Tebboune, Burhan Warn Against ‘Foreign Interferences’ in Sudan

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)
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Tebboune, Burhan Warn Against ‘Foreign Interferences’ in Sudan

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Sudan's Sovereign Council General Abdulfattah al-Burhan in Algeria (Algerian Presidency)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune affirmed his country's support for Sudan to overcome "difficult circumstances" and confront "evil forces" targeting it.
On Sunday, Tebboune received the Head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, General Abdulfattah al-Burhan, who started a two-day official visit to Algeria.
Tebboune received Burhan at the presidential headquarters, and together, they held bilateral talks and then chaired expanded discussions that included the two countries’ delegations.
During a joint press conference in Algiers, Tebboune asserted that Algeria "stands by Sudan to overcome the difficult circumstances and confront the forces of evil targeting it."
Tebboune said Algeria always supports Sudan, speaking of the "centuries-old relations" that unite their "two brotherly nations."
Burhan welcomed every action taken by Algeria, whether at the Arab or African level, to resolve the crisis in Sudan, warning that "Sudan is facing a conspiracy with the complicity of international and regional partners."
The Sudanese leader thanked Algeria, which he said had been "present at every Arab or regional discussion or negotiation."
Meanwhile, the Sudan Liberation Army Movement, led by Darfur governor Minni Arko Minawi, arrived Sunday in Gedaref, eastern Sudan.
Gedaref governor-designate, Mohamed Mahjoub, told the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that Minawi's forces will participate with the Sudanese army to secure the country's state and eastern borders.
Mahjoub pointed out that the armed forces, the movement's forces, and the parties that signed the Juba Peace Agreement have been in coordination since they announced their support for the armed forces following the outbreak of war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Sudan Liberation Army Movement's advisor for reconciliation and social peace, Brigadier General Yahya Hassanein, confirmed that his forces will support the armed forces in defending the country and ensure the unity of its people.
Hassanein said he was looking forward to increasing joint work with the state in many different aspects.
Furthermore, a delegation from the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), led by former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, is scheduled to head to South Sudan within days.
Taqaddum spokesman Alaeddine Naqd stated that Hamdok is expected to hold discussions with officials in Juba and President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Naqd told Asharq Al-Awsat that the civil forces delegation will arrive in Juba at the end of this month to meet with South Sudan officials.
He explained that the meetings would discuss putting an end to the war and address South Sudan's role in achieving peace. He said officials are preparing for a meeting between the Taqaddum delegation and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North, led by Abdulaziz al-Hilu, and the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Abdul Wahid Mohammad Nur.
The spokesman said the meetings aim to unify the forces opposed to the war, explaining that efforts are underway to organize a meeting with the two men.
Taqaddum sent two letters to Hilu and Nur calling them to a meeting to unify civil forces, and they responded by welcoming the efforts.
The Coordination also sent two letters to the Sudanese Communist Party and the Arab Socialist Baath Party for a meeting to unify efforts against war.
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that all components of Taqaddum are expected to participate in the Juba meetings.

The sources, who requested anonymity, said the broad participation aims to reflect diversity and present Taqaddum's road map and the Addis Ababa Declaration signed by the RSF leader.
They indicated that efforts are underway for a meeting between Burhan and Taqaddum's officials.



Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
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Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)

A tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea on Monday after warnings of rough waters and 16 people were missing, Egyptian officials said.

The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment.

Hanafy visited the site where the vessel sank, according to a Red Sea Governorate update on Facebook. A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, who include crew members, and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.

The governor confirmed that rescuers were still searching for the missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreigners. Meanwhile, those who survived suffered only bruises and abrasions and were taken to a hotel in Marsa Alam in good condition.

The Egyptian military was coordinating rescue operations with the governorate.

The boat, named Sea Story, had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials.

Preliminary reports, based on statements from the yacht crew and tourists, said a large wave crashed into the boat, causing it to capsize, according to the governorate’s update. Some of the passengers were inside the cabins when the incident unfolded within minutes, according to the statements.

The UK Foreign Office said it was providing consular support to “a number of British nationals and their families” after the sinking.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also told The Associated Press in an email that it is “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance” without revealing further details.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of any Spanish nationals among the missing. The ministry said that five Spanish nationals were rescued and are out of danger.

The governorate received a report shortly before dawn Monday of a distress call made from the yacht, which had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey.

It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck, wooden-hulled motorized yacht to sink. But the Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, founder of the Society for Marine Rescue and Environmental Conservation in the Red Sea Hassan al-Tayeb told Asharq Al-Awsat that the yacht likely sank because of the poor weather conditions, citing meteorological reports a day before the incident.

The vessel had set sail before the weather warnings were made.

Tayeb stressed that such accidents are uncommon and that vessels are inspected by the concerned authorities before taking any sea journey.

He did not hold anyone in Egypt responsible for tourist vessel sinkings, explaining that ultimately, the weather is out of anyone’s control.