The year 2020 was tumultuous mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has infected more than 82 million people and killed more than 1.7 million worldwide. In Sudan, COVID-19 has infected more than 23,000 people and killed more than 1,400.
However, much more than COVID-19 happened in 2020, especially in Sudan. Following the significant year 2019, which saw the Sudanese revolution bring an end to the 30-year dictatorship of former Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, the year 2020 was a nearly equally significant and an eventful year.
Here are some of the most significant events that took place in Sudan in 2020:
Stand for Sudan
On 2 April 2020, Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok announced the launch of Stand for Sudan national campaign, calling on Sudanese nationals around the world to contribute financially to support the country’s economy. Sudan’s economy has been in crisis for decades under the leadership of former Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir. According to the transitional government, they have inherited a bankrupt country. The government has repeatedly said that tackling the country’s problems is challenging due to a lack of financial resources.
Sudan Launches Stand for Sudan Campaign
Changes in Criminal Law
On 12 June 2020, Sudan announced wide-reaching reforms. Under the new laws, the following has been reformed:
Sudan Replaces Ministers and Changes Criminal Laws
US officially removes Sudan from Sponsors of Terrorism List
On 14 December 2020, the US formally removed Sudan’s state sponsor of terrorism designation, 27 years after putting the country on its blacklist. US President Donald Trump announced in October that he was delisting Sudan, a step desperately sought by the country’s new Sovereign Council. As part of the deal, Sudan agreed to pay USD335 million to compensate survivors and victims’ families from the twin 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, carried out when former Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir was welcoming Al Qaeda, and a 2,000 attack on the USS Cole off Yemen’s coast. In addition, as part of the deal, Sudan has also agreed to recognise Israel, a major goal for Trump.
Sudan and South Sudan floods
Over 800,000 have been affected and more than 120 people have died in the worst floods in Sudan in decades during the torrential rains from July to September 2020. The Nile River reaching its highest level in 100 years. According to the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Lena Al Sheikh, the rate of floods and rain in 2020 has exceeded records set in 1946 and 1988.
Sudan Floods: State of Emergency
Like Sudan, South Sudan suffered from severe flooding from July to September 2020 is affecting the lives of more than 800,000 people, leaving them without adequate food, water or shelter. The World Food Program (WFP) described the flooding as likely the worst in 60 years. Communities in areas along the White Nile have fled to higher ground to escape flood waters. Close to 400,000 people have been displaced, with women and children most affected. Some 380 schools have been affected by the floods and a third of them are now occupied by IDPs.
Protests and civil unrest in Darfur and Kordofan
Anti-government protests continued in Sudan in regions such as Darfur and Kordofan due to the high cost of living and police brutality. Throughout May and July 2020, protests have been reported in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan. In May 2020, incidents of armed violence were reported in Kaduqli, Sudan where 24 people were killed. On 13 July, Sudanese security forces violently break up a protest camp in North Darfur, killing and wounding protesters. There were also an attack on 24 July in Aboudos, South Darfur, which left at least 20 people dead and another 22 injured.
Sudan Peace Agreement
Sudan’s transitional government and at least 10 rebel groups have signed a peace agreement on 3 October 2020 aimed at resolving 17 years of war in which hundreds of thousands of people died and millions displaced in different regions across the country. The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) signed the deal, a year after the peace talks began, at a ceremony in Juba, South Sudan. Guarantors of the deal from Chad, Qatar, Egypt, the African Union, European Union and United Nations also put their names to the agreement. However, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdelwahid Mohamed Al Nour and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz Al Hilu did not sign.
Other significant events:
Another successful year for You Will Die at Twenty
The much-acclaimed Sudanese film, You Will Die at Twenty, by Sudanese director and screenwriter Amjad Abu Alala, has entered the 93rd Academy Awards (the Oscars) race for the first time as the country’s first Best International Feature Film submission for the 2021 Academy Awards. You Will Die at Twenty also became the first Sudanese film to be available on Netflix (since 24 December).
“You Will Die At Twenty” Becomes First-Ever Sudanese Film Submitted to the Oscars
Arrest of Sudanese artists
On 17 September 2020, Sudanese filmmaker Hajooj Kuka, artist Duaa Tariq and four other artists of the Feed Arts Group were arrested on “public nuisance” charges and jailed for two months. At the time of the arrest, the group of artists were creating art for community engagement in Khartoum.
International Calls Mount for Release of Sudanese Artists
Launch of Sudan’s first animal rescue shelter, Sudan Animal Rescue Centre
In January 2020, pictures of five severely malnourished lions in Al Qurashi Family Park in Khartoum went viral on social media, bringing international attention and aid to save the lions and other mistreated animals at the park. The story of the famished lions first broke out when a visitor, Osman Mohammed Salih, visited the park and was shocked to see the lions in their ill state. He then turned to social media, using hashtags #SudanAnimalRescue and #اسود_حديقة_القرشي to share their plight. The story gained international attention and international media coverage of Al Jazeera, AFP, The Guardian and more.
In October 2020, animal rights activist Osman Salih established the first animal rescue and shelter in Sudan, Sudan Animal Rescue Centre. The 10-acre centre is located in Al Bagier on the Khartoum-Madani Highway, just about 30 km from Khartoum International Airport. In addition, Salih launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise £100,000 to run the shelter. To date, he has raised £21,829.
Behind Sudan Animal Rescue Centre – Sudan’s First Animal Shelter
Who Sudan and South Sudan lost in 2020:
Former Prime Minister Sadiq Al Mahdi Dies of COVID-19
Former Prime Minister Sadiq Al Mahdi died on 26 November 2020 at the age of 84 in the UAE, succumbing to COVID-19.
Famous Sudanese Singer Hamad Al Rayah Dies of COVID-19
Famous Sudanese singer Hamad Al Rayah has died in Khartoum on 1 December 2020 at the age of 80, succumbing to COVID-19.
Sudan Mourns the Loss of Sheikh Noreen Mohamed Sadeeq
On 6 November 2020, Sheikh Noreen Mohamed Sadeeq passed away in a car accident along with other students as they were returning from da’wah, a call to bring believers, individuals and communities to faith and God, in North Sudan.
Sudan Mourns Death of Sudanese Singer Setona
Egypt-based Sudanese singer Setona has passed away in Cairo, Egypt on 8 September 2020. The cause of death is still unknown.
Actor Al Hadi Al Siddiq Dies in Road Accident
Al Hadi Al Siddiq, one of the most prominent actors in Sudanese drama, died on 30 May 2020 at the age of 72 in a hospital in Khartoum after his car veered off course on the Khartoum-Madani Highway.
South Sudan Mourns Loss of Edward Lino Wuor Abyei
South Sudanese politician Edward Lino Wuor Abyei has passed away on 15 April 2020 at the age of 74 of an unidentified illness in Bangalore, India.
Moreover, Sudanese singer Abdel Aziz El Mubarak died on 9 February 2020 in Wad Madani, and Jamal Aldin Omar, a general in the Sudanese Armed Forces, died on 25 March 2020.
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