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Tag: Sudan

  • Madagascar edge Sudan in extra-time to reach first-ever CHAN final

    Madagascar edge Sudan in extra-time to reach first-ever CHAN final

    Madagascar reached their first-ever African Nations Championship (CHAN) final after edging Sudan 1-0 in extra-time at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

    A 116th-minute strike by substitute Toky Rakotondraibe sealed victory in a tense encounter, sending Madagascar to Saturday’s final in Nairobi, where they will face either Senegal or Morocco.

    Both sides were aiming for a first CHAN final. Madagascar, 2022 bronze medallists, faced a Sudanese team featuring in their third semi-final after previous exits in 2011 and 2018.

    The first half was evenly contested. Sudan’s Mohamed Tia Asad and Mazin Al Bahli threatened, but Madagascar’s goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa made key saves to keep the scores level.

    Madagascar also had chances through Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa and Fenohasina Razafimaro, but they could not convert. The half ended goalless, with both sides showing caution and discipline.

    After the restart, Sudan dominated. Walieldin Khdir missed a clear header in the 53rd minute, while Mubark Abdalla’s late effort was blocked by a resolute Malagasy defence.

    Madagascar’s best chance in normal time came late, as Bono Rabearivelo fired narrowly wide. Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja made crucial saves to force extra-time.

    The extra 30 minutes saw renewed energy. Sudan’s Mohamed Ahmed Saeed and Musa Hussien tested Ramandimbisoa, before Madagascar responded with long-range efforts that Abooja kept out.

    The breakthrough finally arrived in the 116th minute. Rafanomezantsoa broke forward and slipped a pass to Rakotondraibe, who calmly finished past Abooja to make it 1-0.

    The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Madagascar bench and fans. Sudan pushed for an equaliser, but efforts by Makeen and Hussien fell short in the dying minutes.

    The Falcons of Jediane’s wait for a CHAN final continues. For Madagascar, the win confirms their status as a rising power in African football.

    Having secured bronze on their debut in 2022, Madagascar now have a chance to become the first island nation to win a CAF senior tournament.

    Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe praised his players’ belief and teamwork, saying the team’s unity was key to their historic achievement in Dar es Salaam.

    “Our strength lies in unity. The players believed until the end. This victory is for them, and for Madagascar,” Rakotondrabe told reporters after the match.

    For Sudan, it was another semi-final heartbreak. Coach Kwesi Appiah said his team gave everything, despite falling short of delivering the joy they hoped to bring home.

    Madagascar now head to the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi for Saturday’s final. They will face either Morocco or defending champions Senegal.

    Sudan will contest the third-place match on Friday in Dar es Salaam. Regardless of results, CHAN PAMOJA 2024 has produced compelling moments and new heroes.

  • Like tornado, Sudan demolish Super Eagles team B 4-0

    Like tornado, Sudan demolish Super Eagles team B 4-0

    The Super Eagles are out of the African Nations Championship after Sudan hammered the team 4-0 on Tuesday night.

    It is the most humiliating defeat so far, as the group stage of the tournament is coming to a close.

    Yet it never looked as if a big defeat was in the offing as the game kicked off, and Nigeria was dictating the pace.

    The Super Eagles even though they had taken the lead in the 22nd minute when, in transition from defence into attack, Anthony Ijoma got the ball floated to him just by the half line.

    He broke loose and found the net. But his effort was chalked off by the VAR for a marginal offside.

    In a twist of fate, barely a minute later, Nigerian defender, Leonard Ngenge, in an attempt to deflect with a header a shot by Sudan’s Abdel Yagoub ended up putting the ball into the Nigerian net for an own goal for Sudan.

    Poor Ngenge! As the first half was wearing out, the ball landed on his outstretched hand to give away a penalty kick, which Walieldin Khdir converted for Sudan’s second goal.

    Ten minutes into the second half, the flaming Sudanese were already three goals up as Abdel Yagoub, with a left foot, scored the first of his two goals of the day.

    They wrapped up their big win with the fourth goal in the 62nd minute to take the lead of the Group.

    Nigeria’s last group match against Congo is merely to fulfil the fixtures.

  • Fate of Nigerian medical students from Sudan hangs in the balance

    Fate of Nigerian medical students from Sudan hangs in the balance

    A group of 47 Nigerian medical students who escaped war-torn Sudan in May 2023 are now struggling to register for the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) examination due to a document snag.

    The students, many of who fled or were evacuated by the Federal Government without exit visas, are currently racing against time to meet the registration deadline, with their future careers hanging precariously in the balance.

    NAN reports that these students, who were enrolled at Sudan International University (SIU), were evacuated to Nigeria during the 2023 conflict in Sudan while in final year of study.

    According to the students, with the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), they were permitted to continue their academic programme at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto.

    Speaking to NAN on Sunday in Abuja, one student said: “We successfully completed our studies and graduated in 2024, receiving our certificates as students of SIU.”

    He added that they were currently preparing to sit for the MDCN examinations.

    The student, however, added that one of the requirements was presenting a first entry visa and a last exit visa.

    “Unfortunately, none of us have these documents as most of our passports remained in Sudan due to the emergency evacuation.

    “We respectfully request permission to sit for the examinations scheduled for June 2025,” he said.

    The President of the Nigerian Students Association at SIU, Najid Hassan, confirmed that due to the war in Sudan, Nigerian students were evacuated by the Federal Government.

    Hassan explained that with NUC approval, the affected students were allowed to continue their academic programme at UDUTH following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SIU and UDUTH.

    “After the MoU, we resumed studies at UDUTH in December 2023 and spent one year there.

    “We completed clinical rotations, lectures in gynaecology, pediatrics, surgery, and medicine, and graduated in October 2024.

    “We took examinations supervised by consultants at UDUTH,” Hassan said.

    He added that after graduation, students were awarded certificates bearing the SIU name.

    Hassan, however, said that when they approached MDCN for registration, the process, expected to be seamless, became challenging.

    “We are currently preparing for the MDCN exams, but one requirement is the submission of a ‘first entry visa and a last exit visa.’

    “Unfortunately, none of us have these documents because most passports remain in Sudan due to emergency evacuation,” Hassan said.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to intervene.

    MDCN is the regulatory body for Medicine and Dentistry in Nigeria and was established by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act.

    The Act had been operational since Dec. 18, 1963, and updated under the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The council’s statutory functions include setting and reviewing standards for medical and dental education.

    Section 9(3) and (4) of the Act empowers the council to conduct assessment exams for holders of foreign medical or dental qualifications recognised by their countries of origin.

    Candidates expected to sit for these examinations are trained outside Nigeria at institutions listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

    One of the application requirements is submitting relevant portions of international passports, including visa and arrival/departure stamps.

    In a 2024 publication addressing students returning from conflict zones, MDCN Registrar Dr Fatima Kyari, reaffirmed these rules but expressed sympathy for students affected by COVID-19 and conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan.

    “The council has held extensive consultations and developed remediation pathways to facilitate integration.”

    “Students graduating in 2023 or later were advised to return to a designated campus of their foreign university to complete studies physically.

    “They can also transfer to an accredited Nigerian university, subject to NUC approval; or integrate into a Nigerian university per NUC guidelines.

    “Many students from Sudan and Ukraine have successfully integrated through these pathways, exempting them from the foreign-trained medical and dental graduates (FTMDG) exams if graduating from Nigerian institutions,” Kyari said.

    She explained that the MoU with UDUTH was an academic collaboration and did not equate to clinical training for medical qualification recognised by MDCN.

    She noted that students who properly transferred and graduated from Nigerian universities approved by MDCN had been indexed, graduated, and registered as doctors.

    The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Director of University Education, Hajiya Rakiya Ilyasu, acknowledged the situation.

    She advised the affected students to formally write to the Minister of Education, including their names, and to copy the Director of Education Support Services to help facilitate a resolution.

    Similarly, NUC Deputy Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, confirmed awareness of the development and advised students to contact the Ministry of Education to resolve the issues.

    However, all efforts by NAN to obtain a response from Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), regarding the students’ plea proved unsuccessful.

    Similarly, all efforts to get a reaction from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) failed.

    The Deputy Provost of the Medical School, said he had no authority to speak on the issue, while the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bashir Garba, said he was on transit and would respond appropriately

  • Sudan military recaptures presidential palace from RSF

    Sudan military recaptures presidential palace from RSF

    The Sudanese army has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, military leaders have said.

    Video and photographs posted on social media and verified by the BBC show jubilant soldiers waving their guns, cheering, and kneeling to pray.

    The army appears poised to regain control of the capital two years after it was kicked out by its paramilitary rivals, known as the RSF.

    The paramilitary group has yet to comment.

    Nabil Abdallah, the army spokesperson, said on state TV that the military took control of the palace and ministry buildings in central Khartoum.

    “Our forces completely destroyed the enemy’s fighters and equipment, and seized large quantities of equipment and weapons,” Abdallah added.

    “We confirm that we will continue fighting until victory is complete.”

    Khartoum is where the country’s brutal civil war began nearly two years ago, and where some of its biggest battles were fought.

    The RSF has held most of the capital as well as the west of Sudan since the start of the war.

    Reclaiming Khartoum would be a huge victory for the Sudanese Armed Forces and a pivotal moment in the conflict. The army has also made gains in parts of central Sudan in recent weeks.

    On Thursday, witnesses reported explosions from drone attacks and air strikes near the Republican Palace.

    In a video recording on Saturday, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, vowed to defend the presidential palace and surrounding areas that are under the control of his paramilitary group.

    He threatened further attacks in several northern cities.

    Several peace efforts have collapsed as the rival forces vow to continue fighting to control the strategic areas.

    The war has caused the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, according to the UN, with both the RSF and the army accused of widespread human rights abuses.

  • Just In: Many feared dead as military plane crashes

    Just In: Many feared dead as military plane crashes

    The crash of a Sudanese military transport plane into a residential area on the outskirts of Khartoum have killed atleast 19 people.

    The army-aligned health ministry on Wednesday disclosed that Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday night near Wadi Seidna Air Base, a major Sudanese military hub in Omdurman, northwest of the capital.

    The Sudanese army, which has been locked in a violent conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, stated that the plane crashed during takeoff, resulting in fatalities among both military personnel and civilians.

    According to eye witnesses, The crash which sparked a loud explosion, triggered power outages in nearby neighborhoods.

    “Search efforts are still ongoing to find the remaining martyrs under the rubble,” the health ministry said in a statement.

    The health ministry in a statement confirmed the toll had risen to 19, however initial reports from pro-democracy activists suggested that 10 people had died. Emergency teams rushed injured civilians, including children, to a nearby hospital for treatment.

    A military source, speaking anonymously to AFP, attributed the crash to a technical malfunction but did not provide further details.

    The crash comes shortly after the RSF claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian-made Ilyushin aircraft over Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The RSF said they destroyed the plane with its crew onboard.

    These incidents signal an escalation in the nearly two-year-long conflict between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

    Once allies, Burhan and Daglo have now become bitter rivals, plunging Sudan into what the United Nations describes as one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent history.

  • Conflict in Sudan taking dangerous turn for civilians – UN

    Conflict in Sudan taking dangerous turn for civilians – UN

    UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, has said that the conflict in Sudan is taking an “even more dangerous turn for civilians.” Türk gave the warning in a statement on Friday.

    His warning comes amid reports that dozens were brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks in Al Jazirah state in the southeast.

    This is also amid reports of an imminent battle for the control of the country’s capital, Khartoum.

    The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a rival military, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been fighting since April 2023 in what Türk called a “senseless war”.

    As they “battle for control at all cost, direct and ethnically motivated attacks on civilians are becoming increasingly common,” he noted.

    “The situation for civilians in Sudan is already desperate, and there is evidence of the commission of war crimes and other atrocity crimes.

    “I fear the situation is now taking a further, even more dangerous turn,” he said.

    In the last week alone, his office, OHCHR, documented at least 21 deaths in just two attacks on camps in Al Jazirah, located some 40 kilometres from the state capital, Wad Madani.

    However, the actual number of attacks directed at civilians, and of civilians killed, are likely to be higher.

    On Jan. 10, at least eight civilians were killed in an attack on Taiba Camp, and at least 13 women and one man were abducted.

    Houses were burnt and livestock, crops and other property looted, while dozens of families were displaced.

    The next day, at least 13 civilians were killed, including two boys, in an assault on Khamsa Camp.

    The attacks came in the context of the recapture of Wad Madani by the SAF.

    Reports suggest they were carried out by the Sudan Shield Forces led by Abu Aqla Keikal, a former RSF commander, who defected to the other side last October.

    The attacks reportedly targeted the Kanabi, a historically marginalised group comprised mainly of Nuba and other African tribes.

    Türk noted that the Sudanese authorities’ assurance that the attacks would be fully investigated and those responsible brought to justice, and an investigation committee has been established.

    “Retaliatory attacks – of shocking brutality – on entire communities based on real or perceived ethnic identity are on the rise, as is hate speech and incitement to violence.

    “This must, urgently, be brought to an end,” he said.

    He said that OHCHR received three videos that document scenes of violence, including unlawful killings.

    They were reportedly filmed in Wad Madani, with men in SAF uniforms visibly present.

    In the videos, victims were dehumanised and denigrated as “Wassekh” (dirt), “Afan” (mould), “Beheema” (animal) and “Abnaa E-dheif” (bastards).

    Summary executions were hailed by perpetrators as “Nadhafa” (a cleaning operation).

    Serious concerns also persist for civilians in North Darfur.

    There, ethnically motivated attacks by the RSF and its allied Arab militias against African ethnic groups, particularly the Zaghawa and the Fur, continue to exact a horrific toll.

    Separately, some 120 civilians were reportedly killed and more than 150 injured in drone attacks in the city of Omdurman, on Jan. 13.

    They were allegedly launched by the SAF on a market in the Ombada Dar es Salam square, an RSF-controlled area.

    Türk reiterated his call for the fighting to end, and for the warring sides to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

    He also warned the proliferation of militia recruitment and mobilization of fighters – largely along ethnic lines – risks unleashing a broader civil war and inter-communal violence.

    “The SAF and the RSF are responsible for the actions of groups and individuals fighting on their behalf,” he said.

    He urged them to take immediate measures to ensure the protection of all civilians.

    Such measures should include taking all feasible measures to avoid, or at the very least, minimise harm to civilians in the conduct of hostilities.

    He added that prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into all reports of violations and abuses were crucial.

  • 2026 WCQ: Sudan overtake Senegal in Group B, Libya go top in Group D after defeating Mauritius

    2026 WCQ: Sudan overtake Senegal in Group B, Libya go top in Group D after defeating Mauritius

    Thursday evening witnessed series of 2026 World Cup qualifying games across different centers in the continent of Africa.

    The biggest result of the afternoon was in Group B where coach Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan claimed a convincing 2-0 victory over Mauritania in Nouakchott.

    Sudan on Thursday night stunned the Mauritania 2-0 away from home to boost their chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup.

    Saifeldin Bakhit scored first in the thrilling encounter inside 15 minute before Aly Abeid doubled the lead after an own goal in the 29th minute against own team to hand the visitors all three points.

    The win propels Sudan to the top of Group B with seven points, three more than second-placed Senegal, who are set to host DR Congo in the group’s other game on Thursday.

    In another venue, Libya hosted Mauritius in a Group D encounter at the Martyrs of February Stadium.

    The hosts took the lead in the 20th minute through Faisal Al Abdri, but Mauritius equalized ten minutes later courtesy of Kevin Bru.

    Libya regained the lead just before halftime, with Ahmed Ekrawa finding the back of the net in the 40th minute.

    The 2-1 victory sees Libya go top of Group D with seven points, overtaking group leaders Cameroon and Cape Verde, who are scheduled to clash in Yaounde on Saturday.

    The group standing will take a new shape today and tomorrow after many teams would have played their 2026 qualifiers.

  • FG receives 29 stranded Nigerians from Sudan

    FG receives 29 stranded Nigerians from Sudan

    The Federal Government in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), have facilitated the safe return of 29 out of 120 Nigerians stranded in Sudan.

    The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alhaji Tijani Ahmed stated this at the reception of the returnees on Thursday in Abuja.

    Ahmed explained that the voluntary return of the 29 Nigerian emigrants –18 females including five minors, five adults males and two minors became necessary due to the crisis in Sudan.

    He also said that about nine voluntary returnees would be airlifted from Sudan in the next one week.

    “We are here at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to receive the returnees from Sudan. We want to ensure that our people returned safely and in dignity.

    “The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in collaboration with the IOM are doing everything possible to ensure that this 120 were returned to the country,” he said.

    Ahmed said the Commission was also making arrangement to ensure the safe return of about 17 Nigerians in Algeria, eight in Tunisia and some other ones in other countries in the next few weeks.

    He added that the Commission with IOM had facilitated the return of about 1, 950 Nigerians between January and May.

    “Also in 2003, the Commission and partners returned over 7, 000 Nigerians from various countries back to the country,” Ahmed added. .

    He, therefore, appreciated IOM and other partners for their supports, both financially and morally towards ensuring that Nigerians, who live far away in many countries were returned safely and in dignity.

    The returnees were profiled and given some kits including refreshments.

  • Sudan denies rejecting U.S. envoy visa

    Sudan denies rejecting U.S. envoy visa

    Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday refuted claims that the Sudanese government had declined to grant visa to Tom perriello, U.S special Envoy for Sudan.

    The ministry clarified, “The Sudanese embassy in Washington or any other capital did not receive a request from Mr. Perriello for an entry visa.”

    Earlier reports from Sudanese local media suggested that Perriello had stated during a meeting with a Sudanese civil group in Kampala, Uganda, that the Sudanese government had denied him a visa.

    Responding to these reports, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Sudanese embassy in Washington contacted the U.S. State Department, which affirmed that Perriello had not made such statements.

    Perriello was appointed as the U.S. special envoy for Sudan on Feb. 26, 2024, with a mandate to lead U.S. efforts to resolve the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan.

    Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023.

    According to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, it said that 15,550 people had been killed and displaced 8.7 million others so far.

  • Sudan denies reports of visa denial to U.S. envoy

    Sudan denies reports of visa denial to U.S. envoy

    Sudan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday refuting claims that the Sudanese government had declined to grant an entry visa to U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.

    The ministry clarified, “The Sudanese embassy in Washington or any other capital did not receive a request from Mr Perriello for an entry visa.”

    Earlier reports from Sudanese local media suggested that Perriello had stated during a meeting with a Sudanese civil group in Kampala, Uganda, that the Sudanese government had denied him a visa.

    Responding to these reports, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Sudanese embassy in Washington contacted the U.S. State Department, which affirmed that Perriello had not made such statements.

    Perriello was appointed as the U.S. special envoy for Sudan on Feb. 26, 2024, with a mandate to lead U.S. efforts to resolve the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan.

    Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023.

    The clashes have killed 15,550 people and displaced 8.7 million others so far, according to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.