Since independence in 1956, Sudan has witnessed several constitutions and regime changes, including military coups in 1985, 1989, and 2019. The country’s 2005 interimconstitution was suspended after the April 2019 coup. Later that year, the military and an alliance of civilian groups known as the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) signed a constitutional declaration that outlined a power-sharing agreement between the two sides and provided a road map for governing the country until a democratically elected government could be installed, with elections expected to be held in 2022.

Under the constitutional declaration, a transitional Sovereignty Council composed of five military and six civilian members was established. A military general was chosen to lead the council for the first 21 months, after which a civilian would lead. A prime minister, chosen by the FFC, appointed a cabinet, candidates for which were selected from a list proposed by the FFC, other than two who were appointed by military leaders on the council. A legislative assembly of no more than 300 members was provided for but not immediately formed.

A military coup in October 2021 led to the dissolution of the Sovereignty Council. Expected elections were pushed back to July 2023. The military formed a new Sovereignty Council, led by a general, in November 2021 that later reinstated the previous prime minister but did not include any FFC members and was not supported by them or many other civilian groups and political parties.