Arab media

February 6, 2023

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Ban Ki-Moon Says Major Obstacles Prevent Peace between North and South Sudan
By: Tareq Fathi and Abdul Wahid Libini

• UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon warned that major obstacles were preventing real peace between north and south Sudan and urged President Al Bashir and First Vice President Silva Kiir to resolve their difference through dialogue
• He explained that disagreement over oil-rich Abie region delayed infrastructure and administrative improvements, which hurt the civilian population, as they lacked basic services and suffered from sporadic violence between the two sides

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Al Mahdi Warns of Chad Fighting Fallout

• Opposition leader Sadig Al Mahdi warned against negative impact of fighting in neighboring Chad especially if Deby managed to survive
• He added Sudan would still suffer even if the rebels won explaining that Darfur rebels would not approve of a Sudan - friendly regime in Chad
• Meanwhile, Sudan denied US accusations that it was involved in the fighting next door
• Justice and Equality rebels, however, stated they were involved in fighting in eastern Chad
• The movement said it was fighting Sudanese army troops and not Chadian rebels

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Sudan Delays Signing of Darfur Force Deal

• Sudan delayed signing of a technical agreement necessary for Darfur hybrid force deployment, but explained the delay was due to foreign minister’s current visit to Kenya
• Sudanese and UN officials indicated the two sides agreed on the details of the agreement and that it was just a matter of time for the it to be signed but no date was set
• This agreement was to deal with Khartoum’s demand to disable the force’s communication equipment and ban night flight

Source: Okaz (Government-friendly Saudi daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Chadian Rebels Accept Ceasefire and Accuse France of Interfering

• Rebels’ spokesperson Abdullah Kalam Allah said that “due to civilians’ suffering and in response to calls for ceasefire, rebel forces stopped fighting”
• Meanwhile, rebel leader Mohamed Nouri accused French forces of bombing rebel positions to help Deby’s regime
• For the second day in a row, there was no violence in N’Djamena, except for looting near the presidential palace area