ENDSIOM humanitarian cross-border convoy from #Chad has arrived in #WestDarfur carrying critical aid to reach over 46,000 ppl affected by conflict across Darfur, thanks to @Solidarites_Int & @USAIDSavesLives.
— IOM Sudan 🇺🇳 (@IOMSudan) December 28, 2023
Needs are dire.Unimpeded access is needed to ensure we #LeaveNoOneBehind. pic.twitter.com/1zZwreWpEa
Thursday, December 28, 2023
IOM humanitarian cross-border convoy from Chad has arrived in West Darfur, Sudan carrying critical aid
GOOD news. Humanitarian cross-border convoy from Chad has arrived in West Darfur, Sudan carrying long awaited critical aid. Great job done by all.
Sudan: Kidnappings, looting of newsrooms. Protection of journalists must be a priority.
THIS helps explain why so little hard news is coming out of Sudan: these two Dec 27 posts at X by Isma'il Kushkush @ikushkush@ of Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières) aka RWB or (unfortunately) RSF.
One of the posts says: "Journalists in Sudan report that, in the past eight months, 26 print newspapers have stopped publishing and ten national radio stations have stopped broadcasting. Seven local radio stations have also closed and only two are still broadcasting, albeit but randomly".
The other says: "Kidnappings, looting of newsrooms, the right to information is flouted & media professionals are trapped in the civil war that broke out 8 months ago. RSF reminds the parties to the conflict that the protection of journalists must be a priority". Below is RWB's Dec 26 report.
"Journalists in Sudan report that, in the past eight months, 26 pr.int newspapers have stopped publishing and ten national radio stations have stopped broadcasting. Seven local radio stations have also closed and only two are still broadcasting, albeit but randomly" https://t.co/E9gCe4o1BU
— Isma'il Kushkush (@ikushkush) December 27, 2023
#Sudan🇸🇩: Kidnappings, looting of newsrooms, the right to information is flouted & media professionals are trapped in the civil war that broke out 8 months ago. RSF reminds the parties to the conflict that the protection of journalists must be a priority. https://t.co/JPIAlJk5EG
— RSF in English (@RSF_en) December 27, 2023
Note, Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontières; RSF) is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information. -Wikipedia
__________________________
Report from and by Reporters Without Borders (RWB) at rsf.org
Dated Tuesday, 26 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:
Journalists still trapped in Sudan’s civil war
As Sudan’s journalists continue to be trapped in an eight-month-old civil war, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reminds the two parties to the conflict, the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, that they could be held criminally responsible if journalists are killed or injured, and that protecting media personnel must be a priority.
Recent media victims include Amar Dhaw, a reporter for the Sudan 24 TV channel and the Saqia Press website, who was attacked and beaten by a policeman in the eastern province of Al Qadarif, at the start of December, just for filming a police car for the report he was working on, according to information gathered by RSF.
During the same period, the paramilitaries kidnapped two journalists. Sudan News Agency reporter Mohamed Abderrahim was abducted outside his home in the capital, Khartoum, on 3 December, according to the information obtained by RSF, while Bahaeddine Abou Kassem, a journalist with the daily newspaper Akhbar Al Yawm, was also kidnapped in early December, his sister reported to his colleagues, as the Sudanese Journalists’ Union said. There has been no news of either since then.
Media outlets and journalists have been subjected to serious and repeated attacks since fighting first broke out on 15 April between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
“The parties to this war must be reminded that they could be held criminally responsible in the event of attacks on the physical integrity of journalists, who are protected by international law in conflict situations. Journalists must under no circumstances be targeted, or arrested or detained for doing their job. The perpetrators will be held accountable for their misdeeds.
Khaled Drareni
RSF’s North Africa representative
The persecution of media and journalists is surging as a result of the rivalry between regular army Gen. – and de facto leader – Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has his headquarters in Port Sudan and controls the territories east of the Nile, and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as “Hemetti,” the leader of the paramilitaries, who is based in Khartoum and controls several major cities in Darfur and the west of the country.
“Even crossing the street and just going out then returning to the newspaper has become an obstacle course,” Amr Chabane, the editor of the Khartoum-based newspaper Al Sudani told RSF. “We’re located in a dangerous area that has seen many clashes and shoot-outs.”
Looted media
The headquarters of Sudan’s General Authority for Radio and Television, which is located in the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman, was turned into a detention centre a few weeks ago, the Sudanese Journalists’ Union says, condemning “this irresponsible behaviour which exposes the country’s history heritage to destruction and disappearance.”
The union also reports that equipment is being looted from public radio and TV stations and is being sold on the city’s sidewalks. The Blue Nile TV channel has suffered the same fate. All of its equipment has been stolen and placed on sale in Omdurman’s Libya market.
Three other prominent media outlets, the Sudan 24 and Al Balad TV channels and the BBC’s Khartoum bureau, have also been vandalised and looted, according to the Sudanese Journalists’ Union, which called on all regional and international press freedom organisations to denounce what is happening, and work to stop it.
Journalists in Sudan report that, in the past eight months, 26 print newspapers have stopped publishing and ten national radio stations have stopped broadcasting. Seven local radio stations have also closed and only two are still broadcasting, albeit but randomly.
View original: https://rsf.org/en/journalists-still-trapped-sudan-s-civil-war
ENDS
UNICEF Sudan: 253 babies and children have been safely evacuated from transit centres in Wad Madani
NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This is an incredible story of humans pulling together to help evacuate 253 babies and children from transit centres in Wad Madani, Sudan to a safer location. The mission must have involved many people and fraught calls to complete the evacuation. Sadly, not all 200 of the babies and children originally from Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum have been evacuated from Wad Madani. Let's hope that UN Sudan and UNICEF Sudan can provide updates on this heart rending story.
Press Release from United Nations Sudan
Dated Wednesday, 27 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:
Dated Wednesday, 27 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:
UNICEF: Hundreds of vulnerable children evacuated for second time as Sudan war continues to put millions of children at risk
27 December 2023
PORT SUDAN/NEW YORK – 253 babies and children have been safely evacuated from transit centres in Wad Madani, Sudan to a safer location in the country, after fighting in Al Jazirah state erupted this month. For many of the children, this is the second time they have been evacuated after they were evacuated from Mygoma orphanages in Khartoum earlier in the year following the outbreak of the war in April.
“The recent escalation of the conflict in Sudan, and the fact that these children needed to move from areas that were previously considered safer, is a cruel reminder of the continuing toll the war is taking on children,” said UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan, Mandeep O’Brien. “Thankfully, a coordinated effort has ensured these children are once again out of the line of fire. The safe passage was made possible by the cooperation and facilitation of both parties to the conflict and the support of key partners. However, as long as fighting continues, no child in Sudan will be truly safe.”
The children who were evacuated from Khartoum to Wad Madani in June continue to be under the care and protection of the Ministry of Social Development. The evacuation effort, led by the Ministry, and supported by UNICEF and partners, took place over 2 days.
UNICEF and partners continue to support the Ministry’s efforts to provide the children with medical care, food and nutrition, psychosocial stimulation, play and educational activities, and supporting carers for the children, and is working with the relevant authorities and partners to identify foster families for the children.
Across Sudan, over 14 million children are in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian support, the highest number ever recorded in the country. The war in Sudan has resulted in the largest child displacement crisis in the World. Close to 3.5 million children have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the fighting. The impact of escalating violence - more than half of states in Sudan, 10 out of 18, are now experiencing active conflict - continues to threaten the lives and futures of families and children, leaving basic health and nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection services cut off with frontline workers going without pay and many facilities closed, damaged, or destroyed.
UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire across Sudan, and reiterates its call for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian and human rights law – including ensuring that children are protected – and that rapid, safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to children and families in affected areas is facilitated. Without such access, critical lifesaving humanitarian support will be out of reach for millions of vulnerable children.
################
Media contacts
Joe English
UNICEF New York
Tel: +1 917 893 0692
Email: jenglish@unicef.org
Ammar Ammar
UNICEF Amman
Tel: +962 791 837 388
Email: aammar@unicef.org
Ricardo Pires
Communication Specialist
UNICEF
Tel: +1 (917) 631-1226
Email: rpires@unicef.org
UN entities involved in this initiative
UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Fund
United Nations Sudan
Welcome to the United Nations country team website of Sudan
Office of the Resident Coordinator
Gama'a Avenue, House 7, Block 5
Postal Code 11111
Khartoum, Sudan
Phone: (+249) 1 87120000
View original: https://sudan.un.org/en/256846-unicef-hundreds-vulnerable-children-evacuated-second-time-sudan-war-continues-put-millions
ENDS
___________________________
Related
Sudan Watch - Thursday, 28 December 2023
UPDATE 3 added on 28 Dec 2023 at 15:00 GMT
December 26, 2023 - URGENT NOTE TO UNICEF'S MANDEEP O'BRIEN:
Update evacuation of Mygoma orphans from Madani
https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/12/urgent-note-to-unicefs-mandeep-obrien.html
ENDS
Sudan: The Archbishop & Bishop of Khartoum Ezekiel Kondo appeals for peace in Christmas message
From Anglican Communion News Service - anglicannews.org
Dated December 18, 2023 2:05 PM - here is a copy in full:
Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan appeals for peace in Christmas message
Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo (Photo Credit: ACNS)
The Archbishop of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, the Most Revd Ezekiel Kondo, appealed for peace in his Christmas letter recently. He said: “I appeal to the two warring parties, Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces and their supporters on this special occasion to consider putting the guns beyond use and silence them for peace as a matter of urgency. Continuing using guns, there will be no people left to rule over nor will there be a country called Sudan to live in. Enough is enough to the suffering of innocent people. Enough is enough to death.”
Archbishop Ezekiel’s Christmas message describes how communities in the country have been adversely affected since the start of the war, particularly Khartoum, Darfur, El Obeid and Kadugli. He also writes about communities in other states affected by flooding. “Many people lost their lives and no one is burying them, while many got injured and still many missing. People live in fear because of bullets, hunger and health reasons. People lost their properties while they live as displaced in their homeland and still others as refugees in foreign countries. People’s lives are like living in darkness and they see no future. I salute the Bishops who are with their people in the Dioceses of El Obeid, Kadugli, Port Sudan, Wad Medani and particularly the Clergy in the Diocese of Khartoum. I thank God for each of them, for their faith and courage at this difficult time,” he said.
He quotes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah and likens what the prophet says to the current situation in Sudan. “But he gives a message of hope and courage. In the darkness, the light is shown. ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire’. (Isa. 9:1-2; 4-9) He speaks about a son who is a King and who comes with great power whose government will last forever and he will rule with justice, righteousness, and people will live in peace,” explains Archbishop Ezekiel.
He concludes his message with thanking God for his faithfulness and appealing to the country’s leaders for peace, "Despite the instability, we thank God for His faithfulness, believing that he will intervene at his own time. We wish to express our thanks and gratitude to our friends and partners abroad and within Sudan for standing in solidarity, support, encouragement and prayer for the Sudanese people in general and Christians in particular.”
Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, said: "I join my brother, Archbishop Ezekiel in calling on the warring sides to end this war. Enough is enough! As we journey through this season of Advent Season and rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, remember the people of Sudan in your prayers that peace will come, and that they can rebuild their lives and homes."
Read Archbishop Ezekiel’s Christmas letter here*
View original: https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2023/12/archbishop-of-the-episcopal-church-of-sudan-appeals-for-peace-in-christmas-message.aspx
____________________________
*Archbishop Ezekiel's Christmas letter is copied here in full:
Province of Episcopal Church of Sudan Khartoum - Sudan
Office of the Archbishop
Christmas Message 2023
To: All brothers and sisters, sons and daughters
Re: Christmas is the Hope of every believer Isaiah
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2)
This year Christmas in our country, Sudan is very different because of the war situation since 15 April. People live in a very different life particularly people from Khartoum, Darfur, El Obeid and Kadugli. In addition, people in the more stable states are also affected as they live a very different life due to the flooding of people to their states, cities and their houses. May people lost their lives and no one burring them, while many got injured and still many got missing. People live in fear because of bullets, hunger and health reasons. People lost their properties while they live as displaced in their homeland and still others as refugees in foreign countries. People’s lives are like living in darkness and they see no future. I salute the Bishops who are with their people in the Dioceses of El Obeid, Kadugli, Port Sudan, Wad Medani and particularly the Clergy in the Diocese of Khartoum. I thank God for each of them, for their faith and courage at this difficult time.
Prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament, people experienced the same situation as we today, but he gives a message of hope and courage. In the darkness, the light has shown. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned”
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire”.
(Isa. 9:1-2; 4-9)
He speaks about a son who is a King and who comes with great power whose government will last forever and he will rule with justice, righteousness, and people will live in peace.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. (Isa. 9:6)
Mathew quotes Isaiah when he said:
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16
As the Bishop of the Diocese of Khartoum and Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, this year I celebrate Christmas outside Khartoum and All Saints Cathedral because the Cathedral was occupied since April. People of the Church of Savior Omdurman are not celebrating Christmas in their Church because it was bombed to ashes on 1 November! Many people could not celebrate Christmas in their Churches and their houses and cities because of the war.
Thanks and Gratitude:
Despite of the instability, we thank God for His faithfulness, believing that he will intervene at his own time. We wish to express our thanks and gratitude to our friends and partners abroad and within Sudan for standing in solidarity, support, encouragement and prayer for the Sudanese people in general and Christians in particular.
Appeal to the Country Leaders:
On this great occasion on which we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace and at which angels from heave sang: “Glory to highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (LK 2:14)
I appeal to the two warring parties, Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces and their supporters on this especial occasion to consider putting the guns beyond use and silence them for peace as a matter of urgency. Continuing using guns, there will be no people left to rule over nor will there be a country called Sudan to live in. Enough is enough to the suffering of innocent people. Enough is enough to death.
As we celebrate Christmas at this exceptional time some with no food leave alone clothing for the children, let us not lose faith in God. Let us call and lean on the Prince of Peace, who will rule with Justice and Righteousness.
Let us have faith in the Prince of Peace and call for the restoration of peace to our beloved country, Sudan. May the Leaders of our country see the suffering of the people and stop this war, which entered its ninth month.
I wish you a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year 2024
[signed]
The Most Revd. Ezekiel Kondo
Archbishop & Bishop of Khartoum
December 2023
View original here: Archbishop Ezekiel’s Christmas letter.
ENDS
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
We give thanks today for the witness of John the Apostle and Evangelist: The Word Became Flesh
PRAYING for the long-suffering people of Sudan and South Sudan.
We give thanks today for the witness of John the Apostle and Evangelist. pic.twitter.com/7iXJaiOgxW
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) December 27, 2023
___________________________
Post script from Sudan Watch Editor
HERE are some of the most famous lines from the New Testament in the Bible (King James Version). Click on hyperlinked words to view the Context, full Chapter and the previous and next verse. Note that any words printed in red in a Holy Bible are to show the words spoken by Jesus.
John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”. ~ Luke Chapter 11, Verse 9,
ENDS
Verse of the Day for Wed 27 Dec 2023 from KJV
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” ~Proverbs 18:10
ENDS
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)