Latest news with #KamilIdris
Jordan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Sudan army pushes to oust RSF from capital outskirts
A Sudanese boy looks on as a woman walks past a damaged building in Khartoum's twin-city Omdurman on Tuesday (AFP photo) KHARTOUM — Clashes erupted on Tuesday in the outskirts of Sudan's capital as the army launched a "large-scale" offensive to dislodge the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces from its last positions in the area. Explosions were heard in eastern Omdurman, an AFP correspondent reported, where the RSF still hold some positions after losing control of the capital, Khartoum. The army said it began the push on Monday to retake the holdouts, where health authorities reported a deadly cholera outbreak. "We are pressing a large-scale operation and we are close to clearing the whole of Khartoum state from the dirty thugs," said army spokesman Nabil Abdallah. The war, which began in April 2023, pits the military, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the RSF, commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The latest violence comes as both sides seek to install rival governments. On Monday, Burhan named former UN official Kamil Idris as prime minister, in what analysts see as an attempt to present a functioning civilian-led administration amid the ongoing war. The African Union welcomed the appointment, calling it "a step toward inclusive governance" and expressing hope the move would "restore constitutional order and democratic governance". Burhan also appointed two women as members of the ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council and stripped the body of powers to oversee the cabinet. The moves were aimed at showing progress and appealing to the African Union after Sudan's membership was suspended in 2021, said analyst Kholood Khair. Burhan wants to "maintain power but share liability... because everything is now blamed on him", as he seeks to consolidate control as he was still reeling from attacks on his wartime capital, Port Sudan, Khair said. In April, the RSF said it would form its own government in territory under its control, though analysts say it is unlikely to win international backing. 'Lives at risk' After a major battlefield victory in March, when the army recaptured most of Khartoum, the RSF this month launched deep attacks into army-held territory. Long-range drone strikes blamed on the paramilitaries have targeted key infrastructure in army-held northeastern Sudan, including the wartime capital Port Sudan and power stations supplying electricity to millions. Relegated to their last major bases in Salha, south of Omdurman, and Ombada to the west, the RSF has launched attacks across Khartoum, including drone strikes on three power stations that knocked out electricity in the capital last week. Medical charity Doctors Withour Borders [MSF] reported the local water network had been forced out of service, risking the spread of cholera in the city as residents "will turn to different water sources". Health ministry officials reported Tuesday 51 people have died from more than 2,300 cases reported in the past three weeks, 90 per cent of them in Khartoum state. MSF on Sunday said the electricity blackout had disrupted healthcare at the city's major hospitals, amid fears of heightened civilian suffering. "The recurrent attacks on critical infrastructure place civilian lives at risk, worsen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine basic human rights," UN human rights expert Radhouane Nouicer warned on Monday. Since it began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands, uprooted 13 million and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. It has also effectively carved Africa's third-largest country in two, with the army holding the centre, north and east while the RSF controls nearly all of the vast western region of Darfur and, with its allies, parts of the south.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Army, paramilitaries clash near Sudan capital
KHARTOUM: Clashes erupted on Tuesday between the Sudanese regular army and rival paramilitaries in Omdurman, Khartoum's twin city, with the army calling the fighting part of a "large-scale" offensive. An AFP correspondent at the scene said explosions rang out in the area, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had retreated after losing control of the Sudanese capital in March. The army said its operation which began on Monday was aimed at driving the paramilitaries from their last positions in Khartoum state. "We are pressing a large-scale operation and we are close to clearing the whole of Khartoum state from dirty thugs," military spokesman Nabil Abdallah said in a statement. The war since April 2023 has pitted the army headed by Sudan's de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF under his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The fighting comes as both the army and the RSF are attempting to establish their own governments. On Monday, army chief Burhan has tapped a former United Nations official, Kamil Idris, as a new prime minister -- a move seen by analysts as an attempt to gain international recognition and present a functioning civilian-led government amid the ongoing war. The African Union on Tuesday welcomed the appointment, calling it "a step toward inclusive governance" and expressing hope that the move will "restore constitutional order and democratic governance in Sudan". The RSF announced in April it would form a rival administration, a few weeks after signing a charter in Kenya with a coalition of military and political allies. In recent weeks, the RSF has staged multiple drone attacks on areas around the country, including Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, the seat of the army-aligned government since the war began. Omdurman, which is situated just across the River Nile from Khartoum, has been a focal point of fighting in recent days. This week, a days-long electricity blackout hit the whole Khartoum state, following drone strikes blamed on the RSF on three power stations in Omdurman. Medical charity Doctors without Borders (MSF) said on Sunday that the power outages had disrupted health services at the city's major hospitals. "The magnitude of these drone attacks represents a major escalation in the conflict, with alarming implications for civilian protection," the UN's human rights expert on Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, said in a statement on Monday. "The recurrent attacks on critical infrastructure place civilian lives at risk, worsen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine basic human rights." The army has meanwhile launched attacks in areas controlled by the RSF in the country's south, trying to claim territory and cut off rival supply lines. The Emergency Lawyers, a monitoring group which has documented atrocities on both sides, on Sunday accused the army of killing 18 civilians, including four children, in an attack on Al-Hamadi village in South Kordofan state last week. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced 13 million and sparked what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The conflict has carved up Sudan, with the army controlling the north, east, and centre, while the RSF dominates nearly all of Darfur and parts of the south.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Kamil al-Taib Idris? Sudan Army appoints new prime minister after 2 years of civil war
After two years of civil war, the Sudanese army has announced a new prime minister. Army chief and de facto head of state Abdel Fattah al-Burhan named former UN official Kamil al-Taib Idris as the next prime minister. This announcement comes nearly a month after the Sudanese army regained Khartoum as the war entered its third year. "The chairman of the sovereignty council issued a constitutional decree appointing Kamil El-Tayeb Idris Abdelhafiz as prime minister,' read a statement issued by Sudan's ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council on Monday. With this, Kamil Idris will be the first prime minister of Sudan following the 2021 coup in which the government was ousted by the army. Ahead of Idris' appointment as PM, army chief Burhan also re-appointed Salma Abdel Jabbar Almubarak and Nowara Abo Mohamed Mohamed Tahir to the ruling sovereign council. As per AP, Kamil Idris, who is now expected to take over as the next prime minister of Sudan, is a career diplomat. Based on a report by the Sudan Tribune, the new PM spent decades working with the UN World Intellectual Property Organisation and also served as its director general from 1997 to 2008. Apart from this, Idris has also held various roles as the Sudanese foreign affairs minister and served as Khartoum's permanent representative to the United Nations. The former diplomat also contested as an independent candidate in Sudan's presidential elections in 2010 against Omar al-Bashir. With the announcement of the new prime minister by the Sudanese army, the rebel group of Rapid Support Forces have also announced their administration. The paramilitary group, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, announced the formation of a rival administration after signing a charter with allies in Kenya. Based on the charter signed in Nairobi, the RSF and its allies call for a "secular, democratic and decentralised state." The Sudanese Army and RSF have been locked in a conflict for the past three years as they vie for control over the nation. With 20,000 people killed and nearly 13 million forced to flee their homes, Sudan continues to plunge deeper into a humanitarian crisis as the war continues. As of 2025, the Sudanese army holds areas in central, eastern and northern parts of Sudan. The RSF continues to hold most of the western regions of Darfur and areas in the south with its allies.
Al Bawaba
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Sudan appoints Kamil Idris as new PM after years of leadership vacuum
Published May 19th, 2025 - 06:16 GMT An accomplished academic, Idris has held teaching positions in international law, jurisprudence, and philosophy at institutions including Cairo University, Ohio University, Khartoum University, and Beijing University ALBAWABA- Sudan's Sovereignty Council has appointed veteran diplomat and legal scholar Dr. Kamil Al-Tayeb Idris as the country's new Prime Minister, marking the first such appointment since the resignation of Abdullah Hamdouk in 2021. Also Read Khartoum announces putting out Port Sudan fire The announcement was made by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, as Sudan grapples with ongoing political turmoil and conflict. ⭕️ رئيس مجلس السيادة يصدر مرسوماً دستورياً يقضي بتعيين د.كامل الطيب إدريس عبدالحفيظ رئيسا لمجلس الوزراء بورتسودان ١٩-٥-٢٠٢٥م — مجلس السيادة الإنتقالي - السودان (@TSC_SUDAN) May 19, 2025 Idris's appointment signals a potential shift toward institutional leadership after years of military-dominated governance and stalled civilian transitions. Dr. Idris brings a distinguished international and academic background to the role. He previously served as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and as Secretary General of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). He was also a member of the United Nations International Law Commission. An accomplished academic, Idris has held teaching positions in international law, jurisprudence, and philosophy at institutions including Cairo University, Ohio University, Khartoum University, and Beijing University, where he was named an honorary professor of law. His appointment comes at a critical time as Sudan faces not only political fragmentation but also widespread humanitarian and security crises. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Jazeera
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Sudan's army leader al-Burhan appoints former UN official as prime minister
Sudan's army chief and de facto head of state, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has appointed former United Nations official Kamil Idris as prime minister as part of changes to his sovereign council as the nation's civil war grinds on into its third year. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, critical infrastructure has been destroyed and more than 12 million people have been displaced as a result of the war, which shows no signs of stopping as vying leaders seek to consolidate their power. 'The chairman of the sovereignty council issued a constitutional decree appointing Kamil El-Tayeb Idris Abdelhafiz as prime minister,' a statement from Sudan's ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council read on Monday. Idris, a career diplomat, spent decades at the UN's World Intellectual Property Organisation and was its director general from 1997 to 2008. He also held various roles in Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and used to serve in the country's permanent mission to the UN. Idris, whose higher education was in international law and international affairs, also ran as an independent candidate in Sudan's presidential election in 2010 against longtime military ruler Omar al-Bashir, who was later ousted in a 2019 coup. The new prime minister replaces veteran diplomat Dafallah al-Haj Ali, who was appointed by al-Burhan less than a month ago as acting premier. On Monday, al-Burhan also added two women to the council. The military leader reappointed Salma Abdel Jabbar Almubarak and named Nowara Abo Mohamed Mohamed Tahir to the governing body. The al-Burhan-led military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, have been at war for more than two years after the two generals failed to agree on a plan to integrate their forces. As al-Burhan tried to form an army-led government, Dagalo also announced the formation of a rival administration last month, shortly after signing a charter with allies in Kenya's Nairobi. The army, which holds areas in the central, eastern and northern parts of Sudan, has managed to claim some military victories in recent months, including taking control of the capital, Khartoum. The RSF, which holds most of the western region of Darfur and some areas in the south with its allied militias, has been striking Port Sudan repeatedly this month to devastating effect. Meanwhile, a worsening humanitarian crisis continues to engulf Sudan. International organisations and some countries have warned of the risks of further escalating the conflict, including in cities like el-Fasher in Darfur that have served as humanitarian aid hubs.
