Arabic Media

August 13, 2023

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Egypt Refuses to Receive Illegal Immigrants Captured in Israel

Egyptian diplomatic source indicated that:

• Illegal crossings into Israel via Egyptian borders are a violation of Egyptian laws
• Egypt must carry out its duties of preventing illegal immigrants from crossing its border
• Egypt told Israel it is not obligated to receive non-Egyptian illegal immigrants
• Foreign refugees in Egypt must abide by the country’s laws
• Egyptian – Israeli borders are sensitive and both countries must be vigilant as to prevent terrorists or illegal activities from taking place there
• Egypt respects its obligations to protect and treat international refugees with dignity

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Hybrid Force Deployment Won’t Resolve Darfur Crisis
By: Asma Al Husseini

• About 26,000 troops and police officers are expected to be deployed in Darfur by year end, as indicated in UN Security Council resolution 1769
• International community welcomed the resolution
• Sudanese government said it reflected its positions and demands
• This force, however, does not have magic powers to resolve Darfur crisis, as
• UN must ensure there are enough troops to form the force
• Negotiations between the rebel groups and the government promise to be very difficult given the different aspirations: power and wealth sharing, compensation, and reuniting Darfur three provinces into one to mention just few
• The ruling party considers these demands in violation of previous peace agreements

Source: Al Riyadh (Government-friendly Saudi daily with wide circulation)
Headline: “Save Darfur before It’s too Late” Campaign to Educate the Public in Egypt

Townhouse Cultural Center will host educational campaign by Arab human rights organizations to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur:

• A year-long campaign to raise awareness about Darfur population suffering
• The campaign includes two local and one regional workshops
• Training on international human rights law
• Publication of monthly magazine entitled “Darfur Voices”
• A campaign to collect 100,000 signatures
• The campaign launch was attended by many intellectuals, journalists, writers, artists, and representatives of civil society from Egypt and Sudan

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: The Hilton “Departs Sudan for Good”

The Hilton Hotel Corporation decided to close its last operation in Sudan and depart for good, because:

• Mounting pressure and threat of sanctions by United States authorities
• French group Accord is poised to replace the Hilton group
• Experts do not believe the Hilton’s image will suffer because it left Sudan
• Because Accord group’s good reputation, the Hilton’s absence would not negatively impact Sudan’s tourism infrastructure

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Senegal to Triple its hybrid Troop Participation and UN Says Force Deployment Pose “Unprecedented Challenge”

UN said deployment of Darfur hybrid force to pose “Unprecedented Challenge” because:

• It is the first partnership with African Union
• Darfur is highly isolated with no access to water
• Logistical nightmare to transport troops and equipment
• Lack of infrastructure
• Lack of water and food
• Limited troop numbers must be alleviated by speedy transportation and ability to use attack helicopters

Meanwhile, Senegalese government indicated it will triple the number of its troops from 538 – currently part of AU force - to 1,600 when hybrid force is deployed

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: 140 People Killed in Inter-Tribal Fighting

Two warring Arab tribes signed a truce after over 140 people were killed.  Torjam Tribe leader Mohamed Ahmed Hassan said:

• It is a ceasefire truce and promised his tribe would not violate it if Abala tribe did the same

• His tribe lost 140 people since July 30
• Abala tribe were better equipped
• Government forces will be deployed in the region to ensure both sides respected the truce

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: US Activists Said Campaign to Divestment from Sudan Successful

US activists who urged US companies and investment firms to divest from Chinese and other companies that invest in Sudan said the campaign is making great progress:

• US sanctions against Sudan effectively put an end to all agreements except for humanitarian aid and agricultural products
• Activists want investors to sell their shares in Chinese, Indian, Malaysian oil companies which are heavily invested in Sudanese oil and gas industry
• Adam Sterling said that 19 states, 9 cities, and 54 universities started pulling their investment from Sudan
• Sterling also mentioned that Rolls Royce pulled out of the Sudanese market

The sanctions, however, had some unintended consequences especially in Southern Sudan after donors pulled back.

Read the above in Arabic.