SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: CNN - Sudan just got a step closer to full democracy. Big obstacles remain

17/8/19: CNN - Sudan just got a step closer to full democracy. Big obstacles remain, by Yasir Abdalla, Sheena McKenzie and Nima Elbagir

 Following the signing ceremony of Sudan’s power-sharing agreement, CNN argue that obstacles still remain in Sudan’s path to full democracy – citing Himedti’s presence on the signing table and the absence of women “who played a crucial role in the protest movement.”

 CNN state that the choice of signatories in the power-sharing agreement was “heavy with symbolism.”

 The Sudanese Professional Association choice, Ahmed Al-Rabee - a schoolteacher earning the equivalent of around $33 a month -  is “emblematic of the economic hardship faced by professionals amid Sudan's institutional corruption.”

 By contrast, the military council put forward Himedti, who was “al-Bashir’s former right hand man in the bloody Darfur conflict,” and overseen numerous crackdowns on protesters, including the June 3 massacre.

 CNN added that women were absent from the agreement signing, despite playing “a pivotal role in the protest movement - by some estimates accounting for up to 70% of demonstrators.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Elements of Al Bashir’s regime remain in Sudan’s transitional institutions

17/8/19: Multiple sources – Elements of Al Bashir’s regime remain in Sudan’s transitional institutions

Multiple sources reported that the euphoria of Sudan’s power-sharing agreement was tempered by the “tough compromises,” of the deal, which ensured that the military, led by Omar Al Bashir’s allies, will retain its power grip.

 Sara Abdelgalil of the Sudanese Professionals Association, told the New York Times: “we just hope that we will achieve a civilian-led government at the end of the three years. And if we fail, we will go back to the street.”

 The extent of the concessions agreed to by Sudan’s revolutionaries was evident at the ceremony, Himedti signed the agreement on the military’s behalf, despite the June 3 massacre his forces allegedly led.

 Suliman Baldo, a senior researcher with the Enough Project, told AP that daunting challenges will face Sudan’s progress to democracy and sound governance, chief among them the survival of the elements of the former regime in the institutions of the transition.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan’s new government will face economic challenges

17/8/19: Multiple sources – Sudan’s new government will face economic challenges

 Multiple sources reported that the main challenge for Sudan’s new transitional government will be an economic crisis stemming from a shortage of foreign currency, as foreign investors and banks are put off by Sudan’s continued designation by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism.

 Mahmud Dirir, Ethiopian mediator in the military-civilian power-sharing negotiations, said that the next challenge will be lifting Sudan’s terror designation and large debts.

 The New York Times pointed to accusations of military corruption, with John Prendergast of the Sentry, an investigative group that tracks the proceeds of war crimes in Africa, saying that “the companies [the military] control are looting Sudan’s resources and budget for their personal enrichment.”

 Calling for international assistance to Sudan to be coupled with pressure for military reforms, Prendergast added: “if this this mafia network isn’t countered in some way, the prospects for peace and democracy are very dim indeed.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Quotes from Sudanese power-sharing signing ceremony

17/8/19: Multiple sources – Quotes from Sudanese power-sharing signing ceremony

 Sudanese political actors from both the military and the civilian opposition praised Sudan’s power-sharing deal and expressed hope for further progress.

 Military council leader Abdel-Fattah Burhan said “the revolution has achieved its goals,” vowing the military would guarantee the transition to civilian rule.

 Burhan invited “everyone to make this day a new stage of getting over the bitterness of the past and looking towards the future.”

 Protest leader Mohammed Naji al-Asam said the two sides have ushered in a “new page” in Sudan’s history after three decades of “repression and corruption,” emphasizing the need for an investigation and justice for those who were killed, particularly  during the June 3 massacre.

 Leading opposition figure Sadiq Al Mahdi, Sudan’s last democratically elected premier said: “the coming period will be a test for us, no one will be excluded…we will open the door to everyone to participate in Sudan’s celebration.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – International reactions to Sudanese power-sharing deal

17/8/19: Multiple sources – International reactions to Sudanese power-sharing deal

International actors invested in Sudan reacted positively to the signing of Sudan’s power-sharing deal, issuing calls to action for further progress in the country.

 The Arab Parliament, an Arab League advisory body, called for Sudan to be removed from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, state-run Qatar News Agency said on Twitter.

 Mahmoud Dirir, the Ethiopian mediator in the negotiations, told a press conference that “the next period has its challenges: lifting Sudan from the list of so-called state sponsors of terror, the large debts ... and lessening the burden on the economy with the support of our brothers and friends.”

 UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated the Sudanese people and looked forward to “engaging with and supporting the transitional governing institutions.”

 Saudi Arabia would continue to assist Sudan, minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a press conference.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Army and civilian opposition sign power-sharing deal in Sudan

17/8/19: Multiple sources – Army and civilian opposition sign power-sharing deal in Sudan

 Sudan’s main opposition coalition, the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) and the ruling military council sealed a power-sharing deal that allows for a transitional government and elections after months of unrest.

 The FFC picked Abdalla Hamdok, a former UN economist, to be prime minister, and named five people as civilian members of the 11-strong sovereign council. The military will choose another five members and the 11th will be chosen jointly.

 The army said that Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the current military council, would lead the sovereign council. Military council spokesman Shams El Din Kabbashi told Sky News that al-Burhan, his deputy Hemedti, and General Yasser Al-Atta were among the other military representatives of the sovereign council.

 The agreement also provides for a 300-member legislative assembly to serve during the transitional period, and a cabinet of technocrats.