Hemedti: We Want Establishment of a Unified Professional Sudanese Army

Smoke billows in the distance north of the Khartoum Bahri district on July 17, 2023, as fighting continues in war-torn Sudan. (AFP)
Smoke billows in the distance north of the Khartoum Bahri district on July 17, 2023, as fighting continues in war-torn Sudan. (AFP)
TT

Hemedti: We Want Establishment of a Unified Professional Sudanese Army

Smoke billows in the distance north of the Khartoum Bahri district on July 17, 2023, as fighting continues in war-torn Sudan. (AFP)
Smoke billows in the distance north of the Khartoum Bahri district on July 17, 2023, as fighting continues in war-torn Sudan. (AFP)

Commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Monday the war in his country, which erupted in mid-April, has compounded the suffering of the people, mainly in Khartoum and Darfur.

“We are working hard at home and abroad to mitigate it as much as possible,” said General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, in an audio statement.

“Our commitment to the principles of the glorious revolution and the establishment of democratic civil rule and the building of a new military institution and one professional army is not a tactic or a maneuver,” he stressed.

“Peace and stability in Sudan have always been and still are our choice... Yet, we are prepared for war and ready to sacrifice ourselves to ensure a decent life for our people,” he declared.

Moreover, he stated that there can be no going back to the era of extremism, terrorism and hostility with Sudan’s regional and international surroundings that led to the country’s isolation and ensuing political and economic blockade against it.

Separately, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received on Monday a phone call from his Norwegian counterpart Anniken Huitfeldt to discuss the latest developments in Sudan.

The officials stressed their countries’ determination to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, said Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesperson of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Huitfeldt praised Egypt's initiative to hold a summit for Sudan’s neighbors last week that was aimed at finding ways to resolve the conflict.

For his part, Shoukry highlighted Egypt’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in Sudan since the eruption of the crisis.

The gatherers at the summit had underscored respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.

They stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to end the fighting.



World Leaders React to Lebanon War Ceasefire

US President Joe Biden welcomed as "good news" the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. SAUL LOEB / AFP
US President Joe Biden welcomed as "good news" the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. SAUL LOEB / AFP
TT

World Leaders React to Lebanon War Ceasefire

US President Joe Biden welcomed as "good news" the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. SAUL LOEB / AFP
US President Joe Biden welcomed as "good news" the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. SAUL LOEB / AFP

World leaders have welcomed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which came into force on Wednesday morning (0200 GMT).
Here are key reactions from around the world.
United States and France
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will protect Israel from the threat of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and create the conditions for a "lasting calm", US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said ahead of the truce coming into force.
"The announcement today will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon," the leaders said in a joint statement.
The United States and France will work "to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented" and lead international efforts for "capacity-building" of the Lebanese army, they added.
Biden welcomed the deal as "good news" and also said the United States would lead a fresh effort to secure a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Macron said the Lebanon ceasefire should "open the path" for an ending to the war in Gaza.
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Biden for his "involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement".
He told Biden in a call that he appreciated the US leader's "understanding that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it", according to Netanyahu's office.
Ahead of Israel's approval of the deal, Netanyahu said the "length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon" and the truce would allow Israel to "intensify" pressure on Hamas and focus on the "Iranian threat".
Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the ceasefire was a "fundamental step" towards restoring stability in the region.
Thanking France and the United States for their involvement, Mikati also reiterated his government's commitment to "strengthen the army's presence in the south".
Iran
Iran, a backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, welcomed the end of Israel's "aggression" in Lebanon, after the ceasefire came into force.
"Welcoming the news" of the end of Israel's "aggression against Lebanon", foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement, stressing Iran's "firm support for the Lebanese government, nation and resistance".
Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the deal, hailing it as "a ray of hope for the entire region".
"People on both sides of the border want to live in genuine and lasting security," Baerbock said in a statement, calling the deal "a success for diplomacy".
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised a "long overdue" ceasefire that would "provide some measure of relief to the civilian populations" of both Israel and Lebanon.
Calling for the truce to be "turned into a lasting political solution in Lebanon", Starmer vowed to be at the "forefront of efforts to break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a long-term, sustainable peace in the Middle East".
European Union
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the "very encouraging news" of the ceasefire, saying it would increase Lebanon's "internal security and stability".
The announcement was welcomed news "first and foremost for the Lebanese and Israeli people affected by the fighting", Von der Leyen said on X.
"Lebanon will have an opportunity to increase internal security and stability thanks to Hezbollah's reduced influence," she said.
United Nations
A top UN official welcomed the ceasefire agreement, but warned that "considerable work lies ahead" to implement the deal.
"Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required," UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said in a statement.