A pro-democracy alliance that serves as the power base of Sudan’s civilian-led government has called for protests on the streets of Sudanese cities on Thursday.
In its latest escalation in its month-long quarrel with the military, the Forces of Freedom and Change called on the military to hand leadership of the Sovereignty Council to the civilian component of the power-sharing group.
Also on its list of demands is a restructure of the military to purge it from loyalists to former dictator Omar Al Bashir and absorbing paramilitary groups in its ranks. Intelligence and security agencies, the FFC says, should be placed under the direct supervision of the government, not generals, as is the case now.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend demonstrations on Thursday in the capital, Khartoum, and other major cities.
The FCC was at the centre of Sudanese resistance to Al Bashir and organised the deadly protests in 2018-19 that eventually led to his removal by the military.
They went on to enter a power-sharing deal with the military and become the political sponsor of the transitional government, appointing career UN economist Abdalla Hamdok as prime minister and selecting members of his Cabinet.
But the group has fallen prey to divisions within its ranks that hurt its image and undermined its sway over the streets it once controlled.
Relations between the military and the FFC-backed government have also been fraught with tension since a failed coup attempt last month, with both sides publicising their differences for the first time. Their bitter quarrel quickly turned into a mud-slinging match, with the military and their supporters openly calling for Mr Hamdok’s government to resign.
“Our country is going through a delicate historic juncture that places the revolutionaries in confrontation with those who are striving to kill the spirit of the revolution and its choice of a civilian state,” said a statement by the organisers of Thursday’s planned protests.
“We are fully aware that the road ahead is filled with barriers and thorns, given that the military is laying in ambush to kill the democratic shift and creation of a state of law.”
The demonstrations constitute a potentially dangerous escalation in the trial of wills between the military and the FFC-backed government, risking an outbreak of violence between rival supporters.
A sample of what could be in store was on display on Monday when a small group of army supporters tried to break into the Cabinet offices as it held an emergency meeting. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd and sealed off the area with barbed wire and barricades to prevent a repeat.
The protesters belonged to a larger group that is camping outside the walls of the republican palace at the heart of Khartoum to press demands for the removal of Mr Hamdok’s government. They chanted slogans urging the military to seize power.
Mr Hamdok has described the crisis as the “worst and most dangerous” Sudan has faced since Al Bashir’s removal.
US support for transition
Washington will send its chief envoy for the Horn of Africa to the country this week, the second such visit in less than a month.
The US has made it clear that it supports Mr Hamdok’s government, which is battling a dip in popularity caused by harsh economic conditions made worse by a month-long blockade of the country’s main commercial sea port.
But it has Washington’s support. Prior to the blockade, enforced by protesters suspected of acting at the behest of the military, Sudan’s economy had been showing signs of slow recovery, with inflation rates falling and the local currency holding its ground against the US dollar.
Sudan, a vast and underdeveloped Afro-Arab nation of about 40 million people, is no stranger to rivalry between civilian politicians and the military. Its generals have tried to seize power at least two dozen times since independence in 1956. Of these, three ushered in long spells of military rule, from 1958 to 1964, 1969 to 1985 and 1989 to 2019.
The consequences of another military takeover, whether directly or through proxies, would plunge Sudan back into the pariah status it had for most of Al Bashir’s 29 years in power, removing access to the foreign assistance it desperately needs and putting it at risk of international sanctions.
“Things are clearly worrisome,” said Michael Hanna, director of the US programme at Crisis Group, a think tank. “Politics should not be contested on the streets. It’s a very dangerous proposition,” he said, an allusion to Thursday’s planned demonstrations.
Significantly, the government appears to be enjoying wide support from the international community. The military, on the other hand, is believed to enjoy the support of some of the region’s heavyweights and has at its disposal an unmatched firepower.
But activists and witnesses said the military had resorted to the tactics of authoritarian regimes this week when it bussed anti-government protesters to the city centre from Khartoum’s outlying districts. The protesters included so many children that Sudan’s human rights groups publicly denounced the operation as an unlawful exploitation of minors.
Thirty identical tents and a military-style field kitchen popped up at the sit-in site, giving credence to widespread suspicion that the military was involved.
“The military’s actions are rooted in its narrow interests, betray a desire to hold on to power and is oblivious to the consequences for the nation,” said Adel Khalafallah, a senior FFC member.
The FFC and government demands are difficult, perhaps impossible, for the military to meet without losing face, which does not bode well for a fast resolution of the crisis, said Othman Al Mirghany, editor in chief of Al Tayar, a Khartoum daily newspaper.
“Sudan’s generals will not accept a demotion or civilian supervision,” he said. “To do so goes against the norms and traditions they have lived by while in uniform.”
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on Quran memorisation:
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
