Arabic Media

October 4, 2023

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Eight Killed in Darfur Clashes

• UN confirmed officials’ statements indicating that 8 people were killed in clashes between government and Arko Minnawi’s forces near Niyala town one day ahead of the Group of Elder Statesmen arrived in town
• UN also added that armed men kidnapped 2 aid workers and stole their car just 20 miles away from UN headquarters in Niyala
• Former President Jimmy Carter and member of the Group of Elder Statesmen announced President Al Bashir increased compensation amount for Darfur displaced population threefold: from $100 to $300 million
• He added that Al Bashir also promised to allow international monitors to monitor 2009 elections in Sudan

Source: Annahar (Independent Lebanese daily with strong circulation)
Headline: Khartoum Calls on All Rebel Groups to Peace Talks in Libya and Carter Said Al Bashir Promised to Pay $300 Million in Compensation

• Sudanese Minister of Foreign Lam Akul Affairs called on all Darfur rebel groups to ceasefire immediately and participate in Libya peace talks on October 27
• Akul said at the UN Assembly General “my country strongly believes that Darfur crisis can only be resolved through political negotiations.  We urged all rebel groups to join the peace process and stop all military actions”
• He added the government declared a unilateral ceasefire when peace talks start in Libya and hopes the rebel groups would follow the government’s lead
• He also called on international community to “take strong measures” against the groups that refuse or hamper the peace negotiations.  In addition he called on influential countries that house some rebel leaders to show their commitment to peace by convincing these leader to participate in Libya talks
• Meanwhile, US State Department called on Congress to reject a bill to pressure American investors to divest from foreign companies active in Sudan

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: AU Force Leader Said Rebel Groups to Be Better Armed and Congress Mulls New Sanctions

• Silva Kiir, First Vice-President, said Darfur rebels have become one of the biggest threats to peace in Sudan, and informed the Council of Elders that without the rebels presenting a united front and sending one team to Libya, it would be impossible to reach a comprehensive peace agreement
• Kiir blamed the ruling party of using age-old “divide and conquer” strategy to weaken the rebel groups and urged the Group of Elder Statesmen to put pressure on the government
• As for Minni Arko Minnawi, he called for an end of security tensions and urged Darfur rebels to participate in Libya peace talks
• Meanwhile, Martin Luther, AU force leader, acknowledge rebel groups to be better armed and to have more fighters than AU force
• He added the attackers torched a mosque and chose prayer time during Ramadhan breakfast to launch the surprise attack
• He also painted a gloomy picture about hybrid force deployment
• Meanwhile US officials were concerned about the timing of a Congress bill to impose more sanctions on Sudan

Source: Okaz (Saudi-owned daily with strong circulation)
Headline: Arab Conference on Darfur Development to Be Held later this Month
By: Rabii Shaheen

• Arab League Assembly General finished Darfur Development Conference preparation which will be held on October 30 and 31 in Khartoum
• The conference was suggested during last Arab Summit in Riyadh
• It will gather Arab governments’ representatives, Arab humanitarian organizations, and Arab investment institutions to devise a plan and take the lead in Darfur rebuilding and development

Read the above in Arabic.