Sudan: Protests continue in and around Khartoum after military reinstates Prime Minister Hamdok Nov. 21 /update 9

Event

The Sudanese military released Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok from house arrest and reinstated him to political office Nov. 21, nearly a month after a coup d'etat deposed him in late October. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan signed the corresponding deal with Hamdok during a televised ceremony at Khartoum's Presidential Palace. The agreement reportedly provides for Hamdok to lead a technocratic, civilian government under military oversight during a transitional period; this period would culminate with the handover of power to an elected government, presumably following elections in 2023. Among other provisions, the deal reportedly stipulates the release of political detainees under arrest since the Oct. 25 coup and the reestablishment of the Council of Ministers. The amount of decision-making power that the transitional government would hold was not immediately clarified.

Despite the agreement, protests continued in and around Khartoum Nov. 21, as key civil society groups, including the Sudanese Professionals' Association (SPA) and the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change (FFC), wholly rejected the deal. Tens of thousands of people participated in demonstrations in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North, criticizing the Oct. 25 coup and demanding the immediate transfer of political power to civilian authorities. Security forces reportedly fired bullets and tear gas to disperse the gatherings, killing at least one protester in Omdurman.

Insecurity is likely to persist across Sudan until at least early December, manifesting in regular anti-coup demonstrations in and around Khartoum and in other major cities. Protesters are likely to gather in city centers, near government facilities, and along major roads. Clashes are almost certain at all related demonstrations, with an elevated risk of violence in areas where anti-coup demonstrators and potential counterprotesters gather in proximity. Heightened security measures are almost certain to be maintained along key thoroughfares and around government buildings in and around Khartoum during this and future periods of protest activity. Disruptions to intracity and intercity road travel, airports, border crossings, business operations, and telecommunications are likely amid significant bouts of civil unrest or authorities' security-related operations.

Context

Under the direction of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudanese forces staged a coup Oct. 25, deposing Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok. General al-Burhan subsequently declared a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, which served as the country's transitional government. Subsequent clashes between security forces and anti-coup protesters have left dozens of people dead and wounded.

Advice

Consider deferring travel to Sudan until the current situation stabilizes. Individuals in-country should limit movement on days with scheduled protests and avoid large public gatherings, night movement, and security personnel concentrations. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Refuel vehicles when safe to do so. Purchase/obtain essential goods when available. Reconfirm all scheduled transport services, including flights, before departure. Carry identification to facilitate passage through checkpoints. Regularly review and update contingency plans with trusted contacts.