SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Economist warns for ‘dire consequences’ of Sudan’s political tensions

15/10/2021: Radio Dabanga - Economist warns for ‘dire consequences’ of Sudan’s political tensions

Dr Hasan Bashir, Professor of Economics at El Nilein University in Khartoum, warned of the dire consequences on Sudan’s economy and foreign investments caused by the current political tensions, including the blocking of ports in eastern Sudan, citing the negative impact on Sudan's reputation.

Professor Bashir considered the stability of the exchange rate, despite the political instability, “a positive indicator”. He attributed this to the economic reforms earlier this year, in addition to the lack of imports due to the blocking of the ports. “Yet, if the current situation continues, it may lead to a fall of the Sudanese Pound.”

The alternative use of Egyptian land ports for import will affect the revenues of the Sudanese sea ports, with increased transport costs leading to higher prices, which will push inflation figures to new highs, he warned.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Hamdok rejects Burhan’s request to dissolve government

15/10/2021: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s Hamdok rejects Burhan’s request to dissolve government

Sudan Tribune report that Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok rejected a request from Abdulfattah al-Burhan, the leader of the military component of the government, to dissolve the FFC-majority cabinet.

In a meeting with Hamdok, al-Burhan and his deputy, Rapid Support Forces commander Himedti requested another government involving political groups that form the splinter FFC-National Accord faction led by armed movement leader Minni Minnawi.

The military leaders also asked Hamdok to freeze the Empowerment Removal Committee, although the latter rejected the requests, as he says he was selected by the FFC to implement the democratic transition.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Six women, child kidnapped on Sudan-Ethiopia border

15/10/2020: Radio Dabanga - Six women, child kidnapped on Sudan-Ethiopia border

 Radio Dabanga report that six Sudanese women and a child were kidnapped by Ethiopian gunmen in al-Gadarif. Their captors are demanding a ransom of half a million Sudanese Pounds from their families for their release.

The al-Fashaga Lands Committee said in a statement that the kidnaping occurred in the agricultural lands adjacent to al-Leya village in al-Gureisha locality, while the women were tilling their farms on the eastern bank of the Atbara River. The committee attributed the repeated crimes of kidnapping, murder, and theft to the government’s failure to dealing with the issue of disputed lands.

The Lands Committee complains that Ethiopian gunmen are again wreaking havoc at the al-Gadarif-Ethiopian border.

A week earlier, a group of gunmen from Ethiopia (called shifta in the region) prevented farmers from the villages of Jemeiza and Um Disa in East El Galabat from harvesting their sesame crops.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: New York Times – In Sudan, Women Showed the World How It’s Done

15/10/19: New York Times – In Sudan, Women Showed the World How It’s Done, by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

 Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf calls for women’s empowerment in order to protect democracy in Sudan and worldwide, making three suggestions.

 Firstly, Sirleaf calls for quotas to be set for female representation at all levels of government, citing research that quotas help women overcome cultural, economic and electoral barriers that keep them from holding elected office.

 Secondly, Sirleaf calls for the international community to be more responsive in advocating stronger democratic institutions, arguing that international actors and institutions must learn to detect the warning signs of impending violence by proactively lending support by pressing for open dialogue.

 Finally, Sirleaf calls for girls in Africa and globally to be supported, including by leadership training.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Will Al Bashir ever stand trial at the International Criminal Court?

15/10/19: Radio Dabanga - Will Al Bashir ever stand trial at the International Criminal Court?, by Mohammed Elgizoly Adam

 Global Law specialist Mohammed Elgizoly Adam calls for Sudan’s transitional administration to hand over Omar Al Bashir to the ICC, in order to prove its peace credentials and re-integrate itself into the international political and economic community.

 However, Adam casts doubt on the ability to extradite al-Bashir to face war crime charges – noting that key international actors such as the African Union and the US are hostile towards the ICC.  

 Adam also argues that grounds to try Al Bashir for war-crime in Sudan are unreasonable - given that al-Bashir’s deep-state still functions in the judicial branch may serve as an obstacle to independent judges and witness protection.

 In addition, Adam argues that Sudan’s legal system both lacks the capacity to convict a defendant as powerful as al-Bashir, and that Sudan’s legal system fails to adequately define or recognise crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Sudan journalists, lawyers demand removal of corrupt trade union leaders

15/10/19: Radio Dabanga - Sudan journalists, lawyers demand removal of corrupt trade union leaders

 Radio Dabanga reports that journalists and lawyers are critical of the decision to dissolve trade unions and hold new union elections within three months – viewing the measure as a  counter-revolutionary attempt to restore government control of the trade unions.

 The General Registrar of Labour Organisations has dissolved unions established under Omar al-Bashir’s regime, in a decision that the Sudanese Journalist Network (SJN) has labelled as  “flawed.” The SJN said they will not participate in elections due to the 2004 Professional Associations Act that includes “many legal loopholes designed to enable affiliates of the Al Bashir regime to control the trade unions.”

 The Darfur Bar Association has called on the Minister of Justice to dissolve the unions’ executive committees, to develop a new Trade Unions Law, and ensure the establishment of genuinely independent trade unions and syndicates.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - IMF maintains negative growth forecast for Sudan in 2019 & 2020

15/10/19: Sudan Tribune - IMF maintains negative growth forecast for Sudan in 2019 & 2020

 Sudan Tribune reports that the The International Monetary Fund (IMF) affirmed its previous forecast of a contraction in the Sudanese economy in 2019 and 2020.

 The World Economic Outlook (WEO) report published today said Sudan registered a -2.2% contraction in economic growth in 2018 that is expected to sink further this year to -2.6% before relatively improving in 2020 to -1.4%.

 Inflation was expected to fall to 50.4% this year compared to 63.3% in 2018 but is forecasted to jump again next year to 62.1%.

 The figures were slightly worse than the projected numbers included in the WEO report last April.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: AFP - Years after militia raid, fear still grips Darfur village

15/10/19: AFP - Years after militia raid, fear still grips Darfur village

 AFP’s feature piece reveals that residents of Shattaya village, who “faced the brunt of the Janjaweed in the early years of the Darfur conflict,” remain subject to ongoing attacks and occupation from Arab militiamen.

 Most houses in Shattaya are severely damaged and charred, with returning residents now living in make-shift shelters.

 Mohamed Izhak, who returned after living in a camp of internally displaced persons, said his family has not got back their farm, and that they do not feel safe due to their inability to build proper homes. He is wary of talking to the militiamen who have destroyed their farms because they are armed.

 Another resident, Siddiq Youssef, stold AFP that he cannot go to his farm outside the village because he feels unsafe. He added that the militiamen must be disarmed in order for there to be peace, and that the village remains scared of them.