South Sudan plans to join the Non-Aligned Movement

THE Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a forum for 120 countries that are not formally siding with or against any major power bloc. After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide. About 52 African nations except South Sudan and Western Sahara are NAM members. It also has 17 Observer Countries and 10 Observer organisations. Read more.

Report published at Africa-Press.net
Dated Monday 12 June 2023; 16:02 - here is a full copy:

South Sudan plans to join league of neutral nations

(Africa-Press – South-Sudan) - South Sudan’s Governance Cluster headed by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar [pictured] on Friday disclosed that the country plans to join Non-Aligned Movement.

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a forum for 120 countries that are not formally siding with or against any major power bloc.

After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide.

It was founded in 1961 with the view of advancing the interests of developing countries in the context of Cold War confrontation between the United States and its allies, and the Soviet Union.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said on June 9, the cluster will present a draft to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Speaking to the state television SSBC, Lomuro said the cluster discussed the advantages of joining the neutral nations without disclosing the benefits.

“We wish to become a member of Non-Aligned Movement, currently chaired by Azerbaijan,” he said.

“We have discussed generally the benefit of joining us Non-Aligned Movement and in the end, we recommended this step and we presented a memo that we go to the council of ministry for final approval.”

About 52 African nations except South Sudan and Western Sahara are NAM members.

Algeria was the first African country to join the movement in 1969 while Zimbabwe was considered as the last country in Africa to be a part of the aligned in 1979.

The bloc played a crucial role in decolonization, the formation of new independent states, and the democratization of international relations.

The movement is governed by five principles: mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; mutual non-interference in domestic affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful co-existence.

It also has 17 Observer Countries and 10 Observer organizations.

View original: https://www.africa-press.net/south-sudan/all-news/south-sudan-plans-to-join-league-of-neutral-nations

[Ends]

____________________________________

Post script from Sudan Watch Editor:

NAM celebrated its 60th anniversary in Belgrade on 11-12 Oct 2021. Belgrade is the capital city of Serbia. 

As per Wikipedia, Belgrade is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and the world. One of the most important prehistoric cultures of Europe, the Vinča culture, evolved within the Belgrade area in the 6th millennium BC. Here is NAM's logo. 

Image: Logo of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Credit: Wikipedia

Image: Closing ceremony of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit with the presence of members’ heads of state with an inaugural speech by supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Non-Aligned Movement celebrated its 60th anniversary in Belgrade, on 11–12 October 2021. Credit: Wikipedia

[Ends]

US congrats Djiboutian President on his election as chairman of IGAD during IGAD Summit held June 12

The U.S. warmly congratulates Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh on his election as chairman of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) during the IGAD Summit held in Djibouti June 12. https://t.co/aGCBgqK85q

— US Africa Media Hub (@AfricaMediaHub) June 14, 2023

[Ends] 

IGAD sticks to mediation roadmap amid Sudan rejection of Kenya President Ruto's lead role

Report at The EastAfrican - theeastafrican.co.ke

By Aggrey Mutambo

By Mawahib Abdallatif

Dated Thursday 15 June 2023 - full copy:

Igad sticks to mediation roadmap amid Sudan rejection of Ruto's lead role

Kenya President William Ruto when he met Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan special envoy Malik Agar Nganyoufa (left) on May 29, 2023, and, right, the paramilitary RSF Mohamed Hamdani Daglo ‘HemedtI's political advisor Youssef Ezzat on June 3, 2023. PHOTOS | PPU | RSF TWITTER

Summary

• Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it expressed disagreement to a number of paragraphs mentioned in the draft final statement of the summit.
• Burhan considers himself the definitive head of Sudan and has labelled Hemedti as a rebel.
• UN mission in Sudan said it was deeply shocked by the killing of Governor of West Darfur in El Geneina.

Sudan has rejected the appointment of Kenyan President William Ruto as head of a quartet to facilitate peace under the regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad)

The junta leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused Nairobi of having “harboured” sympathies for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whose leader Mohammed Hamdan Daglo Hemedti was once his deputy, but is now an arch-enemy.

The latest statement on Thursday [15 June] came as Sudan had also rejected the Igad mediation schedule, which would have seen Ruto arrange for a face-to-face meeting, for the first time, between the two warring generals.

Igad had insisted it would stick to the mediation quartet led by Kenya in the search for peace in Sudan, even after Khartoum rejected the proposals, in spite of Sudanese protests.

According to officials familiar with the decision, resolutions publicised in an official Igad communique remain in force until formally revised by the heads of state and government of the eight-member bloc.

On Monday, Igad had named Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti as members of a quartet to help Sudanese warring generals seek peace.

Sudan said, after the meeting, that Igad announced the mediation plan without consent from Burhan.

Governor assassinated

The rejection portends early problems with the ‘roadmap’ to help achieve long-term ceasefire and came as the governor of West Darfur was assassinated.

On Monday [12 June], just two days after the Igad summit in Djibouti, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed it had rejected any mention of mediation and also opposed being replaced as chair of Igad. The summit had appointed Djibouti to replace Sudan for the next one year, under the new rules that follow an alphabetical order of members.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Foreign Affairs ministry said it “expressed its disagreement and objection to a number of paragraphs that were mentioned in the draft final statement of the summit due to the fact that they were not discussed and agreed upon, and the delegation called on the Igad Secretariat to delete them.”

“These paragraphs relate to changing the chairmanship of the Igad committee, as the delegation demanded that South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit retain the chairmanship of the committee and demanded the deletion of any reference to the subject of mediation.”

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Korir Sing’oei said there had been no official protest from Sudan but did suggest only the Summit can revise the decisions.

“Both the inclusion of the Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to the Troika mandated to seek peace in Sudan Crisis and the appointment of President William Ruto to lead the quartet was arrived at by the Igad Summit and can only be vacated by the Summit,” Dr Singoei said.

No official communication on this yet. But both the inclusion of PM @AbiyAhmedAli to the Troika mandated to seek peace in #SudanCrisis & appointment of @WilliamsRuto to lead the Quartet was arrived at by the IGAD Summit & can only be vacated by the Summithttps://t.co/ePhMqqbUzh

— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) June 15, 2023

Incidentally, a Sudanese representative Malik Agar, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan, chaired the summit. Agar replaced Mohamed Hamdani Daglo ‘Hemedti’, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that has since April 15 been fighting Burhan’s Sudan Armed Forces.

Sudan says it notified Igad regarding the need for Kiir “to continue chairing the Quartet Committee that was approved by the summit in accordance with the objective considerations mentioned by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni in the Igad Emergency Summit that was held online on April 16, 2023.” At the time, Juba led Uganda and Kenya in the earlier troika that sought to travel to Khartoum but failed.

During the summit attended by leaders from the eight member states and officials from associated organisations, Sudan is said to have rejected proposals for dialogue with Hemedti.

“Igad underlined the importance of consultation and coordination with the Government of the Sudan regarding all-inclusive efforts aiming at solving the ongoing conflict,” a communique said.

Somalia or Djibouti?

But behind the scenes as a raging Khartoum felt the weight of the proposals by Igad, Ruto said a quartet of Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia would work with the AU to help achieve peace in Sudan. The official communique released, unusually more than 24 hours after the meeting, named Djibouti, rather than Somalia in the quartet.

“This group was supposed to arrange, within ten days, a face-to-face meeting between Burhan and Hemedti in one of the regional capitals, and, within 2 weeks, secure a commitment for humanitarian corridor. An inclusive political process towards a political settlement was to start within three weeks,” it said.

“We have taken the decision…so that we can speak to them directly on behalf of Igad, with the view of stopping the war that is raging,” said President Ruto at a press briefing in Djibouti, where the summit had gathered on Monday.

“Kenya commits to meet the two Sudan generals face to face to find a lasting solution to the crisis.”

A diplomat familiar with the discussions told The EastAfrican, Sudan had indeed opposed the clauses, and especially the inclusion of Ethiopia with which they have a decades-old unresolved border dispute. But was convinced South Sudan will still play a leading role on the committee, including hosting the meeting. 

Traditionally, communiques have often been released only on the endorsement of the respective ambassadors of member states.

But the official said Sudan’s beef with Kenya in the lead is the fact that they already gave an ear to an envoy of the RSF earlier this month. On June 3, Ruto met with RSF political advisor Youssef Ezzat. But the RSF claimed the meeting was “part of a tour encompassing friendly nations, aimed to elucidate the evolving situation in Sudan.”

Burhan considers himself the definitive head of Sudan and has labelled Hemedti as a rebel.

“With a comprehensive understanding, Ezzat provided Ruto with an insightful explanation of the war's causes and the prevailing circumstances, backed by accurate information regarding its motives and the responsible parties,” RSF tweeted of the Nairobi meeting.

Since April 15, their clash has led to more than 1,200 deaths, 800,000 displacements and serious property destruction. The sides have signed seven ceasefire deals, all broken within hours of declaration.

On Wednesday, Khamis Abdullah Abakar, the Governor of West Darfur was murdered as the war continued to expand to key strongholds.

The late governor of West Darfur State Khamis Abdullah Abakar. PHOTO | SUDAN NEWS AGENCY VIA AFP

Burhan accused RSF of killing the governor hours after he had accused Hemedti's forces and its militia allies of committing genocide in his region.

But RSF, denying the claims, condemned his killing and accused the army of being responsible for arming one of the parties to the conflict.

Activists in Sudan had published videos and pictures of his earlier arrest, and later of him being killed.

The news of the killing comes days after the intensification of armed clashes in the city of El Geneina (the centre of West Darfur State), after the city "turned into something like a ghost town due to the continuous fighting," according to the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate statement.

The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (Unitams) said it was “deeply shocked by the killing of governor of West Darfur in El Geneina.”

Unitams in a statement “strongly condemns this heinous act. Compelling eyewitness accounts attribute this act to Arab militias and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), even though the RSF communicated a denial of their involvement to the mission”.

The UN Mission in Sudan called for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice and the cycle of violence in the region to not expand further. 

“The loss of Khamis Abdullah Abakar, a key interlocutor in the region and a signatory of the Juba Peace Agreement, is deeply regrettable for Unitams” the statement said.

Read:

Igad to hold direct talks with Sudan generals

Sudan: Burhan rejects direct talks with Hemedti

Kiir: Sudan rivals ‘ready’ for talks

Ruto: Sudan war atrocious, regional threat

UN warns of mass exodus from Sudan

UN Mission launches political transition talks in Sudan

View original: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/rest-of-africa/igad-sticks-to-mediation-roadmap-amid-sudan-rejection-of-ruto-4271410

[Ends]

Afcon 2023: Sudan players hope to 'bring joy'. Sudan football on the up says ex Newcastle midfielder Clark

Report at BBC News Sport Africa

By Morad Dakhil

Football Writer

Published Monday 19 June 2023 - full copy:

Afcon 2023: Sudan players hope to 'bring joy' to war-torn nation

Sudan will move to the top of Group I with one game to go if they beat Mauritania on Tuesday

Midfielder Muataz Hashem says Sudan are looking to bring joy to football fans in the war-torn country by clinching qualification for next year's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Sudan face Mauritania on Tuesday, knowing a win will take them top of Group I with one game remaining.

The Secretary Birds are the home side but are being forced to train and play in Morocco because of the ongoing conflict in their country.

"[It is] very difficult to be far from your country, land and stadium," Hashem told BBC Sport Africa.

"But we count on determination and persistence, and all my colleagues are aware of this task."

• Sudan crisis: the football coach forced to flee for his life
• Sudan football on the up, says former Newcastle midfielder Clark
• Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia - the origins of the Nations Cup

Sudan's 1-0 win against Gabon in their previous qualifier has raised hopes of a second successive appearance at an Afcon finals.

The 1970 champions played that game in front of their own fans in Omdurman on 27 March, three weeks before the conflict led the national federation to suspend all football in the country.

"We have to forget the circumstances in which my country is living today," added Hashem.

"We have to focus on football in order to bring joy to the Sudanese people - who need joy to mitigate their suffering and forget their circumstances, even for a few days."

Sudan head coach Badou Zaki, who was only appointed in March, helped choose the venue for both the current training camp and the match with Mauritania at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir.

The team has already played several warm-up matches in their new North African home.

Hashem insists the game against Mauritania goes beyond what happens on the pitch and represents an opportunity to unify all Sudanese.

"Our victory may help stabilise Sudan," said the 27-year-old.

"We are counting on the spirit of the group and our goal is to take the name of Sudan high."

A win and a draw from their final two games will be enough to book Sudan's place at the tournament in Ivory Coast.

The team's final group game will be away at current group leaders the Democratic Republic of Congo in September.

View original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/65929852

{Ends] 

Sudanese hero and basketball superstar Manute Bol

Thanks to Cameron Hudson @_hudsonc for retweeting news of a great Sudanese humanitarian and basketball super star Manute Bol. Read about his incredible life story and amazing heart of gold here.

13 yrs ago today, man w/great heart-longest legs ever-was taken Home by the Lord out of his suffering. Manute Bol did all he could for his soon-to-be nation SouthSudan, also to warn his unheeding adopted nation USA what of threat to us. Rest in peace, Manute, and rise in Glory! pic.twitter.com/Jqt5mbqAfr

— TweetsbyFaithAlone-GDsThreshingSledge(Isaiah41:15) (@Cuchulain09) June 19, 2023

[End]

UN chief António Guterres: Sudan has descended into "death and destruction" at an unprecedented speed

Report at BBC News Live Reporting
By Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service Newsroom
Posted Monday 19 June 2023 at 15:05 pm GMT BST - full copy:

Sudan's descent into destruction unprecedented - Guterres

Reuters

Copyright: Reuters

Image caption: Hundreds have been killed since fighting broke out in April

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says Sudan has descended into "death and destruction" at an unprecedented speed.

"Without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region," Mr Guterres added when addressing a pledging conference.

He's been speaking at the start of an international humanitarian summit in Geneva, organised by the UN, Egypt, Germany, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as the African Union and the European Union.

The UN says it's appealed for $3bn (£2.3bn) of funding this year, but less than 17% has been provided.

The conference comes mid-way through a three-day ceasefire between the rival military factions. Several previous truces have broken down.

Read more on this story:

Sudan conflict: What to do with the dead bodies in Khartoum

View original and sharing tools here. 

[Ends]

Kenya's Ruto takes over Sudan crisis peace talks

NOTE, Talented cartoonist Omar Defallah always paints Hemeti with flip-flops on or near his feet. Sometimes they're pink! 

Cartoon by Omar Defallah  

Source: Radio Dabanga report 04 June 2023 ‘US/Saudi Arabian facilitators ‘stand ready to resume Jeddah talks on Sudan’

_________________________________

Report at Kenyans.co.ke

By MARK OBAR 

Dated Tuesday, 13 June 2023; 11:45 am - full copy:

 

Ruto Takes Over Sudan Crisis Peace Talks After US Gives Up

Photo collage between President William Ruto and US President Joe Biden 

Speaking on Sunday, April 23, 2023. PCS POTUS

Kenya, on Monday, June 12, agreed to mediate in the Sudan conflict after efforts by the United States and Saudi Arabia to broker a ceasefire collapsed. 

President William Ruto stated that Kenya had a strong track record in mediating peace agreements in the region and that he was confident of ending the violence in Sudan.

In a concerted effort by  Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries, Ruto will seek to have the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) embrace new talks. 

"We will, in the next ten days, meet face to face with General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan so that we can speak to them directly on behalf of IGAD, with a view of stopping the war that is raging in Sudan. 

Part of a group of students who fled Sudan on Monday, April 24, 2023. PHOTO ROSELYN NJOGU

"We will ask them to cease all manner of hostilities and ensure that we have a commitment from them to stop the war that is going on in Sudan," Ruto stated.

In the strategy designed by the IGAD security organ, President Ruto, alongside three other leaders from Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and Somalia, will hold the talks in Nairobi. 

After the warring factions failed to agree on ending the ongoing conflict, IGAD expanded the initial team, which comprised South Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti.

Fighting resumed on Sunday, June 11, with renewed intensity following the end of a 24-hour ceasefire brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Reports indicated there were sounds of air raids, artillery shelling and machine guns barely 30 minutes after the ceasefire ended in the morning.

Through the facilitation of the United States and Saudi Arabia, Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his nemesis Mohamed Daglo Hemedti's sides had signed seven ceasefire deals, all broken within hours of declaration.

“The Sudanese Armed Forces (Saf) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) demonstrated effective command and control over their forces, resulting in reduced fighting throughout Sudan that enabled the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance and the achievement of some confidence building measures,’ a statement from the Jeddah talks read.

Mediations which were ongoing in Jeddah, and facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the US, were suspended, with mediators accusing parties of lacking seriousness. The US, however, was open to negotiating the talks afresh once assured that the warring factions had considered the gravity of the matter.

The UN estimated that at least 1,800 people were killed and more than 5,100 have been injured as of June 12, 2023. More than 200,000 people were also displaced from their homes.

Defence CS, Aden Duale, receives Kenyans who were rescued from Sudan by Kenya Air Force on April 25, 2023. PHOTO ADEN DUALE

View original: https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/90330-ruto-takes-over-sudan-crisis-peace-talks-after-us-gives

[Ends]

_______________________________

Sudan Watch Editor Postscript:

This fun-fact tweet puts the latest news on the US-Saudi led ceasefire talks and US sanctions in a nutshell and saves me having to curate and publish ten long reads for posterity here at Sudan Watch...

Ive lost track of the number of times that the US has threatened to cancel or suspend the Jeddah talks…getting close to the same number of times they have threatened sanctions. https://t.co/PtmIiBJ4Ud

— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) June 17, 2023

[Ends]

TRANSCRIPT: Plea by West Darfur Governor Abaker

Hat tip to Cameron Hudson @_hudsonc. I made the transcript here below.

The last interview conducted by Khamis Abbaker before he was abducted & killed, reportedly by RSF
He is one of the few officials that held his position, staying with his constituents, calling for aid during this conflict/war#Sudan #WestDarfur #DarfurBaladna #Darfur https://t.co/fDaXxwZoEZ

— Tagreed Abdin (@taggy_) June 17, 2023

Near-Verbatim Transcript

Taken from English sub-titles superimposed on the video of Al-Hadath TV interview with West Darfur Governor Mr Khamis Abdalla Abaker

Filmed and aired on Wednesday 14 June 2023

TEXT, AL-HADATH TV:

The violence in El Geneina City continues, leaving people in a dire condition.

Thousands fled to neighbouring Chad, and other states. More than 3000 were killed.

One of those victims is the Governor of West Darfur Sate, who was murdered just hours after asking for help. 

Not knowing that his cry for help in the interview would be his last public statement...

VOICE, WEST DARFUR GOVERNOR MR KHAMIS ABDALLA ABAKAR:

“Now you can hear bombing and shelling sounds, those are directly falling on citizens.

Citizens are killed randomly, and in great numbers.

We have lots of wounded people that cannot receive medical care, there are no open hospitals or pharmacies.

All hospitals and medical centres have been bombed completely, and citizens lack medical care.

The number of injuries has surpassed 3000, and it is increasing, and there is no place for them to receive first aid.

Doctors are trying to help within the neighborhoods, yet many wounded people need operations. 

So, the aid is limited, and doctors themselves are now targeted. Three weeks ago, 6 doctors were targeted. 

The issue began between the two parties in a joint force area.

Then it escalated to the area of Masaleet tribe, however, today all the city is violated.

All the city and all the tribes have been violated and targeted by the RSF and their supporting militias.

We spoke with both the central and regional government about the need for deploying a force, yet there is no response. 

All the fight has shifted to West Darfur, and they are directly targeting civilians.

The army base of Division 15 Infantry is about 7 km from my location. 

Yet the army did not come out of their base, not even to secure the city.

This has been going on for 57 days at least, and we have yet to see the armed forces leaving their barracks, not even to protect civilians.

[My message] to the global community: this city suffered a great deal, and these people have been murdered by the thousands.

A genocide was committed in this area, and we ask the global community to intervene urgently to save the remaining lives!

These people have no place to sleep, no food or water and are under shelling.  

Therefore, I plead with the international and regional community to save the remaining lives in this state!"  

[Ends] + + +

UPDATED 5 hours later to add: near-verbatim; closing quotation mark; Masalit tag.

Sudan: Majority of humanitarian NGO have *not* been issued new sudan visas since conflict began

"The denial of humanitarian assistance as a crime under international law"

A TWEET by William Carter @WillCarter_NRC
Father. Country Director #Sudan @NRC_Norway
Dated Sunday 18 June 2023; 2:50 pm - full copy:

majority of #humanitarian ngo have *not* been issued new #sudan visas in the two months since the #conflict began

about 100 visa applications are still pending from over 30 orgs

we've had a team of 20 on standby for over a month - we could've helped 200k #displaced people by now.  instead its far less, and will take longer - time which nobody can afford

its clear that humanitarian #access is impeded but unclear if its indecision or intention.  its not a capacity bottleneck - visas are issued for non-humanitarian efforts

regardless, ministries and federal authorities can and should easily unblock this

these unnecessary delays have huge, real-life consequence for the humanitarian response, for delivering #aid and services to millions who are suffering

un ga resolution 46/182 outlines that 'states whose populations are in need of humanitarian assistance are called upon to facilitate the work of these organisations in implementing humanitarian assistance' (para. 6), and that the un has a 'central and unique role to play' to 'ensure the prompt and smooth delivery of relief assistance' (para. 13) -- so the un in all its councils, assemblies, members, and agencies all need to fulfil their role too

this hasn't happened yet

i often reflect on this icrc article, which argues that the denial of humanitarian assistance is a crime under international law (https://icrc.org/en/doc/resources/documents/article/other/57jq32.htm…), and wonder why global, continental, and regional powers so easily tolerate such arbitrary impediments from the icrc's commentary of the geneva conventions, which form the core of international humanitarian #law and regulate the conduct of armed conflict, they outline that its not really up to the discretion of warring parties: 

"if the survival of the population is threatened and a humanitarian organization fulfilling the required conditions of impartiality and non-discrimination is able to remedy this situation, relief actions must take place (...) [a] refusal would be equivalent to a violation of the rule prohibiting the use of starvation as a method of combat"

there are positive signs of support and permission with many state-level authorities, embassy consular staff, and even the federal-level humanitarian aid commission is supportive of ngo visa issuance, but:

-not all high-level decision-makers are facilitating

-few stakeholders are confronting/resolving this

-ngos are operating, but quickly scaling is v difficult

-all sudanese civilians are suffering for it

View original: 

https://twitter.com/WillCarter_NRC/status/1670428651299405825

[Ends]

Kenya closes embassy in Sudan

Report at The EastAfrican - https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke
By Aggrey Mutambo
Dated Tuesday June 06 2023 - full copy:

Kenya closes embassy in Khartoum as violence worsens

Kenya’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua. Photo | Lucy Wanjiru | NMG

Kenya says it has shut down its embassy in Khartoum to protect staff, in what could close the door on any further evacuation for civilians and signal bad days ahead in the Sudan war.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said on Monday that Nairobi’s diplomats in Khartoum were facing safety risks, forcing the government to close the embassy, and upending Kenya’s initial policy of staying around to help pursue peace.

“We continue to receive disturbing news of the targeting of diplomatic officials by armed groups in Khartoum, Sudan,” he wrote on Twitter.

“[The] Kenya Mission in Khartoum which had remained open to facilitate evacuation of any Kenyans still in the country is now closed,” he added.

After war broke out on April 15, Kenya said it had helped rescue as many as 900 nationals plus those of other countries trapped in Khartoum. But officials said they would not close down the embassy as part of efforts to stay in contact with warring parties; the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

At a press briefing with his host Antony Blinken in Washington, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua had said Kenya’s embassy would remain open as part of regional efforts to have parties descalate.

“As an African continent and the AU and intergovernmental organisation called IGAD, we are trying to find solutions for Sudan.  I know you’ve pulled your teams out.  Kenya is not pulling its diplomatic offices.  We’re not shutting them down because we want to have a presence as we negotiate,” Mutua had said on April 24.

This move may both reflect the escalating violence in Khartoum and the failure to have parties, at least respect a ceasefire. There have been six ceasefire deals between the SAF led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his nemesis Mohamed Daglo Hemedti. In all occasions, fighting continued. 

By Monday, UN agencies estimated that more than 1000 people had been killed and over 800,000 displaced, either internally or forced to neighbouring countries for refuge.

Last week, a mediation project pursued by Saudi Arabia and the US, and known as the Jeddah Talks, was suspended after the US labelled the parties unserious to end the war.

On Monday, however, mediators in Jeddah said they were still engaging parties to see how to resume.

Despite the formal pause on June 3 of the five-day ceasefire agreement, a statement from Jeddah said, “facilitators continue to engage them daily.”

“Those discussions are focused on facilitating humanitarian assistance and reaching agreement on near-term steps the parties must take before the Jeddah talks resume.

“Facilitators stand ready to resume formal talks and remind the parties that they must implement their obligations under the May 11 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan.”

Saudi Arabia’s influence on the warring parties in Sudan was always seen as a crucial tool to help end the war. But the fact that fighting continued even after ceasefire has illustrated a possible breakdown in command structures.

Back in April, Dr Mutua blamed unnamed Middle East countries for taking sides, and fueling the war.

“We have been quite concerned by some of our friends in the Middle East as (inaudible) Russia and others who for a long time have been friendly to either one or the other side.  And we are just saying that at this particular time, it is not a time to take sides in a war,” he said on April 24.

“We care about Sudan.  As part of the African Union, we want to silence the guns in Sudan, want to find an African solution to African problems with the support of our friends.  But we can’t effectively do that if we are talking to groups that are being strengthened every day by the parties who believe that all they need to do is to fight to the end.”

Last week, the African Union launched its ‘roadmap’ to attempt peace in Sudan by involving more political and civilian movements. It is yet to gain traction.

View original: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kenya-shuts-down-embassy-in-khartoum-as-violence-worsens-4259588

[Ends]

_________________________________

Cartoon 

By Omar Dafallah

Published at Radio Dabanga - dabangasudan.org

Dated June 2019

Saudi Arabia want El Burhan (the military) in power in Sudan

Credit: June 2019 cartoon by Omar Dafallah published by Radio Dabanga

[Ends]