Arabic Media

October 5, 2023

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Jendayi Frazer against Economic Sanctions on Sudan

• Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, warned against repercussions of new sanctions by Congress against Sudan
• She said such sanctions would complicate European – American alliance regarding Darfur and aid programs
• Meanwhile, Congress took up a bill that would force American investors to divest from foreign companies active in Sudan
• The Group of Elder Statesmen called for civilian representations at Darfur peace talks in Libya

Source: Annahar (Independent Lebanese daily with strong circulation)
Headline: Carter and Tutu Call for Trial of those Responsible for Darfur Violations

• Group of Elder Statesmen finished its visit to Darfur by issuing a warning about spread of violence, rape, and divisions in the region and called for handover of war crime suspects to International Criminal Court
• Maliba Graca said that “every woman told us we are being raped, we are being mistreated, we are being harassed” and called on Sudanese government to acknowledge the problem of rape before it can devise a plan to combat it
• Former President Jimmy Carter said Washington’s use of the term “genocide” to describe the situation in Darfur was “unhelpful” because what happened in Darfur does not correspond to the legal definition of “genocide”
• Carter called on Khartoum to handover war crime suspects to International Criminal Court

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Paris Mulls Expelling Abdul Wahid Nour

• French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kushner, announced that France was mulling expelling Darfur rebel leader Abdul Wahid Nour
• He added that President Sarkozy would support the action and the international community was expecting France to do so
• He explained that 10 presidents, most of South Sudan leadership, and UN failed to convince Nour to attend peace talks in Libya

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Ethiopia to Send Thousands of Troops to Darfur and France Mulls Expelling Nour

• French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kushner, announced that France was mulling expelling Darfur rebel leader Abdul Wahid Nour
• He added that President Sarkozy would support the action and the international community was expecting France to do so
• He explained that 10 presidents, most of South Sudan leadership, and UN failed to convince Nour to attend peace talks in Libya
• Meanwhile, Ethiopia pledged 5,000 troops to Darfur hybrid force
• The hybrid force leader Martin Luther said a few of African pledges meet UN standards for the mission
• Lakhdar Al Ibrahimi of Group of Elder Statesmen believes Alpha Omar Conary would eventually change his mind about non-African participation in Darfur hybrid force when he realizes relying on African troops only would be impossible
• The Group of Elder Statesmen said rape was widespread but Sudanese government continues to ignore it
• They urged the government to handover the war crime suspects to International Criminal Court

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Sudan Denies Releasing Ali Kushaib and Paris Mulls Expelling Nour
By: Ismail Adam and Afrah Mohamed

• Minister of Justice Mohamed Ali Al Mardhi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lam Akul denied war crime suspect Ali Kushaib was released
• Meanwhile, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Kushner, announced that France was mulling expelling Darfur rebel leader Abdul Wahid Nour
• He added that President Sarkozy would support the action and the international community was expecting France to do so
• He explained that 10 presidents, most of South Sudan leadership, and UN failed to convince Nour to attend peace talks in Libya

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Group of Elder Statesmen Calls for Immediate Darfur Force Deployment and Handover of War Crime Suspects
By: Annour Ahmed Annour

• Group of Elder Statesmen painted a “gloomy picture” of Darfur situation, because of widespread violence, divisions, and rape
• The group urged immediate deployment of Darfur hybrid force and called on Sudanese government to handover war crime suspects Ahmed Harun and Ali Kushaib
• Former President Jimmy Carter said most rebel groups do not represent but themselves
• US envoy Andrew Natsios met with Sudanese officials to discuss Darfur situation and peace talks preparations
• Meanwhile Nigerian authorities received the bodies of 7 of their soldiers who were killed in last weekend’s deadly attack on African troops in Darfur