UK Minister Discusses Int’l Efforts for Sudan Ahead of Key London Conference

14/04/2025 16:02 LONDON

Displaced people in Zamzam camp in El Fasher, North Darfur (File photo: Albert González Farran / UNAMID)

The UK Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman, has outlined the British government’s approach to supporting Sudan’s most vulnerable, including displaced people and refugees, in an exclusive interview with Radio Dabanga today. Speaking to Amgad Abdelgadir of Radio Dabanga, Baroness Chapman notes that the upcoming London conference, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the war, reflects the UK’s ongoing commitment to addressing the crisis.

Chapman highlights the pivotal role of the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who was deeply moved by his visit to Adré in eastern Chad, bordering Sudan, earlier this year.

“David Lammy was so affected by what he saw and the people he spoke to. He personally felt that the UK could do more. That’s why we’re bringing people together here in London, alongside the African Union and other partners, to discuss how we can work as an international community to move things towards the peace we desperately need,” Baroness Chapman said.

The minister acknowledges the critical need for financial support, confirming that the UK is prepared to commit more funds to the cause.

She also emphasises the importance of diplomatic leadership in fostering dialogue. “It’s not just about money. It’s about using our convening power to bring people together, creating the space for those essential discussions that can pave the way for lasting peace,” she said.

While the London conference seeks to rally international support for Sudan, it comes against the backdrop of recently announced deepening aid cuts.

UK foreign aid has dropped to just 0.3 per cent of gross national income, the lowest in 25 years, while freezes in US aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have also severely impacted Sudan.

Responding to questions about how the UK will engage in Sudan’s post-conflict recovery, given the absence of Sudanese government representatives at the conference, the minister clarifies: “There is still horrendous conflict on the ground today. People are suffering and dying as a result.”

She adds, “This conference is not about including the parties from Sudan because we believe it would not take us any further at this stage. We’re not prepared to just stand by and wait. The civilians in Sudan are paying the price, and we need to use our diplomatic leverage to help move things forward.”

A key concern for Sudanese both within Sudan and in the diaspora is the role of international actors, particularly the United Arab Emirates, given its involvement in the region and its ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In response, Baroness Chapman explained the UK’s stance: “We will talk to anybody who can help in moving towards reconciliation and peace and trying to get the stability that we need. In matters surrounding allegations of genocide,” Chapman says “we leave that to competent courts. We respect the ICJ and should there be a ruling to that effect, we will respect it, and that’s our position in these matters, wherever they arise. If a ruling is made, we will of course respect that. However, we believe it’s essential that we invite the UAE. We’ve said to all other states that have involved themselves in different ways, that it’s the right thing at the moment is for everybody to be respecting the arms embargo and use their influence towards a negotiated outcome, not military force.”

In a recent report by Radio Dabanga, senior UAE official Dr Anwar Gargash dismissed Sudan’s case at the ICJ as a ‘farcical action’, accusing the de-facto Sudan government of distorting the truth.

Looking ahead to the London conference, in today’s interview, Baroness Chapman outlines the UK’s approach to bringing all parties to the table, stating that achieving peace starts with dialogue.

“The first thing you need to do is get people in the same room, looking each other in the eye and agreeing on what the problem is,” she said. She stresses that the scale of the humanitarian disaster in Sudan is unprecedented, with millions at risk of famine.

“We need to recognise that everyone has a role to play in helping resolve this crisis,” she added.

Chapman concludes with a call for unity and action, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in ending the suffering in Sudan.

“This conference is a step towards not only acknowledging the scale of the disaster but also ensuring that we are all working together to find a solution for the people of Sudan,” she said.

Framed as a pivotal moment in the international community’s response to the crisis in Sudan, the upcoming London conference is expected to gather delegations from the African Union, United Nations, Western governments, and regional actors, some of whom have been accused of fuelling the conflict on the ground.

British officials say the aim is to build consensus among regional stakeholders, as the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate. This effort comes amid a surge in drone attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and renewed momentum by the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum last month.

Sudan's Two Years of War: Millions Living in the World's Largest Humanitarian Crisis Sink Deeper Into Despair With No End in Sight

14 April 2025

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Geneva)

press release

Sudan - 15 April 2025 – The war in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) enters its third year and people remain unseen, bombed, besieged, displaced and deprived of food, medical care, and basic lifesaving services. 60 percent of the country’s 50 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the UN, and people are facing simultaneous health crises and limited access to public health care.

Médecins Sans Frontières reiterates its calls on the warring parties and their allies to ensure that civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical teams are protected and that all restrictions are removed on the movements of humanitarian supplies and staff, especially as the rainy season fast approaches.

“The warring parties are not only failing to protect civilians — they are actively compounding their suffering,” said Claire San Filippo, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Wherever you look in Sudan, you will find needs — overwhelming, urgent, and unmet. Millions are receiving almost no humanitarian assistance, medical facilities and staff remain under attack, and the global humanitarian system is failing to deliver even a fraction of what’s required.”

As frontlines have shifted over the course of the war, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, civilians feared retaliatory attacks from both warring parties. For the past two years, both RSF and SAF have repeatedly and indiscriminately bombed densely populated areas. The RSF and allied militias have unleashed a campaign of brutality, including systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, looting of aid, erasure of civilian neighbourhoods, and occupation of medical facilities. Both sides have laid siege to towns, destroyed vital infrastructure, and blocked humanitarian aid.

Widespread starvation is taking hold, according to the UN, — Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been officially declared in multiple locations. Famine was first declared in Zamzam camp, for internally displaced people, in August and has since spread to ten more areas. Seventeen additional regions are now on the brink. Without immediate intervention, hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.

In March MSF supported multi-antigen catch up vaccination campaigns for children under two in South Darfur. The over 17,000 children, in 11 of the 14 localities, who received vaccinations were also screened for malnutrition showing 7% of those screened were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with 30% with global acute malnutrition. In December 2024, during a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality, North Darfur, MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under five years old. They found a staggering 35.5% global acute malnutrition rate, with 7% of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Simultaneously, Sudan is facing multiple, overlapping health emergencies. MSF teams have treated over 12,000 patients — including women and children — for trauma injuries directly resulting from violent attacks. During the first week of February 2025, MSF teams in three areas of Sudan - Khartoum, North Darfur, and South Darfur states - treated mass influxes of war-wounded patients. Sudan is also experiencing one of the worst maternal and child health crises we are seeing anywhere in the world. In October 2024, in two MSF-supported facilities in Nyala,

capital of South Darfur, 26% of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished.

“Outbreaks of measles, cholera and diphtheria are spreading, driven by poor living conditions and disrupted vaccination campaigns. Mental health support and care for survivors of sexual violence remain painfully limited. These compounding crises reflect not just the brutality of the conflict, but the dire consequences of the crumbling public healthcare system and a failing humanitarian response”, says Marta Cazorla, MSF Emergency Coordinator.

Since April 2023, more than 1.7 million people have sought medical consultations at hospitals, health facilities, and mobile clinics MSF supports or is working in, and more than 320,000 people were admitted in our emergency wards.

More than 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to the UN — many of them multiple times. Of these, 8.9 million remain displaced inside Sudan, while 3.9 million have crossed into neighbouring countries. Many live in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters, without access to food, water, healthcare, or a sense of future. People depend entirely on humanitarian organizations — but only where these organisations are responding.

Health Facilities Destroyed According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are barely operational or completely closed, leaving millions without access to critical care amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Since the war began, MSF has recorded over 80 violent incidents targeting our staff, infrastructure, vehicles and supplies. Clinics have been looted and destroyed, medicines stolen, and healthcare workers assaulted, threatened or killed.

“Buildings were destroyed, even beds were looted, and medicines were burned to the ground. From afar, it looked like a hospital, but when you entered it, it was a shelter for snakes and grass,” said Muhammad Yusuf Ishaq Abdullah, MSF health promotion officer in Tawila, North Darfur, about the state of Tawila´s hospital after being attacked and looted in June 2023.

These attacks must stop — medical personnel and facilities are not targets.

Upcoming rainy season. The rainy season, fast approaching, threatens to make an already catastrophic situation even worse — severing supply routes, flooding entire regions, and cutting off people just as the hunger gap peaks and malnutrition and malaria spike. MSF calls for immediate preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season. More border crossings must be opened, and key roads and bridges must be repaired and kept accessible, especially in Darfur, where seasonal flooding repeatedly isolates communities.

Humanitarian restrictions must be lifted, and unhindered access must be guaranteed. MSF urges all actors — including donors, governments, and UN agencies — to enable and prioritize aid delivery, ensuring that assistance reaches not only the country but also the hardest-hit and most remote communities swiftly and safely. Without a serious commitment to overcoming the political, financial, logistical, and security barriers that hinder last-mile delivery, countless lives will remain beyond the reach of help.

The people of Sudan have endured this horror for two years too long; they cannot and should not wait any longer.

Sudan Is Burning - Africa and The World Cannot Afford To Look Away

allAfrica

Leading Sudanese and International Voices Call for Greater African Engagement in Resolving Sudan War - HALA AL-KARIB is an activist and research practitioner from Sudan. She is the Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) and the editorial head of the annual journal "Women in Islam". JOHN RIAGA is media manager for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Eastern Africa KHOLOOD KHAIR is the founder and director of Confluence Advisory, a 'think and do tank' formerly based in Khartoum. BAYADIR MOHAMED-OSMAN is a Sudanese-American social impact consultant, public health professional, poet, community organizer, and social media activist. Follow her on Instagram and X: @yourbaya

14 April 2025

allAfrica.com

By Melody Chironda

Two years ago, on April 15, war erupted in Sudan - a war that has since spiraled into one of the world's most devastating humanitarian catastrophes. Yet, the suffering of the Sudanese people is being met with silence, indifference, and a staggering lack of African and global action.

In response to the lack of sustained media attention on the crisis, allAfrica, in partnership with civil society and international organisations, hosted a critical briefing to spotlight the escalating violence and rally African media to take a more active role. allAfrica Managing Editor Juanita Williams opened the discussion by calling on African journalists and broadcasters to amplify coverage of Sudan's suffering.

Williams said hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and millions more are displaced, starving, and trapped in a cycle of unspeakable violence. Women and children endure systematic atrocities, being used as weapons of war in a conflict fueled by external actors and enabled by impunity. The Rapid Support Forces stand accused of genocide in Darfur, while the Sudanese Armed Forces face allegations of crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts have failed, and the world's attention remains elsewhere.

"Sudan is too big to fall apart. Not alone."

"What's happening in Sudan is definitely the outcome of years and years of impunity and silence against… the violence against women and girls and civilians that has been happening in Darfur," said Hala al-Karib, a Sudanese activist and the Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa that exposes the escalating violence, particularly against women and children, and explore how African leaders and media can confront the political, economic, and geopolitical forces at play. Founded in 1995, SIHA strengthens the capacity of women's rights organizations and addresses violence against women and girls in the Greater Horn of Africa.

Speaking at the briefing, Al-Karib described the severity of the conflict in Sudan, saying it is not only a national crisis but a continental one.

"This conflict… is a proxy war. It's a war that's using… the bodies of women and girls and civilians and children as a weapon of war and as a war strategy," she said. "The atrocities never stopped… It was ongoing throughout the past 22 years."

She criticized the ending of the African Union - United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur in 2020, saying it eliminated the only monitoring body on the ground. "The only thing that has happened… is that the international community stopped speaking about Darfur," she said.

Despite early warnings to the UN Security Council about Sudan's volatile security dynamics, including its "multiple armies", they lamented the global community's neglect.

Today, she said, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and crimes against children are widespread and intentional, with women and girls being disproportionately targeted.

"Sudan, at the moment, is the capital of sexual violence," said Al-Karib.

al-Karib reflected on how the momentum for democratic change in Sudan has repeatedly been derailed by recycled political arrangements that ultimately reinstate the very forces that oppress civilians. "There is no interest in a democratic Sudan," she said. She said that following popular uprisings, transitional governments often include the perpetrators of past violence, especially those with weapons, who assert power through force. According to her, systemic violence has intentionally targeted hopes for democracy, equal citizenship, and women's participation in public life.

"Sudanese have resisted and died for democracy," she said, adding that women, in particular, have led the charge - placing their bodies on the front lines of protest.  "Many of the women who were raped and assaulted...they were told that this is happening to you because of you being present in public spaces."

"This violence didn't happen all of a sudden," she said. "It was enabled by impunity and by turning a blind eye to it."

It's one thing to engage and fail, another thing to not engage at all.

Kholood Khair, a Sudanese policy expert and founding director of "think and do tank" Confluence Advisory, expressed deep concern over what she sees as a widespread disengagement from Sudan's crisis by African nations. "It's not just that African nations have failed Sudan," she said.

She said that even public awareness of the war within African countries is shockingly low. "It's that they're just not engaged at all... I haven't seen much coverage across African TV stations... it's a glaring issue of no engagement with what's going on in Sudan," said Khair.

She attributed part of this disconnect to poor media coverage, noting that Africa's largest war right now is largely absent from television and news outlets across the continent.

Khair criticized African Union (AU) and IGAD-led peace initiatives as ineffective, saying they lack the political will to push beyond rigid state-to-state diplomacy.  She argued that African states, especially democracies, must engage Sudanese civil society, not just warring factions, to push for democratic transition. This would lend legitimacy to peace efforts as authentically African, not "Western."

She said that African countries need to engage more broadly, not just with the warring parties. "In a war that is both counterrevolutionary and prosecuted by military actors," said Khair, "the pathway to peace isn't going to come only through those actors." She urged African states, especially those with democratic traditions, to engage with Sudanese civil society and support democratic transformation as this would help dispel the notion that democracy promotion in Sudan is solely a Western or internationalist effort.

Khair also criticised the absence of an African champion willing to stand up for Sudanese civilians at international forums. She pointed out that while countries like Gambia and South Africa have spoken out for the plight of the Rohingya and the Palestinians, respectively, no African country has done the same for Sudan. "We need an African champion with clean hands to support the Sudanese people," she said.

"The Sudanese Armed Forces themselves lack credibility due to past and ongoing human rights violations, including allegations of genocide and the use of chemical weapons."

Khair said a credible African voice could bring much-needed legitimacy to Sudanese legal efforts, such as the case brought by Sudan against the UAE at the International Court of Justice. Even if the case doesn't proceed far due to jurisdictional challenges, she said "Sudanese communities would still be able to get their day in court" through the support of a legitimate African advocate.

The violence meted out on the people of Sudan is basically unacceptable

The collapse of the medical system has made it difficult for MSF to provide medical care, with shortages of medical supplies.

"What we've witnessed in Sudan is simply unacceptable," said John Riaga, the East Africa Media Manager for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)." Even before the war erupted nearly two years ago, MSF was already in the country, supporting a fragile healthcare system. But now, what we're seeing is a complete collapse of medical services."

"Civilians, especially women and children, are bearing the brunt of the violence. We've treated thousands, but many don't make it to our facilities in time. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable; due to insecurity and curfews, they arrive late, sometimes with fatal infections like sepsis, and we lose lives that shouldn't be lost in any functioning health system."

Movement is a major challenge.

Riaga said that they are facing severe shortages of medical supplies because aid is being blocked. Their teams encounter roadblocks and obstructions daily. In some cases, their warehouses and facilities have been looted.

"We've also seen direct attacks on hospitals, forcing us to make painful decisions to shut down some operations to protect our staff," he said.

"But ultimately, what we are saying in our call as Doctors Without Borders is one, let all medical facilities be spared from attacks, let humanitarian aid workers be spared from attacks, and let civilians be spared from these attacks, because really, they have nothing to do with this war. And on top of that, we are also asking that we be given the space to move to move medical supplies and to move medical personnel where they are needed so that we can continue giving what is our ultimate call of providing medical services to those who need it the most," he said.

Riaga said that MSF has treated thousands of people in their facilities across Sudan. Most of those we care for are women, children, and other vulnerable individuals. However, the overall healthcare system in Sudan is now in ruins, and it makes their work not just urgent but incredibly difficult.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels

Bayadir Mohamed-Osman, a Sudanese-American poet, community organizer, and activist, said that African audiences need to recognize the extraordinary resilience of the Sudanese people.

"Sudanese people have been extremely resilient and have been doing the work of global agencies ever since this war has started," Mohamed-Osman said. "We've become the UN. We're the local responders, fundraisers, and journalists – it's exhausting, and it's not work we should have to do."

She said that young people on the ground in Sudan have become the country's first responders, organizing evacuations, distributing hygiene kits, operating food kitchens, and providing medical support. This work is carried out by decentralized emergency response rooms, often with minimal resources and under threat. Mohamed-Osman said that despite the massive efforts by these youth-led groups, over 80% of the food kitchens have closed due to USAID funding cuts, including those specifically serving women.

Sudanese people have been extremely resilient

"They're putting their lives at risk to do this work... The local youth in Sudan, the young defenders, the frontline defenders… they are volunteering and risking their life," she said. "I don't believe in 'giving voice to the voiceless,' it's about passing the mic. Amplify our work, let us lead," she said.

Mohamed-Osman said that the biggest lesson she learnt is that the real villain might just be the bystander. She urged Africa's media and global platforms not to speak for Sudanese people, but rather with them.

"All we're asking for is the simple opportunity to pass the mic to us… to allow the local responders to speak, and to allow us to lead the conversations," she said. "That's what got us into this mess in the first place - we never had autonomy or democracy letting us lead."

Sudan North Darfur Battles - 'Hundreds Dead and Tens of Thousands Flee' As RSF Claims Control of Zamzam and Umm Kaddadah

MSF

Displaced people reaching Tawila locality. They mainly come from El Fasher and surrounding camps, like Zamzam and Abu Shok, and report extreme violence, repeated shelling, skyrocketing commodity prices, and food shortages as the main reasons to move (file photo).

13 April 2025

Dabanga (Port Sudan)

El Fasher / Zamzam Camp / Umm Keddada / — Hundreds of civilians, including women and children, have reportedly been killed and wounded in shelling, as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) 'tightened their control' in what has gone over into a ground offensive on Zamzam camp for displaced people. The attacks have forced 'tens of thousands' of the inhabitants of Zamzam and Abou Shouk camps to flee to the adjacent North Darfur capital El Fasher. 150 kilometres East of the capital, more than 100 civilians, including women, were reportedly killed and wounded during the RSF conquest of Umm Kaddadah [alt Umm Keddada].

Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) report the killing of 450 people in artillery shelling and a ground attack by the RSF towards Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps. This amid RSF clams to be 'in complete control over the Zamzam camp'. The RSF statement says that it has "deployed of military units to secure civilians and workers in the humanitarian medical field in the camp" after "liberating it" from what it termed "the Islamic Movement Army" [referring to Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)] and its affiliates from the armed movements, which it said were "using the camp as a military barracks and civilians as human shields."

However, SAF counter-statements deny this, with the 6th Infantry Division claiming that they have "control of the security situation in the city of El Fasher and Zamzam camp for the displaced, after repelling a new attack by the RSF from the southeastern side of the camp".

The 6th Infantry Division announced in a statement on Sunday that the army's drones destroyed four combat vehicles that were trying to infiltrate southeast of El Fasher city. The division announced in its statement the killing of seven citizens and the wounding of three others in a RSF attack with drones on residential neighbourhoods in El Fasher city on Sunday, "killing 74 citizens, including four women and 10 children, and the wounding of 17 on Friday morning".

Tens of thousands fled Zamzam to El Fasher on foot

In this context, the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi said in a statement on Sunday that for the third consecutive day, the Rapid Support Forces continued their artillery shelling, in addition to the ground attack, on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps and El Fasher, which led to the deaths of about 450 individuals so far, in addition to the militia executing nine workers of the International Relief Organization inside their offices in Zamzam camp. as well as thousands of injuries.

Elsadig Ali El Nur, the movement's official spokesman, said in a statement that the RSF attack on Zamzam camp led to the displacement of tens of thousands towards El Fasher city on foot since yesterday morning. El Fasher's houses were unable to accommodate them, so they entered shelters and schools and slept on the ground under the shade of trees or under the scorching sun, in light of the lack of drinking water, food and medicine.

In his statement, the official spokesman called on the leadership of the armed forces to move quickly to save the lives of about one and a half million people in El Fasher by supporting the army, the joint force and the supporters, and that this happens as soon as possible to avoid unfortunate consequences, as happened in El Geneina.

Medics murdered

In a related development, relief organizations and the United Nations said that RSF killed the entire staff of the last remaining hospital in Zamzam camp. The International Relief Organization (IRO), which runs the Zamzam camp, said that the RSF attacked the camp's perimeter on Friday evening after shelling it for hours. The organization explained that the attacking forces destroyed hundreds of homes and the main market before attacking its field hospital, killing nine staff members, including a doctor. IRO described what happened to its staff at the Zamzam camp as a great tragedy.

For its part, the Sudanese Doctors Network confirmed the killing of 10 medical personnel in North Darfur over two days, six of whom were killed by RSF forces at Zamzam camp, in addition to the killing of the director of Um Keddada Hospital. In a statement, the Sudanese Doctors Network described the systematic targeting of medical personnel inside health facilities as a clear escalation of killings. The RSF denied the contents of video clips about violations they are accused of committing in Zamzam camp, describing the clips as "misleading". It said that it is "committed to international humanitarian law and strongly rejects all attempts to tarnish its reputation".

International condemnation

Internationally, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sudan said that the attack on Zamzam camp near El Fasher is a deadly escalation against displaced people and aid workers. The UN Coordinator said in a statement that the attack on Zamzam "represents yet another deadly and unacceptable escalation in a series of brutal attacks on displaced people and aid workers since the outbreak of the conflict." She called for an immediate halt to these acts and an end to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers. She indicated that she was deeply alarmed by reports from Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps and El Fasher city and expressed her fear that 100 people, including 20 children, were killed. She confirmed that nine humanitarian workers were killed while operating one of the remaining health centres still operating in Zamzam camp. The UN Coordinator explained in her statement that Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps are among the largest displacement camps in Darfur, housing more than 700,000 displaced people, who are once again caught in the crossfire with nowhere safe to go.

More than 10,000 people fled Umm Keddada

In addition, the Rapid Support Forces' attack on Umm Keddada, according to local sources who spoke to Radio Dabanga, led to the flight of more than 10,000 residents of the city to neighbouring villages and areas in search of security and protection. The attack also led to the outbreak of fires in the city. Crimes of the Rapid Support Forces' use of heavy weapons. On Saturday, activists from Umm Keddada published a preliminary list of the names of (56) people killed by the Rapid Support Forces, including the medical director and other medical personnel at Umm Keddada Hospital. Another list was also published with the names of 14 missing persons. The activists confirmed that the published lists and names were preliminary, as the inventory process is still ongoing. For their part, the Sudanese Group for the Defence of Rights and Freedoms and the Darfur Bar Association denounced the Rapid Support Forces' violations in the city of Umm Keddada. The group said in a statement that the Rapid Support Forces had surrounded the city during the past five days, killing dozens of its residents, wounding others, and forcing thousands to flee to the mountains and neighbouring villages.

In this context, Emergency Lawyers reported in a statement on Sunday that the support forces, during their attack on Umm Keddada, killed 52 civilians after entering the city, along with widespread burning of homes and looting of property. They also stormed the local hospital, assaulted patients, and executed medical staff. Sources, according to Emergency Lawyers, indicate that dozens of residents of the city are missing, in addition to a mass displacement of residents.

Read the original article on Dabanga.

South Sudan’s Main Opposition Party Seeks an International Probe into Alleged Government Abuses

7:15 PM EDT, April 14, 2025

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The main opposition group in South Sudan demanded Monday an international probe into alleged rights abuses in recent fighting that saw government troops target areas loyal to the group’s longtime leader, Riek Machar, who is under house arrest.

Machar, the country’s vice president whose political rivalry with President Salva Kiir has repeatedly threatened to tip South Sudan back into civil war, is accused of subversion.

Since March, fighting has engulfed the north, where government troops battled a rebel militia known as the White Army, widely believed to be allied with Machar, with dozens killed. The rebels overran an army base in the town of Nasir, a Machar stronghold. Government troops responded with airstrikes and also attacked opposition forces’ barracks outside the capital, Juba.

Spokesman Pal Mai Deng from Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition said the international community should investigate “airstrikes using chemical weapons” in areas such as Nasir.

He did not elaborate. The statement came after Human Rights Watch last week reported the use of air-dropped incendiary weapons by government forces that have “killed and horrifically burned dozens of people, including children, and destroyed civilian infrastructure in Upper Nile state.”

The government, which has ordered civilians to leave Nasir, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. Along with Machar’s house arrest, many of his allies have also been detained.

Incendiary weapons inflict burns on victims, but they also cause fires that can indiscriminately destroy civilian property, the New York-based rights group said.

“Use of these weapons in populated areas violates international humanitarian law, and if done with criminal intent, constitutes a war crime,” HRW said.

The Nasir fighting threatens a 2018 peace deal between Machar and Kiir to end a five-year civil war in which more than 400,000 people were killed. Machar has served as the country’s first vice president in a national unity government, even though his political group opposes Kiir.

The political rivalry between the two men is widely seen as a major obstacle to peace in South Sudan. Kiir angered Machar’s group earlier in the year by firing officials seen as loyal to Machar, who claims Kiir is endangering the peace agreement through “persistent violations.”

There were high hopes for peace and stability after oil-rich South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. But the country slid into civil war in December 2013 largely based on ethnic divisions when forces loyal to Kiir started battling those loyal to Machar.

Presidential elections, repeatedly postponed, are now scheduled for 2026.

At Least 50 People Killed in DR East Congo as Government and Rwanda-backed Rebels Trade Blame

By JUSTIN KABUMBA and JEAN-YVES KAMALE

3:04 PM EDT, April 13, 2025

GOMA, Congo (AP) — At least 50 people were killed in weekend attacks in Congo’s conflict-battered east, authorities said Saturday. The government traded blame with Rwanda-backed rebels over who was responsible for the violence that quickly escalated the conflict in the region.

The renewed violence that residents reported in and around the region’s largest city of Goma — which the M23 rebels control — was the biggest threat yet to ongoing peace efforts by both the Gulf Arab state of Qatar and African nations in the conflict that has raised fears of regional warfare.

Goma resident Amboma Safari recounted how his family of four spent the night under their bed as they heard gunfire and bomb blasts through Friday night. “We saw corpses of soldiers, but we don’t know which group they are from,” Safari said.

In the second city of Bukavu, which the M23 also controls, dozens of the armed Wazalendo local militia members who fight alongside Congolese forces marched for a few hours towards the local airport as they appeared to stage a challenge against the rebels.

The group, which later retreated, declared a ceasefire on Sunday to give ongoing peace talks “a chance.”

The decades-long conflict between Congo and the M23 rebels escalated in January, when the rebels made an unprecedented advance and seized the strategic eastern Congolese city of Goma, followed by the town of Bukavu in February. The latest fighting has killed some 3,000 people and worsened what was already one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with around 7 million people displaced.

In a statement, Congo’s Ministry of Interior said 52 people were killed between Friday and Saturday, including a person shot dead at Goma’s Kyeshero Hospital. The ministry blamed the attack on M23.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka blamed Congolese forces and their allies for the attacks. Kanyuka said in a statement that Congo’s joint operations with local militias and southern African troops “directly threaten the stability and security of civilians” in the region.

A Roadside Bomb Kills 8 Bus Passengers in Northeast Nigeria

Babagana Zulum, Borno state governor, left, speaks to victims of a roadside bomb attacked at a hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo)

2:29 PM EDT, April 13, 2025

MAIDUGURI, Borno (AP) — A roadside bomb suspected to have been planted by Islamic extremists in northeastern Nigeria struck a passenger bus, killing eight people and wounding more than a dozen others, authorities said.

The bus was traveling along the Damboa-Maiduguri highway in the conflict-battered Borno state on Saturday when it drove over the explosive device, Borno state police spokesman Nahum Daso said in a statement.

Islamic extremists with the Boko Haram group took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law. The conflict, Africa’s longest struggle with militancy, has spilled into Nigeria’s northern neighbors and has left some 35,000 civilians dead and more than 2 million displaced, according to the U.N.

The insurgents who once controlled dozens of villages in the region have mostly been pushed to remote forests and the fringes of the Lake Chad. However, they still carry out ambushes and rampant attacks on communities where security forces are outnumbered and outgunned.

The latest attack renewed fears among residents and travelers in the state.

Gabon’s Coup Leader Oligui Nguema Elected President with 90% of Votes Cast, Provisional Results Show

By YVES LAURENT GOMA and CHINEDU ASADU

1:10 PM EDT, April 13, 2025

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s interim president who staged a 2023 coup that ended a decadeslong political dynasty, has been elected president, according to provisional results announced by the country’s interior ministry.

Oligui Nguema, 50, recorded a landslide victory with 90.35% of votes cast, defeating seven other candidates, including immediate past Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze. He came in a distant second with 3% of votes cast, Interior Minister Hermann Immongault said as he announced the provisional results.

The Interior Ministry announced a turnout of 87.21% in the election in which some 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, were registered to participate across more than 3,000 polling stations.

It’s Gabon’s first election since the 2023 military coup that ended a political dynasty that lasted over 50 years. It was seen as a crucial election for the central African nation’s 2.3 million people, a third of whom live in poverty despite its vast oil wealth.

Bilie-By-Nze recently told The Associated Press that Oligui Nguema took advantage of state resources to support his campaign. The government denies this.

Local observers deemed the conduct of the election satisfactory in nearly all the polling stations monitored.

At least 94.8% of the polling stations observed operated under satisfactory conditions, while the transparency of operations was deemed satisfactory in 98.6% of cases, the Gabonese Civil Society Organizations Observation Mission said late Saturday.

Oligui Nguema, who has been serving as interim president, had his representatives present in 69.6% of the polling stations observed while Bilie-By-Nze’s representation stood at just 8.2%, the observers said.

Oligui Nguema, the former head of the country’s Republican Guard, toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. He hopes to consolidate his grip on power for a seven-year term in office.

After casting his ballot on Saturday in the capital, Libreville, the interim president said he felt proud of the citizens seeking to “turn the page to join the new Republic.”

In a video message shared after he voted in the north of the country, Bilie-By-Nze said he was concerned that unused voting cards could be used for potential electoral fraud.

Voters who spoke to the AP were divided on how the military has performed since taking over power in 2023, with most saying they have failed in their promises.

“I’m telling you that for me, the military has failed,” said Antoine Nkili, a 27-year-old unemployed man with a master’s degree in law. “They promised to reform the institutions, but they haven’t. Instead, they’ve enriched themselves.”

——

Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria.

Ukrainian Commander Fearful and Desperate as Russia Launches New Offensive Campaign

Ukrainian Commander Syrskyi admits Russia goes on new offensive campaign

09.04.2025 14:24

According to Ukrainian military sources, Russian forces have stepped up their activity near Pokrovsk in the past 10 days, and are redeploying additional troops and equipment there in preparation for future offensives. However, since Pokrovsk itself is well-fortified, their main efforts may be redirected toward Novopavlivka in Dnipropetrovsk region.

“They will enter the Dnipropetrovsk region — that is one of the key objectives set by the Russian command,” a Ukrainian soldier said.

Russian forces have also made steady gains in recent weeks in the Luhansk region, particularly north of Lyman.

Russia Launches Offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv Regions — Syrskyi

“Despite all ongoing negotiations, we are only seeing an increase in the intensity of offensive actions,” Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said.

He noted that Russia aims to create a buffer zone in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. He also said Russia’s mobilization capacity includes approximately 5 million people, with a total reserve of up to 20 million.

Other statements from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

In autumn, Russian and Belarusian troops will begin exercises on the territory of Belarus. We must take into account the fact that, under the guise of exercises, the scenario of 2022 could be repeated.

We are seeing successes in the production of artillery, electronic warfare systems (EW), and UAVs. We have started receiving fiber-optic drones with a 20 km cable. Within one to three months, we will be able to increase the number of fiber-optic FPV drones, which will almost completely deprive Russian forces of their advantages.

Only four people knew about the offensive in the Kursk region. Before that, I personally visited all the units — I explained to each one why we were going there and why it had to be in that location. Some commanders were asking whether it was even legal.

The Russian army increases the size of its forces by 8,000–9,000 contract soldiers each month. In some regions, the contract is worth up to $40,000.

The North Koreans continue to arrive. At the very least, there have already been two waves of training and reinforcements.

We need to mobilize 30,000 people each month (compared to 50,000 a year ago — ed. Militarist).

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is considering options for rotating or treating troops for a period of three to five months.

If demobilization after three years of service had been allowed in April 2024, the Armed Forces of Ukraine would have lost a third of their army — about 350,000 troops.

The war may continue for years, and rotations are constantly needed, but without mobilization, it is impossible to carry them out effectively.

The Commander-in-Chief also noted that current support from the US has decreased, and most aid is now coming from European partners.

Details

Oleksandr Stanislavovych Syrskyi (Ukrainian: Олександр Станіславович Сирський; born 26 July 1965) is a Ukrainian military officer. Holding the rank of four-star general, he has served as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 8 February 2024. Previously, he was the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces from 2019 to 2024, and the commander of the Joint Forces Operation from May to August 2019. During the conflict in Ukraine, Syrskyi commanded the defence of Kyiv. In September 2022, he commanded the Kharkiv counteroffensive. He then led the defense of Bakhmut into 2023.

See more at https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/162028-ukraine-russia-offensive/

Russia-China Ties Could Get Stronger Amid Global Trade Wars — Senior Russian Diplomat

The countries could reach a new high in bilateral trade, Andrey Rudenko said

Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Rudenko Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

© Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. Russia and China could strengthen their economic relations and reach a new high in bilateral trade amid global trade wars, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS.

When asked to comment on Russian Special Envoy Boris Titov’s earlier remarks that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will bolster economic ties between Russia and China, he said, "I agree with this assessment."

"Cooperation is developing in various fields and areas, so it is difficult to single out any particular area of engagement there," Rudenko went on to say. "But nevertheless, I am sure that our prospects are very good and we will reach another record high in our trade turnover."

During a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping in late January, Russian President Vladimir Putin said trade between the two countries increased by 7% to $220 billion-245 billion over the first 11 months of 2024, compared with a year earlier. Putin said China is Russia’s main trading partner, while Russia is the fifth-largest trading partner of China.

According to China’s customs data, trade with Russia rose by 1.9% in in 2024 from a year earlier, reaching a record high of $244.81 billion. Imports from Russia remained virtually unchanged at $129.32 billion. Exports to Russia went up by 4.1% to $115.49 billion.

Trump Extends Package of Anti-Russian Sanctions for Another Year

On April 15, 2021, the Biden administration introduced executive order 14024, imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities that may have allegedly been engaged in cyber-enabled activities against the country

WASHINGTON, April 12. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that extends a package of anti-Russian sanctions introduced by his predecessor Joe Biden for a year, according to the US Federal Register.

On April 15, 2021, the Biden administration introduced executive order 14024, imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities that may have allegedly been engaged in cyber-enabled activities against the country, efforts to undermine the conduct of elections in the United States and other countries, attempts to harm or kill American citizens, as well as financial and other sanctions-busting operations.

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in March that Russia considered all restrictions imposed on it as illegitimate and expected them to be lifted.

Retailers Across China Roll Out Measures to Help Exporters Tap Vast Domestic Market

Necessary step toward building resilient supply chain system: expert

By GT staff reporters

Apr 14, 2025 12:11 AM

A view of a shopping mall in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province File photo: VCG

The ever-changing US tariff threats have disrupted the global economic order, creating significant challenges for traders worldwide. In response, a growing number of Chinese associations and enterprises have begun taking action to help export-oriented businesses tap into the country's vast domestic market. 

Over the weekend, many rolled out targeted support initiatives. For instance, Chinese maternal and child brand Kidswant Children Products Co announced on Sunday the launch of its "Export-to-Domestic Sales Support Program." Centered on resource sharing, channel access and digital empowerment, the program offers measures to help export-oriented businesses expand in the domestic market.

E-commerce giant JD.com has announced that it will purchase 200 billion yuan ($27.34 billion) worth of export-to-domestic goods over the next year to help foreign trade firms, according to a statement the company sent to the Global Times on Sunday.

Chinese online life service provider Meituan announced a partnership with high-quality export-oriented enterprises to launch a dedicated "Premium Export Goods" section, leveraging its next-day delivery network that covers more than 2,000 counties and cities and more than 1 million community group-buying points to bring these products into households across China.

Livestream shopping platforms are also joining the effort. East Buy Holding told the Global Times on Sunday that it has launched a special initiative to fast-track services for export-oriented businesses. Tech giant Baidu, Alibaba's supermarket chain Hema Fresh, and Yonghui Superstores Co are also among the latest to join such efforts. 

The China Chain-Store & Franchise Association and seven other industry associations jointly announced an initiative to promote better integration of domestic and foreign trade.

The US government has weaponized tariffs as a tool of maximum pressure and self-interest, seriously undermining the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. This not only violates WTO rules, but also erodes the rules-based multilateral trading system, disrupts the global economic order, harms the interests of businesses and consumers worldwide, and threatens the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the associations said.

Expanding the domestic market and promoting the integration of domestic and foreign trade - particularly the shift from exports to domestic sales - has become a pressing task. Industry associations are expected to play a vital bridging role by organizing matchmaking events and training sessions to help export-oriented enterprises better understand domestic market demands and standards, and ensure their products are well aligned with local needs, the associations said.

The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) will steadily advance the integration of domestic and foreign trade, and continue organizing the "Premium Export Products in China" campaign to build platforms that support export-oriented enterprises in exploring the domestic market. Greater efforts will be made to assist these enterprises in areas such as market access, channel development, fiscal and financial support and service guarantees, MOFCOM spokesperson He Yongqian said at a press briefing on Thursday.

China's efforts to promote the domestic sale of export goods represent a strategic move in response to shifts in the global economic landscape, Wan Zhe, an economist and professor at the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

These efforts represent a form of resource reallocation that helps boost both consumption and income. Export-oriented enterprises often have higher production efficiency and more advanced technologies. By entering the domestic market, they can make better use of idle capacity and improve overall economic efficiency. This process also represents a reallocation of labor resources, contributing to greater stability in the job market, Wan said.

Finding new outlets for more than 2 trillion yuan worth of export capacity aligns closely with China's broader strategy to de-risk supply chains. This is not just a short-term response to external pressure, but a necessary step toward building a more self-reliant and resilient supply chain system, Wan noted.

In 2024, China's retail sales reached 48.8 trillion yuan, more than 10 times the value of exports to the US, official data showed.

China will remain focused on running its own affairs well, using China's certainty to offset the uncertainties of the external environment. The country's super-large market potential continues to be released, and policies to stabilize the economy and foreign trade continue to be implemented. China's foreign trade sector has the confidence to deal with various risks and challenges, the MOFCOM spokesperson said.

The CICPE Brings Together the Global Trend of Win-win Development: Global Times Editorial

By Global Times

Apr 14, 2025 12:31 AM

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

From Sunday to Friday, the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) is being held in South China's Hainan Province. With the theme "share open opportunities, co-create a better life," this grand event sends multiple positive signals to the world: The Chinese economy is full of vibrant vitality, the pace of China's high-quality development and expansion of opening-up is steady and strong, domestic consumer demand continues to upgrade steadily, and China's efforts to deepen trade cooperation and stabilize global supply chains have garnered resonance worldwide.

At a time when trade protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, the CICPE interprets the value of global free trade through open cooperation. This year's expo has attracted over 1,700 consumer companies from 71 countries and regions, showcasing more than 4,100 brands, which sets a new historical high. The UK, as the guest of honor, has an exhibition area of over 1,300 square meters, with the number of exhibiting brands doubling compared to the previous edition. The event features countries such as Slovakia, Singapore, and Brazil, which are attending for the first time, as well as "regulars" like Burberry from the UK and Thai company TCP Group, both of which have participated for five consecutive years. The continuous expansion of the "international circle" demonstrates that the expo has become a "supermarket" where countries' competitive products vie for attention. These brands not only cast a vote of confidence in the Chinese market but also provide a strong boost to economic globalization.

What makes the CICPE so attractive? Mark Clayton, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce South China, noted that considerable capital, potential sales volume, and untapped market share still exist within China's dynamic consumer sector. Two recently released data points truly reflect China's strong domestic demand potential. First, China has seen over 100 million new home appliances sold under its consumer goods trade-in program; second, China's express delivery volume has surpassed 50 billion parcels - 18 days earlier than last year. Behind these numbers lies the strong momentum of consumption upgrading among China's more than 1.4 billion people. The CICPE bridges China and the world, facilitating Chinese companies in offering more high-quality consumer goods to the global market, while also opening a "global shopping cart" for Chinese consumers, inviting countries worldwide to share in the opportunities of the Chinese market.

As an active practitioner in the development of new quality productive forces, China has opened a window to a better life for global consumers through the CICPE, injecting strong momentum into the recovery of the world economy. This year's CICPE has established a New Consumer Technology Exhibition Area for the first time, with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, and smart travel becoming the focal points. Unitree Robotics launched the country's first humanoid robot G1 of a mass production version, along with an intelligent robotic dog, while Ti5 Robot showcased lightweight joint modules and smart dexterous hands. BrainCo presented bionic limbs and brain-machine interface devices. These technologies not only refresh the consumer experience but also have the potential to become "catalysts" for driving industrial transformation.          

China's door to opening-up is widening, and the resonance effect of policy innovation and market vitality is significant. The year 2025 marks the establishment of independent customs operations for the Hainan Free Trade Port. Hainan allows visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from 77 countries. The Hainan port provides 24-hour support for CICPE exhibition items, allowing for "immediate release upon arrival." Additionally, duty-free shopping on the island offers a "buy and pick-up" method for convenience. These measures provide international exhibitors with a "zero-distance" exhibition experience and enable international products to quickly reach consumers. Furthermore, leveraging the platform of the CICPE, many exhibitors have transformed into investors, with many establishing international business headquarters, processing and production bases, or supply chain centers in Hainan. These practices go beyond mere commodity transactions, making the CICPE a "testing ground" for multilateral cooperation.

Currently, China's economy is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, and establishing a development model led by domestic demand and driven by consumption is an urgent task. Especially in the context of facing unilateral tariffs and external challenges posed by protectionism, the CICPE will not only promote domestic consumption and economic growth - leading to consumption upgrades through high-quality development - but will also assist Chinese foreign trade enterprises in exploring diversified export paths. These enterprises can adjust production plans in a timely manner according to market needs and enhance product competitiveness, thereby taking the initiative amid the complex changes of the international trade environment. 

"The Chinese economy is not a pond, but an ocean." As China's economy continues to develop, it provides more opportunities for the world. From this CICPE, we see China's unwavering determination and courage to promote high-level opening-up, as well as the effectiveness of activating the domestic-international dual circulation. The blue skies and clear seas of the Hainan Free Trade Port not only nurture cooperation opportunities but also inspire global confidence with certainty, gathering a mighty tide of win-win development.

China Vows Unwavering Opening-up Despite US Tariff Bullying: MOFCOM

Nation to create more opportunities for global businesses: expert

By GT staff reporters

Apr 10, 2025 11:55 PM

MOFCOM spokesperson He Yongqian. Photo: VCG

As the world's second-largest economy and the second-largest consumer market, China will remain steadfast in advancing high-level opening-up and following its own development path in the face of US tariff bullying, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said at a press briefing on Thursday. 

Through its stable development, China aims to inject greater certainty into the global economy, MOFCOM spokesperson He Yongqian said, responding to a question about follow-up measures the ministry plans to implement to support foreign trade enterprises in exploring the domestic market.

"Recently, the US has imposed excessive tariffs on all its trading partners, including China, under various pretexts. These actions have severely violated the legitimate rights of Chinese companies and destabilized the global economic order. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes these measures," the spokesperson stressed.

The MOFCOM will continue to promote the integration of domestic and foreign trade. Efforts will be made to create platforms to help companies expand into the domestic market and strengthen support in areas such as market access, channel development, financial services and overall assistance, the spokesperson said.

Despite external pressures such as US tariff hikes, China's door will open even wider, which is very significant under the current international environment, Bai Ming, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that it reflects China's role as a responsible major economy. 

In the future, through its opening-up, China will create more opportunities and generate positive spillover effects, providing many countries with the chance to benefit from this growth and common development, Bai said.

Highlighting China's commitment opening-up and foreign businesses' strong interest and confidence in the Chinese market, the 137th session of the China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, will be held from April 15 to May 5 in South China's Guangdong Province, with over 170,000 overseas buyers from 210 countries and regions having registered to attend the expo, according to the MOFCOM. 

Meanwhile, 223 companies from the Global Retail 250 ranking, alongside major buyers from various countries and regions, have confirmed their delegations' attendance, a 9.9 percent increase from the last session in October 2024, according to officials. 

As one of China's flagship trade events, the Canton Fair will continue to power the nation's export growth while connecting Chinese manufacturers with worldwide buyers, Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, also a Canton Fair participant, told the Global Times.

The Canton Fair has become more than a window for Chinese manufacturers, but also one for global enterprises to match with worldwide buyers.

"This reflects China's commitment to opening-up and multilateralism, which will contribute to global trade, especially under the shadow of US trade protectionism and tariff measures," said Zhu.

In another example, the Global Digital Trade Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) will be held from April 13 to 18 in South China's Hainan Province, providing another platform for global businesses to access the vast Chinese market.

Entire World Should Act to End Washington's Attempted Looting: China Daily Editorial

chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2025-04-10 22:11

Including the additional hike yesterday, the punitive tariffs the US administration has levied on imports from China have soared to 125 percent.

Given that US President Donald Trump announced the latest move on the grounds he has failed to see the desired capitulation from China, the ab irato nature of the tariffs — a Latin phrase used in law to describe a decision or action that is motivated by hatred or anger instead of reason — is evident.

As far as the trade war his administration has initiated is concerned, it is not a question of which side will blink first, it is a question of principles.

The president and his administration are trying to coerce the entire world into accepting the falsehood that the United States has been — hitherto unwittingly, presumably — ripped off, not just by China, but by the entire world in the past decades, so it is justifiable for the US to now seek payback.

Thus their premise is they can impose as many tariffs as they like on the US' trading partners. Any countermeasures, rather than grovelling entreaties for leniency, are considered to be disrespectful to the benevolence the US leader wants to dispense from on high and are therefore to be met with even more punitive tariffs to put any uppity countries in their place. It may be dressed in new clothes, but it is still the tired, old, might-makes-right approach that characterizes Washington's world view.

It is the mindset of rogues.

But in the midst of the escalating tensions, a silver lining has emerged as economies are positioning themselves to deepen their commitment to global economic cooperation, signaling a proactive stance toward trade facilitation and openness in the face of the US' denigratory assault on global trade ties.

The Ministry of Commerce revealed on Wednesday that China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao discussed in a video call on Tuesday with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments. This suggests that the European Union and China are on the same page when it comes to the US administration's imperious contempt for the international trade system.

Wang also had a video call on Wednesday with Tengku Zafrul Aziz, the minister of trade and industry of Malaysia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They talked about further economic cooperation between China and the ASEAN members under the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest free trade agreement.

With the US administration demonstrating that it will not abide by the established rules and it will make new ones up as it goes along, China will undoubtedly make more overtures to expand its economic and trade cooperation with more countries on the basis of equality and mutual interest, so that the world mall is protected from the US' looting.

China has already shown its credentials as a strong defender of the global trade system under the framework of the World Trade Organization. It is this globalized trading system, from which countries, including the US, have benefited, that has laid the foundation for the development of the global economy. It is under this globalized economic system that the current global industry and supply chains have been continuously optimized for the common development of all countries.

Through its coercive tariffs, the US administration is not just trying to bully the entire world in a bid to preen the US' alpha male primacy, but also seeking to disrupt and distort the global industry and supply chains to give an anabolic steroid-type boost to its economic muscles. If the entire world caves in to the tariffs, the global economic system under the framework of the WTO will crumble, and there will be a free-for-all scramble to take advantage of the weaker.

To defend globalization that is underpinned by multilateralism and free trade, and to safeguard the world order under the framework of the United Nations, countries must make a decisive effort to uphold an interconnected and interdependent global economy in the face of the US administration's demented demolition derby. By standing united against the US administration's smash-and-grab actions that take a wrecking ball to the previously negotiated deals that have been underpinned by the principles of fair trade, economies can collectively reaffirm their commitment to fostering an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth and development.

The US too can be a constructive contributor to this or can continue to behave like a bitter and angry man shaking his fist at a world he no longer understands.

China's 'Fight to the End' is Backed by Strong Confidence: Global Times Editorial

By Global Times

Apr 11, 2025 12:12 AM

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

On Thursday, China's countermeasures against the US took effect. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, and other departments once again issued a series of statements reiterating China's firm stance that, while China does not want to fight these tariff and trade wars, it is not scared of them. In contrast to the US government's erratic "random punches," which change almost daily, China has consistently maintained a calm, composed, and measured response, showing the world a China that can withstand pressure, remain steady, and shoulder great responsibility.

China has the ability and confidence to address various risks and challenges.  Facing the unreasonable "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by the US, China has, on one hand, resolutely taken necessary countermeasures in accordance with World Trade Organization rules, firmly defending its legitimate rights and interests while safeguarding the multilateral trade system and international economic order. On the other hand, China issued a white paper entitled "China's Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations," once again clarifying to the US and the world that China-US economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, and that the two countries should find proper solutions to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation. 

Meanwhile, the "refund-upon-purchase policy" for foreign tourists' shopping and departure tax refunds has been implemented, and the 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, and the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo are underway. 

This wave of backlash against globalization initiated by the US cannot change the steadfast course of China's giant ship, nor can it shake the united will and collective strength of Chinese society, where everyone works together through thick and thin. China has always remained committed to "running its own affairs well." 

Domestically, it promotes high-quality development, values technological innovation, and pursues reform with a problem-oriented approach. Internationally, it consistently practices true multilateralism, shares development opportunities with the world through high-level opening-up, and contributes to building a community with a shared future for mankind. China's economy enjoys ample room for maneuver, strong internal potential, and vast external space - it is like an ocean capable of withstanding turbulent winds and storms. China's "fight to the end" is backed by strong confidence.

In recent days, both the European Union and ASEAN have expressed their willingness to work with China to jointly support multilateralism and the healthy, stable development of global trade. The New York Times noted that the US' "barrage" of trade levies and unpredictability about what it might do next, in fact, have made China "a more appealing option" for companies scared to make a hasty decision amid upheaval in global trade. Many have decided to stay in China, which is completely contrary to the US' original intention of exerting maximum pressuring on China and calling for "investing in the US." Deutsche Welle, citing experts, stated that in the trade war, China is likely to be the more resilient side. 

In response to pressure from the US, China's stance has been consistent: If the US wants to talk, our door remains open, but dialogue must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality. If the US wants to fight, our response will continue to the end. 

This confidence and resolve stem from a strong belief in China's path and a firm commitment to safeguarding the multilateral trading system. China is resolutely protecting a rules-based multilateral trade system, promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and expanding the "pie" of shared development. The growing consumption potential released by China is increasingly transforming "Chinese demand" into "global opportunities." By honoring its commitment to high-level opening-up, China continues to create a world-class business environment based on market principles, the rule of law, and international standards, making it a strong magnet for foreign investment. "Optimism for China," "upward revision to China's growth forecasts," and "more investment in China" have become buzzwords in the international business community.

Thomas Friedman, a columnist for The New York Times, recently lamented that the trade war has put the US into "a no-win war." In the face of US bullying tactics, which use tariffs as a maximum pressure weapon, China has demonstrated not only its ability to respond to crises but also its belief in seizing the trend of the times. In this sense, China will not back down in the trade war, nor does it need to - when the trend of economic globalization is unstoppable and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is deeply rooted in people's hearts, any storm will merely be a footnote to this historical process.

China Launches New Communication Technology Test Satellite

By Xinhua

Apr 11, 2025 07:47 AM

Photo: Xinhua

China sent a new communication technology test satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province early on Friday.

Launched at 12:47 a.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B rocket, the satellite has entered its planned orbit successfully, the launch center said.

It will be used mainly to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests.

The launch was the 569th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, according to the center.

The US Intensifies '21st-century Monroe Doctrine' in Latin America

By Global Times

Apr 10, 2025 08:59 PM

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Recently, the US has intensified its rhetoric against China-Latin America cooperation. According to the Associated Press, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that "China's military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere," and just one day earlier, he claimed that China poses "a threat to the Panama Canal." 

For a long time, the US has regarded Latin America and the Caribbean as its "backyard." To discredit the normal activities of other countries in Latin America while forcing regional nations to take sides, the US has spared no effort in staging one "Monroe Doctrine" farce after another.

Whether it's hyping up China's "military presence" or maliciously linking China to the Panama Canal issue, the US is employing the old trick of "a thief crying 'stop thief,'" in an attempt to push China out of the region. Pan Deng, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Region Law Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times that the claim that China's military presence is "too large" is false. It's the US that maintains a substantial military presence, currently operating around 76 military bases in the region. Pan stated that China neither has a military base nor deploys any troops to the region, making the US' claim that China is gaining a "military advantage" in Latin America completely baseless.

During his visit, Hegseth openly floated the idea of US troops returning to Panama to "secure" its strategically vital canal. This clearly reflects America's intention to use military and political pressures to force Latin American countries into compliance, said Lin Hua, a deputy researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He noted that over the more than two centuries since the "Monroe Doctrine" was introduced, noticeably Latin American nations have grown increasingly resentful of US hegemonism and unilateralism.

The Monroe Doctrine is synonymous with America asserting its dominance over the region. The US' bullying of its neighbors has continued to this day and intensified. The US demands control of the Panama Canal and pressures Colombia to accept deported migrants from the US... It's clear who exactly is coercing neighboring countries into becoming "vassal states." No wonder that Mexicans say, "Poor Mexico, so far from God, so close to the US."

In contrast, win-win cooperation is the keyword in China-Latin America relations. In recent years, economic and trade cooperation between China and Latin America has deepened and yielded concrete results. From Peru's Chancay Port to Brazil's Mauriti Photovoltaic Project, and from Latin American agricultural products to Chinese-made home appliances and automobiles, the path to prosperous win-win cooperation is widening. These collaborative projects are highly welcomed by local communities, viewed as a "ladder for development." 

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 9th summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States on Thursday. He stated that China and Latin America have deepened political trust, expanded practical cooperation and enhanced people-to-people exchanges, delivering benefits to both peoples and setting an example for South-South cooperation. 

China welcomes cooperation that genuinely promotes development. If the US continues to approach Latin American affairs from the standpoint and principles of the Monroe Doctrine - smearing China's legitimate cooperation while interfering in Latin American nations' independent choices and attempting to control them, clinging to outdated colonial dreams to hinder win-win cooperation - it will only further erode its own influence in the region.

Hackers Breach Morocco’s Social Security Database in an Unprecedented Cyberattack

By SAM METZ

2:18 PM EDT, April 10, 2025

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco ‘s social security agency said troves of data were stolen from its systems in a cyberattack this week that resulted in personal information being leaked on the messaging app Telegram.

The North African kingdom’s social security fund administers pensions and insurance benefits to millions of private sector workers, from assembly line laborers to corporate executives. It said in a statement Wednesday that preliminary investigations suggest the leak resulted from hackers bypassing its security systems.

The agency did not say who was thought to be responsible for the leak while also claiming that many of the documents posted were “misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete.”

The hackers who posted the documents on Telegram said the attack was in response to alleged Moroccan “harassment” of Algeria on social media platforms, pledging additional cyberattacks if Algerian sites were targeted.

Moroccan media have attributed the attack to Algerian hackers, describing it as an episode in a larger cyberwar between the two countries.

Relations between Algeria and Morocco have recently deteriorated to historic lows. The countries have withdrawn their ambassadors, closed their embassies and respective airspaces. Algeria’s support for the Polisario Front, a pro-independence movement fighting Morocco over the disputed Western Sahara, is among the roots of the tensions.

Some of the leaked information touches on deeply sensitive issues in Morocco. Among the leaked documents is salary information that, if accurate, would reflect vast inequalities that continue to plague Morocco despite its strides in economic development. The trove includes unverified financial data on executives of state-owned companies, political parties, figures associated with the royal family’s holding company and charity fund, and the Israeli liaison office in Rabat.

Morocco’s National Commission for the Protection of Personal Data said on Thursday that it stood ready to investigate complaints from people targeted in the leak.

Mustapha Baitas, Morocco’s government spokesperson, linked the attack to what he said was growing support for Morocco in the conflict from the international community — something he said “disturbs the enemies of our country to the point of attempting to harm it through these hostile actions.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week said he supported Morocco’s plan for the disputed territory, a statement Algeria criticized on Thursday.

During his first term in office, President Donald Trump shifted Washington’s longstanding position in 2020 to back Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory. President Joe Biden’s administration neither reversed nor openly supported the policy.

SAM METZ

Metz covers Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and points beyond for The Associated Press.

DR Congo and Rwanda-backed Rebels Hold High-stakes Talks in Qatar in a Renewed Push for Peace

By SALEH MWANAMILONGO

3:04 PM EDT, April 10, 2025

Congo’s government and Rwanda-backed rebels are meeting in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar for much-anticipated talks in a renewed push for peace in the conflict-battered eastern Congo, where the insurgents have seized vast territory, officials said Thursday.

The decades-long conflict escalated in January, when the M23 rebels advanced and seized the strategic eastern Congolese city of Goma, followed by the town of Bukavu in February. The fighting has killed some 3,000 people and raised the fears of a wider regional war.

According to officials from both sides, the delegations from Congo’s government and the M23 rebel group also met on Wednesday in Doha, Qatar’s capital. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations.

The talks follow a recent Qatar-facilitated meeting between Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Doha and failed efforts by neighboring countries to get both parties to return to dialogue and recommit themselves to a peace deal they each accuse the other of violating.

Among the demands by the rebels is that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi annul “all death sentences and prosecution” of M23 members, the official within the rebels said. The delegation is led by Bertrand Bisimwa, deputy coordinator of the Congo River Alliance that includes the M23.

Congo’s government delegation is mostly made up of officials from the national security services. They demand the rebels withdraw from territory seized in the conflict-hit region, according to a Congolese official.

Analysts were quick to describe the meeting as meaningful but were wary about any immediate positive outcomes.

A successful outcome of the meeting in Doha would “depend on the ability of the mediator to maintain pressure on the various stakeholders, and particularly Rwanda, and to keep them on the table,” according to Christian Moleka, a political scientist at the Congolese think tank Dypol.

Moleka added that rebel withdrawal would not be easy without pressure from the international community on Rwanda, citing when the M23 briefly captured Goma in 2012 before pulling out.

M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced.

The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the east.

Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, recently told The Associated Press that international sanctions and Congo’s proposed minerals deal with the United States in search of peace would not stop the fighting.

“As long as there are no binding measures on Rwanda or the M23, these measures will remain a dead matter,” said Moleka of the Congolese think tank.