June 1, 2023

1. Egyptian Jurists Demand $2 Billion Compensation from Netflix Over Cleopatra Controversy (Egypt Independent). An Egyptian team consisting of several jurists and archaeologists demanded financial compensation worth two billion dollars from Netflix for distorting the image of Queen Cleopatra and ancient Egyptian civilization.
2. Sudan Army Quits Truce Talks with Paramilitary Foes (Al Monitor). The Sudanese army suspended its participation in US- and Saudi-brokered ceasefire talks Wednesday, accusing its paramilitary foes of failing to honor their cease fire commitments.
3. Regional Ranking Rates Egyptian Armed Forces Most Powerful in the Arab World (Egypt Independent). The Global Firepower website in military affairs published the annual ranking of the most powerful armies globally for 2023, with Egypt leading the order of the most powerful Arab armies.

June 2, 2023

1. Treasury Sanctions Military-Affiliated Companies Fueling Both Sides of the Conflict in Sudan (U.S. Treasury Department). The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four companies generating revenue from and contributing to the conflict in Sudan. The entities designated today are affiliated with the two embattled forces fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan: two companies affiliated with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and two companies affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
2. US Says Ready to Resume Sudan Mediation Once Parties Are Serious (The Straits Times). The United States said on Thursday that it remained ready to mediate between Sudan’s warring parties but that they needed to be serious about a truce after the army left talks in Saudi Arabia.
3. Ennahda Calls for Early Presidential Elections in Tunisia, and the Republican Party Calls for the Release of Political Prisoners (Al Jazeera). Today, Thursday, the interim president of the Tunisian Ennahda Movement, Munther Al-Wanisi, called for early elections to see “the extent of the popularity of President Kais Saied,” while the “Republican” party called for the release of all “political prisoners” and the cessation of all political prosecutions.
4. Tunisian Judges Reject the Intervention of the Executive Authority: the Independence of the Judiciary Is Necessary (The New Arab). Tunisian judges affirmed today, Thursday, that the judiciary is going through its worst stage as the executive authority continues interfering in judicial affairs. The judges stressed that the law must be applied and exempted judges must be reinstated, noting that political issues do not concern them as much as the independence of the judiciary.

June 5, 2023

1. Two Agreements Between Saudi Arabia and Egypt to Enhance Economic Partnership (Al Khaleej Online).  Today, Sunday, the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry signed two trade agreements, as part of steps to strengthen economic partnership and trade exchange between Riyadh and Cairo.

June 6, 2023

1. Khartoum Fighting Escalates as Truce Expires (Sky News Arabic). Residents of the Sudanese capital said that fighting intensified in several areas of Khartoum on Sunday after the end of a ceasefire. At the same time, activists indicated that new violence broke out in North Darfur state, killing at least 40 people, while the rainy season may exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
2. Egypt is Expanding Investments in Army Companies Instead of Private Sector (New Arab). The Egyptian government has expanded new investments in companies owned by the army, in partnership with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, instead of the private sector, despite the government’s repeated pledges about the importance of this sector and its commitment to making room for strengthening its role in economic activity.
3. Israel Hands Over Body of Egyptian Soldier Killed in Border Incident (Sky News Arabic). On Monday, Israeli TV channel 12 said that Israel returned the body of the Egyptian soldier who carried out the operation on the border, which resulted in the killing of 3 Israeli soldiers.

June 7, 2023

1. Netanyahu and Sisi Speak in the Wake of Deadly Border Attack, Reaffirm Security Bond (Times of Israel). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone Tuesday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in the aftermath of the slaying of three Israel Defense forces soldiers by an Egyptian policeman who crossed the border.
2. Egypt Faces the Dilemma of Paying off External Debt After a Borrowing Spree (New Arab). Egypt is facing an increasingly difficult task, day by day, to collect the liquidity required to pay its foreign debt bill after external borrowing increased fourfold in the past eight years, to contribute to financing the construction of new capital, the construction of infrastructure, the purchase of weapons, and the support of an overvalued currency.
3. Indirect Talks Resume Between Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces (Alarabiya). Today, Tuesday, sources for Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channels confirmed the return of indirect talks between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces under the auspices of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.

June 8, 2023

1. Aid has reached only 3% of stricken people in Khartoum, World Food Program says (The National). As fighting between Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army enters a second month, the World Food Programme (WFP) says aid has reached only 3 per cent of people in need in Khartoum. Abdel Mageed Yahia, WFP UAE country director and representative for the GCC, told The National lack of access in Sudan was “unprecedented” in comparison to other war zones in the region.
2. Algeria Elected to UN Security Council (Sky News Arabia). On Tuesday, the United Nations General Assembly elected Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and South Korea to membership in the UN Security Council for two years starting on January 1, 2024, while Belarus allied with Russia in its war on Ukraine, failed to obtain a seat.
3. Egypt Wants Gaza Border Crossing to Return to Palestinian Authority Control (Jerusalem Post). The terminal, the only crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, has been under Hamas’ control since its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
4. Postponement of the Official Signing of the Bouznika Agreement Regarding Elections in Libya (New Arab). On Tuesday night, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita announced the delay of the official signing of the “Bouznika Agreement” on electoral laws in Libya, which will frame the legislative and presidential elections.

June 9, 2023

1. Libyan Disputes Continue…Will the Bouznika Agreement on the Elections Collapse? (Al Arabiya). The Libyan 6 + 6 Committee signed an agreement on the parliamentary and presidential elections law after marathon negotiations in the Moroccan city of Bouznika… However, it seems that this agreement still lacks guarantees for its implementation.
2. A Shark Devours a Russian Tourist in Egypt (Al Arabiya). In a tragic accident, a shark pounced on a Russian tourist in the Red Sea in southern Egypt and devoured him, instantly leading to his death.
3. Cyclone Biparjoy: Storm in the Arabian Sea Moves northwards to Oman (The National). Oman has announced that tropical storm Biparjoy has developed into a severe cyclone…Its Meteorology Department said that the cyclone, which is around 1,100km from the Sultanate, continues to move northwards in the Arabian Sea.

June 12, 2023

1. Kais Said: Tunisia Will Not Be a Border Guard for Europe (Al Arabiya). Tunisian President Kais Saied said that Tunisia would not accept becoming a border guard for other countries before a planned visit by European leaders worried about the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean….”The solution will not be at the expense of Tunisia… We cannot play the role that some reveal, and others hide; we cannot be guards for their countries,” Said said during his visit to the coastal city of Sfax, the main departure point for migrants seeking to reach Italy by boat…On Friday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that she, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would offer help during a Sunday visit to Tunisia, which is facing a public financial crisis. 
2. Egypt: Jurists Criticize the Expansion of Prison Construction (New Arab). The Egyptian Minister of Interior, Major General Mahmoud Tawfiq, issued Resolution No. 1042 of 2023,—Which stipulates the establishment of 6 new prisons in the 15th of May City in Cairo Governorate, under the name of “public correction and rehabilitation centers” in which freedom-restricting sentences are implemented.
3. Libya:  External Pressure to Pass the Laws of the 6 + 6 Committee–but an Internal Division Looms (Al Nahar). Disagreements have renewed between the Libyan parties regarding the laws regulating the Libyan electoral entitlements, placing the fate of the political process once again in the unknown, on the brink of collapse, amid intense international efforts to bridge the rift and re-advance the elections and the political solution.
4. Will Israel Recognize Morocco’s Sovereignty over Western Sahara? (Al Monitor). On Thursday, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called on the government to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, indicating a possible shift in Israel policy. Experts, however, warn that the problem is complicated and may backfire. 
5. Chinese Panda Bonds Present Opportunity for Cash-strapped Egypt (Al Monitor). In the last couple of years, financial news about Egypt has mainly focused on the country’s economic crisis, mounting debt, and subsequent IMF bailout. However, there was some more positive news in May:  the African Development Bank approved a Partial Credit Guarantee (PCG) equivalent to $345 million in renminbi as Egypt accessed the Panda bond market for the first time to finance green and social development projects.
6. UN Voices Support for Sudan Envoy Declared Persona Non-Grata (New Arab). The United Nations on Friday expressed support for its envoy to Sudan, saying a decision by local authorities to declare Volker Perthes “persona non grata” was a violation of international law.

June 13, 2023

1. UN Concerned Over Libya’s Arrests of Migrants and Asylum Seekers (New Arab). The United Nations mission in Libya said on Monday it was concerned by the arbitrary arrest of migrants and asylum seekers in the country, accompanied by a disturbing rise in hate speech and racist discourse…The mission said Libyan authorities had detained thousands of men, women, and children from the streets and their homes following raids on alleged traffickers’ camps and warehouses.
2. Ahly Soccer Club Claims 11th African Champions League Title (Al Ahram). The Cairo giants, who won the first leg 2-1 in Cairo a week earlier, clinched the African Champions League title after claiming a 3-2 win on aggregate… Ahly holds the record for the most Champions League titles in Africa with 11 wins, while Wydad has won three times. 
3. European Leaders Meet Tunisian President Saeed and Pledge 100 Million Euros to Combat Immigration (Al Jazeera). Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Sunday with three leaders of the European Union to discuss several files, most notably the fight against irregular migration, where it was announced that 100 million euros (about 107 million dollars) would be allocated to Tunisia to contain the flow of migrants towards Europe. Saeed held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

June 14, 2023

1. Plan to Open Sites for Israeli Arms Maker in Casablanca Faces Opposition From Moroccan Anti-normalization Activists (New Arab). Moroccan anti-normalization activists have vowed to protest plans to establish a presence for Israeli arms manufacturers in their country as military ties between Tel Aviv and Rabat reach unprecedented levels of cooperation despite public opposition…This comes in the wake of announcements by Israeli officials that controversial Israeli arms company, Elbit Systems, is set to open two plants in the kingdom.
2. Egypt will Allocate $4.14 Billion for Food Support in 2023-24 Budget (Sky News Arabia). Egypt, with a population of 105 million, is one of the world’s largest wheat importers and is dependent on imports of other staple foods and fuel. A financial statement attached to the draft budget approved by Parliament stated that the Ministry of Finance estimated Egypt’s need for 8.25 million tons of wheat in the next fiscal year. The budget was based on an oil price of $80 per barrel of Brent crude. 
3. 3800 Died on Migration Routes in Middle East and North Africa in 2022 (Elaph). The International Organization for Migration announced Tuesday that nearly 3,800 people died on migratory routes in and out of North Africa and the Middle East in 2022, the highest toll since 2017. According to the organization, the Middle East and North Africa region accounted for more than half of all deaths globally. On the road in North Africa, especially during the perilous crossing of the Sahara desert, 203 deaths were recorded, while another 825 deaths occurred on the street in the Middle East. Libya recorded the highest number of road deaths in North Africa, with 117 deaths recorded.

June 15, 2023

1. Egypt, South Korea Sign $460 Million Deal to Supply 320 Metro Carriages to Egypt (Egypt Independent). The deal will be through the concessional financing window provided by the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Export-Import Bank of Korea. In a statement, the International Cooperation Ministry said the deal falls within the framework of the strategic cooperation and partnership between the two countries, and after the Korean government has designated Egypt as an Official Development Assistance (ODA) priority partner for 2021-2025.
2. Algerian President Begins Three-Day Visit to Russia (Al Shrooq). President Tebboune arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow, on Tuesday evening, within the framework of a three-day state visit at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. During this visit, the Algerian president will participate in the work of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to a statement by the presidency.
3. Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Assassinate the Governor of Darfur after a Television Appearance (Cairo 24). Khamis Abkar, the governor of West Darfur in Sudan, was killed after being arrested by the Rapid Support Forces in El Geneina, the center of West Darfur state…The Sudanese army accused the Rapid Support Forces of being behind the killing of the governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abkar, while Nimr Muhammad Abdel Rahman, the governor of North Darfur, confirmed to Cairo 24 that Khamis Abkar was killed at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces.

June 16, 2023

1. African Development Bank Approves $237 Million Loan to Egypt (Ghad News). President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi signed a loan agreement between Egypt and the African Development Bank, the program to support food security and economic resilience, for an amount not exceeding (271) million US dollars.
2. PM Madbouly Leads Egypt’s Delegation During Africa’s Russia-Ukraine Peace Mission (English Ahram). Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly embarked on a trip on Thursday as the head of the Egyptian delegation participating in the African peace mission that will visit Kyiv and Saint Petersburg to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
3. United Nations: 2.2 Million People Displaced Due to Clashes in Sudan (Ghad News). In a statement, the United Nations organization said that since April 15, “more than 1,670,000 people have been internally displaced in Sudan, while the number of those who left the borders reached about 528,147.”
4. Darfur Regional Government Says Death Toll in El Geneina Exceeds 1,000 (Al Arabiya). The government of the Sudanese Darfur region revealed that the death toll in the El Geneina region had exceeded 1,000. At the same time, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, announced Thursday that over 100 people were killed in violent clashes in and around the camps for the displaced in the Sudanese state of North Darfur.

June 19, 2023

1. French and German Interior Ministers Head to Tunisia in Wake of Latest Mediterranean Tragedy (Ahram Online). The two-day trip by the German and French interior ministers Nancy Faeser and Gérald Darmanin follows what is feared to be the deadliest migrant shipwreck in years in the Mediterranean — the capsizing last week of a fishing vessel packed with men, women, and children trying to reach Italy from Libya, Tunisia’s neighbor. More than 500 migrants are presumed to have drowned in the sinking Wednesday off the southern coast of Greece that renewed criticism of Europe’s years-long failure to prevent migration tragedies. The U.N. migration agency said it could be the second-deadliest migrant shipwreck recorded — after the April 2015 capsizing of another vessel on the Libya-Italy route that killed an estimated 1,100 people.
2.  Qatar Seeks to Buy 30% of Egypt’s Hotels Holding Company at $750M (Daily News). The Qatar Investment Authority is negotiating over purchasing a 30% stake in the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels; sources told Daily News Egypt on Saturday…The company includes seven hotels:  Cairo Marriott, Aswan Cataract, Haram Mena House, Luxor Winter Palace, Alexandria Cecil, Movenpick Aswan, and Elephantine Aswan…The sources added that the initial evaluation of that share would reach about $750M, and the initial signing would occur within a month. In contrast, implementation will occur within two months, explaining that the Sovereign Fund of Egypt evaluated the hotels before offering them to strategic investors. Thus the deal estimates the value of the company at $2.25B.

June 20, 2023

1. Shaky Sudan Truce Holds for Second Day as Donors Set to Meet in Geneva (The New Arab). An international donors’ conference is set to begin in Geneva on Monday for Sudan, where a ceasefire was held. Still, the UN says the humanitarian situation worsens after two months of war…The conference comes midway through a three-day respite which appeared to have brought calm to the capital Khartoum after the failure of earlier truces to ensure secure aid corridors.
2. Sudanese Army Denies Targeting Red Cross Convoy (Al Hadath). After the Red Cross announced on Monday that gunfire had occurred near a convoy in Sudan that was transporting wounded people at the request of both sides of the conflict, the Sudanese army denied responsibility for the matter…In a statement, he denied any connection to the incident, explaining that the area where the shooting took place was under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.

June 21, 2023

1. Egypt Warns Sudan’s Humanitarian Catastrophe Will Affect Neighboring Countries (SKY news). Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Egypt had received more than 250,000 Sudanese citizens since the start of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan…Shoukry announced the launch of a joint Egyptian-Qatari initiative “to ensure the provision of support to the brotherly Sudanese people in a way that facilitates the continuation of the flow of relief aid.”…This came during a speech he delivered via the Internet before the high-level conference to support the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region, which Egypt organized in cooperation with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Germany, and the African and European Unions…Shukri also warned of a “humanitarian catastrophe” affecting the security, economic and humanitarian conditions in Sudan and neighboring countries.
2. Darfur’s Governor Calls for International Investigation Into Darfur Killings (Sky News Arabia). Minawi urged the UN Security Council to allow the International Criminal Court to investigate “crimes and assassinations” in West Darfur during the past two months…Sudan descended into chaos after fighting broke out in mid-April between the army led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces led by Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo…The fighting was concentrated in the capital, Khartoum, but spread to other African regions, including Darfur. According to UN officials, the violence in Darfur has recently taken on an ethnic dimension…Minawi said “excessive force” was used against residents in several regional areas, including El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.
3. UN Donors Pledge $1.5 Billion to Curb Sudan’s Slide Into Death and Destruction (The New Arab). Donors at a Monday UN conference promised close to $1.5 billion to combat the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and help its neighbors host refugees fleeing the fighting…Sudan is descending into death and destruction at unprecedented speed, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned as he urged donors to step in and curb the unfolding catastrophe. The conference comes midway through a three-day ceasefire which appeared to have brought calm to the capital Khartoum after the failure of earlier truces to secure aid corridors.

June 22, 2023

1. Fighting Renews in Sudan Immediately After Expiration of Truce (Al Hadath). With the end of the 72-hour armistice on Wednesday, the airspace in Sudan witnessed air sorties by warplanes in Omdurman, while the Rapid Support Forces confronted them with ground anti-aircraft guns…Violent clashes broke out in the Mohandessin area and the Al-Fatihab neighborhood in Omdurman in Khartoum, as well as the outbreak of violent clashes in the city of Dilling in the state of South Kordofan.
2. President of Iran: The Sultan of Oman Informed Us of Egypt’s Desire to Restore Relations and We Welcomed It (Alghad News). Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi said that the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, informed him of Egypt’s desire to resume relations with Iran, and that he (Raisi) brought the matter up to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and he welcomed it. Raisi…also repeated his assurances that Saudi Arabia had asked the Chinese president to work to restore relations with Iran.

June 23, 2023

1. Sudanese Sovereignty Council Rejects African Union Proposal to Solve the Crisis (Al Jazeera). During his meeting with writers and journalists in Egypt, Malik Agar, Vice President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, said his country rejects the African Union initiative to solve the Sudanese crisis due to the suspension of Sudan’s membership…This comes as the Sudanese army announced on Thursday that it continued its operations in the capital, Khartoum, against the Rapid Support Forces, after the end of the three-day truce yesterday.
2. Macron Tells Sisi France is Keen to Strengthen Cooperation With Egypt as a Major Partner (Al Ahram Online). President Emmanuel Macron assured President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi that France is keen to enhance economic cooperation with Egypt and intensify coordination between the two countries on regional and international issues…President El-Sisi is in Paris to attend the New Global Finance Compact Summit France hosts from June 22-23.
3. Algeria Seeks to Join Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS (Tunisie Numerique). Algeria intends to join the BRICS group, which currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and has submitted a request to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as an observer…and intends to contribute to the capital of the New BRICS Development Bank.
4. World Bank Launches New Partnership with Tunisia (African Manager). On Thursday, the World Bank Group launched a new Country Partnership Framework with Tunisia to support the government’s development plan for economic expansion. The new Collaborative Partnership Framework will last five years…Endowed with an annual envelope of 500 million dollars.

June 26, 2023

1. Battles Rage in Sudan…and a Warning of Famine Due to The Conflict (Al Hadath). The Sudanese crisis enters a new wave of escalation and fighting amid global warnings that the country will witness major humanitarian crises. Millions of civilians continue to suffer in Khartoum and the Darfur region due to the raging war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, where diplomatic efforts have failed to find a way out. Warplanes and machine guns shook homes again in Khartoum on Saturday as civilians hunkered inside their homes for fear of bombing. According to the United Nations, one and a half million Sudanese have left the capital since the war broke out on April 15…millions of other Sudanese who remained in the capital have been without electricity since Thursday.
2. Torture in Tunisia…Terrifying and Expanding (Noon Post). The World Organization Against Torture has recorded an increase in cases of torture and ill-treatment during the recent period in Tunisia, especially after the dismissal of dozens of judges, according to a report in which it said that the situation in Tunisia is “alarming.” According to the report, the organization’s “Sanad” program (established in 2013) has dealt with 187 cases of torture in Tunisia since the beginning of last year, including prisoners. The organization’s deputy head, Mukhtar al-Tarifi, described the numbers as “shocking and expanding.” According to the human rights organization, types of torture in Tunisia include suspicious deaths in detention centers, which represent 8% of registered cases, administrative ill-treatment, which represent 49%, and torture and ill-treatment from the police, which represent 18%.

June 27, 2023

1. Why Did the Gulf States Withdraw their Support for Egypt? These are the Most Important Reasons (Al Ghad News). The Spanish newspaper “Atlayar” reported the effects of the Gulf countries ending subsidies and potential investments in the Egyptian economy…the Gulf countries expect a mutual economic relationship from Cairo, in contrast to its previous position, which was focused on injecting support and aid into Egypt’s economy. This means that the Gulf countries are more interested in sending investments that have long-term benefits. Currently, the region’s countries have decided to focus more on their investments and are more interested in investments in East Asia, specifically China. They are expected to invest between $1 and $2 trillion in the Far East over the next five years, with China accounting for most of the investment.
2. Russia Intends to Establish Broader Contacts With Libya (Libya Akhbar). The new Russian ambassador to Libya, Aidar Aghanin, confirmed that the Russian diplomatic presence in Libya has fully returned, indicating that the Russian embassy in the capital, Tripoli, will work to strengthen friendly relations with Libya…Aghanin said that security conditions have now become much better, there are no military actions, and the country has practically moved into a stage of peaceful development, where differences between Libyan politicians are being settled through dialogue.
3. Bloody Battle in Khartoum Over Police Headquarters as Jeddah Negotiations are Postponed Until After Eid Al Adha (Al Hadath). On Monday, Sudan witnessed a new day of escalation and fighting between the two parties to the conflict amid international warnings of humanitarian crises that may afflict the Sudanese people. At least 14 people were killed in battles around the police headquarters in Khartoum, which may change the control of the Rapid Support Forces…On the political track, the Rapid Support Forces announced Monday that negotiations with the Sudanese army delegation in Jeddah would be postponed until after Eid al-Adha…The Rapid Support Forces said, “The delay in negotiations came due to the army’s lack of seriousness and commitment to previous truces.”

June 28, 2023

1. Sporadic Clashes in Sudan Despite RSF’s Declaration of a “Unilateral” Truce (SKY News Arabia). Despite the Rapid Support Forces’ announcement of a unilateral truce, clashes continue intermittently in some parts of Sudan on Tuesday…A source told “Sky News Arabia” that the Sudanese army’s artillery bombardment targeted several RSF stations south of Omdurman, near Al-Fatihab Bridge and North Bahri…The Sudanese army did not issue an official statement commenting on the unilateral truce, which was announced by the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hamidti.”
2. African Union Demands Immediate Demilitarization of Khartoum (Al Rakoba News). The Peace and Security Council of the African Union called for the immediate demilitarization of Khartoum and an unconditional cessation of hostilities after the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, witnessed a strategic battle near the police headquarters between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.The Council expressed its support for the plan of the Group of Heads of State of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in East Africa, “IGAD,” regarding the conflict in Sudan and praised the efforts made by the organization.

June 29, 2023

1. New Tensions between Algeria and France Thwart Tebboune’s Visit to Paris (Al Sharq Al Awsat). The visit of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Paris, which was expected this June, was ruled out following events and statements that returned tension to the countries’ bilateral relations…What doomed Tebboune’s visit to Paris was a strong stance expressed last Tuesday by the Algerian Minister of Industry and Drug Products, Ali Aoun…[who claimed that] “lobbyists” in Algeria fabricated the scarcity crisis in medical anesthesia because it “works for the benefit of French producers of the drug.” 
2. Libyan Government Threatens to Stop Production and Export of Oil (Al Arabiya). The Libyan government threatened to stop oil production and exports Wednesday if a judicial guard was not appointed over Libya’s National Oil Company. The Libyan government informed the head of the National Oil Corporation of the possibility of appointing a judicial guard over its accounts. The Libyan government, mandated by Parliament, said that stopping oil production and exports would become the last option if the judicial guard cannot carry out his duties with the Oil Corporation.
3. Burhan Says He is Ready to Accept Türkiye’s Mediation to Stop Sudan Fighting (Al Jazeera). Al-Jazeera correspondent in Khartoum reported that warplanes launched intense raids on the Rapid Support Forces sites in areas south of Omdurman, west of Khartoum. At the same time, the head of the Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, expressed his willingness to accept any Turkish initiative to stop the fighting in Sudan.

June 30, 2023

1. Tunisia Grapples With Bankruptcy to Avoid Destabilizing the Country (Al Sharq Al Awsat). The Tunisian economy has suffered repeated blows since the 2011 uprising, and deadly attacks by militants in 2015 hit the vital tourism sector, while the “Covid” pandemic caused the economy to contract by 8.8 percent. Drought also devastated agriculture, exacerbating the trade deficit. External borrowing needs for this year are expected to be more than $5 billion.
2. Egypt Approves New Budget with $97B Stimulus and $29B Deficit (Al Khaleej). The Egyptian Ministry of Finance confirmed that the new fiscal year 2023-2024 budget is more stimulating for economic recovery, as its expenditures amounted to about 3 trillion pounds (about 97 billion dollars), compared to 2.1 trillion pounds in revenues (about 67.9 billion dollars). This means that the budget deficit is approximately $29 billion.
3. UN Says 2.1 Million Displaced Inside Sudan and Half a Million Fled to Neighboring Countries (Al Jazeera). The United Nations said that the number of displaced people inside Sudan due to the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces had reached more than 2.1 million people; Since the outbreak of the competition on April 15, 1.4 million people have fled the capital, Khartoum. The United Nations added that over 560,000 people had crossed the border into neighboring countries, mainly Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. 
4. EU Pressures Tunisia to Stem Flow of Mediterranean Migrants (The New Arab). European Union leaders are set to discuss in Brussels on Thursday ways to squeeze aid to Tunisia to stop migrant boats leaving for Europe…The discussion comes two weeks after a boat believed to be carrying hundreds of migrants sank off Greece in one of the worst tragedies in years.