
Sudan's military leader Al Burhan holds talks with Trump's Africa envoy over US peace plan
They said the two had a three-hour meeting on Monday to discuss a US proposal for a nationwide ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 25 million people facing hunger.
There was no immediate word from the army or the military-backed government on the meeting. Sudanese media reports said Gen Al Burhan, Sudan's de facto leader, has returned to Sudan.
The sources said the meeting was discussed on August 9 by Sudan's Defence and Security Council, a body chaired by the general that comprises senior army and police officers, as well as the heads of intelligence agencies.
The council agreed by consensus that Gen Al Burhan should travel to Switzerland for the meeting, they added.
The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 when months of tension between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over their role in a democratic Sudan boiled over into open conflict.
Tens of thousands have died in the conflict, which has given rise to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, displaced more than 13 million people and led to the fragmentation of the country.
The army now controls the capital Khartoum as well as the eastern, central and northern regions of Sudan, while the RSF holds the entire western Darfur region save the contested city of El Fasher, as well as parts of Kordofan to the south.
During the Monday meeting, Gen Al Burhan ruled out a political role for the RSF in a future administration, according to an AFP report quoting government sources.
Gen Al Burhan has repeatedly said he would continue fighting until the RSF is either defeated or agrees to surrender. He has declined several bids by prospective mediators to enter peace negotiations.
Both Gen Al Burhan and RSF commander Gen Mohamed Dagalo claim to be fighting for a democratic and prosperous Sudan. The two generals, however, together toppled a civilian-led government in a 2021 coup that derailed the country's transition to democratic rule.
Both the army and the RSF are also accused of war crimes and their two leaders were sanctioned by the US during the final days of the Joe Biden administration in January this year.
The US and Saudi Arabia had tried to mediate an end to the conflict during its early days, but a string of ceasefires they brokered collapsed soon after they went into force.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Zawya
19 minutes ago
- Zawya
Security Council rejects creation of rival government in Sudan
The UN Security Council has rejected the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) declaration last month of a rival administration in parts of Sudan it controls, warning the move threatens the country's unity and risks worsening the brutal conflict between the militia and forces of the military government. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Council members said the step posed 'a direct threat to Sudan's territorial integrity' and could fragment the country, fuel the fighting, and deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis. Ambassadors reaffirmed 'unwavering' support for Sudan's sovereignty, independence and unity, stressing that unilateral actions that undermine these principles jeopardise not only Sudan's future but also peace and stability across the wider region. The Council called on the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces to return to talks aimed at reaching a lasting ceasefire and creating the conditions for a political settlement involving all political and social groups. The goal, they said, is a credible, inclusive transition to a civilian-led government that can lead the country towards democratic elections and deliver 'a peaceful, stable and prosperous future' in line with the Sudanese people's aspirations. Flashpoints in Darfur and Kordofan The statement recalled the Council's resolution 2736 (2024), which demands the RSF lift its siege of El Fasher, halt the fighting, and de-escalate tensions in and around the North Darfur capital. Famine and extreme food insecurity are at risk of spreading in the city, which has been under siege since April 2024. Members voiced alarm over reports of a renewed RSF offensive this week in El Fasher and urged the group to allow 'unhindered humanitarian access' to the city. The Council also expressed grave concern over reported attacks in Sudan's Kordofan region in recent weeks, reportedly carried out by both sides, which have caused large numbers of civilian deaths. They also voiced deep concern about the impact of the conflict on humanitarian operations. Demands for access Council members pressed all parties to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access in line with international law, to protect civilians, and to abide by their obligations under both resolution 2736 and the 2023 Jeddah Declaration. They stressed that perpetrators of serious violations must be held to account. They also urged all UN Member States to avoid any external interference that fuels conflict and instability, support efforts for durable peace, and comply with relevant international law and Council resolutions, including resolution 2750. Backing for UN envoy The Council reiterated its commitment to supporting the people of Sudan in their quest for peace, security, stability and prosperity. It also voiced full support for the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, and his work with the warring sides and civil society to secure a sustainable settlement through dialogue. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Zawya
19 minutes ago
- Zawya
Opening Speech Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina President and Chairman, Boards of Directors African Development Bank Group and Chairman, Africa50 2025 General Shareholders Meeting
Your Excellency, Daniel Chapo, President of the Federal Republic of Mozambique. Honorable Carla Louveira, Minister of Economy and Finance of Mozambique. Honorable Ministers and senior government officials. The Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene. Excellencies, Ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions. Heads of international organizations. Alain Ebobise, Chief Executive Officer, Africa50. Esteemed shareholders of Africa50. Esteemed members of the Board of Directors of Africa50. Senior management and staff of Africa50. Ladies and gentlemen. Your Excellency, Mr. President, I am delighted that you have honored us today with your presence for the General Shareholder Meeting of Africa50. I am grateful that you accepted to host this General Shareholders Meeting. We are grateful for the generous hospitality and all the graciousness we have all received since we arrived in the beautiful city of Maputo. I wear two hats as I address you today: first, as President of the African Development Bank Group, your bank; and second, as Chairman of Africa50, which was established by the African Development Bank Group. Mozambique is a strong shareholder of the African Development Bank Group, which started operations in the country in 1977. Mozambique also joined Africa50 in 2024. Your Excellency, President Chapo, I wish to start by formally congratulating you on your election as President of the Republic of Mozambique. I commend you for the remarkable leadership that you have shown in stabilizing the country. Peace and stability are fundamental to spurring economic growth and development. I wish to commend you and your government on the macroeconomic and fiscal stability of the country under your leadership. The green shoots of your macroeconomic and fiscal policies are coming out. Real GDP of Mozambique is estimated to increase to 2.5% in 2025 and 3.6% in 2026, due to the rebound in the extractive sector activities. Congratulations, Mr. President! Let me speak first with my hat on as President of the African Development Bank Group. The African Development Bank has been a strong supporter of Mozambique. In the past ten years under my Presidency (2015-2025), we provided $1.6 billion to Mozambique. To put this in perspective, this represents 41% of the total financing of the African Development Bank to Mozambique over the past 48 years. The African Development Bank was a lead financier of Mozambique's $20 billion Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) plant project, for which the Bank provided $400 million in senior debt financing. I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for your visiting the LNG project site in Cabo Delgado in February. Your leadership and visit reassured investors. I am proud of what has been achieved, especially in the power sector, where our support for energy projects contributed significantly to the national energy access increasing from 30% in 2018 to 60% in 2024. Our $34 million support for the Mozambique Energy for All Project provided access to electricity to over 45,500 households in under-electrified provinces such as Zambezia and Nampula, including about 14,000 female-headed households. The African Development Bank also strongly supported the agriculture sector, with the development of special agro-industrial processing zones, for example in Pemba-Lichinga, one of the six such zones the Bank is supporting. The Bank supported the development of the Nacala and Beira corridors, which are transforming trade and transport logistics, and improving regional trade for the African Continental Free Trade Area. Let me shift to my second hat as Chairman of Africa50. When the African Development Bank created Africa50, the vision was clear: develop a platform for mobilizing financing for infrastructure, with market rate of returns. I am proud of what Africa50 has become today. Within 8 years Africa50 has become a leader on infrastructure financing in Africa, thanks to the visionary leadership of our CEO, Alain Ebobise; its incredibly capable and talented staff; and support of the board of directors and our shareholders. Today, Africa50's shareholders have risen to 37, with 33 countries and 4 institutions. From just one staff (Alain!) when we started 8 years ago, Africa50 now has 100 exceptional staff. It is managing assets of over $1.4 billion. The total value of its portfolio companies is over $ 8 billion. Africa50 is showing creativity and innovation on infrastructure financing. It's Africa Infrastructure Acceleration Fund raised $275 million from over 20 African institutional investors. This is a mark of strong confidence by institutional investors. Africa50 is delighted to be working closely in partnership with Mozambique in areas that complement the work of the African Development Bank, especially in infrastructure, energy and transport. Africa50 is an equity investor in the 175 MW gas-fired power plant, Central Termica de Ressano Garcia (CTRG). Africa50 is finalizing the project development agreement for three transformation lines under an independent power transmission framework. This will be in partnership with Power Grid and Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM). Africa50 is expected to develop a Data Center Facility in Maputo City. I am delighted that our shareholders are here in Maputo to witness the fruits of collaboration and partnerships. Partnerships between the African Development Bank and Mozambique. Partnerships between the African Development Bank and Africa50. And partnerships between Africa50 and Mozambique. Partnerships between the African Development Bank, Africa50 and Africa countries. To close Africa's $170 billion annual infrastructure financing gap, requires that we all continue to build and scale up partnerships. Partnerships with multilateral and bilateral financial institutions. Partnerships with investment banks and private equity funds. Partnerships with institutional investors, from sovereign wealth funds to pension funds and insurance pool of funds. Partnerships between countries to finance cross-national infrastructure, to spur regional integration and advance the African Continental Free Trade Area. Together we are stronger. Together, let us join our hands around the Baobab tree of infrastructure opportunities in Africa. Your Excellency, President Chapo, thank you for stretching out to us your hands of partnership. You can count on the Africa50 and the African Development Bank Group to continue to support your visionary efforts to transform Mozambique. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. My tenure as President of the African Development Bank Group, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Africa50, will end on September 1, 2025. I am proud of all we have achieved together. The High 5s work of the African Development Bank impacted on the lives of 565 million people. The capital of the African Development Bank increased from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion today – the highest in the history of the African Development Bank since its establishment in 1964. The African Development Bank was ranked as the Best Multilateral Financing Institution in the World. The African Development Fund, our concessional financing institution, was ranked as the second-best concessional financing institution in the world, above all 55 concessional financing institutions in the OECD countries. The African Development Bank maintained its AAA global credit ratings for ten years, even in the most difficult economic times of Covid19 pandemic. The African Development Bank was ranked, for the past two consecutive years, as the Most Transparent Financial Institution in the World. The Africa Investment Forum (which we developed together with our partners, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Africa50, Africa Export-Import Bank, Trade and Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Arab Bank for Economic Development) mobilized over $225 billion in investment interest to Africa. Africa50 has become a globally respected infrastructure platform. As Chairman of Africa50, I am confident that Africa50 will continue to grow in the years ahead, because its value proposition is strong. Africa50 will be signing today Memorandums of Understanding with the Government of Mozambique; and also, with the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA). These further reinforce the strong value proposition of Africa50. As Chairman of Africa50, let me assure all our partners. Africa50 is a good investment. Africa50 delivers impactful results. Africa50 delivers value for money. You can never go wrong with investing in Africa50. Thank you all very much for your support and partnership. As I move into a new future, Africa will always be on my mind. Let me assure you, I will not be stepping back. I will be stepping forward in our collective drive to unlock global capital for Africa. And Mozambique will remain dear to my heart. Muito obrigado a todos. Thank you very much. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).


The National
an hour ago
- The National
Israel boasts strikes on Lebanon have breached ceasefire 600 times
Israeli air strikes on Lebanon have breached a ceasefire about 600 times, the head of Israel's army boasted on Thursday. Lt Gen Eyal Zamir visited Israeli troops still operating in Lebanon, where he said about 240 "terrorists" had been killed in strikes that regularly pound the south – and sometimes Beirut – despite the truce with Hezbollah last year. The November ceasefire also called for Israel to withdraw troops from Lebanon but its army maintains five positions in the south. "We are in a multi-arena war, adapting concepts to the threats," said Lt Gen Zamir in remarks published by Israel's military. "We are in all the arenas – launching strikes, all on our own initiative. "The achievements are unprecedented – since the ceasefire understandings, over 240 terrorists have been eliminated and approximately 600 air strikes carried out." He said Israel's operations in Lebanon had created a "new security and physical reality" that later enabled strikes on Iran during a 12-day war in June. Hezbollah did not intervene in that conflict. Israel's war in Lebanon killed thousands of people, left behind an estimated $11 billion of damage and left Hezbollah reeling from the deaths of senior figures, including leader Hassan Nasrallah. After the ceasefire deal was struck, a new Lebanese government took office, which is now pushing ahead with plans to disarm Hezbollah and bring all weapons under state control. Under the proposals, Lebanon's armed forces are to draw up plans this month to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. Hezbollah rejects the proposals as bowing to Israeli and US pressure. Lt Gen Zamir's visit to Lebanon came hours after he approved the "main framework" for Israel's expanded war in Gaza. The general has done little to dispel rumours that he opposed the new offensive behind the scenes and that his objections were overruled by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's security cabinet. His visit came on the day that Iran 's new security council chief Ali Larijani visited Beirut to warn against disarming Hezbollah. He was told, though, by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Lebanon "does not accept anyone interfering in its internal affairs" and regards Tehran's comments on the matter as unhelpful.