Clean water is not a privilege.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 10, 2023
It is a human right.
Yet, 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water around the world.
Ensuring access to clean & safe water supplies is essential for people to lead safe, productive & healthy lives. #GlobalGoals pic.twitter.com/ekwN4edf0D
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Tweet by Healing Hands Int. @HHIupdates 5:37 PM · Jul 19, 2023:
Pure JOY! Praise God for another clean water well in the Bawku West district of Ghana.
View original: https://twitter.com/HHIupdates/status/1681704730232340480
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The report from Chad is by @paraicobrien and @Zahra_ZW of @Channel4News. The stories of individual families forced to free #darfur are terrifying. History repeats itself, more brutally than ever. https://t.co/doXrL9khPZ
— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) July 11, 2023
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Map illustrating the paths of the White and Blue Nile. Credit: The Guardian
Sudan: Thousands of Sudanese citizens flee into the neighboring Ethiopia as security deteriorates in Blue Nile Region
(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.
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Report at Radio Pakistan - https://www.radio.gov.pk/
Dated Thursday 15 June 2023 - full copy:
Sudan’s raging war forces over two million from their homes
In Sudan, fighting has again intensified in and around the capital Khartoum as the governor of West Darfur has been assassinated.
Governor Khamis Abakar was abducted by gunmen after a TV interview in which he accused the paramilitary fighters of genocide and called for international intervention.
The United Nations said the conflict has so far displaced more than 2 million people and escalating attacks in Darfur could amount to crimes against humanity.
View original: https://www.radio.gov.pk/15-06-2023/sudans-raging-war-forces-over-two-million-from-their-homes
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Analysis at UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Last updated: Tuesday 13 June 2023 - excerpts:
Sudan Situation Report - Situation Overview
Conflict-related sexual violence is a major concern. Since the fighting began, civil society organizations have reported increasing cases of gender-based violence in particular sexual violence and kidnappings targeting women and girls. Due to sensitivities and fear of reprisals including against survivors and service providers, many cases have not been formally reported, with the priority focus being on the provision of emergency care, protection and support to victims/survivors. While OHCHR continued to receive reports, the numbers are expected to be much higher.
Nearly 1.9 million people have been fled to safer locations inside and outside the country since the conflict began on 15 April. Over 1.4 million are internally displaced within Sudan, according to the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix as of 6 June. Most of the internally displaced people have taken refuge in West Darfur (19 per cent), White Nile (15 per cent), River Nile (13 per cent) and Northern states (13 per cent). They originally displaced from six states, including Khartoum (66 per cent), West Darfur (19 per cent), South Darfur (7 per cent), Central Darfur (6 per cent), North Darfur (2 per cent) and North Kordofan (0.2 per cent). Before the crisis, Sudan had already approximately 3.8 million displaced people, the majority of whom (an estimated 79 per cent) were based in Darfur and in severe need of humanitarian assistance. In addition, 460,000 people, including refugees, asylum seekers and returnees, have crossed into neighbouring countries, including Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as of 8 June.
View original: https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/sudan/
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UPDATE & POSTSCRIPT from Sudan Watch Editor: Each post at this site has tags. Instead of clicking on a tag, type a tag into the Search Sudan Watch box in top right sidebar of this site to see archived posts. For example, see water tag here below, go to the search box and type water.
“Peace doesn’t just happen. It cannot be wished or willed into existence. It has to be made, it has to be fought for, it needs its own warriors” -Nicholas Haysom, the UN’s top envoy in South Sudan
Tom Bateman @tombateman: But Hosna says she must find nearly US$500 per ticket, as the men running the routes from Khartoum to the border have raised the fares 20-fold due to the demand to escape. Now the poorest are being left behind, the most likely to pay with their lives. 2/2Those Sudanese who have fled had the means - this highlights the fate of those who don't have the money https://t.co/vAzrsGUucA
— Vauldi Carelse (@vauldicarelse) April 30, 2023
From BBC News Live Reporting
Monday 24 April 2023 22:26 BST UK
Edited by Nathan Williams and Alys Davies
22:26 Pausing our coverage
Nathan Williams
Live reporter
We're pausing our live coverage for now, thanks for following along.
The two rival factions – the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the regular Sudanese army – have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire, the US says. But, this is not the first ceasefire of the conflict – let's see if this holds. You can continue to read about the story here.
Nations have been attempting to get diplomats and citizens out of the country. But UK defence sources have warned the situation is "more dynamic, more dangerous" than what was seen during the evacuation of Kabul, Afghanistan back in 2021.
Amid the evacuations, some 3,500 Nigerians are "stranded", a Nigerian diaspora body has said.
Throughout the day, we've also heard many harrowing stories from people on the ground – including those who are having trouble accessing food and water.
For more on this story see this short background piece. And here's another on how evacuations happen.
And here's our latest news story on the situation in Sudan.
Today's coverage was brought to you by Heather Sharp, Alexandra Fouché, Cecilia Macaulay, Ece Goksedef, Antoinette Radford, Laura Gozzi, Adam Durbin, Sam Hancock, Aoife Walsh, Nadine Yousif, Alys Davies and myself.
Summary
The UK government has insisted it's doing all it can to help British nationals stuck in Sudan - after diplomats and their families were rescued yesterday
Minister Andrew Mitchell says there are estimates of around 4,000 Britons in the country, but the number could be higher
Fighting between two opposing forces has seen deadly shooting and shelling in the country's capital, Khartoum, for more than a week
France, Germany, Italy and Spain have been evacuating diplomats and other nationals from Sudan
But UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has warned that help for Britons will remain "severely limited" until a ceasefire is reached
He added there were "specific threats and violence directed towards diplomats", which led to the decision to evacuate staff from the British embassy in Khartoum
A British businessman living in Sudan has told the BBC the situation is a "nightmare for those of us left behind" in the country
UK defence sources say the situation in Sudan is “very, very different” than what was seen during the evacuation out of Afghanistan in 2021
Khartoum is "more dynamic, more dangerous" than Kabul - with ongoing fighting in areas where Western nationals are located, the sources say
The BBC understands that a small British military team has landed in Sudan to assess potential evacuation options
Meanwhile, Sudan's rivals have agreed to a three day ceasefire starting on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says
More than 1,000 EU citizens have been airlifted out, many on French and German rescue missions
Fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF paramilitary force has left 420 people dead since it began on 15 April
About 9,000 refugees flee to South Sudan
US heavily involved in efforts to stop the fighting
Ceasefire comes after past attempts to call truce collapsed
See above reports here with thanks to the BBC.
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Report from Gulf News.com
By Associated Press
Saudi Arabia announces first civilian evacuations from Sudan
Boat carrying Saudi citizens and other nationals arrives in Jeddah
PHOTO People fill barrels with water in southern Khartoum on April 22, 2023, amid water shortages caused by ongoing battles between the forces of two rival Sudanese generals. Image Credit: AFP
CAIRO: A boat carrying Saudi citizens and other nationals rescued from battle-scarred Sudan arrived Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi state television said, in the first announced evacuation of civilians since fighting there began.
“The first evacuation vessel from Sudan has arrived, carrying 50 (Saudi) citizens and a number of nationals from friendly countries,” the official Al Ekhbariyah television said.
The boat docked at the Red Sea port of Jeddah where four other ships carrying 108 people from 11 different countries was expected to arrive later from Sudan, the broadcaster said.
Al Ekhbariyah carried footage of large vessels arriving in Jeddah’s port. It also released a video showing women and children carrying Saudi flags on board one of the ships.
Saturday’s evacuations mark the first major civilian rescue since violence in Sudan broke out on April 15. […]
Sounds of fighting continued overnight but appeared less intense on Saturday morning than on the previous day, a Reuters journalist in Khartoum said. Live broadcasts by regional news channels showed rising smoke and the thud of blasts.
The army and the paramilitary RSF, which are waging a deadly power struggle across the country, had both issued statements saying they would uphold a three-day ceasefire from Friday for Islam’s Eid Al Fitr holiday. […]
There has been no sign yet that either side can secure a quick victory or is ready to back down and talk.
The army has air power but the RSF is widely embedded in urban areas including around key facilities in central Khartoum.
Burhan and Hemedti had held the top two positions on a ruling council overseeing a political transition after a 2021 coup that was meant to include a move to civilian rule and the RSF’s merger into the army.
In Omdurman, one of Khartoum’s adjoining sister cities, there were fears over the fate of detainees in Al Huda prison, the largest in Sudan.
The army on Friday accused the RSF of raiding the prison, which the paramilitary force denied. Lawyers for a prisoner there said in a statement that an armed group had forcibly evacuated the prison, with the detainees’ whereabouts unknown.
The Sudanese doctors union said early on Saturday that more than two thirds of hospitals in conflict areas were out of service, with 32 forcibly evacuated by soldiers or caught in crossfire.
Some of the remaining hospitals, which lack adequate water, staff and electricity, were only providing first aid. People posted urgent requests on social media for medical assistance, transport to hospital and prescription medication.
Any let-up in fighting on Saturday may accelerate a desperate rush by many Khartoum residents to flee the fighting, after spending days trapped in their homes or local districts under bombardment and with fighters roaming the streets. […]
ALSO READ
View original: https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/saudi-arabia-announces-first-civilian-evacuations-from-sudan-1.95287242]
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