SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: al-Jareeda – Thank you, America!

4/8/2021: al-Jareeda – Thank you, America!, by Zahir Bakheet al-Faki

After USAID administrator Samantha Power announced a US contribution of $4.3 million to the launch of the elections commission that works for the preparation and the holding of the elections after Sudan’s transitional period, Zahir Bakhit al-Faki thanks the US for reminding Sudan’s transitional authorities of the elections, accusing the latter of “enjoying power”. 

Al-Faki argues that Sudanese politicians are keen to extend the duration of the transitional period as their “current squabbling for government offices and their benefits” suggests that they preserve power “because of their conviction that they will not win in the elections due to their lack of popular bases.” Al-Faki adds that the voter, “in this time of enlightenment,” is difficult for politicians to win over as “this requires instruments these politicians do not have”.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Independent – Women fuelled Sudan’s revolution, but then they were pushed aside

4/8/19: Independent – Women fuelled Sudan’s revolution, but then they were pushed aside, by Justin Lynch

 Justin Lynch’s feature piece explores Sudanese women’s under-representation in the politics of post-Bashir Sudan.

 Hala Alkharib, the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa argues that the under-representation of women in the Forces of Freedom and Change “makes the negotiating team extremely closed-minded and they can’t come up with the results that represent the revolutionary forces.”

 Both Alkharib and female revolutionary leader Samahir Mubarak stated that women will not vote for or join political parties if their views are not going to be represented, although Mubarak expressed hope that women will naturally rise up into political leadership positions in a new democratic era that rewards parties for broader membership.

 The article concludes by noting that younger feminists are moving away from their elder counterparts’ strategy of seeking gradual change, amid a comparatively more repressive environment.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters – UAE diplomat says Sudan turning page on Muslim Brotherhood rule

4/8/19: Reuters – UAE diplomat says Sudan turning page on Muslim Brotherhood rule

 Reuters reports that the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that Sudan was turning over the page of being ruled by the Muslim Brotherhood.

 In doing so, Gargash tweeted that Sudan is entering a “new era in its political history by turning to civil rule.”

 Gargash’s tweet concluded that “the path to a state of institutions, stability and prosperity will not be filled with roses, but our confidence is in the brotherly Sudan and its people.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Ethiopian mediator says Sudan’s power-sharing deal may end its sponsor of terrorism designation

4/8/19: Multiple sources – Ethiopian mediator says Sudan’s power-sharing deal may end its sponsor of terrorism designation

 

Mahmoud Dirir, the Ethiopian mediator who helped to broker Sudan’s power-sharing deal, said the deal would "end Sudan's listing as a [state] sponsor of terrorism.”

 Hailing the deal, Dirir said that it “establishes civilian and democratic rule that seeks to build a state of law, a state of equality, a state which does not marginalise its citizens.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Multiple sources – Analysts comment on the constitutional declaration

4/8/19: Multiple sources – Analysts comment on the constitutional declaration

 Analysts reactions to Sudan’s constitutional declaration downplayed its impact.

 Majdi Gizouli, a Sudanese academic and fellow of the Rift Valley Institute told Reuters that: “it is not the first time that Sudan signed some sort of agreement to resolve very difficult political questions,” but added ““I think if there is reason for optimism, the reason is not in the negotiation rooms, the reason is in this popular movement that doesn’t want to go away.”

 Former UK ambassador to Khartoum Dame Rosalind Marsden told the Financial Times that the deal is “significant step forward” but conceded that “there is no room for complacency.” Marsden added that “controlling the Rapid Support Forces, dismantling the deep state and stabilising the economy are still huge challenges.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudanese political figures comment on the constitutional declaration

4/8/19: Multiple sources – Sudanese political figures comment on the constitutional declaration

 Leaders of Sudan’s military and the main opposition coalition, the Forces of Freedom and Change, both hailed the constitutional declaration that paves the way for a transitional government.

 Himedti, the deputy head of the Transitional Military Council that will be superseded by the interim government, said the agreement was a victory for Sudan.

 TMC leader Abdelfattah AlBurhan said Sudanese people have been waiting for the agreement since its 1956 independence.

 Omar Al Digair, a senior FFC leader, said a “fair and transparent” investigation into recent violence and achieving peace with rebel groups, would be top priorities for the transitional government.

 FFC negotiator Ebtisam Senhouri said that there will be no immunity for sovereign council members guilty of involvement in the violence.

 Sudanese Professionals Association spokesman Mohanad Hamid said that a legislative body made up of pro-democracy representatives will decide on whether immunity will be lifted.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Sudan military and opposition sign constitutional declaration, power-sharing deal agreed

4/8/19: Multiple sources – Sudan military and opposition sign constitutional declaration, power-sharing deal agreed

 Sudan’s military rulers and the main opposition coalition, the Forces of Freedom and Change, signed a constitutional declaration paving the way for a transitional government.

 The parties are expected to put their final signatures on the agreement on August 17 at a ceremony in Khartoum attended by foreign leaders, after which the FFC will immediately name a Prime Minister.

 The formation of a sovereign council, which will run the country during a three-year transitional period leading up to elections, will be announced on August 18.

 The cabinet will be announced on August 28, and will meet sovereign council on September 1. A legislative assembly is to be appointed within three months.

 The 300-member assembly will serve during the transitional period, with the FFC having 67% of its seats and other political groups not associated with ousted president Omar Al Bashir having the rest.