Showing posts with label humanitarian aid. Show all posts

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Gunfire adds to violations near end of Sudan truce

IN SIX WEEKS of urban warfare, more than 1,800 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

Nearly 1.4 million people have been displaced both within Sudan and to neighbouring countries, according to the United Nations.

A record 25 million people, more than half the population, are now in need of humanitarian assistance to survive, according to the UN.

Read more in report by AFP dated Sunday 28 May 2023:

Gunfire adds to violations near end of breached Sudan truce

A looted petrol station in southern Khartoum. (AFP)

The exodus continues -- people flee with their belongings from Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman. (AFP)

The truce has allowed some to venture out, including this man and boy in Omdurman. (AFP)

Full story: https://www.modernghana.com/news/1233858/gunfire-adds-to-violations-near-end-of-breached.html

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Sunday, May 21, 2023

USAID pledges $100M for Sudan and its neighbours

THIS woman's ego knows no bounds. I recall her from Darfur war days. She'd step on dead bodies if it'd further her career. The way she writes says it all.

Met with Transitional President Déby and thanked him for Chad’s generosity in hosting Sudanese and other refugees. We also spoke about the need for meaningful participation of opposition groups and civil society in adopting a new constitution and organizing transparent elections. pic.twitter.com/mGLE0iVHdR
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) May 20, 2023

Today, I announced over $100 million in new funding from the U.S. to support people in Sudan and neighboring countries suffering from the impacts of the indiscriminate fighting in Sudan that is wreaking havoc on countless civilians. pic.twitter.com/tPdUMGlV6j
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) May 19, 2023

Saturday, May 20, 2023

US Secretary Blinken’s call with Sudan's Burhan today

Gobbledegook. Gen Burhan sacked Hemeti who seems to have disappeared.

.@SecBlinken spoke today with Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al Burhan regarding the ongoing talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/KElh3l9sO6
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) May 20, 2023

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Sudanese General Burhan
READOUT
OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON
Saturday 20 May 2023
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, about the ongoing talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia aimed at reaching an effective short-term ceasefire to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services. In this step-by-step process, the Secretary urged flexibility and leadership. The Secretary again condemned the violence by both parties that has resulted in the death and injury of many Sudanese civilians, underscoring that agreement in Jeddah would allow the provision of humanitarian assistance and essential services that are desperately needed by the Sudanese people. The United States is unwavering in its support of the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people for a civilian government and a stable, democratic Sudan.

View original: https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-sudanese-general-burhan/
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Sunday, May 14, 2023

Sudan's govt allocates 3 airports for humanitarian aid

THE Sudanese government announced Friday (12 May] that it had allocated three airports to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid.

The airports in Port Sudan and Wadi Seidna, as well as Khartoum International Airport, will serve as entry points for humanitarian aid after maintenance, said the Council of Ministers, the cabinet, in a statement.

Read more in report from BigNewsNetwork.com

By Xinhua (China View Daily)

Dated Saturday 13 May 2023, 18:30 GMT+1 - full copy:

Sudanese gov't allocates 3 airports for humanitarian aid

KHARTOUM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government announced Friday that it had allocated three airports to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid.

The cabinet called on all national and foreign voluntary organizations and relevant authorities to coordinate with a special committee it formed to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected citizens.

Khartoum International Airport, Sudan's main airport, went out of service after being bombarded during clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The decision to allocate airports is part of efforts to implement a commitment to protect civilians, signed by the Sudanese Army and the RSF in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Thursday following the start of peace talks on May 6.

In the declaration, the conflicting parties vow to "achieve a short-term ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services."

International organizations and authorities have welcomed the deal to protect civilians.

"While humanitarian workers, most notably local partners, have continued to deliver in very difficult circumstances, the secretary-general hopes this declaration will ensure that the relief operation can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The UN chief reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities, the spokesman said.

The United Nations would spare no effort to assist in the declaration's implementation and will continue to deliver humanitarian aid, ceasefire or not, he added.

Meanwhile, Libya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the declaration "represents a courageous step by both sides of the crisis to commit to protecting civilians in Sudan."

The ministry reaffirmed Libya's keenness to restore stability in Sudan and to encourage the Sudanese Army and the RSF to abide by their commitments in the declaration.

It also called for reinforcing the agreement between the Sudanese rivals by additional measures, "especially in the path of responding to urgent humanitarian needs."

© Provided by Xinhua

More than 164,000 people have sought refuge across borders since the outbreak of the military conflict in Sudan on April 15, showed the UN Refugee Agency. The International Organization for Migration estimates some 736,000 people have been internally displaced within Sudan since the start of the conflict. Almost 3.8 million people were displaced within Sudan before the outbreak of violence.

According to the United Nations, about 15.8 million Sudanese, or one-third of Sudan's population, will need humanitarian aid in 2023, and the figure is likely to increase.

The deadly clashes have left at least 550 people dead and 4,926 others wounded, according to the figures released by the Sudanese Health Ministry in early May.

View original: https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273830211/sudanese-govt-allocates-3-airports-for-humanitarian-aid

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ICRC: Qatar sends medical aid from Doha to Sudan

Report from Qatar Tribune

Dated Saturday 13 May 2023 - full copy:

Qatari plane carrying medical aid provided by ICRC arrives in Port Sudan

QNA

A Qatari aircraft carrying 15 tons of medical aid provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) arrived at Port Sudan Airport in the sisterly Republic of the Sudan on Saturday [13 May].

The ICRC thanked Qatar for facilitating the transportation of this shipment as well as for its generous support in completing its humanitarian tasks.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 271 persons holding Qatari residency were evacuated from the sisterly Republic of the Sudan after a fourth Qatari plane took off from Port Sudan Airport, bringing the total of those evacuated to 579 residents.

Qatar had evacuated earlier Qatari citizens present in Sudan, as well as 308 persons holding Qatari residency.

The ministry reiterated the keenness of Qatar on security and stability in the Republic of the Sudan.

View original: https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/64285/latest-news/qatari-plane-carrying-medical-aid-provided-by-icrc-arrives-in-port-sudan

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Sudan extends Sudanese airspace closure to May 23

Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that “humanitarian aid and evacuation flights” would be exempted as long as they obtain a permit from relevant authorities. Read more.

Report from Radio Tamazuj

Dated Saturday 13 May 2023 - full copy:

Sudan extends airspace closure

Sudan has extended the closure of Sudanese airspace until May 23 amid continued fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that “humanitarian aid and evacuation flights” would be exempted as long as they obtain a permit from relevant authorities.

Sudanese airspace was closed to regular traffic after a military conflict erupted between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April.

Video clips circulating online showed the damage to the Khartoum Airport due to the heavy fighting.

The conflict that broke out a month ago has killed hundreds of people, sent more than 200,000 into neighbouring states, displaced another 700,000 inside the country.

The two sides have battled through previous truces and have shown no sign of being willing to compromise.

Representatives of both generals have been in the Saudi city of Jeddah for a week, for talks intended “to protect Sudan from any escalation that will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Representatives of the warring parties will resume talks on Sunday on how to implement plans to deliver humanitarian aid and remove troops from civilian areas.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudan-extends-airspace-closure

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_______________________________________________________

SW UPDATE 1 hour later: this report by Reuters says Sudanese airspace to remain closed until May 31.

Report from Alarabiya.net

By Reuters

Dated: 13 May 2023: 07:37 PM GST; 07:51 PM GST - full copy:

Sudanese airspace to remain closed to all traffic until May 31

Sudanese airspace will remain closed to all traffic until May 31, the country’s civil aviation authority said.

The authority said in a statement that “humanitarian aid and evacuation flights” would be exempted as long as they obtain a permit from relevant authorities.

Sudanese airspace was closed to regular traffic after a military conflict erupted between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April.

In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, British Nationals board an RAF aircraft for evacuation of civilians to Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus, at Wadi Seidna military airport, 22 kilometers (14 mi) north of Khartoum, Sudan. (AP)

View source: https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/05/13/Sudanese-airspace-to-remain-closed-to-all-traffic-until-May-31

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Wednesday, May 10, 2023

UN aid chief proposed warring Sudan parties back a “Declaration of Commitments” for safe delivery of aid

Good luck with this, Mr Griffiths and God speed.

Report from Reuters

By Reuters Staff, reporting by Michelle Nichols

Dated Tuesday 09 May 2023 4:33 PM

UN aid chief proposes warring Sudan parties commit to safe aid access

UNITED NATIONS, May 9 (Reuters) - U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths proposed the warring Sudan parties back a “Declaration of Commitments” to guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian relief,” a U.N. spokesperson said on Tuesday.

“Mr. Griffiths is encouraged that this Declaration has also been consulted upon in the Jeddah talks,” Deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

“He hopes the Declaration can be endorsed as soon as possible so that the relief operation can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan,” Haq told reporters.

View original: https://www.reuters.com/article/sudan-politics-un-aid-idAFS0N35E04I

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Tuesday, May 09, 2023

Sudan: WFP scaling up ops to support 5 million people

World Food Programme says it's scaling up operations over coming months to support nearly 5M

UN agency plans to reach 380,000 vulnerable people in Sudan 'immediately'

Close to a quarter of WFP food stocks were looted over the weekend in the agency's main offices in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

Overall, some 17,000 metric tons of food had been taken, mostly in the first few days of the fighting, worth at least $13 million, according to the UN.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Qatar delivers 20 tonnes food and medical aid to Sudan, evacuates 79 more Qatari residency holders

Report from The Peninsula.com

Dated Monday 08 May 2023 12:30 am - excerpt:

Qatar delivers third relief aid to Sudan; evacuates 79 more Qatari residency holders

Port Sudan: A Qatari aircraft carrying 20 tonnes of food and medical aid arrived on Sunday at Port Sudan Airport in the Republic of Sudan, representing the third airlift flight allocated by the State of Qatar to support those affected by the fighting in Sudan.

The humanitarian aid, which includes development, food, medical and field hospital, comes within the framework of Qatar's support for the Sudanese people and its full support for their steadfastness in the face of the current difficult conditions due to the continuation of the fighting. […]

View original: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/05/2023/qatar-delivers-third-relief-aid-to-sudan-evacuates-79-more-qatari-residency-holders

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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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Saturday, May 06, 2023

UAE, WHO send plane with medical supplies to Sudan

Report from Daily Excelsior

Saturday 06 May 2023 - excerpt:

UAE, WHO send plane with medical supplies to Sudan

(Abu Dhabi/Khartoum) -The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have completed the first medical aid delivery to Sudan, the WHO informs.

“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the World Health Organization have delivered 30 tons of urgent medical supplies to Sudan today. A plane carrying supplies for injury treatment, emergency surgeries, and essential drugs arrived in Port Sudan Airport early this morning,” the WHO said in a Friday statement.

According to the release, the shipment is valued at $444,000 and includes enough medical supplies and essential medicines to reach 165,000 people,

“The shipment” is the first that WHO has been able to deliver by air to Sudan since the outbreak of the conflict,” the WHO said.

View original: https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/uae-who-send-plane-with-medical-supplies-to-sudan/

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Sunday, April 30, 2023

UN: Humanitarian crisis in Khartoum & around Sudan

Two weeks since clashes erupted in Khartoum and around Sudan, the humanitarian situation is reaching breaking point.

At the request of ⁦@antonioguterres⁩, I'm on my way to the region to see how we can bring immediate relief to the people impacted. https://t.co/dCE9ekPb0R
— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) April 30, 2023

Sudan: ICRC’s first international shipment of humanitarian aid arrives in Port Sudan

News and photos released from

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Sunday 30 April 2023 - (SW Ed: yellow highlighting is mine) - full copy:

Sudan: ICRC’s first international shipment of humanitarian aid arrives in Port Sudan

Geneva (ICRC) - Life-saving medical material departed from Amman, Jordan to Port Sudan today as part of emergency operations by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan.

The 8 tonnes of humanitarian cargo includes surgical material to support Sudanese hospitals and volunteers from the Sudan Red Crescent Society (SRCS) who are providing medical care to people wounded in the fighting.

“Health-care workers in Sudan have been doing the impossible, caring for the wounded without water, electricity, and basic medical supplies,” said Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa. “The logistics needed to bring in supplies amid an active conflict are extremely difficult, and we’re relieved to get this medical material into the country.”

The medical shipment includes anaesthetics, dressings, sutures and other surgical material that can treat thousands of people who may have been wounded by weapons. With hostilities still ongoing, ICRC teams will need guarantees of safe passage from the parties to the conflict to deliver this material to medical facilities in locations with active fighting, such as Khartoum.

Since commercial flights in Sudan were discontinued and civilian airspace became inaccessible, the ICRC has been working to overcome logistical and security challenges to help civilians in need who are trapped in the fighting. Delivering medical supplies to hospitals and helping them restore water and power lines remains its urgent priority.

The ICRC is grateful for the support of the authorities in Jordan -- where the ICRC has a major logistics hub -- who rapidly made an aircraft available to deliver this medical cargo. We also appreciate the cooperation shown by the civilian Sudanese authorities in charge of facilitating the arrival of aircraft with humanitarian goods and personnel on board.

The ICRC is sending a second airplane carrying additional ICRC medical supplies and emergency personnel.

The ICRC reminds the parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to facilitate the work of medical and humanitarian personnel, treat detainees humanely and take all feasible precautions to avoid loss of life among civilians and damage to civilian objects and infrastructure.

Note to editors:

The ICRC has been present in Sudan since 1978 helping people affected by the conflict in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The ICRC’s work today, independently or in cooperation the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, includes supporting hospitals and health facilities with equipment and supplies, working with local water authorities on improving people’s access to clean water and supporting the authorities in providing rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.

Media contacts:
Alyona Synenko, ICRC Nairobi,
+254 716 897 265, asynenko@icrc.org

Crystal Wells, ICRC Geneva,
+41 77 963 75 74, cwells@icrc.org

Jessica Moussan ICRC Dubai,

+971 504 254 091, jmoussan@icrc.org

Fatima Sator, ICRC Geneva,
+41 79 848 49 08, fsator@icrc.org

Imene Trabelsi, ICRC Beirut,
+961 3 13 83 53, itrabelsi@icrc.org

Alaa Nayel, ICRC Kuwait,
+965 966 73614, anayel@icrc.org

Matthew Morris, ICRC London,
+44 7753 809471 mmorris@icrc.org

Galina Balzamova, ICRC Moscow,
+7 093 545 3534, gbalzamova@icrc.org

Frédéric Joli, ICRC Paris,
+33 6 20 49 46 30, fjoli@icrc.org

Yuriy Shafarenko, ICRC New York,
+1 917 631 1913, yshafarenko@icrc.org

Elizabeth Shaw, ICRC Washington DC,
+1 202 361 1566, egormanshaw@icrc.org

View original: https://www.icrc.org/en/document/sudan-first-international-shipment-humanitarian-aid-arrives-port-sudan

View Arabic version here: https://www.icrcnewsroom.org/story/ar/2052/sudan-icrc-s-first-international-shipment-of-humanitarian-aid-arrives-in-port-sudan

السودان: وصول أول شحنة مساعدات إنسانية دولية للّجنة الدولية إلى بورتسودان

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Thursday, April 27, 2023

China deploys navy to evacuate citizens from Sudan

AID agencies calling for urgent humanitarian assistance for the refugees.

Many have been displaced not just by the fighting but by shortages of water, food and other vital supplies in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and the near collapse of the city's health system.

Report from BBC News Live Reporting

By Cat Wiener

BBC World Service Newsroom

Dated Thursday 27 April 2023; 9:50 am BST UK

China deploys navy to evacuate citizens from Sudan

China, one of Sudan's largest trading partners, has deployed naval vessels to evacuate more of its citizens.

Its foreign ministry said it expected to transfer some 800 people before the ceasefire is due to end tonight.

Rescue operations by a number of countries have intensified since the truce began on Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese nationals are also fleeing the violence and insecurity in their country.

The majority have taken refuge in the neighbouring states of South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, Egypt and Djibouti.

Aid agencies are calling for urgent humanitarian assistance for the refugees.

Many have been displaced not just by the fighting but by shortages of water, food and other vital supplies in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and the near collapse of the city's health system.

View original here.

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.