SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga -  Khartoum-Port Sudan highway paralysed by protestors

29/7/2020: Radio Dabanga -  Khartoum-Port Sudan highway paralysed by protestors

 Radio Dabanga report that Eastern Sudan faces widespread unrest and disruption, including the 3-day blockage of the Khartoum-Port Sudan highway, in the absence of an official reaction to the demands of protestors.

 In Kassala, protesters closed a number of government institutions and ministries to protest against the appointment of the new governor: Saleh Ammar, a Beni Amer tribesman with a military background.

 The High Council of Beja Nazirs (a state-appointed administrative chief of a tribe, according to the native administration system in Sudan) and Independent Chieftains conditioned the opening of the road with an official response to the demands they submitted to the Sovereign Council and the Cabinet.

 Beja chiefs say they will opt for self-determination for eastern Sudan (Red Sea state, Kassala, and El Gedaref) in the event the demands are rejected.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP – Sudan footballers hope for revolution boost

29/7/19: AFP – Sudan footballers hope for revolution boost

 AFP’s feature piece covers the problems within Sudanese football, mainly attributing them to official neglect under Omar Al Bashir’s regime.

 AFP note the absence of competitive youth leagues in Sudan, poorly maintained pitches which cause regular career-ending injuries, the lack of equipment or training facilities.

 Monzer Hassan, a youth team coach, said that the “complete lack of football academies deprives these talented players from honing their skills.”

 Nonetheless, young footballer Emad Salim and Vice-President of the Sudanese Football Association Al Fatih Bani expressed hope that the uprising will bring a boost to football.

 Bani said that matches are “disorganised,” players lack training or management, and the 30 well-maintained pitches in Sudan are all privately owned and only open to elites.

 “Bashir’s regime hurt the sport immensely,” said Mohamed Harun, an Al-Hilal board member, adding that “his Islamic regime considered football a tribal activity that did not deserve support or investment.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP - Sudan general meets Sisi in Cairo as power talks set to resume

29/7/19: AFP - Sudan general meets Sisi in Cairo as power talks set to resume

 AFP reports that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi met in Cairo with Himedti, the deputy chief of Sudan’s military council and leader of the Rapid Support Forces militias that has been accused of brutal massacres.

 The Egyptian presidency said that Himedti "presented the latest developments on the current situation in Sudan.”

 Sisi, the former general turned president, reiterated Egypt's "strategic support" in maintaining "the stability and security" of its neighbour Sudan

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: Sisi stresses Egypt’s support for Sudan

29/7/19: Sisi stresses Egypt’s support for Sudan

 Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed "Egypt's strategic, constant support for the stability and security of Sudan" during a meeting in Cairo on Monday with the vice president of Sudan's Transitional Military Council, Himedti.

 Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady said that "Hemeti is discussing the developments in the current situation in Sudan" with El-Sisi.

 The president and Himedti are discussing "aspects of the bilateral relations between the two countries including the project for connecting Egypt and Sudan's electrical power grids."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudanese activists say 5 killed at student protest

29/7/19: Multiple sources – Sudanese activists say 5 killed at student protest

 Five protesters including four students were shot dead, with several wounded, at a protest against military rule organised by high school students in EL-Obeid, said the Sudanese Doctors Central Committee.

 The Freedom of Forces and Change said the crackdown was carried out by the military and the Rapid Support Forces.

 UNICEF, the UN children agency, condemned the violence against school children and called for authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.

 “The children, aged between 15 and 17 years old, were protesting the commencement of the school year amid the political uncertainty in Sudan,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF’s representative in Sudan. “No child should be buried in their school uniform.”