SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: African Arguments –“This is Not a Coup”: Democracy’s Path to Victory in Sudan

30/10/2021: African Arguments –“This is Not a Coup”: Democracy’s Path to Victory in Sudan, by an anonymous author

 

An anonymous author argues that “democracy movement’s path to victory lies in targeting [coup leader Abdulfattah] al-Burhan’s vulnerabilities,” calling for protesters to remain non-violent as the likely use of brutality “may prove his downfall,” if soldiers side with demonstrators and continued marches show the military’s foreign backers that al-Burhan is not viable.

 

Al-Burhan’s first weakness is the rift between mid-level army officials and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Himedti, potentially causing army soldiers to side with protesters if RSF troops conduct most of the violence against protestors.

 

Al-Burhan’s second weakness is the reliance on Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Russia, as they “have abandoned partners when they appear untenable,” and they cannot replace tens-of-billions of dollars in assistance from western nations, which may lead soldiers to support a change in military leadership amid diminishing purchasing power and exile from the population.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Three protesters killed during large Oct 30 Marches of the Millions

30/10/2021: Multiple sources – Three protesters killed during large Oct 30 Marches of the Millions

 

Three protesters were killed and hundreds were wounded in the October 30 ‘Marches of the Millions’, the largest pro-democracy protest since the coup.

 

Military forces fired at protesters across Sudan, including in: Khartoum, Omdorman, al-Gadarif in the east and Nyala in Darfur.

 

According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, the wounded toll in Khartoum, al-Gadarif and Kassala reached 165, including eight serious injuries at

Omdurman Hospital. At least 47 of those wounded were shot with live ammunition.

 

East Nile Hospital also recorded 105 injuries, including six critical injuries resulting from bullet wounds. In al-Gadarif, eight demonstrators were injured.

 

Mohammed Yousef al-Mustafa, a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals’ Association said “No power-sharing mediation with the military council again,” while marching at an area protest.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Killings by Ethiopian farmers require ‘urgent intervention’ in Sudan

30/10/2020: Radio Dabanga - Killings by Ethiopian farmers require ‘urgent intervention’ in Sudan

 Radio Dabanga report that two eastern Sudanese farmers were killed and two other men abducted from their land in East al-Galabat in al-Gadarif, in an attack by Ethiopian gunmen. In a separate incident in the area, a farmer was shot.

A local told Radio Dabanga that Ethiopian gunmen (called shifta in the region) occupied and cultivated the land in the area, harvested crops in the area and transported them to Ethiopia, before returning to the projects and shooting at Sudanese villagers working on their farms. The shifta allegedly demanded money for the release of two people held hostage.

For decades, Ethiopian farmers have been cultivating crops along al-Gadarif’s border with Ethiopia, under protection from the shifta. Farmers in al-Fashaga and al-Gadarif’s government have demanded the land is returned, with al-Fashaga’s Lands Committee calling for authorities to intervene amid “havoc” caused along the border by the shifta.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Peace conference: Rebels and Sudan govt to discuss secular state issue

30/10/2020: Multiple sources - Peace conference: Rebels and Sudan govt to discuss secular state issue

Sudan Tribune

Radio Dabanga

 The Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North faction of Abdelaziz al-Hilu (SPLM-N al-Hilu) began the first round of informal discussions on issues including separation of state and religion.

 Sovereign Council member Lt Gen Shamseldin Kabbashi said that the government welcomes the meeting, indicating that this workshop will help to reach consensus on “the contentious issue of the secular state”.

 “We have also raised the need to discuss the issues of self-determination, integration of the rebel fighters into the army, and cessation of hostilities, which were mentioned in the joint statement and not yet agreed upon,”Kabbashi said, stressing the importance of addressing these contentious issues through this workshop or organising more workshops if needed to solve them. Kabbashi concluded that “if consensus is reached on these issues, the Declaration of Principles can be agreed upon and signed in preparation for entering into direct negotiations”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AFP – Families seek release of Sudan’s detained regime members

30/10/19: AFP – Families seek release of Sudan’s detained regime members

 AFP reports that relatives of Omar al-Bashir Sudan's former regime officials detained since the ouster of Omar al-Bashir demonstrated, in attempts to seek their release and condemn the protest movement that led to al-Bashir’s downfall.

 "Freedom for detainees, justice for all," cried dozens of relatives of detainees, as they rallied outside the prime minister Hamdok’s office in Khartoum. "Down with the Forces of Freedom and Change," the crowd chanted.

 The demonstrators carried Sudanese flags and photographs of detained regime officials, including Ahmed Harun and Ali Osman Taha, two former top Bashir aides.

 Ali Osman Taha’s son Musab told AFP that “[former regime officials] have been held since April without any evidence against them and have not been brought before any court."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Sudan Revolutionary Front: ‘Only name state governors once peace is reached’

30/10/19: Radio Dabanga - Sudan Revolutionary Front: ‘Only name state governors once peace is reached’

 Radio Dabanga reports that a delegation of the Sudan Liberation Movement faction under the leadership of Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) requested that Prime Minister Hamdok postpone the selection process of the state governors and the Legislative Council until peace has been reached.

 

The head of an SLM-MM delegation that met with Hamdok, Juma El Wakeel, Deputy chairman of the SLM-MM’s Youth and Students Affairs department, confirmed the end of the war after the fall of the ousted regime of Al Bashir.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Time -  The Iconic Photo of Her Helped Fuel Sudan's Revolution. Now, She and Other Women Are Being Sidelined

30/10/19:  Time -  The Iconic Photo of Her Helped Fuel Sudan's Revolution. Now, She and Other Women Are Being Sidelined, by Katie Reilly

In a feature piece, Time Magazine spoke to Alaa Salah and Samah Jamous, two Sudanese woman activists who spoke during a UN Security Council meeting on women, peace and security.

 Salah told the UN Security Council that Sudanese women revolution are being side-lined in Sudan’s post-revolution formal political process, adding that “there is no excuse for [women] to not to have an equal seat at every single table,” given their “pivotal role in working towards peace and development, promoting human rights, and providing humanitarian assistance.”

 Salah called for women to occupy half of the decision-making leadership roles within the government.

 Samah Jamous told Time: “every day, a committee that has been formed, and again and again, it’s all men,” adding that “when it comes to implementation, they just go back to the same mindset that does not see the women as suitable candidates to be in such positions.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP – Sudan drawing down troops in Yemen in recent months

30/10/19 AP – Sudan drawing down troops in Yemen in recent months, by Samy Magdy

 AP reports that two anonymous Sudanese officials said that Sudan has recently drawn down its forces taking part in the Saudi-led coalition’s war in Yemen.

 The officials said that “several thousand troops,” mainly from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, returned home over the past two months. They added that RSF commander said he would not return the RSF troops as fighting on the ground in Yemen has dwindled, but a “few thousand” will remain to train Yemeni government forces.