Arabic Media

October 2, 2023

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Mandela-Style Diplomacy for Darfur

• Diplomatic effort to resolve Darfur crisis is about to get a new shot in the arm with a Mandela-style touch
• A group of wise elders formed by former South African president Nelson Mandela arrived in Khartoum to tackle the Darfur crisis as their first peace mission since the group was formed
• The group includes Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President Jimmy Carter, Maliba Graca – Mandela’s wife, and Lakhdar Ibrahimi
• The group hopes to assist in resolving the bloody crisis, as it plans on meeting with government and rebel representatives in addition to Darfur refugees

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: AU Pledges to Find the Attack Perpetrators and Washington Calls for Speedy Deployment of Darfur Hybrid Force

• Dana Perino said “the president wants the hybrid force deployed in Darfur as soon as possible because we are committed to fulfill our promise to end violence and help those who are suffering.” 
• African Union mission in Sudan announced it is investigating the attack that killed 10 AU troops and promised to find and punish the perpetrators
• AU and UN reiterated their commitment to peace in Darfur, as was clearly indicated in an announcement by AU leader Alpha Omar Conary
• AU and UN to deploy a hybrid force of 26,000 troops in Darfur thatwill be capable of carrying out its mission as stipulated in UN Security Council resolution 1769
• This bloody attack follows another one that killed 5 Senegalese troops last Spring

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Khartoum Blames International Community for the “Massacre” of AU forces in Darfur

• AU spokesperson Nouredine Mazni said investigation of the attack is underway and its result would be made public and the perpetrators will be tried and severely punished
• Sudanese ministry of foreign affairs condemned the attack, described it as “a coward act,” sent its condolences to victims’ families and wished speedy recovery to those injured
• It added the attack would not deter the government from pushing ahead with peace plans and resolving the crisis through negotiations and political dialogue
• AU leader Alpha Omar Conary described the attacks as “a coward and hateful act” and would only increase the union’s commitment to bringing peace and stability to Darfur population
• Though no group claimed responsibility yet, some rebels blamed government forces and their militia allies
• Senegalese President Wade threatened to withdraw all Senegalese troops if investigations revealed his soldiers died while unarmed
• Solana of the EU blamed the unprovoked attack while the White House called for a speedy deployment of Darfur hybrid force

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: International Condemnation of Attack on AU Forces in Darfur and Senegalese President Threatens to Withdraw His Troops
By: Ismail Adam

• Solana of the EU blamed the unprovoked attack while the White House called for a speedy deployment of Darfur hybrid force
• US embassy in Khartoum strongly condemned the attack and sent its condolences to the victims’ families
• Sudanese army condemned the attack which the African Union blamed on Sudanese Liberation Movement- Unity faction and JEM
• Sudanese army indicated it accepted a request by Rudolph Adada to “provide assistance in securing the area”
• The army described the attack as “a coward act,” sent its condolences to victims’ families, and wished speedy recovery to those who were injured
• JEM blamed a splinter group headed by recently-expelled leader Bahr Abu Kirda for the attack
• Meanwhile SLM – Unity faction’s spokesperson Mahjoub Hussein denied his movement’s involvement in the attack and called for an international investigation of the incident

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Rebel Group Acknowledged Responsibility for the Attack, Ki-Moon Called for Prosecution of the Perpetrators, and Nigeria and Senegal Threatened to Withdraw their Troops
By: Annour Ahmed Annour

• Nigeria and Senegal threatened to withdraw their troops from Darfur and to reconsider their pledges to Darfur hybrid force after the latest bloody attack on AU forces in Darfur
• Meanwhile, United States called for speedy deployment of Darfur hybrid force
• Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity group’s field leader, Abu Baker Kadu, acknowledged responsibility for the attack but still blamed government troops for taking shelter in the area of AU troops
• However, SLM – Unity group’s spokesperson Mahjoub Hussein denied his movement’s involvement in the attack
• But JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim said the attack was conducted by three military leaders who left his movement to form their own and coordinated the attack with SLM splinter group in order to get their hands on weapons and vehicles
• Meanwhile, Sudanese minister of justice blamed the international community for not putting enough pressure on rebel groups opposed to Abuja peace agreement
• And, in Khartoum Archbishop Desmond Tutu said the attack shows the need to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and expressed his group’s desire to participate in Darfur peace talks

Read the above in Arabic.