♦ Sudan: This week’s news in brief ♦

A compact weekly digest of Dabanga Sudan's news highlights from Darfur and Sudan

♦  Inflation surges in Sudan, more than 9.6 million people food insecure

July 17 – 2020 KHARTOUM Sudan’s annual inflation rate surged to 136.36 per cent in June, compared to 114.33 in May, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported on Tuesday. Almost a quarter of the Sudanese population is severely food insecure.

The Central Bureau of Statistics attributed the rise to the increase in the prices of all components of the Food and Beverages group, the Transportation and Fuel group and the Housing group.

More than 9.6 million people are in need of urgent assistance, the latest International Food Security Phase Classification (ICP) report stated.

Almost all 18 Sudanese states registered dramatically increased gaps in food consumption compared with 2019. The situation is especially concerning in North Kordofan and El Gezira.

According to IPC, increased and protracted displacement, the ongoing economic crisis and high inflation that result in significant food price hikes, exacerbated by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, are the main causes of the food insecurity in Sudan.

The UN and partners provided relief food assistance to approximately 2.3 million people in the first quarter of 2020. The 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan however received only 40 per cent of the 1.4 billion required.

♦  Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Sudan rejects ‘unilateral actions’

July 16 – 2020 KHARTOUM Tensions are rising between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan following the publication of satellite images that show the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile filling with rainwater.

Ethiopia however insists that the water that is to be seen from the satellite images has accumulated naturally during the rainy season, and denies that the dam’s sluice gates have been closed.

As reported by Radio Dabanga on Tuesday, the last round of negotiations between Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt on the GERD, which began on July 3 under the supervision of the African Union concluded without an agreement.

In reaction to the latest reports, underpinned by pictures of the swelling reservoir, Sudan’s Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources issued a press statement last night reiterating its “firm rejection of any unilateral actions taken by any party”.

Khartoum stressed its commitment to the AU-sponsored negotiations seeking a conciliatory solution accepted by the three countries and rejecting any unilateral procedures concerning the safety of operating the Roseires Dam which neighbours the GERD.

Several issues still cause dissension, especially between Egypt, that relies on the Nile for more than 90 per cent of its water, and Ethiopia, which wants to extend its poorly developed power grid.

More news from Radio Dabanga

Sudan capital witnesses limited protests against law amendments

July 19 – 2020 KHARTOUM Limited demonstrations took place in Khartoum after the Friday prayers, in protest against amendments of the Sudanese Penal Code, which according to them violate the Sharia (Islamic law). A delegation …

Covid-19 spreading in northern Sudan

July 17 – 2020 DONGOLA / KHARTOUM Sudan’s Northern State witnessed a significant increase in coronavirus cases the past two weeks. As of July 11, 10,527 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the country. The number of …

Eastern Sudan farmers injured in dispute with army over land

July 17 – 2020 EL FASHAGA Five farmers were wounded in a conflict with Sudanese army soldiers over land in El Fashaga in eastern Sudan’s El Gedaref on Wednesday. The El Gedaref Rescue Initiative demands retribution …

Sudan campaign demands women governors

July 16 – 2020 KHARTOUM Women groups in Sudan have launched the campaign No Excuse – We Want Our Full Rights to involve more women in government positions, especially at the level of state governors. In a press …

Nierteti sit-in lifted, other protest vigils continue in Sudan

July 16 – 2020 ED DAEIN / AMRI / NIERTETI / KHARTOUM While the protesters of the sit-in of Nierteti in Central Darfur decided to stop their protest, sit-ins calling for security, justice, and improved services are still ongoing in …

Signing of Sudan peace agreement postponed

July 15 – 2020 KHARTOUM The head of the South Sudanese mediation team, Dhieu Mathok announced that the signing of the final peace agreement by the government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel alliance …

Unisfa staff member killed in southern Sudan

July 15 – 2020 KADUGLI (UPDATED) A Sudanese civilian working for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Unisfa) was shot dead in Sudan’s Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan, on Monday. Witnesses in Kadugli …

Demo in The Hague condemns Dutch decision to deport Sudanese refugees

July 14 – 2020 THE HAGUE A substantial number of Sudanese asylum seekers, expats, and supporters gathered for a demonstration in the Dutch city of The Hague this morning, to protest a decision by the Dutch Immigration and …

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