01-05-23, 08:29
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Re: Sudans' a Nightmare For World-Humanitarian Situ Has Reached Breaking Point
Sudan Crisis Risks Becoming a Nightmare For The world - former PM Hamdok
The former prime minister of Sudan has warned that the conflict in his country could become worse than those in Syria and Libya.
UN Envoy to Region Warns Humanitarian Situation is Reaching Breaking Point
BBC News 1 MAY 2023
Abdalla Hamdok said the fighting will be a "nightmare for the world" if it continues.
The Sudanese army says it is attacking the capital Khartoum from all directions, using heavy artillery.
Almost two weeks of fighting has left hundreds dead, while tens of thousands of people are fleeing the country.
Thursday night's extension of an uneasy ceasefire between the rival factions followed intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN.
But the 72-hour extension has not held. Air, tank and artillery strikes are reported to be continuing in parts of Khartoum.
Speaking at a conference in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Mr Hamdok called for a unified international effort to persuade the Sudanese military leader and the head of a rival paramilitary force to hold peace talks.
"This is a huge country, very diverse ... I think it will be a nightmare for the world," he said.
"This is not a war between an army and small rebellion. It is almost like two armies - well trained and well armed."
Mr Hamdok - who served as prime minister twice between 2019 and 2022 - added that the insecurity could become worse than the civil wars in Syria and Libya. Those wars have led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, created millions of refugees and caused instability in the wider regions.
Air Strikes Hit Khartoum Despite Truce
Air strikes have pounded Sudan's capital, Khartoum, despite a truce aimed at allowing civilians to flee.
The army said it was attacking the city to flush out its paramilitary rivals, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The fighting intensified even as the warring sides said they would extend the truce by another three days.
More than 500 deaths have been reported with the true number of casualties believed to be much higher.
Millions remain trapped in Khartoum.
Army commander Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF chief Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, are vying for power - and disagree in particular about plans to include the RSF into the army.
The generals agreed a humanitarian truce after intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, the US, UK and UN. It was extended, but did not hold.
However, it remains unclear on what they will do in the next stage of the deal arrived at with US and Saudi mediation, according to the army.
Saudi Arabia Evacuated MORE People Than any Other COUNTRY
Evacuees rest aboard a Saudi naval vessel as it travels from Port Sudan to Jeddah
Around 3,000 people have arrived in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah
Meanwhile there are chaotic scenes in Port Sudan where people are desperate to board ships, some of which are heading to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The UK government said it was winding up its own evacuation efforts on Saturday evening. It has established a diplomatic presence in Port Sudan, with an office at the coastal city's Coral Hotel.
Around 2,000 people have arrived in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah after being evacuated from Port Sudan. Most are expected to be flown home via charter flights arranged by their governments within the next few days.
Speaking to BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet in Jeddah, Nazli, a 32 year-old Iranian civil engineer who fled with her fellow engineer husband, recalled the fighting they fled.
"We couldn't even sit on our balcony; the gunfire was everywhere," she said.
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