Arabic Media

September 27, 2023

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Internal Pressure on Nour’s Faction
By: Abdul Wahid Libini

• Mohamed Abdul Karim, humanitarian affairs official at Sudan Liberation Movement – Nour Faction, reported strong internal pressure ahead of Libya peace talks
• He indicated that Political and military leaders were divided regarding attendance of the talks with many calling for a large meeting headed by Abdul Wahid Nour and attended by all influential political and military leaders to discuss participation in he talks and the movement’s long-term goals
• Meanwhile, United Nations Commission for Refugees in Sudan warned it might be forced to scale down its operation in Darfur for lack of funds due to budget shortfall

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Washington: Darfur Peace Talks Face “Strong Challenge”

• US Charge d’Affaires in Sudan, Alberto Fernandez, said that US envoy Andrew Natsios will conduct a ten-day visit to Sudan to visit Darfur and South Sudan
• Fernandez announced that Darfur rebel groups must unite and agree on a common negotiations strategy, and the government must be flexible in order to enable the peace talks in Libya to succeed
• He said that peace in Darfur is a “tough challenge” and every one must compromise to achieve it
• He added that AU and UN mediators must approach these talks with open eyes and be fully aware of the shortfalls of Abuja peace agreement
• He also expressed US frustration at the slow pace of hybrid force deployment in Darfur despite Sudan’s cooperation
• Meanwhile President Bush called on Sudanese government and rebel groups to observe a ceasefire during the peace negotiations

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Rice Discusses Darfur Crisis with Libyan Counterpart

• Condoleezza Rice met with Abdul Rahman Shalkam, Libya’s Minster of Foreign Affairs, to discuss Darfur crisis
• The Libyan official extended Rice an invitation to attend Libya peace talks between Sudanese government and Darfur rebel groups
• Khalil Ibrahim, Justice and Equality leader, rejected President Bush’s call to observe a truce during the talks and accused the government of violating all previous ceasefire commitments
• A military pact between the Justice and Equality and Sudan Liberation– Unity faction - movement presented the strongest military challenge to the government
• Meanwhile, United Nations Commission for Refugees in Sudan warned it might be forced to scale down its operation in Darfur for lack of funds due to budget shortfall

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Washington Wants Permanent Ceasefire and end of Weapon Flow into Darfur
By: Talha Jibril and Mustapha Sirri

• Washington said that it will work to enforce UN Security Council resolution to stop weapons flow into Darfur and will pressure all parties to attend Libya peace talks
• This announcement coincided with US envoy Andrew Natsios’ ten-day visit to Sudan that will take him to Darfur, Kordufan, and South Sudan
• President Bush urged all countries to stop the flow of arms into Darfur and called on Sudanese government and rebel groups to observe a ceasefire during the peace talks and expected both sides to make concessions
• Washington issued strong warnings of sanctions against any group that boycott the peace talks in clear reference to Abdul Wahid Nour who stated repeatedly that he will not attend any talks till establishment of peace in the region
• Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lam Akul, indicated that the United States will play a strong role in the participation of all rebel groups in the peace talks
• Reports from New York indicated that European Union – United Nations force to be deployed in Eastern Chad and the Republic of Central Africa’s north will monitor the flow of arms into Darfur in addition to protecting civilians, aid passage, and air workers

Read the above in Arabic.