SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Strategic Initiative for Women In The Horn Of Africa - Is it actual peace or is it just a document #PeaceSitIns

17/7/2020: Strategic Initiative for Women In The Horn Of Africa - Is it actual peace or is it just a document #PeaceSitIns

 Noting the proliferation of sit-ins in Sudan’s conflict zones, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), produce a range of recommendations aimed at the Sudanese government.

  •  For a strategic conflict resolution plan to be constructed and implemented in partnership with civil society stakeholders, and inclusive of women in conflict areas.

  • To implement a comprehensive legal review replacing discriminatory laws and policies that prevent military and security force accountability with inclusive egalitarian legal frameworks.

  •  To cooperate with civil society, women’s groups, local administrative bodies to follow transparent processes in the discussion of issues pertaining to peace, including obstacles and threats.

  •  To accelerate the completion of the civil governance structures, including the formation of the Peace Commission

  •  Facilitating a peaceful transition by prioritising the new security arrangements that reform security and military institutions and reduce their control over civil spaces.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - West Darfur govt to improve security situation in Kereinik

17/7/2020: Radio Dabanga - West Darfur govt to improve security situation in Kereinik

 Radio Dabanga’s reports on a Native Administration Forum held in Nyala, South Darfur, which identified solutions for farm protection in Darfur.

 To quell recurrent conflict between farmers and herders at the onset of the agricultural season, the South Darfur Native Administration Forum called for:

  •  Pasture tracks to be clearly marked to meet the needs of herders, as part of “a new strategy for the development of the grazing sector”.

  • Renewed demarcation of tracks, pastures, and farmlands to be based on scientific research that takes into account increases in the number of livestock and agricultural expansion.

  • Security forces to be present during harvest time.

  • Region-wide disarmament to restore confidence between herders and farmers, including “clear and binding agreements” that prevent violent conflicts.

  • The forum also called for “balanced development” and “awareness-raising concerning the implementation of peace, freedom and justice on the ground” across Darfur.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - New protests erupt in eastern Sudan and Darfur

17/7/2020: Radio Dabanga - New protests erupt in eastern Sudan and Darfur

 Radio Dabanga report on new protests erupting in Sudan, particularly in Kass in South Darfur, who demand: security, protection of the current agricultural season, the dismissal of corrupt locality officials, in particular the Kass police chief, and the provision of better services, giving a 72-hour deadline, warning that mass demonstrations will be held if “police continue to evade the implementation of arrest warrants against those accused of crimes committed in the locality”.

 Meanwhile, the sit-in in North Darfur’s Kabkabiya entered its ninth day, where protesters demand security, protection of the current agricultural season, and the dismissal of officials affiliated with al-Bashir’s regime.

 The sit-in’s media committee reported that the sit-in leadership did not receive a response so far from the Cabinet to a memorandum delivered to Khartoum four days earlier.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Atlantic Council – Sudan’s Power-Sharing Deal: An Exercise in Optimism

17/7/19: Atlantic Council – Sudan’s Power-Sharing Deal: An Exercise in Optimism, by Cameron Hudson

 The Atlantic Council’s Cameron Hudson examines the vagueness of Sudan’s power-sharing deal.

 Hudson suggests that “justice will be delayed, if not denied” if the investigation into the June 3 massacre is “Sudanese-owned,” leaving “military leaders with blood on their hands…in a position to maintain power.”

 Hudson’s criticism of the “Functions for the Transition Period” list entail:

 ·      Noting that rebels rejected the deal despite its attempts to establish peace in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

·      Noting the absence of concrete mechanisms to promote the role of women and youth in society, arguing that the promise to do so simply appeases the driving forces of protests.

·      Noting that the military “faithfully served” the Bashir regime they scapegoat.

·      Casting doubt on the military’s ability to manage its own reforms.

·      Arguing that the absence of clarity on how the Sovereign Council will function makes the agreement “little more than words on a page.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Wall Street Journal – Signing of Power-Sharing Deal in Sudan Begins Anxious Wait For Democracy

17/7/19: Wall Street Journal – Signing of Power-Sharing Deal in Sudan Begins Anxious Wait For Democracy, by Justin Scheck and Nicholas Bariyo

 The Wall Street Journal’s feature piece examines splits that have emerged between the many entities who have supported Omar Al Bashir’s ousting, noting fears that major and established groups that feel alienated by a new government may throw Sudan into chaos.

 Altayeb Mustafa, a head of a coalition of Islamist parties said that some of his groups have affiliated militias and that any deal excluding them could lead to violence, although he says he will do his best to prevent such an outcome.

 Meanwhile, Sarah Nugdallah of the Umma Party says that Sudan needs to free itself from financial reliance on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, arguing that the Gulf nations are not interested in Sudanese democracy, but in getting natural resources and young soldiers to fight in Yemen.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - Sudanese military and protesters sign power-sharing accord

17/7/19: Guardian - Sudanese military and protesters sign power-sharing accord, by Zeinab Mohammed Salih and Peter Beaumont

 The Guardian’s feature piece on Sudan’s power-sharing agreement highlights mixed reactions among Sudan’s population.

 Activist Khalda Yacoub said the deal would not stop “the killing of people in [Sudan],” adding that “the members of the [ruling military council] are part of the former regime and they need to change the way they deal with people.”

 Mohamed Eissa, an engineer who moved to Khartoum from Darfur, said it is “in our best interest is to reach to a deal,” as “the idea of having a radical change is impossible,” citing the amount of weapons in Sudan which contribute to it being “very fragile.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Multiple sources – Analysts react to Sudan power-sharing deal

17/7/19: Multiple sources – Analysts react to Sudan power-sharing deal

Analysts quoted in tier-1 broadsheets have cast skepticism over the chances of Sudan’s power-sharing deal delivering civilian rule.  

 Horn of Africa analyst Rashid Abdi told the Financial Times: “we should be under no illusions, 21 months is a long time and there is a lot of fear that the military will use this period to eviscerate the opposition and further consolidate power.”

 Alan Boswell, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, called for “coordinated pressure across continents” to keep Sudan’s power-sharing deal on track, telling Bloomberg that the deal will not be sufficient on its own in bringing Sudan back from the brink, although it “prevents the worst.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan power-sharing deal: arguments continue over how power will be divided

17/7/19: Multiple sources – Sudan power-sharing deal: arguments continue over how power will be divided

 The military and the opposition are scheduled to discuss a constitutional agreement that will specify the division of powers on July 19.

 Rasha Awad, editor of Sudanese newspaper Altaghyeer, told AP that “Sudan’s future will be defined by this constitutional declaration.”

 The issue is the division of powers between the sovereign council, Cabinet and legislative body.

 The military said that the sovereign council it will lead for 21 months should be able to veto Cabinet appointments and decisions. Members of the Cabinet, which is to run Sudan on a day-to-day basis, will be nominated by civilians except for defence and interior positions.

 The military has also backtracked on an agreement for civilians to appoint two-thirds of the legislative body.

 DFC factions including the Communist Party have rejected the deal because it fails to immediately handover power to civilians or facilitate an international investigation into the June 3 massacre.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Sudan military and civilians sign power-sharing deal

17/7/19: Multiple sources - Sudan military and civilians sign power-sharing deal

The Transitional Military Council and the Declaration of Freedom and Change coalition have finally signed a power sharing agreement, establishing an 11-member sovereign council made up of five military and civilian opposition representatives each, and a neutral member agreed on by both sides.

 The sovereign council will lead the transitional phase until the elections scheduled in 3 years, with the military leading for the first 21 months and civilians for the subsequent 18 months.

 Deputy Leader of the TMC Himedti described the signing as a “historic moment” for Sudan. Ibrahim Al Amin, a DFC leader, said the deal signals a new era of self-reliance for Sudan.