SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Supporters of former Sudanese president arrested

1/5/2020: Radio Dabanga - Supporters of former Sudanese president arrested

 Radio Dabanga report that Sudanese police arrested 23 people in front of Kober Prison in Khartoum North who demanded the release of members of the former regime headed by Omar Al Bashir. 

 The protesters ignored directives to ban public gatherings as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus. It was the third time in eight days that al-Bashir regime supporters protested.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Sudan Tribune - SIHA calls to improve women working conditions in Horn of Africa countries

1/5/2020: Sudan Tribune - SIHA calls to improve women working conditions in Horn of Africa countries

 Sudan Tribune report that the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) called for improved working conditions and social protection for the women’s labour force in the region, with the coronavirus pandemic revealing women’s key role in the healthcare and informal sectors.

 SIHA criticised governments across the region for “placing the greatest burdens of risk” on the shoulders of women without providing protection in the event of unemployment or loss of business due to coronavirus containment measures.

 SIHA also called on regional governments to “end their gender-blind policies,” engage in reforms that provide equality, protect women and “recognise their essential contributions to the health and economic welfare of the region.”

 Finally, SIHA call on regional governments to sign and ratify the UN International Labour Organisation’s Convention on Violence and Harassment.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: BBC - Sudan criminalises female genital mutilation (FGM)

1/5/2020: BBC - Sudan criminalises female genital mutilation (FGM)

 The BBC’s report on Sudan’s criminalisation of FGM features insights from Sudan analysts.

 Mohaned Hashim notes that there have been previous attempts to ban FGM but parliament under former leader Omar al-Bashir rejected the recommendations.

 Insaf Abbas says that the news is being treated with caution “for fear that FGM could be driven underground,” adding that she hopes that the criminalisation will shake the taboo and get more women and girls talking about FGM.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - 'We can’t wait’: Sudan's detained activists on returning to protest frontline

1/5/19: Guardian - 'We can’t wait’: Sudan's detained activists on returning to protest frontline

 Peter Beaumont and Zeinab Mohammed Salih speak to various Sudanese protesters who returned to the frontline after their release from prison.

 Filmmaker Musab Hasouna said: “no one [in the international community] supported us over the last five months…this is our movement, we are worried about the next steps so we are here protesting because we need to defend it.”

 Ali Elhasan, who has participated in the sit-in outside the military headquarters said: “we won’t allow decisions to be made away from people...we’re here to keep up pressure on the [opposition coalition] so that they understand that their negotiations with the Transitional Military Council are on behalf of the protesters.”

 Habeb Ali Yousif said that maintaining momentum is essential, adding that “[The old regime] is still represented in the security forces and in the economy. They have militias and they still have guns and they have money."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - African Union tells Sudan military council to hand power to civilians within 60 days

1/5/19: Multiple sources – African Union tells Sudan military council to hand power to civilians within 60 days

Reuters

Sudan Tribune

 The African Union said on Tuesday that Sudan’s military rulers should hand over power to a civilian-led transitional authority within 60 days.

 In a statement, the AU said it noted “with deep regret” that the military had not stepped aside and handed power to civilians within a 15-day period set by the AU last month. The 60 days were a final extension for Sudan’s Transitional Military Council to hand over power to civilians, the AU said.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Associated Press - Sudanese threaten general strike in standoff with military

1/5/19: Associated Press – Sudanese threaten general strike in standoff with military

The organizers of Sudan’s protests on Tuesday threatened a general strike and civil disobedience as tensions escalated with the military council that assumed power after the overthrow of President Omar Al Bashir.

 The Sudanese Professionals Association and its allies, which organized the four months of demonstrations that drove Al Bashir from office on April 11, accuse the generals of clinging to power.