标签： Africa

The Sudanese capital of Khartoum witnessed renewed violence as explosions echoed near military installations and power stations, despite the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announcing their willingness to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire. Residents reported being awakened by the sounds of drones and blasts in the early hours of Friday, signaling a potential breach of the proposed truce. The RSF, a paramilitary group, has not commented on these incidents, while Sudan’s military-led government expressed skepticism about the ceasefire, citing the RSF’s history of disregarding such agreements. The ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023, has claimed at least 150,000 lives and displaced 12 million people, with famine conditions now spreading in conflict zones. The RSF recently consolidated its control over el-Fasher, a strategic city in Darfur, which could strengthen its position in future negotiations. However, the group faces international condemnation over allegations of mass killings and sexual violence during the city’s fall. The ceasefire proposal, backed by the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, includes plans for a permanent truce and a transition to civilian rule, but Sudan’s government has rejected foreign interference and accused the UAE of supporting the RSF. UN experts have deemed these accusations credible, though the UAE denies involvement. As the conflict continues, the prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain.

The Sudanese military successfully intercepted a series of drone attacks launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) overnight in two northeastern cities, a senior army official disclosed on Friday. Speaking anonymously to discuss sensitive matters, the official revealed that 15 drones targeted Atbara in River Nile province, north of the capital, Khartoum. While no casualties were reported, local residents confirmed hearing explosions. A smaller-scale drone assault was also thwarted in Omdurman, Khartoum’s sister city. These strikes occurred just a day after the RSF announced its acceptance of a U.S.-proposed humanitarian truce mediated by the Quad, a coalition of international mediators. However, the Sudanese army emphasized that it would only agree to a ceasefire if the RSF withdraws from civilian areas and disarms, as stipulated in previous peace agreements. The conflict between the RSF and the military, which erupted in 2023 following a breakdown in their alliance during Sudan’s democratic transition, has claimed at least 40,000 lives and displaced 12 million people, according to the World Health Organization. Aid agencies warn that the actual death toll could be significantly higher, with over 24 million people facing acute food insecurity. Meanwhile, the U.N. Human Rights Council has scheduled an emergency session on November 14 to address the escalating violence in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region. UNICEF reported that over 81,000 people have fled el-Fasher since late October, with widespread shortages of essential supplies and rampant violence against civilians, especially women and children.

The safety of Kenyans in Tanzania has become a pressing concern following reports of targeted harassment and violence in the aftermath of Tanzania’s disputed election. Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi has formally raised the issue with Tanzanian authorities, emphasizing the need to protect the rights and dignity of Kenyan nationals. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who secured 98% of the vote in the contested election, has blamed foreigners for inciting unrest, a claim that has intensified scrutiny on Kenyans living in Tanzania. Mudavadi confirmed that formal complaints have been submitted, urging resolution through diplomatic channels. However, concerns persist as reports emerge of Kenyans being killed, injured, or detained by Tanzanian security forces. Kenyan human rights activist Hussein Khalid has accused Tanzanian authorities of using Kenyans as scapegoats for police atrocities. The Tanzanian government has dismissed allegations of excessive force, claiming that foreign agitators entered the country illegally to cause chaos. Meanwhile, Kenyan families are increasingly anxious about their relatives in Tanzania, with some fleeing the country amid warnings against employing undocumented workers. The election, criticized by observers for falling short of democratic standards, has deepened political tensions between the two East African neighbors, which have a history of diplomatic friction. President Samia, Tanzania’s first female leader, initially garnered praise for easing political repression but has since faced criticism for narrowing political freedoms. The situation underscores the fragility of regional relations and the urgent need for accountability and protection of vulnerable communities.

In a dramatic maritime incident off the coast of Somalia, a Malta-flagged tanker, the Hellas Aphrodite, was seized by pirates on Thursday, prompting a swift response from the European Union’s naval force. The vessel, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, was attacked with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing its 24-member crew to seek refuge in a secure citadel aboard the ship. The EU’s Operation Atalanta, an anti-piracy coalition, confirmed that its assets were en route to the scene, located over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the Somali coast, and prepared to take necessary action. Simultaneously, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported another attempted pirate approach in the same area on Friday, involving a small vessel with three individuals believed to be part of the same pirate group. This latest hijacking marks the first commercial ship seized by Somali pirates since May 2024, reigniting concerns over maritime security in the region. Somali piracy, which peaked in 2011 with 237 attacks, had significantly declined due to international naval patrols and Somalia’s strengthening governance. However, recent instability, including Yemen’s Houthi rebel activities in the Red Sea, has contributed to a resurgence of pirate attacks. Local fisherman Osman Abdi from Mogadishu expressed fears that such incidents would stigmatize Somali fishermen, associating them with piracy and instilling widespread fear.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are intensifying efforts to assist thousands of displaced families in Sudan’s North Darfur region, where a worsening crisis has left communities in dire need of basic necessities. Since the October 26 takeover of El Fasher, the state capital, thousands have fled violence, seeking refuge in areas like Tawila, approximately 40 kilometers west. However, these displaced populations are facing severe challenges, including a lack of food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has described the situation as critical, with over 3,000 recent arrivals at the Al Omda displacement camp alone requiring urgent assistance. Many, including injured individuals, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied children, are forced to sleep in the open without proper sanitation or protection from the cold. Similar conditions have been reported in other camps, such as Daba Al Naira and Um Jangour, where more than 6,500 people are without shelter or essential supplies. Additionally, hundreds of families who fled El Fasher on foot have reached Al Dabba in Northern State, enduring days of harsh conditions. Approximately 2,800 people are now sheltering in overcrowded sites with limited access to food, water, or medical aid. Many have lost family members during their arduous journey. With more families expected to arrive in the coming days, OCHA has emphasized the urgent need for food, medical care, psychosocial support, shelter, and warm clothing. While the UN and its partners are mobilizing emergency supplies, available resources remain insufficient. The humanitarian response plan for Sudan is only 28 percent funded, highlighting the need for additional support to address the escalating crisis in Darfur and Kordofan regions.

For over two years, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating civil war between its military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with both sides accused of committing atrocities and exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. The conflict, which began in 2023, has claimed at least 40,000 lives, though aid groups estimate the toll to be significantly higher. The war has also triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with widespread starvation and displacement.