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 .



France Highlights Its Role in Brokering Lebanon Ceasefire Deal

 Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
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France Highlights Its Role in Brokering Lebanon Ceasefire Deal

 Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)

France’s foreign minister underlined his country’s role in brokering an agreement that ended fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group alongside the US, saying the deal wouldn’t have been possible without France’s special relationship with its former protectorate.

“It’s a success for French diplomacy and we can be proud,” said the minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking hours after the ceasefire went into effect Wednesday.

“It is true that the United States have a privileged relationship with Israel. But with Lebanon, it’s France that has very old ties, very close ties,” the minister added. “It would not have been possible to envisage a ceasefire in Lebanon without France being involved on the front line.”

France will be involved in monitoring the ceasefire, Barrot noted, with 700 French soldiers deployed as part of the 10,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, that has been patrolling the border area between Lebanon and Israel for nearly 50 years.

The minister said France will also work to strengthen Lebanese troops that will deploy in the south of the country as part of the ceasefire, although he didn’t specify what that might include.