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Islamists Faced with Challenges in Sudan's Transition

Sirwan Kajjo

   As protesters in Sudan continue to push against the military junta to
   form a civilian-led government after the ouster of former president
   Omar al-Bashir, Islamist groups seem to struggle to have a say in the
   political process in the African country.

   Sudan's Islamists played a key role in the 1989 coup that brought
   al-Bashir to power. However, the longstanding relationship with the
   deposed leader now may not be in favor of the Islamist parties that are
   seeking to have a role in Sudan's transition to democracy.

   Siding with al-Bashir

   After nearly four months of daily demonstrations against al-Bashir,
   protesters were able to oust the autocratic president in April this
   year.

   Those who have been involved in the protest movement stigmatize
   Islamists for backing al-Bashir.

   "The majority of Islamist parties in Sudan sided with al-Bashir until
   the last moment," said Durra Gambo, a female activist who was a leading
   figure in the Sudanese protest movement against al-Bashir's rule until
   his downfall.

   "There is an aversion among the Sudanese public to the Islamist parties
   in the country," she told VOA. "People associate them with 30 years of
   corruption, repression and political persecution under the former
   regime."

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