Arabic Media

July 31, 2023

Source:Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)

Headline: Al Bashir Asks Ethiopia to Participate in Hybrid Force

By: Abdul Wahid Libini

Sudanese government rejected Pa’gan Amum of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement accusations that it committed:

• War crimes
• Ethnic cleansing
• Forced displacement of Darfur civilians

Foreign Minister Assamani Al Wasila explained that the conflict started as:

• Inter-tribal conflict that got politicized
• Most of the fighting is contained except in some isolated areas

Meanwhile, President Al Bashir asked Ethiopia to participate in Darfur hybrid peacekeeping force.

Source:Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)

Headline: Justice and Equality Movement Splinters Ahead of Arusha Talks

Nurin Adam Abdul Ghaffar, spokesperson of military arm of Justice and Equality Movement announced:

• Removal of Khalil Ibrahim as leader of JEM

However, Ahmed Adam, JEM spokesperson in London contradicted this announcement and insisted that:

• Ibrahim is till the movement’s leader and will represent it during Arusha talks
• Abdul Ghaffar is known to be ally of Abullah Abakir who was removed from JEM by Ibrahim earlier this month.

Source:Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)

Headline: Umma Party: Al Bashir’s Visit to Darfur a Desperate Attempt to Pretend Situation Is Stable in Darfur

By: Al Haj Muz

As national forces get ready to participate in African Union – United Nations sponsored meeting in Arusha, Umma party leaders made some comments:

• Described Al Bashir’s visit to Darfur as desperate attempt to convince the world that the situation in Darfur improved
• Challenged Al Bashir to visit refugee camps and drive through the region instead of flying
• Stated that the Umma Party and other national groups do not care to participate in Arusha so long as their views are taken into consideration
• Will want to ensure that Arusha results are implemented.

Source:Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)

Headline: Regional Competition to Influence Darfur Rebel Groups

By: Annour Ahmed Annour

Eritrea, Libya, France, and the United States competed to influence different Darfur groups and thus impact the outcome of peace and future of Darfur:

• Eritrea supported the five groups that formed “the United Front for Liberation and Development.” France endorsed this group too.
• Libya hosted a meeting of three other rebel groups – mostly splinters of Sudan Liberation Movement. The United States endorsed this group

These conflicting interests threaten Arusha meeting success chances and prompted the Sudanese government to look for a neutral country such as South Africa to hold the peace talks.

Meanwhile inter-tribal fighting continued with 12 killed and 35 wounded in a fresh round of fighting. A tribal leader accused armed group from Zrigat tribe of attacking Aturjim tribe in retaliation for their losses during a previous round of fighting. Minister of Justice warned the fighting between the two Arab tribes would intensify spread.

Read the above in Arabic.