The lifting of Sudan’s state of emergency by the military leadership was designed to appease the West rather than revive the country’s transition to democracy, analysts and activists say.
General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan seized power on October 25, dismissing a civilian-led government and ending the military’s partnership with pro-democracy forces.
He has said the takeover, which dissolved a transitional administration that took office in 2019, was necessary to avoid a civil war.
But, as the country's battered economy significantly worsened, international pressure mounted on Khartoum, particularly after a violent crackdown against protesters that included security forces using gunfire on street marches.
Gen Al Burhan has been forced to soften some of his stances on retaining power, promising free elections in 2023 after Western donors cut vital economic aid in response to his coup.
The analysts say his latest promise is likely a ploy to persuade Western powers to release this economic aid and revive a debt forgiveness programme worth billions of dollars.
The order by Gen Al Burhan to lift the state of emergency was meant "to prepare the climate for a fruitful and meaningful dialogue that achieves stability for the transitional period,” according to a Sunday statement by the ruling, military-led Sovereignty Council.
The emergency measures allowed the military to arrest critics en masse, while security forces had widespread surveillance powers and could subject those arrested to lengthy pre-trial detention.
The lifting of the state of emergency was the result of domestic and external pressures, not decided for the sake of the democratic transition
Hesham Farouq,
activist
Sudan has been rocked by violent, near-daily street rallies since the coup last year. Pro-democracy groups have demanded an end to military rule and retribution for the killing of nearly 100 protesters, the wounding of more than 3,000, and the detention of hundreds.
The coup has also plunged the vast Afro-Arab nation of 44 million people deeper into an economic crisis. This has pushed food prices beyond the reach of most Sudanese and diminished the value of the local currency against the US dollar.
The decree on the state of emergency, which followed a meeting of the top military and security commanders on Sunday, also promised the release of all political prisoners, except those held in connection with national security or criminal charges.
On Monday, authorities released 63 detainees belonging to the Resistance Committees, a pro-democracy group that is behind the anti-coup protests, said an association of defence lawyers aligned with the opposition.
More than 20 other members of the committees remain in detention, it said.
The association did not provide the total number of people detained since the coup.
Analysts and pro-democracy activists, however, remain sceptical of the military’s gesture and are questioning the generals’ motives.
“The coup (sovereign) council is not looking for the creation of a conducive climate (for a dialogue). It is looking for an exit from being held accountable for the crimes it committed,” said Hesham Farouq, a senior member of the Resistance Committees.
“Besides, the lifting of the state of emergency was the result of domestic and external pressures, not decided for the sake of the democratic transition.”
Another pro-democracy activist, Al Noor Adel, said that the lifting of the state of emergency was unlikely to make a difference on the ground.
“It is a kind of timid concession that came too late and it’s chiefly designed to appease the international community,” he said. “How is it that you want a dialogue when you have killed two protesters the day before and chased wounded protesters inside hospitals?”
Mr Adel was referring to street protests on Saturday that killed two protesters. The latest deaths triggered a sharp response from Volker Perthes, the UN representative in Sudan. He has been leading a months-old effort to persuade Sudanese stakeholders to negotiate a way out of the political crisis in collaboration with the African Union and the regional IGAD group.
The three parties issued a joint statement on Monday welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency. They said more steps were needed to encourage a dialogue on the country’s future and called for an end to the excessive use of force against protesters.
Khaled Al Faqy, a political analyst and managing editor of Sudan’s Al Mawakeb daily, offered a more nuanced reaction to Gen Al Burhan’s decision. He said it constituted a step in the right direction, but needed follow-up measures to build trust.
“Lifting the state of emergency is one of many complex steps that must be taken to resolve Sudan’s crisis,” he said. Mr Al Faqy blamed the coup for the country’s “constitutional vacuum,” the absence of the state’s “prestige”, and the multitude of armed groups outside the armed forces.
“If he (Gen Al Burhan) was genuinely interested in completing the democratic transition, he would not have seized power in a coup and collaborated with supporters of dictator Omar Al Bashir (who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2019)," said Mahmoud Al Amin of the opposition Republican Party.
“We will be repeating a failed experience if we trust them (the military) again to support the democratic transition. It is a ploy to buy time until Al Burhan gets a chance to pounce on power.”
Gen Al Burhan has repeatedly stated that he has no political ambitions of his own and that he and the military would quit politics when a government takes office after elections he promised for 2023.
However, pro-democracy activists say the general has been working towards perpetuating the military’s hold on power.
He has been seeking alliances with parties once loyal to Mr Al Bashir, influential tribal chiefs in Sudan’s “fringe” areas, like the remote east and west of the country, as well as leaders of rebel groups the government signed a peace deal with in 2020.
Gen Al Burhan has also been seeking the support of regional powerhouses such as neighbouring Egypt, where he was recently accorded a head of state reception during a brief visit to Cairo.
Meanwhile, he has been forging close security and intelligence ties with Israel, which he has publicly defended against criticism at home. He argued that the fledgling ties were necessary for the security of Sudan.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Rasi, Harry Bentley (jockey), Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi (trainer).
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m; Winner: Ya Hayati, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Magic Lily, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Eynhallow, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
Overall standings
1. Christopher Froome (GBR/Sky) 68hr 18min 36sec,
2. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) at 0:18.
3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:23.
4. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 0:29.
5. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) 1:17.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Fixtures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20April%203%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArsenal%20v%20Luton%20Town%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Aston%20Villa%2C%2011.15pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThursday%2C%20April%204%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELiverpool%20v%20Sheffield%20United%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
More coverage from the Future Forum
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
The specs: 2018 GMC Terrain
Price, base / as tested: Dh94,600 / Dh159,700
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 353Nm @ 2,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.4L / 100km
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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Company%20profile
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Mar 10: Norwich(A)
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