The sudden outbreak of violence over the weekend between Sudan’s two top generals, each backed by tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters, trapped millions of people in their homes or wherever they could find shelter, with supplies running low and several hospitals forced to shut down.
After months of violent protests, there is a lull on the streets. But it could be the calm before the storm
The hair is deeply personal, but it is also very public and the most politicised
A homage to the Iranian women who risked their lives and careers in the fight for dignity
This is for all the women who continue to fight for their rights over their own bodies and for equality across the world. It is a homage to those who died in Iran.
The imposition of a Western morality can be addressed only when the countries of the Global South come together in healing
Updated: 18 Apr 2023 1:27 pm
At least 31 people from a tribal community in Karnataka have been stuck in Sudan after an intense fight between the country's army and paramilitaries since last week has killed185 people and left over 1,800 injured. The two sides are using tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons in densely populated areas. Fighter jets swooped overhead and anti-aircraft fire lit up the skies as darkness fell.
Dr Manoj Rajan, Commissioner of Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said that they have urged the External Affairs Ministry to speed up the process of the rescue of the people from the Hakki Pikki community with the help of the Indian Embassy in Suda.
According to a report by NDTV, Rajan said, "We have got a message that a group of 31 persons hailing from Karnataka are stranded in Sudan. We have informed MEA of this. We have asked the group to follow the instructions of the Indian embassy in Sudan. As of now stranded should be stay wherever they are and not to venture out. MEA is seized of the matter and is working on it."
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to Twitter to write, "Hakki Pikkis in Sudan are left stranded without food since the last few days & the govt is yet to initiate action to bring them back. @BJP4India govt should immediately open diplomatic discussions & reach out to international agencies to ensure the well-being of Hakki Pikkis."
He further added, "It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to Hakki Pikki tribe, are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war. I urge @PMOIndia @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to immediately intervene & ensure their safe return."
It is also unfortunate to know that we have lost one Indian & 60 others in the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
My deepest condolences to their families and pray for the peace in the region.
The sudden outbreak of violence over the weekend between the nation's two top generals, each backed by tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters, trapped millions of people in their homes or wherever they could find shelter, with supplies running low and several hospitals forced to shut down.
Top diplomats on four continents scrambled to broker a truce, and the UN Security Council was set to discuss the crisis.
“Gunfire and shelling are everywhere,” Awadeya Mahmoud Koko, head of a union for thousands of tea vendors and other food workers, said from her home in a southern district of Khartoum.
She said a shell stuck a neighbour's house Sunday, killing at least three people. “We couldn't take them to a hospital or bury them.”
In central Khartoum, sustained gunfire erupted and white smoke rose near the main military headquarters, a major battle front. Nearby, at least 88 students and staffers have been trapped in the engineering college library at Khartoum University since the start of fighting, one of the students said in a video posted online Monday. One student was killed during clashes outside and another wounded, he said. They do not have food or water, he said, showing a room full of people sleeping on the floor.
Even in a country with a long history of military coups, the scenes of fighting in the capital and its adjoining city Omdurman across the Nile River were unprecedented. The turmoil comes just days before Sudanese were to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
(With AP inputs)
Subscribe to get complete access to Outlook Print and Digital Magazines, Web Exclusive stories and the Archive. Attractive gifts with each subscription.
© 2023 Outlook Publishing India Pvt. Ltd