…As Sudanese Government Declares One Year State Of Emergency
The government of Sudan has accused the political activists; armed groups ;some non-governmental organisations as well as opposition parties, and some of Sudanese activists in the diaspora mainly in some western countries of funding civil unrest with the President Omar al-Bashir making it very clear that foreign powers had helped stoke protests as part of their agenda to destabilize the country’s economic stability and peace
Following civil unrests that rocked Sudan December 19 last year, the country’s President Omar Al Bashir has accused these third forces behind the instabilities which he said are aimed at effecting regime change for their selfish gains.
Demonstrations first erupted in Sudan on December 19th in Atbara Town against the government’s decision to increase bread prices, lack of fuel, cash crunch then escalated and took place towards most towns such as Khartoum, Kasala, Port Sudan, Sinar, Wad Madani, etc.
The demonstrations were called by the Sudanese Professional Association, which is an umbrella body of independent professional unions.
The Government of Sudan extended its full effort to solve these problems and to some extent start to solve it but the demonstrations quickly shifted and changed its targets and goals to regime change.
The Sudan Government declared that the protestors have a right to demonstrate peacefully against their demands according to the constitution and law but warned that subversive activity targeting public institutions and properties as well as government slogans would not be tolerated.
The Sudanese opposition and activists in Diasporas mainly in western countries have played big role in erupting the demonstrations and continued pressing for regime change.
Protesters targeted government premises, burned down offices of ruling party, government vehicles and clashed with anti-riot police and security forces, these lead to confrontation between the protestors and different forces that resulted in the death of 31 people, (2) soldiers among them.
After two months of demonstrations, on Friday 22 February 2019 during the State of the Nation address, the President of The Sudan imposed the State of Emergency in the country for one year and ordered Parliament to be postponed considering constitutional amendments that are supposed to allow him to run for an additional term, moreover her dissolved the Federal Government and dismissed the current State Governess and replaced them with the military.
The Sudanese President Marshal Omer Hassan Al-Bashir called on the opposition groups to engage in dialogue with the government based on a national document was endorsed at the National Dialogue Conference in October 2016. He also vowed to be impartial and remain neutral in the management of the political process.
On 23 February 2019, the Sudanese President issued a decree replacing his Vice President Bakir Hassan Salih with the Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf who is also to maintain his position as Defence Minister. He further issued another decree appointing the former Governor of Gezira State, Mohamed Tahin Elias as Prime Minister.
The President of Sudan called on political forces to consider the demands of the youth and to engage them in the national reconstruction.
Before he announced these decisions, the Sudanese President held intensive meetings with the Higher Coordination Committee for dialogue and leadership office of the National Congress Party while the Foreign Affairs Ministry informed the diplomatic missions about these developments.
This state of emergency comes to address the chaos in economic affairs and resolving the issue of cash crunch and fight the corruption as well as to stop bad practices which were casting negative effects on the economy, such as smuggling of gold, gum and different valuable resources.
The main objective of the imposition of the state of emergency is to achieve an integrated vision and to achieve the goals and the peaceful transfer of power and to reach an agreed election as well as speed up the decision-making process and overcome bureaucratic mind-set and eliminate bureaucracy in dealing with the economic crisis, corruption and the preservation of the country’s resources as well as the threats and challenges it faces.
Following the state of emergency, many presidential decisions have been issued as follows:-
The President of Sudan issued a decision that banned unauthorised rallies and gatherings without permission, blocking roads and stopping traffic was banned.
Publishing news that hurts the citizens on constitutional system or any platform including social media was also outlawed.
A new court and special prosecutor were created to investigate violations of the measures regarding economic reform and financial measures.
The order declared that no more than $3 000 would be allowed for travelling outside of the country and buying and selling of foreign currency must be done through official channels.
As if to confirm Al Bashir’s suspicions, the Sudanese opposition in the diaspora;armed groups as well as some political activists for championing the three months of protests.These agensts of regime change have been reportedly sought attention from the international community to accuse the sudanese government’s response to the civil unrest while ignoring the level of damage caused by these menacing protestors.The protestors have caused an untold damage to both country’s image ;disturbed peace and caused peace instability in the country as such the government responded by calling for a one year state of emergency as a measure to bring country to normality.
The media is still at war with government of Sudan as well as majority of both local and international news agency are reporting negative about president Omar Al Bashir’s government and leadership
-Sudan