♦ This week’s news in brief ♦

July 11 – 2019 KHARTOUM Sudanese activists have begun to publish hundreds of videos picturing the violence which took place against protesters during the authorities’ violent dismantling of the sit-in in front of the army command in Khartoum on June 3.

The images and videos posted after the return of the internet services in Sudan on July 9 reveal abuses by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) such as sexual harassment, beatings with batons, as well as firing live ammunition and torching tents. The footage also show bodies found in the Nile after being thrown-in by troops who participated in dismantling the sit-in.

Many of the videos were recorded by paramilitaries of the RSF who participated in the violent dismantling of the sit-in, during which more than 100 protesters were killed.

According to the head of the Legal Doctors Syndicate, 10 women and two young men were raped. He also reported that the syndicate suffered financial losses of billions of Pounds in the events of the sit-in, as a result of the burning of 10 tents used as clinics inside the sit-in headquarters, the destruction of medicines and medical devices, in addition to more than 20 latrines.

On July 9, Sudan emerged from a shut-down of the internet – ordered by the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) on June 10, citing reasons of ‘national security’.

♦ No final agreement yet between Sudan junta and opposition

July 15 – 2019 KHARTOUM Differences of opinion between Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) have made it impossible to reach a written agreement on power-sharing during the agreed transitional period of three years. It is not clear when the document will be signed.

Among the main points of disagreement are the “absolute immunity” that the TMC wants to be granted to the members of the junta throughout the transitional period, the status of the Rapid Support Forces, Sudan’s main militia, and its annexation or integration into the army, the powers of the Sovereign Council, and an independent investigation into the violent dismantling of the sit-in in Khartoum on June 3, to be supervised by the African Union.

Activist Badreldin Hussein told this station that the FFC in Atbara, where the uprising started, held a series of rallies recently. It became clear that the people of Atbara do not want the FFC to give up on what was previously agreed. This includes not granting immunity to the junta or to anybody else responsible for the killing of protesters during the uprising.

The street demands the full implementation of the Declaration for Freedom and Change, Hussein said.

♦ Hemeti: Arrests for June 3 Khartoum massacre

July 9 – 2019 KHARTOUM The deputy chairman of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemeti’, has acknowledged the occurrence of “chaos” after the violent dismantling of the sit-in in front of the army command in Khartoum on June 3, which left more than 100 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

“We have a lot to disclose after the announcement of the results of the commission of inquiry,” Hemeti, also the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, said in a press conference this week.

He pledged to hold accountable those of the RSF militia who prove involvement in the abuses against the demonstrators and explained that the purpose of the rumours spread about the abuses of the RSF during the attacks on the sit-in is to "take them out of the scene."

TMC Chairman Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan stressed that no orders were issued by any member of the military junta to dismantle the Khartoum sit-in at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

More news from Radio Dabanga:

Junta wants Sudan internet cut off again
July 15 – 2019 KHARTOUM The Transitional Military Council (TMC) filed appeal against the recent court decision to restore internet services in Sudan after a shut-down of one month …

Sudanese opposition has many objections to draft Constitutional Declaration
July 15 – 2019 KHARTOUM The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) have many comments on and objections to the draft text of the Constitutional Declaration that was handed over on Friday …

Demonstrations commemorate dismantling of Khartoum sit-in
July 15 – 2019 KHARTOUM / EL SOUKI / PORT SUDAN / EL GEDAREF Thousands of Sudanese took part in demonstrations in Khartoum and several state capitals on Saturday to …

Sudan military: ‘Arrests after foiled coup attempt’
July 12 – 2019 KHARTOUM Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) claims that it foiled an attempted coup d'état in Khartoum on Thursday. Several alleged conspirators have been …

Sudan’s junta heads receive EU envoy in Khartoum
July 12 – 2019 KHARTOUM Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto landed in Khartoum yesterday for a one-day visit to meet with various Sudanese and international stakeholders on …

High fuel prices, lack of water threaten Sudan agriculture
July 12 – 2019 KASSALA / EL GEZIRA / SOUTH KORDOFAN / NORTHERN STATE In several parts of Sudan, farmers complain of high fuel prices, high costs of agricultural production …

Darfur displaced reject opposition – junta agreement
July 12 – 2019 KALMA The Darfur Displaced General Coordination (DDGC) rejects the agreement reached between the Alliance for Freedom and Change and the Transitional Military Council. …

Devastating North Darfur deluge leaves thousands destitute
July 11 – 2019 EL KUMA Extreme rains followed by flash floods have destroyed thousands of homes and shelters in El Kuma in North Darfur, leaving more than 4,000 families destitute. …

Columnist faces Khartoum court
July 10 – 2019 KHARTOUM On Tuesday, journalist Suheir Abdelrahim appeared before a court in Khartoum because of a column in El Intibaha newspaper entitled What to write. …

Sudanese opposition heads meet UN Human Rights Council
July 10 – 2019 GENEVA A delegation of Sudanese opposition leaders attended the interactive dialogue session on Sudan at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council …

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