Sudan’s Al Burhan accuses rival Rapid Support Forces of war crimes in UN speech


Willy Lowry
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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”.

  • 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
    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
    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
    Sudanese greet army soldiers in Port Sudan on April 16. AFP
  • Destroyed planes at Khartoum International Airport on April 17. Reuters
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Black smoke covers the sky above Khartoum on April 19. AFP
  • Residential buildings damaged in fighting in Khartoum on April 20. AP
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Black smoke rises over Khartoum on April 28. AFP
  • A woman and child evacuated from Sudan arrive in Abu Dhabi on April 29. Reuters
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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.

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

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FFP EXPLAINED

What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate? 
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties? 
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.

CHELSEA SQUAD

Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku. 

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Your Guide to the Home
  • Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)

Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)

Saturday

Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)

Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)

Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)

Sunday

Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)

Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)

Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)

 

 

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Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

Name: Colm McLoughlin

Country: Galway, Ireland

Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free

Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah

 

Updated: September 22, 2023, 6:13 PM