SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Wall Street Journal - As Sudan Grapples With a Post-Bashir Future, Regional Powers Circle

27/4/19: Wall Street Journal – As Sudan Grapples With a Post-Bashir Future, Regional Powers Circle, by Matina Stevis-Gridneff and Summer Said

 Matina Stevis-Gridneff and Summer Said argue that Saudi and Emirati backroom dealings with Sudan’s generals may determine the next phase for Sudan, rather than the protests.

 Elizabeth Dickinson, an expert at the International Crisis Group, is quoted emphasising Sudan’s strategic importance to the Gulf, citing Saudi-Emirati priorities such as: containing Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood, Yemen, food security and the Red Sea.

 However, Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, former chairman of the Arab Council for Social Science, said that Saudi Arabia and the UAE “favour stability more than anything," adding that "they will do everything possible not to have Sudan go through an experience like Libya, Syria.”

 The article concludes with Sudanese street protester Mohammed Al Noor saying “we would rather go hungry than take [Saudi-Emirati] money...we want to be in charge of our own destiny.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - Fall of Bashir risks leaving Sudan prey to rival regional powers

27/4/19: Guardian – Fall of Bashir risks leaving Sudan prey to rival regional powers, by Zeinab Mohammed Salih and Peter Beaumont

 Peter Beaumont and Zeinab Mohammed Salih argue that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are competing with Iran, Turkey and Qatar to exploit Sudan’s political turmoil.

 Beaumont and Salih highlight Saudi-Emirati interests in seeking Sudan's support in Yemen and against the Muslim Brotherhood, and suspicions that Egyptian president Abdelfattah Al Sisi wants the continued influence of the military in Sudan, as in his own country.

 Beaumont and Salih spoke to Mohammed Salah, a young organiser of the recent demonstration outside the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum, who said that the military is split between a Qatar-Turkey camp and a Saudi-UAE camp. The latter is "more powerful," and receives political support from Egypt.

 The article concludes with Mohammed Al Gizouli, the leader of an Islamist political party, saying "we welcome any country if it wants to support economically, but not politically.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Associated Press - Sudanese protesters, military council say talks 'fruitful'

27/4/19: Associated Press – Sudanese protesters, military council say talks ‘fruitful’

Associated Press reports that the organisers of Sudan’s protests, and the transitional military council (TMC), said talks Saturday on forming a transitional civilian government were "transparent" and "fruitful."

 TMC spokesman Shams Al Deen Al Kabashi said the talks were "transparent" and that both sides agreed on resuming their meeting later Saturday. "We are very optimistic that we will reach a final conclusion that will be announced to the Sudanese people as soon as possible," he said.

Madani Abbas Madani, a member of the protesters' team, said the talks were "positive and fruitful" and that they have discussed "all disputed points."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Turkey says Sudan did not cancel Suakin deal

27/4/19: Sudan Tribune – Turkey says Sudan did not cancel Suakin deal

Sudan Tribune reports that the Turkish government has denied reports that the Transitional Military Council has cancelled an agreement with Ankara to restore Ottoman-era artefacts on Sudan’s Red Sea coast island of Suakin.

 According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy stressed that press reports about the cancellation of the deal and the expulsion of Turkish worker from Suakin were not accurate.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan opposition sets up negotiating team, calls to participate in AU meeting

27/4/19: Sudan Tribune – Sudan opposition sets up negotiating team, calls to participate in AU meeting

The opposition Freedom and Change forces have appointed their negotiating team with the military council, reports Sudan Tribune.

 The delegation includes "Ali Al Sanhouri, Mariam Al Mahdi, Mohamed Nagi Al Asam, Ayman Khalid Haydar Al Safi and myself," said  Omer Al Digair, the leader of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP)

 Following an agreement reached on Wednesday, the Transitional Military Council (TMC) has acknowledged the Freedom and Change forces as its sole interlocutor to discuss the formation of the transitional institution in Sudan.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Sudanese protesters demanding civilian rule meet with army

27/4/19: Multiple sources – Sudanese protesters demanding civilian rule meet with army

Reuters

Associated Press

 Sudan’s opposition alliance, an umbrella group known as the Declaration of Freedom and Change forces, and the ruling transitional military council, that they expected to agree on the formation of a new body to lead the country’s transition, following the resumption of suspended talks.