Sudan: State of emergency reduced to six months; general strike March 13 /update 37

Event

The one-year state of emergency declared on Friday, February 22, was reduced to six months on Monday, March 11, following a parliamentary vote. As such, the state of emergency is expected to remain in effect until August 2019.

In the meantime, opposition acitvists have called for a nationwide general strike to take place on Wednesday, March 13, to demand the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir and denounce recent governmental reforms. As such, disruptions to daily life activities (transportation, business closure, impact on health, government, and education services) are likely throughout the day. Associated protests are likely, notably in the capital Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman. Heightened security measures and associated transportation disruptions are to be expected nationwide.

Context

Anti-government protests began on December 19, 2018, as hundreds of protesters gathered in major urban centers - notably Atbara (River Nile state), Al-Qadarif (Al-Qadarif state), Port Sudan (Red Sea state), Khartoum, and Al-Fashir and Nyala in Darfur region. Protests initially demanded increased government transparency and improved economic policies but have broadened to demand the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir, who has been in power since 1989 and has vowed not to step down until at least 2020. Curfews were implemented in at least eight cities, including Kosti and Rabak (White Nile state), Al-Qadarif, Atbara, Al-Damir and Berber (River Nile state), and Dongola and Karima (Northern state). The government has confirmed the deaths of at least 33 people due to protests, though human rights groups claim as many as 51 people have died and 1000 others have been arrested since the protests began.

President Omar al-Bashir declared a one-year state of emergency on February 22, dissolved the cabinet, and dismissed all state governors. He also banned all unauthorized rallies and gatherings on February 25, following weeks of anti-government protests. Opposition leaders defied the declaration and called on supporters to continue protests.

Advice

Individuals in Sudan are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate disruptions, adhere to instructions issued by their home governments and local authorities, and avoid all protests and public gatherings due to the risk of violence and arrest.