War in Sudan ‘one of the ugliest’ - UN official – Newstrends
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War in Sudan ‘one of the ugliest’ – UN official

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War in Sudan ‘one of the ugliest’ – UN official

NEW YORK CITY: A UN official on Friday described the situation in war-torn Sudan as “one of the ugliest” she has ever witnessed, with more than 26 million people facing acute hunger and millions of displaced women and girls deprived of their most essential needs.

Speaking after a visit to the country, Laila Baker, the Arab States regional director at the UN Population Fund, said: “We all know that war is ugly but this is one of the ugliest situations that I have ever witnessed in my entire life, certainly in my professional one.”

After 500 “devastating days” of conflict, Baker painted a dire picture of thousands of displaced women packed into a crowded shelter.

“They have no clean water, no hygiene, not enough food for their next meal, no medical care,” she said.

The UN said in August famine conditions were officially confirmed in the Zamzam camp for displaced persons, located close to El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where one child is dying every two hours from malnutrition. Famine is probably also present in several other camps for displaced people in and around the city, the organization said.

War has been raging in the country for more than a year between rival factions of its military government: the Sudanese Armed Forces, under Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.

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More than 19,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in April 2023. The war has also created the worst displacement crisis in the world, as more than 10 million have fled their homes to other parts of the country or neighboring nations.

Baker choked back tears as she recounted the “horrendous” story of a 20-year old woman named Sana who was raped and has been suffering in silence for 15 months, when “she should be at the prime of her vibrancy and life.”

Speaking from Amman in Jordan, Baker said the UN is attempting to help deal with needs in Sudan that are “far greater than what the international community can cope with.”

She added: “But what pains me the most is that in a country that once was the breadbasket of the entire continent, producing wheat that they could distribute across Africa, half of the population — slightly over half of the population, 26 million people strong — are now facing famine.

“Of the 600,000 pregnant women, 18,000 are likely to die as a result of that famine. They don’t know where their next meal is going to come from.

“Let me be clear: This is a war on all of the civilians. It’s not just the women and girls but if you take the complications of conflict — loss, both material and human; the devastation of being displaced; losing your loved ones; and where there is widespread sexual violence — you can understand that we are very concerned at (the Population Fund) about the consequences, both immediate and long-term, on the women and girls of Sudan.”

Aid workers continue to face harassment, attacks and even death, aid convoys delivering food, medicine and fuel have been looted, and humanitarian access continues to be obstructed. A recent escalation of fighting in Sennar has caused further blocking of the southern route that was the main cross-lines option for UN deliveries of humanitarian aid from Port Sudan to Kordofan and Darfur.

The UN has been calling for speedy approvals and security assurances so that its workers can deliver life-saving supplies, including essential medicines, nutritional aid, water-purification tablets and soap, from Port Sudan to Zamzam and other areas in need.

Baker again emphasized the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access in a country where only one-in-four medical facilities are still functioning, 80 percent of the healthcare system has been damaged or destroyed, and where large areas of the country, especially in the west, are completely unsafe for humanitarian work.

Asked by Arab News what message she would send to the leaders of the warring factions, Baker said: “I would say to the generals, and everyone else who’s involved in this conflict and who can bring hostilities to a halt: the sooner, the better for everyone involved. Let peace flourish. Let it have a chance.

“The conflict is driving a stake into the heart of Sudan. No one prospers under this situation, least of all the women and girls.”

War in Sudan ‘one of the ugliest’ – UN official

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Niger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria

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General Abdourahamane Tiani

Niger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria

Niger’s President Abdourahmane Tchiani is facing a backlash of criticism from his fellow countrymen following his recent allegation of a conspiracy by Nigeria against his country.

Tchiani in a Christmas Day interview claimed, among other things, that Nigeria had provided a base for French soldiers near Lake Chad had established training camps for terrorists in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states, all aimed at destabilising Niger.

The Federal Government has dismissed the allegations as baseless, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, being the latest government official to debunk the claims.

Many Nigerien citizens reacting on social media to Tchiani’s claims against Nigeria say there is no credibility whatsoever in the allegations.

Some of them are of the view that the Nigerien leader was only looking for an excuse to hang his failure in office on after 17months of ousting his predecessor, Mohamed Bazoum, in a palace coup.

One Nigerien critic even alleged that loyalists of the Niamey military regime are under instruction to spread falsehood that France in collaboration with Nigeria and other neighbouring countries plans to invade Niger.

A Nigerien commentator, Maidalili Namu, spoke of alleged frustration of the Tchiani regime to stabilise the country as they promised to do after deposing Bazoum.

Namu claimed on Muduba Mugani podcast that the country is being ruined by those he branded 16 generals.

“You have been in power for 17 months, confined to the villa and fed with false information that clouds your judgment,” PR Nigeria quoted Namu as saying of Tchiani in a video recording.

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Namu also accused the Nigerien strongman of fostering animosity both regionally and internationally, sowing seeds of discord with Niger’s neighbors and other nations.

He said: “When it was announced that you would address the nation at 8 pm on December 25, 2024, in Hausa, Zabarma and French, the prevailing rumour was that your speech would lack originality, filled only with the usual condemnation of France, ECOWAS, Nigeria and others as our adversaries.

 “Some even wagered that they would give goats or cash if you didn’t mention France in your address.

“Nigeriens are fed up with your repetitive statements that yield no progress.

“What is most frustrating is that you vindicated their predictions. Some even began to tally how many times you mentioned France, Nigeria and ECOWAS, suggesting they are conspiring to destabilise Niger.

“You have accused numerous countries, both within and outside Africa, of undermining Niger, leading some to question your mental fitness for leadership.

“Your diplomatic failures are evident. You have insulted numerous leaders from various countries, implicating at least 20 nations in a conspiracy against Niger, many of whom we have no direct relations with.

“The real issues affecting Nigeriens—economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, fuel scarcity and the rising cost of living—were overlooked.

 “Instead, we heard the same old narrative of external threats and unfounded claims of terrorist camps supervised by the French.

“You asserted that camps have been established for training terrorists in Burkina Faso and Niger—concluding that by the end of 2024, at least 400 terrorists will be trained under French supervision.

“If you possess accurate information about these camps, why do you not coordinate efforts to dismantle them instead of using this information merely as a talking point?

“You must recognise that none of the leaders you’ve insulted have retaliated; you have disparaged leaders from countries like Tanzania, Mauritania, Chad and others. If your assertions hold any truth, how can we possibly survive more than 24 hours amidst the threats you mention?

Niger’s president faces fire at home over attack on Nigeria

THE NATION

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South African woman shot dead by her police officer boyfriend on Christmas Day

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South African woman shot dead by her police officer boyfriend on Christmas Day
A 22-year-old woman, Chesnay Patricia Keppler, was shot d3ad by her police officer boyfriend, Mandla Goodman Buthelezi in South Africa.
Chesnay who worked as a Crime Prevention Warden, was k!lled on Christmas Day, 25 December 2024 in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg.
It is reported that the boyfriend visited Chesnay at her home. When she refused to leave with him, he allegedly started abusing her, trying to force her into a vehicle.
Her friends intervened, allowing Chesnay to run to the house and lock herself inside.
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The boyfriend then allegedly went to his police vehicle to retrieve his firearm, returned to the house, and fired multiple shots through the kitchen window, hitting Chesnay.
He fled the scene afterwards but was arrested.
Chesnay was rushed to the hospital but was tragically declared d3ad on arrival.
It is alleged that the boyfriend had been abusive to Chesnay before this horrific incident.

South African woman shot dead by her police officer boyfriend on Christmas Day

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ECOWAS refutes claims linking Nigeria to terrorism sponsorship

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ECOWAS refutes claims linking Nigeria to terrorism sponsorship

The Economic Community of West African States has expressed concern over allegations directed at Nigeria and other member states, accusing them of sponsoring terrorism.

The commission in a statement on Thursday rejected the claims, describing them as unfounded and contrary to Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to regional peace and security.

It highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in the Multinational Joint Task Force, which had achieved significant successes in combating terrorism and maintaining stability in the West African region.

It stressed that Nigeria’s contributions extended beyond the subregion, underscoring the country’s role as a pillar of peace on the African continent.

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ECOWAS refuted any suggestion that Nigeria, known for its generosity and dedication to stability, could be linked to terrorism sponsorship.

The commission urged all states in the region to prioritize dialogue and cooperation, calling for an end to baseless accusations that could undermine unity and peace efforts.

“The commission stands firmly with Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states against allegations that they are sponsoring terrorism.

“For years, Nigeria has supported the peace and security of several countries not only in the West African subregion but also on the African continent.

“ECOWAS therefore refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state-sponsor of terrorism.

“ECOWAS calls on all states in the region to promote dialogue and stability and refrain from making accusations that are not supported by any evidence,” the statement read.

 

ECOWAS refutes claims linking Nigeria to terrorism sponsorship

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