Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Khalil Charles
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Is Sudan secretly talking to Israel?
The Israeli press have made no secret recently of the possibility that diplomatic channels could be established between Tel Aviv and Khartoum. Last September, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz boldly announced that the Israeli government had contacted the United States to encourage it to take steps to improve relations with...
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Democracy is in the Arab world to stay, says Ghannouchi
The founder of Tunisia’s Ennahda Party has told a London audience that democracy is in the Arab world to stay. “The Arab spring is not dead,” said Shaikh Rached Ghannouchi on Thursday. “The Arab world has entered a new era of change and democracy is here to stay; it...
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Is Sudan’s foreign policy controlled by Saudi Arabia?
Sudanese and Egyptian foreign ministers meet tomorrow for long-awaited talks to address major differences that have caused diplomatic tensions to rise. Last week’s proposed meeting was officially postponed due to “adverse weather conditions” at Khartoum International Airport, but commentators believe other mitigating factors would have delayed the discussions if...
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Political horse-trading delays formation of Sudan’s new government
Almost six weeks after the creation of a new prime ministerial position, political differences between the government and major opposition parties appear to be delaying the appointment of the ministerial cabinet, which is expected to form the Government of National Reconciliation. On 3rd March, President Omar Al-Bashir announced the creation...
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South Africa’s defence of its refusal to arrest Al-Bashir further undermines ICC
South Africa’s defiant defence at The Hague of its decision not to arrest the Sudanese President at the 2015 Head of States’ African Union Summit in Pretoria threatens to further undermine the credibility the beleaguered International Criminal Court (ICC). As a signatory of the Rome Statute of the ICC (1998),...
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Nothing is in the air in Saudi-Sudan relations
It is abundantly clear that Sudanese and Saudi relations have come a long way since the day in August 2013 when the Sudanese Presidential plane that Omar Hassan Al-Bashir was travelling on was unceremoniously refused entry into Saudi Arabian airspace. The journey had to be aborted and the beleaguered...
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Sudan-US intelligence exchanges unaffected by sanctions
At first glance, this week’s meeting of Sudan’s Top Security Chief with the heads of the American intelligence FBI and CIA appears to herald a new phase in the relationship between Washington and Khartoum, but security analysts who have followed Sudanese-American intelligence relations for decades will be aware that...
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Sudanese-Egyptian relations: What’s behind the tensions?
Sudanese Egyptian diplomatic relations are as old as the Pharaonic pyramids themselves. In recent weeks, however, a dispute over these ancient landmarks has threatened to severely damage the ancient historical ties between the two countries. However, commentators say the row over pyramids hides several important differences affecting the relationship...
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Sudan’s National Dialogue: A major step in the right direction
The two-year process of Sudan’s National Dialogue culminated last week with the appointment of the Prime Minister, General Bakri Hassan Saleh. In a few days, it will become clear which prominent opposition group leaders will be appointed to the new government of reconciliation. The process of the National Dialogue has...
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Will Sudan’s new PM bring in change or maintain political tensions?
The swearing in of General Bakri Hassan Saleh to the office of prime minister, the first in almost 28 years, marks a new chapter in Sudanese politics and a hope of real political change. Saleh is an erstwhile friend and confidante of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and was one of...
