Sudan Tribune

May 17, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - An Islamist radical group led by Abdel Wahid Youssef in Khartoum voiced its rejection to any political understanding between the military council and the opposition forces of freedom and change.

The group organized protests in five mosques in Khartoum after Friday prayer to defend the Islamic laws and to voice their objection to any attempt to repeal it after the collapse of the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

The Support the Sharia and the Rule of Law, an extremist group, reiterated the peacefulness of their protests saying it would be limited to processions and speeches.

However, the videos posted by the protesters on the social media show the weak mobilization of the demonstrations.

Speaking to the demonstrators outside his mosque, Youssef said some members of the transitional military council are opposed to the deal with the freedom and change forces.

"There are people in the military junta who contacted us and they reject the agreement to hand over power," he said alluding to ongoing talks between the Council and the opposition groups over power handover.

He further said they plan to organize a protest to the Sudanese presidency on Saturday.

Two weeks ago the military council banned a protest he planned to organize.

(ST)

May 17, 2019 (WASHINGTON) - US lawmakers urged the Treasury and the State Departments to work to ensure a rapid transfer of power to a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.

In a letter addressed to Mike Pompeo Secretary of State and Steven Mnuchin Secretary of the Treasury on Thursday, 77 Senators and Congressmen expressed their "deep concern" about the current situation in Sudan pointing out to the potential risks that represent the military council and foreign interference.

The lawmakers said that the military council does not meet the aspiration of Sudanese for a civilian-led democratic change.

"A government dominated by the military is not the goal of the Sudanese people and the longer the protestors' demands remain unfulfilled, there is increased probability of conflict like the violence against protestors, deaths and injuries that occurred this week," reads the letter seen by Sudan Tribune.

"We encourage you to use all mechanisms and leverage to facilitate, as quickly as possible, an inclusive civilian-led transition to democratic governance," they further stressed.

Further, they pressed the U.S. administration to use diplomatic and political channels to dissuade countries in the region that voiced support to the military council to not encourage them to keep power.

"In this regard, we are dismayed by the announcement from the Governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that they intend to provide Sudan with $3 billion in budget support and aid".

The bipartisan letter proposed a series of measures that should be taken to support the democratic transition in Sudan including increasing the capacity building of civilian leadership and civil society and to provide the transitional civilian authorities with technical and capacity-building assistance.

"The United States, in consultation with Congress, should signal its willingness to engage with and support international financial institutions in aiding Sudan once civilian-led transitional authorities are in place and functioning," reads the letter.

The State Department last April decided to maintain Sudan's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and to stop talks on its removal from the terror list.

Tibor Nagy the U.S. State Department's assistant secretary on Friday held a meeting with Western partners, AU, IGAD and UN to consider ways to support for a civilian-led transitional government.

(ST)

May 17, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - UN human rights expert on Sudan Friday condemned the excessive use of force against protesters demanding a civilian-led transition in Sudan.

On 13 and 14 May, Six people, 5 protesters and one army officer were, were killed and over 100 injured during attacks by armed troops that the army says they are not part of the regular forces but the opposition says they are part of the Rapid Support Forces.

However, the army admitted that it dispatched forces to remove the roadblocks.

"The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, called on the Transitional Military Council to uphold its responsibility to provide protection for peaceful protesters all over Sudan, allowing them to express their views and concerns on the future of their country through peaceful means," said a statement released in Geneva.

"He also urged the Declaration of Freedom and Change forces to also take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful protests and prevent provocative actions during protests," he added.

The expert further welcomed the decision by the military council to establish an investigative committee into the recent violence.

"The authorities must conduct thorough, independent and impartial investigations into the reported killings and use of force against protesters that occurred since the start of the protests on 19 December 2018, to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice," he said.

In addition, he "strongly" urged the Sudanese military and security forces to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation of violence and to take immediate measures to protect the constitutional rights of the Sudanese people.

In line with the African Union's Peace and Security Council decision of 30 April, the expert called for the resumption of talks on power transfer to a civilian-led government within the 60-day deadline.

Sudanese opposition criticized the decision of the military council to suspend talks for three days after the bloody violence. Also, they rejected accusations that the expansion of barricades by the protesters created chaos in the capital.

(ST)

May 17, 2019 (WASHINGTON) - United States, and western partners Friday discussed in Washington ways to support a civilian-led democratic transition in Sudan and called for the resumption of talks to finalize an agreement on power handover.

The meeting which was convened by Tibor Nagy the U.S. State Department's assistant secretary for Africa was attended by diplomats from the African Union, United Nations, European Union, Ethiopia as the chair of IGAD, Germany, France, the UK and Norway.

In tweets he posted after the meeting, Nagy said the participants "committed to coordinating efforts to encourage the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition to reach an agreement as soon as possible on an interim government that is truly civilian-led and reflects the will of the Sudanese people".

On Tuesday 14 May, the TMC and Sudanese opposition forces agreed to a three-year transitional period also the FFC forces would have two-thirds of the seats on a legislative assembly.

However, after the shooting on civilians for the second day the army cancelled a meeting that had to discuss the composition of a sovereign council.

The TMC spoke about infiltrators saying they were behind the attack. They pointed to the need to create conducive atmosphere saying the opposition forces have three days to remove the roadblocks before to resume discussions.

Nagy said the meeting called on the Sudanese parties to immediately resume talks and discussed ways to support the standing-up of a civilian-led government.

"We also discussed ways to support a civilian-led interim government in the future to implement the political and economic reforms and institution building needed for a stable transitional period leading to free and fair elections in Sudan, and to facilitate economic growth and prosperity," he stressed.

The 30-year rule of Islamists in Sudan led to the isolation of the east African nation which is in the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and faces important economic challenges besides internal armed conflicts in Darfur and the Two Areas.

According to the U.S. top diplomat for Africa, he and the other participants underlined their support for the African Union's efforts in Sudan particularly the decision of the Peace and Security Council to give the TMC two-month delay to hand over power to a civilian-led government.

The meeting, also, voiced concern about the recent violence directed by "security forces against protesters", and called on the military council to allow peaceful protests and hold accountable those responsible for recent violence.

Five civilians and one military were killed and over a hundred protesters were injured following attacks on Monday and Tuesday by Sudanese security forces on protesters in the streets surrounding the sit-in area outside the arm headquarters in Khartoum.

(ST)

May 16, 2019 (JUBA) - The South Sudan Opposition Alliance voiced its support to Khalid Boutros, the leader of a National Salvation Front (NAS) faction that joined the revitalized peace agreement.

Boutros's chairmanship of the group recently was put at risk by a member of his faction called Gasim Barnaba Kisanga, who declared himself as the new chairman of NAS.

"We condemn such irresponsible political opportunism in the strongest possible terms and caution any anti-peace elements who are trying to detract the focus of SSOA member parties," said SSOA spokesperson Stephan Lual in a statement to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

The statement urged the faction members who broke away from Boutros to reconsider to "come back to their Party or risk being isolated".

The IGAD mediation refuses to acknowledge the splinter groups to discourage the proliferation of dissents. Also, it needs to Juba's consent if it considers to integrate them into the peace process for the non-signatory groups.

(ST)

May 16, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The Transitional Military Council (TMC) told Western ambassadors in Sudan that the attacks on civilians at the protest sites were carried out by "groups not belonging to the regular forces."

According to the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, the Council's spokesperson, Lt- Gen Shams al-Din Kabbashi and the Chairman of the TMC Security Committee, Mustafa Mohamed Mustafa met Thursday with ambassadors of the European Union, the United States and Canada and the United Nations Resident Representative in Khartoum.

The director of the Department of European and American Affairs in the ministry Siddiq Mohamed Abdallah said in a press statement that the head of the security committee briefed the Western diplomats on the circumstances surrounding the events on Monday and Wednesday and pointed out that it was "caused by groups not belonging to the regular forces."

The military council said it formed an investigation committee to identify the assailants.

At least eight people were killed and more than 100 injured on Monday when protesters were shot directly by regular forces trying to remove roadblocks set up by the sit-inners on the road.

Witnesses confirmed that the assailants were using SUVs and wearing the uniforms of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but the militia leader denied the charge.

The assaults were repeated on Wednesday when at least 14 of the demonstrators were attacked by regular troops who attempted to remove the barricades. Also, witnesses said they belong to the RSF militiamen.

According to the Sudanese diplomat, the ambassadors posed some questions in this regard and were answered.

He explained that al-Kabbashi who is also a member of the TMC political committee briefed the ambassadors about the political developments in the country.

He spoke about the outcome of negotiations between the transitional military council and the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change and the reasons that led to the suspension of negotiations between them in order to create the needed conditions for reaching a settlement on the issues for negotiation, as he said.

On Wednesday chairman decided to suspend the talks for three days saying they would resume discussions only when the barricades are removed.

In a related development, the British Ambassador to Sudan Ifran Siddiq said he met with TMC on Thursday for their explanation of the suspension of talks.

The "TMC claims environment not conducive given escalation: expansion of roadblocks, blocking of the railway line, worsening security and hostile statements from FFC (Forces for Freedom and Change)," Siddiq said in a tweet posted on Thursday.

The British diplomat added he urged the TMC to resume talks as soon as possible.

"Progress made was significant and it seemed strange to suspend (talks) at this point and risk losing all gains made. Delay also creates a vacuum that could lead to further instability," he stressed.

(ST)

May 16, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir congratulated Sudanese people for the victory of their revolution and called to develop cooperation between the two countries.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir arrives in Khartoum on September 3, 2013 (AFP Ashraf Shazly)

Kiir made his remarks during a speech before the transitional parliament on Tuesday 14 May where he spoke about the ongoing implementation of the peace process and his government efforts to ensure its successful achievement.

" I want to congratulate the Sudanese people for their victory and to express our solidarity with them" adding that "The people and government of South Sudan fully support the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful, democratic and secular nation".

He called to include the armed groups from Darfur, Kordofan and the Blue Nile in the transitional period stressing it provides an opportunity to achieve a comprehensive peace and to engender a new political dispensation in the country.

"The Republic of South Sudan, being a sisterly country offers to mediate among different actors to achieve a comprehensive peace in our sisterly country," he added.

The South Sudanese leader was referring to his offer to reconcile between the SPLM-N factions and to bring them to negotiate with Khartoum a lasting peace agreement.

Earlier this month, the SPLM-N led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu declined the reunification of the group and thanked President Kiir for his efforts stressing it was an issue on the vision not a difference between persons.

However, Kiir said the prospect of a democratic transition in Sudan is anticipated in South Sudan with hopes of peaceful relations between the two countries.

"Our two sisterly nations can prosper in collaboration and cooperation and my government shall do its utmost to ensure lasting peace between them," he emphasized.

Kiir who was the Sudanese first vice-president before the independence had always thanked al-Bashir saying he agreed to proceed with South Sudan's referendum for the independence in 2011.

Al-Bashir also helped Kiir during the negotiations on the revitalized peace agreement as he bridged the gaps between him and opposition leader Riek Machar.

(ST)

Aril 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The head of Sudan's Military Transition Council (MTC) has lifted a night curfew imposed by his predecessor and directed to release of prisoners jailed under the emergency law for protests against the regime of the unseated President Omer al-Bashir.

On 11 April, former head of the MTC Awad Ibn Ouf announced the al-Bashir's overthrow, suspended the Interim Constitution of 2005, declared a three-month state of emergency and a one-month of curfew from 10 pm to 4 am.

However, the curfew was not effectively enforced as the protests including the sit-in outside the army headquarters continued and the opposition calls to defy the restrictive measures.

Ahead of talks with a delegation of the Freedom and Change Declaration forces, Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan in a statement broadcast by Sudanese radio and national television pledged to promote human rights in line with the international and regional charters.

The Council decided to "cancel the curfew, release those sentenced under the Emergency Law or any other law related to recent demonstrations and protests," he said.

Further, he relieved the military governors appointed by al-Bashir last and assigned the army commanders to conduct the affairs of the states.

He further addressed "an open invitation to dialogue for all sectors of society and its parties and civil society organizations."

Also, he called on the "arms holders to sit on the negotiating table to reach a peaceful settlement based on new rules and standards."

The Sudanese general stressed the Council's commitment to a two-year transitional period during which or at the end of which a civilian government would be formed.

The Sudanese opposition groups call for a 4-year period to allow them to build their parties, end the armed conflicts and solve the economic crisis and well as end the international sanction on Sudan.

They are also worried by the presence of the former regime elements in the state apparatus as no concrete measures have been taken until now to neutralize them.

Al-Burhan added that the council is working to remove all restrictions and barriers that hinder freedoms, promoting the spirit of equality and tolerance among the Sudanese society components and enable parties and organizations to carry out their political and professional activities.

"I ask you to help return (home) and to normalize life. We also call on political parties, forces of change and groups and organizations to deal with this stage impartially and patriotically and uphold national values," he called.

(ST)

April 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Salah Gosh, the Director of National Intelligence and Security Service has resigned from his position since Friday, according to a statement released on Saturday.

"General Abdel Fattah al-Burha, the head of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), accepted the resignation of General Engineer Salah Abdallah Mohammed Saleh Gosh as head of the National Security and Intelligence Service," said a short statement by the military body.

According to the official news agency, Gosh extended his resignation on Friday.

The details of the removal of former President Omer al-Bashir have not been disclosed but it is agreed that his insistence to shoot the protesters triggered a meeting between the army, the Rapid Support Forces and the NISS where it was decided to unseat him.

There were conflicting reports about Gosh as some said he was under arrest.

Awad Ibn Ouf the former First Vice-President, and defence minister resigned on Friday evening from his position as the TMC head. Also, removed the former chief of staff Kamal Abdel Marouf.

The Sudanese opposition demands a power transfer to the Freedom and Changes Declaration forces and the dissolution of the military council.

(ST)

April 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) -The Sudanese Professionals Association Saturday has urged the Sudanese people to keep protests and to continue the sit-in outside the army headquarters until to hand over power to civilians.

The former head of the Military Transitional Council, Awad Ibn Ouf resigned on Friday after dismissing the army chief of staff Kamal Abdel Marouf on Friday, in response to the street demand. Both were seen as part of the al-Bashir regime.

The resignation was celebrated by the Sudanese during the night, as the professionals' group which coordinates the protests called to remain mobilized until the full power transfer to a civilian government.

"Today, we continue our journey to complete our victorious revolution. We celebrate our victories and affirm that our revolution is continuing and will not retreat or deviate from its path to achieve full and legitimate demands of the people: handing over the power to a civil transitional government in accordance with the Declaration of Freedom and Change," the SPA said in a statement released on Saturday morning.

The statement further stressed its demand for justice for all the crimes committed against the martyrs of the revolution and the Sudanese people.

The head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who stepped down from the military council to protest the decisions of Ibn Ouf and to press for his resignation expressed his support for the new head of the transitional military council and called for a very short transitional period.

"General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is well accepted by the army, the Sudanese people and an honest man. We cannot accept chaos " and I call on the protesters to accept the military council," he said.

(ST)

April 13, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The commander of the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (aka Hemitte) has called for a very short transitional period before to hand power over to civilians.

RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) (SUNA photo)

Hemitte surprised the street by his strong support to the democratic forces and was one of the army generals who pressed to unseat the former President Omer al-Bashir.

Also, he stepped down resigned from the transitional military council to protests the decisions issued by its former head Awad Ibn Ouf who was also the former first vice president and defence minister.

In a statement released during the first hours of Saturday morning, Hemitte said he had already made it clear that the decisions of the army leadership should satisfy the demand of Sudanese people and called to expedite dialogue with political forces and the Sudanese Professionals Association.

To announce "a clear program for a transitional period of no more than three to six months, during which the constitution will be revised through a drafting committee with the participation of all the Sudanese forces," he said.

He further proposed to form a new transitional military council flanked with a civilian government to be formed by the political parties and the professionals' group.

Two days al-Bashir's removal, Hemitte addressed his troops saying they have many enemies and they have to demonstrate once again who they are and protect the civilians and their properties, stressing they should not repress the peaceful protests.

"Time has come to prove to Khartoum people the true nature of the Rapid Support Forces," he stressed.

In an interview with the Egyptian Almydan TV on Friday, he said the army leadership agreed on the need to overthrow al-Bashir to avoid chaos and killing.

He said the move aimed at preventing "possible massacres by the militias of the old regime" or armed men join the protesters to defend them.

Asked about al-Bashir's handover to the International Criminal Court (ICC), he indicated his preference for a national court stressing that a decision on this respect should be taken by the Sudanese people.

Formed in August 2013, the RSF were part of the government militias that fought rebel groups in Darfur region and the Two Areas. They are accused of atrocities and war crimes.

(ST)

By Duop Chak Wuol

On April 11, 2019, Pope Francis did what I viewed as a rather astonishing move. His decision to kiss the feet of President Salva Kiir, SPLM-IO leader Dr Riek Machar, current First Vice President Taban Deng and Mama Rebecca Garang de Mabior was undeniably dramatic—in fact, it was surprising given the fact that some of these leaders contributed immensely to the suffering of the people of South Sudan. In this article, I argue that the “spiritual retreat” that has recently been concluded between Kiir, Machar, and other South Sudanese leaders at the Vatican is a plausible thing to do and that the young nation's leaders must be serious about bringing an end to the civil war this time.

As someone who always writes critical articles against the government, I decided to respect this event, religious diplomacy, to give our leaders some time to see if they are ready for peace. I was moved to see the Pope kissing the feet of South Sudanese leaders. This is what led me to give Kiir and Machar some space to think and work to fulfil their commitment to peace. I will resume my regular writings at the time of my choosing. The goal of this piece is simply to urge Kiir and Machar to be true to themselves and appeal to their sense of spiritual principles so that peace can be realized.

Before it was launched, the retreat was widely viewed in South Sudan as a virtuous strategy to help find a solution to the conflict. Dialogue is a good technique used extensively by human beings. This practice is as old as humanity itself. But it does not always translate into the intended goal. What His Holiness Pope Francis did is indisputably a good gesture to show to President Kiir and rebel leader Dr Machar through religious perspectives that sometimes it takes knowledge, forgiveness, understanding, commitment, and conviction to find a sense of peace. It is worth mentioning that diplomacy has many dimensions, including the political, social, religious, economic, and other social domains. Remember this dialogue is religious — it is also one of the best methods, if not the best, to use to resolve conflicts around the world.

In his address to South Sudanese political and religious leaders, the Pope welcomed South Sudan's leaders and reminded them that the purpose of the retreat is for them to unite together, reflect on their lives, and to recognize their shared responsibility for the present and future of the South Sudanese. Pope Francis's message was loud and clear: he wanted South Sudanese leaders to fulfil the meaning of the spiritual retreat, meaning, that they must remove themselves from their past actions that contributed to the destruction of the country. I would also like to remind our leaders that the Pope's speech also asked them to cease hostilities and respect the September 2018 peace agreement so that the ongoing political and tribal division will be overcome. In addition, Pope Francis reminded South Sudan's leaders that leaders made mistakes and that it is good to repent so that they can be forgiven. For lasting peace to come to our nation, President Kiir and rebel leader Dr Machar must step back from their “usual environment,” as the Pope indicated. The two men must also remember that Pope Francis told them during his speech that ‘God is watching'.

Can religious diplomacy bring peace in South Sudan?

There is clearly no conclusive answer to this question. Nevertheless, there is hope that Pope Francis's attempt could deliver a good result for the people of South Sudan. The Pope is known as a peace-maker who champions the poor and burdened societies. His sense of wanting to end the suffering of the South Sudanese resonates with his mentality. The people of South Sudan are tired of war and hope this spiritual retreat might be the answer. I realized after reading the speech of Pope Francis that the political game that Machar and Kiir have been playing could come to an end unless the two men are not faithful to their words.

However, a careful analysis of past and current peace-related events also shows that the retreat could simply end up as part of previous unsuccessful deals. All past failed agreements and the recent spiritual summit at the Vatican have only one difference, and this difference is the religious component. Kiir and Machar are known Christians. But the critical question here is whether the two men will be driven by their religious convictions or other hidden interests. It is just not clear now if these leaders who have been fighting against each other for more than five years are ready this time.

Spiritual diplomacy, like any other form of diplomacy, is very important, especially in places like South Sudan where political leaders resort to violent means to stay in power or gain illicit access to national coffers. Regional and international diplomacies have already been tried and to no avail. These channels were used through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union (AU), Troika countries (the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom), and the United Nations, but all failed. There is also the undeniable fact that the collapse of the August 2015 peace agreement in July 2016 happened because the government was not serious about peace. One can only hope that the Vatican-hosted religious retreat will not be used as a cover by some South Sudanese leaders to commit even more crimes or to further prolong the destruction of the country.

President Kiir must be serious about peace this time. He should do this by permanently ordering his forces not to launch an attack against the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), allocate enough money for peace implementation, revoke the 32 states presidential decree and return the country to the original 10 states, reunify the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO forces for retraining as stipulated in September 2018 agreement, allow the peace monitors unlimited access to conduct their work, and consent to the formation of an Hybrid court to try those who have been implicated in the war crimes and crimes against humanity. Kiir should also reach out to the National Salvation Front (NAS) to show that he is committed to peace in the country. This is the time for Kiir and Machar to reflect on the destruction of the nation and the nearly 400,000 South Sudanese who lost their lives merely because of an act of political immaturity. President Kiir must be serious because using a religious figure to further advance the same mindset would be a colossal mistake—perhaps a disgraceful one.

Duop Chak Wuol is the editor-in-chief of the South Sudan News Agency (https://southsudannewsagency.org/. He can be reached at duop282@gmail.com. Note: The views expressed in this article are his and should not be attributed to the South Sudan News Agency.

April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The commander of the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (aka Hemitte) has refused to participate in the Transitional Military Council which took over power following the ouster of former President Omer al-Bashir.

On Thursday, the Defence Minister and First Vice- President Awad Ibn Ouf overthrew President Omer al-Bashir and announced his arrest in a safe place.

He said the Supreme Security Committee, including the armed forces, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), RSF and the police took full responsibility for changing the whole regime during a two-year transitional period.

In a statement published on the RSF webpage on Friday, Hemitte said: “I'd like to announce to the Sudanese people that I, in my capacity as commander of the RSF, have refused to participate in the military council since 11 April”.

He pointed out that RSF would remain part of the armed forces and would work to maintain the unity of the country and respect for human rights.

Hemitte added his forces would continue to side with the choices of the Sudanese people.

On Friday, the military information department said the formation of the military council has been delayed for further consultations.

It is noteworthy that the militia commander on Thursday issued a statement in which he stressed support for the people's demand of handing over power to a civil transitional government, saying the RSF rejects any solutions that don't meet the desires of the Sudanese people.

He also asked the leaders of the Sudanese Professionals Association and the various opposition parties and the youth to open the door of dialogue and engage in negotiations to achieve solutions that satisfy the desire of the people and protects the country against from sliding into chaos.

(ST)

April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The Transitional Military Council (TMC) on Friday has expressed readiness to form a civilian government and reduce the transitional period in agreement with the political forces.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum, the head of the TMC political committee Omer Zain al-Abdin said the upcoming government would be “civilian”, pointing out that it would be formed by the consensus of the political forces.

He added the military wouldn't intervene in the formation of the government nor will it appoint any of its members, saying the armed forces would only maintain the defence and interior ministries in order to counter any security challenges.

He pointed that the TMC would consult with all political forces except the former ruling National Congress Party, saying the “TMC supports the demands of the people and seeks to arrange the peaceful transfer of power”.

“We are the protectors of the demands of the political entities and we wouldn't dictate anything on the people, we came for the sake of the protesters and we wouldn't allow chaos,” he said

“Our priority now is to maintain security and stability of the country and provide the services and to conduct political dialogue inside Sudan and abroad [i.e. with the international community]” added Zain al-Abdin

He pointed out that the Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf, the director of the National Intelligence and Security Services Salah Gosh, the Police Director Al-Tayeb Babiker and the commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Doglo have led the change despite being part of the former regime.

Zain al-Abdin has dismissed all accusations that the TMC is a puppet of the former ruling National Congress Party as mere “lies”, saying they are the sons of the armed forces.

He stressed that the TMC is open to discussions and consultations on reducing the transitional period, saying it could be reduced to one month if all political parties agreed to do so.

He expressed willingness to negotiate with the youth who are holding a mass sit-in in front of the military headquarters to listen to the views.

Commenting on the fate of the deposed president, Omer al-Bashir, Zain al-Abdin said he is being detained without giving further details, pointing the majority of the figures of the former regime have been arrested.

SPA REJECTS TMC OFFER

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) has rejected the offer of the TMC describing it as “absurd deception”.

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune, the SPA said: “what took place was nothing but changing of masks to maintain the same regime that the people sought to overthrow and uproot”.

“Our demands are clear, fair and legitimate, however, the old coupists in their new masks are not capable of making change and they only seek to cling to power regardless of the safety of the country, and that is why they wouldn't respond to the peaceful demands including the immediate handover of power to a transitional civilian government”.

The SPA underscored determination to resist the state of emergency and the curfew besides all restrictive orders issued by the coupists.

(ST)

April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Defence Minister General Awad Ibn Ouf has stepped down from his position as head of the Transition Military Council on Friday night and appointed a new general to replace him

Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

The announcement comes after his rejection by the Sudanese protesters led Sudanese Professional Association and its allies of the Freedom and Change forces 24 hours after the overthrow of the former

Ibn Ouf is seen as one of the Islamist generals in the army, also he was linked to the war crimes in Darfur.

In a statement broadcasted via the official TV and Radio stations on Friday evening Ibn Ouf 65, announced that he decided to resign from his position as head of the Transitional Military Council.

He also relieved his deputy and chief of the general staff Kamal Abdel-Marouf who is also was perceived as part of the regime of the former President Omer al-Bashir.

Also, Ibn Ouf announced the appointment of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a new head of the transitional military council.

Al-Burhan who is not an Islamist is widely accepted by the army. He served as the army's general inspector and commander of the ground forces.

Thousands of Sudanese took to the street in the night to express their joy for his resignation.

Ibn Ouf who is on the list of US sanctions for his alleged role in Darfur war crimes stated on Friday that al-Bashir would be handed over to the International Criminal Court increasing his unpopularity among the Sudanese.

The Sudanese Professionals Association called on the protesters to remain mobilized awaiting al-Burhan's position from the demands of the forces of the Freedom and Change Declaration.

The Sudanese opposition groups call for a peaceful transfer of power to the political forces.

(ST)

April 12, 2019 (KHARTOUM) -The opposition alliance Sudan Call has condemned the military coup in Sudan and accused the "Sudanese Islamic movement military wing" of seizing the power to reproduce the old regime.

The Sudanese defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf Thursday announced that the army has decided to overthrow President Omer al-Bashir and announced a number of decisions including procedural measures to ensure the security situation in Sudan.

However, he did not consult the opposition forces which have been behind the 4-month protests or speak about its role in the transitional period giving them the feeling that their efforts for change have been stolen.

"The takeover has preserved the political and economic structures of the old system, and the new junta has not provided any political solution to end the war, to effect democratic transformation, or a means of solving the economic crisis,". said Yasir Arman, Secretary of External Affairs of the Sudan Call.

" It is old wine in old bottles. For the sake of the Islamists, it is old milk in old bottles," he stressed.

The Sudanese opposition forces have been unanimous on its rejection of the military move as the Sudanese Professionals Association called on the disappointed protesters to remain mobilized outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.

Arman further underlined that the military coup has left untouched the National Congress Party of the unseated President Omer al-Bashir.

The coup "ignored completely the forces of freedom and change, who have led the revolution, and more importantly, they have ignored the demands of the Sudanese people for peace, democracy and equal citizenship," he stressed.

The African Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and the United States, as well as the United Nation, have reacted to the overthrow of President Omer al-Bashir by a military council headed by his First Vice President and Defence Minister.

While the African Union has condemned the move as unconstitutional, the United Nations called to ensure that the democratic aspiration of the Sudanese people will be realized through an appropriate and inclusive transition process.

Also, the United States decided to suspend a process aiming to remove Sudan from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

"The U.S. government in the coming days will discuss the situation with government officials and a range of Sudanese stakeholders to encourage a democratic transition," further said the State Department on Thursday.

The Sudan Call welcomed the position taken by the African Union, the United Kingdom and the British Foreign Minister, and the United States and called for international pressure on the military junta.

"We appeal to all democratic and peace-loving countries and organizations and to the UN Security Council and its Permanent Members to support the demands of the Sudanese people for peace and democracy," said the statement.

(ST)

April 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's opposition forces refused to deal with the military coup led by the defence minister on Thursday and urged the Sudanese to continue to sit-in the streets.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese were clearly frustrated when Awad bin Auf appeared on the TV screens as one of the perpetrators of the coup that toppled al-Bashir.

The streets of the Sudanese capital and a number of states were filled with huge waves of people after the announcement of the army's statement as thousands marched in the streets to express their joy of the expected change.

But, the protesters shouted everywhere, expressing their rejection of Ibn Ouf and considered the move as a hoax saying that the same faces they opposed to, are in the security committee headed by Ibn Ouf includes the security apparatus, the Rapid Support Forces and the police.

The head of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) Omer al-Degair, said that the statement read by the leader of the military coup is disappointing, and stressed his refusal to allow the "theft of the revolution".

He stressed that the statement is nothing but an attempt to re-produce the al-Bashir regime which must be dropped with all its organs and symbols.

"We reject the formation of the military council, and the leadership of the armed forces had to contact us to hear our point of view about the future (of Sudan) but they took their decision alone and therefore we reject on behalf of the people and we will remain on the streets," he said.

For its part, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) who coordinates the popular protests, also rejected the statement by the defence minister and called on the protesters to continue demonstrating until the "comprehensive change" is achieved.

In a statement released after Ibn Ouf statement, the SPA said that the authorities of the regime carried out "a military coup reproducing the faces and institutions against which the Sudanese people revolted."

"Those who destroyed the country and killed its people are trying to steal every drop of blood and sweat poured by the great Sudanese people in the revolution that shook the throne of tyranny."

A spokesman for the professionals said Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf had "interpreted a new representation" and that his statement preserved the presence of the Islamist in the Sudanese state.

"What happened was a new coup and an attempt to dodge," he said.

"The people will rebel against the authority of Ibn Ouf and any authority besieging his dreams."

The professionals further called on the Sudanese people to maintain their sit-in in front of the army headquarters and in the other states and to stay on the streets in all the cities of Sudan until the handover of power to a transitional government that reflects the revolutionary forces.

"There is no dialogue between the forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change and those who have now come to power," the SPA spokesperson said.

Other political forces rejected Ibn Ouf's statements saying it only means the continuation of the regime and its repressive apparatus under a new name.

"Awad Ibn Ouf's statement means the continuation of the rule of the Islamist generals, the security services and the militias, and the retaliation against the officers who sided with the people of the middle and small ranks," said the SPLM-N led by Malik Agar.

"At this pivotal stage in the history of the country, the SLA confirms that it will continue to fight for the overthrow of this regime. The movement will put all its resources into the hands of the revolution," said Minni Minnwi the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement.

" The Movement rejects the existence of the symbol of genocide at the head of the transitional government, whatever the justifications, and considers it a provocation to the feelings of the victims' families and a grave insult to the martyrs," said the Justice and Equality Movement of Gibril Ibrahim.

(ST)

April 11, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Defense Minister First Vice- President Awad Ibn Ouf overthrew President Omer al-Bashir and announced his arrest in a safe place.

On Thursday afternoon, Ibn Ouf read a military statement on behalf of the Supreme Security Committee, which includes the armed forces, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the police.

He said the Committee "decided to carry out what was not expected by the head of the regime and took full responsibility for changing the whole regime during a two-year transitional period," he said before to add that "the armed forces - with a limited representation of the components of that committee - will take is the responsibility of the state administration.

"I, the Minister of Defense, the head of the Supreme Security Committee, announces the uprooting of the regime and the arrest of its head in a safe place."

He explained that the Security Committee has been since the 6 April considering the alternatives and warned of the seriousness of the situation but they were faced by the Stubbornness and insistence on security solutions, without naming al-Bashir.

He added they had been convinced of the impossibility to implement such an option, pointing out that it would have caused significant losses.

Ibn Ouf made his speech after a long delay as it was announced since the early morning.

It came in a bid to end the over four-month protests demanding al-Bashir and his regime to step down.

Ibn Ouf further announced a number of measures including the formation of a Transitional Military Council to rule the country for a two-year transitional period.

The details of this government will be disclosed in a later statement, he said.

Also, he decided to suspend the Interim Constitution of 2005 and announced a three-month state of emergency and a one-month of curfew from 10 pm to 4 am.

He further decided the closure of the airspace for twenty-four hours.

Furthermore, he dissolved the government, the parliament and the presidential cabinet as well as the state governments and legislatures.

Ibn Ouf maintained the unilateral cease-fire throughout Sudan and announced the immediate release of all political prisoners, the creation of a conducive climate for the peaceful transfer of power, the building of political parties, the holding of free and fair elections at the end of the transitional period and the establishment of a permanent constitution.

(ST)

April 11, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan official and radio-television have interrupted their programmes and broadcast military announcing that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) will issue a communiqué soon.

Reports from Khartoum say the coup d'état has been carried out by the whole military institution including the defence minister and first vice-president Awad Ibn Ouf.

Also, armoured vehicles belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been seen deployed in the strategic positions of the capital.

The Sudanese Professionals Association which oversees the over-4 month protests across the country has called on the protesters to continue the big set-in outside the army headquarters until the identification of who is behind the coup.

The whereabouts of President Omer al-Bashir is not known. However, reports say he is at his home under the protection of the army.

A military telegram seen by Sudan Tribune released his morning informed the military commands outside the capital and in the different states that the army has taken power and will form a military council to manage the country.

Reliable Sources say the decision was taken to cut short preparations for another coup that had been underway by Islamist officers together with the NISS and the militia of the National Congress Party known as the Popular Security.

Al-Jazeera TV reported the arrest of Ali Osman Taha, former first vice-president and Ahmed Haroun the acting chairman of the National Congress Party along with other leading Islamist leaders.

Hundreds of protesters have continued to arrive at the headquarters of the army in Khartoum.

Calls for Vigilance

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which coordinates the four-month protest movement, called for vigilance and urged the Sudanese people to remain mobilized and to continue the sit-in outside army headquarters.

"At this moment, the country is waiting for the statement of the Armed Forces in response to your heroic struggle over the past four months. We say that we are at a crossroads; either a complete victory f your great struggles or a desperate attempt to reproduce the old regime,".

The SPA further recalled its demands: the stepping down of al-Bashir and his regime, handover of power to a transitional civilian government that reflects the components of the revolution and the full implementation of the declaration of freedom and change.

09.24

Sudanese are still waiting for the statement of the army leadership, while reports say some 150 politicians have been arrested from the NCP and its allied forces.

People continue to take to the street celebrating the fall of al-Bashir's regime despite uncertainties about the nature of the military coup.

11.28

Sudanese army raided the headquarters of the Islamic Movement in Khartoum.

The Sudanese people are still awaiting the statement of the army leadership among reports about the release of the political detainees including Mohamed Nagi Alsam, the SPA spokesperson.

The SPA issued a statement calling to avoid attacks on government and private property in Khartoum. The call comes after a video showing protesters raiding the house of Awad al-Jaz a former minister and presidential adviser.

12.03

Sudanese continue to take to the street, as thousands head to the headquarters of the army where protesters have been there for five days.

(ST)

March 23, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - A fire broke out at the old building of the presidential palace in the Sudanese capital on Saturday afternoon, clouds of smoke and flames were seen rising from the building on the banks of the White Nile.

According to the Sudanese presidency, the fire was caused by a short circuit.

"The Civil Defense Forces at the presidency managed to control a limited fire that broke out at the buildings of the old Republican Palace around 3:45 pm (local time)," said a statement issued by the secretary-general of the presidency Mohamed Mohamed-Saleh.

As it was not in use, no casualties were reported so far.

The buildings of the old republican palace are not used as most of the administrations have moved to the new building inaugurated in January 2015.

Built in 1832, the old palace was the seat of the Sudanese government after independence.

(ST)