SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Mass response to Sudan’s 'March of the Millions'

1/7/2020: Radio Dabanga - Mass response to Sudan’s 'March of the Millions'

 Radio Dabanga’s report on the nationwide June 30 ‘March of the Millions’ identified state-specific grievances expressed, with protesters across Sudan united in calls for civilian rule, peace, retribution for the protestors killed during demonstrations, better living conditions, and dismantling the remnants of Omar al-Bashir’s regime.

 In West Sudan, protesters in the capitals of the five Darfur states demanded just peace and disarmament of militias.  In East Sudan, protesters in Gadarif, Kassala and Port Sudan called for the end of water shortages, whereas in the Northern State protesters demanded improved living conditions.

 Protesters demanded the appointment of civilian governors and the formation of the Legislative Council in the Northern State and River Nile State.

 Central Sudanese protesters in Sennar, Wad Madani and Kosti stressed that the goal of the marches is to correct the course of the revolution, and not to topple the government.

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: UK, US and Norway Troika Statement on Freedoms in Sudan

1/7/19: UK, US and Norway Troika Statement on Freedoms in Sudan

 The UK, US and Norway Troika on Sudan called on the Sudanese transitional military council and Declartion of Freedom and Change to “engage constructively with the African Union-Ethiopian proposal to achieve a peaceful democratic transition through the formation of a civilian-led transitional government.”

 The Troika added that such a transition would “stabilize [Sudan] and enable the Troika and other partners to work with the Government of Sudan to address the country’s economic challenges.”

 The Troika also expressed its support for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and democracy in Sudan.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Financial Times- Sudan protestors return to streets despite military presence

1/7/19: Financial Times- Sudan protestors return to streets despite military presence, by Tom Wilson

 Tom Wilson’s feature piece reports on the resumption of demonstrations in Sudan protestors, for the first time since the June 3 massacre.

 Alan Boswell, a Sudan expert at the International Crisis Group, said that ‘“There was a big question mark over whether 3 June marked the end of the uprising and I think they resoundingly answered that question” and that ‘’it is clear this uprising is going to continue’’.

Wilson goes on to suggest that there is little sign that the military are willing to give up their power and allow for a civilian lead transitionary phase, with Boswell stating the Himedti “in particular, represents such a big problem”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan must unite armed forces during political crisis – opposition leader

1/7/19: Reuters - Sudan must unite armed forces during political crisis – opposition leader, by Khalid Abdelaziz and Michael Georgy

 Reuters reports that the Umma Party’s leader Sadiq Al Mahdi said Sudan must at all costs avoid tensions between a powerful paramilitary unit that controls Khartoum and the regular army or risk more instability.

 “All our political forces are going to have their minds concentrated on the need to avoid this civil war and all types of conflicts that are potentially there,”  Al Mahdi told Reuters.

Al Mahdi also called on Himedti to fully integrate the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which he commands with the regular army to promote unity within the armed forces.

“The fact that there are tensions between our armed groups must be resolved peacefully. Either people fight it out…or they accept a reconciliation process.” Al Mahdi said

SUDNA NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Death toll after Sudan June 30 rallies climbs to at least 11, nearly 200 wounded

1/7/19: Multiple sources – Death toll after Sudan June 30 rallies climbs to at least 11, nearly 200 wounded

 At least 11 people were killed in clashes with Sudan’s security forces during mass demonstrations demanding a transition to civilian rule, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said, adding that three bodies were dumped in the Nile.  

 The CCSD blamed the TMC’s militias.

 Sudanese authorities had earlier said the death toll was at least 7, with 200 wounded, including 27 injured by bullets.

 Himedti attributed the shootings to “unidentified snipers,” who are “infiltrators, people who want to jeopardise progress.” He claimed that his RSF troops were also shot at.