SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - Sudan's economy tumbles in post-coup deadlock

2/3/2022: Reuters - Sudan's economy tumbles in post-coup deadlock, by Khalid Abdelaziz, Nafisa Eltahir and Aidan Lewis

Reuters report that Sudan is once again lurching towards economic collapse in the aftermath of the October 2021 coup, which “could fuel further citizen resentment” amid price increases to compensate for billions in foreign assistance withdrawn following the coup, with patient admissions at state healthcare facilities rising from 250 SDG to 4,200 overnight.

In January 2022, Sudan exported only $43.5 million worth of goods, down sharply from $293 million in December, although this is a peak agricultural export season. Thus, the military-led government is raising prices and taxes by aiming for a 145% and 140% increases in tax revenues commodities and services sales respectively.

However, aims for a five-fold increase on business license fees will be “hard to impose” as per a local banker as businesses are accustomed to not paying taxes. Nonetheless, a business owner said that the current businesses environment is the worst in two decades.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – South Darfur govt vows to 'pursue all those who attack farmers'

2/3/2021: Radio Dabanga – South Darfur govt vows to 'pursue all those who attack farmers'

Radio Dabanga report that the governor of South Darfur, Mousa Mahdi, announced the arrest of a number of individuals who killed three farmers in the village of Dabanga in al-Wehda locality.  Mahdi also vowed to pursue all those who attack farmers.

He also confirmed that the State Security Committee will set up security reinforcements in the northern regions of South Darfur, establish a police department in the region, and publish strict guidelines to prevent further friction between herders and farmers.

Mahdi also pledged to bring the arrested perpetrators to a fair trial and reiterated his rejection of any solutions through reconciliation conferences. Previously, reconciliation conferences between Fallata herders and Masalit farmers failed to bring peace to the region.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Land Commission will use traditional methods in Darfur: official

2/3/2021: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Land Commission will use traditional methods in Darfur: official

 Sudan Tribune report that new member of the Sovereign Council, rebel leader Hadi Idris, said that the soon-to-be established Land and Hawakeer Commission will use traditional conflict resolution methods and customs to ensure the return of the displaced to their areas and to resolve the conditions of settlers.

With land ownership a key demand of Darfur war victims, some fear that the expulsion of the settlers in areas deserted by the displaced and refugees will lead to the outbreak of new conflicts in Darfur.

In a speech to his supporters in North Darfur, Idris, a factional leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, said the resolution of land ownership disputes would be through "the support of the Native Administration and the use of customs and traditions as basic references for dealing with land disputes, settling the situation of newcomers, and ensuring the return of the displaced and refugees to their areas."

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - RSF files complaints against Sudan newspaper

2/3/2020: Radio Dabanga - RSF files complaints against Sudan newspaper

 Radio Dabanga reports that the Rapid Support Forces militia (RSF) filed four official complaints against journalists of the independent El Jareeda newspaper, after it published statements criticising the militia.

 Mohamed El Khateeb, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Sudan, said in a symposium organised by the Darfur Journalists Association in Khartoum that the RSF is a militia that cannot be allowed to join the army.

 Dr Mohamed Hashim, deputy head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, claimed during another symposium that “the janjaweed militia poses a danger to the revolution”.