Sudan Condemns European Sanctions Against ‘Army-Affiliated Companies’

Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)
Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)
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Sudan Condemns European Sanctions Against ‘Army-Affiliated Companies’

Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)
Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan during an inspection of his forces at the beginning of this month. (Transitional Sovereignty Council media)

Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday denounced “as unjust” the European Council (EC) decision to impose sanctions on three companies affiliated with the Sudanese Army Forces (SAF).
On Monday, the EC had imposed sanctions on six companies for their involvement in financing and arming the warring Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The EC said the six entities were responsible for “supporting activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.”
Among the companies sanctioned were three controlled by the SAF and three others involved in procuring military equipment for the RSF.
In a statement, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said the European move lacked objectivity as it balances between the national army that defends the Sudanese people, their independence and dignity, and a terrorist militia (RSF), which has tens of thousands of mercenaries committing genocide, ethnic cleansing and sexual violence against the Sudanese people.
It added that the report of the United Nations experts monitoring the implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 1591 “provided sufficient information about those who threaten the stability of Sudan and the entire region, and those who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide or help to commit them, including partners and allies of the European Union.”
It called on the EU to shoulder its political and moral responsibilities towards international and regional peace by pressuring those parties to stop supplying weapons, mercenaries, funding and media coverage to the terrorist militia.
“The sanctions, especially targeting (Sudan's) national institutions, will not help achieve peace,” the Ministry said.
Meanwhile, General Mohamed Hamdan“Hemedti” Daglo, commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Tuesday he had a telephone conversation with UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths to discuss the humanitarian situation in Sudan and ways to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population.
On X, Daglo said he also tackled with Griffiths the process of facilitating entry for humanitarian aid convoys through Gezeira State to the states of Kordofan, Darfur, White Nile, and Khartoum, and other areas in Sudan.
“I also emphasized to Griffiths the importance of humanitarian organizations maintaining a sustainable presence in Kordofan and Darfur, as there is an urgent need for humanitarian operations in these areas,” the RSF commander said.
He then affirmed the firm commitment of his forces to international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, and fostering collaboration with all humanitarian organizations to facilitate and support their work in these localities.
At the field level, eyewitnesses reported that the RSF escalated their attacks on towns in Al Jazira State, leaving several casualties.
Residents in Wad Madani told Asharq Al-Awsat they saw RSF military crowds roaming the city center despite the calm.

 

 



Palestinian Authority Says Internet Down in Gaza After Attack on Fibre Optic Cable

Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed
Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed
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Palestinian Authority Says Internet Down in Gaza After Attack on Fibre Optic Cable

Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed
Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed

The Palestinian Authority said internet and fixed-line communication services were down in Gaza on Thursday following an attack on the territory's last fibre optic cable it blamed on Israel.

"All internet and fixed-line communication services in the Gaza Strip have been cut following the targeting of the last remaining main fibre optic line in Gaza," the PA's telecommunications ministry said in a statement, accusing Israel of attempting to cut Gaza off from the world, AFP reported.

"The southern and central Gaza Strip have now joined Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip in experiencing complete isolation for the second consecutive day," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that its maintenance and repair teams had been unable to safely access the sites where damage occurred to the fibre optic cable.

"The Israeli occupation continues to prevent technical teams from repairing the cables that were cut yesterday", it said, adding that Israeli authorities had prevented repairs to other telecommunication lines in Gaza "for weeks and months".

The Palestinian Red Crescent said the communication lines were "directly targeted by occupation forces".

It said the internet outage was hindering its emergency services by impeding communication with first responder teams in the field.

"The emergency operations room is also struggling to coordinate with other organisations to respond to humanitarian cases."

Maysa Monayer, spokeswoman for the Palestinian communication ministry, told AFP that "mobile calls are still available with very limited capacity" in Gaza for the time being.

Now in its 21st month, the war in Gaza has caused massive damage to infrastructure across the Palestinian territory, including water mains, power lines and roads.