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Sudan seeks implementation of signed agreement in Jeddah
Sudan seeks implementation of signed agreement in Jeddah
By: Michael Mike
The Government of Sudan has reiterated the call for the implementation of a signed declaration between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which was held in Jeddah, to bolster peace.
Dr Gebriel Ibrahim, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Sudan, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the war situation in the country.
Ibrahim spoke in view of the 2024 African Caucus Meeting of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) held between Aug. 1 and Aug. 3.
The Caucus was established in 1963 to strengthen Africa’s voice through Ministers of Finance and Governors of the Central Bank or officials designated as such by the governments of African countries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signed declaration between SAF and RSF seeks to guide the conduct of SAF and RSF to ease humanitarian assistance and restore essential services such as electricity and water, among other things.
The declaration was requested by the SAF and RSF during pre-negotiation talks mediated by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to emphasise the agreement reached to help civilians suffering in the war.
Ibrahim said, “The U.S. recently proposed a meeting between the SAF and RSF in Switzerland in September, but they forgot we already held one in Jeddah and signed the declaration on May 11, 2023.
“So, we are telling them that instead of calling for new talks, why not implement the Jeddah Declaration signed by both RSF and SAF?
“Then, we can start talking about peace if that is what the U.S. wants to do; not to give the RSF legitimacy to be part of the political and military scene in the future.”
The minister decried the effect of the war which had lingered for more than 15 months, noting that it had hindered trade operations and other economic activities across the country.
“Although the war has lingered, the country still possesses an agricultural potential that could provide food security in Africa through adequate investment.”
According to him, Sudan’s agricultural potential is one of the biggest in Africa, as the country is the first food basket of the continent with a large population and hybrid of religion.
Ibrahim said, “We have to plan for our food security, and if Africa wants to boost its food production, it has to invest in Sudan, among other countries.
“Of course, Sudan has a comparative advantage in food production. Sudan is also rich in solid minerals as the country is strategically positioned on the Red Sea.
“All of us know that international trade now moves from East to West, even for Nigeria importing goods from China, it is faster and cost-effective to import goods from the Red Sea.
“So, we need infrastructure, roads and railways that make the connection between the conduit of the Red Sea and African countries possible and fast,” he said.
He recounted Sudan’s trade ties with Nigeria, saying that plans were on to further strengthen the cooperation between both countries.
Ibrahim decried Sudan’s political instability as having resulted in the displacement of no fewer than 10 million people in Khartoum.
“Some have to find refuge in Nigeria,” he added.
He further said that strategic measures had been taken to revive the economic base of the country to restore what was lost during the war.
Sudan seeks implementation of signed agreement in Jeddah
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
By: Zagazola Makama
At least 15 dead bodies of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were hastily evacuated by their comrades after a failed midnight assault on New Marte in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from impeccable sources that the insurgents, on about 20 motorcycles had launched a coordinated attack on troops in New Marte at about 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday. They arrived on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), apparently aimed at breaching the battalion’s defences.
However, the combined firepower of Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers. The VBIED, meant to cause maximum damage, was abandoned by the terrorists as they fled under sustained fire and aerial bombardment.
According to intelligence sources, the retreating insurgents made desperate efforts to evacuate their dead and wounded, managing to flee with at least 15 corpses of their fighters while leaving behind several destroyed motorcycles and heavy blood trails at the New Marte airstrip.
“They came in like a swarm, heavily armed, and used a VBIED to lead the charge. But once our troops responded and the air component came in, they were completely overwhelmed. They abandoned the VBIED and began dragging their casualties into the bush. From what we tracked, at least 15 bodies were evacuated. It was a major blow to them.”the sources said.
The source added that aerial surveillance and ground exploitation confirmed that several motorcycles used for the assault were destroyed in the process, while others were left behind due to the rapid counter-offensive.
Two Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during the encounter, while one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle sustained tyre damage and a gun truck was partially hit.
In a related incident, troops also foiled an attempted incursion by ISWAP fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kumshe, where the terrorists were again repelled after a fierce exchange of fire. Some terrorists were believed to have been neutralised during the encounter.
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces say it has launched a search-and-rescue operation to free a kidnapped female staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on May 26 at about 5:30 a.m., armed hoodlums invaded the resident in Rantya community and abducted one Kate Jonathan Akpabio, who is a staff member of the FRSC in Jos.
Army troops and other security agencies were mobilised to the scene upon receiving the distress call. A preliminary investigation confirmed that the assailants took the victim to an unknown destination before security forces arrived.
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast two persons killed while three others injured during an attack on Mbor village, Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of May 26, when gunmen stormed the village at about 12:50 a.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
The sources said as a result of the attack, two persons Jephthah Gretchen, and Juliet Jephthah, were shot and killed on the spot,” he said.
“Three others, identified as Mary Ishaku, Ishaku Ngumut and Nanbam Sunday, sustained varying degrees of injuries.” he added.
The injured victims were rushed to Luna Hospital for medical attention.
The corpses of the deceased were released to their families for burial after relatives declined a request for post-mortem examination.
The sources said reinforcement has been deployed to the community to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
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