♦ 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.

Sudanese 'currency unification' may increase stability yet also poverty
February 23 – 2021 KHARTOUM According to economist Hasan Bashir the new monetary measures issued by the Sudanese government to “unify the national currency” will stabilise the exchange rates. However, they may increase inflation and poverty as well.

The government devalued the Sudanese Pound (SDG) on Sunday with immediate effect. Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim said that adjusting the currency to the parallel market range will bring stability, stimulate remittances from Sudanese living abroad, and attract foreign investments. The decision will also make sure Sudan can be included in the Debt Relief Under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

Professor Bashir expressed his hope that the government will reach an agreement with international financial institutions that will bring about financial aid and broad-based loans.

Sudan to counter 'negative effects' of Ethiopia filling GERD
February 19 – 2021 KHARTOUM Meetings over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the tense relationship between Khartoum and Addis Ababa took place last week, in preparation for the expected filling of the dam by Ethiopia in July.

On Wednesday, Sudan’s GERD committee, headed by prime minister Abdallah Hamdok, discussed the necessary precautions to be taken when Ethiopia begins filling the dam, as it did last year. The members of the committee agreed that this event poses a direct threat to Sudanese national security.

Various Sudanese agencies and institutions must prepare for the negative effects on Sudan’s drinking water and irrigation systems, electricity networks along the Blue Nile and Nile rivers up to Atbara, if the dam is filled.

Fall in COVID-19 infections: Sudan’s health committee urges caution
February 22 – 2021 KHARTOUM Sudan’s Health Emergency Committee said yesterday that while there has been a slight decline in the registration of infections from COVID-19 “the seriousness of the pandemic is still present in the region”.
 
Elements of Sudan's former Al Bashir regime dismantled in El Gezira
February 21 – 2021 WAD MADANI The governor of El Gezira, Abdallah Idris, passed a series of resolutions against companies in the state on Friday, according to the recommendations of the Empowerment Elimination, Anti-Corruption, and Funds Recovery Committee.
 
Several 'thorny' issues resolved in Sudan's Kadugli
February 21 – 2021 KADUGLI Hamid El Bashir, the governor of South Kordofan has announced a conference for social peace with “all components of society” following violent events in the area of Kadugli over the past three months.
 
Sudan Liberation Movement discusses peace in Darfur
February 20 – 2021 KHARTOUM The commander of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Lt Gen Juma Hagar, met yesterday evening with the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Yasin Ibrahim, and the Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mohamed El Hussein, to discuss the Juba Peace Agreement.
 
West Darfur investment projects are ‘robbery’
February 19 – 2021 EL GENEINA The Displaced People Gathering of El Geneina for people from refugee camps in West Darfur announced its “categorical refusal to agree to any investment projects” before they can return to the homes they fled from last month.
 
UN appoints Deputy Special Representative for Sudan
February 19 – 2021 NEW YORK The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, appointed Khardiata Lo N’Diaye of Senegal as Deputy Special Representative, Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan yesterday.
 
Looters ‘level’ former UNAMID team site in North Darfur
February 18 – 2021 SARAF OMRA The former team site of the United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in Saraf Omra in North Darfur, earmarked for use as a vocational training centre, was reportedly ransacked on Wednesday.
 
Sudan summons its Ambassador to Ethiopia
February 18 – 2021 KHARTOUM Sudan summoned its ambassador to Ethiopia, Jamal El Sheikh, yesterday for a consultation on issues between Khartoum and Addis Ababa, including border demarcation matters.