Sudan’s paramilitary RSF chief says war with army is not over

Source: Reuters, Tuesday April 1, 2025

Deputy head of Sudan’s sovereign council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo speaks during a press conference at Rapid Support Forces head quarter in Khartoum, Sudan February 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, said on Sunday that his war against the army was not over and his forces would return to Khartoum despite being largely driven out of the capital.

It was Dagalo’s first comment since the RSF were pushed back from most parts of Khartoum last week by the army in the latest development in Sudan’s devastating two-year-old war.

Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, conceded in an audio message on Telegram that his forces had left the capital last week as the army consolidated its gains.

“It’s true that in the past few days there was a withdrawal by forces [from Khartoum] to reposition in Omdurman. This was a tactical decision made by the leadership. It was a collective decision,” Dagalo said.

However, he vowed to return to Khartoum “stronger, more powerful and victorious”.

His comments came as the army continued to consolidate, taking control on Saturday of a major market in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city, which had previously been used by the RSF to launch attacks.

The army already controlled most of Omdurman, home to two big military bases. It appears intent on securing the entire capital area, which is made up of the three cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri, divided by branches of the River Nile. The RSF still hold some territory in Omdurman.

On Saturday, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ruled out any reconciliation with the RSF, vowing to crush it.

The war is the result of a power struggle between the army and the RSF ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule.

The fighting has ruined much of Khartoum, uprooted more than 12 million Sudanese from their homes, and left about half of the 50 million population suffering acute hunger.

Overall deaths are hard to estimate, but a study published last year said the toll may have reached 61,000 in Khartoum state alone in the first 14 months of the conflict.

Reporting by Khaled Abdelaziz, Menna Alaa El-Din and Hatem Maher; Writing by Menna Alaa El-Din; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Giles Elgood

From: Inside Story

Is South Sudan heading to another civil war?

Source Aljazeera: Tension is rising in South Sudan after the vice president is put under house arrest.

Source: Aljazeera, Published On 28 Mar 202528 Mar 2025

Ethiopia and Eritrea Slide Toward War?

 Source: The International Crisis Group published on 27 March 2025 an analysis titled “Ethiopia and Eritrea Slide Closer to War amid Tigray Upheaval.”

Political turmoil in Tigray Region and growing tension between Addis Ababa and Asmara over landlocked Ethiopia’s desire to obtain access to the Red Sea are driving the current crisis in the Horn of Africa. 

Edging Towards Another Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict?

 Source: World Politics Review published on 27 March 2025 a commentary titled “Ethiopia, Eritrea and Tigray Are Back on a War Footing” by Fred Harter, freelance journalist based in Addis Ababa.

A power struggle in Tigray Region between Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda is the proximate cause of the current crisis in Ethiopia, but a more explosive dynamic is the escalating rivalry between the governments in Addis Ababa and Asmara.  In February, Eritrea ordered a nationwide military mobilization, and Ethiopia has been moving military equipment and troops to its border with Eritrea.

Somalia Offers Port Deal to US

 Source: Semafor published on 28 March 2025 an article titled “Somalia Offers US ‘Control’ over Strategic Ports” by Amanda Sperber.  

Somalia’s government has offered the United States “exclusive operational control” over strategic ports on the Gulf of Aden in an effort to preclude a decision by Washington to recognize the independence of Somaliland.  The offer includes the port of Berbera under the control of Somaliland and Bosaso under the control of Puntland.

Which Way Will Trump Go on Somalia?

Source: International Crisis Group, Thursday March 27, 2025




https://embed.acast.com/60affbcce600012cebcf1/67e56dad3cc004e4534996b1

This week on The Horn, Alan talks with Crisis Group’s Somalia expert Omar Mahmood about what the impact of a major Trump pivot on Somalia could look like, as well as Al-Shabaab’s new offensive and the recent thaw in Ethiopia-Somalia relations.

In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by Omar Mahmood, Crisis Group’s Senior Analyst for Somalia and the Horn of Africa to discuss Somalia’s uncertain new global context with the dawn of a new Trump administration. They first unpack the recent Ankara declaration between Somalia and Ethiopia and the failure to find funding for the new African Union mission in Somalia. They then explore what the Trump administration might do on Somalia, the potential for a major rupture in Washington’s support for Somalia’s federal government, and what this could mean for European, Turkish and Arab support for Somalia’s government. They also assess new offensives from Al-Shabaab and how the group is trying to posture itself amid all these shifts. 

For more, check out the last episodes of The Horn on Somalia “What to Expect from the New AU Mission in Somalia” and “Somalia amid a Swirl of Regional Tensions” as well as our Somalia country page.

Somaliland rejects federal governmnet’s reported offer of Berbera Port to U.S.

Source: Hiiraan Online, Saturday March 29, 2025

Hargeisa (HOL) – Somaliland administration has rejected the Somali federal government’s reported offer of the strategic Berbera port to the United States, dismissing the move as a “desperate and meaningless attempt” to derail Somaliland’s push for international recognition.

Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden denounced the offer as an act of political desperation by Mogadishu. 

“This is a desperate and pointless attempt by the failed Somali government,” Aden said in a statement. “It reflects the behavior of a corrupt regime in its final throes—engaging in a suicidal operation. There is nothing Mogadishu can do to stop Somaliland’s recognition.”

The reaction follows reports that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud offered U.S. President Donald Trump exclusive operational access to key strategic assets in a March 16 letter, including air bases in Balidogle and Berbera, and ports in Berbera and Bosaso.

Somaliland’s representative to the United States, Ambassador Bashir Good, also dismissed Mogadishu’s offer, stating that Berbera is not under Somalia’s jurisdiction.

“Berbera is in a neighboring country—Somaliland—not Somalia,” said Ambassador Good. “U.S. law now requires direct engagement with Somaliland, making a third party unnecessary.”

Good added that Somaliland and the United States are actively exploring cooperation on Berbera’s development. He noted that multiple delegations from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) have visited the port to evaluate its strategic potential.

Somalia’s central government, which opposes any move toward recognizing Somaliland as an independent state, has long insisted that the country’s unity and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. However, tensions have escalated amid increasing foreign interest in Somaliland’s strategic location on the Gulf of Aden and its growing diplomatic outreach.

Berbera, which hosts a UAE-operated military facility and a DP World-managed commercial port, has become a geopolitical flashpoint in recent years as Somaliland deepens ties with international actors—most notably Ethiopia and Taiwan.

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, continues to seek international recognition. Somalia, meanwhile, maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory.

Somalia receives military equipment from African Union ahead of AUSSOM deployment

sOURCE: hIIRAAN 0NLINE, Friday March 28, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali government has received a significant shipment of military equipment from the African Union to enhance the country’s security infrastructure and support ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.

The consignment includes armored vehicles, helmets and vests, an armored personnel carrier, fuel and water tankers, engines, medical supplies, and other essential resources.

Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, H.E. Amb. Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa received the equipment during a handover event with the AU Continental Logistics Base (CLB) team in Douala, Cameroon.

In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep appreciation for the AU’s continued support, calling it a critical contribution to Somalia’s counterterrorism and state-building efforts.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia extends its heartfelt appreciation to the African Union for its continued and invaluable support, which strengthens regional security, supports institutional development, and advances counterterrorism efforts,” the statement read. “This reaffirms the shared dedication to fostering long-term stability, resilience, and progress across the continent.”

The handover comes just one day after a four-day technical meeting between representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the Somali government, and troop-contributing countries. The meeting finalized plans for capacity-building, force composition, and deployment strategies under the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

AUSSOM will officially replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is expected to be fully operational by July 1. The new mission will focus on supporting Somali-led security operations and institutional reforms as part of the country’s roadmap toward full security self-reliance.

Erdogan reaffirms support for Somalia’s security, stability in presidential meeting

Source: TRTWORLD Friday March 28, 2025

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to Somalia’s security, territorial integrity, and economic development.

During the meeting at the Presidential Complex on Thursday, President Erdogan emphasised that Türkiye places great importance on Somalia’s peace and stability and will continue to support efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability with Ethiopia.

Türkiye has been a long-standing ally of Somalia, providing humanitarian aid, military training, and development assistance. Erdogan reiterated that Türkiye would maintain its unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

Counterterrorism cooperation

According to a statement by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, the leaders also discussed enhanced cooperation in counterterrorism, with Erdogan assuring that Türkiye stands firmly with the Somali people in their fight against extremist groups.

“Türkiye will continue to support Somalia in the fight against terrorism,” Erdogan stated, underlining the importance of security cooperation between the two nations.

Strengthening economic and defence ties

In addition to security issues, the discussions also covered economic, trade, and defence cooperation. Erdogan and Mohamud explored ways to boost bilateral trade and strengthen defence industry ties, reflecting Türkiye’s long-term commitment to Somalia’s development.

Türkiye has been actively involved in Somalia’s infrastructure, health, and education sectors, and the meeting reinforced the strategic partnership between the two countries.

This latest high-level engagement highlights Türkiye’s broader foreign policy approach in Africa, where it seeks to expand diplomatic, economic, and security ties while supporting regional stability.

Kenya targets sustainable debt cuts amid IMF programme uncertainty

By Duncan Miriri
Thursday March 27, 2025

Kenya’s Finance Minister John Mbadi gestures during an interview with Reuters where he says Kenya has started talks with IMF for a new program, in Nairobi, Kenya, February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Kenya plans to cut its debt to below 55% of its GDP in the next two years, Finance Minister John Mbadi said on Wednesday, as the government awaits the outcome of its request for a new International Monetary Fund lending programme.

Financial markets reacted negatively last week when it was announced that Kenya and the IMF had abandoned the final review of the East African nation’s current $3.6 billion support programme.

Mbadi said the government now plans to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 52.8% by the 2027/28 financial year from just over 58% currently. That would bring it under the 55% level considered sustainable by the IMF and World Bank’s debt carrying-capacity assessment.

“We are in times that are not very easy and we must show commitment to solving this problem,” Mbadi told a meeting to discuss the government’s debt management strategy.

“The strategy to me is very simple. Number one is to consistently demonstrate that you are reducing your budget deficit.”

To attain that, Kenya will tap external sources for a quarter of the gross borrowing needs in the 2025-28 period, he added, while three quarters will come from domestic sources.

Kenya’s now-shelved IMF programme began in April 2021, but its implementation was hampered by anti-tax hike protests last year which forced President William Ruto’s government to abandon its plan to reduce this year’s fiscal deficit to 3.5%.

Spending pressures have however since forced a further expansion of the deficit to 4.9% of GDP, Chris Kiptoo, the principle secretary at the ministry, told the same meeting.

Mbadi, appointed after the protests as Ruto sought to stabilise his government, termed the move to target a budget deficit of 3.5% as “crazy imagination”, suggesting the goal was unattainable, and added it had almost brought severe unrest.

He said the government had to reduce the budget deficit steadily while also providing services to Kenyans.

The government still plans to move towards a smaller budget deficit gradually, he said, aiming for a maximum of 3% of GDP in 2028.

The government is also stepping up efforts to cut corruption, the minister said.

A 50% reduction in the amount estimated to be stolen every year could remove the need to borrow from the IMF and the World Bank, as well as reduce reliance on U.S. aid, while the complete elimination of stealing could erase the budget deficit, he said.

Reporting by Duncan Miriri, graphic by Marc Jones in London; Editing by William Maclean

News|United Nations

South Sudan on brink of renewed civil war, UN warns

Building tension and violence threatens to unravel the peace deal that halted ethnic conflict in 2018.

Published On 25 Mar 202525 Mar 2025

South Sudan is on the brink of a renewed civil war as violence between rival factions escalates, the United Nations has warned.

The situation in the country is “dire” said Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), late on Monday, as tension between forces allied with President Salva Kiir and those of Vice President Riek Machar continues to build.

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Efforts to negotiate a peace deal would only be possible if Kiir and Machar were able to “put the interests of their people ahead of their own,” the UN official noted, warning that disinformation and hate speech are stirring ethnic hatred and provoking increasing violence that has displaced tens of thousands.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, fell into a bloody civil war soon after gaining independence in 2011, as forces aligned with Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, fought those loyal to Machar, an ethnic Nuer.

The conflict killed more than 40,000 people before a 2018 peace deal saw the pair form a government of national unity. However, tension has flared once more.

Falastiin oo si adag uga hortimid qorshaha Trumo iyo Israaiil ee ah in dadkooda loo raro Soomaaliya

Source: Isniin, Maarso 24, 2025 (HOL) – Lataliyaha Madaxweynaha Falastiin Dr. Riyad Malki ayaa ku gacan seyray qorshaha madaxweyne Donald Trump ee ah in Falastiiniyiinta laga raro Qaza loona wareejiyo dalalka Carabta ee Bariga Afrika, sida Suudaan, Soomaaliya oo ay ku jirto Somaliland.

Waxa uu sheegay in dalalkaasi aysan aqbali doonin Falastiiniyiinta, isla markaana ay ka door bidayaan inay dhintaan intii ay ka tagi lahaayeen dalkooda.

Dr. Malki, oo ka qayb-galayay dabaaldegga 35-aad ee madax-bannaanida Namibia, ayaa xaqiijiyay sida ay Falastiiniyiinta uga go’an tahay inay sii joogaan dhulkooda.

Qoshaha Maraykanka iyo Israel ayaa la kulmay cambaarayn baahsan, iyadoo inta badan dunidu ka hortimid in qaxootiga Falastiiniyiinta la dajiyo waddamada Suudaan iyo Soomaaliya.

Dr. Malki ayaa dhaleeceeyay isku dayga Donald Trump uu ku doonayo in uu ra’yigiisa xoog ugu soo rogo, tallaabadaas oo kicisay falcelin xooggan oo caalami ah, iyadoo dalal badan ay ka muujiyeen caro iyo niyad jab ku aaddan soo jeedintiisa.

Dr. Malki ayaa diiday habka Trump uu aaminsan yahay in nabad lagu raadinayo ee ah xoogga iyo gacan ka hadalka, isagoo ku tilmaamay mid aan macquul ahayn.

Dr. Malki ayaa muujiyay sida uu ugu faraxsan yahay cambaareynta beesha caalamka ee qorshaha Trump, gaar ahaan dalalka Namibia iyo Koonfur Afrika.

Waxa uu taageeradaas u sababeeyay xidhiidhka soo jireenka ah ee Falastiin iyo quruumahaas.

Soo jeedinta Trump ee ah in Falastiiniyiinta loo raro dalalka kale ee Carabta ayaa dhalisay muran weyn, iyadoo dad badan ay u arkeen in uu yahay isku day lagu doonayo in lagu tirtiro joogitaanka Falastiiniyiinta dalkooda.

Kenyan cargo plane crashes in Somalia killing all 5 crew members

Source: Monday March 24, 2025

FILE PHOTO

Officials are investigating an incident in which an aircraft registered in Kenya crashed at least 24 kilometres southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, killing five people on board.

The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed the incident on Saturday, March 22.

SCAA stated that all the crew members on board “tragically” perished on the spot.

The families of the victims have since been informed of the tragedy.

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

The cargo plane was returning from Dhobley town in the Lower Juba region after delivering supplies to the African Union forces when it crashed on Saturday at around 5:43 p.m. local time, the Aviation Authority said while condoling with the families of the deceased.

Dhobley is the headquarters of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) troops from Kenya, who operate Sector II within Jubaland state. The identities of the crew members were not immediately revealed.

“The aircraft involved was a DHC-5D Buffalo with serial number 109 and registration 5Y-RBA,” the Authority said in a statement a few hours after the crash was confirmed.

The team was about to land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. There were five people on board, all of whom had tragically lost their lives.

“The flight departed from Dhobley and was headed to Aden Adde International Airport. With the aviation teams working to gather more information, it was established that the aircraft was operated and registered in Kenya,” said a statement from the authority.

The authority added that Trident Aviation Limited, which operates in Kenya, owns the aircraft.

Somalia’s dilapidated road infrastructure makes many people prefer air transport, which is faster, safer, and more secure due to the al-Shabaab menace in the country.

The DHC-5D Buffalo is a short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft typically used for transporting cargo, particularly in rough terrains and remote locations.

Somalia has been notorious for aircraft accidents, with experts blaming the phenomenon on aging aircraft, limited infrastructure, and difficult operating conditions.

In January 2024, another Kenyan cargo aircraft crashed in Somalia, killing two people on board.

The plane was transporting humanitarian supplies to the World Food Programme (WFP) regional offices when it veered off the runway.

The cargo plane crashed moments before landing at the airport.

Months later, in July 2024, a domestic flight operated by Halla Airlines from Garowe to Mogadishu crash-landed at Aden Adde International Airport, leaving two people injured.

Officials said they are investigating the incidents.

Egypt, Eritrea discuss regional stability, Red Sea security

Source: egypt today. Monday March 24, 2025

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh on Sunday to discuss regional stability, support for Somalia, the situation in Sudan, and Red Sea security. The talks took place amid ongoing concerns regarding Ethiopia’s desire for sea access.

The meeting was attended by Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Hassan Rashad, Head of the General Intelligence Service.

According to the Egyptian Presidency, the Eritrean Foreign Minister conveyed greetings from Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, which Al-Sisi reciprocated, affirming the strong relations between the two countries and Egypt’s commitment to strengthening them across all sectors.

Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, the official spokesman, stated that discussions focused on the Horn of Africa and ways to promote regional stability through joint efforts and the tripartite coordination mechanism with Somalia. Both Egypt and Eritrea reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Somalia in combating terrorism and preserving its territorial integrity.

The meeting also addressed the restoration of peace and stability in Sudan, and the protection and governance of the Red Sea, emphasizing the need for coastal states to lead such efforts and rejecting the involvement of non-coastal states.

The discussions took place against a backdrop of concerns regarding Ethiopia’s desire for sea access. While landlocked Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that his country has no intention of starting a war with Eritrea to gain access to the sea, a previous statement that a seaport was an “existential issue” sparked concerns. Abiy recently told parliament that the issue should be resolved through diplomacy and mutual benefit. The neighbours have had a fractious relationship in the past, raising fears of renewed conflict.

President Mohamud, AU Chairperson Youssouf pledge deeper cooperation on security and development

Source: Monday March 24, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with the new Chairperson of the African Union, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, in Mogadishu on Sunday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing strategic cooperation between Somalia and the continental body.

The meeting focused on regional security, economic development, institutional reform, and Somalia’s ongoing fight against terrorism. President Mohamud praised the African Union’s longstanding support for Somalia, particularly through peacekeeping, state-building, and stabilization efforts.

“The African Union has played a vital role in Somalia’s progress,” President Mohamud said. “We deeply appreciate the courage and sacrifice of AU peacekeepers in our country, and we are committed to strengthening our collaboration.”

Mohamud reiterated Somalia’s determination to eliminate terrorism and thanked regional partners for their continued support in counterterrorism operations.

“Terrorism has no place to hide in Somalia,” the president declared. “It has been rejected by the land and the people. God willing, we will succeed in completely eradicating it. We will not tolerate their plots, looting, and massacre of our people.”

The two leaders also agreed to boost economic cooperation and accelerate government reforms to increase stability and inclusive growth. President Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to actively contribute to the African Union reform agenda and share lessons from its own state-building journey with other post-conflict countries on the continent.

Chairperson Youssouf, elected to lead the African Union in February 2025, is a veteran diplomat who previously served as Djibouti’s foreign minister. His appointment, backed by Somalia, is seen as a strategic move to improve AU coordination in the Horn of Africa, especially regarding counterinsurgency operations against al-Shabaab and the reconciliation process among Somalia’s federal member states.

Is South Sudan on Brink of Return to Civil War?

 Source: The New York Times published on 17 March 2025 an article titled “How South Sudan Returned to the Brink of War” by Abdi Latif Dahir.

The latest clashes in South Sudan involve the South Sudan national military under President Salva Kiir and an opposition force known as the White Army, which is believed to be allied with Vice President Riek Machar.  The Kiir government accused the White Army of attacking a military garrison while Machar says Kiir is targeting his allies.

Ethiopia rules out conflict with Eritrea over Red Sea access

Source: Aljazeera, Friday March 21, 2025

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed [File: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]

Ethiopia’s prime minister says his country will not seek conflict with longtime rival Eritrea over access to the Red Sea, amid recent fears about possible war between the neighbours.

“Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday, according to a post by his office on X.

Although access to the Red Sea was an existential matter for landlocked Ethiopia, Abiy’s government wanted to address it peacefully via dialogue, he added.

Fears of war emerged in recent weeks after Eritrea ordered a nationwide military mobilisation, according to a human rights group, and Ethiopia deployed troops towards the border, diplomatic sources and officials told the Reuters news agency.

Abiy’s ambitions to gain access to the sea have angered Eritrea, which has accused it of eyeing the port of Assab.

“Eritrea is perplexed by Ethiopia’s misguided and outdated ambitions for maritime access and naval base ‘through diplomacy or military force’,” Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel said on Tuesday, echoing remarks made by the country’s foreign minister to international diplomats.

In a post on X, Yemane urged the international community “to pressure Ethiopia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours”.

He also described Eritrea’s alleged “preparations for war against Ethiopia” as “false accusations”.

Tensions in Tigray

Renewed clashes between two of Africa’s largest armies would end a historic rapprochement for which Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, and risk a humanitarian disaster in a region already grappling with fallout from the war in Sudan.

During the 2020-2022 civil war between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopia’s central government, Eritrean forces crossed the border to fight in support of Ethiopia.

But the peace deal signed in Pretoria, South Africa in November 2022 drove a new wedge between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which was not party to the negotiations.

Since then, the TPLF – which runs Tigray’s post-war interim administration with the blessing of Ethiopia’s federal government – has split, with both factions seeking control of the post-war interim administration of the region.

The current interim administration has accused the dissident faction of collaborating with Eritrea, while the dissidents in turn say their rivals have failed to protect Tigrayan interests. Each side denies the other’s allegations.

Abiy told parliament on Thursday the term of the Tigray interim administration had been extended for one year, with some amendments. He did not elaborate on whether the changes would include new leadership appointments, a key demand of the dissident faction.

“In line with the Pretoria agreement, the interim administration will continue until the next election,” he said, referring to a general election due in 2026.

Source: News Agencies

Sudanese army says it has control of presidential palace in Khartoum

Source: REuters, By Khalid Abdelaziz, Jana Choukeir and Nafisa Eltahir
Friday March 21, 2025

Sudanese army members film themselves inside the presidential palace, after, according to the Sudanese army, they took the control of the presidential palace, in Khartoum, Sudan, March 21, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Social Media via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights

The Sudanese army seized full control of the Presidential Palace in downtown Khartoum on Friday, it said in a statement, in one of the most symbolic gains in a two-year-old conflict with a rival armed group that has threatened to partition the country.

The army had long been on the backfoot but has recently been making gains and has retaken territory in the centre of the country from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Meanwhile the RSF has consolidated control in the west, hardening battle lines and moving the country towards de facto partition. The RSF is working to set up a parallel government in areas it controls, although that is not expected to receive widespread international recognition.

The army said it had also taken control of ministries and other key buildings in central Khartoum. Military sources said RSF fighters had withdrawn about 400 metres away.

The RSF had rapidly seized the palace in Khartoum, along with the rest of the city, after war broke out in April 2023 over the paramilitary’s integration into the armed forces.

The army shared videos of soldiers cheering in the palace, its glass windows shattered and walls pockmarked with bullet holes.

The RSF did not immediately comment on the retaking of the palace and the army’s advances in Khartoum.

Late on Thursday the group said it had seized a key base from the army in North Darfur, a region in the west of the country.

Many Sudanese welcomed news the army had control of the palace.

“The liberation of the palace is the best news I’ve heard since the start of the war, because it means the start of the army controlling the rest of Khartoum,” said 55-year-old Khartoum resident Mohamed Ibrahim.

“We want to be safe again and live without fear or hunger,” he said.

The conflict has led to what the U.N. calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, spreading famine in several locations and disease across the country of 50 million people.

Both sides have been accused of war crimes, while the RSF has also been charged with genocide. Both sides deny the charges.

GUNFIRE IN KHARTOUM

Intermittent gunfire could be heard in Khartoum on Friday, and bloody fighting was expected as the army seeks to corner the RSF, which still occupies swathes of the territory to the south of the palace in the city.

“We are moving forward along all fighting axes until victory is complete by cleansing every inch of our country from the filth of this militia and its collaborators,” the army statement said.

The war erupted two years ago as the country was planning a transition to democratic rule.

The army and RSF had joined forces after ousting Omar al-Bashir from power in 2019 and later to oust civilian leadership.

But they had long been at odds, as Bashir developed the RSF, which has its roots in Darfur’s janjaweed militias, and leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as a counterweight to the army, led by career officer Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz and Jana Choukeir Writing by Jana Choukeir and Nafisa Eltahir Editing by Himani Sarkar, Michael Georgy, Saad Sayeed and Frances Kerry

Al-Shabaab’s Ramadan offensive in Somalia exposes critical security gaps

Source: Hiiraan Online, Friday March 21, 2025

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud greets military commanders during a visit to frontline troops in central Somalia amid ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab militants. (Photo courtesy of Somali Presidential Press Office)Mogadishu (HOL)  — Al-Shabaab’s large-scale offensive, initiated in February with more than 3,000 militants mobilized from Middle Jubba to retake the strategic Middle Shabelle region, has stumbled but continues to expose critical weaknesses in Somalia’s security framework.

Despite significant setbacks faced by the militant group, including fierce resistance from Somali and partner forces, Al-Shabaab’s continued resilience and capacity for coordinated, deadly attacks have cast a troubling shadow over Mogadishu’s fragile security gains.

In the boldest attack to date, militants targeted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy with a powerful improvised explosive device near Mogadishu airport on March 18. Mohamud survived unharmed, but the blast killed four people, highlighting the militants’ audacity and ability to strike high-level targets.

Days prior, Al-Shabaab conducted coordinated assaults on Somali military positions in Awdhiigle and Hawo Abdi, locations dangerously close to Mogadishu’s administrative boundaries. Although the Somali government reported successfully repelling these attacks, Al-Shabaab claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties, reportedly killing at least 30 Somali soldiers. Alarmingly, militants openly occupied and patrolled neighbourhoods on Mogadishu’s outskirts overnight on March 15 and 16, showcasing serious gaps in local security.

Central to Al-Shabaab’s strategic objectives is recapturing vital economic corridors, particularly the critical highway linking Mogadishu to Ethiopia through Middle Shabelle and Hiraan. This route, previously cleared during Somalia’s successful 2022 anti-insurgency offensive, serves as a significant economic lifeline. Control of the road allows lucrative taxation opportunities for Al-Shabaab and local entities, underscoring why the insurgents are fiercely contesting this area.

Further complicating the situation, local clan tensions and the political isolation of President Mohamud have provided fertile ground for Al-Shabaab to strengthen its foothold. Recent disputes between the Hawiye clans in Middle Shabelle over resource sharing and political representation have intensified rivalries. During Ramadan, these divisions have become particularly pronounced, creating vulnerabilities the militants have strategically exploited.

In a notable assault on March 11, militants targeted prominent local elders in a sophisticated hotel siege in Beledweyne, marking their most significant attack in the Hiraan capital since 2022. Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab militants briefly overran the Bal’ad district, releasing imprisoned fighters, highlighting their ability to infiltrate and retake previously cleared zones like the ‘Adale district, signalling a concerted strategy to reconnect their fragmented strongholds.

The Somali government and its international partners have increased drone strikes in response, more than doubling their rate compared to the entirety of 2024. Yet, these measures have not significantly reduced Al-Shabaab’s operational capability. Recent propaganda by the militant group, explicitly calling its followers to prepare for a “new stage of war,” indicates a potentially more aggressive phase of conflict.

President Mohamud has actively sought to bolster local resistance, travelling personally to strategic locations like Adan Yabal, a town of critical strategic importance due to its former role as Al-Shabaab’s administrative headquarters in central Somalia and its position controlling vital supply routes. Once, Al-Shabaab’s central administrative town rallied clan militia support. Nevertheless, Somalia’s regional security partners, including Ethiopia, Uganda, Egypt, and the United States, have not significantly escalated their troop presence, indicating either uncertainty or possible underestimation of the immediacy of the Al-Shabaab threat.

News|Sudan war

UAE denies Sudan’s accusations of ‘complicity in genocide’ at the ICJ

Source: Aljazeera, Sudan alleges the UAE is ‘complicit in the genocide on the Masalit’ by supporting the Rapid Support Forces.

By Al Jazeera Staff

Published On 6 Mar 20256 Mar 2025

The United Arab Emirates has slammed a Sudanese move to file a case against it at the top United Nations court, calling it  “nothing more than a cynical publicity stunt” and saying it would seek the “immediate dismissal” of the case.

Sudan has filed a case at the International Court of Justice, accusing the UAE of breaching the Genocide Convention by giving “direct support” to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), implicating it in genocidal acts allegedly perpetrated by the RSF against the Masalit people of Darfur.