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Kia sets eyes on Africa

In collaboration with its esteemed partner – Rana Motors – Kia’s assembly plant in Amasaman, Ghana is a testament to the strong partnership between Korea and Ghana, combining Korean Engineering Technology with Ghanaian dedication…reports Asian Lite News

Kia Corporation’s official distributor in Ghana “Rana Motors” has officially launched its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy in the African continent. Focused on Western Africa, this strategic move positions Kia as a key player in the region’s automotive industry.

The launch event took place on May 2 and was attended by H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry of Ghana, Hon. Henry Quartey, Regional Minister of Ghana, and other key leaders from the country.

Kia unveils new company logo, brand slogan. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@Kia_Worldwide)

In collaboration with its esteemed partner – Rana Motors – Kia’s assembly plant in Amasaman, Ghana is a testament to the strong partnership between Korea and Ghana, combining Korean Engineering Technology with Ghanaian dedication, capabilities, and passion. The facility, equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a highly skilled team of engineers and technicians, meets Kia’s rigorous international standards to deliver only the highest quality vehicles to African consumers.

Yaser Shabsogh, Chief Operating Officer, Regional HQ, Middle East & Africa, Kia stated: “This facility not only addresses the present needs of Ghanaian customers but also proactively anticipates their future requirements. Our goal is to fulfill the demands not only within Ghana but potentially also across West Africa. We are excited about the opportunities that this expansion will bring.”

Essam Odaymat, CEO of Rana Motors, expressed the assembly plant’s importance in fostering a stronger bond between Ghana and the Republic of Korea, stating, “We humbly take pride in our role of enhancing the relationship between Ghana and the Republic of Korea by promoting excellence.”

In line with the brand’s vision to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider, the assembly plant addresses critical global challenges such as water shortage and energy consumption. Kia and Rana Motors have implemented a sustainable water approach featuring a stormwater harvesting system, enabling the capture and reuse of water runoff for daily factory operations.

Furthermore, the factory’s sustainable energy approach includes natural light, ventilation systems, and heat insulation to reduce energy consumption. In the project’s next phase, solar panels will be installed on the factory roof, enabling the facility to generate its energy sustainably, covering all its energy consumption.

The assembly plant proudly stands as the largest in Ghana and the region, assembling six vehicle models and will expand to ten models in the next few months. Spread out over a substantial 65,000 square meters of land, the Amasaman facility has a building area of 16,000 square meters, with over 1,000 square meters of living area. In keeping with its proportions, the initial operational capacity of the plant is 35,000 vehicles, with plans for expansion to 70,000 vehicles. Due to the impressive size of the factory, approximately 6,000 tons of cement and 3,500 tons of iron and steel were used in the construction.

Currently, six Kia models are being produced – Kia Cerato, Kia K5, Kia Sonet, Kia Seltos, Kia Sportage, and Kia Sorento – and this portfolio will expand to ten models soon including the K2700, K3000, Carens, and Picanto. With the introduction of the largest regional assembly plant, Kia and Rana Motors have solidified their position as one of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.

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Jaishankar’s visit strengthens ties with S Africa, Namibia

India’s engagement with South Africa and Namibia encompasses various sectors such as trade, investment, development partnership, and people-to-people exchanges….reports Asian Lite News

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s official visits to South Africa and Namibia from 1 June to 6 June, 2023, have further cemented India’s strong bonds with these countries, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During his visit to Cape Town, South Africa, from 1-3 June, EAM participated in the BRICS foreign ministers‘ meeting and the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on June 1 and 2, respectively.

The meetings provided an opportunity for EAM to present India’s perspectives on global and regional developments, global economic recovery, and the functioning of multilateral institutions, including BRICS.

The Joint BRICS Foreign ministers‘ statement issued on 1 June reflected the collective stance of the member nations. In addition to the multilateral engagements, EAM held separate bilateral interactions with South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor and other foreign ministers attending the BRICS and Friends of BRICS meetings.

EAM also met with the President of South Africa, along with other BRICS ministers, to discuss bilateral issues of mutual interest. During his visit, Jaishankar also addressed and interacted with the Indian community in Cape Town, highlighting the progress made in bilateral relations over the past three decades and India’s contributions within the BRICS framework.

Following his visit to South Africa, EAM traveled to Namibia from 4-6 June. This was the first visit by an External Affairs Minister of India to the Republic of Namibia. During the visit, EAM called on Hage Geingob, President of Namibia and also co-chaired the inaugural Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with the Namibian Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (DPM).

The meetings provided a platform for discussing bilateral cooperation across various sectors and identifying new areas of collaboration. During his visit, EAM also addressed the Indian Diaspora in Namibia, highlighting the importance of their contributions to the strengthening of bilateral ties, and met with the Indian diamond business community.

Additionally, EAM inaugurated the India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (INCEIT) in Windhoek, which will further enhance cooperation in the field of technology and capacity building.

The MEA’s statement emphasized that EAM Jaishankar’s visits to South Africa and Namibia have reinforced the deep-rooted ties and commitment between India and these countries. The visits provided an excellent opportunity to enhance bilateral cooperation, expand economic partnerships, and explore new avenues for collaboration.

India’s engagement with South Africa and Namibia encompasses various sectors such as trade, investment, development partnership, and people-to-people exchanges.

The MEA further highlighted that EAM Jaishankar’s visits have laid a solid foundation for continued engagement and cooperation between India and these countries, contributing to the further strengthening of the friendship and mutual understanding between the nations.

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China’s role in Africa’s development puzzle

With China at the centre of the African puzzle, questions arise over reasons behind Beijing’s move, Kaiph Anaz explains the motives..reports Asian Lite News

Way back in 2017, a Nigerian delegate attending a UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) conference on Africa had said, “Africa is bleeding” and warned that his continent’s system has been rigged against Africans and exploited by multinationals. The situation after the lapse of six years is no different.

Irene Ovonji-Odida, Chairperson of the International Board of Action Aid International had asked the question at the same conference as to why Africa remained at the bottom of economic heap despite the abundance of minerals, natural resources, land and water. This question is still reverberating as goals of growth, industrialization and eradication of poverty remain elusive in the continent even today as much as they were in the past.

The question of Africa’s backwardness amid an abundance of natural resources has been visited and revisited several times. In the same vein, a recent study by Dr. Marvellous Ngundu on China-Africa Economic Integration has pointed out that Africa’s economic integration with China is heavily reliant on Chinese demand for natural resources to supply their manufacturing industry. The study under consideration once again confirms the fact that Africa has not benefitted as much as the countries and companies which have exploited its resources.

But as the references quoted in the study noted that China has shown a growing interest in trading with Africa since the 1990s and in the past two decades, it has become increasingly involved in financing Africa through loans and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

Now China has come to the centre of the African puzzle. It is pertinent to enquire why China has come to the centre of discussion on the African development puzzle, i.e., rich in resources, and poor in the standard of living and development. The reason is not far to seek. According to Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), China is so far the largest single buyer of African mining output; in 2020 China bought USD 8.7 billion or 43% of Sub-Sahara Africa’s minerals exports and USD 16.6 billion or 32% of the regions ores and metals exports. Chinese traders, investors and mining companies have been particularly interested in Africa’s base metals and bulk ores – including copper, cobalt, bauxite, chromate, iron ore, manganese and zinc as well as uranium and gold. China’s interest, according to the EIU, has been driven largely by demand for these metals and minerals in China’s fast-growing economy and has promoted Chinese entities to invest in mining sites across the continent.

In the past several years, various bilateral economic pacts were signed to strengthen economic integration between China and African economies, mainly the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) of 2000 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of 2014. FOCAC was established to facilitate multilateral consultations and collective engagement between China and African countries.

The study of various analysts quoted by the study points out that although BRI was launched to develop Africa’s hard infrastructure to facilitate South-South and North-South trade, BRI is viewed as an exploitative tool aimed at easing China’s exploitation of Africa’s natural resources and this increase appears to favour China’s Global South, with more Chinese exports to Africa than Africa’s exports to China. Similarly, the financing consists more of loans than investments (FDI). This is a cause for concern because it reflects financial outflow from Africa. Africa has become a home for low-quality Chinese products, while Chinese FDI is earmarked to exploit natural resources in Africa.

The study has predicted that Africa’s exports to China are expected to decline from USD 119.20 billion in 2022 to USD 13.68 billion in 2026 based on a 5-year alternate episodes/seasonality of an upswing and a downswing in bilateral trade seen in the past. The projected decrease in African exports to China is due to a “shift away from infrastructures” as demonstrated at the 8th FOCAC 2021 ministerial meet. China’s debt financing for infrastructure development has been one of the primary strategies used by the Chinese to siphon Africa’s natural resources and a decline in Africa’s exports.

The study has taken Africa’s exports to China as a close proxy for Africa’s wealth transferred to/exploited by China and intends to inform African policymakers to develop counter-policies. The study has cited references which indicate that China’s exports to Africa are predominantly low-quality finished products rather than intermediary products which not only displace domestic products but also kill domestic manufacturing.

The study has also noted that China’s investment is concentrated in a few resource-rich countries whereas Chinese exports are fairly widely spread over the continent. According to the study’s findings during the 1992-2019 period, 84% of Africa’s exports to China were sourced from 10 resource-rich countries and Africa’s exports to China are mainly sourced from resource-seeking Chinese investments in Africa. It asserts that China is increasingly engaging African countries with market-seeking and resource-exploitation motives taking advantage of the continent’s weak institutional framework.

Another problem is that the majority of China-funded infrastructure projects are executed by Chinese contractors with little participation from domestic firms and labour. This explains why the industrialization of Africa is on hold and growth has not translated into the removal of poverty. In the case of the African countries which have failed to repay Chinese loans, the Chinese have captured state assets in exchange for the defaulted loans.

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India open to FTA talks with Africa, says Goyal

Piyush Goyal emphasised on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards making Africa a top priority…reports Asian Lite News

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday interacted with 15 ambassadors from the African region for strengthening trade and investment ties with India.

He said India is open to free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations bilaterally or individually with African countries or Africa as a whole.

The minister reiterated that this is the beginning of a new engagement and reaffirmed that India would act as a trusted partner to expand trade, commerce, business, investment and opportunities between the two nations.

During the interaction with the ambassadors, Goyal said that India and Africa share remarkable friendship across decades and have the potential of becoming the powerhouse of the future.

The event was aimed at fostering closer economic cooperation, enhancing trade relations and exploring areas of collaboration between India and Africa.

“India and Africa share remarkable friendship across decades and have the potential of becoming the powerhouse of future,” Goyal said on the occasion.

The minister emphasised on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards making Africa a top priority and deepening India’s engagement with Africa on a sustained and regular way.

He encouraged the heads of missions to work in solidarity and extended a hand of friendship for the growth of the African and Indian sub-continent.

The event witnessed the participation of 15 ambassadors from key African nations namely Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

It provided a unique platform for diplomatic representatives to engage in fruitful discussions, strengthen bilateral ties, and forge new partnerships for mutual growth and development, official sources said.

India and Africa share a long-standing history and a strong cultural bond, Goyal further said on the occasion.

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UAE fund backs Africa’s world heritage restoration projects

The announcement came during an event held by the Africa Group at UNESCO headquarters in the French capital, Paris, coinciding with Africa Day celebrations on May 25 and Africa Week….reports Asian Lite News

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced a fund to support world heritage, document conservation and capacity building initiatives at a number of sites across Africa.

The fund will be launched in collaboration with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF).

The announcement came during an event held by the Africa Group at UNESCO headquarters in the French capital, Paris, coinciding with Africa Day celebrations on May 25 and Africa Week.

The event was attended by Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth; Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO; Souayibou Varissou, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund; and Valéry Freland, Executive Director of the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH).

Ambassadors and Permanent Delegates to UNESCO, and representatives of non-governmental organisations and the private sector were also present at the event.

The Ministry of Culture and Youth will represent the UAE, and become a Platinum Partner of the African World Heritage Fund.

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organisation created in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to support the effective conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage in Africa.

The main objective of the AWHF is to address the challenges faced by African States Parties in the implementation of the UNESCO 1972 World Heritage Convention, specifically, the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the conservation and management of these sites.

The UAE’s contributions also aim to build the capacities of local communities, while ALIPH, which the UAE co-founded in 2017 in collaboration with France, will implement three projects in Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia.

In a statement, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said, “In the UAE, we are committed to conserving human heritage in all its forms, and strengthening partnerships with international organisations actively working in this field, out of our belief in the importance of preserving this heritage for future generations, and the role it plays. Heritage plays a significant role in intercultural dialogue, it enhances diversity, tolerance, coexistence and peace in societies.”

He stressed that working to preserve heritage in Africa is of particular importance, due to the cultural significance that the continent enjoys and its enormous civilisational heritage, which represents an important part of human history and culture. Preservation of these elements will reinforce its magnificent cultural legacy. Heritage conservation efforts can make a strong socioeconomic impact and lead to sustainable development with local community participation, empowering its members and to play an active role with tangible benefits, as well as promote tourism. It is these holistic objectives that the UAE will be aiming to achieve through these projects, he emphasised.

These projects will be implemented in cooperation with local governments, alongside local and international partners. One of the projects that will benefit from the initiative is the restoration of the National Cultural Heritage Inventory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The restoration work on this project is being carried out in two phases. The first phase has already been completed granted by ALIPH with the support of the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, with the help of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

The project has so far trained 29 specialists from relevant institutions in DRC in the field of documentation and inventory preparation. The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in 2024.

A significant part of the fund will be allocated to revitalise one of the oldest preserved Sudanese mosques at Dongola, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

This project has been undertaken by the University of Warsaw along with the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology (PCMA) in partnership with the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM).

Urgent conservation work on the Dongola Mosque began early this year and will go on for three years, with the project also providing on-the-job training opportunities for Sudanese experts, creating 60 jobs in the process for city residents.

One of the most significant projects under the current programme will be the restoration of the Yemrehana Krestos Church in Ethiopia, which is considered one of the most symbolic sites in the country in the Amhara region. It encompasses a palace and a church dating back to the 11th-12th centuries.

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Al Jaber urges more climate funding for Africa

Dr. Al Jaber called on developed nations to live up to their historic responsibilities and come through with the $100 billion dollars in climate finance they pledged over a decade ago…reports Asian Lite News

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the COP28 President-Designate, called for a major boost to public and private finance to allow the African continent to battle climate change.

In an address today to the African Development Bank Annual Meeting, he said, “Africa has huge potential for low-carbon growth and sustainable development. But one critical challenge stands in its way – and that is the lack of available, accessible, affordable finance. And this lack of finance is putting the world’s climate goals and Africa’s sustainable development at risk.”

Dr. Al Jaber pointed out that “When it comes to renewable energy, only two per cent of the three trillion dollars invested worldwide over the last twenty years have made their way to Africa. If we can shift the balance on climate finance to Africa, I believe this continent can become a defining force in low carbon sustainable growth.”

As a first step in closing this finance gap, Dr. Al Jaber called on developed nations to live up to their historic responsibilities and come through with the $100 billion dollars in climate finance they pledged over a decade ago.

“Failure to do so has undermined trust in the multilateral process, which must be restored,” Dr. Al Jaber said. “There are encouraging signals coming from donor countries on this front, which I hope will soon be followed by concrete action.”

Africa’s 54 countries have done the least to cause climate change, Dr. Al Jaber noted, contributing less than four per cent of global emissions. Yet they are suffering some of the worst consequences: Over 700 million hectares of agricultural land across this continent are currently degraded – an area twice the size of India. And Africa is losing four million more every year. At the same time, droughts and famine are impacting lives and livelihoods, forcing migration and undermining the biodiversity that African people depend on for their livelihood. At the same time, over 600 million people lack access to electricity and almost one billion lack access to clean cooking fuel.

But to make the transformational progress that is required, Dr. Al Jaber added that the flow of private capital needs to be mobilised. To accomplish this, fundamental reform of IFIs and MDBs are required to unlock much more concessional finance, lowering risk, and attracting private capital.

“COP28 is exploring additional mechanisms to supercharge the flow of private finance to Africa,” he said. “And, by adopting policies and regulations that create a favorable investment climate for the private sector, African governments can build a robust pipeline of sustainable investment.

“If we fail to deliver effective climate finance for Africa,” he warned, “many countries will have no choice but to follow a high carbon development pathway. And that is in no one’s interest.”

While mitigating climate change is important, Dr. Al Jaber noted, the gap in adaptation funding is also large. “Donor countries need to double their commitment to adaptation finance by 2025,” he said.

Dr. Al Jaber concluded by saying “There is great potential for Africa to set an example for low-carbon, high-growth sustainable development. Instead of becoming a dumping ground for old technologies, Africa can emerge as a hub for renewable energies, and a driver for clean growth for the world. Finance is the key to turn good intentions into real results.

“We need every country and every stakeholder united in solidarity on this issue, alongside every other pillar of the climate agenda. Addressing climate change is more than a set of numbers. It is more than meeting goals. It’s about people, who deserve a better future for their families.

“Delivering effective climate finance to Africa will help Africa to develop. It will help put the world back on track to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. And it will enable an energy transition that leaves no-one behind.”

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India witnessed highest African participation under its G20 presidency

Africa represents the voice of around 1.37 billion people, and leaving them out of the decision-making table is detrimental to global sustainable economic growth…reports Asian Lite News

Africa’s participation in the ongoing G20 presidency under India has been the highest ever, the Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj said.

The G20’s focus on Africa has been consistent in recent years. However, India’s G20 Presidency is very unique given India’s track record of amplifying the voice and concerns of the Global South and developing countries. The Ambassador pointed this out while she was addressing the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development 2023. The 2023 ECOSOC Financing for Development (FfD) Forum was held from April 17-20 at UN Headquarters in New York.

Additionally, the numerous G20 meetings being held in India are also striving to address the challenges of the Global South and the world in general. India, with its ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’ and other measures, has managed to provide a larger representation of the issues, concerns, and aspirations of the African region.

India’s priorities, such as inclusive digital infrastructure and climate change, and the various issues it is deliberating, such as multilateral reforms, food and energy security, counter-terrorism, new and emerging threats, global skill mapping, and disaster risk reduction, among others, are of particular interest for the African region, wrote NewsonAir.

Notably, the developments undertaken in the health and education domains by the G20 are also significant for African nations. Prioritising reforms of multilateral development banks is yet another issue that is crucial for India and the Global South. Further, as said by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, “Digital technology can be a key tool for inclusion, advance governance, better service delivery and promote inclusion of all sections of society.” The G20 has been working on Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Skilling as key priority areas.

Africa represents the voice of around 1.37 billion people, and leaving them out of the decision-making table is detrimental to global sustainable economic growth.

According to a report by Gurjit Singh of the Observer Research Foundation, India’s G20 presidency can potentially give India’s Africa policy a further fillip. A refurbished Africa policy will burnish the G20 Presidency with India as the voice of the Global South (VOGS).

During the Modi years, the successful India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS III) with the participation of all 54 African countries, started revitalising the Africa policy. Modi’s visits to Africa in 2016 and 2018 and the enunciation of the 10 principles for Africa in Uganda in 2018 were important initiatives. These require a post-pandemic and post-Ukraine crisis reassessment. Signs of this are visible, with the External Affairs Minister (EAM) visiting Uganda and Mozambique. When in South Africa for the BRICS ministers meeting, he will have the opportunity to visit other African countries.

Since India is the voice of the Global South, speaking up for Africa, in particular, is important. Africa suffered deeply from the consequences of the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. The participation of African countries in the VOGS summit showed their expectations and the potential for the fulfilment of the said expectations through India’s G20 presidency.

India and Africa have had a long and thriving partnership and shared strong civilizational and historical links. Anti-colonial solidarity, diasporic goodwill, and the principle of ‘South-South’ cooperation, among others, are also playing a significant role in strengthening the partnership between India and the African continent, NewsonAir underlined.

The statement made by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that India believes Africa’s growth and progress is intrinsic to global rebalancing itself justifies that African development is significant for India’s Foreign Policy.

Notably, India’s engagement with Africa has been consistent and regular in recent years. India allocated Rs 250 crore for African countries in its Budget for 2023-24.

Further, India’s bilateral trade with Africa is around USD 89.5 billion in 2021-22, and its cumulative investments are USD 73.9 billion from 1996-2021, thereby making India among the top five investors in Africa. (ANI)

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Cairo calls for immediate truce in Sudan

The clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which broke out on April 15, have continued despite several previous truces….reports Asian Lite News

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has made separate phone calls with the leaders of Sudan’s warring parties, calling for an immediate cease-fire to end the bloodshed.

Shoukry on Thursday expressed “Egypt’s deep concern” over the ongoing military confrontations in Sudan, which undermines the country’s security and stability, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.

He called on Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to immediately cease fire to protect the resources of the Sudanese people and prioritise Sudan’s higher interest.

Smoke rising in Khartoum, capital of Sudan. (Photo by Mohamed Khidir_Xinhua)

The clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which broke out on April 15, have continued despite several previous truces. So far, the conflict has left more than 550 people dead and 4,926 others wounded in Sudan.

Fighting continued in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and other parts of the country on Thursday, despite that reports that the two sides on Wednesday agreed to accept one-week truce as part of the initiative by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

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UN chief calls for peace, reconciliation in Sudan

Smoke rising in Khartoum, capital of Sudan. (Photo by Mohamed Khidir_Xinhua)

Guterres added that laying down of arms among combatants is urgent…reports Asian Lite News

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called upon Sudan’s warring parties to pursue the path of peace and reconciliation in order to avert a humanitarian crisis that could engulf the greater Horn of Africa region.

Guterres, who spoke at a media briefing in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, said the conflict that broke out in Sudan in mid-April remains of grave concern, adding that laying down of arms among combatants is urgent, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The fighting needs to stop now before more people die and this conflict explodes into an all-out war that could affect the region for years to come,” Guterres said, adding, “All parties must put the interests of the Sudanese people first — that means peace, prosperity, and a return to civilian rule.”

Guterres is expected to discuss the situation in Sudan with Kenyan officials during his official trip to the East African nation besides chairing this year’s first session of the UN System Chief Executive Board for Coordination.

The board, which meets twice every year, brings together the leaders of the UN agencies, funds, and programs, and happens to be the highest-level coordination forum of the UN system.

While acknowledging that Sudan’s crisis is taking a toll on civilians amid a lack of access to food, clean drinking water, and essential medicine, Guterres urged fighters loyal to Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to adhere to the latest seven-day ceasefire and commence peace talks.

The fighting between the SAF and the RSF that broke on April 15 in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has so far claimed the lives of more than 500 people and left over 4,000 more injured, according to Sudan’s Ministry of Health.

Now in its third week, the fighting, which has disrupted a transition to civilian rule in Sudan, has displaced civilians with an estimated 100,000 people having fled to neighboring countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

On Tuesday, the two rival factions agreed on a seven-day ceasefire mediated by neighboring South Sudan.

Guterres warned that an escalation of the Sudan crisis could displace 800,000 civilians in the near future, adding that the UN had rallied behind regional mediation efforts to end fighting in the northeastern African nation.

The UN chief appealed to the international community to scale up humanitarian assistance for Sudan alongside the quest for peace and a return to civilian rule.

In addition, Guterres urged combatants in Sudan to protect critical infrastructure and amenities, and provide a safe corridor for seamless passage of humanitarian aid meant for civilians trapped in the latest conflict.

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India temporarily relocating embassy from Khartoum to Port Sudan

Over 3,000 Indians have left the crisis-hit Sudan till now with India carrying out Operation Kaveri to evacuate stranded citizens….reports Asian Lite News

India has decided to temporarily relocate its embassy in Khartoum to Port Sudan in view of the prevailing security situation in Sudan.

Ministry of External Affairs said that the situation will be assessed in light of further developments. “In view of the prevailing security situation in Sudan, including attacks in Khartoum city, it has been decided that the Indian Embassy in Khartoum will be temporarily relocated to Port Sudan. The situation will be assessed in the light of further developments,” MEA said in a release.

“The Embassy may be approached at following numbers: +249 999163790; +249 119592986; +249 915028256 and E-mail: cons1.khartoum@mea.gov.in,” the release added.

Over 3,000 Indians have left the crisis-hit Sudan till now with India carrying out Operation Kaveri to evacuate stranded citizens.

“IAF C-130J flight carrying 16th batch of evacuees takes off from Port Sudan. 122 passengers onboard this flight are en route to Jeddah. Nearly 3000 persons have now left Sudan under #OperationKaveri,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

The third week of fighting between the rival forces in Sudan has seen thousands of Sudanese and other nationals attempting to flee the country daily.

The military has been in charge of Sudan since a 2021 coup that derailed the country’s path to democracy.

The armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been competing for power as factions negotiate on forming a transitional government after a 2021 military coup.

The tensions stem from a disagreement between the military, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, about how the paramilitary force should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee that process, according to Al Jazeera.

The two generals have openly criticised each other in speeches over the past few months. (ANI)

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