Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC}  Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has visited the military’s headquarters in the capital Khartoum in his first appearance there since government forces claimed to have broken a months-long siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Accompanied by top military officials on Sunday, al-Burhan praised the “resilience and sacrifices” of soldiers who defended the army’s General Command for 20 months, vowing to “eradicate” the RSF and pursue its fighters “in every corner of Sudan”.

He also hailed the continued operations by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) elsewhere in the country, including in Omdurman, Bahri, and el-Fasher, where fierce clashes have been reported in recent days.

“Our forces are in their best condition,” al-Burhan said at the headquarters that was recaptured last week after being encircled by RSF since the start of the war in April 2023.

The announcement on Friday by the SAF that it had successfully lifted the RSF blockade on Khartoum and took back control of parts of the city signalled a potential turning point in the nearly two-year war. The RSF denied the army claims as “propaganda” aimed at boosting morale.

Earlier this month, the army recaptured Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira state, which had been held by the RSF for more than a year. There are reports that military forces have carried out alleged ethnic killings after taking over the strategic city.

The RSF has been accused of committing various abuses – including an allegation by the United States that it has carried out genocide – during the war.

Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said al-Burhan’s comments on Sunday signalled that the general was not interested in diplomacy at this time.

“Al-Burhan made it clear he will not be holding negotiations with the RSF, that there will be no reconciliation, and that there will be fighting until the very last rebel is killed,” she said.

“It’s not the first time we’re hearing those words from the army chief, but regional partners and the international community have tried to pursue a diplomatic solution as well. General al-Burhan appears to opt for a military victory right now, especially since in the past few weeks the army has been able to regain control of more territory.”

Attack on hospital ‘packed with patients’

The appearance comes as the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) decried an attack that killed dozens of people at a hospital in el-Fasher in the Darfur region.

The attack late on Friday targeted the Saudi hospital, the main hospital in the besieged area. It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack. A local official said the RSF carried out a drone strike.

At least 70 people were killed and 19 others were wounded, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed on Sunday.

“At the time of the attack, the hospital was packed with patients receiving care,” Tedros said in a post on X.

Saudi Arabia condemned the attack as a “violation of international law and international humanitarian law”.

Local groups and international rights groups have previously reported attacks on displacement camps and other facilities by the RSF that have killed and wounded civilians.

More than 5,000 people have been killed or injured since the RSF started its attempt to take over el-Fasher last May, according to local authorities.

El-Fasher is the biggest city and has the biggest functional airport in the Darfur region, said Amgad Fareid Eltayeb from the Fikra for Studies and Development think tank. It is the last major area in the region controlled by the army.

“The RSF has been trying to take el-Fasher in order to set the scene for announcing a government of its own along with its allies,” Eltayeb told Al Jazeera.

“What the RSF and its allies want is to fully take over Darfur in order to establish a government, leaving Sudan with a model similar to what happened in Libya.”

Eltayeb also expressed concern about a pattern of attacks by the RSF since January 15 that have targeted water dams, power stations and oil refineries.

SOURCE Aljazeera 

Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC} Landlocked Ethiopia has no intention of starting a war with neighbouring Eritrea in order to gain access to the sea, the country’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said.

A previous statement, in 2023, that having a seaport was an “existential issue” for the nation sparked concerns that the Ethiopia could take one by force.

Abiy’s comments to parliament on Thursday came amid fresh concerns that the neighbours, which have had a fractious relationship in the past, could be involved in a conflict again.

The prime minister said the issue of sea access for the world’s most populous landlocked nation should be resolved through diplomacy and mutual benefit.

“Our intention is to negotiate based on the principle of give and take. What the Eritrean people need is development, not conflict. Our plan is not to fight but to work together and grow together,” he said.

Nevertheless, he stressed that discussions around a seaport should not be taboo and that global norms support the idea that large nations require maritime access.

In recent weeks, there have been fears that the war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region could resume, possibly with the involvement of Eritrea.

A two-year civil war, which cost hundreds of thousands of lives, came to an end in November 2022, but elements of the peace deal have started to fray as politicians in Tigray have fallen out.

There have been accusations that Eritrea is interfering in the region’s internal political divisions.

Last Thursday, Tigray’s Interim President Getachew Reda accused his rivals of colluding with Eritrea, which previously supported the Ethiopian federal government during the civil war.

“We have reason to believe external actors are involved,” Getachew said, alleging that Eritrea sees turmoil in Tigray as an opportunity for its own interests.

However, Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh dismissed these allegations, telling diplomats in the capital, Asmara, on Tuesday that his country “categorically rejects” any claims that it is involved in northern Ethiopia’s tensions.

But last week Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timotewos told diplomats in Addis Ababa that his government suspects one of the factions in Tigray has links to Eritrea, though he did not provide specific details.

Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in the 1990s, which resulted in Ethiopia losing direct access to the sea.

From 1998, the countries fought a two-year border war. Relations were finally normalised in 2018, after Abiy came to power in Ethiopia, but many of the changes that that brought about have since been reversed.

SOURCE BBC

Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC} Dozens of passengers on a bus in Ethiopia have been abducted by armed men in the country’s largest region, Oromia, as they were were travelling from the capital, Addis Ababa.

Details are only just emerging of the kidnappings, which took place earlier this week.

The incident happened in Ali Doro, which is near an area where around 100 university students were similarly abducted as they were heading home from their campus last July.

Survivors and local authorities blamed those abductions on the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel group that operates in the area. The group denied involvement at the time.

Referring to this week’s incident, the OLA has said it had received reports of the abductions and that it was “conducting an investigation”.

According to one report by a local media organisation, the passengers were heading to Debre Markos, a town in the country’s Amhara region, when they were attacked by the armed men, who exchanged fire with local security forces.

Another report said several buses were attacked, during which at least one person died. The number of abductees could be as high as 50, according to this report.

The government has not yet said anything about the kidnappings, and the BBC’s attempts to get an official response have been unsuccessful.

Abductions of civilians – including passengers – have become increasingly common in the area. Armed groups here have in the past demanded ransoms for the release of the people they hold.

The OLA says it is fighting for the self-determination of Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo.

It has been classified as a terrorist organisation by the federal parliament and operates in various areas in Oromia, including the district where Ali Doro is located.

SOURCE BBC

Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC} President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted an Iftar gathering in Adale town, bringing together local leaders, politicians, members of the Macawisley (local forces), officials from the Hirshabelle State government, and prominent scholars.

The event emphasized the President’s commitment to fostering unity and collaboration in the ongoing efforts to liberate the country from terrorism.

During the iftar, President Mohamud engaged with attendees, listening to their suggestions and insights on strategies to combat terrorism and stabilize the nation.

He commended the Hirshabelle community for their resilience and sacrifices in the fight against extremist groups that have plagued the region.

“The Hirshabelle community has shown extraordinary courage by putting their lives on the line to resist the terrorists who seek to destroy our people and our nation,” President Mohamud stated.

He emphasized the importance of unity among communities, leaders, and security forces in achieving lasting peace and security.

The gathering also served as a platform to strengthen ties between the federal government, local authorities, and grassroots forces.

President Mohamud reiterated his administration’s dedication to supporting regional efforts in the fight against terrorism and rebuilding the nation.

Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC} The Somali National Army (SNA), supported by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and international partners, conducted a successful aerial operation targeting high-ranking terrorist leaders and their militias.

The operation, carried out by SNA Air Force planes, resulted in the elimination of several prominent figures within the Khawarij network.

The airstrikes, which took place on March 20, 2025, focused on key leaders responsible for orchestrating violence and destabilizing communities across Somalia. Among those killed were:

Ahmed Ma’alin – Khwaarij leader for El-Bur district
Abu Salman – Khwaarij leader for El-Garas area in Galgaduud.
Hussein Ali Badal –Khwaarij leader for Hindere area.
Budul Farah Gedi – Khwaarij leader for Eel-Khoxle area.
Sakariye – A memeber of the Galgaduud Khwaarij Unit
Additionally, the operation targeted other influential figures involved in recruiting and misleading local communities, including:

Mire Cagdheer – Khawarij operative
Moses Omar – Khawarij Operative
Mohamed U Rur – Khawarij Operative.
Haji Bashir – Khawarij Operative.

The Somali National Army Command stated that this operation builds on the success of a previous ground engagement on March 13, 2025, in Bay-Adle village, where local forces heroically confronted Khawarij militants.

The targeted leaders were reportedly planning to pressure local communities into joining their militias and were actively searching for the local forces responsible for the March 13 attack.

In a press release, the SNA emphasized its commitment to eradicating terrorism and restoring stability to Somalia.

“This operation demonstrates the Somali National Army’s resolve to protect our people and eliminate the threats posed by extremist groups.

We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure the safety and security of our nation,” the statement read.

The aerial campaign marks a significant step in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and dismantle extremist networks.

The collaboration between the SNA, NISA, and international allies highlights the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing the complex challenges posed by groups like the Khawarij.

Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC} The Commander of the Somali Police Force, Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi, alongside Deputy Commander Brigadier General Osman Abdullahi Mohamed, chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the development of criminal investigation activities in a significant step toward enhancing the criminal justice system and bolstering national security,

The meeting, held in Mogadishu, brought together key stakeholders, including the General Directorate of the Banadir Regional Police, the Criminal Investigation Directorate, Chiefs of Investigation Departments, and officers from various security agencies. The discussions focused on improving the efficiency of criminal investigations, ensuring justice, and safeguarding national security.

During the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of facilitating the reception of victims, protecting human rights, expanding public services, and upholding the rule of law and justice. These measures aim to strengthen public trust in the criminal justice system and ensure that investigations are conducted transparently and effectively.

Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi urged officers to enhance cooperation among themselves and establish a robust information-sharing system. He highlighted the need to remove obstacles that hinder the work of law enforcement agencies and the community, stressing that collaboration is essential for maintaining security and delivering justice.

The Police Chief’s directives show the Somali Police Force’s commitment to modernizing its investigative processes and fostering a safer environment for citizens. The meeting concluded with a consensus on implementing measures to improve criminal investigation activities, ensuring that the force remains responsive to the needs of the public while upholding the highest standards of justice and human rights.

Friday 21, March 2025 {HMC} The Chairman of the National Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NEBC), Mr. Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, alongside the Deputy Chairman and members of the Commission, concluded a two-day training program for staff who will serve as Voter Registration Operators Trainers for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

The training was conducted under the framework of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).

The program aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections, focusing on the use of modern equipment and technology for voter registration and election management.

The newly trained trainers will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the electoral process at the local level.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan emphasized the importance of the training in advancing Somalia’s democratic process.

He stated, “The country has moved toward elections, and the power of the nation will be returned to the Somali people, allowing them to elect leaders who will represent their interests and guide the country forward.”

The Chairman highlighted the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the upcoming local government elections are conducted with integrity, transparency, and efficiency.

He also stressed the significance of empowering citizens to participate in the democratic process, underscoring the role of the trained operators in facilitating this goal.

The training marks a crucial step in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its electoral systems and promote democratic governance.

With the newly equipped trainers ready to deploy, the National Electoral and Boundaries Commission is poised to deliver a credible and inclusive electoral process, further solidifying the country’s path toward stability and democracy.