Hamdok to Visit Juba to Present Roadmap for Sudan’s Crisis

A Sudanese woman fleeing violence in Darfur carries her belongings before crossing into Chad, Nov. 10. (Reuters)
A Sudanese woman fleeing violence in Darfur carries her belongings before crossing into Chad, Nov. 10. (Reuters)
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Hamdok to Visit Juba to Present Roadmap for Sudan’s Crisis

A Sudanese woman fleeing violence in Darfur carries her belongings before crossing into Chad, Nov. 10. (Reuters)
A Sudanese woman fleeing violence in Darfur carries her belongings before crossing into Chad, Nov. 10. (Reuters)

The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) exchanged artillery shelling in the capital’s neighborhoods and the city of Omdurman.

Eyewitnesses said that the army carried out intense artillery strikes on the positions of the RSF in the neighborhoods of southern and eastern Khartoum and central Omdurman, noting that violent explosions were heard near the Armored Corps, south of the capital.

Army drones also launched strikes on RSF positions south of Khartoum in conjunction with artillery shelling.

The pace of ground battles between the army and the RSF has decreased over the past weeks in the three cities of the capital, as both sides are now relying on artillery and air strikes.

Meanwhile, the command of the Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) said that its president, Abdullah Hamdok, received an invitation from the government of South Sudan to hold a meeting next week to present proposals and a “road map” to resolve the crisis in the country.

Taqaddum’s executive office announced, in a statement on Wednesday, “the approval of a road map to end the war, achieve peace, and establish a sustainable democratic civil transition.”

“The roadmap came after extensive discussions that took place over the past few days, aimed at coming up with practical visions that would accelerate the end of fighting in our country and stop the humanitarian catastrophe that befell millions of our people,” the statement read.

It continued: “The roadmap presented practical proposals on how to support the ongoing efforts in the Jeddah Platform, in order to reach a cessation of hostilities an to develop a comprehensive ceasefire with effective monitoring mechanisms, in addition to linking these efforts to an inclusive political process....”



Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.