Sudanese Protesters Take to Streets to Demand Civilian Rule

An elderly Sudanese woman shouts slogans during the demonstration - AFP
An elderly Sudanese woman shouts slogans during the demonstration - AFP
TT
20

Sudanese Protesters Take to Streets to Demand Civilian Rule

An elderly Sudanese woman shouts slogans during the demonstration - AFP
An elderly Sudanese woman shouts slogans during the demonstration - AFP

Flashing victory signs, honking car horns and burning tires, masses of Sudanese protesters fearing a return to military rule took to the streets nationwide to make their point.

"We will not go back to dictatorship," said 21-year-old Solafa Mohammed covered in the Sudanese flag during a protest in the capital, Khartoum.

"We went out to say that we are alert and protecting our revolution."

Mohammed was among tens of thousands of protesters who rallied on Thursday in support of Sudan's transition to civilian rule.

They came to counter a pro-military protest camped outside the presidential palace in central Khartoum since Saturday.

The pro-civilian rule demonstrations occurred across the country from Port Sudan in the east to the Darfur region in the west.

They were reminiscent of the late 2018-2019 protests that erupted against the three-decade rule of then-president Omar al-Bashir, who was deposed in April 2019, according to AFP.

Many were dancing, singing, and chanting against senior military figures who have shared power with civilians since August 2019.

On a dusty red lot in Khartoum, they flew Sudanese flags, some of them so big they provided shelter from the sun for protesters underneath. Others carried giant green, yellow and blue flags, several metres long, from pre-Bashir Sudan.

"We will not give up our demand of a civilian state," said protester Amir Shazly.

The demonstrations were organized by the mainstream faction of the Forces for Freedom and Change, an umbrella civilian alliance which spearheaded the anti-Bashir protests more than two years ago.

They coincided with the anniversary of the Sudanese uprising against military rule by president Ibrahim Abboud in 1964.

The transfer to civilian rule is "not even a demand but its what the military itself agreed to do," said another protester, Ahmed al-Tayeb.

Sudan has been led by a civilian-military administration since a power-sharing deal in August 2019 that outlined the transition and the eventual transfer of power to civilians.

Under the transition, the country's political scene has been marred by deepening divisions between civilians and the military, and factional infighting among themselves.

Critics have alleged that the pro-military sit-in, organised by a splinter faction of the FFC, was backed by members of the military and counter-revolutionary sympathizers with the former regime.

Demonstrators at the sit-in have been calling for "military rule" and the dissolution of the transitional government headed by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

Support for Hamdok's government has waned in recent months especially following tough IMF-backed economic reforms that took a toll on ordinary Sudanese.

Sudan's deepening economic crisis is marked by triple-digit inflation and severe shortages exacerbated by anti-government protesters who have blockade Sudan's main sea port.

"This government has not offered the Sudanese people anything for two years," said Hamada Abdelrahman, a protester outside the presidential palace in Khartoum.

Still, rival protesters remained adamant on the transfer of power to civilians.

"We are now sending a message that the streets belong to the revolutionaries," said protester Mujahed Mohammed in Khartoum.

"Its the people who get to decide."



Iraq Braces for Economic Fallout from Heavy Reliance on Iran amid Escalating Conflict

An Iraqi man bakes traditional bread at a bakery in Baghdad (EPA). 
An Iraqi man bakes traditional bread at a bakery in Baghdad (EPA). 
TT
20

Iraq Braces for Economic Fallout from Heavy Reliance on Iran amid Escalating Conflict

An Iraqi man bakes traditional bread at a bakery in Baghdad (EPA). 
An Iraqi man bakes traditional bread at a bakery in Baghdad (EPA). 

As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, Iraq is nervously eyeing the potential fallout from a conflict that could have deep and lasting consequences for the country.

While Iraqi authorities and political parties maintain a publicly cautious and reserved stance, behind closed doors, concerns are mounting over what many see as Iraq’s overreliance on Iran in critical sectors such as energy and trade.

A political source speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that, although officials are holding back from public commentary, there is a growing consensus among political actors that Iraq could face significant disruption regardless of how the conflict unfolds. “There’s an unspoken recognition that many things will change after this war,” the source said.

Already, early signs of strain are surfacing. Iraq’s Ministry of Trade unveiled a new contingency plan this week to safeguard food security amid fears of disrupted supply chains.

Spokesperson Mohammed Hanoun stated the plan aims to “ensure continuity of essential supplies without significant price hikes,” through the buildup of strategic reserves and strengthened market oversight to prevent hoarding or price manipulation.

Security services, meanwhile, reported the arrest of 660 individuals accused of exploiting regional instability. More visibly, daily life is beginning to feel the pressure: consumer activity is slowing, prices of some goods are creeping up, and travel logistics have grown more complex.

With Baghdad International Airport temporarily closed, Basra has become the only functional air entry point. According to sources, the cost of returning to Iraq by land via Jordan has soared from $70 to $250 per passenger.

Experts warn that Iraq’s economic fragility and its deep entanglement with Iran leave it acutely vulnerable. Dr. Siham Youssef, a professor of international economics, explained that Iraq’s heavy dependence on oil exports - comprising over 90% of state revenue - offers little cushion in times of geopolitical upheaval.

While global oil prices have risen by 8% to 12%, Youssef cautioned that any benefit could be wiped out by rising transportation costs, insurance premiums, or damage to infrastructure.

Compounding the issue is Iraq’s reliance on Iranian gas for electricity production. If the conflict interrupts Iranian gas flows, Iraq may face severe power shortages, rising costs, and mounting pressure on an already stretched budget.

Shipping risks are also increasing, with Iraq’s ports located dangerously close to potential conflict zones. Youssef noted that international shipping and insurance firms may soon classify Iraqi ports as “high-risk,” leading to surging logistics costs. Additionally, the closure of Iraqi airspace threatens not only civil aviation but also the loss of overflight revenues.