Following the 11 April ouster of Omar al-Bashir, one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders by the Sudan civilians, there was hope that the country was going to embark on a steady road to radical reforms that would see a country. Sudan is undergoing a major transition to a democracy after many years of dictatorship that saw political space and basic freedoms shrink to disturbing levels.

The overthrow of Bashir, prompted by a sustained, peaceful campaign by pro-democracy movement, raised hopes that the country might make headway to more inclusive, civilian-led rule. However, the transition has been slow and is fraught with many obstacles, with the old military regime showing little appetite for real change which has led to the rise of several para-military organizations each with influence on different parts of the country. The latest assassination attempt on the prime minister Abdalla Hamdok points to a situation that is still fragile and riddled with many challenges.

The Sudan crisis should attract interest in the great lakes region not because it sits in one of the most geostrategic locations on the continent serving as a historical bridge between North and sub-Saharan Africa but it has been one of the biggest economies in the horn of Africa and great lakes region. A stable Sudan means that it will act as a shock absorber to her young neighbor South Sudan which is just recovering from an equally destructive war that saw thousands die and millions flee the country. As Sudan straddles to a genuine transition and more inclusive governance, the situation in Khartoum remains precarious with a likelihood of descending into conflict and therefore any attempt towards positively engaged regional and international relations should be fast-tracked as soon as possible.