Africa

Clashes resume in Sudan As 24-hour ceasefire ends

Published

11 months ago

June 11, 2023

Clashes resume in Sudan As 24-hour ceasefire ends

Shelling and gunfire resumed Sunday in the Sudanese capital, witnesses said, after the end of a 24-hour ceasefire that had given civilians rare respite from nearly two months of war.

Deadly fighting has raged in the northeast African country since mid-April, when army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), turned on each other.

The latest in a series of ceasefire agreements enabled civilians trapped in the capital Khartoum to venture outside and stock up on food and other essential supplies.

But only 10 minutes after it ended at 6:00 am (0400 GMT) on Sunday the capital was rocked again by shelling and clashes, witnesses told AFP.

Heavy artillery fire was heard in Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman to the north, and fighting also erupted on Al-Hawa Street, a major artery in the south of the capital, they said.

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Multiple truces have been agreed and broken, including even after the United States had slapped sanctions on both rival generals after the previous attempt collapsed at the end of May.

Both Burhan and Daglo amassed considerable wealth during the rule of longtime Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir, whose government was subjected to decades of international sanctions before his overthrow in 2019.

The 24-hour ceasefire that ended on Sunday morning had been announced by US and Saudi mediators who warned that if it failed they may break off mediation efforts.

The fighting has gripped Khartoum and the western region of Darfur, killing upwards of 1,800 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

Nearly two million people have been displaced, including 476,000 who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, the United Nations says.

Over 200,000 have entered Egypt, mostly by land.

But Cairo on Saturday announced it was toughening requirements for those Sudanese who had previously been exempted from visas – women of all ages, children under 16 and anyone over 50.

Egypt said the new requirements were not designed to “prevent or limit” the entry of Sudanese people, but rather to stop “illegal activities by individuals and groups on the Sudanese side of the border, who forged entry visas” for profit.

Clashes resume in Sudan As 24-hour ceasefire ends

Africa

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

Published

5 days ago

April 23, 2024

Trends Admin

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

Ten people have died after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.

One of the choppers clipped the rotor of the other before the two crashed into the ground, footage published on local media show.

The incident took place at 09:30 local time (02:30 BST) in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a navy base.

There are no known survivors.

“All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification,” said the Royal Malaysian Navy.

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It added that it will form a committee to investigate the cause of the incident.

One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 with seven people on board, is believed to have crashed onto a running track.

The other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying the other three victims, crashed into a swimming pool nearby.

The state’s fire and rescue department said it was alerted to the incident at 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT).

In March, a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed into the sea off Malaysia’s Angsa Island during a training flight.

The pilot, co-pilot and two passengers on board were found and rescued by fishermen.

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

BBC

Africa

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

Published

4 weeks ago

March 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Bassirou Faye

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

The League of African Ambassadors, a coalition of African diplomats, extends its heartfelt congratulations to Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his historic election as the President-elect of the Republic of Senegal.

In a statement released today and signed by the President of the group, Amb. Nwannebuike Eze Ominyi, the League heralded Faye’s triumph as a significant milestone for democracy not only in West Africa but across the entire continent.

Faye’s victory underscores the resilience of democratic values and processes in Senegal.

Ominyi emphasized the transformative nature of Faye’s ascent to power, characterizing it as a generational shift in Senegal’s political landscape. He urged Faye to swiftly address the pressing social and economic challenges confronting the nation, underscoring the importance of prioritizing the well-being of Senegal’s citizens.

Faye’s remarkable victory comes a mere 10 days after his release from prison, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to democratic principles. Despite facing formidable obstacles, Faye’s courage, determination, and unwavering dedication to the democratic cause propelled him to triumph.

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The League lauded Faye’s tireless efforts to deepen democracy in Senegal and his ability to unite diverse segments of society. His extensive political experience and commitment to national development have garnered widespread support, particularly among the country’s youth.

“Faye’s years of political activism and democratic advocacy have earned him the trust and admiration of the Senegalese people,” Ominyi remarked. “His leadership will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of inspiration for other African leaders, guiding them towards inclusive governance and sustainable development.”

As Senegal charts a course towards economic recovery and political stability, Faye’s leadership promises to set a precedent for excellence and progress. The League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners stands ready to support President-elect Bassirou Faye in his efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive Senegal.

About the League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners:

The League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners is a prominent non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting democracy, peace, and development across the African continent. Comprising distinguished diplomats and leaders, the League advocates for inclusive governance and socioeconomic progress in Africa.

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

Africa

How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty

Published

1 month ago

March 28, 2024

Trends Admin

How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty

Mali’s army has killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged between two and 17, in drone strikes in the north of the country, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

One man told the London-based rights group he had lost his wife and six of his children in the night-time air raid on the area of Amasrakad on March 17.

The army had described the two strikes as “having contributed to neutralising many terrorists”, Amnesty said, but that claim was refuted by the accounts of seven survivors and witnesses.

A first strike hit a pick-up truck, then a second struck a makeshift shelter where residents had sought refuge, killing nine people instantly, Amnesty said.

Three more people died of their wounds and a woman discovered later that her unborn foetus had died.

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“It is unconscionable that whole families could be killed by drone strikes, without any accountability or justice,” said Amnesty’s Samira Daoud.

“Authorities in Mali must ensure an effective and independent investigation into the killings of these civilians.”

Mali has since 2012 been ravaged by different jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as by self-declared self-defence forces and bandits.

The country has been under military rule since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the security situation compounded by a profound humanitarian and political crisis.

Amnesty says the army has intensified military operations against Al-Qaeda, IS and former rebel groups since mid-2023, regularly conducting drone strikes.

It said an increase in military operations in the regions of Kidal and Gao over the last few months had pushed many people to flee to Amasrakad.