The Bashir-Turabi regime sought to reassert its legitimacy by holding National Assembly elections in March 1996. It also gave Turabi the political muscle to displace Bashir as the effective head of the regime while maintaining the military, Islamic character of its predecessor. In August 1997, the USA imposed severe economic sanctions against Sudan. Then, in September 1998, the US launched a missile attack on a factory complex in Khartoum, which was alleged to be involved in producing chemical weapons. In December 1999, amid rumours of a power struggle between Turabi and the army, a state of emergency was declared by the Government.
Executive power is vested in the president, who is popularly elected for a five-year term.