Optimism is on the ropes in Sudan and Ethiopia. During recent times, many hoped that both countries were entering a new age of stability and prosperity. In Sudan, 2019's revolution overthrew the brutal dictator, Omar Al Bashir, whose rule kept the country in obscurity and isolation for 30 years. In Ethiopia, the 2018 election of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, was seen as an important step to ending years of violent anti-government protests and allowing the country to reach its enormous potential.
Now, tensions between both countries over a longstanding border dispute are reaching dangerous levels. On Wednesday, after an Ethiopian warplane entered Sudanese airspace, Khartoum warned Addis Ababa that the incident would have "dangerous consequences" for bilateral relations. This came a day after Ethiopia warned Sudan that it was running out of patience with Khartoum's continued military build up in the disputed region. The area in question, Al Fashqa, is in Sudanese territory, according to a 20th-century border demarcation. However, the region is populated with many Ethiopian farmers.
A particularly worrying incident occurred on Monday, in which five Sudanese women and a child were killed in the region while harvesting crops. Two further women remain missing. Sudan's foreign ministry condemned the attacks, blaming Ethiopian "gangs". The brutality of such crimes against innocent civilians are becoming all too common, with similar incidents happening in Ethiopia's Tigray region, a result of ongoing domestic tensions. Those residing on either side of the border have much in common and should not fall victim to political disagreements.
Ethiopia's controversial Grand Renaissance Dam as it undergoes construction on the river Nile. Reuters
a deterioration involving Ethiopia, the most populous country in the Horn of Africa, is too dangerous to ignore
The border dispute risks spiralling into a regional conflict, with the potential to spark major destruction. The current state of tensions is still a long way off from full-scale war, but a marked deterioration involving Ethiopia, the most populous country in the Horn of Africa, is too dangerous for the international community to ignore. Alongside the border dispute, Ethiopia's internal fighting and a disagreement involving Sudan and Egypt over Addis Ababa's plan to build a dam on the Nile increase pressure in the already-unstable region. One tragic mishap could result in catastrophe.
Both Sudan and Ethiopia have great potential that must not be lost in new conflict. Their people, and the wider region, would benefit from stability in this vital area. As bilateral relations appear increasingly likely to deteriorate, the role of multilateral organisations is crucial. The African Union's contribution will be particularly important, with its mandate to safeguard the integrity of states on the continent, as well as boost co-operation between fellow members.
In the aftermath of international catastrophes, we inevitably identify moments in which proactive multilateral mediation could have led to earlier resolution. Today, the respective promise of Ethiopia and Sudan, who in recent years have experienced political rebirth, must not be squandered by a sluggish response from the global community.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers
Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.
TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023 More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister. "We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know. “All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.” It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins. Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement. The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
