Sudan Council of Churches plans inter-faith workshop

Report from Radio Tamazuj Juba, South Sudan
Dated Thursday, 15 February 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Sudan Council of Churches plans inter-faith workshop

The Sudanese Council of Churches has announced its intention to organize a workshop focusing on the clergy’s role in fostering peace in Sudan.

The workshop is scheduled to commence in March in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and will involve the participation of clergy members from both Muslim and Christian faiths.

Reverend Izz al-Din al-Tayeb Ali, the head of the Sudanese Council of Churches, highlighted in a recent interview with Radio Tamazuj that the upcoming workshop aims to engage Imams from mosques and priests from churches in efforts to promote peace within Sudanese communities.

Al-Tayeb urged the African and International Council of Churches to lend their support to the Sudanese Council of Churches, enabling it to carry out its mission effectively.

Additionally, he appealed to church organizations to extend humanitarian assistance to all Christians in Sudan following the conflict, emphasizing the significant damage inflicted upon churches during the ten months of strife.

“It’s crucial to recognize that the impact of the war extends beyond Christians to encompass all Sudanese people. Therefore, we urge Christian organizations to assist all Sudanese citizens,” Al-Tayeb emphasized.

Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the country’s ruling Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group since April 2023.

More than 13,000 people have been killed and 26,000 others injured in the ongoing conflict in Sudan since last year, according to UN figures.

Sudan is now the world's largest displacement crisis. Within Sudan, over 9 million people have been displaced, 1.7 million people have fled to other countries surrounding Sudan.

Original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudan-council-of-churches-plans-inter-faith-workshop

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Sudan: University of Nyala, South Darfur looted - Al-Qandul Initiative to remove books from the library

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This copy of a Feb 3 post at X microblogging platform says (translated from Arabic by Google): "University of Nyala... The Tatars of the era (the Janjaweed) were here... they wreaked havoc... searching for democracy in the corridors of libraries and classrooms... they looted everything and left the books on the ground". 

A reply says (translated from Arabic by Google): "A scene that tears the heart. Compensating homes and notables is one thing, but compensating legacies and sciences is another matter. What is even more painful is that there is an upcoming generation that has lost the path of the sound educational ladder related to age and stage. How many children lost years of their lives between Hemedti, Hamdok, and Burhan..10:42 AM · Feb 3, 2024".

A sample of comments are noted here below along with photos from the post and a Jan 25 report published nine days before the Feb 3 post at X containing undated news. They are documented here as an example of misleading news on social media. The widely shared post has attracted thousands of responses across the world. At first glance it is not easy to tell whether or not the post is propaganda designed to sow seeds of disharmony.

Note that the report says "Nyala University faced looting and vandalism by unknown assailants at the onset of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in mid-April last year" and that "Nyala University holds significance as one of the largest libraries in the Darfur region".

Also, Nyala youths are "to join the Al-Qandul Initiative in voluntary work to contribute to the restoration of institutions in Nyala impacted by war, emphasizing the collective effort required ... Samira Suleiman, another member of the initiative, called on the university authorities to relocate the salvaged books to a safer location than their current one".

Media studies ought to be taught in all schools worldwide. Right now, one hopes the university authorities will work in the best interest of the people of Darfur and investigate who is behind the Al-Qandul Initiative to remove the books and restore the institutions of Nyala, South Darfur. It is important to ensure that Darfur's educational materials are not interfered with and disappeared in plain sight. Curiously, Darfur's important library and its books were not torched. The books must be kept safe in the right hands.

جامعة نيالا.. تتار العصر (الجنجويد) كانوا هنا.. عاثوا فيها فسادا.. يبحثون عن الديمقراطية في اروقة المكتباتوقاعات الدراسة.. نهبوا كل شيء وتركوا الكتب على الأرض#السودان #sudan pic.twitter.com/d7TKCA5I4D

— Ataf Mohamed عطاف محمد (@atafmohamed3) February 3, 2024

“Ok, what is their interest in entering the library?

To plunder it” 

عبودي ماكس @Abdoalraashdy

“Because they are actually mercenary thieves” 

Abdelrahim0409 @abdelrahim0409

"Ignorance is a disaster"

9:07 AM · Feb 3, 2024

“Maybe they don't know what a library means and what a book means” 

Mohieldin @mohimg

“Boko Haram”

6:45 AM · Feb 3, 2024

"The University of Nyala was looted by citizens living near the university, specifically the Musiyah neighbourhood. A committee was formed from the youth of the Musiyah neighbourhood, and they informed the people in the mosques that anyone who removed anything from the university should return it. The attempt failed, and they tried again for the second time, searching almost all the houses adjacent to the university. They were able to return 50 percent."

8:24 AM · Feb 3, 2024

"That's horrible, I'm so sorry." 

Larky McRory @LMcRory

_________________________

Report at Radio Tamazuj
Dated 25 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Youth initiative restores Nyala University library

(SOUTH DARFUR) - In Nyala town, South Darfur state, a group of young individuals has launched an initiative to restore the Nyala University library, which fell victim to vandalism during the ongoing war in Sudan.

Members of the Al-Qandul Initiative, led by Mohammed Al-Tahir Mohammed, are actively collecting and organizing books and references in the central library of Nyala University, located in the Musiya suburb.

Nyala University faced looting and vandalism by unknown assailants at the onset of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in mid-April last year.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Al-Tahir described the extensive destruction suffered by the university and highlighted the significant efforts made by the youth in the Qandul Initiative.

He stated, “Through the collective endeavours of our youth, we’ve successfully gathered and arranged books and references from the university library. However, there is still substantial work ahead to restore it to its former state.”

Al-Tahir urged the youth of Nyala to join the Al-Qandul Initiative in voluntary work to contribute to the restoration of institutions in Nyala impacted by war, emphasizing the collective effort required for this endeavour.

Samira Suleiman, another member of the initiative, called on the university authorities to relocate the salvaged books to a safer location than their current one.

Nyala University, situated in the Musiya suburb southeast of Nyala, approximately ten kilometers from downtown, holds significance as one of the largest libraries in the Darfur region.

Khalid Mursal emphasized the library's status as a knowledge treasure trove and stated, “Enhancing its appearance signifies progress on the path to recovery.” The restoration efforts are seen as crucial for the revival of this educational institution.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/youth-initiative-restores-nyala-university-library

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Sudan: Clashes in Sheikan El Obeid Town, N. Kordofan

Report from DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts - Update Four
Dated Friday, 29 December 2023 - here is a full copy with map:

DTM Sudan Flash Alert: Conflict in Sheikan (El Obeid Town), North Kordofan

DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts provide immediate updates on incidents and sudden displacement in Sudan. These Flash Alerts aim to notify humanitarian partners of sudden events where DTM's Emergency Event Tracking (EET) may subsequently take place.

Between 23 and 25 December 2023, armed clashes renewed between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Obeid Town of Sheikan locality, North Kordofan. Clashes were reported in Al Gadisiya, As Salam, Al Jala’a and Al Guba neighborhoods as well as around the stadium and Haj Al Sayed Mosque. As a result of the violence, three individuals were reportedly killed, and 20 others sustained injuries. Field teams monitored the mobility of displaced residents from affected neighborhoods to other towns within Sheikan locality and reported that they have since returned. The situation remains tense and unpredictable. DTM is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further information on displacement and population mobility across Sudan, on a weekly basis, via its Weekly Displacement Snapshot. 

Disclaimer: Due to the current circumstances, the DTM network is relying on remote interviews with key informants and further verification is not possible at this time.

*DTM Sudan Flash Alerts provide an initial estimation of affected population figures gathered from field reports. All information is therefore pending verification through DTM’s Emergency Event Tracking (EET) and/or registration activities and is not to be used as official figures.

Source: VIEW IN BROWSER

https://dtm.iom.int/reports/dtm-sudan-weekly-displacement-snapshot-14

ENDS

VIDEO GENEINA DARFUR: Sudan’s warring leaders agree new 7-day ceasefire – but civil war fears grow

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This depressing stomach churning video also provides Matt Frei’s video interview with Professor Mukesh Kapila, UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Sudan, 2003-2004 who predicts the current Sudan crisis, not yet called a civil war, to result in 2 million or more refugees.

Report from Channel 4 News UK

By Lindsey Hilsum

International Editor

Dated Tuesday 2 May 2023 - full copy:

Sudan’s warring generals agree new ceasefire – but civil war fears grow

Sudan’s warring generals have agreed – in principle at least – to a seven day ceasefire starting on Thursday [May 4], as fighting continues in the capital Khartoum.

That’s where much of the focus on this conflict has been –  but we’ve managed to get exclusive footage which reveals how civilians have been targeted in El Geneina in the western Darfur region.

More than 200 people have been killed in attacks in the past week, with no health care facilities left open to treat the wounded.

View original and video showing El Geneina, West Darfur in western Sudan here: https://www.channel4.com/news/sudans-warring-generals-agree-new-ceasefire-but-civil-war-fears-grow

The video can be seen at YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Sxq2OxZiXtk

View more videos of the Sudan crisis here: https://www.channel4.com/news/by/lindsey-hilsum

Channel 4 is a public service broadcasting service.

[Ends]