Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Khalil Charles
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Sudan army’s strategic gains in Darfur, West Kordofan raise hope of ending El Fasher siege and the war
The Governor of Darfur Region, Minni Arko Minawi, announced on Sunday that the Sudanese army and allied Joint Forces had taken control of the strategic Wadi Al-Atrun area, located in the border triangle between Sudan, Libya and Chad. The victory moves the joint forces closer to easing the siege on…
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Sudan labels UAE an ‘aggressor state’ as drone strikes target Port Sudan airport
With drone strikes hitting Port Sudan in six straight attacks, members of the Sudan Army now believe the country is in direct conflict with the United Arab Emirates, allegedly the principal sponsor of Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan declared the UAE as an “aggressor state” and formally cut ties with…
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The UK decision not to invite Khartoum to a conference about Sudan prompted anger, but was no surprise
The government in Sudan appears confused and agitated that the UK government has not invited Khartoum to send a representative to a conference about Sudan, but commentators view the British decision as entirely expected and no real surprise. Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Yusuf, criticised the British government approach:…
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Sudan may never forget or forgive RSF crimes during two years of war
No matter the outcome or the passage of time following Sudan’s civil war, in the minds of the vast majority of the Sudanese public, forgiveness of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for its crimes may never occur. Moreover, it is also highly likely that some members of paramilitary forces may…
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Sudan’s Special Support Groups are the unsung heroes affiliated to the armed forces
The spotlight has shone recently on Talha Al-Misbah, the commander of the Al-Baraa Battalion. He is a businessman who sells kitchen utensils for a living and a type 1 diabetic, who carries his insulin injections into battle ready to administer three life-saving doses per day. Al-Misbah also happens to be…
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Sudan army’s retake of the Republican Palace represents a ‘turning point’ in the war against RSF
When the Ottoman Turks laid the Sudan palace’s foundation stone in 1826, it was a symbolic declaration of the empire’s control over Sudan. Initially constructed out of green mud brick, it was later rebuilt in red brick, using the ruins of the Christian Kingdom of Soba – a scene that…
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As the civil war grinds on, Sudan faces a 39-month extension of military rule
With the Sudanese military closing in on the remnants of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) still in the capital Khartoum, the talk in Port Sudan is that Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is about to install a caretaker “war government”. A political entity is needed to navigate the…
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The RSF parallel government in Sudan is ‘stillborn’ and lacks international or popular support
The political strategy of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has evolved gradually throughout the two years of civil war in Sudan. After the RSF failed to assassinate the head of the Sudanese Army, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, the paramilitary group attempted, unsuccessfully, to control the capital Khartoum and other strategic locations. However,…
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Sudan’s army is set to secure a new peace, but it may lead to a new wave of political instability
The new series of military gains sweeping across Sudan may arguably be a result of a new-found confidence brought about by a renewed sense of purpose and unity of the nation. The Sudan Army’s successes in Kordofan, Eastern Nile, Bahri, the oil refinery and the Central Army Headquarters has demoralised…
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Sudan: RSF massacre in Al-Jazira state further threatens regional stability
The precise reasons for the flare up of violence in Sudan’s Al-Jazira State seems to have been driven by retribution and revenge. Days after the defection of an ex-Rapid Support Forces leader, 370 villagers mainly from the Shukria Tribe in the east of Al-Jazira were massacred. The horrific events followed…
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Sudan’s government and the opposition propose 2 different visions for a new Sudan
In anticipation of the end of the war in Sudan, political parties have been preparing to put forward a host of measures that will fill Sudan’s political void. At the head of the Sudanese groups is Taqaddum led by the former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok who held a three-day conference…
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Sudan UN resolution vetoed by Russia as Khartoum takes financial aim at the RSF
It is fair to say that many Sudanese have totally lost confidence in their country’s government. Others, including some local politicians, would argue that there is no longer a viable or workable government in place. In particular, there are those who argue that the inability of the army to stop…
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Sudan’s ex-PM Hamdok labelled ‘traitor’ after calling for foreign intervention
The chaotic scenes of Sudan’s former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok visiting a think tank in London appeared to transform an intended peace mission into an attempt to hijack Sudan’s sovereignty. The angry crowds outside Chatham House in London shouted the words “cowards and traitors” as they regarded Hamdok and his…
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Sudan massacre in Al Jazeera State by the RSF further threatens regional stability
The precise reasons for the flare-up of violence in Sudan’s Al Jazeera State seem to have been driven by retribution and revenge. Days after the defection of an ex-Rapid Support Forces leader, 370 villagers mainly from the Shukria tribe in the east of Al Jazeera were massacred. The horrific events…
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The RSF blames Egypt and its own backers for withdrawing support from the Sudanese militia
A week after the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, addressed his troops, the Sudanese and global analysis of his rambling comments has continued to dominate newspaper columns, news bulletins and social media. Dagalo’s comments took on great importance given the series of military defeats…
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Gulf countries ‘wrongly’ condemn Sudan for attack on UAE envoy’s Khartoum home
A political row has erupted following the claim that the Emirati Ambassador Hamad Al-Janaibi’s residence in Khartoum was hit by an air strike carried out by the Sudanese army. In a statement, the Sudan government denied firing at or damaging the building. “The armed forces do not carry out these…
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Sudan’s army prepare to militarily end the civil war after major gains in Khartoum
For many Sudanese the military’s capture of three strategic bridges in the capital Khartoum has been warmly welcomed; while at the same time the recent operations have also been viewed as long overdue. Despite the advances, questions remain about the timing of the army’s decision to put pressure on the…
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Sudan’s Islamic movement charts a new direction in search of legitimacy
Sudan’s influential Islamic movement has elected the former Foreign Minister, Ali Ahmed Karti, as its general secretary. Although the movement’s leader is currently operating secretly; observers, including its opponents, believe the group continues to financially and politically control Sudan’s government. The group is also thought to command a significant presence…
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UAE diplomatic mission leaves Sudan as pressure to declare RSF a terrorist organisation mounts
Over the past week, differences between the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, and members of the Forces of Freedom and Change, the Taqaddam political group led by the former Prime Minister, Abdullah Hamdok, began to appear. Hamdok was unwilling to abandon his view that the paramilitary Rapid Support…
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Sudan is continuing to boost its diplomatic and military campaigns
Attempts by the United Kingdom and others to push through a closed-door resolution to establish a UN force in Sudan failed this week when Khartoum, supported by Moscow and Beijing, rejected the draft resolution. The attempt to approve a relief humanitarian aid package for Sudan came after a UN-backed report…
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Sudan’s game plan aims to avoid political and military pitfalls as ceasefire talks stall
As expected, the decision by the Sudanese government not to join the negotiations in Geneva was met with a chorus of criticism, not least from the political forces who accused it of forgoing an ideal opportunity to secure a lasting peace. Some of the strongest criticism came from the veteran…
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Sudan army rejects Geneva peace talks, faces charge of being the ‘obstacle to peace’
The Sudan government’s choice not to send a delegation to today’s Geneva peace talks is either a bold courageous move or a short-sighted decision. It remains to be seen whether Sudan will withstand the international pressure that undoubtedly will accuse the army of being an “obstacle to peace”. Sudan’s refusal…
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Sudan’s warring parties must be willing to talk peace in Geneva
The urgent call for action to avert the starving to death of 2.5 million Sudanese in North Darfur is, ironically, being issued by the warring parties who are ostensibly responsible for the crisis. This week the UN warned of a stage three hunger crisis indicating that a quarter of a…
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While civilians face starving to death, the end of the battle for Sudan is nowhere in sight
The assassination attempt of the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdul Fatah Al-Buhan, comes a day after he visited Egypt to drum up support for his war effort and signals that the divide between the two warring sides is widening. Fifteen months after the start of the brutal civil…