01/01/2026
OMAR HASSAN AHMAD AL-BASHIR
Former President of the Republic of Sudan (1989–2019)
A Political and Military Figure in the Shared History of Sudan and South Sudan
Personal Profile:
Full Name: Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
Date of Birth: 1 January 1944
Place of Birth: Hosh Bannaga, River Nile State, Sudan
Nationality: Sudanese
Religion: Islam
Profession: Career military officer, politician
Political Affiliation: National Congress Party (NCP)
Years in Power: 1989–2019
Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir was one of the longest-serving leaders in Africa and a central figure in the modern history of Sudan and South Sudan. His rule reshaped the political, military, and territorial landscape of the region, leaving a complex and deeply controversial legacy.
Early Life and Education
Omar al-Bashir was born into a modest rural family in northern Sudan. He received his early education locally before enrolling in military institutions, reflecting a common pathway for political power in post-colonial Sudan.
He later attended the Sudanese Military Academy and received additional military training in Egypt, preparing him for a professional career in the armed forces during a period of growing instability in Sudan.
Military Career
Al-Bashir joined the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the 1960s and steadily rose through the ranks. His military service included:
Participation in the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, where Sudan supported Egypt
Counter-insurgency operations during Sudan’s internal conflicts
Field command experience during the civil war in Southern Sudan
By the late 1980s, he had attained the rank of Brigadier, positioning him within the senior officer corps at a time when Sudan was experiencing political paralysis and economic decline.
Seizure of Power: The 1989 Military Coup
On 30 June 1989, Omar al-Bashir led a military coup d’état that overthrew the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi.
Immediately after the coup:
The constitution was suspended
Parliament was dissolved
Political parties were banned
Media freedoms were curtailed
Power was vested in the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation, marking the beginning of authoritarian military-Islamist rule.
In 1993, Bashir formally assumed the title of President of Sudan, consolidating his authority and beginning a presidency that would last three decades.
Political Governance and Ideology
Bashir governed Sudan through a centralized, authoritarian system, heavily influenced by Islamist ideology, particularly during the early years of his rule.
Key characteristics of his governance included:
Concentration of power in the presidency
Close alliance with Islamist movements
Enforcement of Islamic law (Sharia) at the national level
Systematic suppression of political opposition
Extensive use of security and intelligence agencies
Elections held during his rule were widely criticized for lacking transparency and fairness.
Political and Military Activities in Southern Sudan
Escalation of the Civil War
Omar al-Bashir’s presidency coincided with the most destructive phase of the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005). Southern Sudan became the central theater of military operations.
Under his leadership:
The Sudanese Armed Forces expanded large-scale campaigns across Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, and Equatoria
Government-aligned militias were armed and deployed
Aerial bombardments were conducted in civilian areas
Humanitarian access was frequently restricted
The war caused mass displacement, famine, and civilian casualties, with Southern Sudan bearing the greatest burden.
Divide-and-Rule Strategy
Bashir’s government employed a deliberate divide-and-rule policy in Southern Sudan by:
Exploiting ethnic divisions
Supporting rival Southern factions
Undermining unified Southern political leadership
These strategies deepened internal conflicts and prolonged the war.
Human Cost in Southern Sudan
The consequences for Southern Sudan were catastrophic:
Over two million deaths
Millions displaced internally and externally
Collapse of education, health, and social services
Destruction of livelihoods and traditional economies
For many South Sudanese, Bashir’s rule became synonymous with systematic marginalization and state violence.
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) – 2005
Facing sustained resistance from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), international sanctions, and diplomatic pressure, Bashir’s government entered peace negotiations.
In January 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed.
Key outcomes:
End of Africa’s longest civil war
Establishment of the Government of Southern Sudan
Power- and wealth-sharing arrangements
Provision for a self-determination referendum
While the CPA ended active hostilities, it was largely driven by international pressure rather than ideological transformation within Bashir’s regime.
South Sudan’s Independence
In January 2011, Southern Sudanese voted overwhelmingly for independence.
9 July 2011: The Republic of South Sudan was declared independent
Bashir officially recognized the result
Historically, Bashir is remembered as the Sudanese president under whom South Sudan seceded, ending decades of forced unity.
Darfur and International Prosecution
From 2003, Bashir’s government faced accusations of mass atrocities in Darfur.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in 2009 and 2010
Charges included:
War crimes
Crimes against humanity
Genocide
He became the first sitting head of state indicted by the ICC.
Downfall and Legal Proceedings
Widespread protests erupted in December 2018, driven by economic collapse, corruption, and repression.
On 11 April 2019, the Sudanese military removed Bashir from power after 30 years in office.
He was:
Arrested and detained in Sudan
Convicted on corruption and illegal currency charges
Subject to additional trials related to protest killings and the 1989 coup
Living Status
Omar al-Bashir is alive.
As of 2025–2026:
He remains in Sudanese custody
He has received medical treatment due to age-related health conditions
No credible or verified source has confirmed his death
Reports of his death circulating on social media are false and unverified
Historical Assessment and Legacy
Legacy in South Sudan
Remembered primarily as:
A symbol of prolonged war and suffering
A leader whose policies entrenched marginalization
A central factor driving the demand for independence
Legacy in Sudan
Associated with:
Authoritarian rule
International isolation
Economic decline
Deep societal divisions
Conclusion
Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir remains one of the most consequential figures in the shared history of Sudan and South Sudan. His military background, authoritarian governance, and prolonged wars in Southern Sudan reshaped the political map of the region and culminated in the birth of South Sudan as an independent state.
For the historical record, his era represents a defining chapter—marked by conflict, resistance, and irreversible political transformation.
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