SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Al-Monitor - Russia, Wagner Group expand ties with Sudan

13/4/2022: Al-Monitor - Russia, Wagner Group expand ties with Sudan, by Marc Espanol

 

Al-Monitor report on the expanded ties between the Wagner Group, “a shadowy private military company close to the Kremlin” and Sudan’s military regime, with researcher Raphael Parens arguing that Wagner does the “dirty work” for the Russian state in Africa.

After M-Invest, a Russia-based entity considered to be a cover for Wagner was given gold-mining exploration contracts in Sudan by ex-dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2017, the relationship evolved into Wagner providing political and military assistance for suppressing 2018 revolution and launching social media disinformation campaigns.

Wagner has also forged close ties with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander-in-chief Himedti, with both parties involved in extracting and smuggling Sudanese gold, which is increasingly important to Russia as it seeks to stock gold reserves in its Central Bank to mitigate Ukraine-related sanctions. Himedti subsequently raised the possibility of allowing Russia to establish a naval base in Port Sudan.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Op-ed: Sudan’s revolution one year after fall of Al Bashir dictatorship

13/4/2020: Radio Dabanga - Op-ed: Sudan’s revolution one year after fall of Al Bashir dictatorship, by Cameron Hudson

 Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, argues that Sudan’s civilian leaders “stand as the embodiment of the revolution and the hope that Sudan will one day soon emerge from its military dominance and international isolation.”

 However, Hudson argues that the economic crisis has deepened, noting that an ambitious reform plan to generate revenues to fund basic social services and revive “crumbling” government ministries has “gone unimplemented by the new crop of civilian technocrats who are now accused of lacking both the acumen to enlist broad political support for painful reforms and the courage to upset the military’s entrenched financial interests.”

 Hudson also suggests that Himedti’s emerging role has had a dampening effect on US support to the new government - fearing that sanctions relief could deprive the US of “critical leverage down the road” should civilian efforts fail or the military retake absolute control.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Al Bashir supporters arrested in Khartoum

13/4/2020: Multiple sources - Al Bashir supporters arrested in Khartoum

·      Radio Dabanga

·      Sudan Tribune

·      AFP

 Police arrested 30 supporters of deposed president Omar al-Bashir for violating Sudan government measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, after they staged a demonstration in Khartoum. Tear gas was also fired.

 Among the arrested was Muamar Mousa, head of the newly formed Unified Popular Movement.

 The demonstrators denounced the Forces for Freedom and Change, called for the resignation of the transitional government, and demanded the improvement of living conditions.

 They chanted slogans such as “down with neo-colonialism” in reference to western support for the civilian government, “one army, one people” in calls for a military takeover, and “no to government of hunger” in reference to the ongoing economic crisis.

 It was also reported that lawyer Wajdi Saleh, member of the Empowerment Elimination, Anti-Corruption, and Funds Recovery Committee, announced that he received anonymous death threats, hours after retrieving 157 plots of land from three prominent leaders of the ousted regime.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Head of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces appointed deputy head of transitional military council

13/4/19: Reuters – Head of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces appointed deputy head of transitional military council

The head of Sudan’s rapid support forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagallo known by his nickname Hemedti, was appointed deputy of Sudan’s transitional military council, Sudanese state TV said on Saturday.

 The channel showed footage of Hemedti being sworn in as well as the new appointed members of the military transitional council.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: BBC News - Sudan coup: Military leader vows to 'uproot regime'

13/4/19: BBC News – Sudan coup: Military leader vows to ‘uproot regime’

The leader of Sudan's interim military council, Abdulfattah Al Burhan, has vowed to "uproot the regime" two days after a military coup. Al Burhan announced the restructuring of state institutions, the end of a night curfew and the release of political prisoners.

 Al Burhan also dissolved all provincial governments and pledged respect for human rights.

The army would maintain "peace, order and security" across Sudan during an already announced transition period that would last at most two years until elections could be and civilian rule introduced, he added.

 Using a more conciliatory tone, Al Burhan also called on the opposition to "help us restore normal life", promised to try those who killed demonstrators and vowed a war on corruption.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: The Atlantic - Protesters in Sudan and Algeria Have Learned From the Arab Spring

13/4/19: The Atlantic – Protesters in Sudan and Algeria Have Learned From the Arab Spring, by Ismail Kushkush

Ismail Kushkush examines how Sudanese and Algerian protesters have learned from the 2011 Arab Spring.

 Kushkush notes that the broader appeal of the Sudanese Professionals Association, as an unaffiliated and nonideological body, has been instrumental in mobilizing masses of people. 

 Kushkush also notes that the diverse backgrounds comprising Sudan’s protesters are a vanguard against regime attempts to use ethnicity to deflect from real problems, before highlighting Sudanese protest organisers recognition of the importance of digital security and bypassing government-imposed internet restrictions.

 Finally, Kushkush attributes the fear of an Egypt-like scenario to protesters distrust of the army, noting their emphasis on peaceful protests to avoid a repeat of Cairo’s Rabaa square massacre.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - Sudan and Algeria have ousted leaders, but revolutions rarely end happily

13/4/19: Guardian – Sudan and Algeria have ousted leaders, but revolutions rarely end happily, by Simon Tisdall

Simon Tisdall calls for Sudan’s pro-democracy movement to overcome both the military-security elite, and the “meddling foreign powers who back it for selfish ends."

Tisdall argues that the demands of Sudanese and Algerian protestors are contradicted by global and Middle-East powers’ demands for autocratic and authoritarian rule that “promotes...intolerant views and subverts the rule of law and individual liberties.”

Tisdall also raises the possibility of Awad Ibn Auf’s sudden resignation being triggered by the US not viewing him as a leader they “could respectably do business with,” arguing that the US and Israel prioritises continued counter-terrorism cooperation with Sudan, over its democratic reforms.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - RSF leader calls for short transition in Sudan

13/4/19: Sudan Tribune - RSF leader calls for short transition in Sudan

The leader of Sudanese paramilitary group ‘Rapid Support Forces’, Mohammed Hamdan Dagallo, also known as “Hemedti,” has called for a transitional period of no more than three to six months, and for the “constitution to be revised through a drafting committee with the participation of all Sudan forces.”

Hemedti called for the army leadership to meet the demands of the Sudanese people, and asked for Sudanese troops to protect civilians and not “repress peaceful protestors.”

The RSF leader also highlighted the necessity for dialogue to be mediated with political forces and the SPA.