5 May 2024
Dec 29, 2021 by 500 Words Magazine -

The Sudans in 2021: The Year In Review

In Sudan, the revolutions continues. In South Sudan, the country experiences the impact of climate change with the worst flooding this year.

2021 was another turbulent year for Sudan. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic remaining a threat, Sudan is currently facing new political instability as a result of a military coup, which took place on 25 October, led by General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Al Burhan.

Here are some of the most significant events that took place in Sudan and South Sudan in 2021:

A year of COVID-19 vaccinations

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic showed no signs of slowing down with the new Omnicron variant. To date, there have been more than 43,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 3,160 deaths in Sudan. However, this year, as vaccines began to roll out across the world, at least 580,000 people have been fully vaccinated, and at least one million have received at least one dose of the vaccination in Sudan.

Sudan was the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive vaccines against COVID-19 from the COVAX facility. Over 800,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived at the Khartoum International Airport on 3 March 2021. Sudan is a participant in the COVAX Facility and requested 17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to cover 8.5 million people, representing 20% of its population. Sudan is confirmed to receive 3.4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Sudan also received 250,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine as a donation from China in March 2021. Sudan also received 606,700 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines as a donation from the US in August 2021. Sudan has received a shipment of 218,400 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a donation from France in August 2021. More than 357,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at Khartoum International Airport in September 2021 as a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany.

However, at least 580,000 people have been fully vaccinated, and at least one million have received at least one dose of the vaccination in Sudan, which is 1.3% of the population.

The Ministry of Health and UNICEF Sudan implemented the first-ever ultra-low temperature cold chain system in Sudan on 13 October 2021, which will facilitate use of the life-saving Pfizer COVID vaccine possible.

South Sudan is one of the countries with the lowest rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in the world. Just 0.8% of the population have had one dose (218,000) and 0.3% have been fully vaccinated (133,000). The country has so far received two consignments of AstraZeneca vaccines. The first one arrived in March 2021. It had 132,000 doses; however, just 60,000 doses were used. It was decided to send the remaining 72,000 doses to neighbouring countries in July 2021. A second consignment of 60,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, donated by France through Covax, arrived on 31 August.

For more information on vaccinations in Sudan, click here.

South Sudan floods

This year, South Sudan experienced the worst floods in 60 years, according to the UN, swallowing roads, farms, homes, markets and more.

The rainy season has ended, yet the water that has accumulated over months has yet to recede. South Sudan is one of many places in the world struggling with this twin problem of drought followed by extreme rainfall, which together create prime conditions for devastating floods.

According to the UN, more than 850,000 people have been impacted by the floods, and at least 35,000 of them have been displaced.

Sudan: The military coup reignites the revolution

On the early morning of 25 October 2021, news broke out that several civilian members of the transitional Sovereign Council were arrested along with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in an apparent military coup led by the head of state, General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Al Burhan. 

In response, millions of people have been taking the streets across Sudan in protest of the military coup. The internet has been cut off, while roads and bridges in Khartoum have been blocked. The airport has also been closed, and the headquarters of state television and radio were raided by security forces.

On 21 November, a televised political agreement has been signed between Al Burhan and Hamdok, enabling Hamdok to be reinstated as prime minister. The 14-point deal, signed in the presidential palace, provides for the release of all political prisoners detained during the coup and stipulates that a 2019 constitutional declaration be the basis for a political transition. In addition to the people, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) and Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) civilian coalition rejected the political deal.

As millions took to the streets to protest the military coup, military forces used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protests, killing at least 47 people since the coup. The youngest martyr is 14-year-old Ramaz Hatim Al Atta.

Sudan Coup: What You Need to Know

Who Sudan lost in 2021

This year, Sudan mourned the loss of some of the country’s greatest national and social contributors. Distinguished singer, poet, songwriter and composer Abdel Karim Al Kabli (1932 – 2021) passed away on 2 December, musician Abu Obaida Hassan (1952 – 2021) passed away on 2 September, actor and comedian Badruddin Basati or Al Bulula (1968 – 2021) passed away on 6 July, singer Kamal Keila (1930 – 2021) passed away on 2 January, and poet Mohamed Taha Algadal (1951 – 2021) has passed away on 5 June.

500 Words Magazine also pays tribute to the martyrs of the reignited revolution of December 2019. As millions took to the streets to protest the military coup on 25 October 2021, led by General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, military forces used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protests, killing at least 44 people since the coup. The youngest martyr is 14-year-old Ramaz Hatim Al Atta.

There is also some good news this year

A remarkable year for Sudanese football

This has been a remarkable year for Sudan in football as the country’s Desert Hawks secured their first Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification in March 2021 since 2012. The 33rd edition of the biennial AFCON tournament was originally planned for 9 January to 6 February 2021, but was postponed due to COVID-19 precautions, will be hosted in Cameroon in January 2022.

Sudan’s Desert Hawks Bound for AFCON

In addition, Sudan secured their place at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™ with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya on 19 June 2021 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. However, they lost every game against Algeria (4 – 0), Egypt (5 – 0) and Lebanon (1 – 0) during FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™, which took place from 30 November to 18 December 2021.

Sudan Secures Spot at FIFA Arab Cup

Success stories

This year, a few Sudanese and South Sudanese women were awarded for their contributions to society.

Well-known academic and human rights activist Balqis Badri received the ‘Pioneering Arab Woman Award’ at the Takreem 2021 awards ceremony organised by the Arab Union in Beirut, Lebanon on 3 December 2021.

South Sudanese women’s rights activist Riya William Yuyada has been named one of three winners of the Ginetta Sagan Award by Amnesty International USA, recognises women who ‘protect the dignity, liberties and lives of women and children in crisis regions’.

South Sudanese Women’s Rights Activist Riya Yuyada Wins Amnesty Award

Award-winning Sudanese-British broadcaster and journalist Zeinab Badawi has been appointed as the new president of SOAS University of London, the university announced on 5 October 2021.

Sudanese-British Broadcaster Zeinab Badawi Appointed President of SOAS

Check out 500 Words Magazine’s Top 10 Stories in 2021

500 Words Magazine’s Top 10 Stories of 2021

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