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Hemedti’s Advisor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Al-Burhan is not the Target

 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat
 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat
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Hemedti’s Advisor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Al-Burhan is not the Target

 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat
 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat

The advisor to the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for political affairs, Youssef Ezzat, said that his forces partially control the general command of the Sudanese armed forces, indicating that the army commander, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, was “under house arrest”, since the start of the war in Sudan on April 15.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Hemedti’s political advisor said: “The Islamists are the ones who planned this war to achieve their goal of returning to power... This will never happen as long as the people are present and as long as there are defenders of their choices.”

On the hand, Ezzat stressed that Al-Burhan was not the RSF’s target, saying: “Al-Burhan is not the target of war... We do not target him in person, but rather his actions. He tried to monopolize power with the Islamists, by turning against his partner and the entire political process...and failed.”

He continued: “He has been under house arrest for more than two months, and he will actually be arrested later.”

According to witnesses, data and field reports, the RSF controls large parts of Khartoum.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Hemedti was injured in combat, while other reports say that he was killed.

However, Ezzat rejects these claims, saying: “Hemedti’s non-appearance in the media does not mean that he is dead. The recordings that we usually make are not to prove that he is alive or dead, but to put forward things that we deem necessary to address the public opinion and the Sudanese people.”

Ezzat also denied reports indicating that the RSF had lost its popularity and the widespread support of citizens, saying: “These are inaccurate claims.”

He stressed that there were millions of Sudanese standing behind the RSF in order to build “a unified Sudan... and the state of freedom, justice and equality.”

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.