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​​Continuing the 1st evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Sudan on 23 April 2023, the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum again carried out the 2nd evacuation by dispatching 328 Indonesian citizens with the same scheme as the previous evacuation.

In the second phase of the evacuation, the departure of Indonesian citizens was prepared from 2 points, namely the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum Safe House and the Sudanese PPI Secretariat (Masijd As-Sidiqin) on April 25 2023 starting at 09.00 WS to Sawakin, Port Sudan. The evacuated Indonesian citizens consisted of 29 women, 5 toddlers and 294 men.

The second phase of departure used 7 buses with evacuation participants consisting of students, PMI professional workers and domestic workers, and Indonesian citizens' families.

The second phase of the evacuation group arrived at Sawakin – Port Sudan on April 26 2023 at 04.00 in the morning WS. then rested in 3 halfway houses.

Furthermore, all stage 2 Indonesian citizens departed in a relay from Port Sudan by using an Indonesian Air Force military aircraft from Port Sudan Airport to Jeddah and further flights to Indonesia.

Before and during the evacuation, the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum continued to communicate with the authorities in Sudan to ensure a safe route for the safety of Indonesian citizens.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Khartoum, Sudan.

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On his official visit to Seychelles, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta, Honourable Dr. Ian Borg, met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, to set the tone for Seychelles and Malta to collaborate in key sectors.

During discussions on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy, the two Ministers agreed that, while Malta has been a vital partner to Seychelles for capacity building in the education and maritime security sectors, there are opportunities to diversify and strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Radegonde expressed Seychelles' appreciation to the Government of Malta for the support they have provided over the years, “we are keen to work with Malta to strengthen bilateral, international and regional cooperation in priority areas such as maritime security, education, health, tourism, renewable energy, fisheries and blue economy and exchange of best practices and joint capacity-building initiatives,”

The Minister emphasised that maritime security is significant for the country and “Seychelles is appreciative of the support of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and recognises Malta's contributions to the EUNAVFOR operation”. The European Union's proposal to extend the mandate of the EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA to include IUU fishing, drugs, and weapons trafficking is welcomed by Seychelles as it will help in the fight against illicit drug trafficking which is a major concern.

Both parties agreed that it is through capacity-building exercises, sharing of intelligence, and joining of resources that maritime crimes can be addressed so that peace and security are reinforced in the Western Indian Ocean.

Minster Radegonde highlighted that the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding on Health Cooperation and the establishment of a Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation will “provide the basis for in depth collaboration” in areas that are priorities for the country.

“There are many Lawyers and Auditors in Malta who would be interested in offering their expertise to Seychelles, furthermore, Artificial Intelligence block change, and the digital economy is rapidly expanding and we can explore opportunities in this fields” stated Minister Borg.

 Other topics raised were the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States from the effects of climate change, which Malta understands as it is also experiencing the effects of sea level rises. Minister Radegonde thanked Malta for its advocacy on climate change and sought its support for the adoption of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for Seychelles to access concessionary financing to mitigate against such effects.

Also present at the meeting were the Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship, and Industry, Mrs. Devika Vidot, Minister for Education, Dr. Justin Valentin, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivianne Fock Tave, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malta to the African Union, H.E. Mr. Ronald Micallef, Acting Principal Secretary for Health, Dr. Susan Fock Tave and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism - Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

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A declaration by Sudan's warring parties committing to protect civilians is an “important first step”, after more than three weeks of heavy fighting, the UN's top official in the African nation said on Friday.

Volker Perthes – Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the country (UNITAMS) – underscored that the rival military leaderships had agreed to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, and withdraw fighters from hospitals and medical facilities.

Mr. Perthes also noted that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had committed to continue their talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on a potential ceasefire.

In statement released by his Spokesperson, UN chief António Guterres, welcomed the Declaration of Commitment to protect civilians and guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian aid: 

"While humanitarian workers, most notably local partners, have continued to deliver in very difficult circumstances, the Secretary-General hopes this Declaration will ensure that the relief operation can scale up swiftly and safely to meet the needs of millions of people in Sudan", it said.

"He reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities."

Hope for continued ceasefire talks

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, via Zoom from Port Sudan where the UN and partners have established a coastal humanitarian hub, Mr. Perthes said that building on this first mutually signed declaration, the aim was to reach a ceasefire which would also be “mutually agreed”, contrary to previous, unilaterally announced ceasefires.

His hope was that “within the next couple of days”, the discussions in Jeddah under the auspices of Saudi and United States mediators would lead to such an agreement, lending it “more stability and more respect”, and with clear provisions on the modalities related to the movement of troops and humanitarian pauses.  

Commitments must be honoured

Mr. Perthes also expressed hope that the parties will “do what they can” to communicate down the chain of command that the humanitarian commitments agreed to in Jeddah must be honoured.

The agreement was welcomed by the “trilateral mechanism” composed of the United Nations, the African Union and the regional body known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa (IGAD).

Over 200,000 have fled

Meanwhile, the number of people having fled Sudan has passed the 200,000 mark, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.

A race against time is underway to provide those fleeing with relief aid before the coming rainy season makes logistics even harder. Funding shortfalls are compounding humanitarian challenges, as UNHCR's operations in neighbouring countries were only around 15 per cent funded before the conflict.

Lifeline for malnourished children destroyed

In another example of the conflict's disastrous effects for Sudan's most vulnerable, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday that a fire had devastated a factory in Khartoum producing ready to use therapeutic food for the treatment of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

According to UNICEF, the equivalent of food for some 14,500 children was destroyed in the fire, along with machinery, compromising future production. The agency says that Sudan has one of the highest rates of malnutrition among children in the world, with more than three million children acutely malnourished.

UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder said that in overall response to the crisis, around 34,000 cartons of ready to use therapeutic food was on the way from France to Sudan.

He said the cause of the factory fire was as yet unknown.

Combatants warned of the consequences: Perthes

In an interview conducted in Arabic by the UN in Geneva with UNITAMS chief Volker Perthes on Friday, he said there had been warning signs before the outbreak of hostilities on 15 April, of a potential conflict between the rival militaries.

“We warned both sides of this possibility and this scenario”, he said, and that if they began to fight, “the country and society will be destroyed.”

He said both sides had perhaps thought the fighting would be brief, but now there was a realization that victory “is not easy” and would ultimately be a loss for “a large part of the country.”

Distribution of lifesaving aid

Asked about how more humanitarian aid can be distributed to the millions in need across Sudan, Mr. Perthes said the Jeddah agreement was promising, but access to the capital Khartoum was crucial, and impossible without safe humanitarian corridors.

“We therefore hope that yesterday's agreement will indeed help to be applied on the ground through humanitarian agencies, the United Nations, and their non-governmental organization partners.”

On the pace of delivery, he said the widespread looting across Sudan at the start of hostilities, had been a major handicap to the operation.

“Warehouses and cars were looted and trucks that were transporting aid from the east of the country or from the centre to Darfur were also looted…when your office and car are looted it is very difficult to help.

“Today, there are new arrangements, even in the preparations for the supply of Darfur through Chad, which also requires coordination with neighboring countries, with the State, with the armed movements in Darfur and other actors.”  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, launched a year-long celebration campaign to recognize 15 years of delivering socio-economic impact to member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The event, held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, was attended by high-level Government officials, ITFC clients, partners, and stakeholders from various regions, both from the private and public sectors.

During the 15-year celebration event for the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ITFC, offered his congratulations and praised the organization for its efforts in driving sustainable trade development within member countries.

The Saudi Minister of Finance and IsDB Governor, Mohammed Aljadaan, graced the event to celebrate the milestone achievement of ITFC.

Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of ITFC, remarked on the organization's achievements over the last 15 years, saying, "ITFC has made remarkable progress in contributing to the socio-economic development of OIC member countries. Through the creation of innovative trade finance and trade development solutions, ITFC has bridged regions, fostered trade, and improved the lives of people. ITFC's strong partnerships with various financial institutions, sovereigns, and multilateral organizations have been crucial in leveraging its resources and capabilities to enhance trade finance and development initiatives. Together with our partners, ITFC will explore future opportunities and set the stage for innovative solutions that will unlock more potential over the next fifteen years."

The Anniversary campaign will include hosting a series of bespoke events and bilateral meetings to foster an industry dialogue on global challenges confronting trade in OIC member countries. Integrating trade finance with trade development solutions offers considerable potential to address real challenges while remaining focused on longer-term economic development priorities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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Reacting to the death of a teenage girl and the clashes between police and residents in the Ngor neighbourhood of Dakar, Ousmane Diallo, researcher at Amnesty International's regional office for West and Central Africa, said:

“Amnesty International denounces the excessive use of force by the gendarmerie in Ngor on 9 May, and during previous demonstrations in the area. Amnesty International recalls that, under international law, the use of force in policing must be strictly necessary and proportional, and that the use of firearms is prohibited except in cases of imminent danger of death or serious injury.”

Since mid-April, residents of Ngor have been protesting about the use of a plot of land. Amnesty International has seen several videos and images of gendarmes using excessive force against demonstrators, firing bullets in their direction, and firing tear gas in enclosed spaces. In some videos, gendarmes can be seen beating arrested and handcuffed people, or using individuals as human shields to advance through a neighbourhood where mobility has been impeded by several barricades.

We call on the authorities to investigate the use of lethal weapons by the police in Ngor on 9 May and in previous incidents. In particular, the authorities must bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of 14 people, 12 of whom were killed by gunfire from security forces during demonstrations in March 2021. 

Ousmane Diallo, researcher at Amnesty International's regional office for West and Central Africa

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

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The UAE has welcomed the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States that representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Jeddah have signed a Declaration of Commitment in order to protect civilians in Sudan, in accordance with international humanitarian law, to facilitate relief work and meet the urgent needs of civilians.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) commended the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States to facilitate the signing of this Declaration, which provides for a ten-day ceasefire to enable the delivery of relief supplies and humanitarian aid, and advances efforts to end the conflict between the parties and spare the Sudanese people from further suffering.

The Ministry expressed the hope that this step would contribute to facilitating the arrival of relief and humanitarian aid to affected areas, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, children, the elderly and women, and to securing a permanent ceasefire in order to serve the interests of the Sudanese people, to reach the desired political stability and security in Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation.

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Experts in the prevention and management of Tuberculosis (TB) and representatives of health ministries from 18 countries in southern and eastern Africa have established a new regional network.

The newly established "South and Eastern African Regional TB Network (SEARN-TB) aims to improve the coordination and harmonization of TB control strategies, focusing on encouraging implementation and operational research and the effective use of research outcomes to strengthen TB control throughout the region.

Representatives from Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Uganda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Somaliland, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Zambia, Somalia Republic formed the network.

Addressing participants of the workshop with a keynote speech, the Acting Representative of WHO-Ethiopia, Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini, said, "The network will play an essential role in strengthening coordination and harmonization of TB control approaches among countries with a particular focus on promoting the implementation of operational research and the efficient use of research outcomes to strengthen TB control efforts in countries.

"TB research networks are essential to boost national capacities for TB research and innovation and generate quality evidence for TB patient-centered prevention, treatment, and care. It is also an important opportunity for us in the region to work collaboratively towards achieving the End TB goals", Dr. Dlamini Said.

She added that the network would facilitate greater communication and cooperation between National TB Programs (NTPs) and partners, promote sharing of best practices for TB control across the member states, and enhance advocacy and resource mobilization to support national efforts.

The network will further promote operational research, harmonize strategies and best practices for TB control across the region, and support advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.

The Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) at the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global TB Department of WHO (GTB), the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), and the WHO Regional Office for East Mediterranean Region (EMRO) as well as WHO-Ethiopia Country Office (WHO-Ethiopia), Damien Foundation, are all collaborating with key international partners towards the formation of the network.

Officially opening the workshop, Dr. Abera Bekele, Senior Advisor with the Ministry of Health Ethiopia, said that collaboration among African countries to achieve the end of TB is critical as each NTP in Africa has a unique strength and best practice that can be successfully adopted and implemented by neighboring countries.

"Established in 2001, the TB Research Advisory Council (TRAC) of Ethiopia has significantly helped the country in bringing together the academia, research institutes, regional health bureaus, the National TB Control Program, and international partners in the fight against TB, thereby registering an encouraging evidence-based intervention in improving the TB management' The advisor said.

He added that similar structures and networks at regional and sub-regional levels would help amplify the successes achieved at national levels.

TDR will provide financial support via internal funding and a recently awarded grant from the German Ministry of Health through TDR's partnership with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.