SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - SRF accepts appointment of Sudan’s state governors under certain conditions

5/5/2020: Sudan Tribune - SRF accepts appointment of Sudan’s state governors under certain conditions

 Sudan Tribune reports that the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) is willing to accept to accept the appointment of civilian state governors, as long as it is involved in their selection.

 In a letter to Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Sovereign Council head and deputy head, Abdelfattah al-Burhan and Himedti respectively, SRF proposed that “selected governors should have sufficient administrative experience, acceptance from local residents, especially in the conflict-affected states [and] must be chosen from apolitical and qualified cadre who represent Sudan’s diversity, with fair representation of women.”

 The SRF also want to “repeal everything [harmful to] the peace process” from an transitional implementation agreement struck by the Sovereign government, the government and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC).

 The SRF also seeks independence within the FFC, exiting the Sudan Call alliance with the National Umma Party (NUP) and the Sudanese Congress Party.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - El Gezira University dissolves Islamic Foundation

5/5/2020: Radio Dabanga - El Gezira University dissolves Islamic Foundation

 Radio Dabanga report that the director of El Gezira University, professor Mohamed Taha Yousef, issued a decision to dissolve the Institute for Islamic Knowledge endowment (Imam) foundation and devolve its assets, to remove corruption at the university.

 Yousef also suspended Ibrahim Ahmed Omar as Chair of the Institute of Islamic Knowledge. The administration of El Gezira University also seized the assets and properties of the Institute for Islamic Knowledge, which granted the ousted president Omar al-Bashir a master’s degree in sociology, and bestowed honorary degrees on many leaders of the former regime.

 Radio Dabanga note that the Institute of Islamic Knowledge received funding and support from the Organisation of Islamic Thought and many similar organisations, although the Institute’s accounts have fallen short of transparent financial and accounting procedures. The Institute owns several properties in prestigious areas of Khartoum.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan's military council says it will present vision for country's transition on Monday

5/5/19: Reuters – Sudan’s military council says it will present vision for country’s transition on Monday

 Reuters reports that Sudan’s military council said on Sunday that it would publish its views for the country’s transitional period on Monday.

 The ruling military council agreed on some of the points in a draft constitutional document presented by an opposition alliance last week but disagreed on others, a spokesman for the council, General Shams El Din Kabbashi, said in a televised press conference.

 Kabbashi said the opposition’s document was “good” and that negotiations would continue. 

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Associated Press - Sudan protester dies after clashes at Darfur sit-in

5/5/19: AP – Sudan protester dies after clashes at Darfur sit-in

 AP reports that a Sudanese protester has died after being shot during clashes with security forces at a sit-in in Darfur.

 The Sudan Doctors Committee, one of the groups behind nationwide protests that drove President Omar Al Bashir from power last month, says 18-year old Saad Mohammed Ahmed was shot Saturday when security forces tried to forcibly disperse a sit-in outside a military facility in Nyala. He died Sunday.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan's ousted president Bashir questioned in corruption investigation

5/5/19: Reuters – Sudan’s ousted president Bashir questioned in corruption investigation

 Reuters reports that Omar Al Bashir has been questioned over suspected money laundering and financing of terrorism. Sudan’s state prosecutor began investigating Bashir last month over accusations of money laundering and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Financial Times - Women, hopeful for change, are driving Sudan's uprising

5/5/19: Financial Times - Women, hopeful for change, are driving Sudan’s uprising, by Zeinab Badawi

Zeinab Badawi, an international broadcaster and chair of the Royal African Society, argues that “if the revolution fails the women of Sudan, it has failed the whole country.”

Badawi highlights women’s leadership of the Sudanese revolution, stating that women even outnumbered male protestors when the protests began.

Badawi notes that women were legally restricted under Omar Al Bashir’s regime, but women partaking in the recent protests have often participated without guard for their personal safety. 

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - Saudi Arabia’s sudden interest in Sudan is not about friendship. It is about fear,

5/5/19: Guardian - Saudi Arabia’s sudden interest in Sudan is not about friendship. It is about fear, by Nesrine Malik

Nesrine Malik argues that Saudi Arabia is trying to prevent civilian rule in Sudan under the pretence of seeking stability.

 Malik argues that the Saudi propaganda and financial campaign in support of Sudanese military chief Abdelfattah Al Burhan, reflects the heightened insecurity of the Saudi royal family, concluding that “thrones of the despots of the Middle East will be shaken,” should Sudan achieve democratic rule.