SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Al-Democrati - Sudanese political parties still threaten democracy

17/12/2020: Al-Democrati - Sudanese political parties still threaten democracy, by Asmaa Juma'a

 Asmaa Juma’a, the editor-in-chief of al-Democrati, calls for Sudanese political parties to end their conflicts between the each other, so as to not threaten Sudan’s democratic prospects, “as they have done [since independence]”.

 Juma’a argues that while parties in most countries that have entrenched democracies have a base that they gained through their principles, vision and targeted national programmes, Sudanese parties pursue their own narrow interests rather than offering visions and solutions.

 Thus, she concludes that the parties, rather than the military, are the primary threat to the democratic transition, suggesting that the military is encouraged to maintain state control in the absence of solutions provided by the parties. 

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Tensions between military and civilian governance in Sudan over USA bill

17/12/2020: Radio Dabanga - Tensions between military and civilian governance in Sudan over USA bill

 Radio Dabanga report that disagreements between the military and civilian components of Sudan’s government resurfaced over the US Congress’ bill called the Sudan Democratic Transition, Accountability, and Fiscal Transparency Act of 2020 – which supports the democratic transition in Sudan and advocates tightening the monitoring of the Sudanese army, security forces, and intelligence services.

 The bill requires the USA State Department to submit a strategy that includes “an assessment of security sector reforms by the Sudanese government, such as demobilizing militias and fostering civilian control of the armed force”.

The bill has caused controversy within the Sovereign Council the role of the army in the country’s economic affairs will be challenged.

Chief-of-Staff Lt Gen Mohamed al-Hussein accused some Sudanese of trying to “bring in foreign laws and legislation,” adding that the army “is not a politicised group and does not seek power.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – SPLM-N al-Hilu says no breakthrough over demands for a secular state

17/12/19: Multiple sources – SPLM-N al-Hilu says no breakthrough over demands for a secular state

• Radio Dabanga

• Sudan Tribune

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North faction under the leadership of Abdelaziz El Hilu (SPLM-N al-Hilu) said there is no breakthrough in the ongoing discussions with the transitional government over his faction’s demands for self-determination unless the government commits to secularism.

SPLM-N al-Hilu spokesman of the negotiating team Jack Mahmud A. Jack told Sudan Tribune that "failure to achieve [a secular state] will inevitably make the option of the right to self-determination a principle rather than a negotiation position."

The transitional government’s position on the matter is that the separation between politics and religion must be affirmed in a constitutional conference gathering all the political forces, in order to avoid future friction from Islamists.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Independent - Genocide, gold and foreign wars: Sudan’s most feared commander speaks out

17/12/2019: Independent - Genocide, gold and foreign wars: Sudan’s most feared commander speaks out, by Bel Trew

In an interview with the Independent, Himedti responded to allegations about RSF violence, business interests and power ambitions.

Calling for a partnership with the UK, Himedti said his priority is the success of the civilian government rather than ruling. 

Himedti dismissed allegations of the RSF’s culpability for the June 3 massacre as “systematic targeting by the old regime”, and called the RSF the “guardians of Darfur” and “protectors of the revolution.” Accepting that his forces were “not angels” and there “may have been crimes” in the past, Himedti insisted there was internal accountability, including an investigation into the massacre.

Himedti further denied that the RSF was used to pursue his interests in gold mining, and that the RSF profits from the war in Yemen by converting dollar payments made by Saudi Arabia and the UAE into Sudanese pounds, before paying salaries in local currency and pocketing the difference.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Sudan moves against unregulated mining

17/12/2019: Radio Dabanga - Sudan moves against unregulated mining

Radio Dabanga reports that the acting governor of North Darfur, Major General Malik Khojali issued a state decree that prohibits revenue collection of residues of gold in the mining areas. However, the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company is not subject to the decree.

The Minister of Energy and Mining, Adil Ibrahim, directed all mining companies to stop granting any money to government employees of his ministry, and urged the government to monitor mining operations properly.

The decisions come as Sudan’s National Committee for Environment Protection (NCEP) said the previous regime ignored more than 16 legal petitions they submitted against mining companies that violate environmental laws.

NCEP Secretary-General Ahmed Mukhtar said that there are about 2,000 mines in Sudan that threaten the lives of the people, with toxic chemicals in open spaces leading to the displacement of many people from water areas and the escape of wild animals.