SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Eastern Sudanese lawyers: Clashes are political, not tribal

22/5/2020: Radio Dabanga - Eastern Sudanese lawyers: Clashes are political, not tribal

Radio Dabanga report that the Eastern Sudan Lawyers' Association have called for a range of solutions to deal with rising violence in eastern Sudan, arguing that the causes are political rather than tribal. These include: 

• The formation of an independent investigation committees and the establishment of special courts in Red Sea state, Kassala, and El Gedaref.

• The formation of a forum of “wise and influential people” to deal with violent conflicts.

• The establishment of a special prosecution office for information crimes should be established, blaming “the negative role of the media by using hate speech and stirring up tribal strife…contributing directly to tribal mobilisation.”

• For eastern Sudanese universities to research the causes of the violence and offer appropriate solutions.

• They end of illegal housing “that forms the basis for many crimes”.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Foreign Policy - The Counterrevolution Begins in Sudan

22/5/19: Foreign Policy – The Counterrevolution Begins in Sudan, by Justin Lynch

 Justin Lynch reports on the stalemate in Sudan. Lynch highlights divides within the Declaration of Freedom and Change (DFC) regarding proposals to split power with the military. The Atlantic Council’s Cameron Hudson said that military has “learned under Bashir how to [let] the opposition weaken itself.”

 Lynch writes that recent attacks on protesters are “evidence that someone from the military wanted to undermine the negotiations.” However, there is “evidence” of a split within the military, with Lynch citing the failure to arrest former spy chief Salah Gosh as a sign that Sudan’s intelligence service “marches to its own beat.”

 Lynch draws attention to Saudi, Emirati, Egyptian and Russian support for the military junta. US relations with the civilian opposition are said to be “strained,” with four members of the DFC describing difficulties with the top US official in Sudan, Steven Koutsis.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Washington Post - Talks have stalled and divisions are growing. Is Sudan's post-Bashir honeymoon over?

22/5/19: Washington Post – Talks have stalled, and divisions are growing. Is Sudan’s post-Bashir honeymoon over?, by Jason Patikin

 Jason Patikin’s draws attention to divides among Sudanese protesters, and the military, to argue that Sudan’s “revolutionary honeymoon” is over.

 Arguing that the “protest movement is showing cracks,” Patinkin notes the exclusion of women and ethnic minorities from the opposition negotiation team., with Adeeb Yousif, a Darfuri academic at George Mason University, quoted saying that he thinks “this is a Khartoum-Khartoum dialogue to decide for the rest of Sudan.”

 Patinkin argues that “the most significant rupture” among the protesters is between the “radical youth,” and “more cautious protest leaders,” citing objections to protest leaders following the military’s demand to remove the roadblocks. Protester Ilaf Usama threatened to refuse to follow the protest leaders’ instructions again.

Patinkin also highlights how recent clashes reflect divides within the military council, with political analyst Magdi el-Gizouli, saying that “resolving the dichotomy between the army and the RSF today is not possible without a war.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan military wants to cede power quickly - general

22/5/19: Reuters- Sudan military wants to cede power quickly - general

Reuters reports that Himedti, the deputy leader of the ruling military council, told Egyptian state newspaper Al Ahram that Sudan’s military wants to hand power to a democratically elected government as soon as possible.

“We got tired. We want to hand over power today not tomorrow,” Himedti said, adding that “members of the military council are not politicians and we are waiting for the government to be formed.”

 Himedti also claimed that 25 former regime figures have been arrested and files are being prepared for their charges.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - BNP Paribas to face revived lawsuit over Sudanese genocide- U.S. appeals court

22/5/19: Reuters – BNP Paribas to face revived lawsuit over Sudanese genocide- U.S. appeals court, by Jonathan Stempel

 Reuters reports that a US appeals court revived a lawsuit against BNP Paribas SA by alleged victims of a genocidal regime in Sudan, who sought to hold the French bank liable for aiding in the government’s atrocities.

 The 3-0 decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan came nearly five years after BNP Paribas agreed to plead guilty and pay an $8.97 billion penalty to settle U.S. charges it transferred billions of dollars for Sudanese, Iranian and Cuban entities subject to economic sanctions.

Twenty-one refugees now living in the United States filed the proposed class action against BNP Paribas in 2016, over its role as the Sudan regime’s main bank from 1997 to 2007.

They said BNP Paribas’ processing of thousands of illegal transactions through its New York offices furthered the regime’s campaign of murder, mass rape, torture and deliberate HIV infection against its own people.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - FFC denies proposing to cede presidency to Sudan’s military council

22/5/19: Sudan Tribune – FFC denies proposing to cede presidency to Sudan’s military council

 Sudan Tribune reports that the Forces Freedom and Change (FFC) denied a German news agency report that they proposed to cede the presidency of the Sovereign Council to the military council.

However, an FFC official told Sudan Tribune that "this report was not accurate" adding that no proposals were made in this regard.

"On the other hand, it is true that some of the coalition forces, such as the Sudan Call and the Gathering of Unionists, have no objection to giving the presidency of the Sovereign Council provided the FFC gets the majority, while the National Consensus Forces and the Communist Party, in particular, are opposed to the move," said the FFC official under the cover of anonymity.

"As for the Sudanese Professionals Association, their position is volatile and demands a rotating presidency, and this may be due to the pressure of sit-inners," he added.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Troika says civilian-led authority is crucial for any support to Sudan’s economy

22/5/19: Sudan Tribune – Troika says civilian-led authority is crucial for any support to Sudan’s economy

 Sudan Tribune reports that The Troika (UK, US, Norway) Tuesday urged the Sudanese parties to conclude a swift agreement on power transfer to civilian-led authority saying any failure would prevent support to Sudan economic development.

"Any outcome that does not result in the formation of a government that is civilian-led, placing primary authority for governing with civilians, will not respond to the clearly expressed will of the Sudanese people for a transition to civilian rule," said the Troika.

"This will complicate international engagement, and make it harder for our countries to work with the new authorities and support Sudan’s economic development," further stressed the statement.