Sudanese face daunting challenges on path to democracy

For the first time in three decades, Sudan has charted a path out of military rule following the formation of a power-sharing government by the pro-democracy movement and the generals who overthrew longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

But the fragile transition will be tested as leaders confront a daunting array of challenges.

Decades of war and corruption have left the economy in shambles, and a US terror designation has hindered Sudan's return from its longtime status as a global pariah.

The civilian and military leaders who now make up the military-led sovereign council only came together under intense international pressure after a crackdown on protests threatened to derail the transition and raised fears of civil war.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a respected economist, must now convince the international community that Sudan is open for business.

That could require painful austerity measures, potentially reigniting the popular anger that drove al-Bashir from power in April.

"There is a huge amount to be done," said Alex de Waal, a Sudan expert at Tufts University.

"Sudan will need debt relief, debt rescheduling, lifting sanctions, and only then can the real economic reforms begin.

Next challenges include corruption and a very high defence budget."