IGAD Statement on Sudan (12.04.2019)

Sudan: NISS Head Gosh Resigns from the Transitional Council!

The third major resignation in Khartoum since the sit-down demonstration begun. The President and his 24 temp have resigned within 48 hours yesterday. On the third day, the head of National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Salah Gosh have resigned from the Transitional Council.

Clearly, the National Congress Party and the former allies of the 30 year long Presidency is feeling the pressure of the demonstrations. As they are not winding down or taking at ease. They are not accepting being hoodwinked by the former henchmen of the Dictator. They want an overhaul and total change.

That is evident, as the Transitional Council is looking more and more weak. Less powerful and just have to give ways to the citizens. Even as there are horrific reports of bullets, killings and harsh treatment of demonstrations outside of Khartoum. There been reports of killings in South Kordofan and other regions during the week. Therefore, there are more victims to the dictatorship, as it is crumbling and feeling the piling pressure of its population.

This one here will continue to play out. The demonstrations, the riots and the sit-down demos will continue, as long as they deem it fit. At this point the Sudanese Professional Association and all the rest of the organizers, have displayed courage, finesse and resilience in the midst of oppression. They have proven to stand by their civic duty and challenge an military dictatorship. Where the Rapid Support Force (RSF), NISS and the Army has used their weapons against them.

Still, they have been on the streets, demanding justice and freedom from oppression. It is truly inspiring and unique. Salute to all the fallen, to all the hurt and all the lives, whose been touched by the regime. As the regime have taken lives to stay in power, been violent and harassed since its inception in 1989. Surely, the public deserves proper representation and liberty to assemble their own leaders.

Alas, therefore, the demonstrations continues. It will as long as the Military Transitional Council prolongs it and the will of the public is undefeated. Peace.

Sudan: Post Al-Bashir- 2nd leader to chair the Transitional Council within 48 hours!

In Khartoum, tonight, Military Council leader Lt. Gen. Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn stepped down, less then a day after announcing himself head of the Transitional Military Council. Tonight the Lieutenant General Abdel-Fatah al-Burhan Abdel-Rahman is replacing him.

So, within 48 hours, two leaders have been shut-down by the Revolution, by the demonstrations and the resilience of the Sudanese people. The public is demanding swift changes and not a military government.

Right now, it is just changing the leadership of armed generals and former confidants of the decade long presidency of Omar Al-Bashir.

However, this shows that the Military Transitional Council is skating on thin-ice and the public are getting their will. As the army and interim leadership is weak. They cannot manage without the confidence of the public. Who are certainly aiming for a civilian rule and not more bloodless coup d’etat to take over the reign in Khartoum and Sudan.

11th April and 12th April 2019 is surely special. National Congress Party and the rest of the elite, which was behind this regime must shake. Because, the core is being torn down by the public. As they are defiantly standing on the streets, being at sit-in strikes and showing no lack of courage to topple a militarise government with peaceful means.

Now, we have to see how long Al-Burhan will be at the helm. Surely, he will not last long. The guy who appointed him as successor only got 24 hours. The previous guy lasted for 30 years, but his relics and anointed leadership isn’t welcomed anymore. The Sudanese want civilian rule and not the military council to oversee them. Peace.

Bachelet urges Sudan authorities to protect human rights and rule of Law (12.04.2019)

Bachelet reiterated the readiness of the UN Human Rights Office to strengthen its engagement with Sudan to advise and assist the State in discharging fully its human rights obligations.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 12, 2019 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday reminded the authorities in Sudan of their overarching duty to ensure the protection of the human rights of all people and to refrain from the use of violence.

“This is a very critical, volatile moment for Sudan and there is deep uncertainty and unease about the future,” Bachelet said. “We are closely monitoring developments and call on the authorities to refrain from using force against peaceful protestors, and to ensure that security forces and judicial authorities act in full accordance with the rule of law and Sudan’s international human rights obligations.”

The High Commissioner appealed for calm and called on the authorities to release all those detained for their exercise of the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

“The crisis in Sudan has its roots in human rights grievances – economic, social, civil and political rights. The solution must also be grounded in human rights,” she said. “I call on the Government to address the people’s demands. There needs to be a concerted effort, with the meaningful participation of civil society, to work to resolve these grievances.”

She also stressed the need for independent, prompt and effective investigations into the excessive use of force against protestors since December last year.

Bachelet reiterated the readiness of the UN Human Rights Office to strengthen its engagement with Sudan to advise and assist the State in discharging fully its human rights obligations.

African Union Chairperson Mahamat: Is he flipping a coin to see if a military coup is okay?

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”Thomas Paine

I don’t know, the former Chadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moussa Faki Mahamat, whose the African Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union. However, he has a rare strike of confidence. Surely after today, he should explain himself. Not because I am directly against the man, but because his perspective on the military takeover, coup d’etat in Zimbabwe in 2017 and Sudan in 2019. Is strikingly similar, but his response is differing.

Both was actions done against 30 years of rule by one person in each republic. The African Union have supported their reign and never imposed anything on the member nations. However, today the revolution of Sudan is put in another pile, than what happen in Zimbabwe. We can see how the Chairperson of the AU is acting differently. In a manner, where his vision doesn’t coincide.

Just take a look!

The African Union recognizes that the Zimbabwean people have expressed their will that there should be a peaceful transfer of power in a manner that secures the democratic future of their country. President Mugabe’s decision to resign paves the way for a transition process, owned and led by the sovereign people of Zimbabwe” (African Union – ‘Statement of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union on the Situation in Zimbabwe’ 21.11.2017).

The Chairperson expresses the African Union conviction that the military take-over is not the appropriate response to the challenges facing Sudan and the aspirations of its people” (African Union – ‘Statement of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Situation in Sudan’ 11.04.2019).

I don’t know if there is deep grudges between Mahamat and General Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ihn Ouf of Sudan or there are was a friendly relationship between Mahamat and General Constantino Chiwenga of Zimbabwe.

Because, his tone is vastly different. Both these men did similar fashion to take power. The Coup that wasn’t Coup in Harare in November 2017. While the Coup, that is currently a State of Emergency in Sudan. They are viewed differently by the African Union and their Chairperson. That is showing with the use of words and the protocol that the AU is sending the Republic’s way.

The Zimbabwean new leadership got a friendlier tone, as they used the military and installed new transitional government in 2017. While the Sudanese are getting a more hostile tone for starting to have a Military Transitional Council for two years before elections. This is done in the same fashion and with use of power by the same party as of the deposed leaders in both Republics.

The Sudanese are getting rid of Al-Bashir and starts a transitional phase by the same leadership. While the Zimbabwean did the same in 2017 and had a transitional government until the elections of 2018. Alas, it was okay in Harare, the AU had no trouble with the military intervention or at disposal in Zimbabwe. But the same Union are not impressed by what Ahmed Ihn Ouf done in Khartoum today. Still, it was fine just mere two years ago?

I don’t like a bloodless coup, its good every time a dictator and a tyrant has fallen, but the whole system has to re-invented and also restructured for a civilian rule of some kind. Not a government run by the army. Then the votes, the ballots and the will of the people will not be respected. That is why the change in Khartoum right now is only skin-deep.

The same, which happen in Harare, where the same fashion of ZANU-PF continues to linger on. There was only a change of head, but not of their operations nor their way of expression power. The same is trying to appear in Khartoum. Surely, the NCP will not let go easily. Even if the public continues to demonstrate. They will do whatever it takes to prolong their rule.

That is why, the AU could have been a useful tool, but this is usually the Dictators Club in Addis Ababa. That is why, their statements is not believable. Nevertheless, in this regard, their statement can be questioned, because of how vastly different it was comparing similar efforts in two different countries. That from the same Mahamat, whose seen both things occur within his time in the chair.

There are contrasts and difference in how these two military coup d’etat have appeared, as they happen in realms, which is not to similar in fashion. Even if both was bolstered by the army and needed their blessing to rule. Still, the Mugabe and the Al-Bashir reign ended abruptly by the force of the soldiers, who kept them in power for so long.

Now, the dictator club of Addis lost one more member and surely, will soon get a new face. Wonder, if Mahamat is ready to explain, why he accept the incident in Harare, but questioned the one in Khartoum? Peace.

African Union: Statement of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Situation in Sudan (11.04.2019)

Sudan: Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change – Joint Statement (11.04.2019)

Sudan: Post Al-Bashir – The aftermath and the new beginning

Today, the 11th April 2019 is a very significant day. Because, this is the first without Omar Al-Bashir as the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief nor as the President of Sudan. A role he has had since 30th June 1989.

This man have held his population captive, he has used all sorts of terror and use of force to get people into submission. This President have misused his time in power, he has assaulted all parts of life and certainly been the tyrant from Khartoum. Today, that play has ceased and all his sins will hopefully be revealed, as there are so many scores of dead, of hurt and of people who has fled this President’s reign. Now, is his time to answer for it.

Has been arrested and the swift transition is in play. The military, the army is trying to take control of the circles of power. The men behind the Rapid Support Force (RSF), the Janjaweed and others. Who earlier this morning took over the TV/Radios, as they have again issues a National Emergency for 3 months. While promising a Transitional Council and a waiting period of 2 years to settle the scores. Surely, the ones starting the Revolution will not be satisfied with same people leading the army under Al-Bashir will still bask in glory control, as his fate is sealed. They feel that the same regime is under control and only the head been cut off.

They are putting on a curfew of 10PM-4AM and dissolution of the Constitution. This means that the army is owning the Republic. The same army that has been behind Al-Bashir all his days, until today. The vital part of his reign and the ones securing his rule. They are now in-charge and setting the standards. They are banning the sit-in-demonstrations that been going for a week and surely not answering all the demands of the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA). They are saying they will continue to demonstrate and to organize protests against the regime. As they have seen enough bloodless coups being done, to accept this one too. Therefore, they will not accept the 2-year transition period either. Surely expect them to ask for the articles of the Declaration of Freedom and Change to be held. So, that the public get a civilian rule and justice for all the Sudanese people.

The one leading now is Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ihn Ouf, the man whose leading the High Council of Armed Forces, is the former Vice-President and Defence Minister. Surely, he will continue where he left off and will be no change to what Al-Bashir did in his day. Because, this is the henchmen of the regime taking over. Not a new breed or anyone hopeful.

With all these measures, the National Congress Party and the army is planning to keep the Republic under siege, but just under a new name. We can hope this revolution get more answers, than just switching the head on top. Even if that is a bittersweet victory, in the sense that the tyrant is gone, but his administration lingers on. They are proving today, to do as much as possible to remain.

Don’t expect the public to accept this verdict, this change as this is barely a change of guard. They have taken out one person, but the same junta is on top. There isn’t really more than just quick swift change, which not materialized, while they hope this will stop the demonstrations. They are already tired of this oppressive, militaristic junta taking control and not letting the people decide who are supposed to run the Republic. This is why, they have been demonstrating since Mid-December 2018 and have had a week of sit-in at the Army Headquarters in Khartoum.

They will not just accept this like that, the SPA and the ones who initiating this will not eat it and say its cool. Clearly, this is not the end, but a new beginning. I hope that it is for something sustainable and for a better tomorrow.

Peace.

UN rights chief Bachelet appeals for dialogue in Sudan amid reports ‘70 killed’ in demonstrations (10.04.2019)

The UN rights chief’s comments follow concerns about the reported use of tear gas and live ammunition by security forces against demonstrators in mass-protests that began last December.

NEW YORK, United States of America, April 10, 2019 – Sudan’s authorities have an “over-arching responsibility” to protect protesters, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said on Tuesday, amid reports that 70 people have died in the latest anti-Government clashes.

The UN rights chief’s comments follow concerns about the reported use of tear gas and live ammunition by security forces against demonstrators in mass-protests that began last December, over rising food and fuel prices and deteriorating living standards.

According to news reports, heavy gunfire was heard outside the Sudanese army headquarters on Tuesday, where thousands of protesters have been staging a sit-in over the past three days, calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s three-decade rule.

Spokesperson for the High Commissioner (OHCHR), Ravina Shamdasani, reiterated Ms. Bachelet’s “serious concern at the use of excessive force” by Sudanese security forces, adding that her office had documented “many killings” since the situation deteriorated.

“Clearly a lot of people have died,” Ms. Shamdasani said, noting how difficult it was to verify numbers, or who was responsible, since various parts of the country’s security forces appeared to be “taking different sides”.

“We have been in touch with the authorities and they have actually invited our office to visit and we are in discussions with them about this,” she said. “We are again calling on the Government and security forces to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and the right to freedom of expression is respected, and that a genuine dialogue is undertaken to resolve this very complex situation with very real economic and social grievances of the public.”

The High Commissioner’s appeal follows the announcement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday, that he was following the demonstrations in Sudan “closely”

In a statement, Mr. Guterres appealed to all actors to exercise “utmost restraint and avoid violence”, while also calling for the release of detained protesters.

While affirming that the United Nations “stands ready to support any efforts agreed by the Sudanese to peacefully resolve the current crisis”, the Secretary-General further called on the Government of the Sudan to create a “conducive environment for a solution to the current situation and to promote an inclusive dialogue”.

Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA): Letter to all International and Regional Actors in Sudan (09.04.2019)