Swedish Committee for Afghanistan’s Post

363 armed conflicts on the planet ATM and this is how we are resolving them: A little-known company run by a distant relative of the Abu Dhabi royal family agreed to lend $12.9 billion to South Sudan in exchange for repayment in oil, making it one of the largest ever oil-for-cash deals and the latest such intervention in a struggling African country. The deal amounts to almost double the GDP of South Sudan, which has been ravaged by famine and conflict, with 70% of the funds earmarked for infrastructure. Bloomberg WHY? FYI In 2023, South Sudan's HRP requested $1.7 billion to meet the needs of 6.8 million people, but as of November 11, 2023, donors had only funded 53.8% of the request. In 2022, an estimated 8.9 million South Sudanese needed some type of humanitarian assistance, with up to 8 million facing crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity. Source: https://lnkd.in/gKY6kF75.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's statement underscores a fundamental truth: a lasting resolution to the crisis in Sudan hinges on achieving peace and the restoration of civilian rule. His emphasis on the need for a return to stability and governance by civilians highlights the core prerequisites for addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering sustainable solutions. The pledging event for humanitarian aid, as mentioned in the statement, serves as a critical step in providing immediate assistance to those affected by the fighting. However, Guterres implicitly acknowledges that humanitarian aid alone is insufficient; it must be complemented by a broader commitment to political and social stability. In essence, his statement underscores the interconnectedness of peace, civilian governance, and humanitarian aid. It echoes the importance of addressing both the immediate needs of the affected population and the long-term goals of restoring stability and democratic governance in Sudan. The international community's support in these endeavors is crucial for achieving a comprehensive and enduring resolution to the crisis. #keepeyesonsudan

The "Declaration of Principles" emphasized supporting a consolidated Sudan peace initiative, building on existing platforms such as the Jeddah talks, the African Union, and IGAD-led efforts, and mechanisms involving neighboring countries. The declaration specifically referred to the May 11, 2023, Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. All foreign actors were urged to stop providing armed support to the warring parties and avoid actions that could escalate tensions and fuel the conflict. Support for Consolidated Peace Initiatives: The declaration emphasized supporting a consolidated Sudan peace initiative, building on existing platforms such as the Jeddah talks, the African Union, and IGAD-led efforts, and mechanisms involving neighboring countries. #AfricanUnion #France #USAID #Sudan #HumanitarianAssistance #HopeMatters

After one year of conflict in Sudan, our Peace Process Support Advisor Dr Ayak Chol Deng Alak shares her reflections about the Sudanese civilian space in Kampala, the challenges she sees arising and the possible strategies to meet these challenges in this blog 👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/dnEsZw7F Key challenges and suggested strategies? ➡️ INGO’s compete internally to support Sudanse civilan actors Strategy: INGOs to have loose coordination mechanisms to ensure there are no duplicated activities, but complementary activities. To ensure that all the resources, taxpayers' money that is being pledged for support to Sudan are capitalized and maximized on. ➡️ Multiple negotiations platforms create confusion Strategy: There is a need for complementarity efforts between negotiation platforms – the varius processes need to be linked and each effort to benefit from the experiences and the outcome of the other. ➡️ Access to funding is not flexible enough and donors need to widden the scope of actors to receive funding  Strategy: There is a need to make access to funds easier, especially for new and emerging groups. Citizen ownership is a crucial component of any political process and in order to encourage that, access to funding need to be more flexible. #civilanledpeaceprocess #peacebuilding #negotiations 

Below is the link link to my article on #the_war_in_Sudan published on the 28th of August 2023. Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan https://lnkd.in/dP4ut4Ju

We at NEO have been tracking a number of articles which reflect dissent from the idea that the United States should build a temporary pier onto the Gaza coast in order to deliver aid directly to the Gazan population. The plan was initially hinted at news media just preceding the State of the Union address by President Biden and was officially announced in the course of that address. However, since that time no more news has been forthcoming, instead we have seen headlines suggesting that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is opposed to the idea and the article posted below. Guterres has stated that the only effective means of delivering goods and aid is to use the existing road infrastructure into the Strip. So far, however, no objection has been forthcoming from the Arab world and HAMAS and the Gazans have also been silent on the matter. We believe that the objections stem from a level of jealousy over the plan. The plan to build a pier and deliver goods and aid to the Gazans through the temporary port would be able to supply the people with more aid and more consistently than airdrops as well as ensure the safety of the people. It is also an initiative that the neither the UN nor the Doctors Without Borders has or is willing to put forth the work and the infrastructure costs to bear up such an effort. The US is taking leadership in this case as it has done so in the past, including instances such as the Berlin Airlift which was entirely supported by the US while organizations, such as the UN stood by, and did nothing to support the work. https://lnkd.in/esp9UUa2

Algeria proposes 6-months transition to resolve Niger crisis

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has drawn international attention and raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The Israeli strikes have resulted in a substantial number of casualties and displaced a significant portion of the population. The U.S. military's involvement in maritime conflicts linked to the war further complicates the situation. Efforts to encourage emigration from Gaza, as suggested by an Israeli Cabinet minister, may escalate tensions with neighboring Arab states. The prolonged nature of the conflict, despite international calls for a cease-fire, adds to the challenges faced by the affected communities. Displaced Palestinians, enduring the hardships of makeshift camps like Muwasi, find little respite even on New Year's Eve. The toll on families, with loved ones lost in the war, reflects the profound impact on individuals and communities. As the conflict persists, the need for diplomatic solutions and international cooperation becomes increasingly evident. The reported humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, underscores the urgency of addressing the situation and providing aid to those in need.

On the 15th of October, the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) hosted a crucial conference in Brussels School of International Studies (BSIS) - University of Kent, Belgium, in collaboration with various EU and UK parliamentarians, Diaspora groups, activists, journalists, and international organizations. This conference shed a spotlight on the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover, and we thank our speakers, Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi, Ms. Lailuma Sadid, Seán Kelly MEP, Elena Yoncheva MEP, Keith Best, and Dr. Bojan Savic for sharing their insights. The event featured insightful discussions on critical aspects of the Afghanistan crisis. One panel, titled 'Reflections on Humanitarianism in a Country Ruled by the Taliban,' emphasized the vital role of humanitarian assistance. It examined the aftermath of the Taliban's assumption of power in August 2021, discussing the consequences of NATO's hasty withdrawal and the complex dynamics of providing aid amid the changing political landscape. Another panel, 'The Future of Aid Delivery to Afghanistan - The Role of Europe and the Diaspora,' explored pathways for effective humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. This discussion underscored the collaborative efforts needed from the Afghan diaspora, Europe, and the wider international community to ensure aid reaches those in need. This event was particularly timely in the wake of yesterday's powerful earthquake in western Afghanistan, where hundreds of people were feared dead and thousands were injured. During the conference, we observed a minute's silence for those affected by the disaster. #Heratearthquake #afghanistan #humanitariancrisisinafghanistan

The provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice has cast a spotlight on the circumstances in Gaza, underscoring the profound humanitarian crisis and the charged nature of diplomatic communications. The combination of these elements vividly illustrates the complexities of the current situation: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: - Unbearable Living Conditions: UN officials describe Gaza as a place of extreme despair, with the majority of the population lacking basic necessities, facing severe hunger, and living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. - Health and Nutrition Emergency: Reports from the WHO indicate a dire situation with rampant malnutrition and an expected rise in maternal and newborn mortality due to the collapse of medical services. - Massive Displacement and Housing Crisis: The conflict has led to the destruction of housing infrastructure, forcing around 1.7 million individuals into internal displacement. Diplomatic Rhetoric: - Statements by Israeli Defense Minister Yav Galant: A complete siege of Gaza City was announced, emphasising a rigorous and long-term military stance. - Remarks by President Isaac Herzog: He stressed the collective responsibility of Gaza, highlighting a protective stance in what he described as a state of war. - Communications by Minister Israel Katz: He called for the immediate evacuation of Gaza civilians, indicating a severe halt to essential supplies and a determined effort to confront Hamas. - UN Concerns over Dehumanising Language: UN experts and officials have expressed deep concerns over the rhetoric used by some Israeli officials, describing it as alarmingly genocidal and dehumanizing. This synthesis aims to shed light on the multifaceted nature of the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and humanitarian action. The interplay between the harsh living conditions in Gaza and the intense diplomatic exchanges underscores the complexity of the situation and the imperative for constructive dialogue and decisive humanitarian assistance. #HumanitarianCrisis #Gaza #InternationalLaw #diplomacy