EK never got back to me about comping status so I went ahead and booked 3 round trips from Khartoum to Canada on Kenya Airways / Air France.

I think I will stay with the Kenya Airways / KLM / Air France partnership as they at least acknowledge my existence. Plus, I can fly from Sudan to Capetown for 45K roundtrip in Business Class on KQ - a bargain by any standard. Plus nice one way economy awards for only 12,500 miles with open availability throughout Africa. It seems that KQ releases 4 economy and 2 business class seats on all intra -African routes ^ for award redemption.

I have one ticket on Emirates coming up in Economy and from what I hear, their economy product is very poor on the 777 (10 abreast). Too bad EK - my business stays with KLM partnership.