Showing posts with label SPLM-N Al Hilu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SPLM-N Al Hilu. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 05, 2025

Sudan: Closed Consultations at UN Security Council

Security Council Report
From What's In Blue 
Dated Mon 4 Aug 2025 - full copy:

Sudan: Closed Consultations


This afternoon (4 August), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on Sudan. The meeting was requested by Denmark and the UK (the penholder on the file) to receive an update on the humanitarian and political situations in the country, specifically in light of the recent escalation of violence in North Darfur state and the Kordofan region. Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk are expected to brief.


Ahead of the meeting, Russia apparently objected to having an official from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) brief on Sudan, arguing that the office lacks the mandate to brief the Council on the issue. However, Denmark and the UK countered this argument, noting OHCHR’s strong presence in Port Sudan, as well as its access to nationwide networks and to parties to the conflict. They also argued that the Council should be able to draw on all relevant information to inform its work and cited precedents of briefings from OHCHR officials to the Council on other situations.


At this afternoon’s meeting, Lamamra is expected to provide an overview of the grave security situation in the country, amid spiralling and unabated violence. In recent months, North Darfur state and the Kordofan region have witnessed an alarming escalation in hostilities, with large numbers of civilians bearing the brunt of the fighting. Fierce clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued, as both parties seek to consolidate territorial control. The fighting has been marked by heavy use of drones, artillery, ground operations, and airstrikes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and raising concerns about widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. (For background and more information, see our 26 June What’s in Blue story.)


The Kordofan region has become a key flashpoint in the ongoing conflict due to its strategic importance as a crossroads linking the country from east to west and north to south. Control of the region is critical to shaping the balance of power in Sudan’s civil war. El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state and a focal point of fighting, remains the SAF’s westernmost stronghold after it broke the RSF’s siege in February. The SAF reportedly uses El-Obeid as a base for launching airstrikes into Darfur and for preventing RSF advances towards Khartoum. Recent media reports have indicated an RSF mobilisation aimed at seizing El-Obeid.


In a 17 July statement, OHCHR noted that it had verified the killing of at least 60 civilians by the RSF in the Bara locality of North Kordofan since 10 July. Civil society groups have reported significantly higher figures, with some estimates placing the death toll at up to 300. The OHCHR statement added that at least 23 civilians were reportedly killed and over 30 injured in airstrikes carried out by the SAF on two villages in West Kordofan state between 10 and 14 July. Additionally, on 17 July, a SAF airstrike in the Bara locality killed at least 11 civilians.


In the same statement, Türk warned that a continued escalation of hostilities would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation and heighten risks to civilians. He urged those with influence to prevent such an escalation and to ensure that both parties uphold their obligations under international law, including to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Türk reiterated his call on the warring parties to ensure safe, sustained, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, including through humanitarian pauses. He stressed that alleged violations must be independently investigated and those responsible held accountable. This afternoon, the briefers and several Council members are likely to reiterate these messages.


Today’s meeting is also expected to take stock of recent political developments in Sudan. Kamil Eltayeb Idris—who has been appointed as Sudan’s prime minister by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the SAF’s leader and chairperson of the Transitional Sovereignty Council—has continued appointing members to a recently established 22-member non-partisan technocratic government. Meanwhile, the RSF-led Sudan Founding Alliance (known as “Tasis”)—a coalition of rival armed and political groups, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which controls territory in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states—announced in late July the formation of a parallel government in RSF-held areas. The structure includes a 15-member presidential council headed by the RSF’s leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, with Hilu serving as vice president and Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi as prime minister.


Several regional and international interlocutors have denounced the RSF’s decision to establish a parallel governing authority, warning that it risks entrenching Sudan’s political fragmentation, and have underscored the importance of upholding the country’s territorial integrity. In a 29 July press statement, members of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) rejected the creation of the so-called “parallel government” and stressed that the AU only recognises the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the recently formed civilian transitional government, until consensual arrangements are reached to restore constitutional order.


Sudan has on multiple occasions expressed its desire to be readmitted to the AU, after having been suspended in the wake of the October 2021 military takeover. The AUPSC convened earlier today to consider the situation in Sudan, under the rotating presidency for the month of August of Algeria (an elected UN Security Council member in 2024-25).


Lamamra most recently briefed Council members in closed consultations on 27 June, providing an update on ongoing regional and international initiatives to resolve the crisis in Sudan. He apparently underscored the urgent need for a united and coordinated approach to address the crisis through immediate and concrete action. It seems that Lamamra also shared insights from the fourth consultative meeting on enhancing coordination among the various peace initiatives on Sudan, hosted and chaired by the European Union (EU) in Brussels a day earlier (26 June). The next round of the consultative meeting is expected to be held in Addis Ababa, although the date has yet to be determined.


At a tri-partite meeting in Baghdad in May, the leaders of the UN, AU, and the League of Arab States (LAS) agreed to maintain regular contact to better coordinate peace efforts in Sudan. The AU Chairperson’s special representative to Sudan, Mohamed Belaiche, visited Port Sudan last week, where he met with senior Sudanese officials, including Burhan and Idris. (For more information, see our 18 May and 26 June What’s in Blue stories.)


In recent months, the US has appeared to reinvigorate efforts to advance peace talks in Sudan, in coordination with regional and international partners. In early June, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos convened a meeting on the Sudan conflict in Washington DC with the ambassadors to the US of the other Quad countries, namely Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The US had also planned to host a high-level meeting of Quad foreign ministers on 29 July; however, according to media reports, the meeting was postponed indefinitely due to disagreements between Egypt and the UAE—who are said to support opposing sides in the conflict—over the language of a proposed joint statement. There have also been reports that the US rejected an Egyptian request to include representatives of Sudan’s government in the meeting. Separately, the Sudan conflict has featured in recent bilateral discussions between senior US officials and key interlocutors, including Egypt and Qatar.


Security Council members are currently negotiating a draft press statement, authored by the “A3 Plus” members (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana) and the UK, that responds to the announcement made by the RSF-led Tasis alliance establishing a parallel governing authority. The draft press statement was open for comments until this morning. At the time of writing, members were awaiting a revised version of the text.


View original: 

https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/08/sudan-closed-consultations-8.php


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Thursday, April 17, 2025

Sudan: Half a million flee El Fasher, North Darfur as Zamzam camp is obliterated by Janjaweed RSF militia and its leader Hemeti declares formation of rival govt

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This is heartbreaking. Sudan is still the world's largest humanitarian crisis. 12.7m have been forcibly displaced. 25m face famine and extreme hunger. One in three Sudanese are displaced. One in six internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally come from Sudan. 

On April 15, day of London Sudan Conference, half a million IDPs fled to El Fasher and Tawila, N Darfur as Zamzam camp was obliterated by the Janjaweed RSF militia and RSFs chief, Sudan's gold thief Mohamed Hamdan "Hemeti" Dagalo, declared the formation of a rival government to Sudan's armed forces. Said his group is "building the only realistic future for Sudan".
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Report from Radio Dabanga
Wednesday, 16 April 2025 22:19 EL FASHER - full copy:

North Darfur: Half a million people flee ‘final catastrophe’ as Zamzam camp ‘obliterated’

Analysis of satellite imagery collected between 11 and 14 April 2025 of the Zamzam IDP Camp shows thermal scarring and damage to structures in an IDP tent location and market within the camp 14 April 2025 

(Source: Yale Humanitarian Research Lab / Planet Labs)

Escalating hostilities and attacks in North Darfur over the past week have effectively obliterated Zamzam camp for internally displaced people, 15 kilometres from the North Darfur capital El Fasher, forcing all of its 500,000+ inhabitants to flee. Untold hundreds have died, thousands injured, in what commentators have termed ‘the final catastrophe’ for the camp.


Between the evening of April 10 and the morning of April 14, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), “using overwhelming military resources”, effectively destroyed Zamzam camp for internally displaced people, multiple sources have confirmed. As reported by Radio Dabanga on April 13, an RSF ground offensive on Zamzam camp forced ‘tens of thousands’ of the inhabitants of Zamzam and Abou Shouk camps to flee to the adjacent North Darfur capital El Fasher.


Zamzam camp was established in 2004 to accommodate thousands of people displaced by the war in Darfur, and especially since the outbreak of the current hostilities two years ago, has seen its population swell to approximately 500,000 people.

Analysis of VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) Fire layer shows active fire events at central and south Zamzam on the 13 and 14 April (Source: Yale Humanitarian Research Lab / https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov)

While communications from the area are unreliable and sporadic, as connections with mobile networks and even Starlink were unavailable, images and videos that have reached social media paint a horrific picture. Graphic evidence is provided in a report published today by the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at the Yale School of Public Health.


‘There can be no overstating the brutality and destructiveness of the RSF assault on Zamzam…’ 

– Sudan researcher and analyst, Prof Eric Reeves

A member of Team Zamzam provides treatment for a malnourished child

(Archive photo: Prof Eric Reeves @Sudanreeves)

Speaking to Radio Dabanga today, prominent Sudan researcher and analyst, Prof Eric Reeves, who is also cochair of the Team Zamzam project, a group of women who provide counselling to victims of sexual violence in the camp, describes the latest developments as “the final catastrophe”.


Between arson, shelling, and automatic gunfire, the RSF has cleared the camp of most of its more than 500,000 residents, killing many, including nine humanitarian aid workers—medical personnel—from Relief International.

RSF Force Presence, Zamzam IDP Camp, 13 April 2025
(Source: HRL_MMC_088 has been redacted for security reasons)

“The camp population has in the main fled in two directions: to El Fasher (capital of North Darfur), 14 kilometres to the northeast and the Tawila area to the west in the direction of Jebel Marra,” Reeves confirms.


“Since the RSF controls most of the road from Zamzam to Tawila roughly 50 kilometres, many have been forced to flee off-road through the bush. Already weakened by lack of food and water, many—perhaps most—will die,” he laments.


“While El Fasher remains inaccessible, the Tawila area is the site of relief efforts by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Reeves says.


Regarding the member of his own Team Zamzam, he says that “while the fate of only one of the counsellors is known (she survived and is in El Fasher), it is highly likely that some of them will make it to the Tawila area, and my effort—in partnership with my colleague of five years, Gaffar Mohammud Saeneen—will be to reconstitute a “Team Zamzam in Exile,” he pledges, “for these women bring with them an extraordinary knowledge of the camp’s population and will be able to conduct highly effective surveys of the people who do manage to reach the Tawila area. They are particularly skilled in responding to those girls and women traumatized by sexual violence, a population that has been steadily rising during the course of the current two-year war.”


“There can be no overstating the brutality and destructiveness of the RSF assault on Zamzam,” Reeves laments. “The camp that has existed since 2004 is no longer, even as it had grown to more than 500,000 people, with some informed estimates of the population much higher.


‘As much killing and destruction as we have already seen—and there are no truly reliable figures—the real dying has only just begun…’ – Sudan researcher and analyst, Prof Eric Reeves


“As much killing and destruction as we have already seen—and there are no truly reliable figures—the real dying has only just begun. Nearly the entire population of Zamzam has fled, and in all directions the threat of RSF violence remains. This creates insecurity of a sort that prevents humanitarians from reaching these scattered people,” Reeves told Radio Dabanga, warning that “tremendous numbers will die either from RSF violence or the lack of food, water, and shelter.”


He concludes that “the death toll will in the end be measured in tens of thousands of innocent civilians, primarily women and children. This, too, amounts to blood on the hands of the RSF.”


Satellite imagery


Today’s HRL report assesses that the RSF “continue to raze Zamzam camp through intentional arson attacks”. Highlighting that “between 11-16 April 2025, a total of 1.719 square kilometres of Zamzam has been destroyed, equivalent to 24.21 standard FIFA football pitches”.


‘Mass atrocities, including mass killing, torture, and conflict-related sexual violence, are likely ongoing in Zamzam…’ – Yale HRL


Through analysis of satellite imagery from 16 April 2025, the Yale HRL report identifies multiple active fires widespread across Zamzam and Ammar Gedid, a community immediately northwest of Zamzam. Analysis of satellite imagery from 14-16 April 2025 shows thermal scarring to 0.536 square kilometres of Zamzam, in addition to the approximately 1.183 square kilometres previously assessed as destroyed between 11-14 April 2025.

Imagery collected on 11 April 2025 shows approximately 200 light technical-type vehicles, most observed mounted with weapons on the back, are seen at the Zamzam IDP Camp (Source: Yale Humanitarian Research Lab / Maxar Technologies / Close-up images enhanced with MGP Pro HD image enhancement)


According to analysis of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data, active fires have been present every day in the IDP camp since RSF’s assault — which resulted in the capture of Zamzam — began on 11 April 2025. Yale HRL also assesses the presence of RSF troops equivalent in number to a regular infantry-sized large brigade to a small division force in and around Zamzam.


‘An armed RSF force of this size and proximity poses a significant threat to El Fasher…’ – Yale HRL


This includes approximately 350 vehicles in the eastern region and at least 50 vehicles in other areas of the camp. RSF force strength, based solely on a count of vehicles visible in satellite imagery, has at least doubled between 11 and 16 April 2025. The majority of vehicles visible in satellite imagery appear to have mounted weapons. An armed RSF force of this size and proximity poses a significant threat to El Fasher, which has been under RSF attack and siege since at least May 2024.


Activity consistent with civilian displacement from Zamzam through analysis of satellite imagery from 16 April 2025, corroborating reports reviewed by Yale HRL. Vehicles are positioned around Zamzam’s perimeter, including all four major access points to the camp, likely limiting civilian freedom of movement for those attempting to escape. UN OCHA reported on 15 April 2025 that RSF are “preventing those who remain inside, especially young people, from leaving.”


Yale HRL notes that “while an ongoing communication blackout has limited information from Zamzam, assesses that mass atrocities, including mass killing, torture, and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), are likely ongoing in Zamzam.”


Radio Dabanga has approached the RSF for comment on these allegations and reports.


View original: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/north-darfur-half-a-million-people-flee-final-catastrophe-as-zamzam-camp-obliterated#google_vignette

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Sudan Watch Editor's quick picks from web


BBC - Tues 15 Apr 2025

Sudan 'pathway to peace' talks in London bring together EU, UK …

1 day ago · A high-level international conference is under way in London to find "a pathway to peace" in Sudan, in the words of one of the hosts, the UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy.


Radio France Internationale - Wed 16 Apr 2025

Rebel rival government in Sudan 'not the answer': UK

The UK on Wednesday denounced a move by Sudan's rebel paramilitary force to install a rival government in the war-torn ...


DW - Tues 15 Apr 2025

EU and UK pledge millions in aid to war-torn Sudan

The EU and its member states pledged €522 million ($590 million) in aid for 2025. United Kingdom announced £120 million (€141 million) in funding for the coming year to deliver food for 650,000 people in Sudan, as the war unleashes widespread famine. 

https://www.dw.com › en › eu-and-uk-pledge-millions-in-aid-to-war-torn-sudan


What's In Blue - Tue 15 Apr 2025

Sudan: Closed Consultations

This afternoon (15 April), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on Sudan, at the request of Denmark, Slovenia, and the UK (who is the penholder on the file). 

https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/04/sudan-closed-consultations-6.php


What's In Blue - 

Tue 15 Apr 2025

South Sudan: Briefing and consultations

Tomorrow morning (16 April), the Security Council will hold an open briefing on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom will brief on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report (S/2025/211), which was published on 7 April and covers developments from 16 January to 31 March

https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/04/south-sudan-briefing-and-consultations-27.php


Independent - Wed 16 Apr 2025 By Edith M Lederer UN envoy urges Security Council to try to prevent renewed civil war in South Sudan The top United Nations official in South Sudan is urging the U.N. Security Council to use its clout to prevent the world’s ...


FT.com - Tue Apr 15 2025
Sudan paramilitaries massacre hundreds of refugees in Darfur
Activists warn of unfolding genocide as UK and others host peace conference in London


Dabanga - Wed 16 Apr 2025

Hemedti: Sudan ‘Government of Peace and Unity’ to issue new currency and IDs

https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/hemedti-sudan-government-of-peace-and-unity-to-issue-new-currency-and-ids


FT.com - Tue 15 Apr 2025 By Tom Fletcher 

Do we have the humanity to meet the Sudan crisis?
After two years of brutal war and famine, a surge in international solidarity is needed

FT.com - 
09 Apr 2025 By Abdalla Hamdok

There is no military solution in Sudan
Wars end when political will, diplomacy and collective action force a path towards peace


UNHCR - Tue 15 Apr 2025

High Commissioner's remarks at the Sudan Conference, London

UNHCR knows Sudan well – we have been present there for 60 years. In fact, I started my UN career inside Sudan. The relentless pursuit of war is gradually extinguishing a resilient and generous nation ...


News24 - Wed 16 Apr 2025

'Ending the violence must be our top priority,' Mbeki tells London talks on Sudan


The Star - Wed 16 Apr 2025

Kenya roots for an all-inclusive dialogue to resolve Sudan crisis

“Kenya decried the undermining of the ongoing initiatives by the African institutions, leading to delays in the resolution of ...


Reuters - Wed 16 April 2025

G7 calls for immediate ceasefire in war in Sudan at two-year mark


Vatican News - Tue 15 Apr 2025

2 years of war in Sudan: World’s worst humanitarian crisis

Caritas and other organizations release a statement challenging the international community to take action because “without a concerted push for peace talks the conflict will only worsen.”

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-04/two-years-of-conflict-in-sudan-the-worlds-most-devastating-hum.html


Dabanga - Wed 16 Apr 2025

G7 joins int’l chorus for Sudan ceasefire amid North Darfur carnage

ONTARIO/PARIS/BERLIN/ROME/TOKYO/LONDON/WASHINGTON D.C.

The Group of Seven (G7) major industrialised nations has stressed the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Sudan https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/g7-joins-intl-chorus-for-sudan-ceasefire-amid-north-darfur-carnage#google_vignette


The Economist - Wed 16 Apr 2025

A new smash and grab for Red Sea ports

Though each crisis is driven by different, home-grown causes, “the question of who controls the Red Sea and who will ...


BBC Video report (50 minutes) - Tue 15 Apr 2025

Inside Darfur: Siege and Massacres

Following the break-out of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023, a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, ...


Sky News - Wed 16 Apr 2025

Sudan war: Sky's Yoursra Elbagir witnesses the firsthand destruction brought by two years of conflict 

It's exactly two years since Sudan's civil war began, leading to what aid agencies have described as "the world's worst ...


WUSF Public Media - Tue 15 Apr 2025

Photos: Two years of war in Sudan

Sudan's catastrophic civil war is grinding into a third year. A conflict that continues to shatter a country that much of the ...


Dabanga - Wed 16 Apr 2025

Hemedti: Sudan ‘Government of Peace and Unity’ to issue new currency and IDs

The commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Lt Gen Mohamed ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo, has proclaimed a parallel Government of Peace and Unity, “a broad civil alliance that represents the true face of Sudan”, that will issue new currency and identity documents. This follows the signing of the founding charter for a parallel Sudanese government in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on February 22 by the RSF, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North under the leadership of Abdelaziz El Hilu, 22 smaller rebel movements, and political and civil society. However, Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Ali Yusuf counters that “no civilian government can be formed in Sudan before the RSF is defeated”.

https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/hemedti-sudan-government-of-peace-and-unity-to-issue-new-currency-and-ids


DTM Sudan Focused Flash Alert - Thur 17 April 2025

Al Fasher (Zamzam IDP camp), North Darfur

Between 13 and 14 April 2025, DTM field teams initially reported that between 60,000 and 80,000 households were displaced from Zamzam IDP camp. These figures represent approximately 70 per cent of total displaced households previously recorded at Zamzam IDP camp as of 12 March 2025. See original and map here: https://mailchi.mp/iom/dtm-sudan-focused-flash-alert-al-fasher-zamzam-idp-camp-north-darfur-update-007


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