SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Red Sea ports closed – resistance to eastern Sudan track in peace accord grows

6/10/2020: Radio Dabanga – Red Sea ports closed – resistance to eastern Sudan track in peace accord grows

 Radio Dabanga report that protesters demonstrated against the Juba peace agreement in the Red Sea state, east Sudan.

 The Bashayer Port for oil export joined the southern Port Sudan harbour, and the ports of Suakin, Heidob, and Demadema on the list of closed ports.

 The Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) in Red Sea state said in a statement that what is happening in eastern Sudan is the result of the accumulation of grievances in the region, “which requires our government to rethink its policies concerning the region’s issues”.

 The FFC statement called for the acceleration of the convening of a consultative forum for the eastern Sudanese, where the political and civilian forces in the region are able to discuss practical and scientific proposals for solution of the contentious issues and peaceful coexistence in the region.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudanese minister sues radical preacher for accusing her of apostasy

6/10/19: Sudan Tribune - Sudanese minister sues radical preacher for accusing her of apostasy

 Sudan Tribune reports that Sudan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Walaa al-Boushi filed an official complaint against radical Islamist preacher Abdul Hay Yousif, after he accused her of apostasy.

 Abdul Hay has voiced opposition to the launch of Sudan’s first ever women’s football league. The Sudanese prosecutor has summoned him for interrogation.

 Activists have called for Abdul Hay to be banned from preaching amid his “inflammatory sermons against the revolution and its transitional government.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - South Kordofan anti-mining protesters clash with security forces

6/10/19: Radio Dabanga - South Kordofan anti-mining protesters clash with security forces

 Radio Dabanga reports that angry demonstrators torched the offices of gold mining companies in the neighbourhood of Talodi in South Kordofan, also attacking a Rapid Support Forces base. One militiaman was killed and others were wounded, alongside protesters.

 The protestors burned the offices Al Junaid Company of the UAE, of which the RSF commander Himedti, has holdings. They also torched the El Sunut plant belonging to the Security Operations Corporation set up by members of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) during Al Bashir’s regime, and the El Ein El Zarga Plant, also owned by former NISS officers.

 In early September, various localities in South Kordofan witnessed almost daily mass protests and sit-ins against the use of toxic substances in gold mining, after environmentalists reported the death of a large number of livestock and birds.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Saudi Arabia working on removing Sudan from U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list

6/10/19: Reuters - Saudi Arabia working on removing Sudan from U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list

 After a visit to Riyadh to meet King Salman by the head of Sudan’s transitional sovereign council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia said it is working on removing Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

 Saudi Arabia also said it is working on initiating investments in Sudan and improving existing projects, adding that Sudan is working on supporting Saudi Arabia in international forums, providing an environment for investment and expanding its agricultural sector.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Al Monitor – Egypt tries to get new Sudan government to its side

6/10/19: Al Monitor – Egypt tries to get new Sudan government to its side, by Ayah Aman

 Ayah Aman’s feature piece examines Egypt’s attempts to support Sudan’s transitional government in its security and political issues – following Egypt’s hosting of the Ain Sokhna meetings which hosted a national dialogue between Sudanese rebels and political parties.

 An Egyptian security source told Al Monitor that Sudan’s instability reflects negatively on Egypt’s security, with Egypt sharing its experience and vision in helping to integrate Sudan’s various armed movements into a unified, professional and national army.

 However, an anonymous diplomat familiar with Egyptian-Sudanese relations told Al-Monitor that Egypt’s interests is to secure Sudanese support in its Nile Water dispute with Ethiopia. The article notes that Prime Minister Hamdok “does not hide how greatly he is influenced by Ethiopia and its experience in promoting growth and development.”