SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Financial Times - Sudan internet blackout forces battered protesters to rethink

12/6/19: Financial Times – Sudan internet blackout forces battered protesters to rethink, by Tom Wilson

The Financial Times reports that citizens of Khartoum are forced to find new ways to communicate amid the second week of the Sudanese internet blackout.

 Sudan’s network operators Sudatel, Zain and MTN switched off mobile internet access for customers. Then on Monday fixed line internet services for most offices and houses were also cut, “plunging the country into near complete data darkness. “

 A spokesman for Sudan’s military leaders said the internet had been disconnected “for a limited time” but provided no justification. One of Sudan’s international mobile operators declined to comment, citing concern for the security of its staff if it discussed the disruption publicly. A spokesperson for state-owned Sudatel said he had no information about any government instructions to shutdown services

 The article notes that while platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter were used widely to organise protests, Sudanese activists are now reliant on SMS texts.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan’s foreign ministry summons British ambassador – agency

12/6/19: Reuters – Sudan’s foreign ministry summons British ambassador – agency

 Reuters reports that Sudan’s foreign ministry summoned on Wednesday the British ambassador in Khartoum to protest his remarks on political developments in the country, Sudan’s state news agency (SUNA) reported.

 Britain’s ambassador Irfan Siddiq tweeted last week after attempts to disperse Sudan’s protest sit-in: “No excuse for any such attack. This. Must. Stop. Now”.

 The spokesman of Sudan’s foreign ministry said to SUNA that the ministry protests the repeated tweets of the ambassador, and that it contradicts “the established diplomatic norms”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Independent – Sudan protests: Children killed and sexually assaulted in violent clashes, say rights groups

12/6/19: Independent – Sudan protests: Children killed and sexually assaulted in violent clashes, say rights groups, by Corazon Miller

The Independent reports that at least 19 children are among the dozens killed in this month’s violent crackdown on civilian protesters in Khartoum, Unicef said, in acts described as “barbaric.”

 Unicef’s executive director Henrietta Fore said she was “gravely concerned” at the impact of the ongoing violence on the Sudanese children.

 She said since June 3 at least 19 children had been reportedly killed and another 49 injured, with many more still in danger amidst the violent clashes.

 “We have received information that children are being detained, recruited to join the fighting and sexually abused.” Fore added.

“Schools, hospitals and health centres have been targeted, looted and destroyed. Health workers have been attacked simply for doing their job,” with parents fearful of letting their children out of the house, and water, food and medicine shortages putting children’s health and wellbeing at risk. 

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - US names veteran diplomat Donald Booth as envoy for Sudan

12/6/19: Multiple sources - US names veteran diplomat Donald Booth as envoy for Sudan

CNN, by Jennifer Hansler
Reuters

AFP

 The United States on Wednesday named veteran diplomat Donald Booth as its envoy to Sudan amid an international push for a peaceful transition after the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir.

 Booth, a retired US ambassador who has extensive experience in Africa, served as U.S. special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan during the Obama administration.

 Booth "will lead US efforts to support a political solution to the current crisis that reflects the will of the Sudanese people," according to the State Department.

"His appointment demonstrates that the United States has a firm commitment to the Sudanese people and efforts to advance a peaceful political solution," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.