In Sudanese Coup Plot, Ominous Signs for the Regime

Late Nov. 21, 13 Sudanese military officers were arrested in Khartoum on charges of planning a coup against President Omar al Bashir. The suspects include several high-ranking Sudanese officials, including the country's former intelligence chief, the former head of military intelligence and a general who helped al Bashir stage the 1989 coup that brought him to power.

The Sudanese regime's hold on power has appeared remarkably resilient despite years of external pressure, the Arab Spring and even the secession of South Sudan in July 2011 that saw Sudan lose control over its most valuable oil fields. However, the accumulating stress from these issues along with the government's unwillingness to address the concerns of the country's opposition groups appear to be weighing on the regime. Now, the alleged coup plot indicates discontent has also spread within the military, which has long served as al Bashir's power base. The Sudanese president has said he will not run for re-election in 2015, but his regime now faces the possibility of prolonged infighting that could threaten the country's stability.