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October 09-20, 2014

Media Monitoring Report for Sudan
Posted on October 20, 2014

Contents

Compiled by Michelle Booth - Sudan Media Monitoring Reporter

Al Bashir should take Kenyan President as Example
Private Media

Source: Radio Dabanga – independent news from Darfur,9 th October, in English
Al Bashir Should Take Kenyan President as Example: Sudan Rebels

  • According to the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), Omar al-Bashir should follow the lead of Kenyan President Ahru Kenyatta, and present himself immediately to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • Kenyatta has been charged with crimes against humanity. He recently stepped down as president of Kenya in order to present himself to the ICC, where he will be tried before the court as a private citizen.
  • According to Yasir Arman, who is Secretary of Foreign Relations of the SRF “President Al Bashir took power by a military coup in 1989, and clung to power by widespread acts of violence since then. He divided the Sudanese on the bases of ethnicity and religion, destroyed the country’s entire social fabric, and impoverished the majority of the people to far below international poverty levels. Al Bashir is not only selfish and greedy, but also a coward”.
  • Omar al-Bashir has been charged with 5 counts against humanity, two counts of war crimes and three counts of genocide.
  • Fatima Bensouda, prosecutor with the ICC recently asked authorities in Saudia Arabia to arrest al-Bashir who was in Mecca for the hajj. El Fadel Haj Suleiman, head of the Secretariat of Justice of the ruling National Congress Party, called this request “an insult to Saudia Arabia.
Conflict in Jebel Marra

Source: Domestic Media- Sudan Tribune,12th October, in English
Clashes in Jebel Marra Delay Health Assessments: UN

  • The UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has given approval for the National Initiative Development Organisation (IDNO) and the Jebel Marra Charity Organisation (JMCO) to conduct health assessments in the Jebel Marra area.
  • Despite the approval, the groups have been unable to access the over 100,000 people who require humanitarian need due to the fighting between the Sudanese government and the rebels.
  • It is believed that the number of people facing food insecurity will reduce from its peak in September of 5.2 million to 3.5 million in Oct-Nov due to a high rainfall that has benefited crops.
  • Despite this over 20% of the internally displaced persons in Sudan remain in permanent crisis due to limited access to aid, conflict and general instability.
Sudan’s Journalists Repeat Demands for Press Freedom
Private Media

Source: Radio Dabanga –independent news from Darfur, 16th October, in English
Sudan’s Journalists Repeat Demands for Press Freedom

  • Journalists protested in Khartoum over censorship of the press by the Sudanese government.
  • This year has been especially difficult for members of the media, as Khartoum has cracked down confiscating papers and interrogating editors and journalists.
  • The 2014 World Press Freedom Index has listed Sudan in the bottom 10 out of 180 countries.
National Dialogue and Peace Talks

Source: Domestic Media- Sudan Tribune, 18th October, in English
SPLM-N Rejects Khartoum’s Statements on Peace Talks

  • The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has denied the statement by Sudan’s chief negotiator which claims that the rebels have been invited to participate in talks with the Sudanese government.
  • According to the SPLM-M media spokesperson, these statements are “twisted” and “outright lies.”
  • The SPLM-N claims that the claims made by Khartoum are false because no date has been set for the talks, and thus there could have been no invitation given.
State Media

Source: Sudan Vision (pro-government), 20th October, in English
National Dialogue a Strategic Approach: PCP

  • According to the Political Secretary of the Popular Congress Party (PCP), Kamal Omer, the party is “dedicated” to moving forward with the national dialogue.
  • Omer stated “dialogue is the sole option for the country because any other option would plunge the country into a dangerous phase.”
  • The PCP party has stated that it is not in favor in any sort of “foreign interference” to help solve the problems facing Sudan.
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