♦ Sudan: This week’s news in brief ♦

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

‘Historic agreement’ signed by Sudan govt, armed groups in Juba

September 1 – 2020 JUBA The Sudanese government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front rebel alliance initialled a comprehensive peace agreement in the South Sudan capital of Juba yesterday. The agreement includes eight protocols for the five tracks (Darfur, the Two Areas, central Sudan, eastern Sudan, and northern Sudan) that have been the subject of a year’s intensive negotiations.

The accord heralds the start of a transitional period of three years, effective from the date of the signing of the peace agreement. Three new seats on the Sovereign Council will be filled by representatives of the peace signatories, who will also be allocated five ministerial portfolios according to the procedure stipulated in the Constitutional Document (signed in August 2019), equivalent to 25 per cent of the Council of Ministers.

The two parties agreed that the signatories of the peace agreement will be represented in the Transitional Legislative Council by 25 per cent which equates to 75 of the 300 seats.
A federal regional system of government will be re-established in Sudan. The transitional government will take the required legal measures within a period of 60 days from the date of signing the peace agreement.

Within this period, a national conference will be held to review the administrative division of regions, the various levels of government, structures, powers and competencies of governance.

Sudan declares State of Emergency as floods continue to ravage the country

September 5 – 2020 KHARTOUM / PORT SUDAN / SENNAR / KASSALA Sudan’s National Security and Defence Council has declared the country ‘a natural disaster area’ following flooding in 16 of the 18 states. Half a million people have lost their homes. More than 100 people have died. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has donated 100 tons of relief items to the victims.

The National Security and Defence Council, chaired by Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, President of the Sovereign Council, on Friday also imposed the State of Emergency throughout the country, for a period of three months.  

A high committee will be formed, headed by the Minister of Labour, to address the effects of the heavy rainfall and record high levels of the Nile waters this rainy season.

The announcement came after floods affected 16 states of Sudan, killing at least 101 people. More than 100,000 homes collapsed completely or partially. About half a million people have become homeless. In particular parts of eastern Sudan have been hit.

The level of the Nile in Khartoum has exceeded the levels recorded during the “national disaster years” of 1946 and 1988, and is expected to rise more.

Darfur sit-in dispersed, six injured
September 7 – 2020 DUMA / NYALA Six people were injured in Duma, South Darfur, when government forces violently dispersed a sit-in on Saturday. In the state capital Nyala, a group of gunmen raided the home of a young activist and injured his relatives.

Sudan’s restrictive media laws to be reviewed
September 4 – 2020 KHARTOUM Sudan’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Feisal Mohamed Saleh, has announced that the ministry is to start reviewing media legislation with the Faculty of Law of the University of Khartoum.

Sudan govt, SPLM-N El Hilu agreement in Addis Ababa – rebels to retain arms
September 4 – 2020 ADDIS ABABA Sudan’s transitional government signed a joint agreement* with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North faction under the leadership of Abdelaziz El Hilu (SPLM-N El Hilu).

Sudan pledges $750 million a year for peace and development in Darfur
September 3 – 2020 JUBA / KHARTOUM / DARFUR The Sudanese government and the armed movements have agreed to establish a Fund for Peace Support and Sustainable Development in Darfur within two months of the signing of the peace.

ACJPS: ‘Review cases handled by dismissed Sudan judges’
September 2 – 2020 NEW YORK The New York-based African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) said in a statement yesterday that all decisions taken by recently dismissed judges in Sudan must be reviewed.

Sudan to cooperate with ICC
September 2 – 2020 KHARTOUM Sudan will fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission and memorial sites will be set up. Imbalances in the civil service and the judiciary will be addressed.

Sudan and South Sudan to strengthen ties
September 2 – 2020 KHARTOUM / JUBA South Sudan’s successful mediation at the peace negotiations between Khartoum and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel alliance smoothened the path for more cooperation between Khartoum and Juba.

Youth launch clean-up campaign as life in Sudan’s Kassala ‘returns to normal’
September 1 – 2020 KASSALA The Kassala Youth Emergency Room, with support of the Kassala local authorities has, launched a clean-up campaign at the town’s market, especially the parts that were plundered and torched on Thursday and Friday.

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