Sudan Closes Borders with Libya, Central African Republic

Smugglers stand next to vehicles after being stopped by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during an operation in a remote desert area near the Libyan border on September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah.
Smugglers stand next to vehicles after being stopped by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during an operation in a remote desert area near the Libyan border on September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah.
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Sudan Closes Borders with Libya, Central African Republic

Smugglers stand next to vehicles after being stopped by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during an operation in a remote desert area near the Libyan border on September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah.
Smugglers stand next to vehicles after being stopped by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during an operation in a remote desert area near the Libyan border on September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah.

Sudan announced Thursday that it was closing its borders with Libya and Central African Republic on, citing security and economic "dangers".

A statement by the Sovereign Transitional Council said vehicles had been illegally crossing the borders with the two nations, which have both been mired in violence.

The announcement followed a meeting between the Council and the government of South Darfur State in Niyala, the statement by the ruling body said. 

In recent years, media reports have claimed that many rebels from Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur had crossed into Libya to build up their military capabilities.

Darfur fell into widespread conflict in 2003. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the years-long conflict and more than two million displaced, according to the United Nations.



Iraqi PM Adviser: US Keeps Iran Gas Waiver but Ends Power Exemption

Model of natural gas pipeline, Iran and US flags, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Model of natural gas pipeline, Iran and US flags, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Iraqi PM Adviser: US Keeps Iran Gas Waiver but Ends Power Exemption

Model of natural gas pipeline, Iran and US flags, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Model of natural gas pipeline, Iran and US flags, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

The Iraqi prime minister's foreign affairs adviser, Farhad Alaaeldin, told a local Iraqi TV channel on Wednesday that the waiver guaranteed by the United States on importing Iranian gas has not been revoked and is still in effect.

The exemption on imported power, though, has been cancelled, Alaaeldin said, Reuters reported.

Alaaeldin said most Iraqi power plants run on gas from Iran, with 43% of Iraq's electricity generated by the gas imported from its neighbour to the east.

Still, the US was encouraging Iraq to secure gas from other sources, Alaaeldin said.

"The American administration says ... diversify your import sources. Go to other countries."