Germany Throws Support Behind Sudan’s Government

Merkel and Hamdok hold a joint press conference prior to their meeting at the Federal Chancellery, Berlin on 14 February 2020. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Merkel and Hamdok hold a joint press conference prior to their meeting at the Federal Chancellery, Berlin on 14 February 2020. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
TT

Germany Throws Support Behind Sudan’s Government

Merkel and Hamdok hold a joint press conference prior to their meeting at the Federal Chancellery, Berlin on 14 February 2020. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Merkel and Hamdok hold a joint press conference prior to their meeting at the Federal Chancellery, Berlin on 14 February 2020. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed support to the Sudanese government during a meeting in Berlin with Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok.

“Sudan is at a historical turning point,” Merkel said after her talks with Hamdok, who was in Germany to attend the Munich security conference.

Before Hamdok’s arrival in Berlin, the German parliament decided to lift sanctions placed on Sudan since 1989 and to resume development, technical, political and financial cooperation between the two countries.

“Sudan is looking forward to finding opportunities ... namely in the sectors of energy, agriculture, training and infrastructure,” the Sudanese PM tweeted, commenting on the German decision.

At the press conference in Berlin, the Chancellor said: “We have followed [events in the country] with great sympathy and also great respect over the last year, what the Sudanese people have done without violence and courage, how they have collapsed a regime of injustice and that the country has now begun a new process.”

Merkel said Germany could only begin to imagine how difficult the task is to tackle political and economic reforms.

“We will support Sudan with everything we can with our partners,” she said, adding that Germany has been participating in the UN mission in Sudan with a task to promote the rule of law and peace mediation in Sudan and to provide humanitarian aid.

Merkel explained that her country is committed to coordinating international support efforts within the framework of the informal Friends of Sudan group.

She said the economic situation in Sudan is very serious and that people are waiting for success, probably for quick successes.



Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
TT

Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.