SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources – Thousands in Sudan demonstrate in support of civilian rule

30/9/2021: Multiple sources – Thousands in Sudan demonstrate in support of civilian rule

• Reuters, by Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir

• AP, by Noha Elhennawy and Ashraf Idris

Sudanese security forces fired tear gas to break up a demonstration in Khartoum by an estimated 20,000 people in support of a civilian-led transition to democracy. Many protesters came from Atbara and Madani.

A crowd of thousands celebrated the arrival of the Madani train, chanting "the army is Sudan's army, not Burhan's army" - a reference to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of Sudan's military and its ruling sovereign council."

Civilian officials greeted the protesters. But security forces later fired volleys of tear gas to break up the gathering, a Reuters reporter said.

“The objective of these marches is to protect Sudan’s democratic transition and there is no way to achieve that without ending any partnership with the military council,” said a statement issued by the Sudanese Professionals Association.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - US envoy: Anti-democratic transition actions in Sudan put U.S. support at risk

30/9/2021: Multiple sources - US envoy: Anti-democratic transition actions in Sudan put U.S. support at risk

• Sudan Tribune

• Radio Dabanga

U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, warned that actions against the civilian-led government in Sudan will put US support at risk.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Abdallah, Feltman condemned the failed coup attempt, underscoring that such attempts might lead "the Congress to stop supporting Sudan," said Hamdok’s office.

"It is important for the two parties to realize that their cooperation is crucial for a smooth transition and for Sudan to maintain its place within the international system, which reached after hard efforts," said Feltman, according to the statement.

In December 2020, the US Congress passed the "Sudan Democratic Transition, Accountability, and Fiscal Transparency Act of 2020", which aims to tighten oversight of the Sudanese security and intelligence forces, including an assessment of the security sector reforms which should lead to militias’ merging with the regular army and strengthening civilian control of the military sector.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Washington Post - Seize this moment in Sudan

30/9/19: Washington Post - Seize this moment in Sudan, by Rebecca Hamilton

 Rebecca Hamilton, an associate professor at American University Washington College of Law, calls for the international community to “invest fully” in supporting Sudan’s civilian government until a complete democratic transition is guaranteed, noting that the structures that upheld Omar al-Bashir’s reign remain.

 Hamilton calls for the US to lead the way by removing Sudan’s state sponsor of terrorism designation, thereby enabling the lifting of sanctions and proving an economic lifeline for Hamdok’s government.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters - France offers a conference on Sudan's debt if U.S. lifts sanctions

30/9/19: Reuters - France offers a conference on Sudan's debt if U.S. lifts sanctions

 Reuters reports that French President Emmanuel Macron said that France will host a conference with Sudan’s international creditors to help Khartoum address debt issues as soon as the US removes the country from its state-sponsored terrorism list.

 Providing no time-frame, Macron said that the conference will depend on the timing upon which the sanctions are to be lifted.

 Macron said France had also planned for Hamdok to have a meeting in Paris on Sunday with one of Darfur’s rebel leaders, Abdel Wahid el-Nur.