♦ 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.

Three protesters killed in Khartoum as Marches of the Millions sweep Sudan

January 7 – 2022 SUDAN Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in Khartoum and other states in the January 6 Marches of the Millions, called for by the resistance committees active in many neighbourhoods in Sudan. The peaceful protesters chanted slogans and called for the overthrow of the military junta that took power in the October 25 coup. At least three protesters were reportedly killed in Khartoum.

To repress the demonstrations, the military authorities cut off internet services and phone networks in Khartoum. It also closed the main bridges with containers and the main streets with barbed wire whilst heavily deploying armed forces, police and security forces, and paramilitaries. The joint security forces confronted the peaceful demonstrators with excessive violence, heavy use of tear gas, and stun grenades, and they detained many. This excessive use of force led to at least three deaths and dozens of injuries amongst the protesters in greater Khartoum.

Sudan joint force to be trained in El Fasher, West Darfur fears new attacks

January 9 – 2022 EL FASHER / EL GENEINA A start has been made with the implementation of the Darfur security arrangements as stipulated in the October 2020 Juba Peace Agreement. As part of these arrangements, about 3,300 former rebel combatants and regular soldiers started a joint training at a new military training camp in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur. 

At the same time, large groups of militants are gathering again in areas north of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, where a car driver was shot dead last week. “More violent incidents are imminent,” civil society leader Hatem El Fadil said in an interview with Radio Dabanga. In November and December last year, large groups of militant Arab tribesmen attacked villages, towns, and camps in West Darfur, killing at least 200 people. In the year before, El Geneina and its surroundings were also repeatedly attacked by militant herders, resulting in many deaths.

Sudan farmer sit-ins ‘leave crops at mercy of authorities’
January 11 – 2022 SHERYAN EL SHIMAL, NORTHERN STATE The area of El Multaga, in the El Debba locality of Sheryan El Shimal in Sudan’s Northern State, linking Egypt and Sudan, has been closed for the second day in a row owing to protests by farmers against the surge in electricity costs.

Sudan’s Deputy Chief of Staff: Joint security force for Darfur ‘a first step’
January 11 – 2022 EL FASHER The procedures for implementing the security arrangements for the Darfur movements were launched at the former headquarters of the UNAMID mission in the North Darfur capital El Fasher.

Sudan opposition divided over UN initiative for dialogue
January 10 – 2022 KHARTOUM The United Nations initiative to facilitate an ‘intra-Sudanese process’ to end the current political impasse following the military coup d’état of October 25 has received mixed reactions from various political forces in the country.

Northern Sudan farmers protest electricity bills, block road to Egypt
January 10 – 2022 ED DEBBA / DONGOLA / EL GOLID In protest against an increase of the electricity tariffs in Northern State, activists and farmers in Ed Debba set up a sit-in and closed the Sheryan El Shimal highway to Egypt.

At least 62 Sudanese demonstrators killed since the October coup
January 9 – 2022 KHARTOUM / EL GEDAREF / EL OBEID The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reported the death of a 26-year-old demonstrator during Marches of the Millions in Khartoum on Sunday. Another young man, seriously injured during street protests on Thursday, died as well.

Committee works to ‘end political stalemate’ in Sudan
January 7 – 2022 KHARTOUM A committee made up of several university directors is working on integrating eight proposals presented by a wide selection of parties to come up with a unified, comprehensive initiative for a solution that will end the political stalemate following the October 25 military coup.

Meetings with Sudan’s leaders ‘to prevent Sudan descending into chaos’
January 6 – 2022 KHARTOUM The Permanent Representative of Norway and President of the UN Security Council for Sudan, Mona Juul, is holding a session to discuss the situation in Sudan. The news of these UN talks come at a time when US representatives have announced meetings of their own in Khartoum.

Troika, EU 'will not support unilaterally appointed Sudan govt'
January 5 – 2022 BRUSSELS / WASHINGTON / KHARTOUM In a joint press statement on Tuesday, the Sudan Troika (Norway, UK and USA) reacted to the resignation of PM Abdallah Hamdok by saying they will continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese. US officials also  condemned the violence used against protesters.

Excessive force against Sudan protesters and journalists continues
January 5 – 2022 KHARTOUM / PORT SUDAN Thousands of Sudanese took to the streets to protest against the rule of the military in the country two days after Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok announced his resignation and three protesters were killed in Khartoum. At least 70 people were injured during the January 4 Marches of the Millions.