Showing posts with label Blue Nile dam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Nile dam. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Sudan crisis: Is Hemeti dead or alive or what?

HERE is a copy of a tweet dated Monday 17 July 2023 at Twitter account Mohamed Hamdan Daglo @GeneralDagllo. It contains a voice message claiming to be Hemeti. Is he dead or alive or in Chad or what? Why's no-one saying? His toe rag rebels are on the loose and out of control, many captured on film look young and high, excitedly looting to survive. In desperation, they killed some animals in a zoo on the outskirts of Khartoum and took them away to eat. How are they paid? If they're not paid what will become of them? There's very little hard news coming out of Sudan. It's difficult to ascertain what is going on and how bad things are, especially in Khartoum, Blue Nile State and South Kordofan. 

What is clear is this: an army of men are jetting around the globe in their best suits enjoying VIP treatment, all expenses paid, having photos taken with VIPs to show off at home. Let's hope they've now rolled up their sleeves and are working as hard and fast as humanly possible to help save Sudan.

The tweet is timestamped someone posted this witty comment at the tweet: How is the treatment in the grave.

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Monday, July 03, 2023

Sudan: Malik Agar visits Russia to discuss Sudan crisis

NOTE from Sudan Watch Ed: Further to the previous post at Sudan Watch (Mon 03 Jul 2023 - 'Sudan: Thousands of Sudanese citizens flee to Ethiopia as security deteriorates in Blue Nile') here is a thread of 7 tweets posted in Arabic Thu 29 Jun 2023 at the Twitter account of Malik Agar @MalikAgar1 “the official account of the President of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Vice President the Sudanese Sovereignty Council”.

This copy has been translated from Arabic using Google translate.


1/7

Today morning, June 29, I visited the Federal Republic of Russia, accompanied by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others. During the visit, I and my accompanying delegation, which also included the Sudanese Ambassador to Russia, held a session of talks in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Mr. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister.

11:10 PM · Jun 29, 2023 24.5K Views

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In addition to the Russian President's envoy to Africa and the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and a number of officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry, we discussed during the session developments in Sudan, where I provided a detailed explanation of the events in Sudan since the outbreak of the Rapid Support Forces rebellion on April 15.

11:11 PM · Jun 29, 2023 1,954 Views

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And its developments in field and humanitarian aspects, and its repercussions on Sudan and neighboring countries. During the session, the regional and international initiatives and efforts made to find solutions to the crisis and the position of the Government of Sudan on it were touched upon. We clarified Sudan's position on the UN mission and its head, and Sudan's adherence to its sovereign rights.

11:12 PM · Jun 29, 2023 1,192 Views

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And his duty is to defend its territorial integrity, security and stability, and the Russian side has understood Sudan's position towards the United Nations and its decision regarding the head of the UNTAMS mission.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, expressed the solidarity of the Government of the Russian Federation with the government and people of Sudan and its existing legitimate institutions.

11:14 PM · Jun 29, 2023 1,436 Views

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Stressing his follow-up to the developments of the situation in Sudan since its inception, he added that the crisis in Sudan is an internal matter and its solution is in the hands of the Sudanese themselves. Lavrov indicated the Russian government's readiness to support the Sudanese people whenever they are asked to do so.

11:15 PM · Jun 29, 2023 1,366 Views

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We also agreed with the Russian side to continue and strengthen bilateral relations in all fields and to activate this through the agreed upon bilateral mechanisms. We also renewed our commitment to coordination in international and regional forums. We also touched on developments in the Sudanese neighborhood and the regional situation.

11:17 PM · Jun 29, 2023 1,963 Views

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They stressed the importance of coordination and consultation between the two countries. During the talks, the Russian side expressed its aspiration for the President of the Sovereignty Council to participate in the Russian-African Summit, which will be held at the end of next July in St. Petersburg, Russia.

11:18 PM · Jun 29, 2023 1,797 Views

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View original*: https://twitter.com/MalikAgar1/status/1674540887651635200


*Only viewable to those with a registered account at Twitter.com


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Sudan: Thousands of Sudanese citizens flee to Ethiopia as security deteriorates in Blue Nile

"Thousands of Sudanese citizens flee to Ethiopia as security deteriorates in Blue Nile Region. The regional government of Blue Nile is headed by the SPLM/N faction under the command of Gen. Malik Agar. Mr. Agar was appointed as a member of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council (STSC) and later appointed as the Vice President of the council following the dismissal of Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo also known as Himite."  More. 

Map illustrating the paths of the White and Blue Nile. Credit: The Guardian


Article at African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)
Published Saturday 01 July 2023 - here is a full copy:

Sudan: Thousands of Sudanese citizens flee into the neighboring Ethiopia as security deteriorates in Blue Nile Region

Photo Credit: Yusri Elshazali


(01 July 2023) - African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) would like to express concern about the deteriorating security situation in Blue Nile Region (BNR). In this release ACJPS documents a series of events that has caused thousands of Sudanese citizens to flee the region.  The reporting period is between 15 April to 30 June 2023.


The regional government of Blue Nile is headed by the SPLM/N faction under the command of Gen. Malik Agar. Mr. Agar was appointed as a member of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council (STSC) and later appointed as the Vice President of the council following the dismissal of Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo also known as Himite, the RSF High command by Gen. Abdul Fatah Al-Burhan the chairperson of STSC on 19 May 2023. It is because of this connection and affiliation that the Blue Nile government sided with Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Furthermore, the BN regional government went ahead and integrated their troops with SAF.


Although the Blue Nile government declared that they had sided with SAF, some tribal leaders like Mr. Alobid Mohamed Suleiman Abu Shotal, the clan head of Hamag under Fong group and the former member of Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) joined the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).


On 26 June 2023, another faction of SPLM/N led by Gen. Abdul Aziz Adam Al-hillu attacked a SAF base located Alkurmuk. This led to approximately 4,000 people fleeing to the neighboring Ethiopia. Alkurmuk is often cut off from other parts of the region during rainy seasons and this coupled with the insecurity has scared the locals from participating in farming which is their livelihood.


Additionally, the residents of Alkurmuk had previously fled the area in 2011 during the war between the Sudanese government and SPLM/N.  Several locals returned in 2020 after the signing of the Sudanese Peace Agreement, 2020 since the 2011 war between the government and SPLM/N. The recent incidents of conflict have taken the area a thousand steps backwards.


On 26 June 2023, the SPLM/N-Abdul Aziz launched an attack targeting another SAF military base in Blue Nile Region. The attack came shortly after SPLM/N troops moved from their base in Yabos which is located approximately 80 kilometers from Alkurmuk. SPLM/N successfully managed to take over small SAF bases in Abu Alnzir Nogo while on their way to Alkurmuk. Prior to the takeover, SPLM/N received heavy resistance from SAF soldiers at the base. This incident led to the displacement of thousands of residents to the neighboring Ethiopia.


On 18 June 2023, Gen. Ahmed Alomda Badi, the Governor of Blue Nile Region issued decree no.  53/2023 authorizing the creation of a committee mandated to approve and permit residents to travel out of the region. The committee was formed and it comprises of representatives from the Sudanese Police Forces, National Security and SAF Military Intelligence. The committee operated from Al-damazin Popular Market where the buses are stationed. The governor derived his power from the Sudanese Constitutional Bill, 2019 that placed a restriction on movement which is a clear violation of citizens’ freedom of movement. It was also vivid in the decree that the Blue Nile regional government sided with SAF in the ongoing armed conflict with RSF.


Gen. Alomda, the Blue Nile governor later established another committee to follow up and investigate the incidents that happened at the Ethiopian Refugees Camp located in Wad Almahi locality in Blue Nile. Unfortunately, because of the armed conflict, the World Food Program (WFP) was unable to provide the humanitarian assistance to the camp during the month May 2023 which led to death of several female refugees. The absence of humanitarian aid led the BNR government to contemplate closing the camp but later WFP resumed its mandate. The committee then reached out to the refugees who had left and requested them to return to the camp. 1,205 refugees, mostly from Tegrai expressed their willingness to return to camp and at least 5,000 others, majority who were from Bani Shangol immediately returned. It is worth mentioning that majority of the 5,000 refugees are affiliated to Bani Shangol opposition movement which is enjoying certain privileges in Blue Nile because of their relationship and alliance with SAF. Members of the committee including Commissioner Mahjoob Elshekh, Mr. Abdul Gani Degis, the commissioner attached to BNR, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Mr. Ramadan Yassin and Mr. Aljaili Elshareef the refugee’s commissioner committed to respect the choices and decisions of the refugees.


On 20 May 2023, the BNR Ministry of Finance announced a salary reduction for public servants for a period of three months in order to support SAF during the ongoing armed conflict. 1,000 Sudanese Pounds was deducted from public servants earning 3,000 Sudanese Pounds and 10,000 Sudanese Pounds from regional ministers and commissioners. The announcement was made shortly before the salaries for the month of April was paid. By so doing, the regional government forcefully involved the public servants to participate in the war through financial contribution.


On 20 May 2023, Gen. Ahmed Al-Omda Badi, the Blue Nile Governor chaired a meeting attended by a number of prominent members from various professions and sectors in the region. Mr. Mirghani Makki Mirghani, the Secretary General of the regional government told SUNA News that the meeting was aimed at mobilizing support to extend to SAF.


In a separate incident, Gen. Agar made a statement that “RSF may have won in clashes but SAF will definitely win the War”.


Shortly after Gen. Agar was appointed the Vice President of the STSC, his historical opponent Mr. Alobid Mohamed Suleiman Abu Shotal, the community leader of Hamag clan of the Fong group and former leader of SPLM and SPLM/N announced that he was joining RSF. Prior to joining RSF, Mr. Abu Shotal was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.


On 15 April 2023, SAF captured the RSF training Center in Blue Nile, arrested at least 800 RSF recruits under training and later released them. Although RSF was training the new recruits, they had a military background as they were members of Kobaje militia who called themselves the “Blue Nile Lions”. The Kobaje Militia was established in 2011 by SAF to fight against the SPLM/N in 2011. Majority of them were retired SAF soldiers from Fazogli, Bron and Hamag clans of the Fong Group and some members from Bani Shangol. Shortly after capturing and releasing the group, SAF called upon the Kobaje Militia to join them. The group was flown to Khartoum through Al-damazin airport to Wade Sideena Military air base in Omdurman. At least 700 troops were deployed in Omdurman, Karari locality, Althuras and Alwaha neighborhoods. On 26 May 2023, the group was also accused of looting properties of the residents and raping female civilians in Omdurman.  The troops later returned to Blue Nile.


On 21 June 2023, the SAF unit of BNR held a ceremony to appreciate the militia for their participation in the ongoing conflict.

 

On 20 June 2023, Gen. Ahmed Alomda the governor of BNR announced the emergency status of the region for a period of one month since the outbreak of conflict between some Fong clans and the Hawsa tribe. He also ordered for the release of prisoners.


In second week of June 2023, a short video circulated on social media platforms showing Mr. Abu Shotal wearing an RSF uniform standing in front of an RSF military vehicle in the company of five RSF soldiers while in Khartoum. On 27 June 2023, in another video clip, Mr. Abu Shotal is seen wearing an RSF uniform while at the headquarters of Central Reserve Police (CRP) in Khartoum, confirming that they (RSF) had captured the premises. In the video, Mr. Abu Shotal also stated that they are reforming the state as the marginalized groups are not enjoying the services and what he called “historical benefits”.


Background


The Blue Nile Region is located in the south-eastern part of Sudan bordering Ethiopia and South Sudan. In 2017, the SPLM/N split into two factions due to disagreements between Gen. Malik Agar and Gen. Abdul Aziz Al Hillu with each General controlling different territories. However, the political situation in the region changed drastically following the establishment of the Transitional government in 2019 and the Juba Peace Agreement, 2020 of which SPLM/N under the command of Gen. Agar is a signatory. It is for this very reason that Gen. Agar continues leading Blue Nile government.


View original: http://www.acjps.org/sudan-thousands-of-sudanese-citizens-flee-into-the-neighboring-ethiopia-as-security-deteriorates-in-blue-nile-region/


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