SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Council on Foreign Relations - Thwarted Coup Signals Dangerous Times for Sudan’s Transition

27/9/2021: Council on Foreign Relations - Thwarted Coup Signals Dangerous Times for Sudan’s Transition, by Michelle Gavin

Arguing that the failed coup attempt reflects the fragility of Sudan’s transitional government, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies Michelle Gavin issues calls to action to both Sudanese and US leaders.

Noting that Sudan’s “long-neglected constituencies” are impatient with the government, Gavin warns that their “frustration is ripe for manipulation by those interested in impeding a transition to genuine democracy”, in calls upon Sudan’s leaders to address the demands of Sudan’s “complex and diverse population impatient for change that brings about relief from economic hardship and political marginalisation.”

After noting that a democratic and stable Sudan could “play an important bridging role between Africa and the Middle East,” Gavin warns that if the US “neglects to do what it can to support Sudan’s reformers, other states with quite different agendas will surely fill the gap. “

 

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Tensions between military and civilians in Sudan govt worsen as security is removed

27/9/2021: Multiple sources - Tensions between military and civilians in Sudan govt worsen as security is removed

The crisis between the military and civilian components of the Sudanese government worsened after Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and head of the Sovereign Council, Lt. Gen. Abdulfattah al-Burhan, withdrew security forces  charged with protecting the offices of the  Empowerment Removal Committee.

Hundreds of activists responded to the Committees call-to-action by turning up at its Khartoum offices declaring their readiness to fill the security vacuum. Committee head and Sovereign Council member Mohammed al-Faki said the building would turn into a centre of confrontation and resistance if necessary.

Minister of Cabinet Affairs Khaled Omar said that the withdrawal of the guards is part of a series of developments aimed at undermining the transitional period.  

In a “confrontational” tone, Rapid Support Forces commander and Sovereign Council deputy chairman Himedti said: “the international community cannot threaten us…it was civilians that blocked the streets…the armed forces are not responsible for the insecurity”. 

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: UN News – At UN, Sudanese Prime Minister says ‘great revolution has succeeded,’ country will rebuild, restore values

27/9/19: UN News – At UN, Sudanese Prime Minister says ‘great revolution has succeeded,’ country will rebuild, restore values

 Addressing the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, said that Sudan aims to transform its foreign policy, uphold international justice norms and address the root causes of its civil wars.

 Hamdok said that Sudan’s new foreign policy approach will see outreach to regional neighbours and countries worldwide. He added that Sudan pledges to uphold international law, human rights, and efforts to end discrimination, exploitation, injustice and inequality, as well as maintaining international peace and security.

 Hamdok added that Sudan is determined to address the root causes of its civil wars: economic marginalization, and ethnic, cultural and religious discrimination. Sudan will also address the situation of refugees and displaced people while compensating them for the damages incurred he said.

 He also called on sanctions to be lifted on Sudan given that “the former regime that supported terrorism, not Sudan’s people.”

SUDAN POLITICAL ALERT: UN News - Sudan at the start of ‘long road to recovery’, UN chief tells high-level meeting

27/9/19: UN News - Sudan at the start of ‘long road to recovery’, UN chief tells high-level meeting

 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the UN remains committed to supporting Sudan’s new government during the transitional period.

 Guterres expressed optimism that under Hamdok’s leadership, the transitional government will be able to “strengthen governance and the rule of law, uphold human rights, and set the country on a path towards economic recovery”.

 Guterres also called for supportive measures from the international community to aid Sudan’s progress: removing Sudan’s designation by some nations as a sponsor of terrorism, lifting economic sanctions, and mobilizing massive financial support for development, to make the current political gains durable.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Darfur Victims Allege BNP Paribas Helped Prop Up Sudan’s Regime

27/9/19: Multiple sources - Darfur Victims Allege BNP Paribas Helped Prop Up Sudan’s Regime

 Human-rights groups representing survivors of the Darfur genocide filed a criminal complaint against BNP Paribas, alleging the French bank provided financial services to Sudan that propped up its regime between 2002 and 2008.

 “BNP allowed the government to function, pay its staff, military and security forces, make purchases abroad, all while Sudan was a pariah on the international scene for planning and committing crimes in Darfur,” said Patrick Baudouin, a lawyer for the International Federation of Human Rights.

 In 2015, BNP Paribas pled guilty to violating sanctions against Sudan, using regional banks to process over $20 billion in financial transactions linked to companies and government agencies in Sudan. Although prosecutors said BNP essentially acted as the “Central Bank of Sudan in dollar transactions” Sudanese victims are yet to receive any damages.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - After U.S. talks, Sudan sees path to lifting sanctions soon

27/8/19: Reuters - After U.S. talks, Sudan sees path to lifting sanctions soon, by John Irish

 Reuters reports that Sudan’s prime minister Abdalla Hamdok said he has held useful talks with US officials at the UN General Assembly, expressing hope that Sudan will be removed from the US State Sponsor of Terrorism list “very soon.”

 However, an anonymous European diplomat told Reuters that: “I don’t think the Americans are ready [to delist Sudan] yet. They still think that today’s Sudan must pay for the crimes of yesterday’s Sudan when it comes to legal cases out there related to the terrorist attacks in Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.”

 The diplomat added that “It’s very hard on the Sudanese, so the key is finding a formula to resolve this…If we can unlock that, then it will open the door for the whole (transitional) process.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune – Sudan’s Hamdok, U.S. Mandelker discuss combating terrorism financing

27/9/19: Sudan Tribune – Sudan’s Hamdok, U.S. Mandelker discuss combating terrorism financing

 Sudan Tribune reports that Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok discussed with the U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker ways for cooperation and coordination in fighting terrorism financing.

 Hamdok and Mandelker held their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings at in its 74th session in New York.

 Seth Unger, spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury Department, told Sudan Tribune that the "treasury looks forward to working with Sudan on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing and will also work with Sudan on accountability for human rights abuses and corruption"

 Unger also contradicted Sudan’s official news agency’s report that Mandelker made promises relating to removing Sudan from the State Sponsor of Terrorism, adding that the issue of delisting Sudan is a US State Department authority.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Sudan’s National Human Rights Commission: junta played no role in June 3 massacre

27/9/19: Radio Dabanga – Sudan’s National Human Rights Commission: junta played no role in June 3 massacre

 Radio Dabanga reports that the Sudanese National Human Rights Commission published a report on the June 3 massacre which denied the junta’s role.

 The Association of Families of December Revolution Victims firmly rejected the report. Mohamed Badr, the father of Saeed Mohamed who was killed in the massacre, accused the commission of being part of Omar Al Bashir’s regime.

 Abubakr El Imam, father of Abdelazim Abubakr who was also killed in the massacre said the same. He added that the army’s denial of access to its command during the attack is evidence that it was planned.

 The Association of Families of December Revolution Victims also expressed reservations about the representation of the Ministries of Defence and Interior in the independent commission of inquiry on the June 3 massacre announced by the Prime Minister.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Sudan moves to close border with Libya and Central African Republic

27/9/19: Sudan Tribune - Sudan moves to close border with Libya and Central African Republic

 Sudan Tribune reports that Sudan’s Sovereign Council called for the immediate closure of borders with Libya and the Central African Republic, to avoid security and economic dangers.

 Sudan’s border with Libya and the Central African Republic has seen human and arms trafficking.

 Member and spokesman of the Sovereign Council Mohamed al-Faki told the Sudan Tribune that more than 100.000 vehicles had been illegally entered into the country in the past period, which poses a security threat to the country.

 Al Faki said that security agencies were directed to fight against drugs and resolve the security chaos by working jointly with the local South Darfur government to collect illicit arms.