Sudanese army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan accused the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of war crimes and called for its designation as a terrorist group, in a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
“These rebel groups have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in many corners of Sudan,” Gen Al Burhan said of the RSF, which the army has been fighting for five months.
“They have carried out ethnic cleansing and forced displacement, as well as sexual violence and killing based on ethnicity.
“They are guilty of torture and actions that amount to war crimes in Darfur, Khartoum and other places,” he said.
He also called for the international community to designate the RSF as a "terrorist group" and said, without elaborating, that the paramilitary's outside “sponsors” must be held accountable.
Gen Al Burhan's army has been locked in vicious fighting with the RSF, led by his one-time ally Gen Mohamed Dagalo, since mid-April. The war is essentially a battle for political and military supremacy in the vast Afro-Arab nation of 48 million people.
Shortly before Gen Al Burhan spoke, Gen Dagalo – better known as Hemedti – said in a video message to the UN that his forces were fully prepared for a ceasefire and comprehensive political talks to end the conflict.
Gen Dagalo appeared in military uniform, seated behind a desk with a Sudanese national flag behind him, as he read out his speech. His location was not clear.
Most of his recent communications have been audio messages, and his whereabouts have been a source of speculation.
“Today, we renew our commitment to the peaceful process to put a halt to this war,” he said. “The RSF are fully prepared for a ceasefire throughout Sudan to allow the passage of humanitarian aid … and to start serious and comprehensive political talks.”
Fighting was initially centred in the Sudanese capital but has since spread to several parts of the country, including the western region of Darfur, an area that has seen decades of violence.
RSF forces are trying to “obliterate the history” of Sudan, Gen Al Burhan has claimed.
Gen Al Burhan, who flew to New York from Port Sudan, where he has been based since fleeing Khartoum, sought to portray himself as Sudan’s rightful leader and said he was “committed to our previous pledges to transfer power to the people of Sudan”.
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Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, pose for a picture at the Rapid Support Forces base in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16. AFP -

Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on April 16 as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day in battles between rival generals. AFP -

Sudanese greet army soldiers in Port Sudan on April 16. AFP -

Destroyed planes at Khartoum International Airport on April 17. Reuters -
People flee Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary RSF and the army on April 19. Reuters -

A column of smoke rises behind buildings near the airport area in Khartoum on April 19 following the collapse of a 24-hour truce. AFP -

People flee their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and RSF in Khartoum on April 19. AFP -

Black smoke covers the sky above Khartoum on April 19. AFP -

Residential buildings damaged in fighting in Khartoum on April 20. AP -

Sudanese army soldiers sit on top of a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 20. AFP -

People carry Othman Mohamed, a senior general loyal to Gen Al Burhan, on their shoulders in Port Sudan on April 20. AFP -

A Sudanese evacuee is embraced after disembarking from a Spanish Air and Space Force plane at Torrejon de Ardoz Airbase, Spain, on April 24. Reuters -

People gather as they flee clashes between the RSF and the army in Khartoum on April 24. Reuters -

A member of the Saudi Royal Navy carries a child who was evacuated from Sudan, in Jeddah on April 24. Photo: SPA -

Greek citizens arrive in Greece from Sudan on board a military plane on April 25. AFP -

Ali Mazloum, a Lebanese citizen who was evacuated from Sudan, is welcomed upon his arrival at Beirut airport on April 25. Reuters -

Palestinian evacuees from Sudan arrive at Rafah crossing, between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on April 28. EPA -

Black smoke rises over Khartoum on April 28. AFP -

A woman and child evacuated from Sudan arrive in Abu Dhabi on April 29. Reuters -

Activists demonstrate in front of the White House in Washington, calling on the US to intervene to stop the fighting in Sudan on April 29. AFP -

Children fleeing Sudan arrive at Wadi Karkar bus station in Aswan, southern Egypt, on April 30. EPA -

Clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum as fighting continues on May 1. Reuters -

A Sudanese refugee who crossed into Chad cooks a meal in a makeshift shelter at a camp in Koufroun, near Echbara, on May 1. AFP -

People board a Russian military aircraft during an evacuation operation at Khartoum airport on May 2. EPA -

A boy holds bullet cartridges as clashes between the RSF and the army continue in Khartoum on May 13. Reuters -

A Sudanese girl who fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region carries a pot on her way to collect water near the border between Sudan and Chad on May 12. Reuters -

Members of staff offload aid supplies provided by the World Health Organisation and UAE Aid from a plane that arrived from the Emirates at Port Sudan on May 5. AFP -

The UAE sent three aid planes to support the Sudanese people on May 8. Photo: Wam -

RSF fighters gather near the presidential palace in Khartoum on May 1. AFP -

A man inspects the damage as he walks near a destroyed building and car in the Azhari district of Khartoum on June 6. AFP -

Wounded Sudanese refugees who fled conflict in West Darfur receive medical support from Doctors Without Borders and health ministry staff at a hospital in Adre, Chad, on June 16. Reuters -

Evacuees from Sudan arrive at Baghdad International Airport on June 18. AFP -

Suad Fissa, 40, an asylum seeker and factory worker from Darfur, cries as she speaks about her missing children in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 24. Reuters
The war has plunged Sudan into a humanitarian crisis, which the UN High Commission for Refugees fears is only going to worsen.
An estimated five million Sudanese have now been forced from their homes, including more than one million who sought refuge in neighbouring nations, chiefly Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, stretching the region's capacity to respond to humanitarian needs.
Those trapped in Khartoum have been suffering lengthy cuts to power and water supplies, scarce health care and soaring food and fuel prices.
Gen Al Burhan said the conflict was no longer just a Sudanese problem.
“I would like to assure you that the danger of this war is now a threat to regional and international peace and security,” he told the General Assembly.
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HAJJAN
Key findings of Jenkins report
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The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
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The specs
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ELIO
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The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
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Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
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Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
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