Arabic Media

January 17, 2023

• Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir described the West as “the enemy” and said when it failed in the South, it focused its attention on Darfur to keep his country off balance and exploit it natural resources
• He added that US sanctions and replacing US oil companies have benefited Sudan more than harmed it.  He explained that US oil companies’ revenue-sharing practices paled in comparison to arrangement with other oil companies from friendlier countries
• Meanwhile, AU and UN envoys started a three-day tour of Sudan to re-launch Darfur peace negotiations.  The envoys were encouraged after their talks with Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity faction 
  

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: European Union to Deploy over 3,000 Peacekeepers near Sudan’s Western Border 

• European Union representative in Sudan indicated that the Union will deploy over 3,000 peacekeeping troops in Chad and Central African Republic to provide protection to aid workers, flow of humanitarian aid, and Darfur refugees
• He added that 250,000 new refugees arrived in eastern Chad and northern Central African Republic in 2007 because of worsening conditions in Darfur
• The representative also rejected Darfur rebel groups’ opposition to Darfur hybrid force deployment and called on Khartoum to ease restrictions on aid organizations
  

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Justice and Equality Movement Reject Preliminary Talks on Darfur  

• While Sudan Liberation Movement – Unity faction was willing to participate, Justice and Equality Movement rejected participation in preliminary talks to unify Darfur rebel groups
• JEM’s field leader Abdul Aziz Annour said the movement would not take part in any talks that include non-essential movements and accused AU and UN envoys of repeating past mistakes
• The envoys arrived in Sudan for a three-day visit to re-launch Darfur peace talks 
  

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)

Headline: Al Bashir Appoints a “War Criminal” as Advisor

By: Ismail Adam and Mustapha Sirri 

• Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir appointed Sheikh Mussa Hillal, commonly known as Janjaweed militia leader, as advisor in his government
• Hillal is on a list of people forbidden from entering the United States and his assets were frozen by the US
• This appointment comes as a surprise, as recent rumors reported tensions between Hillal and the government. 
• It was also rumored that relations between Hillal and Darfur rebel groups improved recently
• Meanwhile, Hybrid force leader Rudolph Adada indicated that President Omar Al Bashir is likely to meet with UN secretary general during AU meeting next month in Addis Ababa