SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Reuters - General's growing political clout poses a risk to Sudan's transition

30/5/19: Reuters – General’s growing political clout poses a risk to Sudan’s transition, by Michael Georgy

 Michael Georgy’s feature piece examines how Himedti’s emergence could complicate “an already delicate stage of Sudan’s planned transition to democracy.”

 A senior western diplomat told Reuters that “a more prominent leadership role for Hemedti would undermine the clear popular demand for civilian leadership in Sudan.”

 Georgy notes that Himedti’s growing strength has been “welcomed by some Sudanese,” but political analysts and western diplomats say his advance could be opposed by rival military officers, who believe that he did not earn his rapid rise. This may cause violence if Himedti pushes to consolidate his position.

 Nonetheless, Khalid Al Tagani, a prominent newspaper editor and political analyst, said that Himedti is trying to cooperate as much as possible with the army