Sudan Flash Update: As of 20 March 2020, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Sudan (20.03.2020)

Sudan Flash Update, 18 Mar 2020: As of the 17th of March 2020, only one case of fatal COVID-19 has been confirmed in Sudan (18.03.2020)

Security Council Press Statement on Sudan (12.03.2020)

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Wu Haitao (China):

Members of the Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the attack on Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s convoy in Khartoum on 9 March 2020.  Members of the Council stressed that such attacks are unacceptable and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

Members of the Council reiterated their full support to Prime Minister Hamdok in his endeavours to see Sudan through a successful transition in a manner that achieves the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous future.

Members of the Council expressed their solidarity with the people of Sudan and affirmed their readiness to support Sudan during the transition period, and reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Sudan.

Sudan: PM Hamadok survives an assassination attempt

Today, a shocking report came from Khartoum, the technocratic Prime Minister handpicked from the Forces of the Freedom and Change Declaration (FFC) Abdalla Hamadok was a target. The operation to assassinate him was in movement, but they failed. The convoy with the PM was hit and he escaped it all. However, this has backfired, as the public has chanted his name and supporting their PM.

Here is one report:

At 9.05am this morning, a stationary vehicle exploded, targeting a convoy of two hard skin Landcruiser’s carrying PM Hamdok as it was entering the Armed Forces Bridge, heading towards Khartoum. Initial reports suggest there were no deaths, and one minor injury”

The PM’s own statement after the fact:

I would like to assure the people of Sudan that I am safe and in good shape. Rest assured that what happened today will not stand in the way of our transition, instead it is an additional push to the wheel of change in Sudan” (Abdalla Hamadok, 09.03.2020).

Wife’s statement:

Muna Abdalla , the wife of Sudan’s PM saying : Hamdok has survived an assassination attempt.He is safe and not injured. The perpetrators of this cowardly act should know that there are one thousand Hamdoks to replace him . This revolution will not come to an end”

Demonstrations later in the day:

Sudanese people chanting after the failed assassination attempt “We would sacrifice our souls and blood for Hamdok!”.

There are speculations after the Sudanese Islamic Youth Movement posted on Facebook earlier in the day content, that they were behind the failed attempt. But no one has verified it and the content has been later deleted.

There are plenty of other speculations, even that someone from the Transitional Military Committee (TMC) is behind it all. Some even speculating if the Egyptians or Turkey’s involvement in it. However, that is just mere hearsay and cannot be taken for granted at this point.

We have no idea at this moment. If it will ever come out. There are enough henchmen from Al-Bashir past in the whereabouts to Gods know what sort of magic they posses. However, that will be mere speculation until something is present and evidence put forward. It wouldn’t be shocking if let’s say Hemiti or someone else like him would do this. To stage more power and weaken the FFC. Because, that is what the men like him does. Nevertheless, we don’t know and can only speculate.

What this shows, that the FFC in the Sovereign Council is fragile and not certain. That there are either people from the past Al-Bashir or anyone else waiting to strike. To show their force and also topple the current regime. Which hasn’t delivered it all for the revolution, but have a path to make from military to civilian government. One civilian happens to be Hamadok. Peace.

Statement attributable to the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan a.i. Selva Ramachandran on the attack on the Prime Minister of Sudan (09.03.2020)

Khartoum, 9 March 2020 — The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan a.i. Mr. Selva Ramachandran strongly condemns the attack on the Prime Minister of Sudan Dr. Abdalla Hamdok by unknown assailants in Khartoum today.

Mr. Ramachandran wishes a full and speedy recovery to those injured in the incident. He calls for a prompt and transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The United Nations reaffirms its full support to the Transitional Government and to the people of Sudan,” said Mr. Ramachandran.

IGAD Executive Secretary’s Statement on Attempted Assassination of H.E Abdalla Hamdock, Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Chair of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government (09.03.2020)

March 9, 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, condemns in the strongest terms the assassination attempt on H.E Abdalla Hamdock, Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Chair of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, following a car bomb attack on his official convoy at the Cooper Bridge in capital Khartoum today.

The Executive Secretary conveys his relief that Prime Minister Hamdok was unharmed in this appalling incident and calls for an immediate and speedy investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

This incident seeks to reverse the people-driven democratic gains that have been witnessed in the Republic of Sudan. The IGAD Executive Secretary emphasises that the “interests and the aspiration of the people of Sudan will reign over all acts of terror”.

He further adds that all parties must adhere to the continuation of open, comprehensive and inclusive political dialogue as the only avenue to ensuring long-term stability, peace and prosperity.

IGAD calls upon the international community to stand with the people and the government of the Republic of Sudan by extending the requisite political, diplomatic and material support during this transitional period to ensure that the foundations of peace, security and stability are firmly established as the people of Sudan chart the path to their future.

Sudan: African Union Peace and Secuirty Council 913th Meeting – Communique (03.03.2020)

Sudan: Prime Minister Abdalla Hamadok letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (27.01.2020)

African Union: The 906th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the situation in Sudan (05.02.2020)

Violence in Sudan’s Darfur forces thousands to flee (28.01.2020)

Clashes in El Geneina, in Sudan’s West Darfur State, have forced more than 11,000 people to flee as refugees into neighbouring Chad since last month.

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 28, 2020 – This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Clashes in El Geneina, in Sudan’s West Darfur State, have forced more than 11,000 people to flee as refugees into neighbouring Chad since last month. Four thousand of them have fled during last week alone and it is estimated that the clashes have displaced some 46,000 inside the country.

Most of them were already internally displaced people and when attacks happened in West Darfur in late December 2019, including on displacement camps, people fled and found temporary refuge in schools, mosques and other buildings in El Geneina.

With El Geneina only 20 kilometers from the border, thousands of refugees crossed into Chad, a number UNHCR anticipates could reach 30,000 in the coming weeks as tensions persist. UNHCR teams on the ground are hearing accounts of people fleeing after their villages, houses and properties were attacked, many burnt to the ground.

In Chad, the refugees are currently scattered in several villages along a line that spans nearly 100 kilometers near the border, around the town of Adré, in the province of Ouaddaï which already hosts 128,000 Sudanese refugees. The conditions are dire. Most are staying in the open or under makeshift shelters, with little protection from the elements. Food and water are urgently needed, while health conditions are a concern.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, its Government counterpart and humanitarian partners are on the ground and coordinating the response to this emergency, registering refugees and providing lifesaving aid including food, water, relief items. Refugees needing special care, including unaccompanied children, are being identified and assisted.

However, the rate of refugee arrivals risks outpacing our capacity. More resources and support will be required to bolster the response.

Together with the Chadian government, UNHCR is in the process of identifying a new site further from the border, where the refugees can be relocated and receive the security and assistance they desperately need.

Meanwhile in West Darfur, UNHCR and other humanitarian actors are also rushing relief items such as blankets, sleeping mats and jerry cans to assist displaced men, women and children at over three dozen gathering points. In the past week, trucks with additional relief items arrived from UNHCR’s warehouses in other Darfur states, with more aid on the way.

UNHCR continues to seek international community’s support for the transitional government of Sudan in addressing the root causes of the conflict in Darfur. Restoring security will be key for peacebuilding. This will also allow much needed development assistance to support sustainable solutions, including the return of Sudanese displaced inside the country and living as refugees, once conditions are conducive.