SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Human Rights Watch - Sudan’s Army Threatens Activists, Journalists with Lawsuits

24/7/2020: Human Rights Watch - Sudan’s Army Threatens Activists, Journalists with Lawsuits

 Mohamed Osman, Assistant Researcher at Human Rights Watch, calls for Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitutional declaration by “taking quick steps” to prevent state agents from using “problematic laws” to silence dissent.

 With the Sudanese Armed Forces’ threatening to sue individuals who “insult” them, Osman notes that an army spokesperson invoked the “troublesome” Cybercrimes Act - “an overly broad law” introduced in 2007 that “has been used by the former regime to target online critics.”

 Osman adds that the act criminalises the “vague” concept of the ‘spread of false news’ and publication of ‘indecent materials,’ with recent amendments increasing prison sentences.

 Osman also notes that the army threatens to use the Publication and Newspapers Act and “crimes against the state” provisions in the Criminal Act of 1991, which “were often used by the former regime to harass real or perceived opponents.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - FFC economic body rejects Sudan budget amendment

24/7/2020: Sudan Tribune - FFC economic body rejects Sudan budget amendment

 Sudan Tribune report that the Economic Committee of the Forces of Freedom and Change Forces (FFC) announced its rejection of the government’s budget amendment, saying that it ignores the demands of the June 30 demonstrations by continuing IMF policies that “destroyed the national economy and impoverished the masses.”

 The FFC Economic Committee said increases in commercial fuel, dollar prices and salaries without “real resources” contradict budgetary laws, with budget being similar to the December 2019 budget approved during al-Bashir’s regime, which eventually collapsed the currency exchange rate and raised inflation to over %130. The committee presents an alternative national programme based on the mobilisation of resources inherent in the national economy.

 Committee member and senior Communist Party member Sidgi Kaballo said the government does not consult them on economic policies, and that the budget aims to increase fuel prices and liberalise the exchange rate.  

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Appointment of new governors triggers protests in Sudan

24/7/2020: Radio Dabanga - Appointment of new governors triggers protests in Sudan

Summary 1

Radio Dabanga report that “the long-awaited” appointment of civilian governors in Sudan has witnessed protests against some selected state rulers, particularly in Kassala, al-Obeid (North Kordofan) and El Daein (East Darfur).

 In the latter two localities, protests were against the appointment of governors not nominated by the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC).

 Meanwhile, feminist groups in Khartoum protested the underrepresentation of women.

 The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) also denounced women’s underrepresentation, as well as the “distribution of governors posts based on (partisan) quotas [which] reward individuals and political parties,” warning that the government risks losing legitimacy this way.

Summary 2

Radio Dabanga reports that the appointment of civilian governors in Sudan has triggered protests across the country, particularly in Kassala, where locals demonstrated against the new governor.

 Sayed Tirik, native administration leader of the Hadendawa tribe in eastern Sudan, severely condemned the appointment of the new governor. He warned they will increase the protests “until Khartoum reverses its decision”.

In a press conference in Omdurman, a National Umma Party leader Siddig El Sadig, accused the government of violating agreed principles by appointing governors with a military background for fragile states such as Kassala, as well as El Gedaref and East and West Darfur. He warned that this may lead to armed conflicts in both regions.  

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Activists: 'Sudan opposition must stick to January declaration’

24/7/19: Radio Dabanga - Activists: 'Sudan opposition must stick to January declaration’

 Radio Dabanga reports that Sudanese activists held a protest outside the Sudan Professionals Association’s (SPA) headquarters, demanding that the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) abide by the Declaration of Freedom and Change signed in January, which the SPA itself initiated.

 The activists denounced the “seeking of power-sharing with the military junta,” and called for transparency in the agreements signed and negotiated with the military junta.

 The activists demanded that the SPA disclose the details of the negotiation process through a bulletin, condemning the hiding of information from the Sudanese people and denouncing the SPA’s “disregarding of the demands of the revolution.”

 Ismail El Taj, a leading member of the SPA addressed the crowd, stressing the SPA’s insistence on “achieving retribution for the martyrs no matter how long it may take.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Talks between FFC politicians and rebels show progress

24/7/19: Multiple sources – Talks between FFC politicians and rebels show progress

 Yasir Arman, leader of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) coalition of armed movements, has announced the agreement with the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) on 11 points in the document on the transition to peace, although no agreement had been reached on how to set up transitional bodies, including peace issues and the participation of armed forces.

 Although some media reported that the FFC politicians agreed to allocate two of its five seats at the sovereign council to armed groups, the Sudanese Professionals Association’s Mohammed Alasam denied this, saying: “the people want competencies to implement the Declaration for Freedom and Change only.”

 The FFC also issued a statement saying that the consultations in Addis Ababa are not for quotas or power-sharing, and that places on the council will be allocated to those judged for their “patriotic competencies.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Hemeti: Sudan junta retains contact with armed movements

24/7/19: Radio Dabanga - Hemeti: Sudan junta retains contact with armed movements

 Radio Dabanga reports that Himedti has claimed continued contact with Sudanese rebel groups that form the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), which is part of the Forces of Freedom and Change that is seeking to negotiate the transition to democratic civilian government.

 Himedti highlighted the “rights” of the SRF, amid their negotiations with the civilian political parties of the FFC in Addis Ababa.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan military says it thwarted coup attempt, army chief of staff arrested

24/7/19: Multiple sources – Sudan military says it thwarted coup attempt, army chief of staff arrested

 Sudan’s military council said it arrested several senior officers for an alleged coup attempt to restore to power the National Congress Party (NCP), the now-outlawed party of ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

 The alleged coup attempt involved General Hashim Abdel Mottalib Ahmed, head of the joint chiefs of staff; high-ranking army and intelligence officers and NCP and Islamist leaders.

 Among those detained was General Bakri Hassan Saleh, a leading figure in the 1989 coup that brought al-Bashir to power, who served as his prime minister shortly before he was ousted.

 Also detained was former foreign minister Ali Karty, believed to be Sudan’s central Islamist figure since Al Bashir’s ousting. Al-Zubair Ahmed Hassan, a former finance minister who was secretary general of the Islamic Movement until Bashir’s was deposed, was also detained.

 Some analysts have labelled the arrests a fabrication aimed at consolidating power.