Opposition activists and parties and armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) called for stay-at-home protest against austerity measures 19 Dec following Nov three-day strike; call unevenly observed in Khartoum 19-21 Dec. Some twenty opposition party members detained Nov due to calls for anti-austerity protests, including Sudanese Congress Party leader Omer al-Digair, released from prison 25 Dec. Consultations between govt and Darfuri rebel groups Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) in Addis Ababa 1 Dec broke down over govt’s demand that rebels reveal positions. S Sudan 14 Dec said it had expelled JEM. Chief mediator of African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki tried to restart talks in Khartoum 21 Dec; no developments in negotiation schedule reported.

Around 80 defectors from Darfuri rebel group Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) including field commander El Amin Toro signed peace deal with Central Darfur state govt 6 Nov. Unidentified gunmen kidnapped three UNHCR staff (one Sudanese, two Nepalese) 27 Nov in Geneina, capital of W Darfur state. Armed and unarmed opposition criticised govt’s 3 Nov decision to cut fuel and other subsidies to prevent inflation and small protests broke out in several places; authorities detained 21 members of opposition Sudanese Congress Party including chairman for allegedly inciting citizens to overturn regime and other opposition party members. Political activists called for mass civil disobedience 27-29 Nov to protest cuts; strikes reported in some Khartoum neighbourhoods and universities, police 30 Nov fired tear gas at some 300 protesters in Omdurman; govt cracked down on media critical of austerity measures. President Bashir and S Sudan President Kiir 23 Nov agreed again to expel each other’s rebels from territories, Sudan took no action.

National Dialogue (ND) Coordination Committee 26 Sept-5 Oct agreed that National Consensus Govt would be formed 90 days after approval of national document resulting from ND. ND Conference 9 Oct approved and General Conference 10 Oct endorsed national document paving way for drafting of new constitution. President Bashir 11 Oct said opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), Darfuri rebels and National Umma Party and Sudan Call coalition could still sign document and ruling party official 12 Oct said they could still add input. Informal negotiations between govt and SPLM-N rebels 2 Oct in Addis Ababa organised by Uganda made no progress toward agreement on humanitarian access to Two Areas (S Kordofan and Blue Nile). Govt 10 Oct said it would extend unilateral ceasefire in conflict zones until end 2016. Govt 1 Oct denied Amnesty International’s 29 Sept allegation that it used chemical weapons against civilians in Darfur; UN 4 Oct called on govt to cooperate with investigations by Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. S Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar 11 Oct left Sudan for South Africa citing medical reasons.

Following suspension of AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP)-mediated peace talks mid-Aug, govt and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) rebels criticised each other’s negotiating positions. Govt 3 Sept said SPLM-N rebels’ proposal to receive 20% of aid in Two Areas from Ethiopia aimed at “political goals” and blocked govt-directed humanitarian delivery. SPLM-N 9 Sept accused army of violating cessation of hostilities in S Kordofan state. SPLM-N 2 Sept accused EU and U.S. of funding Rapid Support Forces (RSF) govt militia, deployed to Northern state in June after EU said in April that grants would be available via Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative to monitor and suppress migration; EU denied funding RSF 6 Sept. Sudan Call coalition of armed and unarmed opposition groups met in Addis Ababa 25-30 Sept to prepare for new round of talks with govt.

“Sudan Call” coalition of armed and unarmed opposition groups 8 Aug signed “roadmap” peace agreement, signed by govt in March. Govt 10-14 Aug engaged in direct talks with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access in Two Areas (S Kordofan and Blue Nile) and with Darfuri rebel groups, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), on Darfur. Govt and SPLM-N rebels 10-11 Aug failed to agree on agenda of cessation of hostilities talks, 13 Aug accused each other of hampering process; talks faltered due to disagreements on direct transportation of humanitarian aid from outside country to Two Areas and govt’s insistence on discussing security arrangements. JEM and SLM-MM accused govt of refusing to make concessions. Thabo Mbeki, African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) mediator, 14 Aug suspended talks indefinitely; govt 20 Aug said talks will resume in Sept. Govt 23 Aug said Riek Machar, S Sudan rebel leader and former first VP, receiving medical treatment in Khartoum (see S Sudan).

“Sudan Call” coalition of armed and unarmed opposition groups met in Paris 18-22 July, agreed to hold preparatory meeting with African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in coming months to discuss opposition’s requirements for joining AUHIP-mediated “roadmap” peace plan signed by govt in March. Govt 13 July said it would postpone final session of National Dialogue (ND) if opponents sign roadmap plan and thereby express willingness to join ND. Pro-govt militia Rapid Support Force (RSF), deployed in Northern state June 2016, 30 July said it had arrested about 600 Ethiopians allegedly heading to Libya intending to travel to Europe.

Govt and S Sudan delegation in Khartoum 6 June committed to withdraw troops from Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) along shared border and stop supporting rebel groups hostile to each other (see South Sudan); govt 26 June said it had withdrawn troops from SDBZ. Darfuri rebel groups Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) met with Darfur mediation in Doha late May; govt 6 June rejected proposal of JEM and SLM-MM to renegotiate Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. Govt 17 June announced four-month unilateral ceasefire in S Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Sudan Call, coalition of armed and political opposition groups, following talks with Western envoys in Addis Ababa, 19 June proposed supplementary document to Roadmap Agreement that includes additional confidence-building measures; govt 21 June rejected proposal.

Opposition alliance Future Forces of Change (FFC) and national dialogue (ND) committee 24 May agreed to continue talks on roadmap agreement on multiple conflicts despite disagreements on major issues. Govt, AU and UN 23 May completed fact-finding mission in Darfur to inform discussions on UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) exit strategy; made little progress on timetable. Clashes between police and students continued from April: police reportedly arrested dozens of students in Khartoum and other cities; some 25 students injured 16-17 May in Khartoum in clashes between ruling National Congress Party and opposition Popular Congress Party supporters over student union election results. Fighting continued between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), pro-govt militias and rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North in S Kordofan and Blue Nile states, including SAF aerial bombing of civilian areas; military and civilian deaths reported.

Referendum held in Darfur 11-13 April on whether region should remain five states or be reunited, amid reports of low turnout and ongoing fighting: Darfur Referendum Commission 23 April said 97% voted for status quo, 2% for unification and semi-autonomy. Armed opposition groups Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and factions of Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) and Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) boycotted referendum, accused govt of rigging. Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) 12 April announced capture of last SLM-AW position in Jebel Marra area, Darfur, which SLM-AW denied 13 April. Fighting continued in Two Areas (S Kordofan and Blue Nile) between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), opposition claimed heavy govt losses: at least a dozen fighters killed early month in Nuba mountains, S Kordofan; dozens reportedly killed 5 April in Mufwa area, Blue Nile; nine killed 15 April in clash in Zalataya area, S Kordofan; at least four SPLM-N killed 24 April in Kadugli area, S Kordofan. Rebel coalition Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) 24 April announced willingness for six-month ceasefire in Darfur, S Kordofan and Blue Nile and urged AU mediators to facilitate meeting with govt to discuss implementation.

Govt and African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) 21 March signed roadmap agreement for how to address multiple conflicts: includes ceasefire, talks on Two Areas (S Kordofan, Blue Nile states) and Darfur, endorsement of National Dialogue (ND). AUHIP head Thabo Mbeki called for opposition to sign, however major opposition groups including National Umma Party (NUP), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) accused AUHIP of govt bias, rejected agreement. Fighting continued: Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) 7 March claimed it had repelled SPLM-N offensive in S Kordofan, casualties unknown; some 30 SAF, at least three SPLM-N reportedly killed 9-11 March during govt offensives in Two Areas; clashes between SAF and Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) reportedly continued in Jebel Marra area, Darfur region. Popular Congress Party (PCP) leader Hassan al-Turabi died 5 March; replaced by Ibrahim al-Sanousi. Amid posturing by Sudan and South Sudan to strengthen positions in talks over unresolved post-independence issues, Sudan 29 March announced closure of border with South Sudan.