Sudan conflict discussion

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The EU's ambassador in Sudan has been assaulted in his home in Khartoum, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell has said.

Mr Borrell did not reveal any details of the attack, but an EU spokeswoman said the ambassador was "OK".

"Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities," Mr Borrell wrote on Twitter.

Although Mr Borrell didn't name him, the EU's ambassador to Sudan is Aidan O'Hara, an Irish diplomat.

The BBC has contacted Mr O'Hara's office.

Mr O'Hara trained as a lawyer in Dublin, before he started his career in Ireland's foreign office in 1986.

Before moving to Sudan, he worked as EU ambassador in Djibouti and Irish ambassador to Ethiopia and South Sudan.

EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP "the security of staff is our priority" and that the EU delegation has not been evacuated from Khartoum following the attack.
She said they were assessing their security measures.

Mr Borrell said the attack on Mr O'Hara was a "gross violation of the Vienna Convention", a United Nations (UN) agreement that outlines the protection of diplomats working in other countries.

The US State Department spokesman, John Kirby, said there were currently no plans to evacuate US personnel, despite the because of ongoing security concerns and the closure of Khartoum's airport.

But he urged all Americans to treat the situation "with the utmost seriousness".
 
Sad, bad news :(

Heavy gunfire and the roar of warplanes have shattered plans for a ceasefire in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, which was due to start at 18:00 (16:00 GMT).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65317693
Fighting was reported around the army headquarters by the airport in the city centre, which is surrounded by residential areas.

Two rival generals at the heart of the conflict had agreed to a 24-hour humanitarian pause.

Nearly 200 people have been killed in the fighting which began on Saturday.

Residents are low on food and water as clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group continue.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary General António Guterres' spokesman said, "The fighting in Sudan, including Khartoum and various other locations, is continuing. No sign of real abatement of the fighting."

Earlier in the day, a woman living in Khartoum told the BBC that she had no more drinking water left in her home.

Duaa Tariq said only one bottle remained, which she was saving for her two-year-old child, as her family crammed into a "tiny corridor" to avoid gunfire.

"Most of the people [that] died, died in their houses with random bullets and missiles, so it's better to avoid exposed places in the house" like windows, Ms Tariq said.

At the University of Khartoum, a student was killed after being hit by a stray bullet.

"We were going to get food for the rest of the students," law student Mosaab Sharif, who is sheltering in a building near the campus, told the BBC.
A Facebook post, verified by the BBC, said the body had been buried on campus after safe passage off site could not be secured.

"There were three of us, and then he was hit in the chest. We couldn't even help him. As we were burying our colleague, one of us was hit with a bullet in his hand," Mr Sharif added.

He said that "snipers have been targeting anyone with flash lights".

Half an hour before the ceasefire was due to start, Khartoum residents were shocked to hear that three children - brothers living in the east of the city - had been killed in a bombardment.

Residents broke their Muslim Ramadan fast just after 18:00 local time to the sound of gunfire, with eyewitnesses in Bahri, in the north of the city, saying aircraft were flying overhead.

Another woman in Khartoum told the BBC that heavy weapons fire had continued well after the ceasefire was due to come into effect.
She described how earlier in the day she had escaped with her one-year-old child from her home as it was being struck by missiles.
Even if the fighting does die down in the next 24 hours, it is unlikely to be enough time for civilians to seek help, with the Red Cross saying the health system is on the verge of collapse.

The aid group said it has been receiving multiple calls for help from people trapped in their homes in a city that has an estimated population of 10 million residents, with most struggling to cope without electricity.

Fighting has also been taking place elsewhere in Sudan, including in Darfur to the west.

The UN aid chief has warned of reports that say humanitarian workers are being attacked and sexually assaulted.

"This is unacceptable and must stop," Martin Griffiths tweeted, after the time the ceasefire was expected to have been implemented.
The fighting is between army units loyal to the de facto leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, a notorious paramilitary force commanded by Sudan's deputy leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.
 
The root of the conflict in the African continent lies in colonial history. Sadly, the countries that established colonies in Africa never admitted any wrongdoings. The richest man who once walked the earth was Mansa Musa, sadly today, most African countries are very poor.
 
The root of the conflict in the African continent lies in colonial history. Sadly, the countries that established colonies in Africa never admitted any wrongdoings. The richest man who once walked the earth was Mansa Musa, sadly today, most African countries are very poor.
I'm not sure I understand. Could you please elaborate? I'm keen to understand your viewpoint :)

Just for a summary of the Sudan conflict fyi:

Sudan: The basics​

  • Sudan is in north-east Africa and has a history of instability: The military toppled long-time leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 after mass protests
  • It then overthrew a power-sharing government in 2021, putting two men at the helm: The head of the army and his deputy, who is also the head of a paramilitary group called the RSF
  • They disagree on how to restore civilian rule to Sudan: The RSF leader claims to represent marginalised groups against the country's elites but his forces were accused of ethnic cleansing
I may be missing something here? :)
 
When Europeans established colonies in Africa, they created conflict between the local communities. Sometimes they sided with one community and sometimes with another, thus creating division among the locals. They continued creating conflict between the communities so that there will be no challenges against their supremacy. The conflict continued even after gaining independence.
 
When Europeans established colonies in Africa, they created conflict between the local communities. Sometimes they sided with one community and sometimes with another, thus creating division among the locals. They continued creating conflict between the communities so that there will be no challenges against their supremacy. The conflict continued even after gaining independence.
Thanks for sharing; always a back-story to current affairs. Will need to have a read :)
 
When Europeans established colonies in Africa, they created conflict between the local communities. Sometimes they sided with one community and sometimes with another, thus creating division among the locals. They continued creating conflict between the communities so that there will be no challenges against their supremacy. The conflict continued even after gaining independence.
This is exactly what's happening in my country now Nigeria now. We have over 250 ethic groups which makes it very difficult for there to be unity in the country. There's always one fight after another. It's been hell down here.
 
This is exactly what's happening in my country now Nigeria now. We have over 250 ethic groups which makes it very difficult for there to be unity in the country. There's always one fight after another. It's been hell down here.
sorry, i believe you mean ethnic rather than ethic? :)
And wow, didn't realise fights are between so many groups. That's horrible :mad: Is there a reason for this do you know?
 
Rival factions of Sudan's military have agreed to renew a three-day ceasefire, shortly before it was due to expire.

The extension - for another 72 hours - follows intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN.

But there are continuing reports of heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum.

The previous truce allowed thousands of people to attempt to flee to safety, while dozens of countries have tried to evacuate their citizens.

South Sudan has offered to host peace talks, and the army has agreed to send representatives to the talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "very actively working" to extend the truce, adding that while imperfect it had reduced violence.

But White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre later said the situation could worsen at any moment.

Fighting has also been reported in the western Darfur region and other provinces.

At least 512 people have been killed in the fighting and almost 4,200 injured, although the real number of deaths could be much higher.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it expected there to be "many more" deaths due to outbreaks of disease and a lack of services.

Health officials say most hospitals in conflict areas are not functioning, and more than 60% of health facilities in Khartoum are inactive.

An army statement quoted by Reuters new agency said it had taken control of most of Sudan's regions but "the situation is a bit complicated in some parts of the capital".


Foreign nations, including the UK, have been urging their citizens to leave the country as soon as possible.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Ms Jean-Pierre urged Americans to depart within the next 24 hours.

Evacuations are continuing, but many foreigners are still stuck in Sudan. Some have struggled to get to the airstrip used for evacuations.

Local civilians are continuing to flee the capital, where there are problems with supplies of food, water and fuel.

The fighting broke out on 15 April as the result of a bitter power struggle between the regular army and RSF.

Army commander Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF chief Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, disagree about the country's proposed move to civilian rule, and in particular about the timeframe of the 100,000 strong RSF's inclusion into the army.

Both factions fear losing power in Sudan because on both sides there are men who could end up at the International Criminal Court for war crimes committed in Darfur almost 20 years ago.
 
A British woman fleeing conflict-hit Sudan has spoken of her nieces and nephews "crying" and "clinging" to her as she was evacuated from the country.

This is so sad :( I hope they change this soon 😡

Currently, British passport holders and immediate family members with existing UK entry clearance are being told they are eligible for evacuation.

Speaking earlier, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Sudanese nationals without travel documents were being blocked at checkpoints by the Sudanese army.

"Where we have families where a British national has a Sudanese national as a spouse or extended family, it makes the extraction more complicated," he said.

Speaking in the House of Commons, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy called on the government to allow the Sudanese families of British nationals to be allowed to also leave the country.

"It is not right that British nationals are unable to leave because their close Sudanese family members are being excluded from safe passage, especially as we know that planes have left the airfield without being full," he said
 
An NHS doctor who felt "betrayed" after being refused a place on a UK evacuation flight from Sudan has now been given a seat.

Abdulrahman Babiker was flown to Cyprus and will travel to the UK on Saturday.

He told the BBC he was delighted to be leaving the country but had mixed feelings about family left behind.


He was initially turned away by officials on Thursday - he has a UK work permit but only UK passport holders were being accepted.

After contacting his MP and being advised to travel to Wadi Seidna air base, he made the perilous journey and then queued for 16 hours, only to be told he could not board.

"They said, 'we are really sorry, this is the guidance from the Home Office'. And a soldier took me out," he recalled.

The Foreign Office had said it was prioritising UK nationals and those in Dr Babiker's situation needed to make their own way to the UK.

Khartoum International Airport has been shut for almost two weeks due to fighting between two warring factions, while the borders of neighbouring countries are hundreds of miles away from the capital.

It is thought at least 24 Sudanese NHS doctors were in a similar position to Dr Babiker.

He credited the apparent change in policy to the public attention his story received.

"I got so much support from my colleagues at the hospital, from friends.... everyone knew the case," the Manchester Royal Infirmary doctor told the BBC.

He said he was due back at work on Tuesday and was meant to have an interview about extending his contract on the same day he was speaking to BBC, but had spoken to his supervisor about his "situation".

While Dr Babiker said he felt "much better" now that he knew he was able to leave, he said the "risk" his family and friends are in has left him unable to sleep.

Dr Babiker was allowed a seat on an evacuation flight, but it is not currently clear if there has been an explicit change in UK government policy.
 
In the dead of night, as HMS Al Diriyah approached Sudan's coast, Saudi officers flicked on sweeping search lights to secure safe passage for their warship into a harbour rapidly transforming into a major evacuation and humanitarian hub in Sudan's deepening crisis.

Many people are now sleeping rough on the streets as they wait for a way out. Local hotels are swamped by people with passports from the world over, along with emergency consular services hastily established by embassies who have evacuated most of their staff from the capital.

Many fear there is no way out. Port Sudan is packed with people who have less lucky passports, including Yemenis, Syrians and Sudanese.

Some 3,000 Yemenis, mainly students, have been stuck for weeks in Port Sudan. "The Saudis are rescuing some Yemenis but they're nervous about accepting large numbers," admitted a security adviser trying to help them find a way back to their own war-torn country.
 
Yay!! Glad they've extended their efforts!!
The UK is running an extra evacuation flight on Monday for British nationals still trapped in Sudan.

Those eligible needed to reach to the coastal city of Port Sudan, 500 miles from capital Khartoum where previous planes took off, by 11:00 BST.
The UK has now airlifted 2,122 British passport holders, and NHS staff with UK work permits, on 23 flights.

The UK initially faced criticism for starting its evacuation after other countries, including European nations which rescued hundreds before the first British airlift took place.

A separate operation days earlier saw special forces troops evacuate UK diplomats from Khartoum after fighting broke out around the embassy.

But a Foreign Office spokesperson said the UK's Sudan evacuation had grown to become "the largest of any Western country".

Also, excellent news!
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the dependants of British nationals and NHS staff, who have leave to enter the UK, would also be allowed on the flight.

The UK government on Friday announced non-British NHS staff in Sudan could catch evacuation flights out of the country,in a U-turn on its previous policy.

Very little trust for the Sudan ceasefires
Airstrikes and fighting have been reported over the weekend despite a ceasefire between rival army factions.
 
More than 100,000 people have fled Sudan since heavy fighting broke out between rival forces on 15 April, the UN has said.

What's the point in ceasefire talks if all is ignored? :confused:
Fighting is continuing in the capital, Khartoum, between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), despite a ceasefire due to be in force.

Diplomatic efforts are being stepped up to try and get the warring parties to the negotiating table.

On Tuesday, South Sudan's foreign ministry said the army and RSF had agreed "in principle" to a new seven-day truce from 4 May, and had promised to send representatives to talks.

Its statement came a day after the UN special envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, told the AP news agency that the two sides had agreed to negotiate a "stable and reliable" ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia was a potential venue for the talks, he added.

If talks take place, it would be the first meeting between the two sides since the conflict started.

Most European states have completed the evacuation of their nationals, but Russia said on Tuesday that it was sending four military planes to fly out more than 200 people - including its nationals and those from "friendly countries" - from Sudan.

In Khartoum, food, water and electricity are running out, but desperately needed aid supplies - shipped by the UN into Port Sudan - are being warehoused because of the violence. Meanwhile, widespread looting means there is no safe way to deliver them.

World Health Organization (WHO) regional director Ahmed al-Mandhari said that health facilities have come under attack in Khartoum, and some are being used as military bases.

"Up to now there were around 26 reported attacks on healthcare facilities. Some of these attacks resulted in the death of healthcare workers and civilians in these hospitals," he told the BBC.

"Also you know some of these hospitals are used as military bases and they have thrown the staff, they have thrown patients out of these healthcare facilities," he added.
 
One of Sudan's most prominent singers, Shaden Gardood, has been killed in crossfire in the Sudanese city of Omdurman.
Gardood was originally from South Kordofan state, a war zone area since 2011, before she resided in Khartoum with her family.

She sang for peace and security in her region and promoted the culture of her marginalised community, al-Bagara, in South Kordofan, playing the role of Hakama - traditional poets in western Sudan who encourage men to go for fighting - for peace.

As well as being a singer, Gardood was a researcher in the al-Bagara Melodies and presented papers on the legacy of the Hakamas in the past and present.

A number of public figures were killed in Khartoum in the past few weeks, among them Sudan's first professional actress, Asia Abdelmajid, who died in crossfire at the age of 80.

Former footballer Fozi el-Mardi, 72, was also killed only a few days after the death of his daughter who was killed in a crossfire in Omdur.
 
I am really blessed to live in the US, even with high rents and food. I mean, many parts of the world are fighting like we did in our civil war, and most Americans can't even imagine what that would be like.
 
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