The main pro-democracy coalition in Sudan has declined an invitation to a meeting in Cairo, with other Sudanese stakeholders, aimed at negotiating the application of a preliminary agreement reached last month with the ruling generals.
The influential Forces for Freedom and Change said Egypt's proposed meeting had been overtaken by developments on the ground in Sudan.
Military leaders and some civilian factions, including the FFC, agreed last month on the first of a two-phase political process seeking to end the turmoil Sudan has been plunged into since a 2021 takeover led by army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan.
The deal envisions the military’s withdrawal from politics and naming a civilian prime minister to steer Sudan through a 24-month transition leading to free elections.
The second stage of the deal was tabled last week to iron out details of several key issues. These include reforms of the security apparatus and dismantling remnants of the regime of Omar Al Bashir, who ruled for 29 years before he was removed by the military 2019 following months of street protests.
The FFC was the military’s chief partner in a transitional administration that came to power shortly after Al Bashir’s ouster. It was removed by the military in 2021. Its ongoing negotiations with the military are sponsored by the UN, African Union and a host of Khartoum's traditional backers, including the US, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In a statement, the FFC said the preliminary deal it reached with the military has “laid solid foundations for a process owned and led by the Sudanese and represents a breakthrough in restoring the democratic transition derailed by a military coup in October 2021.
“This is turn makes the Cairo meeting late and effectively overtaken [by events],” it said, claiming that the proposed meeting next month will serve as a forum for “counter-revolutionary forces that hope to undermine popular Sudanese efforts to restore the civilian and democratic path.”
While the accord involving the FFC drew some international acclaim, opponents at home have criticised it as being "exclusionary".
There was no immediate comment from Egypt on the FFC statement issued on Wednesday night.
Abbas Kamel, the Egyptian intelligence chief and a confidante of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, visited Sudan early this month and met Sudanese leaders, including those from the FFC.
Later, Egypt’s ambassador to Sudan, Hany Salah, spoke to reporters in Khartoum about an “Egyptian initiative” to reach a political settlement. Neither he nor Mr Kamel divulged details of the proposal.
Egypt and Sudan are neighbours that share the Nile river and social, cultural and economic ties dating back to ancient times. Egypt technically co-occupied its neighbour with Britain from 1898 until Sudan's independence in 1956.
“We appreciate and value the historical relations between Egypt and Sudan and are aware of their strategic importance,” said the FFC.
“But we also believe that the Egyptian position on political developments in Sudan following the glorious December revolution requires deep revisions."
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
List of alleged parties
May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members
May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party
Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson
Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party
Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters
Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Playing records of the top 10 in 2017
How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season
1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)
2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)
3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)
4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)
5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)
6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)
7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)
8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)
9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)
10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company%20Profile
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Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
