Having learned from the Egyptian fiasco, which ended with a return to even harsher despotism, Sudan's democracy movement wanted the army to give up power, and sufficient time to organize the transition. Under the power-sharing arrangement, it had to compromise on its first goal, and the military will rule for the first phase of the transition, to be followed by a civilian government.
First, under the transitional constitution, the government must negotiate regional peace agreements within the next six months.
Second, the government must reform the security sector.
Finally, the government must revive the economy, which is in urgent need of external support.
The government needs to implement structural reforms to improve public services and strengthen the private sector.
According to the Finance and Economic Planning Ministry, credit to the private sector and total investment both stand at a paltry 8 percent of GDP. By 2018, public expenditures had fallen to 9 percent GDP, tax revenues to 8 percent of GDP, and civil-service wages to just 3 percent of GDP.
To achieve economic growth, the government must reconstruct monopolized domestic markets and shift public spending away from patronage.
Sudan has a unique opportunity to adopt representative democracy.
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