#SudanUprising October 2020 briefing: Protests, FFC disputes and economic disagreements

Summary

October saw a fresh round of protests in Sudan, as citizens marked the 56th anniversary of the October 1964 Revolution, as well as launching demonstrations against fuel and bread shortages. With Sudanese political parties already stated to lack support from the youth, the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition were dealt a fresh blow after public criticism from influential civil society groups over their management of Sudan’s long-expected parliamentary formation. The Communist Party has also left the coalition. Despite promising signs of economic recovering from Sudan’s delisting by the US as a terrorism sponsor, the controversial decision to lift fuel subsidies has triggered opposition from leftists close to the government.

 Protests

The 21st of October saw another Millioniyah, this time to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the October 1964 Revolution (Radio Dabanga). However, two protesters - Hussein Abdelgader, 14, and Mohammed Abdulmajeed, “a man in his 20s”, both from Bahri – were killed by security forces who used live munition to disperse crowds. Several others were also wounded and taken to hospitals (Radio Dabanga, 26 October).

Security forces also allegedly intimidated journalists covering the protests. A Sky News Arabia camera crew was allegedly arrested, beaten, and forced to erase their footage. Al Hadath’s camera crew were also stopped from filming by armed men, with journalists complaining that they were prevented from their duties (Radio Dabanga, 22 October).

In response, sit-ins and protests in Khartoum continued, as demonstrators demanded justice for protestors killed, and the release of nine detained activists (Radio Dabanga, 29 October).

FFC disputes with civil society

Difference between civil society groups and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition are complicating Sudan’s path to a legislative council (parliament).

Radio Dabanga (5 November) reported that Resistance Committee representatives withdrew from a Khartoum meeting with the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) regarding the formation of parliament, citing disagreements with the agenda, and accusing political parties of inflicting “suffering.” The Khartoum Resistance Committees accuse the FFC of “seeking to abort what is left of the revolution by deliberately excluding the Resistance Committees from meetings on the parliament,” further describing the government's handling of “important issues” such as the economic conference and the peace issue as “superficial and condescending of the voice of the street”.

Then, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) criticised the new parliamentary structure agreed by the Juba peace agreement, which exclusively comprises of peace negotiation participants. The SPA said that the new parliament will lead to “the formation of an ineffective and quarrelsome legislative council” and “complications regarding representation of rebel movements not included in the peace agreement”. The SPA also said the FFC is not qualified to lead the formation of the Legislative Council, and criticised the “individual approach followed by the FFC Central Council by inviting revolutionary groups separately for formal consultations while imposing de facto directions” (Radio Dabanga, 6 November).

 Attempts by the political parties to gain legitimacy among the public are further hindered by reports that young Sudanese are not active in ‘traditional’ Sudanese political parties, according to Dr Azza Mustafa, a former professor of political science at Alzaiem Alazhari University in Khartoum and specialist on democracy and political parties. Dr Mustafa said young Sudanese do not find “the old political programmes” attractive, that the youth are being “alienated” by political parties that do not accommodate them, and “still do what they did 50 years ago” (Radio Dabanga, 12 October).

Communist Party withdraws from FFC (Sudan Tribune, 8 November)

The Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) announced its withdrawal from the FFC, accusing FFC leaders of plotting against the revolution and concluding “secret and suspicious deals” inside and outside the country, adding that they are leading the "coalition towards a coup against the revolution and endorsing policies that contravene the agreed charters and declarations”.

The SCP recently failed to dissuade the government from implementing economic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, alongside rejecting the Juba peace agreement which it said empowered rebels “who are perceived as potential allies of the military component of the Sovereign Council.” Nonetheless, the FFC reportedly suspects the SCP of seeking to control the Sudanese Professionals Association.

Economic developments

SST delisting - Despite the lifting of Sudan’s State Sponsors of Terrorism designation, Minister of Finance Hiba Mohammed Ali said a quick improvement of the economic situation is unexpected. Among the benefits of Sudan’s delisting noted by Ali are: access to grants from international institutions to finance development projects without US objections, that Sudan may now cooperate directly with various institutions to purchase basic commodities that Sudan was purchasing at a high price through intermediaries, alongside the ease of banking and cash transfers (Sudan Tribune, 21 October).

Fuel subsidies lifted - The government then liberalised fuel prices, culminating in a 400% increase of previous prices, leading to opposition from leftist groups, including the Sudanese Communist Party who vowed to organise popular protests (Sudan Tribune, 28 October). FFC Economic Committee member al-Tijani Hussein said the decision to lift fuel subsidies upon the International Monetary Fund’s directive reflects “obedience to external dictation and the application of the neoliberal approach [which is] imposed by the US and its counterparts on developing nations and constitutes…capitalism…at the expense of the poor” (Sudan Tribune, 28 October).  Indeed, protests against fuel and bread shortages continued across Sudan – with protests erupting in Atbara in the River Nile state, al-Fasher in Darfur and ed-Damazin in the Blue Nile state (Radio Dabanga, 2 November).  

Solutions

Parliament - The SPA called for the inclusion of Resistance Committees, the Families of the December Revolution Victims, and all minority groups in Sudan in the proposed transitional parliament (Radio Dabanga, 6 November).

Youth inclusion - Dr Azza Mustafa called on “all political parties to reformulate their programmes, so that they will address the issues of all segments of society, especially youth and women “otherwise they will lose the support of young people, who will be important in the election process.” Faki Mohamed, leading member of the Kassala Resistance Committees, Asaad El Taher, a youth leader in Darfur, both said youth should be better represented in policy-making given their “leading role” in overthrowing al-Bashir (Radio Dabanga, 12 October).

Adjusted exchange rate - Finance Minister Hiba Ali cited the existence of five exchange rates in Sudan to stress adjustments needed to incentivise expatriates to send remittances through official channels (Sudan Tribune, 21 October).