♦ Sudan: This week’s news in brief ♦

A compact digest of the past week's most-read highlights, from the heart of Sudan. Subscribe to receive this digest weekly in your inbox.

Another teenager killed by Sudan security forces in Marches of the Millions to 'restore teachers' dignity'

March 22 – 2022 KHARTOUM / OMDURMAN / EL FASHER / EL GEDAREF The joint security forces killed Babiker El Rasheed (17) by shooting him in the chest during the March 21 Marches of the Millions in Omdurman. The Marches were called to protest the military coup regime and to 'restore teachers' dignity' after weeks of teacher and student strikes. The joint forces heavily repressed the peaceful demonstrations and the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors recorded 173 injuries during the protests, including many gunshot wounds.

Sudanese teachers have been on strike for over a month over pay disputes and mistreatment by authorities. Students have been protesting against the deterioration of living conditions and the increase in the price of bread, and against the treatment of their teachers.

Hemeti visit prompts protests in Port Sudan

March 16 – 2022 PORT SUDAN On Tuesday, Port Sudan in Red Sea state witnessed demonstrations against the visit of Gen Mohamed ‘Hemeti’ Dagalo, Vice-Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The protesters blocked several streets with stones and tyres in central Port Sudan. Demonstrators told Radio Dabanga that the police used excessive violence against protesters around the university campus.

Workers at the sea ports in Red Sea state expressed their concerns about the privatisation of the Port Sudan port following the agreement between El Burhan and the Abu Dhabi’s heir apparent on partnership in the sea ports. Hemeti denied the signing of a privatisation agreement for the southern port with the United Arab Emirates and said that he came only to seek solutions for the issues and problems of the port.

Photojournalist covering yesterday's Marches of the Millions severely injured by Sudanese security forces
March 22 – 2022 KHARTOUM A photojournalist for Ayin Network was seriously wounded by live ammunition in the vicinity of the Republican Palace in central Khartoum during his coverage of the March 21 Marches of the Millions. Security forces shot him four times after which the journalist required emergency treatment in the hospital, but his condition is now stable.

Sudan doctors: 13-year-old protestor dead after shot to head
March 21 – 2022 OMDURMAN The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors announced the death of Ahmed Abdelhadi (13) after he was shot in the head by coup forces during Omdurman’s Marches of the Millions on March 17. Abdelhadi was admitted to the intensive care, where his condition continued to worsen over the following days.

US Dollar now costs SDG640 on Sudan streets
March 20 – 2022 KHARTOUM The price for a US dollar has continued to rise in banks and on the streets of Khartoum over the past week, with the value of the Sudanese Pound (SDG) in freefall against major international currencies.

Gold export: Bank of Sudan announces stiffer control measures
March 18 – 2022 KHARTOUM The Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) issued a new circular to banks and related authorities on Thursday, banning the export of gold by government agencies and foreigners, individuals, and companies, excluding concession companies operating in mining. The circular also limits the role of the Central Bank of Sudan to purchasing gold for the purpose of building reserves only.

Sudan witnesses surge in lawlessness, especially by 'men in uniform'
March 18 – 2022 KHARTOUM Khartoum and the states are witnessing a steady increase in lawlessness, which is represented in killings during armed robberies, robbing of people on the streets at gunpoint, and theft at medical institutions, shops, and homes. People in Khartoum reported that most of the perpetrators of lawlessness incidents wear military uniforms.

South Darfur Wali suspends schools amid student strikes
March 17 – 2022 NYALA / ATBARA / ED DAMAZIN / ED ROSEIRES / EL OBEID Basic and secondary school studies in South Darfur have been suspended indefinitely, due to student protests that have been taking place following an attack on teachers on Monday.

Teenage detainees on hunger strike in Sudan
March 16 – 2022 KHARTOUM Two young men who were arrested on charges of killing a police brigadier in Khartoum in January, have been on hunger strike since Monday, demanding that the Public Prosecutor investigate the charges.

Report of gang-rape after demo prompts anger across Sudan
March 16 – 2022 KHARTOUM / WAD MADANI Angry demonstrators took to the streets of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country on Tuesday, following the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman by members of the regular forces in the evening after the March 14 March of the Millions on Monday.

Recurring attacks in Jebel Moon leave 36 dead and over 150,000 families displaced
March 15 – 2022 JEBEL MOON / SIRBA / SELEIA / EL GENEINA The repeated attacks on villages around Jebel Moon in West Darfur during the past week has amounted to a death toll of 36 people and triggered a large number of people to be displaced in the region.

Sudan-wide anti-coup and bread demos
March 14 – 2022 ATBARA / DONGOLA / NYALA / KHARTOUM Protests were held in towns and cities across Sudan at the weekend to call for an end to the military junta and a return to civilian government. Protests also erupted as a result of soaring prices for bread and basic commodities, as the Sudanese economy falters in the run-up to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Emirates partnerships ‘to help develop Sudan’s economy’
March 14 – 2022 KHARTOUM An agreement designed to enable banks to perform their role in the development of Sudan’s economy, has been negotiated between Sudan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the private sectors, Sudan’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali El Sadig says.

UNITAMS and AU: Sudan may 'plunge into the abyss' if no solution is found soon
March 11 – 2022 KHARTOUM UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and the African Union announced that they will collaborate with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to support Sudan’s democratic transition. They warned that Sudan has little time left to find a solution to the current political process if it wishes to avoid more disastrous consequences.

Darfur's Jebel Moon under ‘siege’ as militiamen carry out systemic attacks
March 11 – 2022 SELEIA / KEREINIK At least 20 people were killed and dozens were wounded as a number of villages were burned in a renewed attack on villages near Seleia, the local capital of Jebel Moon locality in West Darfur. The former West Darfur wali explained that the events were part of a series of systemic attacks aimed at controlling resources.

Contested Sudan-South Sudan border area sees at least 27 deaths
March 10 – 2022 ABYEI [UPDATED] The Sudan-South Sudan disputed border area of Abyei, witnessed extremely bloody attacks by armed herdsmen that resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people and four injured on March 6.