SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Devex - Sudanese authorities accused of INGO cash shakedown amid aid freeze

15/4/2022: Devex - Sudanese authorities accused of INGO cash shakedown amid aid freeze, by Mat Nashed

Devex report that, since the October 2021 military coup, Sudanese state ministers and officials have resorted to practices used by the former regime of dictator Omar al-Bashir, such as piling on bureaucratic procedures to extract profit and attempting to interfere in NGO procurements.

NGO leaders fear being kicked out of Sudan and contracting companies linked to the security apparatus if they do not heed requests from Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), staffed by security officers under al-Bashir’s regime.

NGOs attributed the practices to the freezing of international development aid in response to the coup, with donors pivoting funding to humanitarian organisations making them lucrative sources of revenue for federal and state officials.

Dorette Besser, who formerly led Conflict Sensitivity Facility in Sudan called for aid groups to receive adequate core funding and training to develop the institutional strengths to be conflict sensitive and sensitively navigate dynamics and volatile contexts.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: New Humanitarian - In post-coup Sudan, hunger set to double as humanitarian needs grow

15/4/2022: New Humanitarian - In post-coup Sudan, hunger set to double as humanitarian needs grow, by Mohammed Amin and Philip Kleinfeld

The New Humanitarian report that Sudan is experiencing its highest humanitarian caseload in a decade amid escalating civil conflict, erratic rainfall, and a deepening economic crisis after the October 2021 coup that has further decreased living standards.

The suspension of international aid due to the coup has seen tax increases and the suspension of the Family Support Programme that aimed to provide cash transfers to 80% of Sudan, leaving food, fuel and electricity unaffordable.

The UN World Food Programme warn that 18 million Sudanese could face acute hunger by the end of 2022 - double the number of 2021 - and that its food stocks are running out. Moreover, prolonged dry spells and pest and disease outbreaks that reduced harvests reduced cereal production by 35%, with rocketing global wheat prices and Sudan’s dependence on grain from Ukraine and Russia complicating the food import needs. 

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan TV bans political talk show on army directive

15/4/2022: Sudan Tribune - Sudan TV bans political talk show on army directive

Sudan Tribune report that, under the direct instructions of the army, Sudan’s state TV station banned the broadcast of a talk show discussing the prospects for solutions to the current political strife entitled “From The Revolution Onwards”.

The show’s presenter, Samah Mubarak Khater, said that decision was taken after a complaint by an unnamed army brigadier general about statements made by a member of the Resistance Committees rejecting the participation of the military in any future transitional government. Khater said the general condemned previous episodes, despite the invitation of army spokesman and a strategic expert to discuss the army’s visions and plans in the next stage. She added that her colleague Roweda Mirghani was suspended pending an investigation.

Meanwhile, the media advisor to the head of the military-led Sovereign Council. Brig. Gen. Tahir Abu Haja reportedly said they would activate a series of measures to control and censure the media.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Financial Times - Sudan's new regime has still to prove its sincerity

Full article: 15/4/19: Financial Times – Sudan’s new regime has still to prove its sincerity

 Summary:

The Financial Times editorial board argue that the main tasks of the Sudanese transitional military council are to negotiate a credible form of interim government with an “amorphous” opposition, and turn around the Sudanese economy.

 The FT editors claim that some Sudanese opposition members desire for a 4-year transition to democratic civilian government is “too long a limbo period,” given “the danger [of] chaos [beating] democracy to the punch.” 

 The FT editors then argue that the transitional military council’s hopes of immediate sanctions relief are unlikely, raising the possibility of the new regime’s fall if it fails to stabilise the economy quickly enough. 

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan transitional military council's deputy says Sudanese forces will remain in Yemen

15/4/19: Reuters - Sudan transitional military council's deputy says Sudanese forces will remain in Yemen

Sudan ruling transitional military council’s deputy head, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Himedti,” said the Sudanese forces participating with the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthis in Yemen will remain there, Sudan news agency (SUNA) reported on Monday.

 In a statement to SUNA, Himedti said: “We are adhering to our commitment to the coalition, and our forces will remain until the coalition fulfils its goals.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Associated Press - Merkel voices concern about situation in Libya, Sudan

15/4/19: Associated Press – Merkel voices concern about situation in Libya, Sudan

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expressing concern about the human rights situation in Libya and Sudan, and that she says Germany supports the Sudanese opposition’s demand for the military government to hand-over power to a civilian administration.

Merkel spoke to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi on the phone about the political instability in Libya and Sudan.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Guardian - Sudan protesters block apparent attempt to break up sit-in

15/4/19: Guardian - Sudan protesters block apparent attempt to break up sit-in, by Jason Burke

Sudanese protesters have been forced to block an apparent attempt to break up their sit-in outside the defence ministry in Khartoum, where demonstrators have been pushing for a quick transition to civilian rule.

Protesters said they had joined hands and formed a ring around the sit-in area on Monday, after troops gathered on three sides and tractors were preparing to remove stone and metal barricades.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: BBC News - Sudan crisis: Protest leaders demand end of 'deep state'

15/4/19: BBC News - Sudan crisis: Protest leaders demand end of ‘deep state’

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) have told the BBC they want the full dismantling of the "deep state" left behind by ousted leader Omar Al Bashir.

 SPA spokesman Amjed Farid said leaders of the past regime should be put on trial, adding that the SPA "completely rejected" the military council currently leading Sudan, with the SPA also demanding the dismantling of state intelligence agencies.

 An SPA statement said "We hope that everyone will head immediately to the areas of the sit-in to protect your revolution and your accomplishments,"