Sudan

AGRICULTURE

There are limited mentions of equity. One example is where the Country Strategy on Integrated Water Resources Management promotes the full involvement of women in the planning, implementation, and decision-making associated with water resources, as well as to empower women to play a leading role in self-reliance initiatives. The Rangelands and Forages General Directorate of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is responsible for limiting the deterioration of rangelands, increasing the production of the rangelands, protecting rangelands from overgrazing, monitoring environmental changes and combatting desertification, and managing the use and distribution of water for livestock needs, amongst other responsibilities. The Environmental and Natural Resources Supreme Council, amongst other obligations, is created to draft policy on the use, management and protection of natural resources and the environment. Competent authorities – including the Council, Federal Ministries and organs concerned with the health and protection of the environment as well as state Councils and ministries – are required to decide and approve environmental quality standards, act to conserve and protect water resources; and strictly implement environmental laws, amongst others. The National Council of Water Resources is responsible for making the general policy for water resources protection and management, for supervising water withdrawals, for regulating water use, for setting the principles to govern the granting of withdrawal licenses and allocating water to States.

Persons are prohibited from conducting any activities which cause pollution or which effect human health. Persons who want to irrigate land must request a license from the Ministry. Withdrawing water or installing pumps is prohibited before having secured a license. Discharging wastewater into public canals is prohibited. Projects likely to affect the environment and natural resources must present an environmental feasibility study. An environmental impact assessment must be completed before initiating industrial, agriculture or development projects, public or private.

Persons who pollute water sources or soil, endangers animals, or changes the natural course of waterbodies can be imprisoned and/or fined. Licenses issued can be cancelled for violations.

ENERGY

The National Electricity Corporation is responsible for the transmission and management of electrical energy through the national grid. The Minister of the Ministry for Water Resources and Electricity is responsible for granting electricity distribution licenses. The Minister has the power to approve general policies and rules on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, enter into contracts, approve technical specifications, and approve electricity prices. The National Council of Water Resources is responsible for making the general policy for water resources protection and management, for supervising water withdrawals, for regulating water use, for setting the principles to govern the granting of withdrawal licenses and allocating water to States.

The bodies involved in the generation and distribution of electricity must comply with the laws governing roads, water, drainage, lands, and environment. An environmental impact assessment must be completed before initiating development projects.

Anyone who generates, transmits or distributes electricity without being a party to an electricity agreement or having a license shall be fined.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Persons are prohibited from building dams or other water facilities (including sewers) on the Nile, non-Nile rivers and other surface and groundwaters without a license from the Minister of Irrigation.

NATURAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES

There are limited mentions of equity. One example is where the Country Strategy on Integrated Water Resources Management promotes the full involvement of women in the planning, implementation, and decision-making associated with water resources, as well as to empower women to play a leading role in self-reliance initiatives.

Several institutions play a role in water security. The Environmental and Natural Resources Supreme Council, amongst other obligations, is created to draft policy on the use, management and protection of natural resources and the environment. Competent authorities – including the Council, Federal Ministries and organs concerned with the health and protection of the environment as well as state Councils and ministries – are required to decide and approve environmental quality standards, act to conserve and protect water resources; and strictly implement environmental laws, amongst others. The National Council of Water Resources is responsible for making the general policy for water resources protection and management, for supervising water withdrawals, for regulating water use, for setting the principles to govern the granting of withdrawal licenses and allocating water to States. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources is responsible for issuing water withdrawal licenses and monitoring compliance with the withdrawal licenses. The National Environmental Health Council proposes general policies, plans and programs related to environmental health. The National Forests and Renewable Resources Corporation is accountable to the Minister and provides technical supervision for forests, range, and natural resources, disseminates information, conducts studies, amongst other responsibilities.

Persons are prohibited from conducting any activities which cause pollution or which effect human health. Persons are also prohibited from discharging or throwing any materials that are likely to harm human health into drinking water sources. Projects likely to affect the environment or natural resources must present an environmental feasibility study.

The State owns the water and the public has a right to use water in accordance with the norms established. Where a tool is used to withdraw water from surface or groundwaters, a license is required. Several principles govern water resource management, including that resources should be continuously assessed; that surface water use, development, protection, and conservation go hand-in-hand; and integrated surface water planning and development and land use management.

Persons are responsible for reporting threats to the environment and any contravention of laws related to the health and protection of the environment. Persons may take action to protect the environment and be reimbursed for any expenses incurred.

Persons who pollute air, water resources, soil, or environment, endangers animals, or changes the natural course of water bodies can be fined and/or imprisoned. Persons who violate the Water Resources Act, Environmental Health Act or Forests and Renewable Natural Resources Act can be fined and/or imprisoned. Anyone who causes serious harm to the environment and endangers peoples’ lives will be considered a terrorist and will imprisoned for no more than twenty years and fined.

NATURAL AND MANMADE DISASTERS

Humanitarian relief organizations are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, gender, and religion.

The National Council for Civil Defense is responsible for coordinating plans and measures at the national level to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies, mobilizing the national-level response to disasters and preventing their effects, and directing ministries to monitor the financial allocations in their annual budgets dedicated to disaster prevention. The General Administration of Civil Defense must protect buildings and installations during emergencies and disasters as well as reduce the likelihood of disasters, mitigate their effects, and minimize the damage that results from disasters. The National Council of Water Resources makes the general policy for water resources and management in order to mitigate the consequences of natural disasters such as drought and floods

A Disaster Management Policy and strategies for flood, erosion, drought, and desertification should be developed in order to prevent, mitigate, and respond to natural disasters.

The goals and objectives of humanitarian organizations include providing relief, protecting human rights and the environment, mitigating, and managing disaster risks, meeting the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees, and reconstructing infrastructure. The purpose of the Natural Disaster Risk Management Policy is to reduce the risks and negative impacts of natural and manmade disasters by reducing the damage caused by disasters through proactive, risk management programs. To address the risks posed by climate change, drought and floods, several actions are encouraged to be taken, including the review and adoption of environmental conservation, land use, and public health laws

SANITATION, DRINKING WATER, HEALTH AND HYGIENE

The Council for National Public Health is responsible for establishing systems and standards for the national health system; monitoring the spread of epidemics; developing national health policies and strategies; and proposing health legislation; amongst other responsibilities. The National Council for Environmental Health is responsible for proposing general policies, plans and programs related to environmental health. The States have a wide range of powers related to health, establishing public latrines and regulating public and private latrines and waste disposal.

Persons working in the field of drinking water must ensure that drinking water is safe and free from pollution in accordance with requirements. Persons are prohibited from discharging or throwing any solid, liquid, or gaseous materials into any source of drinking water which is likely to harm human health or negatively affect the use of water for other purposes.

Several strategies set forth targets for the volume of water that should be available to persons in rural and urban communities. Anyone who adds harmful substances to a well, reservoir or public source of water and endangers peoples’ lives can be fined and/or imprisoned. Persons who contaminate water and make it less appropriate for the use for which it is designated can be fined and/or imprisoned.

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

The Council of Ministers can regulate the import and export of goods.

Persons are prohibited from conducting any activities which cause pollution or which effect human health. An environmental impact assessment must be completed before initiating industrial, agriculture or development projects, public or private, in order to determine the impact of the project on health and the environment.

PEACE AND CONFLICT

Several policies are identified to govern regional and international waters, including recognizing the rights of co-riparians in the Nile; maintaining Sudan’s share under agreements such as the 1959 Agreement between Sudan and Egypt and the 1991 Protocol between Sudan and Ethiopia; cooperating with countries that share surface and groundwater with Sudan; developing and conserving shared waters in an integrated, sustainable and environmentally sound manner through basin wide cooperation in recognition of the principle of equitable and reasonable use and commitments to prevent the cause of harm to users and resources.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The President can declare a state of emergency in several circumstances, including during natural disasters, famine, or epidemics or any other circumstances which imminently threaten the fall of Sudan or public safety. The National Council for Civil Defense is responsible for coordinating plans and measures at the national level to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies, to mobilize the national-level response to disasters and to prevent their effects, and to direct ministries to monitor the financial allocations in their annual budgets dedicated to disaster prevention.

The publication or broadcasting of false news with the purpose of inciting panic can result in imprisonment and/or fines. Deleting or destroying information owned by another is also prohibited and can result, if convicted, in imprisonment and/or fines.

GOVERNANCE

A transitional government has been established for three years. At the federal level a Sovereignty Council, Cabinet, and Transitional Legislative Council have been formed. There is also a Judicial Authority, independent from the other branches, responsible for adjudicating disputes.