SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Sit-in for security in Central Darfur continues

30/6/2020: Radio Dabanga - Sit-in for security in Central Darfur continues

 Radio Dabanga report on the second day of the sit-in in Nierteti in Central Darfur, where protesters demand security, a halt to the daily attacks on civilians, disarmament of the militias, and arrest and trial of the perpetrators.

 The demonstrators call for protection during the agricultural season, demand the dismissal of the executive director and the director of the security committee of Nierteti, the removal of the current security forces, and members of the Military Intelligence and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from the locality.

 The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) said the protests are a request to the authorities to accelerate the purging of the official bodies from affiliates of the defunct regime” adding that “failure to do so will deliver wrong messages to the people, that the revolution governments at central and state level are not serious, which undermines the credibility of those in charge of state affairs.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - One killed in Sudan as thousands rally for faster reform

30/6/2020: Reuters -  One killed in Sudan as thousands rally for faster reform

 Reuters report that one civilian was killed and several were injured “as thousands of [Sudanese] took to the streets demanding faster reform and greater civilian rule.”

 As protesters gathered in Khartoum, Bahry, Omdorman, Kassala and Darfur, Reuters note that the June 30 gathering is “symbolic” as it was the anniversary of former president Omar al-Bashir’s ascent to power in 1989, and that it marks the day in 2019 when thousands marched to pressure the then-ruling transitional military council to resume negotiations over a peaceful power-sharing deal with civilian opposition.

 Reuters note key parts of the power-sharing deal which followed remains unimplemented, including the appointment of civilian state governors and a parliament.

 Prime Minister Hamdok sought to “appease disgruntled citizens” with a speech which he promised major decisions “within two weeks.” Hamdok said: “the transitional government ...(is) aiming to achieve the highest levels of consensus and popular approval.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Protesters return to Sudan streets, calling for more reforms,

30/6/2020: AP - Protesters return to Sudan streets, calling for more reforms, by Samy Magdy

 AP report on the June 30 “million-person march” across Sudan, as protesters pressured transitional authorities and demanded justice for those killed in the 2019 uprising. AP note that crowds gathered across Sudan “but few observed social distancing requirements to avoid contracting coronavirus.”

 The protests were called for by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association and the Resistance Committees. The organisers called for the appointment of civilian governors for Sudan’s provinces, peace with Sudan’s rebels who were part of the July 2019 power-sharing deal, and swift public trials for former president Omar al-Bashir and his top officials.

 Prime Minister Hamdok promised that his transitional government would work to carry out the protesters’ demands in the next two weeks. Hamdok said: “a number of decisive decisions ... will follow…some of them may have a significant impact — politically, economically and socially — and some parties will try to use them to fuel and create instability.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Washington Post - Sudan protests: Masses demand civilian government; scattered clashes in the capital

30/6/19: Washington Post - Sudan protests: Masses demand civilian government; scattered clashes in the capital, by Max Bearak

 Washington Post Africa bureau chief Max Bearak reports from the largest demonstrations in Sudan since the June 3 massacre, although it is “unclear” whether they would have any impact on negotiations with the military council.

 Amid the internet blackout in Sudan, protests were reportedly organised by graffiti announcements and people walking through neighbourhoods with megaphones.

Mohammed Ilyas, who led a march in December that burned down a local office of Omar Al Bashir’s National Congress Party, told Bearak “our demands have still not been met, the matchbox I used to burn that place — it still has four matches. This is not over.”

However, Bashir Noori, the father of 14 year old Oudai, who was killed by security forces on June 4, has barred his five other children from participating in the marches. He said “now is the most dangerous time of the revolution. It is a game of thrones.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Financial Times – Sudan militia chief hires Canadian lobbying group for $6m

30/6/19: Financial Times – Sudan militia chief hires Canadian lobbying group for $6m, by Tom Wilson

 Tom Wilson’s feature piece explores Himedti’s consultancy agreement with Dickens & Madson to help him secure a meeting with US president Donald Trump, support from Libya’s military leader Khalifa Haftar and free wheat from Russia.

 Matthew Page, associate fellow at Chatham House and former US Department of State official said lobbying contracts between Washington groups and African states were proliferating because there was a belief that the Trump White House was more susceptible to external influence than previous administrations.

 Jeffrey Smith, the founding director of Vanguard Africa, a Washington based non-profit organisation that says it supports ethical leadership in Africa, said “Pocketing millions of dollars from, and representing the selfish interests of, ruthless dictators has become a lucrative business,” adding that “it’s an upside-down world in which priorities are misplaced, the people suffer, and abusive leaders inevitably grow stronger and more emboldened.”