Must-read articles and tweets on #SudanRevolts:
On the Brink in Sudan, by David L. Phillips and Ahmed Hussain Adam
A spiral of deadly violence engulfed Sudan last week. Nearly 200 peaceful protesters were killed in protests that started in Darfur and swept across the country, including Khartoum. Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, condemned the brutal crackdown by Sudan’s President El-Bashir. But when Australia, which currently chairs the UN Security Council, tried to spotlight developments in Sudan, Russia discouraged debate. Sudanese pro-democracy protesters are undaunted by Russia’s obstructionism. They are demanding that the African Union (AU) seek action from the UN Security Council. As in Tunisia, nationwide protests in Sudan can be traced to a single event. Ismail Wadi, a well-known merchant, was gunned down by government-backed militia in Nyala, South Darfur on September 18. Protesters gathered at the government headquarters to submit a petition of protest to the Governor of South Darfur. But instead of receiving the petitioners, the Governor ordered security forces to open fire on the crowd. At least 5 people were killed and scores wounded. When the demonstrators attempted to evacuate the wounded to the hospital, police followed attacking with tear gas and using snipers to target leaders in the crowd…
‘Why do you insist on lying about NCP killing protestors?’ journalist confronts Sudanese officials – SudanTribune
A Sudanese journalist has infuriated the interior minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, the governor of Khartoum state Abdel-Rahman Al-Khidir and the information minister Ahmed Bilal Osman when he accused them of insisting on “lying” with regard to the killing of protestors in demonstrations which erupted in several parts of Sudan last week. The protests erupted last week in many parts of Sudan following the government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies leading to almost doubling the prices of gasoline and diesel. The demonstrations saw the participation of thousands of Sudanese who chanted slogans against the government of president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir like “The people want the fall of the regime!” and “Freedom! Freedom!”. Activists say over a hundred people were killed by the Sudanese security since the start of the protests while authorities admitted to the death of only 33 including policemen. They also accused protestors of vandalizing and damaging gas stations and public transportation buses…
Unrest in Central Sudan Leads to Arrests of 700, by Isma’il Kushkush
The worst week of violent unrest that central Sudan has seen in years has resulted in the arrests of 700 people, the government said on Monday, along with many deaths and an unprecedented crackdown on the news media. The trigger for the latest protest was the lifting of gasoline subsidies by the government of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. It was the latest difficult economic adjustment the Sudanese have experienced since South Sudan became independent two years ago, taking with it nearly 75 percent of the oil revenue the two countries once shared. Inflation has reached nearly 40 percent, and the value of the Sudanese pound has spiraled downward. The police on Monday once again used tear gas on protesters, this time, witnesses said, female students at Ahfad University in Omdurman who were chanting, “We don’t want Bashir.”…
Senior Sudan Official Speaks Out against Crackdown – Naharnet
A senior official in Sudan’s ruling party on Monday spoke out against an “unnecessary” deadly crackdown on demonstrators protesting fuel price hikes, saying the government should have instead encouraged dialogue. “The fact that so many have died points to the degree of violence,” the official told Agence France Presse on condition of anonymity, in comments that reflect divisions within the governing National Congress Party (NCP). “I believe it was unnecessary to repress the peaceful demonstrators. Peaceful demonstration is a constitutional right.” Authorities say 33 people have died since petrol and diesel prices jumped by more than 60 percent one week ago, sparking the worst protests of President Omar al-Bashir’s 24-year rule. “The demonstrations have somewhat subsided, leaving lots of grievances behind. These will take time to heal,” said the ruling party official. Solutions to the economy and other challenges “can’t be done by a limited number of people within the NCP, the government,” he said…
Sudan Revolts: Internet Blackouts and Dead Protesters on the Streets – Vice
Sudan is literally on fire. The past five days in Sudan were filled with blocked roads, gas stations on fire, and live ammunition at the funerals of dead protesters, and there have been multiple reports of live ammunition and heavy tear gas in multiple neighborhoods just this afternoon. Photos of dead teenagers hit Facebook and Twitter followed by a #SudanRevolts on Monday. YouTube footage clearly showed Sudanese security officials in uniform opening live fire on protesters, while the government cut internet connection and claimed those protesters were killed by other citizens—not security forces. Sudan human rights organizations have reported over 100 dead with numbers increasing. Sudan is no stranger to protests. Waves of protests have been occurring since 2010 amidst a debt and an economic crisis. The last set of protests during July of 2012 went on for several weeks. The government had announced an increase to prices of basic goods, which brought thousands of people to the streets, where they were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. But this time around, it’s different…
Tear gas fired at Sudanese protesters – News24
Sudanese police fired tear gas on Monday into a university campus where female students were protesting, the university head said on the eighth day of demonstrations sparked by rising fuel prices. Between 150 and 200 Ahfad University for Women students were demonstrating “against the government and things like that”, university president Gasim Badri told AFP. He said police did not enter the campus in Khartoum’s twin city Omdurman but fired tear gas from outside. There were no injuries and the demonstration had already finished, Badri said. Late on Sunday about 1 000 people marched in Khartoum calling for the government’s overthrow after a ceremony mourning those gunned down last week during fuel price protests, witnesses said. The rally began in the wealthy Mansheeya neighbourhood, which was home to Salah Mudathir, 28, a pharmacologist shot dead during a protest on Friday. “Freedom! Freedom!” they shouted, according to the witnesses. “A million Salah for a new dawn!” they called in a reference to the dead man.
“@AmAhmad249: amazing cartoon By: @TalalNayer .. we will stand our ground #Sudan pic.twitter.com/NqNFPXkjG0” wow
— Muniness (@Muniness) September 29, 2013
