Connect with us

News

Sudan: Warring Factions Agree To Seven-Day Ceasefire

Published

on

A temporary ceasefire in Sudan has been agreed as fighting between two warring factions entered its sixth week, The Tide source reports.
Previous truce attempts between Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have tended to collapse within minutes of beginning.
But the new deal will be enforced by a “ceasefire monitoring mechanism,” according to a US-Saudi statement.
As part of the seven-day humanitarian ceasefire, Sudanese officials have agreed to restore essential services.
Fighting between the two sides has plunged the country into chaos since it began last month, with more than a million people thought to have been displaced.
Stocks of food, money and essentials have fast declined and aid groups repeatedly complained of being unable to provide sufficient assistance in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, where much of the violence has taken place.
Both the regular army and the RSF have been urged to allow the distribution of humanitarian aid, restore essential services and withdraw forces from hospitals.
The United States and Saudi Arabia, who sponsored the peace talks in Jeddah, said the ceasefire would come into effect on Monday evening.
In a statement, the US State Department acknowledged previous failed attempts at brokering peace in Sudan but said there was a key difference this time.
“Unlike previous ceasefires, the agreement reached in Jeddah was signed by the parties and will be supported by a US-Saudi and international-supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism,” it said, without giving more detail.
Taking to Twitter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken added, “It is past time to silence the guns and allow unhindered humanitarian access.
“I implore both sides to uphold this agreement – the eyes of the world are watching.”
The war broke out in Khartoum on 15 April following days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country in a move that the army saw as a threat.
There was also a power struggle between Sudan’s regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who leads the RSF.
Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting and the UN has warned of a worsening situation in Africa’s third-largest country, where a huge number of people already relied on aid before the conflict.
It has been two weeks since representatives of the warring factions first gathered in the Saudi capital for peace talks.
On 11 May, both sides signed a commitment intended to lay the groundwork for humanitarian assistance in Sudan.
But earlier this week, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the AFP news agency there had been “important and egregious” violations of that agreement, which he added fell short of a ceasefire.
Reports of violence across the country remain rife, with strikes reported on Saturday by eyewitnesses in southern Omdurman and northern Bahri, the two cities that lie across the Nile from Khartoum.
An Omdurman resident recalled her house “shaking” early on Saturday as a result of “heavy artillery fire”.
“It was terrifying, everyone was lying under their beds,” Sanaa Hassan, a 33-year-old living in the al-Salha neighbourhood, told Reuters by phone. “What’s happening is a nightmare.”

Continue Reading

News

May Day: Labour Seeks Inclusiveness In Policy-making 

Published

on

The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.

The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.

Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.

He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights  of workers by some agents

According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.

Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.

“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.

“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.

“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said

Ajaero, therefore,  urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.

He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to  demand better conditions is non-negotiable.

“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”

Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.

He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

News

2025 UTME: JAMB Disowns Site Requesting Payment From Candidates

Published

on

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.

The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.

“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.

“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.

“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.

” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.

“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.

Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.

According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.

He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.

He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.

He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”

“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.

“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.

“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.

Continue Reading

News

NDDC Seeks UN’s Support To Accelerate Niger Delta Development

Published

on

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.

Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.

According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.

He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.

“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.

Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.

He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.

“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.

The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.

Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.

In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.

He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.

“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.

“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.

He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending