Showing posts with label Arab League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arab League. Show all posts

Friday, March 08, 2024

Sudan: UK has circulated a draft UN resolution calling for an immediate end of hostilities ahead of Ramadan

"THE UK has circulated a draft UN resolution calling for an immediate end of hostilities in Sudan ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 


The British draft resolution expresses ‘grave concern over the spreading violence and the catastrophic and deteriorating humanitarian situation’. 


With Ramadan expected to begin around Sunday, depending on the sighting of the new moon, the council is expected to vote quickly on the resolution, probably on Friday. 


The latest draft on a Sudan ceasefire was circulated on the same day the head of the UN food agency warned that the Sudan conflict “risks triggering the world’s largest hunger crisis” as global attention is focused on the Israel-Hamas war. 


The proposed UN resolution calls on all parties to remove obstructions and allow “full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access” including across Sudan’s borders and across conflict lines.


The draft also urges strengthened co-ordination of several regional and international efforts “to facilitate an end to the conflict and to restore a lasting inclusive civilian-led democratic transition.” 


The US is negotiating on its own proposed Gaza resolution with the latest draft calling for a “ceasefire of roughly six weeks in Gaza together with the release of all hostages” as soon as Israel and Hamas agree. The draft makes no mention of Ramadan."  Read more.


From The Irish News

By Edith M Lederer, Associated Press

Dated Thursday, March 07, 2024 at 3:36AM GMT

UN resolution calling for end to hostilities in Sudan ahead of Ramadan

The British draft resolution expresses ‘grave concern over the spreading violence and the catastrophic and deteriorating humanitarian situation’.


Full story: https://www.irishnews.com/news/world/un-resolution-calling-for-end-to-hostilities-in-sudan-ahead-of-ramadan-4EQJ622VTNJ5ZHTECA4OWM3DF4/

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Related 


From Sudan Tribune - undated, here is a copy in full: 


Fikra for Studies and Development urges Security Council to endorse UK draft resolution for ceasefire in Sudan


Fikra for Studies and Development welcomes the UK draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan. We hope that the Security Council will adopt this resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and that it will include clear and effective enforcement, implementation, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure its application on the ground.


The resolution should emphasize the need to adhere to the principles of the Jeddah Declaration for the Protection of Civilians, signed by the warring parties on May 11, 2023. It should also reaffirm the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) principle adopted by the UN in 2005, to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and the cessation of violations against Sudanese civilians, especially in Darfur, Khartoum, and Al Gezira states.


If adopted by the Security Council and successfully implemented, this resolution will pave the way for a permanent ceasefire, opening the door for a rational political process to end the civil war that has been ongoing in Sudan since April 15, 2023.


Fikra for Studies and Development calls on the members of the Security Council to vote to pass this resolution. We also call on the African Union, the Arab League, and IGAD to support this resolution by urgently contacting all members of the Security Council and encourage them to vote in favor of this resolution. We further call on the five permanent members of the Security Council not to use their veto power to block the passage of this resolution.


We reiterate our call to the UN and its humanitarian agencies to declare a state of severe famine of phase 5 at the national level in Sudan and to address the humanitarian situation accordingly.


The current situation in Sudan represents the largest humanitarian catastrophe of our time, in terms of the number of displaced and refugee people, the widespread famine, the severe food shortages, and the horrors faced by the Sudanese people due to the ongoing war. The international community must act now effectively to stop this ongoing suffering.


View original: https://sudantribune.com/article282996/


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Sunday, July 23, 2023

US State Department and Arab League start talking about urgent Middle East issues and Sudan conflict

Report from News Track Live - newstracklive.com
By ANIKET DIXIT
Published on Thursday 20 July 2023 at 03:05 PM - here is a full copy:

US State Department and Arab League start talking about urgent Middle East issues

Riyadh: Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, and Antony Blinken, the secretary of state of the United States, met on Wednesday in Washington to discuss the urgent issues surrounding the Middle East.


The US State Department claimed in a statement on its website that the "strategic dialogue" is a "opportunity for us to work even more closely together on the many issues that are affecting the lives of people in all of the countries represented by the Arab League as well as the United States."


The comprehensive conversation, which Aboul Gheit described as the first of its kind at the level of the US state secretary and GCC secretary-general, will "explore further the level of cooperation" and "deepen the relationship."


The statement made no mention of specifics, but some news reports have quoted political analysts as saying that, now that Syria has been readmitted to the 22-member alliance, the US will follow up on its earlier statement for the Arab League to press the Assad regime to address pressing issues.


The northwest regions of Syria, which are controlled by the opposition and home to more than 4 million displaced people, have been requested by the UN for greater access by international aid organizations. The UN Security Council was unable to come to an agreement last week to maintain the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing, which permits aid organizations to enter from Turkey.


During the height of the so-called "Arab Spring" uprisings, Syria's membership in the league was suspended in 2011 due to the Assad regime's deadly crackdown on dissent. The UN estimates that the ensuing armed conflict has resulted in the deaths of 306,887 civilians and the displacement of more than 12 million Syrians, including 5.4 million who as of 2022 were refugees in other countries.


Other urgent regional issues that are anticipated to be covered in the Arab League-US dialogue include the conflict in Sudan, Israel's escalating land aggression against the Palestinians, Yemen's peace initiative, and more.


View original: 

https://english.newstracklive.com/news/us-state-department-and-arab-league-start-talking-about-urgent-middle-east-issues-sc57-nu355-ta355-1286214-1.html


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Sunday, May 21, 2023

China's Xi congratulates Arab League meeting

Report at China Daily

By MO JINGXI China Daily - Xinhua contributed to the story

Dated Saturday 20 May 2023; 06:47 - full copy:

Xi sends congratulations to Arab League meeting

Arab leaders pose for a family photo ahead of the Arab League summit, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023. Photo/Agencies


President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China is ready to work with Arab countries to promote China-Arab friendship, implement the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit and build a higher level of strategic partnership.


Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the Arab League, on the convening of the 32nd Arab League Summit in the Saudi port city of Jeddah.


The Arab League, committed to seeking strength through unity in the Arab world, has been actively promoting peace, stability and development in the Middle East, he said.


Referring to Saudi Arabia as an important force in the multipolar world, Xi expressed appreciation for the country's active contribution to strengthening solidarity among Arab countries and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.


The president noted that the China-Arab strategic partnership, which has witnessed fruitful results in recent years, has become an example of South-South cooperation and win-win cooperation.


During the first China-Arab States Summit held in Riyadh last December, the leaders agreed to build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, promote regional peace and development and uphold international fairness and justice.


The summit was an epoch-making milestone in the development of China-Arab relations, Xi said.


Looking ahead, China is willing to work together with the Arab countries and continue to write a new chapter of China-Arab friendship, Xi said.


The 32nd Arab League Summit, which kicked off on Friday, will discuss regional and global issues that are crucial to the region's stability.


Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended the summit for the first time since his country was suspended from the Arab League after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.


The readmission of Syria to the pan-Arab body, the ongoing conflict in Sudan, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will top the agenda of the summit.


Original: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202305/20/WS6467fc83a310b6054fad4144.html


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Monday, May 08, 2023

URGENT FROM ALEX DE WAAL - Sudan crisis: Mediators over a barrel in mission to end fighting

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Here is Alex de Waal’s latest take on the current Sudan crisis. Fortunately, it was published yesterday in the form of a carefully worded piece for BBC News. See copy below. 


As usual, it didn't disappoint. I had to read it six times to see if there was any wiggle room in the stance he has taken. There is none, it is crystal clear with no way of misunderstanding this: speed is of the essence.


While reading it, I agreed with every word but my heart sank at not seeing anything that was news to me.


The overall message he conveys in his analysis, without appearing to be dramatic, is the urgent need for speed: that there's no time left to lose on haggling for peace. We're talking hours and days, not weeks.


Also, he didn’t mention justice or for Messrs Burhan and Hemeti to be called to account for their crimes. It seems to me that Alex's advice to the current mediators is this: appease them, agree amnesty for war crimes.


So, after giving it much thought, and it pains me to say this, one side will have to be backed in order to give Sudanese civilians a chance to run their country and army, which means backing Mr Burhan and SAF.


Rewarding Hemeti, treating him as a victor would make the Janjaweed victorious. Unthinkable. He must not have any role leading any part of Sudan or South Sudan. Retire him to Chad where he was born, or to the ICC. 


Over the past 20 years here at Sudan Watch, I've argued strongly in favour of the African Union, for Africa be governed by Africa-led solutions and initiatives, for it to be empowered and lead without outside interference and to be given a seat on the UN Security Council.


Please God stop the fighting, let the world unite in supporting Sudan and South Sudan by providing them with what they need, humanitarian assistance and access to aid until they can stand on their own feet. 


And let them decide what to do with the RSF. Hopefully, Hemeti will disappear peaceably, forever. 


Wish I had time to write a better intro instead of this half-baked draft but as Alex shows in his heavy-duty not light-weight piece, if one reads it carefully: there is not a minute to waste. Seriously. Every minute counts.

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Report from BBC News

By ALEX DE WAAL


Dated Monday 08 May 2023 - full copy:


Sudan crisis: Mediators over a barrel in mission to end fighting

AFP


With the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, transformed from tranquil city to war zone, Saudi Arabia and the US have called the warring parties to Jeddah to seek agreement on a ceasefire. But as Sudan expert Alex de Waal says, it will just be a short-term, emergency step.

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There is a dilemma for mediators: whatever decision they take on the format and agenda for emergency talks will determine the path of peace-making in Sudan through to its conclusion.


To silence the guns, the American and Saudi diplomats will deal only with the rival generals who have each sent a three-person negotiating team to Jeddah. 


The agenda is a humanitarian ceasefire, a monitoring mechanism and corridors for aid. Neither side wants to open negotiations towards a political agreement.


The civilian parties and neighbourhood resistance committees, whose non-violent protests brought down the authoritarian regime of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir four years ago, will be onlookers.


It will not be easy to get the two generals to agree to any kind of ceasefire.


The army chief, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, will insist that he represents the legitimate government. He will label Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as "Hemedti", as a rebel.


But Hemedti, his de facto deputy until the clashes, will demand equal status for the two sides.


He will want on a freeze-in-place, leaving his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters in control of much of Khartoum. Gen Burhan will require a return to the positions in the days before the clashes began.


Getting a compromise means hard bargaining with the generals. 


The mediators need to gain their confidence and assure them that, if they make concessions now, that will not leave them exposed and vulnerable.


The downside is that the two warring parties will then demand the dominant role in political talks and an agenda that suits their interests.


One thing on which Burhan and Hemedti - and the Arab neighbours - agree is that they do not want a democratic government, which had been on the cards before the fighting began. The two military men had run the country since the 2019 which ousted Bashir, refusing to hand power to civilians.

AFP

The real losers are the civilians who helped oust Bashir in 2019 and want elections and a democratic government


Another point of agreement will be amnesty for war crimes.


Negotiations dominated by the generals are likely to end in a peace agreement in which they share the spoils, setting back the prospects for democracy for many more years.


But if the fighting is not stopped soon, Sudan faces state collapse.


Abdalla Hamdok - prime minister of the joint military-civilian government ousted by the generals in 2021 - has said the country's new war threatened to be worse than Syria or Yemen. 


He might have added, worse than Darfur.


Frontline reinforcements


There is a grim predictability about how Sudan's civil wars unfold.


In the opening days, the military commanders - army generals and rebel leaders - are driven by an angry resolve to land a knockout blow on the other side.


Combat is fierce as each side focuses its attacks, and it is easy to identify who is on which side - and who is staying neutral.

AFP

The RSF has its roots in Darfur where some fighters are alleged to have been involved in what the International Criminal Court considers a genocide


We saw this when the Sudanese civil war broke out in 1983, again in Darfur 20 years later, and in the conflicts in Abyei, Heglig and the Nuba Mountains close to the north-south border at the time when South Sudan separated in 2011.


The first clashes in South Sudan's own civil war in 2013 also looked like this.


On 15 April, when fighting erupted between the army and the RSF, each side vowed to destroy the other.


They concentrated their firepower on each other's strategic positions in the capital, regardless of the massive destruction inflicted on the city and its residents.


Past wars show that if the fighting is not quickly halted, it escalates.


Each side brings reinforcements to the frontline, bids to win over local armed groups that are not yet involved, and solicits help from friendly foreign backers. 


We are in that phase now.


The regular conflict script tells us the adversaries will not be able to sustain their cohesion for long. They will run low on weapons, logistics and money, and cut deals to get more.


The fissures within each fighting coalition will begin to show. Other armed groups will join the fray.


Local communities will arm themselves for self-defence. Outsiders will become entangled. 


All of this is already happening. It is most advanced in Darfur, Hemedti's homeland, which is in flames again.


Up to now, we have not seen civilians being systematically targeted because of their ethnic identity.


But that is a major risk, and as soon as fighters on one side commit mass atrocities, the antagonism will escalate.


The next stage would be conflict spreading across the country, igniting local disputes as it goes.


Armed groups will fragment and coalesce, fighting for control over the lucrative locations such as roads, airports, gold mines and aid distribution centres. 


In Darfur, after the fierce battles and massacres of 2003-04, the region collapsed into anarchy.


The head of the joint African Union-United Nations mission called it "a war of all against all".


This was the lawless political marketplace in which Hemedti thrived, using cash and violence to build a power base.


There is an all-too-real scenario in which the whole of Sudan comes to resemble Darfur.


'Abandoned in moment of need'


The US and Saudi mediators are high-level and even-handed. Unlike other Arab neighbours - Egypt backs Burhan and the United Arab Emirates has ties to Hemedti - Riyadh does not have a favourite. 


The US is threatening sanctions. That is unlikely to deter the generals - Sudan has been under American sanctions since 1989, and military-owned businesses thrived nonetheless. 

GETTY IMAGES

The one thing Gen Burhan (R) and Hemedti (L) are likely to agree about is that neither wants a civilian government


Effective pressure needs international consensus. Everyone - including China and Russia - agrees that the fighting is a disaster.


Protocol at the UN puts the responsibility on its African members to raise the issue at the Security Council. 


Up to now, they have not acted, and the African Union has not even convened its Peace and Security Council.


In the meantime, every passing day risks the war becoming intractable.


Silencing the guns today is a hard-enough task. It would be far harder if there were dozens of fissile armed groups claiming a seat at the table.


What is unprecedented about today's armed conflict is that the battleground is in Khartoum. 


It is generating a humanitarian crisis quite different to the rural displacement and hunger that the country's aid workers have dealt with over the decades.


Civilians trapped in urban neighbourhoods may benefit from old-style food convoys, but they also need utilities - electricity, water, and telecoms. And they desperately need cash. 


With the central bank burned and local commercial bank branches closed, some people rely on mobile phone banking services. Others are penniless.


With the UN and most foreign aid workers evacuated, local resistance committees have stepped into the vacuum, organising essential aid and safe passage for civilians to escape. 

REUTERS

Civilians have become trapped in urban neighbourhoods with truces failing to hold


Many Sudanese feel that the international community abandoned them in their moment of need, and ask that such local, civilian efforts become the lynchpin of an aid effort.


There is a danger that hunger will become a weapon of war, and aid will be a resource manipulated by warlords.


Aid agencies will need to find ways to bypass them and directly help civilians.


There are no simple solutions to Sudan's escalating war. The situation may yet get much worse before it gets better.


And it is likely that whatever decisions are taken in the ceasefire talks - who is represented, on what terms, and with what agenda - will shape the country's future for years to come.


Alex de Waal is the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US.

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View original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65495539


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Sunday, May 07, 2023

Arab League forms Arab group to address Sudan crisis

Report from Big News Network

By China View Xinhua

Dated Monday 08 May 2023 - full copy:

Arab League forms ministerial committee to address Sudan crisis


CAIRO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League Council issued a resolution on Sunday to form an Arab ministerial contact group to communicate with the Sudanese parties and influential countries, aiming to reach a settlement of the crisis in Sudan.


The resolution, made during the Council's emergency meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, is meant to intensify Arab efforts to find a peaceful solution to the current conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in mid-April.


Under the resolution, the contact group would include representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Arab League, according to an Arab League statement.


The contact group will hold communication with the Sudanese parties, influential countries regionally and internationally as well as relevant international organizations, according to the statement.


The committee aims to reach a complete and sustainable ceasefire in Sudan and address the causes of the crisis.


It will further coordinate with international relief organizations to provide urgent humanitarian and medical support to citizens and displaced persons inside Sudan.


The group will also work to help those taking refuge in neighboring countries.


The Council also stressed the need to fully respect Sudan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and not to interfere in its internal affairs to avoid fueling conflict and threatening regional peace and security.


View original: https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273823326/arab-league-forms-ministerial-committee-to-address-sudan-crisis


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Sunday, April 30, 2023

UN: Humanitarian crisis in Khartoum & around Sudan

Arab League to convene on Sudan 1 May upon Egypt's request, the current president of the League's council

Report from MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) 

Sunday 30 April 2023 3:01:59 PM - full copy:


Arab League Permanent Representatives To Convene On Sudan Mon.


(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) CAIRO, April 30 (KUNA) -- The Arab League announced Sunday holding an extraordinary meeting at the permanent representatives level on Monday, tomorrow, to discuss the latest developments in Sudan, upon Egypt's request, the current president of the League's council.


The League's Secretariat General received an official letter from Egypt's permanent mission, calling for resuming the extraordinary session of the League held on April 16, an Arab League source said in a press statement.


The statement issued during the last meeting's permanent representative stipulates that the session is still held to follow up the developments in Sudan, according to the source.


The last meeting called for an immediate stop of all the armed clashes in Sudan to halt the bloodshed, and maintain safety and security of civilians as well as Sudan's properties, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.


The last gathering warned against increased violence in Sudan that is associated with dangerous repercussions. (end)

mfm.rg.hm


View original: https://menafn.com/1106144013/Arab-League-Permanent-Representatives-To-Convene-On-Sudan-Mon


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Sudan: Trilateral Mechanism (UN, AU, IGAD) calls on Burhan & Hemeti to extend non existent ceasefire

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: The Arab League is holding a special meeting tomorrow to help stop the two mad Killers of Sudan slaying more civilians in Sudan. See full report in next post to follow.

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Sudan army & RSF back 3 hr humanitarian ceasefire. UN chief demands justice for staff deaths

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: As reported by the BBC, it is difficult to get a true picture of situation on ground. The Sudanese army and paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) observed a temporary ceasefire after two days of fighting. African Union chief is heading to Sudan. Many countries are keeping a close eye on Sudan. Sudan's road ahead to civilian rule is painfully long. The UN chief demands justice for staff deaths. Let us pray that the International Criminal Court is keeping its Darfur Sudan files open.

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From: BBC News LIVE reporting 

Sunday 16 April 2023 at 15:26; 5:40; 17:17; 17:23; 18:12; 18:37 GMT UK 

Edited by Rob Corp, Tom Spender, Robert Greenall 


Summary


The leaders of Sudan's army and paramilitary group the Rapid Support forces observed a temporary ceasefire after two days of fighting


The four-hour "humanitarian" window on Sunday was for the wounded to be evacuated after clashes were reported across the vast African country


The World Food Programme temporarily halts humanitarian work in Sudan after three staff were killed


The deaths happened during violence in Kabkabiya in North Darfur and two other workers were injured


The UN food agency also says one of its planes was damaged at Khartoum airport


Fighting has entered a second day as a power struggle between Sudan's army and paramilitaries rages in Khartoum and elsewhere


Sudan's doctors' union said at least 57 people have been killed as result of the fighting which broke out on Saturday


The RSF says it controls key sites in the capital but Sudan's leader - and head of the military - has rejected its claim


The African Union, leading Arab states and the US have called for an end to the fighting and a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government


Sudanese groups and the ruling military junta failed to reach an agreement last week on a handover of power


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Posted at 15:26

15:40

Sudanese army and RSF back 'urgent humanitarian ceasefire'

The two sides in the conflict in Sudan have agreed to a temporary ceasefire so that "urgent humanitarian cases" can be brought to safety.

Representatives from the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have agreed to the proposal by the United Nations to pause fighting between 16:00 and 19:00 local time (14:00 and 17:00 GMT) on Sunday.

General Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces supported the proposal. 

While welcoming the agreement, UN representative in Sudan Volker Perthes said they will be held accountable to honour it.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254

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Posted at 15:26

DIFFICULT TO GET A TRUE PICTURE OF THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND

BBC Monitoring's Beverly Ochieng in Nairobi says both sides are making competing claims about areas that they have seized and it has been frustrating getting a true picture of what is happening on the ground.

State TV has just been playing music, peace music, unity music and messages, she says.

Most of the Sudanese media is only posting material on social media, and that's been the biggest source of news coming out of Sudan, she adds.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254

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AFRICAN UNION CHIEF HEADING TO SUDAN

The head of the pan-continental African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, is planning to "immediately" go on a ceasefire mission to Sudan, the body said in a statement on Sunday. 

The organisation has been meeting to discuss the situation in Sudan.

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Posted at 17:23

WHY SO MANY COUNTRIES ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON SUDAN 




Analysis by Frank Gardner, BBC News, Security Correspondent

Sudan is one of the poorest countries, per capita, in the Arab world. But its natural resources and its strategic location on the Red Sea have attracted the attention of its Arab neighbours as well as global powers like the US. 

Russia is keen to establish a naval base on the coast and has been in talks about this with Sudan’s military leaders. 

Washington wants to prevent this and also has no wish to see Sudan return to the days when it hosted terrorist groups like Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaida. Under US pressure, Sudan recently established diplomatic relations with Israel.

Nearer at hand, Egypt is in a close alliance with Khartoum, with both countries viewing Ethiopia with suspicion bordering on hostility. 

Since the ousting of Sudan’s military ruler General Omar Al-Bashir in 2019, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have built up ties with Khartoum. The Saudis persuaded Sudan to send forces to join its side in Yemen’s disastrous civil war. 

The UAE sees Sudan as part of a regional network against political Islam which it views as a threat to its own way of government. 

None of this suggests much hope of an early end to Sudan’s own internal struggles.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254

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SUDAN'S LONG ROAD TO CIVILIAN RULE

By Mary Harper, Africa editor, BBC World Service


The latest deadly violence is rooted in a power struggle between two military men: one, Sudan's leader Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan; the other, his deputy, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. 

He first came to prominence when he led militias on horseback during the war in Darfur, which some described as a genocide. 

Five years ago, there was huge optimism in Sudan following a revolution that led to the ousting of the dictatorial leader Omar al-Bashir who held power for 30 years. 

Now, the country is going backwards.

The path to civilian rule was always going to be difficult as Sudan has been ruled with an iron fist for so long. 

The army seemed unable to give way, staging a coup in 2021 which derailed the transition and led to months of opposition protests in which dozens were killed. 

And now the military are fighting amongst themselves, with civilians caught in the middle, their dreams of a new Sudan shattered.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254

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UN chief demands justice for staff deaths

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for "justice without delay" for the deaths of three staff during violence in Kabkabiya, in north Darfur region, his spokesman says.

"The premises of the UN and other humanitarian organisations have also been hit by projectiles and looted in several places Darfur," Stéphane Dujarric said in the statement.

Two more people were injured and the UN's World Food Programme suspended its operations in Sudan as a result of the killings.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254

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Sudan Watch Ed Update Mon 17 Apr 2023: '4 hr' changed to '3 hr' in title of the above post.