SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - RSF seizes El Fula, capital of West Kordofan, amidst reports of looting and displacement

20/6/2024: Sudan Tribune - RSF seizes El Fula, capital of West Kordofan, amidst reports of looting and displacement

Sudan Tribune report that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced that they took control of al-Fula, the capital of West Kordofan state, after the Sudanese army withdrew from its defensive positions and headquarters.

The RSF promptly appointed a governor from its ranks to oversee the state, while a significant number of residents fled to neighbouring areas.

The RSF reportedly engaged in looting in several neighbourhoods, including Al-Salam, Al-Wahda, and Al-Daraja, prompting residents to flee towards the city centre or to neighbouring localities like Al-Odaiya and Al-Nuhud. A volunteer from the El Fula Emergency Room estimated that over 60% of the city’s population had fled shortly after the RSF’s arrival. 

Al-Fula had previously taken in displaced individuals from the city of Babanusa and was sheltering approximately 1,618 displaced people, including 324 children and 714 women.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan's cemeteries swell with fresh graves as hunger and disease spread

20/6/2024: Reuters - Sudan's cemeteries swell with fresh graves as hunger and disease spread, by Maggie Michael, Ryan McNeill and Reade Levinson

 Reuters’ investigation identified 14 graveyards expanding fast in Darfur showing how people are dying through starvation and disease. Reuters only reviewed satellite images from communities that have not seen fighting in the past six months to rule out the possibility that the dead were killed in fighting.

A cemetery close to Zamzam displaced damp, home to hundreds of thousands, expanded three times faster at the start of 2024 than in the second half of 2023.

No supplies are getting into Niertiti as the Rapid Support militia (RSF) plundered the harvest. Residents are too scared to leave Kalma camp to find work amid the lack of protection from the RSF with men fearing being killed and women fearing being raped.  

The situation is about to get worse as Sudan entered the lean season between harvests where food is less available, and rainy season prevents journeys through roads connecting to urban centres.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Euronews - EU should shift gears in face of atrocities in Sudan

20/6/2024: Euronews - EU should shift gears in face of atrocities in Sudan, by Laetitia Bader

To mitigate the escalating crisis in Al-Fashir, Deputy Africa Director for Human Rights Watch Laetitia Bader called on the EU to:

·      Actively voice support for calls for a civilian protection plan and work with the AU, the UN and others — notably the UK and the US - to achieve this.

·      Bader added that the EU “should now act more decisively at the UN, encouraging the three African states on the UN Security Council to work toward deploying such a force,” and “press for the full enforcement of the existing UN arms embargo on Darfur, calling out countries such as the UAE violating it, and press for expanding it to all of Sudan.”

·      Bader urged the EU to provide financial support and call for the protection of Sudanese local responders who are faced with providing civilians with support, food, and medical care.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Brookings Institute - What can be done about Sudan’s deepening humanitarian catastrophe?

20/6/2024: Brookings Institute - What can be done about Sudan’s deepening humanitarian catastrophe?, by Jeffrey Feltman and Fred Dews

Ex-US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman offered insights on the Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe and proposed solutions.

Despite pre-existing “famine-like conditions”, Feltman suggested that the downside with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification that officially declares famine is that it requires the cooperation of the Sudanese army, who Feltman said do not want aid to flow into areas controlled by the Rapid Support militia. 

 Feltman proposed recognising that Sudan is divided under at least two separate authorities, with agencies dividing which part of the country they work in.

Feltman also called for flexibility in how assistance is delivered, noting that local emergency response rooms “are not people who can apply for aid grants” as “bureaucracies often are not fit to the purpose,” before suggesting “we need to take more risks in how we get assistance into the hands of those who are who are actually delivering.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Washington Post - How Washington and the world can help Sudan fulfill its democratic dream,

20/6/19: Washington Post - How Washington and the world can help Sudan fulfill its democratic dream, by Andrew Natsios

 Andrew Natsios, ex-US envoy to Sudan, calls for the Trump administration to dispatch a “senior diplomatic troubleshooter with credibility in [Saudi Arabia] and [the UAE],” to convince them to end their support for Himedti.

 Natsios cites common US-Gulf interests in a stable Sudan that does not re-align with Iran, arguing that Himedti’s continued power may provoke a domestic Sudanese backlash, resulting in a “fertile environment for an Islamist [coup].”

 Natsios adds that the US can convene an international coalition including its European allies, the African Union and Gulf states in pursuit of a shared blue-print for a civilian-led transition and coordinated economic aid.

 Natsios cites Sudanese political culture assets such as the maintenance of a vibrant civil society, democratic history and “highly educated and sophisticated elite,” to conclude that “Sudan is not Egypt, Libya or Syria,” thereby offering a source of hope where Arab Spring disappointments have led to pessimism.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: CNN - Activists were killed and women were raped. But some defiant Sudanese say their revolution isn’t over yet

20/6/19: CNN – Activists were killed and women were raped. But some defiant Sudanese say their revolution isn’t over yet, by Ben Wedeman and Kareem Khadder

CNN’s feature piece explored the atmosphere in Sudan following the June 3 massacre, reporting on a Himedti rally, and speaking to military council critics.

 Himedti’s rally are said to push the message that the RSF are trying to restore Sudanese security and stability, with one attendee, tribal leader Hassan Jaafar, saying that allegations of RSF complicity for the massacre was “not our business…I didn’t see any killing or anything.”

 Sulaima Sharif, who heads a trauma centre, said she believes that social stigmas means that the number of rapes are likely to be higher than recorded, and the RSF deliberately targeted females. She said that she is not scared to speak out because “Himedti will kill us anyway…at least we should die with dignity.”

 The protest spirit is living on in Omdorman, where crowd numbers are increasing, and larger protests are in the pipeline.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Financial Times – Sudan paramilitary leader Hemeti closes in on power

20/6/19: Financial Times – Sudan paramilitary leader Hemeti closes in on power, by Tom Wilson

 Tom Wilson’s feature piece examines the implications of Himedti’s emergence as Sudan’s “de-facto” leader, although his TMC colleague Salah Abdelkhalig said that Himedti is not the strongman in Khartoum, with “other forces…stronger than him.”

 Abdelkhalig “betrayed anxiety over the [Himedti’s] ambition,” when arguing that Himedti is only perceived to be in charge “because he is talking too much in the media,” and “his troops are very visible.” Abdelkhalig added that Himedti “cannot do it” as a political commander.

 Darfuri politician Rudwan Daoud attributes Himedti’s positive image in Darfur to Saudi salaries for the RSF trickling down to Darfuri households, adding that Himedti’s power (unprecedented for Darfuris since Sudan’s independence) inspires Darfuris.  

 Former Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour argues that Himedti’s outsider status as a Darfuri is a political advantage, as some see the protests as a Khartoum-based elitist movement, whereas Himedti can build support from groups across the country.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Wall Street Journal – Brutal Sudanese Militia Leader Plays a Bigger Role in War-Torn Nation

20/6/19: Wall Street Journal – Brutal Sudanese Militia Leader Plays a Bigger Role in War-Torn Nation, by Julia Steers

 Julia Steers feature piece links Himedti’s emergence as a “major player” in Sudan, to the growing profile of his Rapid Support Forces.

 Political analyst Dalia Haj-Omar is quoted saying that Himedti is “the biggest power in town… he’s become too powerful. Even the military council has no choice but to accommodate him.”

 Haj-Omar added that: “the military council and [the RSF] are seen all as one, and [various western diplomats in Khartoum] were too fast to go and shake hands with Hemedti..they have enabled Hemedti to the extent that he can enact [the June 3] massacre.”

Other factors cited for growing RSF power is their support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who seek “to back dependable non-Islamist strongmen when the possibility of democratic change looms.”

Amnesty International researcher Ahmed Elozbier said that the “RSF is not trained to do policing activities… it’s a philosophy of shoot to kill.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: CNN - Shahd Khidir: The beauty influencer using her Instagram to tell the world about Sudan

20/6/19 - CNN – Shahd Khidir: The beauty influencer using her Instagram to tell the world about Sudan, by Bukola Adebayo

 In a feature piece, Bukola Adebayo’s spoke to beauty influencer Shahd Khidir, drawing attention to an “off-brand” post in which Khidir appeared with no make-up, weeping and telling her nearly 100k followers about “the massacre” in Sudan.

 Khidir told CNN that it is “important to bring awareness to humanitarian issues.”  She was reportedly one of the first to speak about the killing of Mohammed Hashim - who she described as “a young man with ambitions and hopes for a better Sudan.”  She discussed the situation with Mattar, and “how it's affecting us as the young professionals.”

 Khidir says she has been moved by the support from people around the world. and she hopes that it will continue to inspire Sudanese people home and abroad to keep fighting for the change they desire.

 "I want a civilian-led democratically-elected government in Sudan. That's the change I want to see," she added.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Sudan military leader says perpetrators of crackdown ID’d

20/6/19: AP - Sudan military leader says perpetrators of crackdown ID’d, by Hussein Malla and Noha Elhennawy

 AP reports that Himedti, the deputy chief of Sudan’s ruling military council said Thursday the military has identified the perpetrators of the violent dispersal of a pro-democracy sit-in earlier this month, but said he won’t reveal their identities because of an ongoing investigation.

 Himedti also warned of impostors posing as troops among the Rapid Support Forces, who protesters blame for the bulk of the killings. Himedti, who leads the RSF, said the military had arrested dozens of people wearing RSF uniforms and committing violations. On Wednesday alone, nine impostors were arrested, he said.

 “Anyone who had crossed his limits whether they are from the military or civilians, I swear to God, will stand trial,” said Himedti in an address to a military-backed women’s rally in Khartoum.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Hundreds demonstrate for civilian rule in Sudan’s state capitals

20/6/19: Reuters - Hundreds demonstrate for civilian rule in Sudan’s state capitals, by Khalid Abdelaziz

 Reuters reports that hundreds of Sudanese demonstrated in state capitals on Thursday, putting pressure on the ruling military council to cede power to civilians.

 There were gatherings in each of the state capitals of Wad Madani, Al-Ubayyid and Port Sudan. Dozens also demonstrated in the national capital Khartoum, including employees from the private Bank of Khartoum, chanting “Civilian!” and waving Sudanese flags.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan’s military council dismissed public prosecutor dismissed, appoints replacement - sources

20/6/19: Reuters – Sudan’s military council dismissed public prosecutor dismissed, appoints replacement - sources

 Reuters reports that Sudan’s military council on Thursday dismissed public prosecutor Alwaleed Sayed Ahmed Mahmoud and appointed Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah to succeed him, prosecution sources told Reuters.

 The move comes as authorities investigate the dispersal of a protest camp outside the Defence Ministry in Khartoum that killed dozens on June 3.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga- Journalists detained and dismissed in Sudan

20/6/19: Radio Dabanga- Journalists detained and dismissed in Sudan

Radio Dabanga reports on the recent detentions and dismissals of a number of journalists in Sudan.

 The Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) released a statement stating that editor in chief of the El Sayha newspaper, Abdelrahman El Amin, was dismissed from his job, after critiquing the Rapid Support Forces and their leader Hemeti. Another journalist is reported to have been detained by RSF, questioned and then subsequently handed over to the country’s intelligence and security services (NISS).

 It is highlighted too that a mass dismissal of journalists has also occurred at the national Sudanese Television, which the SJN see as a ‘return of [the] elements of the ousted regime who will use the newsrooms again to falsify facts and mislead the public opinion with fake information