Al Jazeera says its chief in Sudan taken to prison

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor:  This site, hosted by Google, has been inaccessible intermittently since last Friday. Here below are the messages on three error pages I saw while trying to visit the site. The site's statistics show that it has not received any visitors located in Sudan since the coup.

Also, here below is a report saying Sudanese security forces went to the home of Sudanese national Al-Musalami al-Kabbashi, the bureau chief of Qatari-based Al Jazeera TV, last Sunday (14 Nov) where they arrested him and took him to prison, the latest in hundreds of arrests since a military coup three weeks ago. The report says Al Jazeera has given prominent coverage to the recent protests (8 were killed last weekend bringing the total to 23) and aired a detailed interview with the coup leader Gen. Al-Burhan.

Here is a link to a 25-minute interview by Talk To Al Jazeera aired on 9 Nov 2021 entitled Al-Burhan: 'I will have no political role' after power handover:  https://www.aljazeera.com/program/talk-to-al-jazeera/2021/11/9/burhan-i-will-have-no-political-role-after-power-handover

- - -

Sudan Watch on November 12, 13, 14

This site can’t be reached

The web page at https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/ might be temporarily down or it may have moved permanently to a new web address.

ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR

- - -

This site can’t provide a secure connection

sudanwatch.blogspot.com uses an unsupported protocol.

ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH

Hide details

Unsupported protocol

The client and server don't support a common SSL protocol version or cipher suite.

- - -

http://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/

not secure

Warning: you could be getting scammed!

Suspected unsafe site: URL of website

This website could be trying to steal your information, install a virus or gain access to your device.

What to do next

We recommend you don't visit the website. If you've been directed to this page by an unexpected caller, it is almost certainly a scam. Please hang up and report the call on www.bt.com/scams.

___________________________________________________

Here is a copy of a news report by Agence France-Press (AFP)

Dated Monday, 15 November 2021, 7:11 pm·

Al Jazeera says its chief in Sudan taken to prison

Sudanese security forces have taken the bureau chief of Qatari-based Al Jazeera TV to prison even though the prosecution ordered him freed, the broadcaster said Monday.

Al Jazeera journalist Al-Musalami al-Kabbashi, a Sudanese national, was arrested from his home on Sunday, the latest in hundreds of arrests since a military coup three weeks ago.

Sudan's top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 25 declared a state of emergency, ousted the government and detained the civilian leadership.

The army's power grab has derailed a transition to full civilian rule, sparked international condemnation and provoked regular protests.

Burhan insists the military's move on October 25 "was not a coup" but a push to "rectify the course of the transition".

Al Jazeera, which said it "holds the Sudanese military authority responsible for the safety of all its employees", denounced the detention of Kabbashi, saying that "the prosecution had ordered his release".

Al Jazeera has given prominent coverage to the recent demonstrations, but has also aired a detailed interview with Burhan.

Other media outlets besides Al Jazeera have also been targeted. Before the coup, Sudan was already ranked 159 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index by the NGO Reporters Without Borders.

It's not the first time judicial decisions have been disregarded by the coup authorities.

Sudan has continued to remain largely offline even after a court ruled last week that internet services be restored. Judges also ordered the release of detainees arrested during nationwide anti-coup rallies on Saturday but "police took them to an unknown location," a lawyer, Enaam Attik, told AFP.

Earlier on Monday, medics said the death toll from the weekend protests had risen to eight, bringing the total number killed since last month's military takeover to 23.

The union named all eight people killed, including a 13-year-old girl who it said had suffered "a shot to the head outside her home".

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee is in Sudan until Tuesday seeking "release from detention of Sudanese political and civilian leaders, the return of Prime Minister Hamdok to office, and the restoration of a civilian-led transitional government."

Sudan has a long history of military coups, enjoying only rare interludes of democratic rule since independence in 1956.

bur/sbh/pjm/it

View original: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/al-jazeera-says-chief-sudan-191153317.html

Sudanese scholar declines junta's offer to be PM

Report by Sudan Tribune.com

Published Saturday November 13, 2021

Sudanese scholar declines military's offer to be prime minister

Friday November 12, 2021 (Khartoum) – A Sudanese scholar declined an offer by the coup leaders to be appointed as prime minister tasked with the formation of a new transitional cabinet.

In statements to Aljazeera TV on Friday, Hunud Abia Kadouf confirmed reports that the Sudanese military leaders had proposed to him to form a new cabinet but he declined the offer.

Kadouf was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the International University of Africa in Khartoum by the minister of higher education on November 7, 2020.

Previously, he was the Dean of the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Kadouf was born in 1944 in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan state.

After the military coup of 25 October, al-Burhan said he would appoint a technocrat prime minister who would lead a cabinet including apolitical ministers representing the 18 Sudanese states.

The coup leader said committed to the constitutional document concluded with the Forces for Freedom and Change in August 2019.

However, he unilaterally appointed a new Sovereign Council on the 11th of November and maintained the representatives of the military component and the former rebel groups who joined the collegial presidency according to the Juba peace agreement. (ST)

View original: https://sudantribune.com/article222859/

Lives lost during anti-coup protests in Sudan 13 Nov

Deeply concerned by the loss of life and injuries during today’s protests in Sudan. We continue to stand with those seeking restoration of the country’s transition to democracy. https://t.co/DlNf4objk1

— Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) November 13, 2021

VIDEO: Saudi FM about political situation in Sudan

The #Saudi🇸🇦 FM @FaisalbinFarhan about the political situation in #Sudan🇸🇩: pic.twitter.com/CeVqCb17CE

— Salman Al-Ansari (@Salansar1) November 13, 2021

PHOTOS: Sudan coup leader Burhan sworn in

THIS tweet is by Wasil Ali, formerly deputy editor in chief of @SudanTribune_EN [ https://twitter.com/SudanTribune_EN ].

#SudanCoup leader @aftaburhan being sworn in again as chair of reinstated @TSC_SUDAN before a shabby dressed acting chief justice (whom I had no idea existed). As he read the oath you could tell by the voice & face expression that Burhan hasn't been getting alot of sleep lately pic.twitter.com/9NtQZ5XzUU

— Wasil Ali - واصل علي (@wasilalitaha) November 12, 2021

Sudan transition to democracy is in real danger

#NorwayUNSC remains deeply concerned about developments in #Sudan

The transition to democracy is in real danger. Yet it is not too late for action - if we stay united & send consistent messages

All those detained since 25 Oct must be released as a prerequisite for real dialogue pic.twitter.com/1yzyjce4nJ

— NorwayUN (@NorwayUN) November 11, 2021

Sudan military can't put demands for democracy back into the bottle

#Sudan: The military can't put demands for democracy back into the bottle

The people are on the streets as they were 2yrs ago, calling for return to democratic transition

We repeat our call for the military to deliver a settlement based on genuine military-civilian partnership pic.twitter.com/SXs4SAYvWL

— UK at the UN 🇬🇧 (@UKUN_NewYork) November 11, 2021

Sudan: UNSC consultations on situation since coup

Report from and by What's In Blue dated Wednesday 10 November 2021

Sudan: Consultations on the situation since the coup

Tomorrow (11 November), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations to discuss the situation in Sudan. The meeting was requested by the UK (the penholder on Sudan), Estonia, France, Ireland, Norway, and the US. Special Representative for Sudan and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes is expected to brief. At the time of writing, no outcome was expected.

Perthes is expected to update members on the latest developments in Sudan following the military coup d’état announced on 25 October by the Chairperson of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Perthes’ latest briefing to the Council on the situation in the country took place on 26 October in closed consultations. (For background, see our What’s in Blue story from 26 October.)

Since 25 October, mass demonstrations opposing the coup have been taking place in the capital, Khartoum, and across the country. In several instances, protestors have been met with excessive force, including live ammunition, according to the Joint UN Human Rights Office in Sudan. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet noted in a 5 November statement that at least 13 civilians have reportedly been killed by military and security forces since 25 October, and hundreds more injured. Arrests have continued, including of political leaders and journalists. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok remains under house arrest at his residence. At the time of writing, the nationwide shutdown of the internet imposed by the military authorities since 25 October remained in place, despite a Sudanese court having ordered its restoration on 9 November.

At tomorrow’s meeting, Council members will likely seek further details on the mediation efforts underway and on the role played by UNITAMS in this regard. In a 1 November press conference, Perthes said that the situation in Sudan was “stable but tense”. Among other things, he said that multiple mediation efforts are underway in Khartoum by “a host of actors” and that the UN continues to play a good offices role in supporting some of these initiatives, including by providing ideas and coordinating with some of these mediators. Perthes emphasised that UNITAMS is engaging with all Sudanese actors across the political spectrum, as well as with regional and international interlocutors, with the AU being a main partner. He added that he is in contact with countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Sudan. In response to a question about which countries could exert diplomatic influence on the situation, he responded that the US, Egypt, South Sudan and “wider regional neighbours” could play a role. On 4 November, Perthes met with AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo. They reportedly discussed regional dynamics, shared efforts towards de-escalation, release of detainees, and restoration of the transition through dialogue.

According to Perthes’ statement at the 1 November press conference, UNITAMS has been in contact with several Sudanese stakeholders, including al-Burhan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as General Hemeti), Prime Minister Hamdok, members of the opposition alliance Forces of Freedom and Change (FCC), and civil society representatives. On 5 November, UNITAMS released a statement strongly condemning the detention of members of the FCC’s Central Council after their meeting with Perthes, which took place near the UNITAMS headquarters on the previous day. The statement called on “the military leadership to cease arresting politicians and activists and to stop committing further human rights violations”.

The Human Rights Council (HRC) held a special session on Sudan on 5 November, following a request by the UK, the US, Norway, and Germany (with the support of at least one-third of the HRC’s members). Bachelet briefed, saying among other things that “the whereabouts of most of those arrested remains unknown” and that the “disproportionate and deadly use of force by the Sudan Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, and other security forces…must end immediately”. She also noted that all radio stations and television channels in the country have ceased broadcasting, except for channels which are controlled by the military authorities. Bachelet added that several offices of civil society organisations have been raided. At the 5 November meeting, the HRC adopted a resolution, without a vote, which “condemns in the strongest possible terms the military takeover” and decides to appoint, for one year, a special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan (A/HRC/S-32/L.1). Council members China and Russia, which are currently on the HRC, disassociated themselves from the consensus on the resolution.

On 26 October, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) met on Sudan and adopted a communiqué that expressed “deep concern over the military takeover in Sudan” and strongly condemned the “seizure of power by the Sudanese military”. It decided to immediately suspend Sudan across all AU activities “until the effective restoration of the civilian-led Transitional Authority”.

On 28 October, Security Council members issued a press statement (SC/14678) expressing “serious concern about the military takeover in Sudan on 25 October” and calling on Sudan’s military authorities to restore the civilian-led transitional government. Among other things, Council members called upon all parties to refrain from violence and emphasised the importance of “full respect for human rights, including the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression”.

It seems that there were some areas of disagreement during the negotiations on the press statement. Apparently, the UK and several other members would have preferred stronger language condemning, rather than expressing concern over, the situation. (Council members had previously adopted a press statement on 22 September that “condemned in the strongest terms the attempt on 21 September to disrupt Sudan’s transition by force”.) Members agreed on the term “military takeover” rather than “coup” in the 28 October press statement. Secretary-General António Guterres and Bachelet have both referred to it as a “coup” in their statements. Council members such as the UK, Estonia and Norway have also referred to it as a “coup”, including when appearing at media stakeouts on 26 October. Apparently, Russia and the US have not characterised it as a “coup”. The Troika on Sudan (the UK, the US and Norway) have also referred to it as a “military takeover”, as did the AU PSC in its communiqué.

Tags: Insights on Africa, Sudan

View original:  https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2021/11/sudan-consultations-on-the-situation-since-the-coup.php

Sudan’s Burhan names post-coup transitional council

HERE is a copy of report published at France24.com

Dated Thursday 11 November 2021 - 21:47

Written by Agence France-Presse (AFP) 

Sudan’s Burhan names post-coup transitional council without main bloc demanding civilian rule

Burhan on October 25 dissolved the government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, detained the civilian leadership, and declared a nationwide state of emergency, sparking a wave of international condemnation.

His latest announcement comes just two days ahead of planned mass protests against the coup.

In New York, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the latest developments were "very concerning."

"We want to see a return to the transition as quickly as possible," he told reporters.

"We want to see the release of the prime minister as well as all other politicians and leaders that have been detained."

At a closed-door Security Council meeting, UN special envoy Volker Perthes warned that "the window now is closing for dialogue and for a peaceful resolution", according to Britain's ambassador Barbara Woodward

Sudan's information ministry, which has remained loyal to the deposed government, quoted ousted minister Hamza Baloul as saying the council's formation was "an extension of the coup measures".

Under the decree, Burhan, who chaired Sudan's ruling council formed in August 2019 following president Omar al-Bashir's ouster, keeps the post.

Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, remains his deputy in the 14-member council.

The mixed military-civilian body also retains Shamsaldine al-Kabashi, Yasser al-Atta, and Ibrahim Gaber, all senior army figures.

But the civilian representatives of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the umbrella alliance which spearheaded the anti-Bashir protests, were dropped from the council.

Among the civilian members is former parliamentarian Abou al-Qassem Bortoum, a businessman supporter of Sudan's normalisation with Israel.

Salma Abdelgaber from Al-Gazira state in central Sudan, Youssef Gad Karim from North Kordofan state, Abdelbaqi al-Zubair representing Khartoum state and Rajaa Nicola, a Copt, are also on the list.

Ex-rebel leaders Malik Agar, Alhady Idris and Altaher Hagar, who signed a 2020 peace deal with the government, also kept their seats.

One member from east Sudan has yet to be named pending consultations, according to state television.

International pressure

Last month's military takeover sparked nationwide anti-coup protests which were met by a bloody crackdown that left at least 14 people killed, according to medics.

Scores of pro-democracy activists have since been arrested as Sudan has largely remained under a rigorous internet outage.

On Thursday, the telecommunication authority said the internet cut was ordered to "safeguard national security" and would to remain in force until further notice.

A court ruling had ordered an end to the outage.

On Thursday, security forces arrested activist Mohamed Nagi al-Assam, according to an independent medics union.

Assam was a leading activist during the 2019 protests which led to Bashir's ouster.

The military power grab has triggered international condemnation, punitive aid cuts and demands for a swift return to civilian rule.

Burhan insists it was "not a coup" but a move to "rectify the course of the transition".

Sudan's army has said that the formation of a new civilian government is "imminent".

On Tuesday, Burhan met with diplomats from the US, UK and Norway who called for Hamdok's "restoration" to office and the release of all detainees.

"We discussed our strong desire to see Sudan's democratic transition put back on track. We warned against unilateral action," the diplomatic troika said.

Hamdok was briefly detained immediately after the coup but later placed under effective house arrest.

Last week, the military released four civilian members of the ex-government but key officials are still detained.

On Thursday, several EU ambassadors called for "a return to constitutional order".  (AFP)

VIDEO: In this May 17, 2021 file photo, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan attends a news conference during the International Conference on Sudan at the temporary Grand Palais in Paris, France. © Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool/Reuters/File

View video and two tweets at the original copy here: https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20211111-sudan-s-burhan-names-post-coup-transitional-council-without-main-bloc-demanding-civilian-rule

Sudan: International Red Cross must visit detainees

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: According to various news reports such as the one copied here below, more than 100 government officials, political leaders, activists and protesters have been detained in Sudan since the military coup on October 25. 

Twenty-five of those detained including Ibrahim al-Sheikh face charges of inciting troops to rebel against their leaders, according to El Tahir Maki Idris, one of the lawyers working with those detained and a family member of al-Sheikh. They could face life imprisonment if convicted.

Also, since the military coup at least 14 anti-coup protesters have been killed due to excessive force used by Sudan's security forces, according to Sudanese doctors and the United Nations and the internet is still cut off.

This site Sudan Watch has received visits from China but, unusually, not Sudan. I have not yet found news of any neutral aid organisations such as the International Red Cross being called upon by the UN to visit the 100+ detainees to verify their wellbeing and living conditions.

Surely there are international laws in place such as the Geneva Conventions [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Conventions ] to protect people from being arrested and detained at secret locations where there is no evidence of how they are being treated and when they will be released. 

Here is a full copy of a news report from and by Rédaction Africanews

Dated Wednesday 10 November 2021

Sudan coup: Detained minister's wife Amani Malik Ibrahim worried

Amani Malik Ibrahim has seen her husband detained many times during his fight for democracy in Sudan, but she never thought once he became a government minister he would be subjected to the same thing.

Yet armed soldiers knocked on the door in the early hours of October 25, before putting a gun to Ibrahim al-Sheikh's head and one to his wife's chest.

As al-Sheikh was being detained, his son Mohammed managed to take a few pictures, quickly sending them to his sister in Egypt.

A few hours later the internet was cut off in Sudan.

This was hours before top general Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan dissolved the transitional government and detained other government officials including al-Sheikh, and the country's prime minister Abdalla Hamdok.

More than 100 government officials, political leaders, activists and protesters have been detained since October 25.

The coup came more than two years after a popular uprising forced the military's removal of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.

Al-Sheikh, was the minister of industry during the country's fragile planned transition to democratic rule.

He is also the head of the Sudanese Congress Party.

Ibrahim, his wife, is a lawyer and says the whole family has a history of detentions in the fight for democracy.

She says al-Sheikh has been arrested at least 15 times throughout his lifetime. His longest stint in detention was 100 days.

While they are used to the stress of detention, this time al-Sheikh's health is weak.

"At the end of the day, we are human. It shook us," Ibrahim said from their family home in Bahri.

Ibrahim says her husband has diabetes and high blood pressure, and was already ill before he was taken away.

After 12 days without news, al-Sheikh along with many others detained was allowed to call their family but his voice worried Ibrahim.

Ibrahim is working along with an association of lawyers on her husband's case along with others detained.

Twenty-five of those detained including al-Sheikh face charges of inciting troops to rebel against their leaders, according to El Tahir Maki Idris, one of the lawyers working with those detained and a family member of al-Sheikh.

They could face life imprisonment if convicted.

But little information is given to the lawyers who have been working furiously on the case but hear little back from the prosecutor's office.

In the days since October 25, there have been massive protests in the streets of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

Sudanese have taken to the streets in masses against the coup.

The protest movement insists on a full civilian government to rule Sudan during the transition.

Since the takeover, at least 14 anti-coup protesters have been killed due to excessive force used by the country's security forces, according to Sudanese doctors and the United Nations.

Military leaders have maintained they were compelled to take over because of alleged quarrels among political parties that they claimed could lead to civil war.

See video posted at the original report here:  https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/10/sudan-coup-detained-minister-s-wife-amani-malik-ibrahim-worried-over-his-health/

Sudanese court orders telcos to restore internet

SEVERAL Sudanese told The National  they have resorted to using word of mouth and leaflets to organise demonstrations against the military takeover because internet access was cut. Read more:

From The National by Nada AlTaher

Dated Wednesday 10 November 2021 

Sudan still without internet despite court order to restore services

Photo © MOHAMED NURELDIN ABDALLAH Thousands of Sudanese have joined mass protests against the military takeover on October 25. Reuters

A Sudanese court has ordered the three main telecoms providers in the country to restore internet access, but services were still disrupted more than two weeks after they were first cut off.

Internet activity monitor NetBlocks reported on Tuesday that the disruption, which began on October 25 when a military takeover deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, largely continued after the court order.

The US Agency for International Development Mission in Sudan said cuts to internet services were a breach of international law and a “suppression of freedom of speech".

On Tuesday, Sudan's military chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan issued a decision to form a group to strip financial support from the Empowerment Removal Committee.

The committee, which has been suspended, was established after former president Omar Al Bashir was ousted. It was set up to dismantle Al Bashir's regime and dissolve his National Congress Party.

Sudanese opposition groups have called for another “march of millions” protest to be held on Saturday, November 13.

Several Sudanese told The National they have resorted to using word of mouth and leaflets to organise demonstrations against the military takeover because internet access was cut.

Large protests were staged on October 30 to mark the anniversary of the 2019 uprising, with thousands of people taking to the streets to show their opposition to the removal of Mr Hamdok.

Cuts to internet access during political unrest is not uncommon in Sudan. Services were disrupted during the nationwide protests that toppled Al Bashir.

Mediation efforts between the military and civilian leaders continue to stall.

See two tweets in original copy here: https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/world/sudan-still-without-internet-despite-court-order-to-restore-services/ar-AAQwN72

Sudan cuts off internet despite court order to restore

Technology & internet accessibility are a human right. Shutting down an entire country for 16 days is a violation of #humanrights and should be recognised as such.

I didn’t speak to my mother & family in 16 days. This in 2021.#InternetShutDown #SudanCoup#Amnestyinternational https://t.co/BwUtSk5sJs

— Jia (Juwayria) (@Jia_Elhassan) November 10, 2021

Day 16 Sudan military distrupts internet and telecoms

For the 16TH DAY in #Sudan that began Oct. 25 when the military forcibly took power, the military continues to block access to Internet & phone lines, suppressing #FreedomOfSpeech & access to information for an entire nation - a violation of international law.#السودان @netblocks https://t.co/MWsdfX96Hq

— USAID Sudan (@USAIDSudan) November 9, 2021

Sudan coup leader Burhan names council for post-coup transition - Hemeti remains his deputy

HERE is a copy of an AFP news report published at MSN News.com

Dated Thursday 11 November 2021 

Written by Agence France-Presse (AFP) 

Sudan general names council for post-coup transition

Burhan on October 25 dissolved the government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, detained the civilian leadership, and declared a nationwide state of emergency, sparking a wave of international condemnation.

His latest announcement comes just two days ahead of planned mass protests against the coup.

In New York, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the latest developments were "very concerning." 

"We want to see a return to the transition as quickly as possible," he told reporters.

"We want to see the release of the prime minister as well as all other politicians and leaders that have been detained."

At a closed-door Security Council meeting, UN special envoy Volker Perthes warned that "the window now is closing for dialogue and for a peaceful resolution", according to Britain's ambassador Barbara Woodward.

Sudan's information ministry, which has remained loyal to the deposed government, quoted ousted minister Hamza Baloul as saying the council's formation was "an extension of the coup measures".

Under the decree, Burhan, who chaired Sudan's ruling council formed in August 2019 following president Omar al-Bashir's ouster, keeps the post.

Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, remains his deputy in the 14-member council.

The mixed military-civilian body also retains Shamsaldine al-Kabashi, Yasser al-Atta, and Ibrahim Gaber, all senior army figures.

But the civilian representatives of the Forces for Freedom and Change, the umbrella alliance which spearheaded the anti-Bashir protests, were dropped from the council.

Among the civilian members is former parliamentarian Abou al-Qassem Bortoum, a businessman supporter of Sudan's normalisation with Israel. 

Salma Abdelgaber from Al-Gazira state in central Sudan, Youssef Gad Karim from North Kordofan state, Abdelbaqi al-Zubair representing Khartoum state and Rajaa Nicola, a Copt, are also on the list.

Ex-rebel leaders Malik Agar, Alhady Idris and Altaher Hagar, who signed a 2020 peace deal with the government, also kept their seats.

One member from east Sudan has yet to be named pending consultations, according to state television.

- International pressure -

Last month's military takeover sparked nationwide anti-coup protests which were met by a bloody crackdown that left at least 14 people killed, according to medics. 

Scores of pro-democracy activists have since been arrested as Sudan has largely remained under a rigorous internet outage.  

On Thursday, the telecommunication authority said the internet cut was ordered to "safeguard national security" and would to remain in force until further notice.

A court ruling had ordered an end to the outage. 

On Thursday, security forces arrested activist Mohamed Nagi al-Assam, according to an independent medics union. 

Assam was a leading activist during the 2019 protests which led to Bashir's ouster. 

The military power grab has triggered international condemnation, punitive aid cuts and demands for a swift return to civilian rule.

Burhan insists it was "not a coup" but a move to "rectify the course of the transition".

Sudan's army has said that the formation of a new civilian government is "imminent".

On Tuesday, Burhan met with diplomats from the US, UK and Norway who called for Hamdok's "restoration" to office and the release of all detainees. 

"We discussed our strong desire to see Sudan's democratic transition put back on track. We warned against unilateral action," the diplomatic troika said.

Hamdok was briefly detained immediately after the coup but later placed under effective house arrest. 

Last week, the military released four civilian members of the ex-government but key officials are still detained.

On Thursday, several EU ambassadors called for "a return to constitutional order". (bur/hc)

Photo AFP © - A young Sudanese man rolls a tyre before setting it on fire in front of a street barricades built by anti-coup demonstrators in the capital Khartoum

Photo © AFP Ashraf SHAZLY Sudan's top army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

View original:  https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/world/sudan-general-names-council-for-post-coup-transition/ar-AAQB42U

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemns military coup in Sudan - Calls for release of all detainees

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has condemned the military coup in Sudan and called on the military to place the democratic transition back on course.

From:

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP

Published Friday 5 November 2021

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

The United Kingdom strongly condemns the military coup in Sudan on 25 October. In 2019, the Sudanese agreed on a unique partnership between civilians and military in order to steer Sudan’s transition to full democracy. That partnership delivered huge progress, from abolishing oppressive laws to economic reforms and the Juba Peace agreement to help end decades of conflict.

The military’s unilateral actions threaten all of these gains. In detaining civilian politicians and activists, and unilaterally amending the 2019 Constitutional Declaration, the military have undermined the spirit and letter of both that hard-won 2019 compromise, and also the Juba Peace Agreement. The Sudanese people have taken to the streets in their millions in recent days to reject these actions. International condemnation has been fast and widespread.

It is still however possible for Sudan’s transition to get back on course. The United Kingdom welcomes and supports mediation efforts and urge the military to engage in a spirit of compromise. We note the release of four detainees on 4 November, but call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained since 25 October, the restoration of the Constitutional Declaration as a starting point for dialogue, and for security forces to respect the right to peaceful protest.

The United Kingdom will continue to support the Sudanese people in their demands for freedom, peace and justice. The military have the opportunity to put the transition back on course; the United Kingdom urges them to do so now.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Published 5 November 2021

View original:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-condemns-military-coup-in-sudan

العربية

EU raises Sudan flag to honour the Sudanese people

HERE, thanks to Google translate, is a translation of the below copied tweet by Luis Miguel Bueno @EUinArabic, the EU Arabic Spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa, 5 Nov 2021:

 #جمعة_مباركة We raised the Sudanese flag in the European Union to honor the Sudanese people and to express our support for the aspirations of the Sudanese. We support the efforts of the international community to return to the democratic path led by civilians. #السودان

#جمعة_مباركة
رفعنا العلم السوداني في الاتحاد الأوروبي لتكريم الشعب السوداني و للتعبير عن دعمنا لتطلعات السودانيين. ندعم الجهود الرامية من قبل المجتمع الدولي للعودة إلى المسار الديمقراطي بقيادة المدنيين.#السودان pic.twitter.com/6BN7yCemxx

— Luis Miguel Bueno🇪🇺 (@EUinArabic) November 5, 2021

UK's Simon Manley @UN_HRC: Sudan's civilian-led govt must be restored, detainees freed, and human rights respected

This afternoon the @UN_HRC sent a strong, clear and united message: that Sudan’s civilian-led government must be restored, detainees freed, and human rights respected.

My thanks to our 🇩🇪🇳🇴🇺🇸 partners and all those delegations who worked so intensively with us this week. pic.twitter.com/OQOptVbUks

— Simon Manley (@SimonManleyFCDO) November 5, 2021

UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Sudan - Adoption of draft resolution HRC/S-32/L.1

Speech. UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Sudan: Adoption of the resolution. Simon Manley, UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered the UK statement during the UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Sudan.

From:

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Simon Manley CMG

Published on: Friday 5 November 2021

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Delivered on: Friday 5 November 2021 

(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Photo: Simon Manley CMG the United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, United Nations and other International Organisations based in Geneva

Thank you Madam President.

On behalf of the Core Group consisting of Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, I am is pleased to introduce this draft resolution HRC / S-32 / L.1, as orally revised. The oral revisions have been posted on e-delegate.

Madam President,

Swift, effective and strong action by this Council in response to the military takeover of 25 October in Sudan, is the reason we and others called for today’s Special Session.

The draft resolution we present today, in our view, achieves that. It has been the product of extensive consultations over the last few days, including with Sudan as the country concerned, the African Group, and other delegations. We are deeply grateful to all those who have worked with us so constructively and intensively on the draft resolution that we have before us today.

Madam President, this draft resolution delivers three key outcomes:

First, it condemns in the strongest possible terms the military takeover of 25 October in Sudan, and joins the calls made elsewhere, including by the African Union and the United Nations Security Council, for the immediate restoration of its civilian-led government, and the release of all those detained arbitrarily, since the takeover began.

Second, it requests the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to update the Council, at its next regular Session, on the human rights situation since the takeover. The continued excellent work of the OHCHR Country Office in Khartoum will be crucial to achieving this.

Third, the Council requests the High Commissioner to designate an Expert on Human Rights in Sudan, who will provide further monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation since the takeover, and present a comprehensive written report to the Council at its 50th session. The term of office of this Expert on Human Rights in Sudan, will conclude upon the restoration of its civilian led government. This restoration should be immediate.

Madam President,

The Core Group understands that this text enjoys the support of the country concerned, and of the African Group following our intensive consultations.

Accordingly, we hope that all States, members and non-members alike, will support wholeheartedly this resolution. In doing so, the Council will demonstrate clearly that it stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan in their struggle for democracy and human rights.

Thank you

Published 5 November 2021

View original: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-special-session-on-sudan-adoption-of-the-resolution

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Explore the topic Foreign affairs  Human rights internationally

World locations  Sudan  UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other International Organisations (Geneva)

UK's @SimonManleyFCDO: “Sudanese democracy must - and will - prevail”

My statement this afternoon at the special session of the 🇺🇳 Human Rights Council on Sudan.

Sudanese democracy must - and will - prevail https://t.co/EPbXGtpBzO

— Simon Manley (@SimonManleyFCDO) November 5, 2021

#SudanCoup #Sudan #الردة_مستحيل

#sudan our home that we love, grew up in & shaped the resilient people the world is witnessing today. The land of great poets , writers & Sufism. We are known for our kindness , love, generosity & unmatched strength. We are the power! #الردة_مستحيلة pic.twitter.com/hwBQGIx0VT

— Samah AbuG (@samahabug) November 1, 2021

#SudanCoup #SudancivilDisobediance #الردة_مستحيلة

In case you wondered what peaceful resistance could look like.#SudanCoup #SudancivilDisobediance pic.twitter.com/hPNzXQntjz

— Raga Makawi (@MakawiRaga) November 3, 2021

Sudan mediators hit 'hurdles' after coup

Here is a copy of a news report in full by Agence France-Presse (AFP) News 

Dated Tuesday, 2 November 2021 at 1:36 PM - reprinted by International Business Times.com

Sudan Mediators Hit 'Hurdles' After Coup

Just over a week after Sudan's top general locked up political leaders and seized power sparking mass protests and a deadly crackdown, mediators are seeking to restore the transition to civilian rule.

But experts warn that Sudan's military and civilian leadership are deeply divided, senior figures remain under military guard, and rebuilding trust between rival factions is a mammoth task.

"We sat with all actors from the military and civilian sides," one mediator said on condition of anonymity.

That intermediary is among a stream of leading Sudanese figures -- including businessmen, academics and journalists -- who have been trying to break the stalemate.

"We secured initial consent for talks, but hurdles remain in the way," the mediator added.

Sudan has enjoyed only rare democratic interludes since independence in 1956 and spent decades riven by civil war.

Since August 2019, the northeast African country had been ruled by a joint civilian-military council as part of the now derailed transition to full civilian rule.

But in a move widely condemned internationally, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan -- Sudan's de facto leader since the 2019 ouster of autocratic president Omar al-Bashir -- last week dissolved the government, detained the civilian leadership, and declared a state of emergency.

It triggered nationwide mass protests against the military -- demonstrations met by a deadly crackdown by security forces, resulting in at least a dozen people killed and scores wounded.

After armed troops were sent to crush protesters, street demonstrations have faded, although the situation remains volatile.

World powers demanded a swift return to civilian rule, and made punitive aid cuts that will hit hard in a country already mired in a dire economic crisis.

Last week, Burhan, a veteran general who served under Bashir's three-decades long iron fisted rule, vowed to form another civilian government.

Yet the two sides remain far apart.

"The civilians feel burnt by what their military partners did on October 25th," and will have "a high expectation" of guarantees to trust the military again, said Jeffrey Feltman, the US special envoy for the Horn of Africa.

Both sides, however, are going to need to work together, Feltman added.

"One's not going to be able to sideline the military, just as the military should not be trying to sideline civilians as they are now."

He told reporters the US has been in touch with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to discuss Sudan's crisis.

The main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) which led anti-Bashir protests, had just before the coup divided into two opposing factions, with a splinter group supporting the military.

The mainstream FFC remains committed to civilian rule. It says civilian leaders -- including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who is effectively under house arrest -- must be freed before negotiations can progress.

"We insisted on the release of civilian detainees and resumption of the power-sharing deal as a prerequisite for talks," said Kamal Ismail, an FFC leader, after meetings with African Union officials.

"We believe these are not conditions. They are simply our rights."

The AU last week suspended Sudan's membership "until the effective restoration of the civilian-led transitional authority", and a team from the bloc's Peace and Security Council is expected in Khartoum on Wednesday.

United Nations officials and Western diplomats have called for the return of the government.

"We're engaging with all Sudanese across a very broad political spectrum," said Volker Perthes, UN special representative to Sudan, said Monday.

Neighbouring South Sudan, which contributes significantly to Khartoum through fees for sending its oil to export through a pipeline in Sudan, sent presidential adviser Tut Gatluak to try to help broker talks.

"We seek to bring all sides to hold a comprehensive dialogue on all issues," Gatluak said.

Other senior Sudanese mediators have held two meetings with Burhan on behalf of the FFC.

"He listened to the demands, and said he would take them into consideration," one mediator said on condition of anonymity.

However, the mediator warned they did not expect a resolution any time soon.

"We don't expect the military to heed these demands on the first attempt," he added, citing "ongoing tensions and the lack of trust."

PHOTO: A man walks past gas cylinders in Sudan's capital Khartoum on November 2, 2021 as talks to broker peace between rival factions continue Photo: AFP / Ashraf SHAZLY

IMAGE: Key economic indicators for Sudan. AFP / Jonathan WALTER

PHOTO: AFP / - Sudanese anti-coup protesters gathered in their thousands on October 30, 2021 to express their support for the country's democratic transition 

PHOTO: AFP / ASHRAF SHAZLY: Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, seen here in August 2020, has been pressing for the United States to delist his nation as a state sponsor of terrorism 

Copyright AFP. All rights reserved.

View original:  https://www.ibtimes.com/sudan-mediators-hit-hurdles-after-coup-3329722

Sudan's patchy telecoms - Khartoum airport open

Full copy of news report by Radio Dabanga.org

Dated Monday 1 November 2021 

Internet blackout continues, mobile phone service restored in Sudan

(Khartoum) - The week-long internet blackout imposed in Sudan after the military coup last Monday continues, with very little internet traffic possible. Telecommunications services began to be restored after a break that lasted for more than a day during to the October 30 Marches of Millions.

Sources told Radio Dabanga that phone calls continued to be difficult despite the restoration of some services on Sunday afternoon. They also complained about the continuing internet blackout.

The US Embassy in Khartoum confirmed in a report yesterday that the Salanco satellite internet network for Internet & Surveillance is still working, while the Maxnet wireless broadband service provider has been cut.

Khartoum International Airport reopened on Wednesday, and some airlines resumed flights during the weekend.

View original: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/internet-blackout-continues-mobile-phone-service-restored-in-sudan