SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: al-Rakoba – Where is the partnership?

23/9/2021: al-Rakoba – Where is the partnership?, by Mu'tasim al-QadhI 

Questioning the fate of the military-civilian transitional partnership after the failed coup attempt, Mu’tasim al-Qadhi calls for military weapons to neutralised, with the help of the international community, to prevent it from using its weapons to abort the transition to full-fledged democratic civilian rule, which can be helped by the Sudanese diaspora and their relations with international institutions and human rights associations, and their abilities to file cases before international courts.

Al-Qadhi suspects ulterior motives behind the coup attempt, noting that the military denied reports of a coup ten days before it occurred, before blaming the attempt on civilian incompetence ahead of the transfer of the Sovereign Council presidency to civilians, at a time when the military is accused of failing to maintain security.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: al-Jareeda – al-Burhan and what about your positions?

23/9/2021: al-Jareeda – al-Burhan and what about your positions?, by Sabah Mohammed al-Hassan

Columnist Sabah Mohammed al-Hassan examines the speeches by Sovereign Council chairman and commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Abdulfattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Himedti - which blamed civilians for the coup attempt.

With al-Burhan and Himedti both lamenting Sudan’s lack of security and tough conditions for the citizen, al-Hassan writes that “security is the core of their work…and if they are not responsible for citizen livelihoods, then why are they being partnered with in governance?”

Al-Hassan raises the prospect of the military leaders being connected to the coup attempt in how they spoke about it “with frustration rather than the pride [of successfully thwarting coup attempts]”, and that they attacked civilians rather than the remnants of the former regime, which, according to al-Hassan, “confirms that the remnants have nothing to do with the coup, or the military partnered with them in it”.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: al-Rakoba – About the "alleged" coup

23/9/2021: al-Rakoba – About the "alleged" coup, by Mu'tasim Bukhari

With the end of military’s presidency of the Sovereign Council approaching, Dr. Mu’tasim Bukhari argues that “something is being woven in complete darkness, and there is an intent to do something,” as the military are “in fear and apprehension of the consequences of leaving power in the hands of civilians”.  

Bukhari disputes the authenticity of the coup attempt, by asking several questions:

Why did the coup leaders not first arrest all political and military leaders? Why was General Command of the Armed Forces was not taken over, nor vital facilities such as the airport, television and communication facilities, and bridges across the capital? Why were the two officers who attempted to get the coup statement broadcasted unarmed, and why were they turned away “like delivery workers who got the address wrong” from the national media centre?

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: al-Jareeda – Coups, a series of episodes

23/9/2021: al-Jareeda – Coups, a series of episodes, by Haider al-Mikashfi

With the latest coup attempt being the fifth since the start of the transitional period, columnist Haider al-Mikashfi calls for transparency from the military, arguing that the public must be informed of the full facts and details of the coup attempts through a public trial that is broadcasted publicly, “otherwise the latest coup attempt will only be another episode of a continuous series”.

Al-Mikashfi suggests that the “excess” of coups raises public skepticism, whereby the authenticity of the news of the coup attempts is questioned, especially as “not a single one of the masterminds of these coup was brought to trial despite the declaration of their arrest and investigation”, with leaks the perpetrators were released for a lack of evidence.

With regards to the most recent coup attempt, al-Mikashfi writes that “people did not witness events that indicated coup attempts,” citing the lack of military deployments in strategic locations, and that passengers moved on the streets regularly.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg - A Coup Fails in Sudan but Its Fragile Democracy Remains at Risk

23/9/2021: Bloomberg - A Coup Fails in Sudan but Its Fragile Democracy Remains at Risk, by Bobby Ghosh

Bloomberg columnist Bobby Ghosh calls for the international community to speed up debt-forgiveness and aid for Sudan, as well as encouraging private investment in order to help Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok get the economy on track, and thereby “keep the population on his side”.

Ghosh argues that Sudan’s transition has entered its most difficult period, and Hamdok is at his most vulnerable, amid economic issues triggering public frustration. Although the coup plotters “misread the national mood”, Ghosh warns that there may be other bids to overthrow the government before the elections expected in early 2024.

Ghosh adds that Sudan has been “a shining exception to the trend of democratic retrenchment across much of Africa and a beacon of hope amid the gathering gloom of autocratic populism worldwide,” concluding that “this bright spark of democracy in Africa deserves special consideration.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Sudanese Journalists Network - Statement on the coup attempt

23/9/2021: Sudanese Journalists Network - Statement on the coup attempt

The Sudanese Journalist Network (SJN)considers the statements attacking civilians made by military leaders Abdulfattah al-Burhan and Himedti an “advanced step towards the seizure of power”, declaring that it will work with other democratic forces “to urgently mobilise the people and develop a professional plan of action to confront such attempts”.

The SJN further stated that the al-Burhan and Himedti’s comments proved the correctness of its position rejecting the power-sharing agreement with military forces, which like the revolutionaries in “an imbalanced partnership dominated by the military of the former regime, with civilians marginalised”.

Nonetheless, the SJN added, despite their differences with the civilian government, it will “not lose sight of the imminent danger posed by the dictatorship,” with their differences being solely political and will managed by the mechanisms of peaceful civil debate.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Bloomberg - Coup Intrigue Is the Latest Threat to Sudan’s Democratic Dream

23/9/2021: Bloomberg - Coup Intrigue Is the Latest Threat to Sudan’s Democratic Dream, by  Simon Marks and Mohammed Alamin

Simon Marks and Mohammed Alamin’s feature piece on the coup attempt quotes from Jonas Horner, senior Sudan analyst at the International Crisis Group.

With the Sudanese army required to surrender its chairmanship of the Sovereignty Council by mid-2022, Marks and Alamin state that this step “would theoretically curtail a monopoly the [army] has had on decision-making for at least a generation [which] could usher in transparency that is rare in the broader Middle East and Horn of Africa regions.”

Thus, Horner questions the army’s account of the coup attempt, saying: “the coup presented the military with an avenue to show national and international audiences that they remain integral to the security of Sudan’s transition…they’re saying ‘we’re the only ones that can keep this place together.’”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - USA, EU, Friends of Sudan condemn failed coup attempt in Sudan

23/9/2021: Radio Dabanga - USA, EU, Friends of Sudan condemn failed coup attempt in Sudan

Radio Dabanga report that the US, EU and Friends of Sudan condemned the fail coup.

The spokesperson for the US Department of State, Ned Price, said that Washington condemns “the failed attempt by rogue military and civilian actors to seize power from Sudan’s Civilian Led Transitional Government” and US mobilisation of substantial assistance to Sudan will be advanced as Sudan makes “continued progress in its ongoing transition”.

The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell Fontelles, emphasised the EU’s continued support for democracy in Sudan.

The Friends of Sudan group (France, Germany, UK, Norway, Sweden, KSA, UAE, US, the EU and UN) denounced the “disruption of Sudan’s civilian-led transition by rogue military elements in Khartoum”, adding that “any attempt to destabilise or undermine…the democratic and pluralistic nature of the State as defined by the Constitutional Declaration will not be supported by the international community”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Security Council condemns Sudan’s coup attempt

23/9/2021: Sudan Tribune - Security Council condemns Sudan’s coup attempt

Sudan Tribune report that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the failed coup in Sudan and voiced its support to the civilian-led government. 

The UNSC statement urged the Sudanese parties to engage constructively with the national initiative known as “The National Crisis and Issues of the Transition – The Way Forward”, and further encouraged Sudan’s civilian and military actors to remain committed and continue working in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration to achieve the goal of Sudan’s inclusive transition as outlined in the Constitutional Document and the Juba Peace Agreement.

The UNSC further expressed their solidarity with the Sudanese and reiterated their readiness to support Sudan during the transition.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Sudan military, politicians exchange accusations over coup attempt

23/9/2021: Radio Dabanga - Sudan military, politicians exchange accusations over coup attempt

Radio Dabanga report on civilian responses to comments from Sovereign Council Chairman and commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Abdulfattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Himedti – that civilian politicians are to blame for the coup attempt.

Al-Burhan said the military are “the guardians of Sudan’s future, despite anyone's objection,” with Himedti holding the politicians responsible for repeated coups “because they neglected the people…while being preoccupied with the division of positions”.

Taha Osman Ishag, member of the Anti-Corruption Committee for the Sudanese Professionals Association, said that the statements “are more dangerous than the coup itself”, with “this rhetoric of accusations and threats” hindering a national solution.

Waleed Madibo, founder of Sudan Policy Forum, cited the failure of civilian politicians to form a legislative body to state that there is a “lack of leadership and vision that can lead Sudan out of this quagmire”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s transition components escalate blame game over foiled coup

23/9/2021: Sudan Tribune - Sudan’s transition components escalate blame game over foiled coup

Sudan Tribune report that the responses of civilian politicians to comments made by military leaders - Sovereign Council chairman and commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Abdulfattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Himedti - which blamed civilians for the difficulties facing the transition after the failure of an Islamist coup attempt.

Al-Burhan’s statement of the military’s guardianship over the transition was described as a "direct threat to the transitional period" by Cabinet Affairs Minister Khalid Yousif, who stressed that any setback or violation of the transitional Constitutional Document will be faced by the Sudanese street, and that the military component has to pick between implementing the constitutional document or confronting Sudanese people.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok disputed al-Burhan’s allegations that civilians seek to exclude the military from the transition, stating that he discussed his initiative "The Way Forward" with al-Burhan and Himedti.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Sudan activists say thousands protest in Darfur over economy

23/9/19: AP - Sudan activists say thousands protest in Darfur over economy

AP reports that Sudanese activists say thousands of people are protesting dire economic conditions in Darfur. They’re also protesting against chronic security issues and for removing all provincial governors.

 The demonstrations – one of the biggest since the power-sharing agreement - were reported by the Sudanese Professionals’ Association

 The SPA says security forces dispersed student protests in Nyala (South Darfur’s capital) using tear gas.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Anti-mining protests span length of Sudan

23/9/19: Radio Dabanga – Anti-mining protests span length of Sudan

 Radio Dabanga reports that ongoing ddemonstrations against toxic gold mining operations in South Kordofan have been joined by public protests at Wadi Halfa in Sudan’s Northern State.

 The sit-in against gold mining companies has entered its third week, with demonstrators calling for companies and the Rapid Support Forces to be expelled from the area, and for an investigation into the environmental degradation – particularly the use of cyanide in gold extraction operations.

 A leader from the Forces of Freedom and Change, Mohamed El Mustafa told Radio Dabanga that the demonstrators are determined to remain there until their demands are met: including the removals of the acting state governor who “people have realised…is not serious in his decision to remove these companies from these areas, and is unwilling to implement his decision of expelling these [Rapid Support Forces] from the gold mines.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune – Government will not float Sudanese pound in near future

23/9/19: Sudan Tribune – Government will not float Sudanese pound in near future

 Sudan Tribune reports that Sudan’s finance minister Ibrahim Elbadawi said that Sudan will not immediately liberalise the exchange rate regime amid Sudan’s fragile economic situation.

 Attributing Sudan’s economic disaster to a multiplicity of exchange rates, Elbadawi said that any attempt to address the issue should be handled within a global financial plan to ensure its success.

 He further expected that the "exchange rate of the national currency will be liberalised within the emergency program in the middle of next year.”

 Elbadawi’s plans go against economic consensus that currency floating is necessary before structural economic liberalisation reforms for poor countries, with the IMF warning that attempts to fix the exchange rate and contain economic pressure through price controls and rationing depress the economy, reduce fiscal revenue and cause trade shift to the informal sector.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Bloomberg – Sudan Urges Foreign Oil Firms to Step Up Investment

23/9/19: Bloomberg – Sudan Urges Foreign Oil Firms to Step Up Investment, by Mohammed Alamin and Salma El Wardany

 Bloomberg reports that Sudan’s newly appointed oil and mining minister Adel Ali Ibrahim urged international energy companies to speed up efforts to find and develop deposits in Sudan.

 Officials from Schlumberger Ltd, an oilfield services company, met with Ibrahim and expressed a readiness to resume working in Sudan.

 Ibrahim said he’s seeking the “return of the oil and gas sector to its leading role by developing the fields and solving the issues that caused the drop in production.”

 Sudan pumped 100,000 barrels a day of crude last year, a fraction of what it produced before South Sudan became independent, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

 Ibrahim, in the meeting with Schlumberger officials, discussed investment opportunities in the Red Sea and central Sudan as well as at existing fields.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters –Sudan announces nine-month plan to rescue economy, tame inflation

23/9/19: Reuters –Sudan announces nine-month plan to rescue economy, tame inflation, by Khalid Abdelaziz

 Reuters reports that Sudan’s transitional government will start a nine-month economic rescue plan next month aimed at curbing rampant inflation while ensuring supplies of basic goods, and is asking the World Bank for $2 billion.

 Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi said the new plan “aims ... to restructure the banking sector, rationalise government spending, address the state’s financial burden and review tax exemptions, because 60% of economic activity is tax exempt.”

 Elbadawi also said that the plan will combat corruption, and bread and fuel subsidies will remain until at least June 2020. The government wants to replace commodity subsidies with direct cash transfers to poor families by the end of the rescue plan, he added.

 Elbadawi also said that US officials said that Sudan’s removal from the US terrorism list may take 9 months to a year “because it is tied to Congress”.