Arabic Media

January 16, 2023

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Expert Faruq Al Baz Confirms Existence of Large Water Reserves in Darfur

• Expert Faruq Al Baz told his audience during a visit to Al Fashir that Darfur region sits on top of a large water reserve that could end the region’s severe drought
• Al Baz used satellite imaging to identify the existence of water and called for development of deep wells to reach it

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Arab League Appoints New Representative to Darfur

• League of Arab Nations appointed Ambassador Salah Halima as envoy to Sudan
• Ambassador Halima will participate in negotiations between South and North Sudan and coordinate with AU and UN envoys regarding Darfur crisis
• The ambassador will also work with Khartoum government to secure Arab pledges for Darfur development

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: West Darfur Has Become “Forbidden Region” because of Renewed Clashes
By: Ismail Adam

• Justice and Equality Movement accused government forces of bombing their positions in West Darfur killing three civilians
• And the government said it stopped an attack by the movement
• In addition, Chadian army added to the chaos by conducted numerous air raids on Chadian rebels inside Sudan 
• Because of all these clashes, international sources indicated that the state has become “off limit” for humanitarian work
• Meanwhile, President Omar Al Bashir declared 80% of Darfur region to be “peaceful” and accused Western powers, especially the United States of attempting to exaggerate the crisis in order to “steel” his country’s natural resources

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Sudan Warns Chad of Serious Consequences after It Bombed Western Darfur
By: Annour Ahmed Annour

• Sudanese minister of defense listed Chadian aggressions on Sudanese territory, its assistance and support of Darfur rebel groups, violations of signed agreements, and indicated his forces’ readiness to respond to recent Chadian attacks
• Parliament President, Ahmed Ibarhim Taher,  indicated that proper response to Chadian aggressions was not a military decision but a political one governed by many local, regional, and international considerations
• He explained that recent Chadian attacks aim to get Sudan mired in a conflict that it did not choose its timing or its place
• Taher also indicated that EUFOR was not deployed in Chad in order to provide security but to create chaos in the region
• Meanwhile, Communist Party warned any escalation against Chad to be “detrimental to Sudan”

Source: Le Monde (Left-leaning French daily with wide circulation)
Headline: French Court to Decide L’Arche de Zoe Members’ Fate on January 28
By: Eve Bordenave

• French court delayed making decision on L’Arche de Zoe members’ 8 year-prison sentence by Chadian court till January 28
• French prosecutor urged the court to respect France’s international agreements and uphold the Chadian sentence in accordance with signed Chadian – French agreements
• The members’ defense team sought to overturn the verdict because it was issued by a “totalitarian” Chadian regime that has no respect for human rights