Day: December 19, 2021

Huitfeldt emphasises that ahead of the third anniversary, “we continue to hold the security forces responsible to prevent violence against peaceful protesters and protect civilians across the country.

“We urge the military to rebuild confidence by reversing unilateral actions and appointments made after the coup. Accountability for violence against civilians and peaceful protesters will prove that the era of impunity is over.”

“Moving forward, transferring the Chair of the Sovereign Council to a civilian is key. Further, more transparency and oversight of the economy are needed. Such actions will also contribute to a conducive environment for a national dialogue, reconciliation, and transitional justice.

“We welcome renewed commitments to free and fair elections. This requires respecting freedom of speech and assembly, and respect for free and independent media. Organising the constitutional conference and establishing the election commission will be critical.

“In the current political process, a diverse set of voices should have a say, including Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), political stakeholders, civil society and resistance committees. Active participation of women is a prerequisite. This will strengthen legitimacy and build trust. We call upon political actors to engage in a constructive manner given the fragility of the situation.

“The risks of non-action are high, and time is of essence. Only with a legitimate government and legitimate institutions, the international community can fully reengage and support Sudan in the economic recovery that it so urgently needs.

“The deteriorating situation in Darfur and the political crisis in the East are very worrying. Fundamental change must benefit the whole population. The military-led Sovereign Council carries a heavy responsibility to protect civilians, prevent further escalations and find sustainable solutions for conflicts across the country. In an unstable region, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan remain of fundamental importance.

“Norway stands with the Sudanese people as they commemorate this monumental day and courageously continues to demand a civilian-led path towards democracy,” Minister Huitfeldt concludes.

Source: Radio Dabanga

An eminent group of US and international organisations and prominent individuals involved with the cause for Sudan’s democratic transformation, have addressed a joint open letter to US President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in anticipation of today’s Marches of the Millions, to mark the third anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Al Bashir dictatorship in 2019, asserting that “the USA has a critical role to play in supporting the aspirations of the Sudanese people”.

In the letter published on Friday, the signatories point out that “all eyes are on Sudan as massive peaceful protests are expected across the country on December 19”. It highlights that “the revolution is still underway as the people of Sudan continue the struggle for genuine freedom, peace, justice and democracy. The USA has a critical role to play in supporting the aspirations of the Sudanese people.”

The signatories recommend that the US “apply real pressure on Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to ensure the safety of the peaceful protestors”, and that the US should “issue statements and post messages on social media in advance of December 19 to convey that you are watching, you support the right to protest peacefully, and you will support consequences for those who impede the democratic process through violence, arrests or by any other means.”

They further recommend that the USA support legislation by Congress or issue an Executive Order that provides the necessary tools to impose consequences (targeted sanctions) on those in Sudan and in the region who impede the democratic process, commit atrocities or human rights abuses, or participate in and benefit from kleptocracy, and to engage with and build the capacity of Sudan’s Resistance Committees, the leaders of the peoples’ movement. The USA should also direct humanitarian or economic support through non-governmental channels until a legitimate civilian-led government is in place, the signatories say.

The letter also recommends that the USA should appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan, as “effective US engagement in Sudan requires fulltime, experienced, senior-level diplomatic engagement to support the people of Sudan as they address the crisis created by the coup and navigate a way forward to democratic transformation.”

Source: Radio Dabanga

Mass demonstrations are underway in the capital Khartoum, and cities across Sudan today, to mark the third anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Al Bashir dictatorship in 2019. Security forces have blocked several major roads leading the airport and the headquarters of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and closed the bridges that link Khartoum to Omdurman to the west, and Bahri to the north. Early reports indicate that tear gas has already been used to disperse demonstrators.

Today’s marches not only mark the anniversary of the revolution, but are also a continuation of the ongoing campaign of civil disobedience, organised by the Forces for Freedom and Chance (FFC) – the main drivers of the 2019 revolution – along with Sudan’s Resistance Committees, to express their rejection of the military coup d’état of October 25, and the subsequent political agreement, signed by coup leader Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan and Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

The protests in the capital are planned to converge on the Presidential Palace and the army headquarters in central Khartoum. There has been a strong deployment of regular army as well as paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in anticipation.

Initial posts on social media show large turnouts, which began with rallies last night, while many protestors have arrived in the capital in busses from other states including North Kordofan. A women’s demonstration is planned to take place in Khartoum to highlight women’s issues and the role of women in the resistance, and to reaffirm the need for their participation in future local and national governing structures. Women of the local community in Khartoum have organised to provide food and water for the demonstrators.

Demonstrations are also underway in Port Sudan in Red Sea state, Ed Daein in East Darfur, Dongola in the Northern State, and Atbara in River Nile state.

Preparation

In a message to the Sudanese public via WhatsApp yesterday, the Resistance Committees say they expect five million people to join the marches in all states of Sudan. The committees say that “more than 1,300 medical doctors are ready to do what is necessary” and that “all hospitals have offered to receive all cases”. They say that two million Sudanese flags and revolutionary banners have been provided, and photos of the martyrs distributed to all committees.

The committees point out that dozens of international news agencies will cover the demonstrations, and that “cameras have been put in specific places to monitor expected cases of shooting by snipers and other forces, to determine the identity of the shooters,” while “international and regional organisations will monitor any violations via satellite.”

The El Rabita Square in Shambat in Khartoum North, on Friday evening, turned into a state of chaos after unidentified persons threw tear gas canisters at a crowd for the first public gathering called by the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).

The FFC immediately accused elements it said were affiliated with the putschists and their affiliates for breaking up the symposium.

The FFC said in a statement late on Friday evening that these elements bombed the gathering with tear gas canisters, attacked it with knives, destroyed chairs and equipment, and attacked the media and the audience.

Witnesses from the gathering said that angry youths against FFC were probably the ones who launched the attack and thwarted the gathering, in which former Sovereignty Council member Mohamed El Faki, journalist Khaled Seleik and former rebel leader Yasir Arman were scheduled to speak.

In a statement on Friday evening, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the driving force behind the December 2018 uprising that led to the ousting of President Omar Al Bashir on April 11, 2019, condemned the targeting of public platforms and attempts to silence mouths and confiscate the rights of expression, assembly and organization from any party.

The SPA emphasised once again the failure of the November 21 agreement between El Burhan and Hamdok in all fields, and the continuation of the systematic violence from the coup security services.

The statement called on the regional and international community to realise “before it is too late” that the November 21 agreement will not lead to reforming the October 25 coup that aborted the civil democratic transition. “The violent stopping of the FFC gathering is only more evidence for this. A coup that cannot bear a public gathering will be unable to set up free and fair elections.”

Radio Dabanga will continue to provide updates as this story develops..

Source: Radio Dabanga