SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune – "I am not neutral nor a mediator," says Sudanese prime minister

16/10/2021: Sudan Tribune – "I am not neutral nor a mediator," says Sudanese prime minister

 

Sudan Tribune report that Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced a 10-point plan to move past the political crisis that has split the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition’s civilian and armed movements, alongside the escalating tensions between the civilian and military components.

Previously criticised for his consensual approach to the military, Hamdok emphasised his support for the civil democratic transition, and stressed that he is neither "neutral nor a mediator".

 Hamdok said: “the essence of this crisis is the inability to agree on a national project (...) the conflict is not between civilians and the military, but rather between [revolutionaries and counter-revolutionaries]," he stressed.

Hamdok called for a de-escalation of tensions and serious dialogue on FFC-dividing issues.

In response to those who call to replace the current government, Hamdok called to end frictions between the FFC groups and broadening the base of the transitional government with more components.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Hamdok speech announces steps to move out of political crisis

16/10/2021: Multiple sources – Hamdok speech announces steps to move out of political crisis

·      AP

·      Radio Dabanga

Sudan’s prime minister Abdallah Hamdok announced a series of steps for Sudan’s transition to democracy.

Hamdok called the coup attempt an ‘alarm bell’ that should awaken people to the causes of Sudan’s political and economic challenges. “The serious political crisis that we are living in right now, I would not be exaggerating to say, is the worst and most dangerous crisis that not only threatens the transition, but threatens our whole country,” he said.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Eight people killed in demonstrations in eastern Sudan

16/10/2020: Radio Dabanga - Eight people killed in demonstrations in eastern Sudan

 Radio Dabanga report that eight people were killed, among them a member of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and 31 others injured in Kassala after security forces used live munition to disperse protests staged by supporters of dismissed governor Saleh Ammar.

 Thousands had marched, demanding Ammar’s reinstating, the dismissal of the Secretary General of the Kassala government, and an urgent review of the Eastern Sudan Reconstruction Fund file, alongside fair representation of all communities of eastern Sudan in the institutions of the transitional government and the arrest of the instigators of hate speech, compensation for those affected in the clashes.

 A coalition of 16 tribal chiefs, members of political parties in eastern Sudan, and youth and women groups, said that the dismissal of Governor Saleh Ammar was issued at the wrong time and inappropriate.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudanese rebel group suspends peace talks after attack

16/10/19: Multiple sources – Sudanese rebel group suspends peace talks after attack

 Peace talks between the Sudanese government and key rebel groups have been suspended, after the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a rebel group in the states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, accused the Rapid Support Forces militia (RSF) of occupying new areas and attacking and arresting traders.

 SPLM-N chief negotiator Ammar Amoun said that his group’s preconditions to returning to the negotiating table include the release of all prisoners, the withdrawal of government forces from areas they’ve taken and a halt to all hostilities.

 Mohammed Eltaishi, a civilian member of Sudan’s sovereign council said: “the government is shocked...[we are] ready to investigative those behind the attack and will bring them to justice.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Sudan rebels suspend Juba peace talks after militia ambush in South Kordofan

16/10/19: Radio Dabanga – Sudan rebels suspend Juba peace talks after militia ambush in South Kordofan

 Radio Dabanga’s report on the SPLM-N’s suspension of peace negotiations with Sudan’s transitional government, covers the latest developments, and key reactions.

Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC), Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, issued a constitutional decree declaring a national ceasefire. Mohamed El Taayshi, a civilian member of the TSC and spokesman for the government peace delegation, affirmed the government’s commitment to continue the dialogue on peace, and promised that recent aggressors will be held accountable.

 Niemat Ahmadi, leader of the Darfur Women Action Group, welcomed the peace negotiations but criticised South Sudan’s capacity to become a forum for peace negotiations given its interests in Sudan, calling for the transitional government to guarantee that mediators will be impartial.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP - US envoys open Sudan bank accounts for first time in decades

16/10/19: AFP - US envoys open Sudan bank accounts for first time in decades

 AFP reports that four US diplomats opened accounts at a Sudanese bank for the first time in decades, as Khartoum seeks to draw international businesses back to the country to help revive the ailing economy.

 "We lifted economic sanctions in 2017 and we want to show that Sudan is open for business, that banks, international banks and businesses are welcome back here," Ellen Thorburn, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Khartoum told AFP

 "The timing seemed right now with the civilian led transitional government and the changes that they are enacting," Thorburn said.

 She also cited the "dramatic changes" Sudan has witnessed this year as an incentive.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan’s new attorney general: ‘Rule of Law to prevail in Sudan’

16/10/19: Multiple sources – Sudan’s new attorney general: ‘Rule of Law to prevail in Sudan’

 Sudan’s newly appointed Attorney General Taj-Alsir Al-Hebir says that the Public Prosecution will take into consideration the aspirations of the people of Sudan towards the Rule of Law.

 Al-Hebir also promised to resolve outstanding issues in the Public Prosecution: such as corruption and accountability of those involved in the killing of protesters in Sudan’s uprising, the violent events in September-October 2013, and the undermining of the Constitutional Order since Omar al-Bashir’s regime took power.

 He stressed the need for the prosecution to play its role in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

 Attorney General El Hibir called on the efforts of all prosecutors to work together to establish the values of justice and guarantee the rule of law.