"Sudan: New Regime Lacks Steerage Way," Africa Research Bulletin, August 15, 1989.
Summary:
This article focuses on the
conflicts and problems that developed in Sudan after the June 30th
coup.
Sudan was faced with three
very difficult situations, the civil war in the south, the failing economy, and
conflicts concerning the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army. Some critics said the new military
government was not taking the essential steps it needed to do in order to help
Sudan prosper. However, there seemed to
be sympathy with Islamic fundamentalists and a stress on the connections with
the Arab world, rather than that of the Christian south. It was later discovered that many members of
the new government were sympathetic to the National Islamic Front, while the new
leader, Lt. Gen. Omar Hassan Ahmed el Beshir was known to be a devout
Moslem.
Also, the new government
seemed to be preparing for a more heated war.
There were talks of unity between Sudan, Egypt, and Libya, which
alienated the south and the SPLA. Another
aspect of debate was on July 9th the government was officially
formed and it contained 21 ministers, all led by Beshir. Several members of the cabinet were also
close to the National Islamic Front and the Muslim Brotherhood. Even with this new government, the officials
were still faced with the two key issues of ending the civil war in south Sudan
and reviving the economic status.
Many nations around the
world were also interested in monitoring the advancement of Sudan. A great deal of support came from Egypt,
which shared the Nile with Sudan. The
United States also decided to send financial assistance to Sudan. In short, Sudan, with its new government, is
trying to maintain economic and civil stability with the help of other nations.