♦ This week’s news in brief ♦

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

♦ Sudan's PM Hamdok makes 'historic visit' to rebel-held zone

January 9 – 2020 KAUDA Sudan's Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok today visited Kauda, stronghold of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North faction led by Abdelaziz El Hilu (SPLM-N El Hilu).

The visit is historic as it has been a no-go area for Sudanese government officials since the war broke out in South Kordofan in 2011, making this the first official visit in eight years.

Addressing a mass rally in Kauda, Hamdok called on all members of the rebel movement to join the peace process "so that all the people of Sudan get engaged in the building of the new Sudan. Peace is coming soon".

He pointed out that the government's vision for peace is based on five main pillars: Marginalisation and unbalanced development, balanced external relations and combating corruption, the form of rule including the relation between religion and the state plus security arrangements and the building of a national army, humanitarian issues, and the revision of laws and addressing the issues of compensations and the transitional justice.

The speech of Abdelaziz El Hilu affirmed a real desire for peace. He called on the government to shoulder its responsibility and face the challenges.

In a statement later on Thursday, the Sudan Troika (UK, USA, and Norway) commended Hamdok and El Hilu for their historic meeting in Kauda.

♦  Sudan charges Al Bashir's brothers, Islamist cleric for ill-gotten gains

January 11 – 2020 KHARTOUM The prosecutor of Sudan's Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism-Financing Department issued arrest warrants against two brothers of ousted dictator Omar Al Bashir and prominent Islamist cleric Abdelhay Yousef on charges related to terrorism.

On Thursday, prosecutor Ahmed Suliman confiscated El Nour Islamic Complex in Khartoum North. The complex was built by ousted President Al Bashir.

The prosecutor issued an arrest warrant against Imam Abdelhay Yousef on charges of dealing with terrorism. Yousef reportedly travelled abroad.

Arrest warrants were as well issued against Ali Al Bashir and Mohamed Al Bashir, both brothers of the former dictator, for charges related to the unlawful acquisition of lands in Khartoum North and in Ed Damazin, capital of Blue Nile state.

Radio Dabanga reported in late December 2019 that an arrest warrant was issued for Yousef, based on a complaint against him filed by Sudan's Minister of Youth and Sports concerning defamation of character and abuse.
 

More news from Radio Dabanga:

Security fighters mutiny in Sudan
January 14 – 2020 KHARTOUM (UPDATED] Combatants of the General Intelligence Service (GIS) Operations Authority fired heavy gunfire in the air in Khartoum and El Obeid today, …

Sudan govt to seize Koran Association’s gold mine
January 13 – 2020 KHARTOUM The recently dissolved Holy Koran Association owns a gold mine in River Nile state, investigations into organisations and institutions set up by the …

Sudan PM: 'Our partnership with the military is unique'
January 11 – 2020 KHARTOUM Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok has reiterated the importance of structural reform concerning all security services. He has also expressed …

Sudanese, foreign aid reaches new displaced in West Darfur
January 10 – 2020 EL GENEINA / KHARTOUM Sudanese in various parts of the country have launched support campaigns in solidarity with the people affected by the …

Sudan's Red Sea state communities promote social security
January 10 – 2020 SUAKIN / PORT SUDAN People in Red Sea state's Suakin have agreed to promote peaceful coexistence in the area. On Wednesday, five people …

Sudan A-G's investigation of El Geneina violence underway
January 9 – 2020 KHARTOUM / EL GENEINA Sudan's Minister of Culture and Information said that the committee formed by the Attorney General to investigate on …

High Committee: 'West Darfur crisis not tribal'
January 9 – 2020 EL GENEINA / KHARTOUM The High Committee for Managing the West Darfur Crisis which began on December 28, 2019 around El Geneina, …

Sudan's Anti-Corruption Committee suspends media outlets
January 8 – 2020 KHARTOUM On Tuesday, the Sudanese Anti-Corruption Committee announced the suspension of two satellite channels and two newspapers for investigation. A…

355 Sudanese refugees arrested in Niger as camp destroyed by fire
January 8 – 2020 AGADEZ At least 355 Sudanese refugees have been arrested in Niger, accused of being the 'ringleaders' of events that led to the destruction of most of the refugee …

This digest is an excerpt from the weekly Sudan News Update. Subscribe here to receive the newsletter directly in your inbox.

Help us deliver free information at a time when press freedom is especially under threat in Sudan. Our editorial independence means that we can continue to provide factual updates about ongoing protests to Sudanese and international actors, educate people about how to avoid outbreaks of cholera, and provide a window to the world for those in all corners of Sudan. Support Radio Dabanga for as little as €2.50, the equivalent of a cup of coffee.