Friday, February 7, 2025 {HMC} – Khartoum — Military sources have told AFP news agency that Sudanese forces launched attacks from “multiple directions” in central Khartoum on Thursday, approaching the Presidential Palace, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Sudanese Army, which has been engaged in conflict with the RSF since April 2023, has recently intensified its efforts to fully regain control of the capital.

“Our forces are close to reaching central Khartoum… and removing the Dagalo militia,” said a military officer speaking to AFP, referring to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

“Our armored forces are coming from multiple directions,” he added, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

On Wednesday, the military claimed to have “cleared” the al-Remila and Industrial Area neighborhoods in central Khartoum, which are about three kilometers (1.9 miles) away from the Presidential Palace held by the RSF.

However, eyewitnesses reported on Thursday that the military was forced to navigate sniper fire from RSF fighters who were positioned in tall buildings that had previously been business and government districts in Khartoum.

The RSF did not respond to AFP’s request for comment on the matter.

In the southern part of the city, witnesses reported clashes between Sudanese military forces and RSF fighters near the Soba Bridge, a key entry point into the capital from the southeast.

In recent weeks, Sudanese forces have gained significant ground in the capital, breaking a nearly two-year blockade imposed by the RSF on their strongholds. They have pushed the RSF to the outskirts of Northern Khartoum, also known as Bahri.

The military’s progress in the capital marks its most significant victory in a year, since reclaiming Omdurman, located across the Nile River, along with Northern Khartoum and central areas of the city, which are all part of the larger Khartoum metropolitan area.

Since the conflict erupted, tens of thousands of people have been killed, and 12 million have been displaced, pushing the country to the brink of famine.

Friday, February 7, 2025 {HMC} – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people living with mental health disorders has been increasing over the past few years.

The most common mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, and other conditions affecting the human brain. These are largely driven by factors such as substance abuse, insecurity, and widespread unemployment.

The Somali region has been one of the areas where mental health issues have been a longstanding challenge, and the number of people living with these conditions continues to rise.

A joint report by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Evaluation Institute, based in the United States, revealed that 4% of the population in the Somali region is affected by at least one type of mental health disorder. This condition ranks 9th on the list of general health problems in Ethiopia, indicating a significant increase in its prevalence.

Dr. Muuse Catoosh, head of the disease prevention department, stated that 5,000 individuals out of every 100,000 people in the Somali region suffer from mental health issues.

“Mental health disorders are mostly caused by genetic factors inherited from family members, but they are often exacerbated by stress, social exclusion, and substance abuse,” said Dr. Muuse.

He also noted that studies in the Somali region show that the most common mental health issues include anxiety, worry, and stress, which can escalate into more severe mental health problems, such as insanity.

Mental Health Care Center

The first mental health facility of its kind has been established in Eastern Ethiopia, funded by Somali women living abroad. It is located in the town of Dhagahbuur, in the Jarar region.

This new center, which was recently inaugurated, will serve individuals with mental health issues from various parts of the Somali region.

The women behind the establishment of this facility include Asli Xasan Cabaade, the first Somali woman to become a pilot. These women explained that they could no longer ignore the suffering of their people who suffer from mental health issues and lack access to appropriate care.

Muna Muxumad Gaas, the spokesperson for the organization behind the mental health center, said the reason for creating the center was the immense need for mental health care in the region.

“When we saw the existing need for care for people living with mental health disorders, the large number of such individuals, and the shortage of trained doctors, we decided to establish this center. In Jigjiga, patients are taken to different care facilities, where the conditions of their mental health vary,” Muna said.

She further emphasized that this center would serve people with mental health issues, especially those who do not have access to proper care or are unable to afford medical expenses.

“It is especially important for us to help those who cannot afford to seek medical treatment. We gather people from remote villages and other regions,” Muna added.

The Need for Mental Health Treatment Centers

Although there are limited centers providing mental health services, such as those within the Sultan Sheikh Hassan Yabar General Hospital in Jigjiga and another center in Qabridaharre, the need for more facilities to treat mental health disorders remains significant.

The newly established hospital in Dhagahbuur, which will soon start receiving patients, is expected to provide specialized care for mental health conditions. It will become the largest mental health facility of its kind in Eastern Ethiopia, dedicated exclusively to treating mental health disorders.

The Somali region has long been one of the areas in Ethiopia affected by instability, which has made many people vulnerable to mental health issues, as highlighted by reports from the Ministry of Health and independent organizations.

Source: BBC Somali