Int’l, Arab Parties Back Political Agreement in Sudan

Sudanese demonstrators take to the streets to call for justice for those killed since last year's military coup, in the district of Khartoum Bahri, on the northern outskirts of the Sudanese capital, on November 17, 2022. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese demonstrators take to the streets to call for justice for those killed since last year's military coup, in the district of Khartoum Bahri, on the northern outskirts of the Sudanese capital, on November 17, 2022. (Photo by AFP)
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Int’l, Arab Parties Back Political Agreement in Sudan

Sudanese demonstrators take to the streets to call for justice for those killed since last year's military coup, in the district of Khartoum Bahri, on the northern outskirts of the Sudanese capital, on November 17, 2022. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese demonstrators take to the streets to call for justice for those killed since last year's military coup, in the district of Khartoum Bahri, on the northern outskirts of the Sudanese capital, on November 17, 2022. (Photo by AFP)

The international tripartite mechanism and several ambassadors of Arab states in Khartoum have met at the residence of Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hassan Jaafar to support the Sudanese efforts to reach a political agreement. 

The Saudi ambassador affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness in advancing efforts that serve Sudan’s stability.

The diplomat discussed with the delegation of the tripartite mechanism - the United Nations, African Union (AU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) – and several Arab ambassadors the ongoing efforts to facilitate the political process among various parties.

A press release issued by the Saudi Embassy in Khartoum stressed the key role played by the Arab countries to back the transitional phase in Sudan.

The embassy hosted a couple of months ago meetings between the military and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC). The talks were attended by US officials, and they were aimed at promoting dialogue between both sides after months of the military seizure of power on October 25, 2021.

Meanwhile, armed factions under the Democratic Bloc rejected the political settlement between the military and the FFC. 

They demanded that the tripartite mechanism convene with them or else this would undermine its regional and international mandate to resolve the crisis in the country.

Head of the Sudan Liberation Movement (affiliated with the Democratic Bloc) Minni Arko Minnawi said that the Movement was informed that the tripartite mechanism received directives from the military not to deal with the Bloc and to communicate with Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement only.

Minnawi added during a press conference that the current political agreement is forced on Sudan, and it goes against the will of the military component and the FFC coalition.

He stressed that the political agreement must be free of foreign pressure and dictates, urging the tripartite mechanism not to respond to directives from any bloc.

The Democratic Bloc would address the international parties – the Troika and ambassadors of western and Arab countries – to promote dialogue among Sudanese parties, Minnawi stated.

He continued that the Bloc would also send a delegation to the AU and IGAD to brief them on the latest developments in Sudan .



Lebanese Man Who’s Lived through Multiple Wars Says This One Has Been the Worst

A man rides his scooter past the debris of a destroyed building, after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah took effect, in Tyre, Lebanon, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A man rides his scooter past the debris of a destroyed building, after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah took effect, in Tyre, Lebanon, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
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Lebanese Man Who’s Lived through Multiple Wars Says This One Has Been the Worst

A man rides his scooter past the debris of a destroyed building, after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah took effect, in Tyre, Lebanon, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A man rides his scooter past the debris of a destroyed building, after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah took effect, in Tyre, Lebanon, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)

Mohammed Kaafarani has lived through multiple conflicts with Israel. But he says the past two months were the worst of them all.

“They were a nasty and ugly 60 days,” said Kaafarani, 59, who was displaced from the Lebanese village of Bidias, near the southern port city of Tyre.

Thousands of displaced people poured into the city Wednesday after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect.

Kaafarani said the latest war was the most difficult because the bombardment was so intense. “We reached a point where there was no place to hide. Even buildings were destroyed.”

He said Tyre was left almost empty as most of its residents fled.

Kaafarani said he hopes his children and grandchildren will have a better future without wars because “our generation suffered and is still suffering.”

“The last two months were way too long,” said Kaafarani, whose home was badly damaged in the fighting. He vowed to fix it and continue on with life.