Sudan's Unfinished Democracy: The Promise and Betrayal of a People's Revolution

by Willow Berridge, Alex de Waal, Justin Lynch

This book tells the story of the Sudanese revolution of 2019; of how it succeeded in bringing down the long-standing rule of President Omar al-Bashir; and of the troubled transitional civilian-led government that was installed in his place. It sets the scrupulously non-violent uprising in its historical context, showing how the protesters drew upon the precedents of earlier civic revolutions and adapted their practices to the challenges of the al-Bashir regime. The book also explores how that regime was brought to its knees through its inability to manage the intersecting economic and political crises caused by the secession of South Sudan and the loss of oil revenue, alongside the uncontrolled expansion of a sprawling security apparatus.

The civilian protesters called for-and expected-a total transformation of Sudanese politics, but they found themselves grappling with a still-dominant cabal of generals, who had powerful regional backers and a strong hold over the economy. Internally divided, and faced with a deepening economic crisis, the civilian government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has found itself in office, but with less and less real power, unable to change the conduct of political business as usual.

Genres: Sudan, Africa, History, Nonfiction, Politics

280 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2022

Reviews

[Martin Empson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biggest strength of this book is it's comprehensive background to the Sudanese revolution. The authors have mastered the complex interaction of different social forces in Sudan, the miltiary, the armed rebels, the urban protest/resistance groups, as well as wider class forces. They place this within the regional and global economic order. But the weakness is a flawed framework of revolution - emphasising "non violent" sit ins while neglecting working class revolt in the forms of strikes. As such the authors cannot really see a way forward for the revolution to break the deadlock of military rule. The last chapter is pointedly titled "not the last chapter" as Sudan's revolution is far from over and for those trying to understand these momentous events, this is a very useful starting point.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sudan's Unfinished Democracy is certainly not a basic, introductory read to Sudan's sociopolitical and economic history. However, it was definitely informative for understanding the roots of today proxy war & genocide in the country. Plus, the book is a useful supplemental resource to the first-hand accounts that I follow in real time from Sudanese journalists and the diaspora.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great overview of Sudanese politics following the toppling of al-Bashir in 2019.

[giovi · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is such a well done comprehensive account!! i learned SO MUCH. truly dont mind having to look up info while im reading; and this is one i had to do that for to fully grasp. i do think there was a bit too much inserting of the authors going "non-violence is the only way to resist" that was repetitive and a bit annoying. but on the strictly informational side, think this is a really brilliant resource on sudan. great background to understand the terrible RSF brutality now. eyes on sudan

[Hussam Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is co-authored by 4 authors and thus you can clearly see their respective backgrounds and styles throughout the chapters. Beside the interesting subject, I was mainly drawn to read this book due to the involvement of Alex De Waal, a veteran Sudan scholar. He provided a comprehensive historical treatment of the various Darfurian players and the power dynamics between African and Arab tribes in the region and how they interacted with the successive post-independence regimes in Khartoum.
In the following chapters other authors delved into the main topic of the 2019 uprising, the precursors and the aftermath. Sudan’s Professionals Association (SPA) which was arguably the most important player in mobilizing the streets is discussed followed by the broad coalition of Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC). The book argues that the flat non-hierarchical structure of SPA was its main strength during the mobilization phase, but it became a liability in the transitional period. Despite the promising nature of FFC as an all-inclusive civilian assembly, the authors explain how it was doomed to fail due to the diverging views held by its members.
The uneasy and dividing negotiations between civilians and the military which culminated on the August 2019 Constitutional Declaration are discussed. Despite the initial optimism brought about by the technocratic cabinet led by prime minister Abdalla Hamdok who came with a brilliant peace and development framework. Soon however it became apparent that their efforts were doomed to failure due to shambolic state of the subsidies burdened economy which required urgent revival and the technocrats’ inexperience in Sudan’s transactional politics, a recurring theme throughout the book. To Sudan’s misfortune, the transition coincided with Donal Trump’s presidency which was transactional on its own right and delegated its foreign policy in the region to Israel and the Arab troika (Egypt, Saudi Arabia & UAE) whom the military was far more fluent in conversing with them. Hence, despite Hamdok’s best efforts, the removal of Sudan from US States Sponsor of Terror (SST), lifting of remaining sanctions and its qualification for debt forgiveness schemes were among the US least priorities despite the urgency of the situation.
Peace was a priority to Hamdok’s government as it should be. An overview of the major rebel groups is presented. The 2020 Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) was another version of Sudanese payroll peace which involves power and wealth sharing. In 2005 the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was signed with the South Sudanese rebels worked due to the country’s better finances at the time. JPA was more inflated due to the presence of more parties, and it coincided with more dire economic times. Security sector reform was essentially impossible given the many new signatories i.e. Justice & Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Army-Minnawi (SLM) and Sudan People Liberation Movement North- Arman & Agar (SPLA-N).
In chapter 5 a comparative analysis of the 3 post-independence uprisings i.e. 1964, 1985 & 2019 is provided. Parallels such as the repeating cycle of revolution, transition, civilian led parliamentary government and military coup is highlighted. The central figure being the Umma party representing the conservative forces. It has always outsmarted others by participating in uprisings just to cooperate with the military in the transitional period, making major gains at parliament and miserably failing at governing. On the other hand, major distinctive characteristics are also highlighted such as how 1964 uprising represented the highest point of labour representation in a transitional government or how 2019 was different due to the sustained mobilization, the proximity of the periphery (Khartoum shanty towns) and greater women participation. Lastly, the authors explain how none of Sudan’s uprisings fit a theoretical revolutionary definition and how to the contrary, the military coups are more fitting to such definitions. Nonetheless, those uprisings can be truly thought of as uniquely Sudanese in genesis and character.
The book ends with the October 2021 coup, which is understandable given that it was published before the eruption of Sudan’s civil war in 2023. As a Sudanese who lived through many of the mentioned events or their aftermath, I would highly recommend reading this book for anyone keen on understanding the successive failures of the country since 1956 and how when the people finally mustered the strength to bring about change it was robbed of them just to archive their hopes and dreams as another episode of the country’s tragic history.

[Daniel Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book to summarise some of the inner workings of Sudanese politics, the evolution of multiple coups where rulers struggled to hold together an ethnically diverse Sudan.

From as far back as Nimeiry (69-85) Sudanese presidents have alternated between socialism and Islamism (although “socialist” politics never entered the Sudanese political consciousness in the same way it did in Ethiopia or Somalia) but with an underlying military need to try and keep the country united through force.

The predominantly Arab Khartoum and the predominantly African Darfur had long had conflict. The South was also distant from Khartoum, but Khartoum tried to keep control of the rich sources of oil and gold in the province (although economically underexploited) Darfur also had significant sources of gold.

Democratic experiments often ended quickly when the security situation deteriorated, or the democratic government struggled to untangle the economic situation which often pushed out the strongmen in the first place, as Omar Al Bashir (89-19) had driven economic growth through oil exploitation which had increased inflation and inequality.

However he needed this to pay to maintain his control over Darfur and South Sudan. He later set up the Rapid Support Forces later under Mohamed Hemedti’s to become “coup proof.” But the same group began to smuggle weapons, drugs and people to become their own state actor. They also took control of gold mines in Darfur to enrich themselves.

Although Sudanese professionals agitated against the Sudanese government, and managed to “unseat” Bashir (it was really the generals) The real power in Sudan lies behind the military, which is thoroughly determined to not lose its grasp on power. Hence leading to the current civil war in Sudan between the “Darfuri” (an oversimplification) RSF and the Arab Sudanese Armed Forces.

From history as this book points out, the failure in democracy should not have been that surprising.

[Richard Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis

A thorough examination of why Sudan has become what it is and why democratic change was thwarted. However the academic and sociological language was at times impenetrable.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hard book to get through, but it was worth it for the last chapter which I think captured the failure of the peace processes and political-military turmoil well. This is certainly not a book for those who are looking for introductory material on Sudan.

[Bashair · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I strongly believe in Sudan and the Sudanese people. This is definitely not the last chapter”

[Connor Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

gives very thorough background of sudan..just reads like a dam textbook

[Rounag Shimila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book does not romanticize the revolution. Instead, it provides a balanced and honest assessment of the internal divisions among civilian forces, the weaknesses of transitional institutions, and the failure to dismantle authoritarian networks. At the same time, it remains deeply respectful of the courage and sacrifices made by protesters, particularly young people and women, whose aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice are at the heart of the narrative.