The UN Security Council unanimously adopted two resolutions to create a mission in Sudan to support the country's political transition and extend the mandate of peacekeepers in Darfur, diplomats said.
The resolution on the new United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (Unitams) was drafted by Britain and Germany.
The mission was established "for an initial period of 12 months", according to the text of the resolution, seen by AFP.
The resolution asks Secretary General Antonio Guterres to quickly name an envoy to head the mission.
Sudan embarked on a political transition after the fall of long-time ruler Omar Al Bashir in April 2019 and several months of pro-democracy protests that were brutally suppressed.
In August last year, a civilian-military authority was created to lead the transition for a period of three years.
Britain and Germany also drafted the resolution on renewing the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (Unamid) until December 31.
The text, seen by AFP, also calls for the force's current strength of roughly 8,000 Blue Helmets to be maintained.
In a joint report in March, the UN and the African Union however had recommended that Unamid be replaced by a political mission in late October, and called for the peacekeepers to be gradually withdrawn by that time.
China, Russia and several African countries had supported that plan, but European nations and non-governmental organisations feared that civilians would be left unprotected should tensions spike.
"In Darfur, armed violence between rebel groups has declined, but the fundamental conflict drivers remain unresolved and exacerbate intercommunal tensions," the report said.
Protecting civilians was Sudan's responsibility, it added.
"It's good news that the Council is keeping armed peacekeepers in Darfur through the end of the year, but what happens after that?" Jehanne Henry, associate Africa director at Human Rights Watch, told AFP.
"We'll need to keep our eyes on civilians there, who remain on the frontlines for attack."
Unamid has been deployed in Darfur, in western Sudan, since 2007 and has deployed up to 16,000 peacekeepers.
According to the UN, the conflict in Darfur between Sudanese forces and ethnic minority rebels who consider themselves marginalised by the central government, has resulted in about 300,000 deaths and more than 2.5 million displaced people since 2003.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
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.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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