عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

RSF Forms Parallel Civilian Govt in Khartoum

Smoke billows in southern Khartoum on June 12, 2023 during fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries. (AFP)
Smoke billows in southern Khartoum on June 12, 2023 during fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries. (AFP)
TT
TT

RSF Forms Parallel Civilian Govt in Khartoum

Smoke billows in southern Khartoum on June 12, 2023 during fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries. (AFP)
Smoke billows in southern Khartoum on June 12, 2023 during fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries. (AFP)

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan announced the formation of a civilian parallel government in Khartoum, 19 months after seizing the majority of the Sudanese capital, including the presidential palace and various ministries.

The RSF named Abdul Latif Abdullah al-Amin al-Hassan as prime minister and formed a 90-member legislative civilian council that would offer services to the people and restore security.

The council has elected a judicial council and has been sworn in.

The legislative council vowed to provide essential services to the people, protect them and offer them civil assistance. It also vowed to restore state agencies that have collapsed during the war that erupted in April 2023.

Khartoum had been without a government or administration since the cabinet relocated to Port Sudan during the war.

Head of the legislative council, Nael Babakir Nael Al-Mak Nasser, said the vacuum caused by the war led to the collapse in basic and essential services, leading the people to demand the establishment of a civilian administration.

“The people of Khartoum took on this historic responsibility and communicated with the RSF leaderships in the state to request their approval to establish a civilian administration that can offer basic services,” he told a press conference on Friday.

The civilian and judicial councils will cooperate to ensure the services and humanitarian aid reach the people in Khartoum.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
TT
TT

Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged on Thursday Houthi leaders to reduce national and regional escalation and release the detained UN staff and other humanitarian personnel.
The envoy stressed his determination to safeguard the progress made to date on the peace roadmap, which has been frozen since Houthis have stepped up their attacks against shipping routes in the Red Sea corridor.
Grundberg’s comments came on Thursday as he concluded a visit to Sanaa, his first to the Yemeni capital since May 2023.
The visit comes amid hopes that his efforts would prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in the country.
In a statement, Grundberg said he held discussions with senior political and military officials to renew engagement on the political process, focusing on addressing challenges and exploring possibilities for advancing peace within the region’s complex context.
During his meetings with Houthi leaders, the special envoy stressed the importance of national and regional de-escalation to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
He urged the need for concrete actions to pave the way forward for a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability across Yemen.
Grundberg’s discussions also highlighted the importance of taking steps to address economic challenges and improve living conditions, while simultaneously advancing preparations for a ceasefire – critical components of the road map and reaching a political resolution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis.
“I am determined to safeguard the progress made to date on the roadmap and keep focus on the prospects for peace in Yemen,” Grundberg noted.
Discussions on the conflict-related detainees file built on the progress made during negotiations held in Oman in July 2024.
The envoy emphasized that the file is vital for confidence building between the parties and advancing previous commitments.
He then underscored the importance of prioritizing this humanitarian issue as a step toward fostering trust that can help enable broader agreements and signal commitment to the peace process.
Protection of Civil Society
The Special Envoy started his visit to Sanaa at the home of the family of his colleague who has been arbitrarily detained by Houthis since June 2024.
He expressed his deepest compassion for what they have been enduring during this difficult period and offered his support, a statement by his office said.
Grundberg then updated the family on the UN efforts to secure the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.
He also expressed solidarity with the families of the other detainees, acknowledging their shared anguish and the urgent need for their loved ones' release.
In all his discussions, the envoy strongly urged Houthis to release immediately and unconditionally the detained personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
Grundberg then echoed the Secretary General’s message that the arbitrary detentions are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.
“We must protect the role of civil society and humanitarian personnel. They make vital contributions to peace and rebuilding Yemen,” stated the Special Envoy.
Grundberg arrived in Yemen after holding talks with Omani officials in Muscat. Present at the talks was Houthi spokesman and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam.
The envoy is hoping to make a breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis after his efforts stalled with the Houthis launching their attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
The Visit’s Agenda
Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, is in Sanaa as part of his efforts to push the Houthis to take concrete actions for advancing the peace process.
He will also be pushing for the release of the arbitrarily detained UN personnel and also from other NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
The envoy said he plans to conduct a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days under his mediation efforts.