SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters – Sudan's economy sinks as post-coup leadership searches for support

22/6/2022: Reuters – Sudan's economy sinks as post-coup leadership searches for support, by Khalid Abdelaziz and Mohamed Nureldin Abdalla

Reuters report that an accelerated breakdown in services including water and electricity supplies has left Sudanese citizens counting the cost of the military coup of October 2021, with finance minister and coup backer Jibril Ibrahim said “had a significant impact on the economy,” citing the suspension of about $4 billion in Western aid and halting of big projects in electricity, irrigation, and rural development.

Resident of al-Shigla, across the White Nile from Khartoum said water supply has been dry despite the Nile river being just a kilometre away, with Reuters describing the neighbourhood’s road as “dotted with stagnant, green pools of water and uncollected rubbish.”

In Khartoum, major intersections are often jammed as traffic lights lose power, with officials at Khartoum's water authority blaming a lack of government funding to maintain water stations or pipes for a growing population. Frequent power outages disable water pumps, they said.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg – Sudan’s Lurch Toward Democracy

22/6/19: Bloomberg – Sudan’s Lurch Toward Democracy, by Tobin Harshaw

 Tobin Harshaw, a Bloomberg editor, interviewed Judd Devermont, director of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the US National Intelligence Council’s former Africa point person.

 Devermont called for the US to build on engaging with Saudi Arabia and the UAE on Sudan’s future, arguing that the US “needs to be a counterweight to Gulf influence.”

 Devermont further called for the US to support Sudanese protesters and champion moderates within the military council – or “at least elements…that can make compromises.” Nonetheless, Devermont conceded that the military council has no interest in democratic transition under Himedti’s leadership.

 Devermont then cited Sudan’s presence “at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East,” and as “an exporter of insecurity…in the rest of region,” to argue that a peaceful Sudan would be conducive to a peaceful sub-Saharan Africa and “productive” in the US’ Middle East and Egyptian policies.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Sudan protesters, Ethiopia envoy discuss talks with military

22/6/19: AP - Sudan protesters, Ethiopia envoy discuss talks with military

 AP reports that Sudan’s protest leaders, the Declaration of Freedom and Change coalition, say they are meeting with an Ethiopian envoy over proposals to resume negotiations with the ruling military council.

 The leaders say they’ve received Ethiopia’s initiative for the transition from military to civilian rule, and would declare their position during Saturday’s meeting with Ethiopian diplomat Mahmoud Dirir.