Latest news with #Sudanese
Al-Ahram Weekly
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
US' intentions for Sudan - World - Al-Ahram Weekly
Trump has proclaimed his intention to push for a solution to the conflict in Sudan, writes Asmaa Al-Husseini As the Sudanese Civil War persists in its relentless rampage of death, destruction, and immiseration, the Sudanese public are praying for an end to the unrelenting nightmare. 'We're facilitating peace also in places like Sudan, where they have a lot of problems,' US President Donald Trump said during a meeting with several visiting African leaders last week, indicating that Washington might be going to intervene in the Sudanese crisis. But can Washington succeed where others have failed? What form might a US-brokered solution take, and would it endure and deliver peace? These and many other questions are the subject of urgent debate and conjecture in Sudanese political circles. Washington is also determined to elbow out its rivals, especially Russia and China, which have made considerable political and economic inroads in Africa. This is not the first time that the US has announced its intention to resolve the Sudan crisis. Some weeks ago, US Middle East Envoy and Senior Adviser on African Affairs Massad Boulos described the Sudanese situation as 'the largest global humanitarian disaster currently' and that resolving the conflict was a 'top priority' for the US. Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio surprised attendees at the peace agreement signing between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo by saying that the US foreign policy's next destination would be Sudan. In terms of practical steps, it was noticeable that sometime earlier this year Egypt silently replaced the UK on the Sudan Quartet, which also includes the US, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In their recent meeting in Washington, these countries' foreign ministers agreed to intensify efforts to compel the belligerents in Sudan to conclude a humanitarian ceasefire and to work towards a political settlement. Some weeks ago, the US also re-imposed sanctions on Sudan on the grounds that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) had used chemical weapons – a claim Khartoum has vehemently denied. The sanctions halt a large range of US exports, arms sales, and government financing to Sudan. The step has been seen as a purely political move, especially since the US authorities offered no dates, locations, or other concrete proof to substantiate the allegations. While Trump's statement has so far elicited no official comment from either the Sudanese government or the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighting it, it met with diverse reactions from other quarters of Sudanese society. The Sudanese civilian democratic coalition Sumud led by former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok welcomed US plans to facilitate a peaceful settlement in Sudan and praised the positive role the US had played in resolving African crises. Sumud expressed its hope that Washington's intervention would promote diplomatic efforts and help pave the way towards peace and the return to the democratic transformation process, in line with the aspirations of the majority of Sudanese people. In like manner, the National Umma Party (NUP) described Trump's statements as positive, noting that they came at a highly critical moment for Sudan amid the ongoing humanitarian suffering. The party stressed that the perpetuation of the conflict not only cast a dark shadow over the Sudanese economy but also threatened the stability and security of the entire region. The NUP urged the international community to listen to the voices of the Sudanese people and to support their free choices for reaching a comprehensive and lasting political solution that treats the roots of the crisis, ends the cycle of violence and coups, and opens the path to comprehensive national recovery and sustainable development. Any initiative to resolve the crisis must be based on the Sudanese national will backed by international support if it is to reflect Sudanese aspirations for a just and inclusive peace grounded on the principles of justice and accountability and pave the way to a democratic civil state, the NUP said in a statement. Sudanese writer and politician Mahdi Dawoud Al-Khalifa noted how vaguely worded Trump's commitment to peace in Sudan and Libya was. It came with no explicit vision, timeframe, or concrete steps, which led Al-Khalifa to question how serious and sustained Washington's renewed involvement would be. Would Trump be a reliable partner in a genuine Sudanese peace process or would he simply repeat past US mistakes by supporting the military at the expense of civilian forces? Al-Khalifa suspects that the Trump administration's interest in Sudan is less about promoting peace than about geopolitical calculations. 'It reflects a determination to reclaim a footing in the Horn of Africa amid Russian expansion in the Red Sea and Iranian influence in eastern Sudan. Apart from that, Sudan remains effectively absent from Washington's strategic agenda. There are no indications of a serious diplomatic drive along the lines of those involving Niger, Ukraine, or Taiwan,' he said. In Al-Khalifa's view, if Trump's vow to bring peace to Sudan is to have any credibility, Washington must develop a full package of solutions. They would include a security track leading to a ceasefire supported by regional powers and pressure on the external backers of both sides to cease military support for their proxies. The solutions would also include a political track, fully engaging Sudanese civilian forces and not just military forces, and there would be an economic track with its sights set on a concrete comprehensive reconstruction plan. Al-Khalifa is sceptical about the prospects for such solutions. 'Trump tends to support strongmen,' he said. In Sudan's case, where two military forces are butting heads, the Trump administration might find it hard to select just one of the two leaders as the strongman to back. Instead, it might turn to civilian or tribal alternatives as counterweights, he said. Al-Khalifa also noted Trump's image of himself as a deal-maker. This might combine with another well-known Trump trait, leading him to 'push for a peace deal in Sudan if it gives him concrete rewards like a lot of media attention and, maybe, a Nobel Prize,' he added. Babiker Faisal, head of the Sudanese Federalist Unionist Gathering, sees three possible scenarios for a US-led diplomatic drive to end the war in Sudan, which the US would present in a forthcoming ministerial meeting in Washington between the US, Saudi, Egyptian, and Emirati foreign ministers. The first scenario would be face-to-face talks between the leaders of the SAF and RSF aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement and forming a national unity government. Faisal compared this to the South Sudan experience, in which the belligerents first reached a temporary political settlement. Some international actors believe this model is replicable in Sudan. The second scenario would see a ceasefire without a comprehensive political settlement on the Libyan model. Each side would remain in power over the areas under its control, resulting in the emergence of two separate government administrations within a single state. Faisal warned that this scenario would entrench a de facto division and undermine prospects for a sustainable peace. The third scenario, or the 'comprehensive' scenario, as Faisal termed it, would lead to a complete ceasefire followed by a political process involving civilian forces and aiming to address the root causes of the crisis and prevent a backsliding into conflict. Such a scenario would require a broad civilian consensus, effective pressure on both sides and their outside backers, and a formula that balances the interests of all Sudanese stakeholders within a framework that promotes and safeguards the higher national interest. In Faisal's opinion, the US has come to realise that a military solution is unfeasible and that a peaceful political settlement is the only realistic option. The Sudanese actors must come to this realisation. Moreover, they must race to formulate solutions and reach settlements that promote the welfare of the Sudanese people and their country first. If they do not do so, they may find themselves forced to accept external solutions that do not necessarily serve their interests. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CairoScene
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Mario-Georges, Razeen & MOR.LOV Release ‘Nazel'
In their new single 'Nazel', Mario-Georges, Razeen and producer reimagine the Arab world through layered vocals, nostalgia-heavy lyrics and rich sonic storytelling. Jul 17, 2025 Floating between memory, place and migration, 'Nazel' is a collaborative single that brings together three artists whose lives, sounds and stories span continents. Lebanese-French vocalist Mario-Georges, Sudanese artist Razeen, and Berlin-based producer come together to create a track that feels both intimate and expansive, drawing sonic lines between Beirut, Khartoum, Jaffa and Yaafour. With a voice dipped in soul and poetry, Mario leads the track into emotional terrain, his Arabic lyrics calling out across distances and borders that feel both real and imagined. Razeen's verses add depth and resistance, drawing on diasporic duality with his unmistakable delivery. Meanwhile, lays down a textured production that melds piano, ambient pads, and syncopated percussion, making the song feel like a quiet storm. Lyrically, Nazel is a letter to all the places and people we still carry. The refrain 'رح نرجع جيران' (We will be neighbours again) resonates like a hopeful invocation for a scattered generation.
Libyan Express
a day ago
- Libyan Express
Libya disrupts trafficking hub used by Europe-bound migrants
Copy Link Libyan authorities have freed 104 migrants who were being held by a human trafficking network in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, according to a statement issued by the Attorney General's Office on Monday. Five suspects — Libyan, Sudanese, and Egyptian nationals — were arrested during the security operation. They are accused of unlawfully detaining and torturing migrants in order to extort ransom payments from their families. Prosecutors stated that the victims had been subjected to severe physical abuse and inhumane conditions while held in captivity. The suspects remain in pre-trial detention, while investigations continue into dismantling the wider trafficking network and prosecuting those involved in grave violations of human rights. Libya as a transit hub: crossings surge in 2025 Libya remains one of the principal departure points for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The country's ongoing instability, porous borders, and presence of armed groups have made it a stronghold for smuggling and trafficking networks. According to the latest figures: Approximately 28,000 migrants have reached Italy from Libya in the first half of 2025 — nearly double the number recorded during the same period last year. The Central Mediterranean route recorded around 29,300 irregular crossings between January and June 2025, representing a 12% increase year-on-year. While total irregular entries into the European Union have declined by 20% (to 75,900), the Central Mediterranean now accounts for nearly 40% of all arrivals — making it the busiest and most dangerous route into Europe. As of May, at least 846 people have died or gone missing attempting the sea crossing in 2025, according to IOM data — highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Origin countries and shifting migration routes Recent data also reveal that a significant proportion of migrants arriving via the Western Mediterranean route (primarily into Spain) originate from West Africa. The most common nationalities include: Mali – 47.9% Morocco – 16.5% Somalia – 13.5% These migration flows reflect broader patterns driven by armed conflict, political instability, and economic hardship across the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa. European response and Libya's role The surge in crossings has prompted the European Union to intensify pressure on Libyan authorities to crack down on trafficking networks and enhance border control mechanisms. In parallel, the EU continues to support naval missions such as EUNAVFOR MED Irini, which is tasked with intercepting arms smuggling and monitoring violations of the UN arms embargo on Libya — but also plays a growing role in monitoring irregular migration routes. While the EU's focus remains on strengthening border security and curbing smuggling, humanitarian organisations have raised concerns about conditions faced by migrants intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, where many face detention, abuse, or further exploitation. Efforts are ongoing to strike a balance between security cooperation and protection of migrant rights — a complex and urgent challenge as migration pressure on southern European states continues to grow.
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Survivors bury dead after RSF attack devastates Sudan village
PORT SUDAN - It took a full day for the villagers of Shaq al-Nom, in Sudan's North Kordofan state, to bury their dead after an attack by paramilitary fighters that left the village in ruins, a survivor told AFP on Tuesday. The Saturday attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) -- the paramilitary force at war with the regular army since April 2023 -- was part of a series of raids in recent days on villages in North Kordofan, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) southwest of the capital Khartoum. "On Sunday, we collected the bodies from the village streets and inside the houses, and we buried 200 bodies," Saleh Abdel Rahim, 34, told AFP. The Emergency Lawyers, a group that documents atrocities by both sides in the war, reported on Monday that nearly 300 people were killed in North Kordofan villages between Saturday and Sunday. Tolls are nearly impossible to independently verify in Sudan, with many medical facilities forced out of service and limited media access. "It was indescribable," Abdel Rahim said, using a pseudonym for fear of retaliation because he had fled to an area close to RSF positions. "Under artillery shelling, houses burned with their families inside," he told AFP via satellite internet connection to circumvent a communications blackout. Since it began, the war has killed tens of thousands and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises, with 14 million Sudanese currently displaced inside the country and across borders. The Emergency Lawyers reported on Monday that paramilitaries had killed women and children, abducted civilians and looted livestock in the villages surrounding the RSF-controlled city of Bara. In Shaq al-Nom, "RSF vehicles arrived in the village, in an attempt to storm it" on Saturday under a hail of machine gun fire and drone strikes, according to Abdel Rahim. "We had no choice but to resist in defence," he said, adding that "all of the villagers of the Bara countryside have fled". The area is home to several armed tribes that have refused to pledge allegiance to the RSF. North Kordofan, key to the RSF's fuel smuggling route via Libya, has been an important battleground between the army and the paramilitaries for months. The RSF has tried to encircle the North Kordofan state capital of El-Obeid -- the only road link between Khartoum and the vast western region of Darfur, which the RSF has all but conquered. It has been unable, however, to seize the North Darfur state capital of El-Fasher despite an ongoing siege for more than a year. Sudanese analyst Kholood Khair told AFP that "they want to consolidate that road that links El-Fasher to El-Obeid and other parts of Kordofan, so effectively they're in a race against time to consolidate in the west before the rains come". Sudan's rainy season, which peaks in August, renders much of the country's roads inaccessible, making it impossible for either side to capture territory until the floods start clearing in September.
Libya Observer
2 days ago
- Libya Observer
Over 100 migrants freed from trafficking ring in Ajdabiya
Libyan authorities have freed 104 migrant from a human trafficking network operating in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, the Attorney General's Office announced on Monday. Security forces arrested five suspects—identified as Libyan, Sudanese, and Egyptian nationals—accused of illegally detaining and torturing migrants to extort ransom payments from their families. Investigations revealed that the victims were subjected to severe abuse and inhumane treatment while being held against their will. The suspects are currently in pretrial detention, and prosecutors say efforts are ongoing to dismantle the wider trafficking network and pursue those involved in human rights violations. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, with traffickers often exploiting the country's instability to operate with impunity. Tags: human trafficking
