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| Concerns of a Coup Stir in Sudan as Capital Braces for a Virus Lockdown | Concerns of a Coup Stir in Sudan as Capital Braces for a Virus Lockdown |
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| CAIRO — A dispute over measures to counter the coronavirus in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has led to an open confrontation between the country’s military and political leaders, underscoring the fragility of the country’s transition to democracy. | CAIRO — A dispute over measures to counter the coronavirus in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has led to an open confrontation between the country’s military and political leaders, underscoring the fragility of the country’s transition to democracy. |
| The civilian prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, announced on Thursday that he had fired the governor of Khartoum, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Abdoun Hamad, for defying a government order to cancel Friday prayers in Khartoum and its sister city across the Nile, Omdurman. | The civilian prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, announced on Thursday that he had fired the governor of Khartoum, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Abdoun Hamad, for defying a government order to cancel Friday prayers in Khartoum and its sister city across the Nile, Omdurman. |
| Like many African countries, Sudan has a relatively low incidence of coronavirus — 32 confirmed cases and five deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus — but officials fear that a larger outbreak would quickly overwhelm the country’s dilapidated health system. | Like many African countries, Sudan has a relatively low incidence of coronavirus — 32 confirmed cases and five deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus — but officials fear that a larger outbreak would quickly overwhelm the country’s dilapidated health system. |
| But General Hamad refused the prime minister’s order, saying in a statement issued by his office hours later that he intended to remain in his position — an unusually public act of defiance that exposed a growing rift inside the ruling Supreme Council, which is composed of civilians and army generals and is supposed to lead the country toward democratic elections in 2022. | But General Hamad refused the prime minister’s order, saying in a statement issued by his office hours later that he intended to remain in his position — an unusually public act of defiance that exposed a growing rift inside the ruling Supreme Council, which is composed of civilians and army generals and is supposed to lead the country toward democratic elections in 2022. |
| A year ago, tens of thousands of protesters massed at the gates of the army headquarters in Khartoum in euphoric scenes that forced the ouster of Omar Hassan al-Bashir, their despised dictator of three decades. The impassioned hope of that moment was captured in an image by Yasuyoshi Chiba, a photographer with Agence France-Presse, that on Thursday won the coveted World Press Photo of the Year award. | A year ago, tens of thousands of protesters massed at the gates of the army headquarters in Khartoum in euphoric scenes that forced the ouster of Omar Hassan al-Bashir, their despised dictator of three decades. The impassioned hope of that moment was captured in an image by Yasuyoshi Chiba, a photographer with Agence France-Presse, that on Thursday won the coveted World Press Photo of the Year award. |
| But that heady optimism has been tempered in recent months by political instability, economic collapse and flashes of violent turmoil that have unsteadied the trajectory of a country still struggling to emerge from the shadow of Mr. al-Bashir’s harsh rule. | But that heady optimism has been tempered in recent months by political instability, economic collapse and flashes of violent turmoil that have unsteadied the trajectory of a country still struggling to emerge from the shadow of Mr. al-Bashir’s harsh rule. |
| Mr. Hamdok, a former senior economist with the United Nations, has struggled to hold his ground against army generals who have seized control of key policy portfolios, including the economy and peace talks with anti-government rebels in the south of the country, and in the restive western region of Darfur. | Mr. Hamdok, a former senior economist with the United Nations, has struggled to hold his ground against army generals who have seized control of key policy portfolios, including the economy and peace talks with anti-government rebels in the south of the country, and in the restive western region of Darfur. |
| Last month Mr. Hamdok survived an apparent assassination attempt after an explosion hit his motorcade. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Mr. Hamdok’s supporters blamed it on military rivals they said were colluding with former officials from the al-Bashir regime. “There are people who are trying to target the gains of the Sudanese revolution,” Faisal Mohamed Saleh, the country’s information minister, said afterward. | Last month Mr. Hamdok survived an apparent assassination attempt after an explosion hit his motorcade. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Mr. Hamdok’s supporters blamed it on military rivals they said were colluding with former officials from the al-Bashir regime. “There are people who are trying to target the gains of the Sudanese revolution,” Faisal Mohamed Saleh, the country’s information minister, said afterward. |
| The coronavirus crisis has exacerbated those tensions. After a jump in confirmed cases this week, the government canceled Friday prayers and announced a three-week lockdown set to take effect on Saturday. | The coronavirus crisis has exacerbated those tensions. After a jump in confirmed cases this week, the government canceled Friday prayers and announced a three-week lockdown set to take effect on Saturday. |
| In defiance of those orders, a group of protesters massed outside the army headquarters on Thursday to call for the ouster of Mr. Hamdok’s government. “No to the government of hunger,” read one sign. | In defiance of those orders, a group of protesters massed outside the army headquarters on Thursday to call for the ouster of Mr. Hamdok’s government. “No to the government of hunger,” read one sign. |
| Hours later, as the confrontation with the Khartoum governor, General Hamad, unfolded, senior Sudanese civilian officials contacted Western officials and local journalists to warn that they feared the military would use the coronavirus lockdown to seize power while the outside world was distracted by the public health crisis. | Hours later, as the confrontation with the Khartoum governor, General Hamad, unfolded, senior Sudanese civilian officials contacted Western officials and local journalists to warn that they feared the military would use the coronavirus lockdown to seize power while the outside world was distracted by the public health crisis. |
| An official with an international body in Khartoum, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about his confidential conversations with government officials, said civilian leaders were at odds with the army chief, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, whom they claimed was backed by oil-rich Qatar and by neighboring Egypt. | An official with an international body in Khartoum, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about his confidential conversations with government officials, said civilian leaders were at odds with the army chief, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, whom they claimed was backed by oil-rich Qatar and by neighboring Egypt. |
| Mr. Hamdock’s transitional government operates under the Sovereign Council, which is headed by General al-Burhan. | Mr. Hamdock’s transitional government operates under the Sovereign Council, which is headed by General al-Burhan. |
| Qatar has previously backed Islamist groups inside Sudan, while Egypt is jockeying for position in the region as part of a dispute with Ethiopia over a giant hydroelectric dam under construction on the Nile. Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has welcomed General al-Burhan to Cairo but stressed that he supports Sudan’s transition to democracy. | Qatar has previously backed Islamist groups inside Sudan, while Egypt is jockeying for position in the region as part of a dispute with Ethiopia over a giant hydroelectric dam under construction on the Nile. Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has welcomed General al-Burhan to Cairo but stressed that he supports Sudan’s transition to democracy. |
| Several Western officials, though, said there was little sign of an imminent power grab. A senior United States official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential assessments, said Sudan’s jittery civilian leaders, whose popularity has tumbled in recent months as the economy has plunged, had so frequently warned of a possible coup in Khartoum that they had become akin to the boy who cried wolf. | Several Western officials, though, said there was little sign of an imminent power grab. A senior United States official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential assessments, said Sudan’s jittery civilian leaders, whose popularity has tumbled in recent months as the economy has plunged, had so frequently warned of a possible coup in Khartoum that they had become akin to the boy who cried wolf. |
| A Western official based in Sudan did describe Khartoum as being awash with rumors of a coup to be carried out under the cover of the coronavirus but said there were no concrete signs of any upheaval. | A Western official based in Sudan did describe Khartoum as being awash with rumors of a coup to be carried out under the cover of the coronavirus but said there were no concrete signs of any upheaval. |
| In an email, Ambassador Donald Booth, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan, said the Trump administration stood behind Mr. Hamdok’s transitional government. | In an email, Ambassador Donald Booth, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan, said the Trump administration stood behind Mr. Hamdok’s transitional government. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| “We recognize it represents a compromise between civilians and security forces, both of which were instrumental in ending the dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir,” Mr. Booth said, adding that the government “now needs to protect the Sudanese people from the Covid-19 pandemic.” | |
| Civilian officials, whose power rests in large part on being able to rally popular support in the streets, have said the coronavirus has put them at a disadvantage since they now could not mobilize supporters lest they risk spreading the virus. | |
| Sudan’s power struggle is complicated by tensions inside the military. Diplomats and analysts say that General al-Burhan is jockeying for supremacy with Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, the ambitious leader of a notorious paramilitary unit, the Rapid Support Forces, that massacred dozens of people, in a storm of shooting and mass rape, during a violent clear-out of protesters in June. | |
| The regular military has long chafed at the power of General Hamdan, who controls a private business empire and has openly signaled his ambition to rule. In a sign of just how tangled the alliances and rivalries are within Sudan’s leadership, General Hamdan is now politically aligned with the civilian leaders whose supporters his troops massacred last summer. | |
| Further complicating matters, former Bashir loyalists inside the security forces flexed their muscles in January when they mounted violent protests in Khartoum against their severance packages, highlighting the daunting task of restructuring Sudan’s hydra-headed security apparatus. | |
| Public patience with the jostling between military and civilian leaders has worn thin as Sudan’s economy struggles. | Public patience with the jostling between military and civilian leaders has worn thin as Sudan’s economy struggles. |
| An anticipated boost in foreign aid since the ouster of Mr. al-Bashir has failed to materialize. The United States still lists Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, stifling investment; widespread shortages of food, fuel and hard currency have resulted in hardship. | An anticipated boost in foreign aid since the ouster of Mr. al-Bashir has failed to materialize. The United States still lists Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, stifling investment; widespread shortages of food, fuel and hard currency have resulted in hardship. |
| Many Sudanese line up for hours to buy a loaf bread or to get fuel for their cars; others have fled abroad. On Wednesday more than 50 migrants from Sudan and Eritrea disembarked in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, following a failed attempt to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, the United Nations said. | Many Sudanese line up for hours to buy a loaf bread or to get fuel for their cars; others have fled abroad. On Wednesday more than 50 migrants from Sudan and Eritrea disembarked in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, following a failed attempt to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, the United Nations said. |
| The coronavirus adds to those woes. On Thursday, Michel Yao, a senior official with the World Health Organization, warned that Africa could face a dramatic surge in infections in the coming months. In the worst-case projections, Mr. Yao said, the number of cases on the continent could shoot up from thousands to 10 million within the next three to six months. | The coronavirus adds to those woes. On Thursday, Michel Yao, a senior official with the World Health Organization, warned that Africa could face a dramatic surge in infections in the coming months. In the worst-case projections, Mr. Yao said, the number of cases on the continent could shoot up from thousands to 10 million within the next three to six months. |
| Abdi Latif Dahir contributed reporting from Nairobi, and Eric Schmitt from Washington. | Abdi Latif Dahir contributed reporting from Nairobi, and Eric Schmitt from Washington. |