A year after the toppling of dictator Omar Al Bashir, Sudan is in roughly the state it has been for most of the 64 years since independence: perilously unstable and deep in political uncertainty.
Sudan has made little progress towards overcoming its problems since Al Bashir’s generals removed him from power on April 11, 2019, after months of nationwide protests against his 29-year rule.
Al Bashir was detained shortly after his removal and sentenced to two years in jail after being convicted of corruption. He is likely to face separate trials for ordering the fatal shooting of protesters and for overthrowing a democratically elected government in a military coup he led in 1989. Sudan’s transitional rulers have indicated that he could also be tried before the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity in the western Darfur region in the 2000s.
But the prospect of Al Bashir, 75, spending the rest of his days behind bars is little comfort to a country still facing the hardships that sparked the uprising against him in December 2018.
The continuing shortages of bread and fuel, power cuts, the rapid depreciation of the currency and double-digit unemployment are slowly chipping away at the patience shown so far by Sudan's 40 million people towards their new rulers. Peace with a host of rebel groups that have been fighting government forces for years in the south and west of Sudan remains elusive despite months of negotiations. The uneasy partnership between the military and the opposition alliance that led the anti-Al Bashir protests, established under a power-sharing agreement signed in August, appears at times to be close to unravelling.
“What is clear a year after the removal of Al Bashir is the absence of a detailed plan toward the transition to democratic rule,” said Rasha Awad, editor in chief of the Sudanese online news service Al Taghyeer. “The transition to democratic rule is not just holding elections. So many steps are needed before that,” she explained, citing a long list of issues on which progress has been slow. These include reforming the judiciary, purging security agencies, civil service and the military of Al Bashir loyalists, reaching peace agreements with rebel groups and arresting the deterioration of the economy.
Sudan, a vast Afro-Arab nation with massive untapped natural resources, has alternated between authoritarian military regimes and elected civilian governments since 1956, with the latter consistently proving ineffective and short lived. Ethnically and religiously diverse, Sudan has moreover been torn apart for most of its post-independence years by civil wars, famine and economic crises. In the past year alone there have been at least two coup attempts and an assassination attempt against the transitional prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok.
The revolt against Al Bashir was part of a second wave of Arab uprisings that included Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon. Unlike those of the first wave a decade ago, the latest uprisings were driven by economic inequality and social disparities not regime change. The Sudanese activists behind the "December Revolution" say they have learnt from the mistakes of other uprisings, when in fact their movement has been bogged down by shortcomings that, while unique to Sudan, are nevertheless pushing the country deeper into an uncertain future.
Amany Al Taweel, a Sudan expert from Egypt’s Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, attributes much of the political instability to tensions between the military and civilian wings of the transitional government. The military, she said, viewed the civilians in light of their track record as ineffective rulers, unable to tackle the country’s major challenges. The civilians, on their part, are wary of domination by the generals.
“The interactions between the two main planks of power – the military and civilians – remain unstable and fraught with suspicion,” she said.
Unfortunately for Sudan, the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant global economic downturn have undermined Khartoum’s chances of cashing in on the country’s new image as a genuine aspiring democracy, with hopes of debt forgiveness and foreign investment, pending the removal of its name from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, now shelved.
The pandemic also threatens to push Sudan's battered health sector to collapse if the number of cases continues to grow. The country had only 15 cases with two deaths as of April 10, according to figures compiled by John Hopkins University.
“Definitely, no one has the time now to deal with Sudan,” said Hany Raslan, another Sudan expert from Egypt’s Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. “Now the economic crisis is deepening and it is taking a toll on the people … but everyone is bearing up because they will be thrown into the unknown if they cease to support the government.”
But the people's support has its limits, according to Mrs Awad, the editor of Al Taghyeer.
“People remain happy to this day that Al Bashir was removed and the government continues to enjoy legitimacy despite its failings,” she said.
“But the government must realise this legitimacy is not absolutely guaranteed because people are economically pressed and counter-revolutionaries have not given up."
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Company%20profile
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The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
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Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
((Disclaimer))
The Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (“Bank”) assumes no liability or guarantee for the accuracy, balance, or completeness of the information in this publication. The content may change at any time due to given circumstances, and the Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG is under no obligation to update information once it has been published. This publication is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, a recommendation or an invitation by, or on behalf of, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch), Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, or any of its group affiliates to make any investments or obtain services. This publication has not been reviewed, disapproved or approved by the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) Central Bank, Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE. It may not be relied upon by or distributed to retail clients. Liechtensteinische Landesbank (DIFC Branch) is regulated by the DFSA and this advertorial is intended for Professional Clients (as defined by the DFSA) who have sufficient financial experience and understanding of financial markets, products or transactions and any associated risks.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
more from Janine di Giovanni
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
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
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
FIXTURES
Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
