SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Ayin Network - Experts ask for a new civilian protection force in Sudan

22/6/2024: Ayin Network - Experts ask for a new civilian protection force in Sudan

Amid calls for a civilian protection mission in Al-Fashir, the Ayin Network quoted from analysts on the prospect of such.

Gerit Kurtz, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, sees little chance of passing such a resolution via the UN Security Council, citing the bad relations between Russia on one side and the US, UK and France on the other among the permanent members.

“Therefore, only the AU Peace and Security Council or the AU Assembly could authorise an African deployment,” he said.

Canada’s first resident diplomat in Sudan, Nicholas Coghlan, believes a ceasefire agreement is necessary before any country commits to deploying troops in Sudan. “It would require at least a tentative, possibly partial, ceasefire and the acquiescence of both parties. I cannot see that any foreign country would be disposed to risk the lives of its soldiers in the current context,” he said.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune -Rapid Support Forces shell women’s hospital in North Darfur capital, killing pharmacist

22/6/2024: Sudan Tribune -Rapid Support Forces shell women’s hospital in North Darfur capital, killing pharmacist

Sudan Tribune report that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled Al-Fashir Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology, killing a female pharmacist and destroying a pharmacy.

The hospital was the only functioning medical facility for women and maternity in Darfur, alongside being the only hospital to receive surgical and injury cases after the RSF stormed Al-Fashir South Hospital on 8 June, thereby putting the only functioning hospital in the city capable of responding to mass casualty events out of service.

Abu Obeida Al-Khalifa Al-Taaishi, assistant to the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement for political affairs, urged RSF supporters to look at the positions of the militia that wants to rule Sudan and kill the people without mercy.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune -Sudanese rival factions clash in Libya

22/6/2024: Sudan Tribune -Sudanese rival factions clash in Libya 

Sudan Tribune report that violent clashes occurred in Libyan territory between the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army led by Minni Minawi (SLM/A-MM) and defectors from the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC) loyal to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Bakhit Ajab Al-Dor.

UN reports indicate that thousands of Sudanese fighters are present in various Libyan cities, operating within the forces of retired Libyan Major General Khalifa Haftar.  However, after the outbreak of war in Sudan in mid-April 2023, some military groups began withdrawing into Sudanese territory to support the warring parties.

Al-Dor’s began withdrawing from Libya last week, heading to Sudan to support the RSF in Al-Fashir.

RSF field commander Ali Rizq Allah, known as “Al-Savanna,” claimed that their forces control the tri-border area linking Sudan, Libya, and Chad.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters – Sudan's economy sinks as post-coup leadership searches for support

22/6/2022: Reuters – Sudan's economy sinks as post-coup leadership searches for support, by Khalid Abdelaziz and Mohamed Nureldin Abdalla

Reuters report that an accelerated breakdown in services including water and electricity supplies has left Sudanese citizens counting the cost of the military coup of October 2021, with finance minister and coup backer Jibril Ibrahim said “had a significant impact on the economy,” citing the suspension of about $4 billion in Western aid and halting of big projects in electricity, irrigation, and rural development.

Resident of al-Shigla, across the White Nile from Khartoum said water supply has been dry despite the Nile river being just a kilometre away, with Reuters describing the neighbourhood’s road as “dotted with stagnant, green pools of water and uncollected rubbish.”

In Khartoum, major intersections are often jammed as traffic lights lose power, with officials at Khartoum's water authority blaming a lack of government funding to maintain water stations or pipes for a growing population. Frequent power outages disable water pumps, they said.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg – Sudan’s Lurch Toward Democracy

22/6/19: Bloomberg – Sudan’s Lurch Toward Democracy, by Tobin Harshaw

 Tobin Harshaw, a Bloomberg editor, interviewed Judd Devermont, director of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the US National Intelligence Council’s former Africa point person.

 Devermont called for the US to build on engaging with Saudi Arabia and the UAE on Sudan’s future, arguing that the US “needs to be a counterweight to Gulf influence.”

 Devermont further called for the US to support Sudanese protesters and champion moderates within the military council – or “at least elements…that can make compromises.” Nonetheless, Devermont conceded that the military council has no interest in democratic transition under Himedti’s leadership.

 Devermont then cited Sudan’s presence “at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East,” and as “an exporter of insecurity…in the rest of region,” to argue that a peaceful Sudan would be conducive to a peaceful sub-Saharan Africa and “productive” in the US’ Middle East and Egyptian policies.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Sudan protesters, Ethiopia envoy discuss talks with military

22/6/19: AP - Sudan protesters, Ethiopia envoy discuss talks with military

 AP reports that Sudan’s protest leaders, the Declaration of Freedom and Change coalition, say they are meeting with an Ethiopian envoy over proposals to resume negotiations with the ruling military council.

 The leaders say they’ve received Ethiopia’s initiative for the transition from military to civilian rule, and would declare their position during Saturday’s meeting with Ethiopian diplomat Mahmoud Dirir.