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




The latest incidents on the Kenya-Somalia border and the recent build-up of security forces in the Gedo region have created instability and resulted in casualties and large-scale displacement of civilians. This has had a severe humanitarian impact notably on vulnerable women and children. The fighting in Galmudug at the end of February has also fuelled tensions. Overall, these situations are extremely serious. Furthermore, they divert assets and attention away from military operations against al-Shabaab in Lower and Middle Shabelle and jeopardize hard won stability in Somalia. They are also detrimental to Somalia’s relationships with its neighbours and partners. Urgent steps must be taken to de-escalate.
Full cooperation is needed between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States as well as amongst regional partners. Lasting solutions must be found to safeguard the ongoing efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, to build-up integrated Somali security forces and to create a secure and enabling environment for state building and development.
All parties involved should do everything necessary to reduce tensions, exercise restraint, respect the integrity of sovereign borders and seek peaceful resolution of differences between one another.
The European Union underlines the importance of stability and good cooperation among Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in their common border area where they have shared interests. The engagement and outreach from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, (IGAD) is welcomed in this regard, as well as the recent communication between the Presidents of Somalia and Kenya on 5 March. An anticipated summit between the heads of state and government of Somalia and its neighbours is urgent. It should consider incorporating steps to verify and monitor the situation on the ground as a confidence building measure.
The European Union has always been a strong supporter of Somali state building, notably in the economic and security areas. Recently this commitment was translated into a firm support to Somalia’s debt relief process. The current military situation also calls for an urgent discussion on the state of implementation of agreed joint priorities in the political and security sphere.
This discussion is an important element to continue to strengthen the effective cooperation between Somalia and its international partners in the spirit of mutual accountability and partnership.


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.

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.

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.
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.

Mogadishu – Somalia’s international partners* express grave concern at the build-up of security forces in the Gedo region of Jubaland, Somalia, and clashes in the vicinity of Belet Hawo on 2 March that have resulted in the displacement of civilians and casualties.
We urgently call upon all actors to exercise restraint, to reduce the presence of security forces in Gedo, and to avoid any actions that could spark violence. We note the importance of stability and good cooperation among Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in their common border area where they have shared security interests.
We welcome the communication between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’ and President Uhuru Kenyatta on 5 March and encourage the leaders to continue to deescalate tensions, to cooperate on border security, and to form a joint committee to address issues of diplomacy and trade as they agreed. The partners regard the engagement between the leaders as a necessary step, and underscore the importance of continued direct communication between Somalia and Kenya. The partners thank the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for the outreach and providing good offices; and urge continuation of this dialogue until lasting solutions are in place.
For the long-term stability and security of the border region and of Jubaland, the partners urge cooperation and dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Jubaland authorities in order to advance the fight against al-Shabaab. They call for any individuals accused of crimes or human rights violations to be arrested and subject to due process in accordance with the rule of law.
We underscore that full cooperation and dialogue between the FGS and all Federal Member States’ authorities is urgent and essential in order to combat al-Shabaab, resolve contentious issues, and achieve other national priorities such as securing the benefits from debt relief and holding timely national elections.
* – African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Denmark, Ethiopia, European Union, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, United Nations.

“With little training, Ethiopians rallied to the ‘mother’s call’ – the mother country cry for protection against the enemy. The Derg government offered a call for a short time and made it by bringing back respect of the country. It is in our history to pay for our country’s sacrifice and sacrifice ourselves for our country. Soon enough the invaders felt the wrath and the blade of Ethiopian heroes who were prepared to go to any length and sacrifice to defend their motherland. Within a short period, not only was the Somalia invader defeated but the territorial integrity, sovereignty and respect of the nation was restored in full. Rubbed the wrong way, the lion roars, the true Ethiopian rises to glory” (Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, 05.03.2020).
I don’t have the answers here. This is loosely translated from his Facebook post. However, the way it mentions thing it started me to question things and look into it. He celebrated the Karamara victory, the one where Ethiopia successfully where able to annex the Ogaden or the Somali region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Therefore, it is hot topic to begin with, as the Ethiopian are seen as invaders and as colonizers of the region to begin with.
It is reason why its called the Somali region or Ogaden. Because, it’s belonging to the Federal Republic of Somalia. Now, its been like this ever since, ever since the loss of the war. Still, there are Ethiopian forces fighting for Mogadishu government at the mercy of Addis Ababa. This is known, so for the Prime Minister to celebrate this. Really, shows there are some aims at supremacy for the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister.
He recalls old glories and even uses wordings, that former Dictator Megistu used to rally up the forces for the “Red Terror”. Using wordings that resembles the battle-cry of the DERG. For me that is weird. Not patriotic, but a sign that the man isn’t that peaceful after all.
Small fragments of the “Call of the Motherland”:
“Mengistu took a war-like stance against these threats in the aftermath of the coup on February 3, 1977. A communique issued in the name of the Derg on the following day pointed out that Ethiopian progressives (members of Mengistu’s coalition) had been unable to take action against the counter-revolutionaries because of the dominance of the reactionaries and their supporters in the Derg? it then stated that the revolution’s strategy would, from that day, be transformed from the defensive into the offensive. In his address to a rally held on the same day, Mengistu condemned Teferi and his faction, EPRP, EDU, the Eritrean Liberation Forces, the conservative states of the region and imperialism as enemies of the Ethiopian revolution. In his address at another rally on April 12, Mengistu again condemned the same forces and asked the Ethiopian people to rally around the banner of ‘Call of the Motherland’ and fight the enemies of the revolution” (ANDARGACHEW TIRUNEH – The Ethiopian Revolution (1974 to 1984), P: 285-286, 1990).
“Government dailies had a section of their front-page devoted to the “Call of the Revolutionary Motherland” from the beginning of May 1977. From the outset, the media campaign combined calls for the defense of territorial integrity with encouragements to denounce internal opponents. See e.g. Ethiopian Herald, 3 May 1977, ‘Call of Motherland: to defend the frontiers, to protect the revolution and to increase production’” (Jacob Wiebel – ‘Revolutionary Terror Campaigns in Addis Ababa, 1976-1978’, 2014).
“French MilAtt was informed March 5 by Soviet MilAtt that Jijiga had been recaptured that morning. Soviet also confirmed that Kara Mara Pass had fallen to Ethiopians. French MilAtt believed that major thrust toward Jijiga was from NNW and was combined Ethiopian-Cuban operation. French MilAtt further stated that Ethiopians took heavy casualties” (Office of the Historian – ‘69. Telegram From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State’ Addis Ababa, March 6, 1978, 1407Z 1054. Subj: Ethiopian Forces Recapture Strategic Ogaden Town of Jijiga. Ref: Addis Ababa 1025).
So, for someone calling himself a reformist and a man whose mission is to make the Republic better. He surely brings back memory of a regime and a type of government he shouldn’t associate himself with. Especially, this is a insult to the Somali and Somalia. They have answered this. Even Oromo leader Mohammad Jawar has addressed it. Therefore, the backlash has occurred.
Still, there is need to ask if this is a gaffe or an intended approach by the Prime Minister. As he has created his “one-party” ahead of elections and with statements like these. He will gain supporters and show flex. However, his also reminding people of a bloody past. A past where the state used terror against dissidents and used all means to stay in power. Therefore, the Prime Minister should consider that.
That its that easy to think in this direction, by the words and wording in his statement. Should boggle us in 2020. As he should not rewrite and praise the Derg, but instead condemn it and their ill-actions. The ramifications plenty of people are still living with today. The EPRDF has used techniques the Derg did too.
As his supposed to reform, he should know better. However, seemingly he wants this messages out. I just question it. As it sparks some memories and his wording isn’t making it better. Especially, when his trying to be a peacemaker in the region. Instead, this way his just another imperialist with in sheep’s cloth. A hidden wolf awaiting his time eat. Peace.