Sudanese security forces on Wednesday shot dead a protester in the capital Khartoum as senior US envoys began their consultations with the country’s stakeholders to find a way out of the country’s political crisis following a military coup in October.
A medical group aligned with Sudan’s pro-democracy movement said the protester was fatally shot in the chest by a live round as he tried to blockade a street in Khartoum’s twin city of Umm Dorman.
The latest death takes to 75 the number of protesters killed since the October 25 coup that upended Sudan’s democratic transition, and more than 2,000 people have been wounded.
News of the deadly shooting came as Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and new special envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield arrived in Khartoum and went straight into consultations with the country’s stakeholders.
The Sudanese Professionals Association, one of the country's main pro-democracy groups, said in a statement that its representatives met the two envoys on Wednesday. It said the association requested increased US pressure on the military to halt the use of deadly force against protesters and warned against what it said was the military’s attempt to brand them as terrorists.
The military on Monday said it was creating a counter-terrorism force and commended security forces on their handling of the post-coup protests.
The association also emphasised to the American envoys its commitment to an antimilitary policy and its refusal to negotiate with those behind the coup or to accord them legitimacy.
The US envoys also on Wednesday met with representatives of the Forces of Freedom and Change, a loose alliance of political parties that was the power base of the civilian-led government dismissed by army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan when he seized power in October.
Gen Al Burhan reinstated Abdalla Hamdok a month after the coup, but the former UN economist did not carry out his mandate to form a government of independent technocrats and quit on January 2, leaving the military in total control and deepening the country’s crisis.
Separately, Gen Al Burhan on Wednesday decreed that the top civil servants in each ministry should temporarily assume ministerial authority to run the day-to-day affairs of the country until the promised elections are held next year.
The pro-democracy movement, however, wants to see the military leave politics altogether and allow a civilian government to shepherd the country through the transitional period that followed the removal in April 2019 of dictator Omar Al Bashir.
Wednesday was the second of two days of strikes and civil disobedience called for by the pro-democracy movement following the deaths of seven protesters on Monday in one of the bloodiest days since the October coup.
Monday’s violence was strongly condemned by the US and the UN as well as nine members of the UN Security Council.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
More on Quran memorisation:
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
