SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Hamdok distances himself from al-Burhan’s partnership body

4/12/2020: Sudan Tribune -  Sudan’s Hamdok distances himself from al-Burhan’s partnership body

 Sudan Tribune report that Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok expressed reservations about the recent formation of the Transition Partners Council (TPC), warning that he would boycott it if no substantial changes were made.

 The establishment of the TPC is viewed as a coup-de force by the military component and some armed groups that are openly hostile to the political parties.

 Hamdok reportedly said that the TPC’s role should exclusively be coordinative and consultative and that it should not interfere in the activities of the executive, legislative organs nor the sovereign council”. He also reportedly raised the need for a fair representation of women in the TPC, saying he would not take part in the new structure unless the needed changes are implemented.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - El Burhan announces Sudan's Transitional Partners Council members

4/12/2020: Radio Dabanga - El Burhan announces Sudan's Transitional Partners Council members

 Radio Dabanga report that the chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Lt Gen Abdelfattah al-Burhan, has issued a decision to form a Transitional Partners Council (TPC) of 29 members.

 The TPC will consist of six military members, the prime minister, 13 members from the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), and nine rebel group members who were signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement.

 The aim of the Council “is to direct the transitional period in a way that serves the supreme interests of Sudan, to resolve differences in viewpoints between the various parties, and to mobilise the necessary support for the success of the transitional period,“ according to the press release from the Sovereign Council.

 FFC representatives include Mohamed Naji al-Asam of the Sudanese Professionals Association and Omar al-Digair of the Sudanese Congress Party. The sixth military seat has been reserved for Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, Deputy Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - PM Hamdok: 'Anybody responsible for atrocities in Sudan will be held to account, including Hemeti'

4/12/2019: Radio Dabanga - PM Hamdok: 'Anybody responsible for atrocities in Sudan will be held to account, including Hemeti'

Radio Dabanga reports on an interview that Prime Minister Hamdok held with the US National Public Radio (NPR), during which Hamdok said that “anybody” responsible for atrocities in Sudan – including Rapid Support Forces commander Himedti - must be held accountable.

Hamdok also said that Omar al-Bashir will be tried in Sudan, that his government will continue to repeal laws that regulate women’s freedom, adding that women’s representation in transitional institutions is well-deserved.

Hamdok also said that Sudan’s designation by the US as a terrorism sponsor is impeded any debt restructuring, which is “creating very serious hardships to the ordinary citizens on the streets.” He added that investment into Sudan would “have an extremely strategic impact and effect in the entire region.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – March demands justice for slain Sudan protesters

4/12/2019: Radio Dabanga – March demands justice for slain Sudan protesters

Radio Dabanga reports that the relatives of protesters killed during the Sudan Uprising marched to the Presidential Palace, the Council of Ministers, and the offices of the Attorney General and Chief Justice in Khartoum, demanding the formation of an investigation committee of international standards and assurances that those responsible will be punished.

The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the Sovereign Council, the Council of Ministers, the Attorney General, and the Chief Justice calling for the formation of special courts to try all the perpetrators of the June 3 massacre.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Hamdok has no chance to get sanctions removal soon: U.S. expert

4/12/2019: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Hamdok has no chance to get sanctions removal soon: U.S. expert

Sudan Tribune reports on a lengthy article published in the Atlantic Council by Cameron Hudson, a former chief of staff to the US special envoy for Sudan, which argued that Sudan’s civilian government faces an “insurmountable task” in getting the US to remove its terrorism designation.

The article was published on the occasion of Abdalla Hamdok’s first visit to Washington as Sudanese Prime Minister.

Hudson warned that the US President Donald Trump administration fears the "possibility that the military will reassert its authority as soon as sanctions are lifted". Hudson further noted that the US Central Intelligence Agency is concerned that the Sudanese security and intelligence is not under civilian control, pointing to the presence of international terrorist groups using Sudanese territory as hideouts.

Hudson cited that Hamas and Hezbollah, which are designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the State Department, maintained a political office in Khartoum.