Sudan

Street clashes again shook Sudan's capital on Thursday, a day after security forces shot dead 15 protesters in the bloodiest day since the military's October 25 takeover.

At least 39 people have been killed by security forces in Sudan since the 25 October military coup, 15 of whom were reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. On Thursday, Michelle Bachelet condemned the killings, saying it is “utterly shameful” that live ammunition keeps being used against protesters.  

Sudanese journalists are pushing back against military leaders who seized power in a coup last month, calling on them to respect press freedoms and release several editors and reporters they have detained. … “Authorities have also intentionally cut off internet services from journalists as part of the systematic crackdown on journalists who are supposed to document the ongoing crimes against Sudanese people," Shaban [Sudanese Journalists Network] said.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, called on the military authorities to start negotiations aiming to restore constitutional order in Sudan. … He added that an emissary to Sudan will be deployed soon as requested by the PSC broker a political deal between the Sudanese stakeholders ending the current crisis.

The appointment of a new Sovereign Council obstructs efforts to restore the civilian-led government, said the UN secretary-general envoy to Sudan told the Security Council on Thursday. Volker Perthes UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission In Sudan (UNITAMS) head briefed the Security Council on Thursday evening about the appointment of a new Sovereign Council excluding the political and civil forces that were behind the December revolution that ousted the al-Bashir’s regime in April 2019.

Sudan's main civilian political coalition rejected any negotiation with the military on Wednesday, holding to its position at its first press conference since a coup on October 25 led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Internet access in Sudan has largely been cut since a widely condemned military coup on October 25.

The United Nations human rights council on Friday adopted a British-led resolution on Sudan condemning the military coup and appointing an expert to monitor alleged rights violations in its aftermath.

Mass protests have erupted throughout Sudan following the 25 October coup, prompting backlash from the security forces. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Jonas Horner outlines de-escalatory moves that could reinstate the constitutional order – and reset the country’s transition.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Thursday urged the head of Sudan’s ruling military junta to restore civilian-led democratic transition and to release political detainees. The two separate calls come in support of the ongoing efforts by the African Union Envoy for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo and UNITAMS Head Volker Perthes to bring an end to the ongoing crisis in Sudan after the military takeover on 25 October.