SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - In Sudan and Hong Kong, protest is changing – and hope is rising

18/6/19: Guardian – In Sudan and Hong Kong, protest is changing – and hope is rising, by Antoine Buyse

 Antoine Buyse, a professor of human rights and director of the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights, argues that the Sudanese protest movement fits into a global pattern of adaptation to new methods used by dictators to stifle protest movements.

 Buyse credits the #BlueForSudan hashtag for carrying “the flame of protest..beyond a country’s borders by its diaspora and sympathisers.”

 Buyse also credits the Sudanese Professional Association’s continually active social media usage for reflecting how social protest movements learn from each other by constantly shifting from online to offline spaces.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Washington Post - The warlord wrecking Sudan’s revolution

18/6/19: Washington Post – The warlord wrecking Sudan’s revolution, by Ishaan Tharoor

 Ishaan Tharoor argues that Himedti is “no would-be democrat,” citing his legacy as the leader of the RSF, “which, before being rebranded, rampaged through Darfur as the infamous Janjaweed militia.”

 Niemat Ahmadi, the founder of the Washington-based Darfur Women Action Group, said that Himedti “grew prominent” from killing, destroying villages and raping in Darfur.

She added that the TMC has grown more confident due to Saudi and Emirati supporting. Tharoor notes that Himedti is styling the RSF as the guarantors of national stability —“ a mantra often preached in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi,” suggesting that they may be offering him lessons in messaging.

Tharoor also highlights activist fears that Himedti and Al Burhan may appoint a parallel body to lead Sudan, to “further erode what hope there is for a civilian-led democracy,” after Himedti’s “[reneging] on earlier deals made [with the] main opposition groups.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: CNN – Fake Instagram accounts are hijacking Sudan solidarity campaign

18/6/19: CNN – Fake Instagram accounts are hijacking Sudan solidarity campaign, by Gianluca Mezzofiore

 CNN reports that some Instagram accounts have been accused of using a social media campaign that aims to promote solidarity with victims of unrest in Sudan merely to gain more followers on the platform.

 @SudanMealProject posted a blue photo in reference to #BlueForSudan, as social media users turned their profile pictures blue in a bid to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

 It promised to provide one meal for “starving Sudanese children” to everyone who follows and shares their account. However, no reference was given to any recognized aid agency working in Sudan or how the meals would be distributed.

 After the post went viral, many people on Instagram and Twitter started doubting the veracity of its claims. Media outlets such as The Atlantic also reported that @SudanMealProject was fake.

 Instagram has removed the account.