SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - FFC-National Accord calls for dissolution of Sudan’s transitional cabinet

17/10/2021: Sudan Tribune - FFC-National Accord calls for dissolution of Sudan’s transitional cabinet

Sudan Tribune report that a splinter group of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) led Minni Minnawi, the leader of the armed Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), which calls itself the ‘National Accord Group’, organised a demonstration in Khartoum.

Chanting “One people, one army”, demonstrators announced they would stage a sit-in until the dissolution of the civilian government.

In videos posted by activists, young demonstrators spoke about receiving money for their participation in the protests. Heads of Islamic schools are accused of being paid to send students to participate in demonstrations. The Human Rights Commission in Khartoum issued warned that the use of children in the demonstrations violates Sudanese laws and international treaties.

Osman Mirghani, editor-in-chief of al-Tayyar newspaper, said the demonstration is reminiscent of the practices of the former regime, which bribed people to participate in pro—regime protests.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP - Thousands rally in Sudan’s capital to demand military rule

17/10/2021: AFP - Thousands rally in Sudan’s capital to demand military rule

AFP report that thousands of pro-military protesters rallied in Khartoum, vowing not to leave until the government is dissolved, in a threat to Sudan’s transition to civilian rule. Protesters chanted “one army, one people” and “the army will bring us bread”.

The protest was organised by a splinter faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC). The mainstream FFC said: “the current crisis is not related to dissolution of the government or not… it is engineered by some parties to overthrow the revolutionary forces ... paving the way for the return of remnants of the previous regime.”

Two protesters were quoted to say that they need a military government, while one complained that the government overlooked other states beyond Khartoum.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP - Pro-military protesters turn out for second day in Sudanese capital

17/10/2021: AFP - Pro-military protesters turn out for second day in Sudanese capital

AFP report that hundreds of Sudanese protesters rallied for a second day in Khartoum calling for the civilian government to be overthrown, in an escalation of what prime minister Abdalla Hamdok called the “worst and most dangerous crisis” of Sudan’s precarious transition.

The protests were organised by a splinter group of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition, with critics alleging that the protests are being driven by members of the military and security forces, and involve counter-revolutionary sympathisers with the former regime.

Jaafar Hassan, a spokesperson for the FFC, called the pro-military sit-in “an episode in the scenario of a coup d’etat”. He said its aim was “to block the road to democracy because the participants in this sit-in are supporters of the former regime and foreign parties whose interests have been affected by the revolution”.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Civil society orgs warn Sudan govt against implementing peace agreement

17/10/2020: Radio Dabanga - Civil society orgs warn Sudan govt against implementing peace agreement

 Radio Dabanga report that the Confederation of Sudan Civil Society Organisations call for incorporation of the Juba Peace Agreement into the Constitutional to be halted in order to create an “environment of inclusion,” and thus ensure a comprehensive peace in Sudan.

 The Confederation call for agreements with holdout rebel movements, the Eastern Sudan Consultative Conference to be held, all institutions of democratic governance established particularly the parliament, before Juba agreements can be incorporated into the Constitutional Document of August 2019.

 The united Civil Society Organisations said that amendments to the constitution must be approved by a legislative authority.

 Mahjoub Mohamed Saleh, co-founder of al-Ayam said “all issues, regardless of their sensitivity, should be discussed until consensus is reached,” with undersecretary of the Federal Governance Ministry, Hasan Nasrallah, attributing the roots of the Sudan crises to “failure to reach a consensual formula for the division of power and wealth since independence”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Eastern Sudan: Dismissal of Kassala Gov triggers fighting, eight killed

17/10/2020: Multiple sources – Eastern Sudan: Dismissal of Kassala Gov triggers fighting, eight killed

Radio Dabanga

Sudan Tribune

 Eight were killed in clashes in the Red Sea state between opponents and supporters of dismissed former Governor of Kassala, Saleh Ammar.

 Ammar’s appointment “ignited tribal tensions” as Beja Hadendawa leaders strongly rejected the appointment of a “foreigner” in their state, alluding to the [Eritrean] roots of Ammar’s ethnic group - the Beni Amer.

 Ammar described the method and timing of his dismissal as “a strong blow to the values ​​and principles of the great December revolution,” adding that he considers the decision to remove him “as a surrender to the blackmailing of a group of remnants of the National Congress Party.”

 He further accused “corrupt stakeholders” of being behind “the group that fuelled discord and triggered tribal clashes by using a racist discourse and acts of chaos.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Media banned from Sudan Courts Martial

17/10/19: Radio Dabanga - Media banned from Sudan Courts Martial

 Radio Dabanga reports that a military court in Khartoum has banned media coverage of the trials of defendants accused of involvement in the foiled coup attempt in July, as well as the Court Martial of former Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal. The court said the ruling was in “order not to harm justice”.

 Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) spokesman Brig Gen Amer El Hasan said “Musa Hilal belongs to the army and is therefore subject to the Sudan Armed Forces Act.” El Hasan explained that the SAF has the right to assess the trials and keep them confidential.

 In a statement, the Darfur Bar Association described the trial by Court Martial of Hilal and his affiliates as “invalid and has no legal ground because the alleged crimes relate to the resisting and opposing the former regime, which are legitimate activities that cannot constitute crimes”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Sudanese Congress Party: FFC should take part in peace talks

17/10/19: Radio Dabanga – Sudanese Congress Party: FFC should take part in peace talks

 Radio Dabanga report that the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) has strongly criticised the Sudan’s transitional government, the government of South Sudan, and the Sudanese armed movement for not inviting the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) to participate in the ongoing peace negotiations.

 SCoP leader Omar El Digair called for remediation, stating that the FFC were instrumental in the formation of the interim government. He also stressed the need for the transitional government to focus on the issue of justice, and strongly criticised the slow pace to work in this regard.

 El Digeir went onto to call for the speeding-up of the nomination of the members of the independent investigation committee into the June 3 massacre, the reinstation of workers dismissed for participating in protests, and the composition of a transitional justice and corruption commission.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP - Sudan declares 'permanent ceasefire' as peace talks hit snag

17/10/19: AFP - Sudan declares 'permanent ceasefire' as peace talks hit snag

 AFP reports that the chief of Sudan’s ruling sovereign council, General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, announced a permanent ceasefire in the three conflict zones – Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile state.

 The ceasefire follows the SPLM-N rebel group threats to pull out of peace talks in Juba, accusing government forces of bombing its territory.

 The spokesman of the government negotiation delegation in Juba, Mohammed Hassan, attributed the fighting to an attack by herders on local merchants. He condemned the “unfortunate events” across Suan in “the strongest terms,” especially as they took place when people are entering peace negotiations.

 Dhieu Mathok, a member of South Sudan’s mediation team, told AFP they were investigating the SPLM-N’s complaints but would not stop peace talks.