakb@yahoo.com

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