SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Project Syndicate – Will Sudan Break Through to Democracy

16/9/19: Project Syndicate – Will Sudan Break Through to Democracy, by Ishac Diwan

 Paris-based academic Ishac Diwan analysed the challenges facing Sudan’s democratic transition, highlighting the government’s need to secure peace, reform the security sector and revive the economy.

 With the government needing to negotiate regional peace agreements within the next six months, Diwan states that the additional political, institutional, and financial commitments that each agreement will produce must be prepared for.

 Diwan then calls for the government to establish an inclusive and professional national army, reduce the intelligence services power, rein in the RSF, integrate the rebel forces, and work toward eventual military budget cuts.

 For the government to revive the economy, Diwan suggests that GCC funding will be urgently needed, as well as structural reforms to improve public services and strengthen the private sector, with the government needing to shift public spending away from military elites.  Diwan concludes that improved security and reduced political uncertainty will encourage economic activity.