Sudanese Parties Demand Expanding UN Initiative

Protests in Khartoum calling for the return of civilian rule (AFP)
Protests in Khartoum calling for the return of civilian rule (AFP)
TT

Sudanese Parties Demand Expanding UN Initiative

Protests in Khartoum calling for the return of civilian rule (AFP)
Protests in Khartoum calling for the return of civilian rule (AFP)

The Central Council of the Freedom and Change Forces in Sudan has called for expanding the UN initiative to solve the political crisis in the country.

The Council called for involving the Troika countries (US, UK, and Norway), the EU, and the Arab and African neighboring countries in the efforts to establish civilian authority.

The Council met with the head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, to discuss the political process.

Council members handed Perthes a document on the shape of the government during the transitional period to achieve a breakthrough and end the army's rule.

The Council wants to enact a new constitution that restores the path of democratic transition away from the army's involvement in politics.

In a press conference, spokesman Wajdi Saleh said that the Coalition, which includes various political parties and civil society organizations, decided to deal positively with the international initiative.

Saleh asserted that the Coalition appreciates the international actors who announced positions against the October 25 coup.

He called for the continuation of the peaceful popular movement until its goals are achieved.

Saleh added that security and military reforms are essential for a civil democratic transition, stressing the need for establishing the new constitution to unify the armed forces by implementing the security arrangements stipulated in the Juba Peace Agreement.

The Agreement calls for merging the forces of armed movements into the national army.

The spokesman stressed that the army's acceptance of the UN initiative only gains credibility when the state of emergency is lifted, all political detainees are released, and attacks and violence during the peaceful protests are stopped.



EU Announces Aid for Syria and Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces Aid for Syria and Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)

A top European Union official announced an aid package of 235 million euros ($244 million) for humanitarian needs within Syria and for countries in the region hosting displaced Syrians, especially Türkiye.

Speaking alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday during a visit to Ankara after her trip to Syria, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, said that the situation in Syria was dire,

“The needs are dramatically immense. The humanitarian crisis is affecting millions of Syrians, and the EU will continue to work and to alleviate the suffering in response to the basic needs of the people," Lahbib said.

Türkiye hosts the world’s largest number of refugees, including up to 3 million Syrians.

“Türkiye’s hospitality for the Syrian refugees has been crucial over the years,” Lahbib said. “Türkiye’s role is crucial in providing humanitarian corridors for the EU to deliver emergency assistance to Syria.

“The region is in geopolitical turmoil, and it would be important for the European Union to work together with Türkiye and provide the adequate response by the international community.”