Category: General

The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) has welcomed today’s announcement of the agreement between Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and leader of the military junta that seized power in a coup d’état on October 25, and Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, to reinstate the PM and return the country to democratic transition in terms of the Constitutional Document.

In a statement this afternoon, UNITAMS says it welcomes today’s initial announcement of an agreement to reach consensus on resolving the constitutional and political crisis that was threatening the stability o fSudan.

“We stress the need to protect the constitutional order to safeguard the basic freedoms of political action, freedom of speech, and peaceful assembly. The transition partners will need to urgently address unresolved issues to complete the political transition in an inclusive manner, with respect for human rights and the rule of law. We call on all parties to the political process in Sudan to include the voices of the youth to address the demands of the Sudanese people. Women’s meaningful participation and the advancement of their hard-earned rights and role in the democratic transition must be maintained,” the UNITAMS statement says.

“We deplore the loss of so many Sudanese lives over the last weeks and as per today’s agreement, we stress the need for transparent investigations and accountability to ensure justice for the lives of these victims. We also expect that all those arrested on or after 25 October will be released immediately as a first gesture to implement this agreement.”

UNITAMS says that “their concerns must be addressed in a way that guarantees the achievement of the goals of the Sudanese revolution: freedom, peace, and justice. We also urge all Sudanese stakeholders to engage constructively and in good faith to restore the constitutional order and transition.”

UNITAMS says that it :remains ready to provide the necessary support during the transition process towards the success of an inclusive transition and the realisation of the aspirations of the Sudanese people for peace, inclusive development, and democracy.”

Source: Radio Dabanga

The military junta under the leadership of Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, that seized power in Sudan in a coup d’état on October 25, plans to release all political detainees, and reinstate Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok to form an independent cabinet of technocrats, according to a deal brokered last night by mediators in Khartoum.

PM Hamdok, who has been under house arrest since the coup, arrived at the Presidential Palace this morning for a meeting coup leader, Gen El Burhan, and his deputy, Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemeti’. Meanwhile, mass public protests continue in the streets outside, as tens of thousands of people converged in ‘The Earthquake of the People’, called by opposition groups spearheaded by the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change, who were the main drivers of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Al Bashir dictatorship in 2019. The opposition forces have stated that they will not accept any deal with the military.

The march is again being met by tear gas from the security forces. At least 40 people have died since the coup occurred. The military have repeatedly responded with lethal force and fired on demonstrators with live ammunition – the latest casualty, a teenager who succumbed to a bullet wound to the head.

Speaking to reporters today, mediator Fadlallah Burma Nasir, who is head of the National Umma Party (NUP), confirmed that “a political agreement has been reached between Gen El Burhan, Abdalla Hamdok, political forces and civil society organisations for PM Hamdok’s return to his position, and the release of political detainees”.

An official announcement is expected this afternoon, following the meeting between Hamdok and El Burhan, however the outcome remains to be seen as the main opposition movements have stated that they “do not support any negotiations with the military”.

Source: Radio Dabanga

Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and leader of the military junta that seized power in a coup d’état on October 25, signed an agreement with Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum today, to reinstate the PM – who has been under house arrest since the coup – and return the country to democratic transition in terms of the Constitutional Document.

In speeches following the signing this afternoon, El Burhan and Hamdok both hailed the agreement as a major achievement, however the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change FFC – the main drivers of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Al Bashir dictatorship in 2019, and convenors of an ongoing campaign of civil disobedience and mass demonstrations since the coup – have rejected any deal, calling for the coup leaders to be put on trial for undermining the regime, and for crimes against peaceful demonstrators.

In separate statements, the major opposition National Umma Party, the Sudanese Congress Party, and the Federal Gathering, have all echoed the FFC and reiterated their rejection of any deal with the junta, calling for a complete return to civilian government, and condemning the putschists.

Today’s agreement provides for the Sovereignty Council to supervise the tasks of the transitional period, without direct interference in the executive work. It also stipulates that the Constitutional Document is the reference for completing the transitional phase, taking into account and addressing the situation in eastern Sudan.

Government of technocrats

The two parties agreed to amend the Constitutional Document to ensure comprehensive political participation. The agreement stipulated the formation of a “government of competencies,” and the declaration included that “the partnership between civilians and the military is the guarantor of the stability of Sudan, the enforcement of the partnership, and the formation of a civilian government with independent national competencies (technocrats), while ensuring the transfer of power to an elected civilian government at the end of the transitional period.

The agreement also stipulates the release of all political detainees, an investigation into the events that took place during the demonstrations, including injuries and deaths among civilians and soldiers, and to bringing those involved to justice.

The agreement included the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement and its entitlements and the joining of the non-signatories to peace, in addition to expediting the formation of the Legislative Council, the Constitutional Court, the Chief Justice and the Attorney General.

The two parties also agreed to restructure the Empowerment Removal Committee*, review its performance during the coming period, provide it with competencies, and activate the Appeals Committee. Working on building a unified national army, and agreeing on a broad and transparent dialogue between all forces for the establishment of the Constitutional Conference.

PM Abdallah Hamdok

Speaking at the signing ceremony, PM Hamdok described the agreement as “an achievement that is a result of the hard work of friends and brothers”. He said that “the signing of the agreement opens the door wide to address the issues of transition and its challenges”.

‘We can overcome challenges with a unified will’ – PM Abdallah Hamdok

Hamdok says he was guided by four issues to sign the agreement, which are saving the blood of the Sudanese, and providing the energies of youth, asserting that “the agreement helps to break the internal and external suffocation, and restores the path of transition to achieve democracy.” He says that the agreement provides the possibility of preserving the gains made during the past two years, including in peace and the economy. He also called for consensus on how to govern Sudan. “We can overcome challenges with a unified will,” he added.

Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan

Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan said following the signing that the agreement is “one of the lines of defence for the revolution,” and that the agreement “truly establishes the completion of the transitional period in a consensual manner, and a true partnership with all forces except the National Congress Party,” which was established by ousted dictator Omar Al Bashir and officially dissolved in November 2019(

El Burhan thanked Hamdok, saying that the PM “has remained in the place of our trust, appreciation and respect”, and acknowledging that Hamdok has been striving for a long time for rapprochement between the parties. He added, “He remained patient and steadfast, and the connection between us did not break.”

Demonstrations

Meanwhile, mass public protests continue in the streets outside the Presidential Palace, as tens of thousands of people converged in ‘The Earthquake of the People’, called by opposition groups spearheaded by the FFC.

Military forces fired tear gas heavily at one of the demonstrations heading to the palace, as participants chanted slogans rejecting any negotiation or partnership with the coup leaders.

The Central Council of the FFC announced in a statement that it is not concerned with any agreement with what it described as “the brute junta,” stressing that “there is no negotiation, no partnership, and no legitimacy for the putschists”. In a statement, the council stressed the need to bring the leaders of the coup to immediate trial for the crimes of undermining the regime, killing peaceful demonstrators, and enforced disappearances.

The council emphasised working by all peaceful means to overthrow the coup with all the forces of the revolution.

In a separate statements, the National Umma Party, the Sudanese Congress, and the Federal Gathering announced that they are not a party to any agreement between the military component and PM Hamdok.

El Watheg El Bereir, Secretary-General of the National Umma Party, stressed that the party rejects any political agreement that does not go into the roots of the crisis produced by the coup, including the killing of revolutionaries.

The Sudanese Congress Party announced that it would not participate in any negotiations to reach an agreement between the leaders of the coup and PM Hamdok, demanding that the coup plotters and perpetrators of violations be brought to justice.

The Federal Gathering affirmed its alignment with the street position and the escalation of the political struggle against the junta, until it hands over power to a purely civilian government.

* The full name of the committee is the Committee for Dismantling the June 30 1989 Regime, Removal of Empowerment and Corruption and Recovery of Public Funds. It was established by the government of Abdallah Hamdok in November 2019 with the aim to purge Sudan of the remnants of the ousted regime of dictator Omar Al Bashir (1989-2019). Empowerment (tamkin) is the term with which the Al Bashir government supported its affiliates by granting them far-going privileges, including government functions, the setting-up of various companies, and tax exemptions.

On September 26, security forces charged with the protection of the office building of the ERC and recovered assets were instructed to abandon their posts, leaving the office and assets vulnerable. To date it is unclear who was responsible for the orders. In social media, various Sudanese accused the military establishment to be behind the move. Last Thursday, thousands of people took part in demonstrations in support of the ERC and the democratic transition in the country. They denounced the tensions between the military and civilian components of the Sudanese government, and called for the establishment of a civilian government.

Source: Radio Dabanga

Sudan’s military commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and ousted Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Sunday signed a political agreement.

The new deal aims at restoring the transition to civilian rule nearly a month after a military takeover.

On October 25, General al-Burhan declared a state of emergency, dissolved the transitional government, and arrested the civilian leadership.

Hamdok was placed under house arrest when the military seized power. Sudan’s military lifted restrictions on his movement and removed the security forces that were stationed outside his home on Sunday morning.

The 14-point political agreement, signed in the presidential palace in Khartoum, also provides for the release of all political prisoners detained during the coup and stipulates that a 2019 constitutional declaration be the basis for a political transition, according to details read out on state TV.

The agreement has stipulated that Mr. Hamdok will form an independent cabinet of technocrats. It also enabled Abdalla Hamdok to be reinstated as prime minister.

“I should begin by saying that our country is guarded and preserved by God Almighty and whatever we reach at dead end, my fellow Sudanese people are capable of restoring our country back on course,” Hamdok said.

“When I then accepted the designation as an interim prime minister, I realized that the road was not strewn with roses, it would be a daunting task, fraught by risks and dangers. However, by joining hands, we can all prevent our country from plunging into the unknown. We should all come together to let the people decide who will take and hold the reigns of power,” he added.

According to Hamdok, the political agreement will open doors to address all the pending issues of the transitional period over the past two years.

Despite the news of Hamdok’s reinstatement, huge demonstrations erupted in many parts of the capital Khartoum with demonstrators denouncing military rule.

Source: Radio Tamazuj

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday warned a shadowy Russian company with connections to the Kremlin not to interfere in efforts aimed at restoring democracy in the West African nation of Mali.

As he wrapped up a weeklong, three-nation tour of Africa that was dominated by crises across the continent, Blinken said it would be “unfortunate” if the Wagner Group became active in Mali, where there are internationally backed plans to have a democratically elected government in place by April.

Mali “remains a linchpin for future stability in the Sahel, and we have deep concerns about that stability and deep concerns about the extremism and terrorism that is spreading tentacles in the region,” Blinken said at news conference with Senegal’s foreign minister, Aissata Tall Sall. West Africa’s Sahel region is the vast area south of the Sahara Desert where extremist groups are fighting for control.

“It would be especially unfortunate if outside actors engage in making things even more difficult and more complicated,” Blinken said. He said he was speaking particularly of the Wagner Group, which has deployed mercenaries to Syria, the Central African Republic and Libya, drawing protests from the West and others.

The Wagner Group, owned by a confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been accused by Western governments and U.N. experts of human rights abuses in the Central African Republic and involvement in the conflict in Libya.

France and Germany have objected to the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Mali, and the European Union said this past week that it would consider sanctions against anyone interfering in Mali’s democratic transition.

Russia defends company

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the company has a legitimate right to be in Mali because it was invited by the transitional government, and he has insisted the Russian government is not involved.

Blinken, who has also been pressing while in Africa for an end to crises in Ethiopia and Sudan, said the United States was ready to restore aid to Mali that was suspended after a military coup.

“This is ultimately about the people of Mali and their aspirations for peace, their aspirations for development and respect for human rights,” he said. “We look forward to taking the next steps to resume the full array of assistance as soon as the democratically elected government has taken office.”

Mali has struggled to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency since 2012. Extremist rebels were forced from power in Mali’s northern cities with the help of a French-led military operation, but they regrouped in the desert and began launching attacks on the Malian army and its allies.

In June, Col. Assimi Goita was sworn in as president of a transitional government after carrying out his second coup in nine months. Mali faces increasing international isolation over the junta’s power grab. Elections are scheduled for February, but the EU fears they will be delayed.

Security issues

In his meetings in Senegal, Blinken addressed security issues, particularly a rise in jihadi violence across the Sahel and increasing authoritarianism that many believe is fueling extremism.

Senegal is a key partner in the fight against extremism and last year it hosted the U.S. military’s annual counterterrorism exercise, Flintlock.

One area where Foreign Minister Sall may seek U.S. help is with increased security measures along the country’s borders with Mali and Mauritania, where several counterterrorism operations have taken place in recent years.

Source: Voice of America

Authorities in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Thursday restored internet services after a shutdown was imposed nearly a month ago after a military coup.

However, social media platforms remain blocked.

The move came after a Khartoum District Court, headed by Judge Tariq Abdulatif, ruled that internet access be immediately restored, with compensation being paid to those affected.

On Thursday, the judiciary ordered the detention of the directors of telecommunications companies and placed them under guard.

Some citizens in Khartoum told Radio Tamazuj that they endured losses since the internet services were shut down on 25 October following the military takeover.

Sudanese political activist, Asrar Kabeer, said the internet outage has caused losses, as it is associated with many businesses that constitute a source of livelihood for many citizens.

“The internet has been restored but in most cases, the signal is so weak with restrictions on social media accounts,” Kabeer said.

Osman Ali, who works as a taxi driver in Khartoum, said during the internet shutdown, many customers could no longer request a ride.

“We lost a lot, especially those of us who depend on taxi applications such as Tirhal,” Alid lamented.

He said many families were unable to communicate with their loved ones outside the country.

Mohammed Abdallah stated that internet service is a constitutional right and not a gift from anyone and that restoring the service is necessary because the service is linked to the lives of citizens.

South Sudanese citizen, Moses Sebit who resides in Khartoum, expressed happiness with the partial return of the internet and considered it a good step, and said that the Internet is akin to life in the twenty-first century.

“I hope the internet will be restored in its full capacity so that people can be updated about what is going on in the country,” Sebit said.

Source: Radio Tamazuj