A 24-hour ceasefire took hold in Sudan on Saturday, allowing a much-needed reprieve in fighting that has rocked the country for the last two months. But the ceasefire seemed to be a little inspiration to the warring groups, who were back on the streets early Sunday after the truce expired. Priyanka Navani reports.
Source: TRTworld.com
Clashes and artillery fire were reported in parts of Sudan’s capital early on Sunday soon after the end of a 24-hour ceasefire that had brought a brief lull in eight weeks of fighting between rival military factions.
Witnesses said fighting had resumed soon after the ceasefire expired at 6 a.m. in the north of Omdurman, one of three adjoining cities, along with Khartoum and Bahri, that make up the capital around the confluence of the River Nile.
Residents said there had been artillery fire in the Sharq el-Nil area on the eastern outskirts of the capital, while blasts and clashes were reported in Khartoum.
War between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on April 15 over tensions linked to an internationally backed plan for a transition towards civilian rule
Source: Nam News Network
Warring parties in Sudan must do more to protect civilians caught up in the conflict, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said, in response to recent deadly attacks and ongoing violations.
“We are concerned by the continued devastating impact of the fighting in Sudan on civilians,” Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and military rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been locked in vicious clashes since mid-April.
Hundreds have been killed and some 1.2 million have been displaced. UN agencies and partners have repeatedly warned of the growing humanitarian crisis.
Laurence said at least eight people died in an air strike on a busy livestock market in the capital, Khartoum, on Wednesday, allegedly carried out by the SAF. At least three of the victims were from the same family.
A child was reportedly killed in a separate incident that day after a shell struck his home in the Al-Shajraa district, in southern Khartoum.
OHCHR has also received reports of the killings of four other civilians in the capital on Monday, while at least three people from the same family, including a pregnant woman, were reportedly killed on Sunday.
Airstrikes that day near the Sport Complex in southern Khartoum, hit a refugee centre, reportedly killing at least 10 refugees.
Furthermore, no fewer than 71 children have died at an orphanage in Khartoum since the fighting started due to lack of humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies.
Laurence said OHCHR is also concerned by reports of conflict-related sexual violence.
“Since the fighting began, our Office has received credible reports of 12 incidents of sexual violence related to the conflict, against at least 37 women although the number could be higher. In at least three incidents, the victims were young girls. In one case, 18 to 20 women were reportedly raped,” he said.
Growing reports of apparent enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention are another concern, he added, and journalists are also now at greater risk amid a rise in online hate speech and disinformation.
OHCHR has learnt of a list circulating on social media accusing certain journalists of being RSF supporters. Staff have also seen comments on Facebook calling for the killing of those on the list.
“We reiterate the High Commissioner’s call on both parties to the fighting to ensure protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” he said.
“They must also ensure all violations are effectively and independently investigated and those responsible are held accountable
Source: Nam News Network
Caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Al-Makary, mourned today the passing of Lebanese writer George Ibrahim Yammine, where he wrote on Twitter that on this sad day the Lebanese shed two tears, one for his painful passing and another because he died while in exile…”Our consolation is that his intellectual and literary impact will keep him forever in the heart, mind, and conscience, a true man from Zgharta and an abundant pen…May God have mercy on him and may his memory be eternal,’ Makary added.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Two Iraqi army officers were killed, and other soldiers were wounded Sunday in a terrorist attack in Kirkuk, northern Iraq. An Iraqi security source said Daesh fighters had attacked a military base in Kirkuk, 280 km north of Baghdad. He explained that the attackers killed two officers, a lieutenant colonel and the other a captain, and wounded four soldiers, adding that the attackers hid in a watercourse before carrying out the attack.
Source: Jordan News Agency
Mayor of Salt Municipality Mohammad Hiyari on Sunday discussed with Indonesian ambassador in Amman Ade Padmo Sarwono ways of establishing twinning partnership between the Jordanian city and the Indonesian city of Bandung. Hiyari emphasized the strong and deep-rooted Jordanian-Indonesian ties, presenting a briefing on Salt’s most famous archaeological and heritage sites. In addition, he highlighted the investment opportunities and incentives available in the city, which was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the place of tolerance and urban hospitality. Furthermore, talks tackled means of providing scholarships for Salt’s youth to study in Indonesian universities. For his part, Ambassador Sarwono indicated his commitment to establish this twinning program, noting that necessary procedures will be taken to carry it.
Source: Jordan News Agency
