♦ This week’s news in brief ♦

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

♦ Peace deal between SLM-AW defectors and Central Darfur

November 8 – 2016 ZALINGEI Rebel leaders who recently split from the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) signed a historic peace agreement for western Jebel Marra with the Governor of Central Darfur, Jaafar Abdel Hakam on Sunday. The peace signatories are prominent members of the SLM led by Abdel Wahid, including Mid El Amin Abdeljabbar El Tahir, known as Toro, the movement's field commander in western Jebel Marra. Another signatory is a respected founder, Abu Jamal Khalil Bakr. The military spokesman Shihabuldin Ahmed Hagar also signed the peace deal. In total, about 80 members of the holdout SLM-AW in Jebel Marra have signed the file in on Sunday. A celebration rally in Zalingei welcomed the defected rebel combatants. The negotiations lasted two days, just after the rebel leaders split from Abdel Wahid El Nur.

The contents have not been disclosed, but the agreement covers Koron area, south of Golo in western Jebel Marra. Koron is close to Sarrong, which witnessed heavy clashes before the Sudanese army captured it from the rebels in April.

Although the signatories do not represent the complete armed movement, El Amin Toro, Abu Jamal, and Hagar were all active members of the SLM-AW.

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♦ Overview: Sudan increases crackdown on protest, strike and press

November 7 – 2016 KHARTOUM / NYALA New economic measures of the Sudanese government that took effect on Friday have brought about huge price increases in fuel and electricity. Since last week, greater Khartoum is witnessing several intensive preparations by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in anticipation of mass protests.

• On Sunday, agents of Sudan’s NISS confiscated the print-runs of El Tayyar, El Jareeda, and El Watan newspapers. The editor-in-chief of El Jareeda attributed the move to the newspapers’ critical comments on the economic measures. The Sudanese Journalists Network holds the NISS accountable for most of the press freedom violations in the country.

• Multiple sources reported from various Sudanese towns last week that security forces are guarding roads and petrol stations in anticipation of popular protests. Fuel prices soared after the government liberalised the fuel market and increased the price for electricity on Friday. Sudan’s opposition parties have called on the people to stage mass protests. In response the security apparatus detained SCP leader Ibrahim El Sheikh on Tuesday, along with a prominent party member, days after the SCP’s deputy head and the deputy public relations officer were detained.

• Protests emerged nonetheless, and in the Sudanese capital, Nyala in South Darfur, and Atbara in the River Nile state, students took to the streets on Sunday and again on Monday to demonstrate against the price hikes. A demonstration by a large number of students of the University of Khartoum on Monday morning was dispersed by force and heavy tear gas.

• Also the suppression of the national strike in hospitals continues as the NISS has detained and summoned more than 62 doctors and medical specialists. Human rights organisation Amnesty International demands to know the whereabouts of ten of the detained doctors. “In total, 12 doctors are in detention now,” the doctors' union, initiator of the week-long nationwide strike, told Radio Dabanga on Monday. The NISS also summons dozens of doctors and specialists to appear at their office every day, from 8am to 10pm.

More highlights from Radio Dabanga:

US warns citizens about Sudan unrest

November 8 – 2016 KHARTOUM In a warning against possible protests and violence in Khartoum and Sudanese cities, the United States Embassy informed American citizens of the recent announcement of the liberalisation of the fuel market. The Embassy informs…

Migrants beaten for fingerprints in Italy, says Amnesty

November 5 – 2016 LONDON Migration policies in the European Union push authorities in Italy to alleged abuse and deportation of asylum seekers and migrants from Africa. Activists say that Sudanese migrants are often forced to give their fingerprints…

32 diarrhoea deaths in Sudan's El Gezira

November 4 – 2016 WAD MADANI The Sudanese Health Ministry reported the death of 32 people who were infected with acute watery diarrhoea in the state of El Gezira, following conflicting reports about the epidemic. The acting Minister of Health, Imadeldin El Jag…

‘20+ dead’ as Darfur bandits clash with Chadian pursuit posse

November 2 – 2016 JEBEL MOON At least 20 people are reportedly dead following clashes between Darfur bandits and a Chadian pursuit posse on Tuesday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that a gang of bandits crossed the…

Sudan’s oil production drops as price dips

November 2 – 2016 KHARTOUM The Sudanese Oil & Gas Minister has acknowledged that Sudan’s current oil production has dropped to between 95,000 to 100,000 barrels a day, in the wake of the falling global oil price. In a report by the Council of States on Monday…

This digest is an excerpt from the weekly Darfur & Sudan News Update. Subscribe to the newsletter here