Sudan Should Not Let COVID-19 Scuttle Transition

Originally published by Human Rights Watch, Mohamed Osman on 31/03/2020

Summary

Sudanese officials have implemented several measures to counter the spread of COVID-19, but the pandemic comes at a particularly difficult time for Sudan, as it is less than one year after the former dictator stepped down and the country is trying to transition to civilian rule. Sudan’s health care system already faces challenges and shortages from corruption, underfunding and mismanagement. Preventative steps taken include the release of over 4,000 prisoners. However, Sudan has a larger number of poor and vulnerable populations such as refugees and those displaced from the country’s recent conflict, many of whom live in large camp settings.