The UAE on Tuesday pushed for debt relief and more aid for Sudan, as western nations and international financial institutions held back assistance in an attempt to encourage the country's military leaders to return to civilian rule.
Amiera Al Hefeiti, the UAE’s deputy UN envoy, warned of an “alarming economic situation” in Sudan, where poverty and hunger have worsened since a military power grab last year.
Some western nations have cut funding to Sudan and said it could lose out on billions of dollars of assistance from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund unless the military hands back power to civilians.
“In light of the alarming economic situation, we believe that debt relief packages and development assistance from international financial institutions and other international donors remain critical to prevent Sudan's economy from collapsing,” Ms Al Hefeiti said in New York.
Donors have paid only 10 per cent of the $1.9 billion sought in this year’s UN aid plan for Sudan and 39 per cent of the country’s 44 million people will not have enough food to eat by September, she told the UN Security Council.
The UN says global increases in grain prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have worsened the situation in Sudan, pushing food prices out of reach for many Sudanese people.
“The continued suspension of international assistance is negatively affecting the dire economic situation in Sudan, which is already exacerbated by the current geopolitical tension, climate change and the disruption of the agricultural season,” said Ms Al Hefeiti.
The administration of US President Joe Biden this week warned Americans against doing business with Sudanese companies linked to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and his ruling clique, which seized power on October 25.
The US departments of State, Commerce, Treasury and Labour issued an advisory message on Monday warning of “reputational risks” and human rights problems for those trading with Sudan’s military elite.
Western nations have sought to pressure Gen Al Burhan into returning power to civilians, saying Sudan could lose billions of dollars in World Bank aid as well as the IMF programme there and $19bn in associated debt relief.
The UN’s top body met against a backdrop of continuing tension in Sudan, where security forces on Saturday killed one protester in renewed demonstrations against the military takeover.
That latest death in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city, brought to 96 the toll from a crackdown on anti-coup protests that have regularly roiled the country since the putsch.
The UN, along with the African Union and regional bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, have been pushing for Sudanese-led talks to resolve the crisis after the coup in the north-east African country, which is among the world's poorest.
But civilian forces have refused to enter talks with the military, while Gen Al Burhan has repeatedly threatened to expel UN envoy Volker Perthes, accusing him of interfering in internal affairs.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
More on animal trafficking
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
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Specs
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Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
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FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The years Ramadan fell in May
