SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Minnawi rejects FFC involvement in Sudan’s peace talks

12/12/2019: Sudan Tribune - Minnawi rejects FFC involvement in Sudan’s peace talks

Sudan Tribune reports that the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) announced its rejection of the participation of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in the Juba process for peace in Sudan.

Minni Minnawi the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) said “our relations [with the FFC] are marred by chaos, which we fear will affect the whole negotiation process

The relationship between the rebels and the FFC partners was strained after differences over the formation of the transitional government, after the FFC rejected the rebel demands that a peace agreement precedes the formation of the transitional government.

The SRF currently request that the state governors are not appointed until a peace agreement is reached, amid suspicions that the FFC is seeking to allocate positions to its members and supporters.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - Sudan will never prosper while it is on the US terrorism blacklist

12/12/2019: Guardian - Sudan will never prosper while it is on the US terrorism blacklist, by El-Ghassim Wane, Abdul Mohammed and Alex de Waal

Sudan expert Alex de Waal, and former African Union officials El-Ghassim Wane and Abdul Mohammed, warn that the US would be directly responsible for the failure of Hamdok’s civilian administration unless it lifts Sudan’s state sponsor of terrorism designation.

With the designation ensuring prohibiting business in Sudan without a permit from the US Treasury, the writers note that the designation enables illicit businesses – especially those linked to the “deep state” and security forces - to thrive and monopolise the Sudanese economy.

Therefore, the writers liken the US conditions that Hamdok fulfil reform promises before removing Sudan’s terror designation to “sending a boxer into the ring with one hand tied behind his back, telling him: ‘If you can knock out the other guy, then we will untie your hand.’”