Africa
Sudan Crisis: Heavy fighting in Khartoum continues unabated, 16 days after
Sudan Crisis: Heavy fighting in Khartoum continues unabated, 16 days after
May 1, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Clashes persisted on Monday between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) despite their commitment to a 72-hour humanitarian truce that started on Sunday night.
The military confrontation, which has been ongoing for 16 days, has spread to various areas of the Sudanese capital where heavy weapons, warplanes, and anti-aircraft guns have been used, resulting in significant casualties and damage to military and civilian structures.
Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North (Bahri) have witnessed an intense flight of warplanes since the early hours of the morning, targeting RSF sites, which responded with anti-aircraft guns. This has caused extreme panic for residents living in the crosshairs of the clashes.
The Sudanese army air force carried out raids on the locations of the paramilitary forces in the three towns.
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Witnesses who spoke with the “Sudan Tribune” reported that warplanes had bombed an RSF site in the Kafouri area in northern Khartoum, as well as a convoy in Al-Inqaz Street in Bahri, along with RSF positions near the presidential palace, south of Khartoum, and near the radio and television buildings in Omdurman.
Sharq al-Nil Hospital in eastern Khartoum was also bombed.
On Sunday, the army stated that the Rapid Support Forces had taken over East Nile Hospital and transformed it into a military base and an operational centre after evacuating patients.
The army spokesman released a statement on Monday indicating that the army had decreased the RSF’s combat capabilities by 45-55% during the 15 days of fighting.
The statement also said that the militia forces before the clashes have mobilized 27,135 fighters, 39,490 recruits, 1,950 combat vehicles, 104 armoured personnel carriers, and 171 double-cab box vehicles armed with machine guns.
For their part, the Rapid Support Forces accused the army of bombing their medical department’s headquarters in Shambat, north of Khartoum, killing wounded people who were receiving treatment at the site.
The group also accused “coup plotters” of utilizing the military hospital in Omdurman as a platform for artillery shelling towards the RSF’ medical department headquarters in Shambat.
In an interview with Asharq TV on Monday, the RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo disclosed that some 480 Sudanese army officers who were on secondment to the RSF have rejoined the army. Some of them took the new recruits and forces under their command with them.
The United Nations cautioned on Monday that ongoing clashes between opposing military factions in the capital of Sudan may result in the displacement of up to 800,000 people from the country.
ST)
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). Sudan Tribune
Africa
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted “in very strong terms” allegations that it is plotting to destabilise neighbouring Niger Republic.
The Nigerien authorities alleged that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on December 13, 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.
However, Nigeria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday signed by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, refuted the allegation.
“The Government of Nigeria condoles with the Government of Niger over the unfortunate attack on the oil pipeline, but informs that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities.
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“The Government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria also expresses very serious concern and states categorically that there are no French military troops in the northern part of the country preparing to destabilize the Government of Niger.
“These allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety,” the Statement read in part.
It also noted that the relationship between Nigeria and France had always been cordial, saying it is guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
The government of Nigeria assured that it would continue to explore all peaceful means to maintain its cordial relationship with the Republic of Niger for the benefit of the people of both countries.
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
Africa
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Two men were detained in Zambia on charges of being “witchdoctors” tasked with attempting to bewitch the president.
The police stated they had arrested Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri in Lusaka.
“Their purported mission was to use charms to harm” President Hakainde Hichilema, according to the police statement issued on Friday.
Many individuals in the southern African country believe in and dread witches.
The police stated Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri were hired by Nelson Banda, MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda’s younger brother.
The MP was reportedly arrested last month in nearby Zimbabwe on robbery allegations, which he denies, but he has not been seen in public since.
He is also accused of escaping from detention in August while waiting to appear in court.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), led by z, has previously claimed that the charges are politically motivated.
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Emmanuel Banda, who has been an independent MP since 2021, previously worked with Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hichilema that same year.
The police stated the MP’s younger brother, Nelson, was “currently on the run” in their statement.
Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri face charges under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act for “possession of charms,” “professing knowledge of witchcraft,” and “cruelty to wild animals.”
The pair was found with “assorted charms,” including a live chameleon, according to the authorities.
According to the police statement, they claimed they had been given more than 2 million Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for their “mission.”
The accused are in jail and will appear in court “soon,” according to the police, although no specific date has been set for the hearing. They have not yet responded in public to the charges.
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Africa
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