Latest news with #RapidSupportForce
Egypt Today
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt, Sudan assert keenness on 'peaceful, political solutions' for Ethiopian Dam dispute
CAIRO – 24 February 2025: Cairo hosted Monday the consultation meeting among the Egyptian and Sudanese ministers of irrigation and foreign affairs as well as technical experts. The two sides discussed cooperation opportunities in the water sector and ways to leverage them. In that respect, they agreed on joining forces to preserve the water rights of both states in alignment with the bilateral agreements, and international law. They similarly agreed to coordinate stances on water affairs at the regional and international community levels. There was congruence that that the water security of each of Egypt and Sudan is intertwined. Hence, the two countries called upon "all parties to abstain from any unilateral actions that would jeopardize their water interests." They equally affirmed keenness on working with the Nile Basin Initiative to restore consensus. As a step forward, the two sides agreed on holding a high-level workshop to be attended by regional and international organizations concerned to exchange views on water issues and their impact on climate change and security in the Horn of Africa. The consultations tackled the updates of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), especially the perils of the unilateral filling of the reservoir in relation to its structure safety, agreeing to concert efforts on the African and global levels to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. However, they stressed that the GERD dispute must remain among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia without dragging other Nile Basin countries to the matter. They similarly asserted eagerness for "peaceful and political solutions." The discussions further tapped on potential joint developmental projects, precisely in the sectors of reconstruction, agriculture, power generation, and rehabilitating water networks destroyed by the Rapid Support Force (RSF) militia in fulfillment of the resolutions of the 16th meeting of the Arab Water Ministers Council. In that framework, the Egyptian side pledged support to reconstructing the water sector in Sudan, and mobilizing necessary Arab support to carry out the relevant resolutions. The two sides valued the outcomes of the extraordinary meeting of their permanent technical authority on Nile water – established in 1959 - that took place in Cairo on Sunday. The recommendations focused on enhancing the consultation mechanism of the Nile Basin Initiative with non-member states. The meeting concluded by maintaining collaboration on training human resources working in the sectors of irrigation and water resources.
Associated Press
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Kenya reaffirms commitment to peace after Sudan's accusations of ‘hostility'
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya's foreign ministry said Wednesday it is ready to support peace efforts in Sudan, a day after Khartoum accused Kenya of violating its sovereignty by hosting a meeting of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Force, RSF, in the capital, Nairobi. In a statement, Sudan called Kenya's move to host Tuesday's meeting 'tantamount to an act of hostility,' particularly as it preceded a planned announcement of a parallel government by the RSF. RSF Deputy Commander Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo led the Sudanese delegation at the government-owned Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, stating a significant announcement would be made on Friday. Kenya's foreign ministry said the country hosts many Sudanese refugees and has a history of facilitating dialogue 'without any ulterior motives.' However, Macharia Munene, a professor of international relations at the United States International University-Africa, said Kenya risks international isolation due to this 'foreign policy blunder.' He argues that Kenya's foreign policy has become a 'one man show' with the president leveraging his friendship with RSF's Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti, without considering 'Kenya's national interests.' While Hemedti was not present at Tuesday's event, he enjoys a close friendship with Kenya's President William Ruto and his brother has met the president on several occasions. The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the military and the RSF has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have escaped to neighboring countries. Sudanese authorities on Tuesday said recent attacks by the RSF had killed more than 400 civilians, including infants after the paramilitary was 'overwhelmed by its devastating defeat' by the Sudanese army. Haydar Abdul Karim, a Sudanese peace activist and freelance journalist now residing in Kenya, told The Associated Press that regional governments should not take sides. He urged countries to refrain from supporting the formation of new governments or alliances, and instead focus on pressuring the two warring factions to sit down and negotiate and not try to support one faction over the other. ____
Voice of America
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Sudanese RSF paramilitaries kill 100s in White Nile state
Attacks by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Force have killed hundreds of civilians, including infants, in White Nile state, Sudanese officials and rights groups said Tuesday. Sudan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the paramilitary group targeted civilians in the past few days in villages in the al-Gitaina area after they were "overwhelmed by its devastating defeat" by the Sudanese army. The statement put the death toll at 433, while the Preliminary Committee of Sudan Doctors' Trade Union put that figure at 300. Emergency Lawyers, a rights group tracking violence against civilians, said in a statement Tuesday morning that more than 200 people, including women and children, were killed in RSF attacks and hundreds of others were injured over the past three days. "The attacks included executions, kidnapping, forced disappearance, looting, and shooting those trying to escape," the group said. Minister of Culture and Information Khalid Ali Aleisir said on Facebook that recent attacks by the RSF in Al-Kadaris and Al-Khalwat villages in White Nile state are the latest "systematic violence against defenseless civilians." The Sudanese military said Saturday it had advanced in White Nile and "liberated more cities and villages," cutting crucial supply routes to the RSF, a rival group it has battled for control of the country since April 2023. The war in Sudan has killed more than 24,000 people and driven more than 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have escaped to neighboring countries. The U.N. on Tuesday said that throughout 2024, its human rights office documented more than 4,200 civilian killings, adding that the total number is likely much higher. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs appealed on Monday for $6 billion for its 2025 humanitarian response in Sudan, to help about 21 million people in the country and the millions who fled the war abroad. "This is a humanitarian crisis that is truly unprecedented in its scale and gravity," said U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher in a statement, "and it demands a response unprecedented in scale and intent." Meanwhile, Norwegian Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust denounced the escalation in violence and attacks against civilians. "I am deeply concerned about the sharp increase in civilian deaths caused by the intensified conflict in Sudan. I am also shocked by reports of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Any such attacks must stop immediately," Aukrust said in a statement published on the web portal for the Norwegian government. The developments on the ground have given the military the upper hand in the war as the paramilitary suffered multiple blows, including losing control of the city of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira province, and other areas in the province. The Sudanese military also regained control of the country's largest oil refinery. The RSF appears to have lost control of the Greater Khartoum area and the cities of Omdurman and Khartoum Bahri. The war has shown no end in sight despite international mediation attempts, including a U.S. assessment that the RSF and its proxies are committing genocide.
Los Angeles Times
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Attacks by Sudanese paramilitaries leave hundreds dead
CAIRO — Attacks by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Force have killed hundreds of civilians, including infants, in White Nile state, Sudanese officials and rights groups said Tuesday. Sudan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the paramilitary group targeted civilians in the past few days in villages in the al-Gitaina area after they were 'overwhelmed by its devastating defeat' by the Sudanese army. The statement put the death toll at 433, while the Preliminary Committee of Sudan Doctors' Trade Union put that figure at 300. Emergency Lawyers, a rights group tracking violence against civilians, said in a statement Tuesday morning that more than 200 people, including women and children, were killed in RSF attacks and hundreds of others were injured over the past three days. 'The attacks included executions, kidnapping, forced disappearance, looting, and shooting those trying to escape,' the group said. Minister of Culture and Information Khalid Ali Aleisir said on Facebook that recent attacks by the RSF in Al-Kadaris and Al-Khalwat villages in White Nile state are the latest 'systematic violence against defenseless civilians.' The Sudanese military said Saturday it had advanced in White Nile and 'liberated more cities and villages,' cutting crucial supply routes to the RSF, a rival group it has battled for control of the country since April 2023. The war in Sudan has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have escaped to neighboring countries. The U.N. on Tuesday said that throughout 2024, its human rights office documented more than 4,200 civilian killings, adding that the total number is likely much higher. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs appealed on Monday for $6 billion for its 2025 humanitarian response in Sudan, to help about 21 million people in the country and the millions who fled the war abroad. 'This is a humanitarian crisis that is truly unprecedented in its scale and gravity,' said U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher in a statement, 'and it demands a response unprecedented in scale and intent.' Meanwhile, Norway's Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust denounced the escalation in violence and attacks against civilians. 'I am deeply concerned about the sharp increase in civilian deaths caused by the intensified conflict in Sudan. I am also shocked by reports of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Any such attacks must stop immediately,' Aukrust said in a statement published on the web portal for the Norwegian government. The developments on the ground have given the military the upper hand in the war as the paramilitary suffered multiple blows, including losing control of the city of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira province, and other areas in the province. The Sudanese military also regained control of the country's largest oil refinery. The RSF appears to have lost control of the Greater Khartoum area and the cities of Omdurman and Khartoum Bahri. The war has shown no end in sight despite international mediation attempts, including a U.S. assessment that the RSF and its proxies are committing genocide. Khaled writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Attacks by Sudanese RSF paramilitaries leave hundreds dead in White Nile State
CAIRO (AP) — Insurgent attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Force killed hundreds of civilians, including infants, in White Nile state, Sudanese officials and rights groups said Tuesday. Sudan's foreign ministry said in a statement cited by Egyptian state-run Qahera News TV that the paramilitary group targeted civilians within the past few days in the villages of the al-Gitaina area after they were 'certain of their crushing defeat' by the Sudanese army. The statement put the death toll at 433, while the Preliminary Committee of Sudan Doctors' Trade Union put that figure at 300. Emergency Lawyers, a rights group tracking violence against civilians, said in a statement Tuesday morning that more than 200 people, including women and children, were killed in RSF attacks and hundreds of others were injured over the past three days. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'The attacks included filed executions, kidnapping, forced disappearance, looting, and shooting those trying to escape,' the group said. Minister of Culture and Information Khalid Ali Aleisir said in a statement on Facebook early Tuesday that recent attacks by the RSF in villages located in the White Nile state are the latest 'systematic violence against defenseless civilians.' The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has killed more than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have crossed into neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan.
