11 April collapsed seem pretty durable regime of Field Marshal Omar al-Bashir in Sudan. Country already shaken by the opposition speech long enough, but the Sudanese army and police seem to keep the situation under control. And opposition, despite the support of TN. the world community, in any case, there was no way to carry out the scenario "Maidan". Omar al-Bashir, despite its 75 years, I was never like a politicians like Yanukovich. Battle General, last commanded the Parachute Brigade, he would not have stopped, before the execution of any demonstrations.
But the blow to the regime of al-Bashir struck just those, who had by virtue of their duties to protect the existing order. Field Marshal, which was just a few months before, To celebrate thirty years in power, overthrew the army. And it was not a conspiracy of junior officers, as sometimes happens in African countries. The transitional military council, which replaced the President and the Government, He headed by Sudanese defense minister and first vice-president, Lieutenant General Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, and his deputy chief of staff of the Sudanese armed forces Kemal Abdel Maarouf. However, General Awad Ibn Auf been in the Sudan led by only one day - a 11 April 12 April, and then resigned.
Ousted Sudanese President Field Marshal Omar al-Bashir
As it appears, Sudan's military elite simply got tired of waiting, when the "Immortal" President Field Marshal al-Bashir leave office due to natural causes. In addition, they played a role and people's protests. The military decided to, it is better to take advantage of the situation and to act as liberators of the Sudanese people by the dictator Al-Bashir. And now the whole "world community" froze in amazement - who is regarded as yesterday's colleagues in the field marshal considerable rank and titles - liberators or new "Dragon", who overthrew the old "dragon" and now will establish its own dictatorship? However, military themselves claim, that their rule will be temporary and then they hand over power to a civilian government. But there is nothing more permanent, than temporary, particularly in Africa.
The history of most countries on the continent is littered with such temporary military council, which lingered on for years or even decades. properly, himself Field Marshal al-Bashir came to power as the chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation Sudan. And I linger in this status for four years - until 1993 of the year, and then he became president - already long 25 years.
A very interesting figure of General Awad Ibn Auf, who led the transitional military council and Sudan announced the overthrow of al-Bashir. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, as we noted above, before the coup held very high positions - First Vice President of Sudan and Minister of Defense. He is ten years younger than Field Marshal al-Bashir - he 65 years.
Awad Ibn Auf was born in 1954 year. He served as head of military intelligence, Sudan, then was the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. I.e, it is the closest ally of al-Bashir, who commanded the Sudanese army during the conflict in South Sudan, in Darfur. Military intelligence - this is political repression, and special operations. AT 2010 year Awad Ibn Auf fell into disgrace and was sent as ambassador to Oman. 23 August 2015 , al-Bashir again "pulled out of the casket" General ibn Awf and appointed him Minister of Defense of the Sudan. In February 2019 , the general was appointed as the first Vice-President.
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf
Interesting, that by Avada ibn Aufu have the same "international community" claims only slightly less, than himself Omar al-Bashir. Also in 2007 by Ibn Auf was included in the sanctions list of the United States. Washington considered, that the chief of staff of the Sudanese army was involved in war crimes in Darfur, including to the co-ordination of non-governmental Arab Janjaweed militias, are performed and killing of Darfurian rebels and civilians.
The reputation of the United States scrambled aircraft
Besides, in the United States are convinced, that Awad Ibn Auf acted as a link between Sudan and Iran. Omar al-Bashir, repeatedly proclaiming allegiance to religious principles, despite its ties with Saudi Arabia, He sought to maintain good relations with Iran. Both countries are alike in hatred of the United States, who introduced the sanctions against Tehran, and against Khartoum. I Awad Ibn Auf, according to Americans, played in the Sudanese-Iranian relations is not the last role.
11 April 2019 year, Lt. Gen. Awad Ibn Auf appeared on national television Sudan's statement to suspend the Constitution of the country, the introduction of a three-month state of emergency and the transition to the two-year rule of the military council. In this way, formally Omar al-Bashir ousted second person in the country - the vice-president of the Ibn Awf. However, 12 April 2019 , General Awad Ibn Auf handed the transitional military council to another high-ranking military - General Burhan.
Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan before the military coup served as inspector general of the armed forces of Sudan. Until February 2019 , General Burhan served as Chief of Army Staff of the Sudan forces. In this way, the helm of power remained in the hands of the military elite. About General Burkhan little is known - it was not really a public figure, preferring to engage in purely military matters. General Abdel Fattah Ilyes - 60 years. He started his career in the border troops of the Sudan, He participated in numerous military conflicts, then he served as military attache in China. It was General Burhan coordinated the actions of Sudanese troops in Yemen, where the Sudanese armed forces cooperated with the armies of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan
Why ibn Awf hurried to resign? As it appears, the main reason for this decision was the desire to appease the military protesters. After ibn Awf, who served under al-Bashir Minister of Defense and Vice President, still perceived as a man of the inner circle of the dictator, the people did not feel a real change of power. God Ge, although the military elite, but still he did not hold government positions such as Vice President. Yes, and yet it is more suitable for the international positioning of the figure of the Sudanese General Burhan, than the figure of General ibn Awf, which is under US sanctions and suspected of collaborating with Iran.
by the way, General Abdel Fattah Burhan - the only representative of the Sudanese military elite, against which no sanctions were introduced and were not prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. I.e, This - the ideal figure for soothing and opposition, and the West. Wherein, it is - a classic representative of the military elite of the country, a professional soldier, made a career was during the regime of Omar al-Bashir.
by the way, the army has refused to extradite Omar al-Bashir to the International Tribunal. Despite, that the deposed dictator is on the international wanted list, initiated by the US and its allies, Command of the Sudanese armed forces convinced, that if Omar al-Bashir and the judge, only at home. About it, in particular, said the chairman of the Military Council of the political committee of the country's General Omar Zein al-Abidin.
Mass popular demonstrations in Sudan
protesters, Meanwhile, continue to demand the transfer of power to a civilian government. But does it make sense for Sudan? In countries such incomprehensible "democratic government" always carry a chaotization for political and public life, and the economy during their reign in danger to collapse into an even deeper abyss, than with dictators. Examples of this mass. What happened after the overthrow of dictators in Iraq, Libya, Yemen? In Syria, Assad attempts to remove led to years of civil war. It was only in Egypt managed to somewhat stabilize the situation, and that because, that the authorities in the country were the military. Therefore, in the Sudan, we are now seeing a repeat of the Egyptian script.
One side, military - the only force, which is able to resist the religious extremists. it, by the way, It shows the situation in Libya, where most effectively at war with religious and extremist groups it is part of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Defense Ministry showed video takeoff Su-27SM through a powerful downpour
The military coup in Sudan
On the other hand, the military will not let slip into the abyss of political turmoil, which will inevitably follow the coming to power of civil government. After all, in the same tradition of the Sudan is not in power of civil governments. After obtaining political independence of Sudan in power in the country, almost all the time were military. Some generals were replaced by others as a result of military coups, but the essence has not changed.
Army general plays in Sudan a very important role in the political life. In Africa and the Arab East military traditionally act as the main guarantor of the political order. They are able to maintain a balance between the right and left, avoiding power especially zealous religious fanatics, but also keeping the "national identity".
By African standards Sudan has a relatively strong army. Its number - 104 300 military, most of which is in the Army - about 100 thousand. human. Yet 3000 a person serving in the Air Force of the country, 1300 people - in the navy in the Red Sea. Besides, 20 thousand armed forces account for the Popular Defense Forces and the further 82 thousands of people listed in the reserve forces of the People's Defense.
The basis of the armed forces make up the Army, and who play the most prominent role in the political life of the country. The structure of the Sudanese Army troops enter 1 tank and 1 mechanized division, 15 infantry divisions, 1 amphibious division, 1 engineering Division, 6 separate infantry brigades, 1 Separate Mechanized Brigade, 1 Airborne Assault Brigade, 1 intelligence brigade, 3 separate artillery brigades, 5 Special mouth. Sudanese Command actively invites foreign military trainers. Officer training is carried out both in the country, primarily in the Khartoum military academy, as well as abroad - in Iran, Pakistan and China.
Sudanese military planted in Yemen
A very important role played in the life of Sudan National Security and Intelligence Service (NSBR) - the main intelligence agency, involved not only in intelligence and counterintelligence, but also the fight against terrorism. AND, which is very interesting, in NSBR - pretty good connection with the CIA. At least, namely the Sudanese intelligence in 2001 year, I tried to warn the United States about imminent terrorist attacks, but the Americans with their usual arrogance, warnings scouts from Sudan did not believe. For which he paid the unfortunate visitors and employees of the New York "towers".
quick support forces (SBP), within the structure of the National Security and Intelligence Service, involved not only in operations in Darfur and against various radical groups, but also in the war in Yemen, where Sudan cooperated with Saudi Arabia.
Recently, the media has been much talk about the presence in Sudan, Russian private military companies fighters, allegedly carried out in the African country functions the security of facilities and training of local commandos. Finally, Foreign Ministry spokesman acknowledged the presence in Sudan, Russian instructors - and private, and government. Besides, I never concealed the fact, Sudanese armed forces are trained in military educational institutions of the Russian Federation.
That Russia is a military coup in Sudan? Indeed, in recent years our country has been developing military-political and economic ties with Omar al-Bashir's regime. Sudanese president visited Moscow, I met with Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, increasingly available information and possible deployment to Sudan's Red Sea coast of the Russian military base. Russia was based on the possibility of Sudan, when it included in the Central African Republic. Besides, Sudan supported Russia in the UN during the vote on the introduction of sanctions for the reunification of the Crimea with Russia.
President Vladimir Putin and Omar al-Bashir
In Khartoum and Moscow - a very close relationship in the military sphere, especially in the sphere of military-technical cooperation. Sudan, who was in a very bad relationship with the US and Western Europe, Russia has been and remains the most important supplier of weapons, military equipment, and for our country Sudan - book buyer. AND, of course, lose such a partner in North East Africa did not want to. While in power in Sudan are military, can be little doubt that, that military-technical and military-political cooperation of the two countries will continue.
Another thing, that can only prevent this transfer of power to the pro-Western government. But if it happens? Americans, of course, I would love to, to Russia (and China, which the, by the way, It is an important economic partner of Sudan) It left the North-East Africa. Therefore, the West will do everything possible, to minimize Russian influence in the country. But will? Example shows the same Libyan, that in Arab and African countries, there will always be sensible influential forces, who understand, that the relationship with Russia is much more profitable, than ephemeral friendship with the West.
Ilya Polonsky
