SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: DW – Sudan: Critics slam fresh dialogue as disingenuous

8/6/2022: DW – Sudan: Critics slam fresh dialogue as disingenuous, by Jennifer Holleis and Kersten Knipp

 DW report on criticisms from Sudanese civil society of the tripartite UN-AU-IGAD mechanism to resolve the political stalemate.

"Most people, especially activists, are quite suspicious of these [dialogue] claims, particularly because there is a perception that the international community seems to be insisting on some kind of negotiated settlement with those who conducted the coup," Mohammed Elnaiem, a Sudanese activist based in London, told DW.

Mohamed Yousif Almustafa, a Sudanese activist in Khartoum, said he does not regard a tripartite dialogue as a realistic option.

"We cannot consider any talks with Burhan under the current circumstances because he is trying to ensure he remains in the driving seat of the government," he told DW. Almustafa believes that the "ultimate objective of any dialogue with the military is to reproduce the partnership with them, to guarantee their immunity from being accountable for the crimes they have committed."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan ends subsidies for gasoline and diesel, raises prices

8/6/2021: Reuters - Sudan ends subsidies for gasoline and diesel, raises prices

Reuters report that Sudan, which “has been implementing aggressive IMF-monitored reforms” - fully liberalised gasoline and diesel prices. The finance ministry said that prices would be determined by the costs of import as well as transportation, taxes, and profit margins.

The price of gasoline will rise from 150 Sudanese pounds ($0.35) per litre to 290 pounds, while the price of diesel will rise to 285 pounds per litre from 125 pounds, the finance ministry said, adding that fuel subsidies cost Sudan $1 billion a year and benefited the middle and upper classes rather than those with lower incomes.

“After the liberalization of prices, Sudan’s remain the 6th cheapest out of 42 African countries,” as many countries impose high fuel taxes, the ministry said.

Opponents of the reforms say their effects fall disproportionately on the poor.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Telegraph – From camel-trader to the next ruler of Sudan? Meet ‘Hemedti’, the brutal militia commander aiming to crush a revolution,

8/6/19: Telegraph – From camel-trader to the next ruler of Sudan? Meet ‘Hemedti’, the brutal militia commander aiming to crush a revolution, by Roland Oliphant

 Roland Oliphant’s feature argues that the brutality of Himedti, the “suspected architect and main beneficiary of the [June 3 massacre],” combines “ruthless” mercenary opportunism…and an “uncanny ability to sense where political and military winds are blowing.”

 An anonymous former NISS (Sudanese intelligence service) agent told Oliphant that Himedti’s primary motivation in crushing the Darfur rebellion for Omar Al Bashir’s government was “to get rich, fighting and trading…sides as convenient.” The “fearless” Himedti allegedly swore at NISS interrogators beating him after he raided government convoys.

 He was appointed leader of the Rapid Support Forces (rebranded Janjaweed) in 2013, but Himedti “won the grudging respect of some oppositionists” after turning on his “patron” Al Bashir.

 However, the June 3 massacre is said to reflect his own power ambitions, although Oliphant notes that he will face competition from the Sudanese army, NISS, and “shadow militias” attached to Islamist parties.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Sudan protesters call for civil disobedience to push army

8/6/19: AP – Sudan protesters call for civil disobedience to push army, by Bassam Hatoum and Samy Magdy

 AP reports that Sudanese pro-democracy protest leaders called on Sudanese to take part in acts of civil disobedience in a bid to pressure the military to hand over power after the deadly break-up of their main sit-in in the capital of Khartoum earlier this week.

 The Sudanese Professionals Association said the civil disobedience will begin Sunday (9 June) and last until the military council hands over power to civilians.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Sudanese rebel leaders arrested after meeting Ethiopia PM

8/6/19: Multiple sources: Sudanese rebel leaders arrested after meeting Ethiopia PM

 Sudan's security forces have reportedly arrested three prominent opposition figures after they met the Ethiopian prime minister who was in Khartoum to try to restart peace talks.

Opposition politician Mohamed Esmat was arrested on Friday soon after his meeting with PM Abiy Ahmed, aides said.

 Ismail Jalab, a leader of the rebel SPLM-N group, and his spokesman Mubarak Ardol were detained early on Saturday.