A Military Coup Has Ended Omar Al-Bashir's Rule

Another major change in the landscape of African politics has occurred. President Omar Al-Bashir was deposed by a military coup. It was not the protests that brought his downfall, rather loss of support from the military. Coups have been a part of Sudan's modern history. Jafar Numeri came to power through a military coup in 1970. He was later removed by the military in 1985. Between the years of 1985 and 1989 there was a experiment with a civilian government that was unable to meet the needs of the Sudanese people. Omar Al-Bashir seized power in 1989 and for 30 years he was the face of Sudan. He survived protests, the Second Sudanese Civil War, the Darfur conflict, and Western attempts to have him brought to the ICC. The military, which he may not have predicted turned against him. It would be erroneous to assume that the protests will end. Already, protesters had voiced their discontent with the prospect of military rule for an unknown number of years. A new sense of political consciousness may be developing far beyond simply removing longtime leaders. The events in Algeria and Sudan may have a reverse effect in some areas of the continent. Leaders that came to power in the late 20th century could be growing more concerned that a new era of political culture is emerging. Idris Deby, Yoweri Musevenei and Paul Kagame may seek to become more oppressive relative to domestic policy. Chad and Egypt seeing as they are more stable countries may seek to extend their influence in Sudanese affairs. Ethiopia and Eritrea seeing as they are on a pathway to peace have a common interest in Sudanese foreign relations. There remains the fear that instability could spread into South Sudan or the African Central Republic.