Germany’s Scholz, Egypt’s El-Sisi back aid access for Gaza in phone call — Berlin

Smoke rises during an Israeli ground offensive in Khan Younis, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Rafah, southern Gaza Strip January 29, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 29 January 2024
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Germany’s Scholz, Egypt’s El-Sisi back aid access for Gaza in phone call — Berlin

BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed in a phone call the importance of allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.
“The chancellor and the president agreed that in the conflict between Israel and Hamas there is an urgent need to significantly improve access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the provision of supplies to the Palestinians,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The leaders’ call came as a growing number of countries, among them Germany, paused payments to the United Nations’ aid agency for Palestinians in response to accusations from Israel that some of its workers were involved in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.


Sudan slams Uganda for hosting RSF chief

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Sudan slams Uganda for hosting RSF chief

  • Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday criticized the meeting, saying the RSF’s atrocities had been “documented by the international community and condemned by regional organizations of which Uganda is a member”

KHARTOUM: Sudan’s government on Sunday criticized Kampala for hosting rival paramilitary chief Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, slamming the reception he received from Uganda’s president as an “affront to humanity.”
Since April 2023, the Sudanese military, led by army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Al-Burhan’s former deputy, commonly known as Hemeti.
Dagalo on Friday met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at Entebbe’s State House, a day after a United Nations probe found his forces had committed acts of genocide in Darfur.
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday criticized the meeting, saying the RSF’s atrocities had been “documented by the international community and condemned by regional organizations of which Uganda is a member,” including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD.
Dagalo, speaking during his visit, said he travelled to Uganda after President Museveni was approached by the Sudanese army seeking his mediation.
His visit came a week after Museveni hosted Malik Agar, Burhan’s deputy, in his ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council.
Addressing supporters on Friday, Dagalo called for Africa-led mediation.
“From the first day of the war, we said negotiations must be African. Peace should be made in Africa: IGAD and the African Union,” he told the gathering.
Friday’s meeting was the RSF commander’s second with Museveni. 
His first in December 2023 occurred during a regional tour, when analysts said Hemeti sought to bolster his legitimacy with African leaders.
He has since declared a rival administration in Darfur, which has received no international recognition.