May 3 - 2021 KHARTOUM
SLM leader Minni Minawi (C) visiting the Bredjing refugee camp in Chad (Social media)
On April 29, Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok issued a decree appointing Minni Minawi, leader of a breakaway faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement, as governor of the Darfur region.
Hamdok explained yesterday that the decision came in response to the requirements of the Juba Peace Agreement, signed in the South Sudanese capital on October 3 last year, and in accordance with the provisions of the 2019 Constitutional Document. He said that he directed the relevant ministries and authorities to implement the decision.
Minawi reacted by saying that he considers the decision a serious step towards the implementation of the peace agreement. He thanked all those who made efforts to implement the agreement, in particular the members of the Sovereignty Council and the Prime Minister, and said he was looking forward to successful joint cooperation.
Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of Sudan s Sovereign Council discuss regional, international developments
ABU DHABI, 1st May, 2021 (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Lt. General Abdul Fattah Al Burhan, Chairman of Sudan s Sovereign Council, reviewed the prospects of promoting the fraternal relations between the two nations and accelerating cooperation across all fronts.
This came as His Highness Sheikh Mohamed received a phone call from the Sudanese leader wherein they exchanged Ramadan greetings.
The two sides also touched on a number of regional and international issues of interest in addition to the development of the global battle against COVID-19 and the two nations efforts to address the pandemic s fallout.
Nearly 2,000 people in Western Darfur have fled for their lives into neighbouring Chad this week, following renewed clashes in the region. The recent eruption of violence between the Masalit and Arab communities began on April 3
rd, when unknown assailants shot at a group of Masalit men, killing two and injuring a third. Armed elements from both groups mobilized in the wake of the attack, with the UN’s Human Rights Office reporting that the streets of West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, were “strewn with bodies” by April 12
th.
Several structures were destroyed or damaged, including a hospital and a UN compound, and at least one ambulance was attacked. The UN Refugee Agency reported that 1,860 people have sought refuge in Chad in the past week, primarily women, children, and the elderly living in villages near the Chadian border. Humanitarian agencies are still trying to determine the number of IDPs within West Darfur, but they are estimated to be in the thousands.
April 26, 2021
CAIRO The head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said during a press conference April 9, “Sudan has a good understanding with Egypt about the Halayeb and Shalateen issue.”
Burhan’s statement came at the heels of the Sudanese Ministry of Energy and Oil’s announcement March 21 in regard to the update of the oil blocs map in Sudan to be put up for global investment in a bid to attract investors and create investment opportunities in the oil and gas field. The ministry has identified 26 blocs, including the bloc known as the 16th district in Halayeb and Shalateen, without any objection from Egypt.
April 26 - 2021 DABANGA SUDAN
Arrival of COVID-19 vaccines at Khartoum Airport, March 3 (Ahmed Salim Yeslam / UNICEF)
The first quarter of 2021 ended with much optimism, as the Sudanese government and the SPLN-N El Hilu signed a in Juba, however it has been a turbulent three months economically. The adjustment of the exchange rate of the Sudanese Pound (SDG) to reflect the parallel market value has caused consumer prices to fluctuate, and done little to alleviate commodity and medicine shortages. However Sudan’s opened the door to $2 billion in grants for development, which offers hope for the future.
The beginning of 2021 has been marked by escalating tensions with Ethiopia. Several rounds of talks between Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia on the planned filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have resulted in a deadlock. Ethiopian refugees continue arrive in Sudan fleeing internal strife, especially in the Tigray area, and Khartoum.