Sudanese Protests As Partial Lockdown Extends Until June 18

The transitional civilian power that runs Sudan decided to extend a partial lockdown imposed in the capital Khartoum since March for an additional 14 days, despite several protests as an aid to the poor has failed.

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The government argues that the lockdown has helped curve the pandemic. Yet, the officials recognized that only 60% of some half a million designated families had received food baskets.

The Information Minister Faisal Mohamed Salih said that there are now efforts to distribute the rest of the aid supplies.

However, in a statement, the Women's Cooperative Union complained about the inability of the High Committee for Health Emergencies and the Ministry of Development Social Welfare to assist working women during the precautionary lockdown.

The Union explained that about two months ago, they submitted a list of 12,000 women working in small businesses, including tea and food sellers, but they have not received any aid from the government yet.

Last week union leader Awadiya Mahmoud Kuku recalled that they "needed to stand with these people, so they don't go back onto the streets".  

Sudan's unemployment rate increased by 13% in 2019. On the other hand, its annual inflation climbed to 81.6 percent in March of 2020 from 71.4 percent in the previous month, reaching the highest level since December of 1996.

Although the government blames technical issues for the delays in aids to the poor, the population keeps claiming for the lockdown to be uplifted so they can get on with their lives because, as people on the streets have said, hunger is worse than corona.