SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: War On The Rocks – Can Sudan’s Military Be Convinced to Support Democracy

25/6/19: War On The Rocks – Can Sudan’s Military Be Convinced to Support Democracy, by Nathaniel Allen and Sharan Grewal

 Nathaniel Allen, a US Institute of Peace policy advisor and the Brooking Institution’s Sharan Grewal highlights ways in which the Sudanese opposition and the US can incentivise the military to allow Sudanese democracy.

 Allen and Grewal argue that opposition should exploit army-RSF divides, with the army “unlikely to initiate a conflict that risks further destabilizing Sudan.”

 It is suggested that the army could be incentivised to support civilian rule by concessions such as: amnesty for abuses, influence over security policy and reliable funding, with the RSF’s lower ranks also granted amnesty and possibly disbanded or incorporated into the army.

 Allen and Grewal then argue that the US can reduce the “malign” influence of the Saudis, UAE and Egypr by threatening to cut military support, as well as offering to remove Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List and offering the army assistance once a civilian-led government is in place.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - U.S. to consider sanctions in case of more Sudan violence

25/6/19: Reuters - U.S. to consider sanctions in case of more Sudan violence, by Patricia Zengerle

 Reuters reports that Makila James, deputy assistant secretary for East Africa and the Sudans, told a US House of Representatives hearing that Washington was considering all options, including possible sanctions, if there was more violence after a deadly assault on protesters in Khartoum early this month.

 James said the sanctions could include visa sanctions or economic sanctions. “We want to use the right tool and we want to target the right people,” she said.

 James also told the House Foreign Affairs Africa subcommittee that Washington believes the best possible outcome in Sudan is an agreement between the military authorities and the opposition Declaration of Freedom and Change.

 James added that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had told US officials they want a civilian-led transitional government, because anything else would lead to broader regional instability.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Bloomberg – Sudan Rulers Vow to Free Rebel Prisoners as Step to Peace Talks

25/6/19: Bloomberg – Sudan Rulers Vow to Free Rebel Prisoners as Step to Peace Talks, by Mohammed Alamin

 Bloomberg reports that Sudan’s military council has pledged to release all imprisoned anti-government rebels as a step toward talks to end long-running insurgencies in Darfur and the country’s south.

 Himedti, the deputy leader of the military council, announced the plan in an address to supporters. He did not say how many fighters would be freed.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Financial Times - Atrocities in Sudan are a reminder the regime never left

25/6/19: Financial Times - Atrocities in Sudan are a reminder the regime never left, by Yousra Elbagir

Yousra Elbagir argues that the ousting of Omar Al Bashir signals to protesters and opposition leaders that “the revolution has only just begun.”

 Elbagir notes that the ruling Transitionary Military Council (TMC) is composed of Al Bashir’s old allies, arguing that they deposed him to prolong the regime’s survival, rather than end it.

 Drawing attention to TMC deputy Himedti, Elbagir was told by a National Intelligence and Security Services officer that Himedti’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) “militia-for-hire” would be deployed for the protection of the deep state if the revolution found its way to Khartoum.

Nonetheless, despite the RSF’s brutality (including the June 3 massacre), Elbagir concludes that “resistance has reignited across [Sudan].“