SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Court orders return of key Sudanese Islamist group

29/4/2022: Reuters - Court orders return of key Sudanese Islamist group

Reuters report that a Sudanese high court took “a further step towards the rehabilitation of allies of the former regime” by reversing a decision dissolving the Islamic Call Organization, an organising and financing arm for the regime that has helped to finance Islamist groups.

Reuters add that following the October 2021 military coup, the Islamists who had been removed from power have been gradually returning to the civil service, while seizures of bank accounts and other assets of Islamists have been reversed.

Analysts say it is part of an attempt by the military to build a political base after the parties it had been sharing power with prior to the coup rejected negotiation, Reuters note.

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: UNICEF - Sudan enters new era for girl rights with criminalization of FGM

29/4/2020: UNICEF - Sudan enters new era for girl rights with criminalization of FGM

 Welcoming the “landmark” move by Sudan’s transitional government to criminalise FGM, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) call for immediate action from governments and communities to end the practice.

 Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, states that criminalisation must be accompanied by “[working] very hard with communities to help enforce [FGM] law.”

 Fadil added that “the intention is not to criminalise parents,” but to “exert more effort to raise awareness among the different groups, including midwives, health providers, parents, youth” and promote acceptance of the criminalisation of FGM.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan criminalises female genital mutilation

29/4/2020: Multiple sources – Sudan criminalises female genital mutilation

• Radio Dabanga

• CNN, by Nima Elbagir and Rob Picheta

• BBC

• AP, by Samy Magdy

• Reuters, by Nita Bhalla

• Guardian, by Zeinab Mohammed Salih

Sudan's government has criminalised female genital mutilation (FGM), making it punishable by three years in jail.

 An amendment of the Sudan’s criminal code was passed outlawing FGM, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the action fell under the government's commitment to international human rights agreements.

 According to United Nations data, around 88% of the female population in Sudan have suffered FGM. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry called the move "an advanced step in order to terminate this predominant socially-rooted trend".

 The Foreign Ministry highlighted that for this law to be successfully enforced, there needs to be a community effort and coordination between "all parties" in raising awareness of the issue through community outreach.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: African Arguments - Sudan sit-in: How protesters picked a spot and made it theirs

29/4/19: African Arguments – Sudan sit-in: How protesters picked a spot and made it theirs, by Amira Osman

 Amira Osman, a professor of Architecture at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, argues that the Sudanese Army’s headquarters in the Ministry of Defence’s complex is the Sudanese revolution’s central gathering point, "where the power of the masses couldn’t be ignored."

 Osman highlights the venue's significance, as well has how it has offered protection and security, noting that the army has army permitted a massive gathering on its doorstep, despite it restricting access to its headquarters.

Osman also notes that the army has defended protesters against attacks by the National Intelligence and Security forces.

 In addition, Osman notes the symbolism of the venue, as "the protesters knew that army collaboration would be crucial to achieve a transitional government."

Osman cites the the nearby murals and street art as examples of freedom of expression, with the space now a "microcosm of the future Sudan that the protesters envision."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan's Islamists say will not recognize government formed without them

29/4/19: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Islamists say will not recognize government formed without them

 Sudan Tribune reports that the Islamist Popular Congress Party (PCP) announced its refusal to recognize the expected formation of a transitional presidency council.

 In a press conference held on Sunday, PCP Secretary-General Ali Al Haj said they are not bound by any bilateral agreement reached between the Transitional Military Council and the Declaration of Freedom and Change forces, criticizing the TMC compliance with the pressure of these forces.

 "We are not bound by any agreement that we are not part of it, and this is a rule," he said adding "Also, we will not accept any agreement excluding the other political forces. This is a principled position".

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s military council pledges to not cancel Islamic law before election

29/4/19: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s military council pledges to not cancel Islamic law before election

 Sudan Tribune reports that Sudan’s military council successfully stopped a protest that religious movements planned to organize in Khartoum. under the banner of "Supporting the Sharia."

 TMC deputy head Mohamed Hamdan Daglo aka "Hemetti" met a delegation of Islamist leaders including Abdel Al Hay Youssef, Mohamed Abdel Karim and Mohamed Ali Al Gizouli who informed him about the purpose of the march.

 In a statement released by the Rapid Support Forces press office, Hemetti reassured the delegation about the issue of the Islamic law, saying that the repeal of Islamic law was not discussed with the Freedom and Change forces.

 "We assure you that the Islamic law is a red line that we do not compromise with," Hemetti said according to the RSF statement.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters -IMF in touch with Sudan but no lending until arrears addressed - official

29/4/19: Reuters – IMF in touch with Sudan but no lending until arrears addressed – official, by Davide Barbuscia

 Reuters reports that The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to provide Sudan with technical assistance and policy support, but it cannot offer additional financing because of the country’s arrears, said the director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia department, Jihad Azour.

 The IMF in late 2017 estimated Sudan’s arrears to the fund to be $1.3 billion this year, out of a total external debt estimated at $59 billion.

 An overhaul of Sudan’s debt is “too premature”, said Azour, “because this would require the removal of the [US-imposed] sanctions. Technically it is not something that you can achieve now.”