News
Canadians wait to escape violence in Sudan as some countries begin evacuation efforts
|
|
Some foreign nationals began evacuating from a Red Sea port in Sudan on Saturday, even as airstrikes again rocked the capital, Khartoum, after a week of fighting between rival commanders that has killed hundreds of civilians across the country.
Canadian citizens are reported to be among those who have escaped Sudan to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said its Royal Navy forces carried out an evacuation operation, transporting 91 citizens and 66 people from “brotherly and friendly” countries — including Canadians — from the Port of Sudan, on the Red Sea coast, to Jeddah.
The statement, posted on social media, did not say how many Canadian passport holders may have been on board the flight. CBC News has reached out to Global Affairs Canada for confirmation.
The Canadian government is also preparing for the possibility of removing embassy staff from the country.
Department of National Defence (DND) spokesperson Caroline Elie said Global Affairs Canada asked the Canadian Armed Forces to “provide military expertise and advice” and to help develop support options for Canadian-based staff at the embassy in Khartoum.
“Specifically, this includes planning in the event the situation permits the evacuation of Canadian Embassy staff,” she said in an email to CBC News.
Elie said a Canadian Armed Forces strategic advisory team and military liaison officers are deploying to the region to connect with other partner nations considering diplomatic evacuation operations.
But she said DND could not release further details at this time and “won’t speculate about potential operations in order to protect the security of those in the region.”
In a Friday night statement, Canada’s foreign affairs and national defence ministers said they were “actively monitoring the situation in Sudan.”
“In response to recent developments, Canada has deployed members of Global Affairs Canada’s Standing Rapid Deployment Team to Djibouti to enhance our ability to support and to further assess the needs on the ground,” Mélanie Joly and Anita Anand said in the joint statement.
The Canadian Embassy in Khartoum has temporarily suspended in-person operations. Canadians in need of emergency assistance are encouraged to call Global Affairs Canada’s emergency response centre.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly says her office is keeping a close eye on the situation on the ground but evacuations are not possible right now because the airport is closed and the streets are unsafe.
Trapped inside for days
There are nearly 1,600 Canadians who are registered as being in Sudan, according to Global Affairs Canada, though registration is voluntary and the number of Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the country may be higher.
Canadians remaining in Sudan have been advised to shelter in place and to stay away from windows and keep doors locked at all times, as well as to keep phones charged and ensure passports and travel documents are secure.
Saydah Mustafa, a Sudanese Canadian medical student studying in Khartoum, told CBC News that she and her sister have been trapped in their home for the past week. She said fighting broke out shortly after she returned home from an exam and she hasn’t been able to leave since.
“We’ve kind of just been living off of what my parents [who are in Saudi Arabia] bought us. Thankfully, a few days before that, my parents sent us a care package that included all kinds of basic packaged foods [and] canned foods that we’re living off of,” she said, adding they may have enough to last another week or two at most.
Saydah Mustafa is a medical student trapped inside her family home in Sudan since the fighting broke out. She says connecting to Canadian officials directly about advice or evacuation efforts has been impossible.
Mustafa said the situation is traumatizing and that she and her sister have stayed sheltered in parts of the home away from windows, but it’s impossible to avoid the sounds of gunfire, fighter jets and airstrikes.
“The building shakes whenever a bomb goes off nearby,” she said.
Mustafa said she began reaching out for Canadian consular support within the first few days of the fighting, but officials have not provided any advice on leaving the country because services are limited and the airports are closed.
Sudanese army to assist foreign evacuations
Foreign countries have struggled to repatriate their citizens as the bloody onslaught of urban warfare has trapped large numbers in the Sudanese capital. Khartoum’s airport has been repeatedly targeted, and many residents have been unable to leave their homes or get out of the city to safer areas.
Battles between the Sudanese army and rival paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have raged in and around Khartoum, an throughout the country, since April 15.
Sudan’s army said on Saturday that it was helping to evacuate foreign nationals from the country, even as its forces battled paramilitary rivals in Khartoum, including with airstrikes.
The statement citing army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan came after promises by RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, to open airports for evacuations.
Burhan “agreed to provide the necessary assistance to secure such evacuations for various countries,” the military said.
The RSF said it was ready to partially open all airports to allow evacuations. However, Khartoum’s international airport has been caught in fighting, and the status of other airports or RSF’s control over them is unclear.
The Current16:34Fears of a civil war spread in Sudan
Sudan’s capital Khartoum erupted in violence this weekend. We discuss spreading fears of a civil war with Dr. Alaaeldin Nogoud, a surgeon who lives and works in Khartoum; and Khalid Medani, the chair of African studies and an associate professor of political science at McGill.
Fighting continues despite holiday truce
The army and the paramilitary RSF had both issued statements saying they would uphold a three-day ceasefire from Friday for Islam’s Eid al-Fitr holiday.
But sounds of fighting continued overnight, although they appeared less intense on Saturday morning than on the previous day, a Reuters journalist in Khartoum said. Live broadcasts by regional news channels showed rising smoke and the thud of blasts.
International efforts to quell the violence have focused on the ceasefire, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on them to honour the truce.
Joly, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, said in a Twitter post on Saturday that she had been in contact with her Kenyan counterpart to discuss support for regional efforts to resolve the situation.
I spoke with my Kenyan counterpart, Cabinet Secretary <a href=”https://twitter.com/DrAlfredMutua?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@DrAlfredMutua</a>, to discuss the crisis in Sudan. <br><br>Canada is ready to support regional efforts to resolve the conflict and we welcome Kenya’s leadership in working to facilitate mediation.
—@melaniejoly
The violence was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after the military coup.
Burhan and Hemedti had held the top two positions on a ruling council overseeing a political transition after the coup that was meant to include a move to civilian rule and the RSF’s merger into the army. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition.
The World Health Organization reported on Friday that 413 people had been killed and 3,551 injured since fighting broke out. The death toll includes at least five aid workers in a country reliant on food aid.
Hospitals hit
The Sudanese doctors union said early on Saturday that more than two-thirds of hospitals in conflict areas were out of service, with 32 forcibly evacuated by soldiers or caught in crossfire.
Some of the remaining hospitals, which lack adequate water, staff and electricity, were providing only first aid. People posted urgent requests on social media for medical assistance, transport to hospital and prescription medication.
Doctors Without Borders appealed for safe passage to supply hospitals and allow medical staff to work freely.
Thousands of Sudanese flee to Chad
The head of the United Nations World Food Program in neighbouring Chad said it expects to see more refugees fleeing across the border from Sudan to escape the fighting in Darfur, where some of the worst violence has been reported outside Khartoum.
About 10,000 to 20,000 Sudanese have already crossed the border into Chad a week after the fighting began in Khartoum and other areas of the country.
“The World Food Program is going to prepare to welcome at least 100,000. It is probable that there could be more, so we have to be ready,” Pierre Honnorat, the program’s director in Chad, told Reuters on Friday.
He added that most of those who arrived in recent days from villages along the border were women and children.
“We were surprised to see so many children crossing. It was heartbreaking to see the women and children under trees. Some of them have suffered some violence, their houses burnt, their villages destroyed and their neighbourhoods completely looted,” he said.
Honnorat said there is an immediate necessity to provide enough drinking water in the arid desert region.
|
|
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Uganda’s president has signed into law anti-gay legislation supported by many in this East African country but widely condemned by rights activists and others abroad.
The version of the bill signed by President Yoweri Museveni doesn’t criminalize those who identify as LGBTQ+, a key concern for some rights campaigners who condemned an earlier draft of the legislation as an egregious attack on human rights.
But the new law still prescribes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” which is defined as cases of sexual relations involving people infected with HIV, as well as with minors and other categories of vulnerable people.
A suspect convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” can be imprisoned for up to 14 years, according to the legislation.
Parliamentary Speaker Anita Among said in a statement that the president had “answered the cries of our people” in signing the bill.
“With a lot of humility, I thank my colleagues the Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure from bullies and doomsday conspiracy theorists in the interest of our country,” the statement said.
Museveni had returned the bill to the national assembly in April, asking for changes that would differentiate between identifying as LGBTQ+ and actually engaging in homosexual acts. That angered some lawmakers, including some who feared the president would proceed to veto the bill amid international pressure. Lawmakers passed an amended version of the bill earlier in May.
LGBTQ+ rights campaigners say the new legislation is unnecessary in a country where homosexuality has long been illegal under a colonial-era law criminalizing sexual activity “against the order of nature.” The punishment for that offense is life imprisonment.
The United States had warned of economic consequences over legislation described by Amnesty International as “draconian and overly broad.” In a statement from the White House later Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the new law “a tragic violation of universal human rights — one that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country.”
“I join with people around the world — including many in Uganda — in calling for its immediate repeal. No one should have to live in constant fear for their life or being subjected to violence and discrimination. It is wrong,” Biden said.
The United Nations Human Rights Office said it was “appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law,” describing the legislation as ”a recipe for systematic violations of the rights” of LGBTQ+ people and others.
In a joint statement the leaders of the U.N. AIDS program, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund said they were “deeply concerned about the harmful impact” of the legislation on public health and the HIV response.
“Uganda’s progress on its HIV response is now in grave jeopardy,” the statement said. “The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 will obstruct health education and the outreach that can help end AIDS as a public health threat.”
That statement noted that “stigma and discrimination associated with the passage of the Act has already led to reduced access to prevention as well as treatment services” for LGBTQ+ people.
Rights activists have the option of appealing the legislation before the courts. Later Monday, one group of activists and academics petitioned the constitutional court seeking an injunction against enforcement of the law.
An anti-gay bill enacted in 2014 was later nullified by a panel of judges who cited a lack of quorum in the plenary session that had passed that particular bill. Any legal challenge this time is likely to be heard on the merits, rather than on technical questions.
Anti-gay sentiment in Uganda has grown in recent weeks amid news coverage alleging sodomy in boarding schools, including a prestigious school for boys where a parent accused a teacher of abusing her son.
The February decision of the Church of England ’s national assembly to continue banning church weddings for same-sex couples while allowing priests to bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships outraged many in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.
Homosexuality is criminalized in more than 30 of Africa’s 54 countries. Some Africans see it as behavior imported from abroad and not a sexual orientation.
|
|
Polls have closed across most ridings in Alberta.
As votes are counted and results trickle in, Albertans must now wait to see who will lead the province through the next four years.
Many have already made their voices heard during last week’s advance polls: 758,550 votes were cast, smashing the previous record of 700,476 in 2019.
If all goes to plan, by the end of tonight Albertans will have elected 87 MLAs to represent them in the province’s 31st legislative assembly. Although Calgary has been cited as the deciding battleground, there are plenty of ridings to watch with every election offering its own surprises.
CBC News will be hosting live coverage throughout the evening. You can watch it here from 7:30 p.m. MT. A comprehensive list on how you can follow the election is listed below.
Although there are many parties from either end of the political spectrum — from communists to separatists — the race is very much a rematch of 2019’s contest between the United Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party.
A lot has changed since the UCP took the province four years ago. The world weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, the governing party chose a new leader, and oil prices have returned prosperity to the provincial coffers.
Danielle Smith leads the UCP, having won the leadership race this fall after Jason Kenney’s resignation. This will be her second attempt at taking the premiership in an election, having led the Wildrose Party into 2012.
Rachel Notley meanwhile leads the NDP for her third election as leader. She won a four-year term as premier in 2015 before losing to Kenney in 2019.
Both offer their own vision of Alberta’s future.
The long campaign
The election officially started on May 1, although campaigning began much earlier.
On that first day, Smith and Notley held Calgary kick-off events singing the refrain to songs that would play on repeat in the coming weeks.
Smith promised to keep taxes low. The UCP has pledged to make its first legislation an amendment so income taxes can only be raised through referendum.
Notley promised she would fix the health-care system. The NDP have committed to offering signing bonuses up to $10,000 to attract doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
Cost of living, health care, public safety and other issues have been as much the basis of attacks as of promises.
The UCP hammered Notley’s plan to return the corporate tax rate to 11 per cent. The NDP lambasted Smith after she was found to have breached the conflict of interest act. And on it went.
Albertans were finally able to see the two leaders go head-to-head in the sole election debate on May 18, although the exchange hardly produced headline-making gaffes or declarations.
For many in the province, politics has been the least of their concerns. Wildfires erupted throughout central and northern Alberta in early May, threatening communities and forcing thousands to evacuate from their homes.
There were unsuccessful calls to postpone the election but Elections Alberta has said it will ensure every eligible Albertan gets to vote.
Here are more ways you can follow the election results.
Online
Here is where to watch the CBC News election special starting at 7:30 p.m. MT:
On TV
The Alberta Votes 2023: Election Night special starts at 7:30 p.m. MT, led by CBC Edmonton host Nancy Carlson and CBC Calgary host Rob Brown.
They will be joined by Radio Active host Jessica Ng to break down results riding by riding.
Find your local channel.
On radio
CBC Radio’s special election coverage will start at 7:30 p.m. MT. Alberta at Noon host Judy Aldous and CBC Edmonton’s Tahirih Foroozan will deliver immediate results as Albertans select the province’s next government.
Judy will be joined by panellists Tina Faiz, Jeromy Farkas, Monte Solberg and Corey Hogan for instant analysis, CBC’s Scott Dippel for context on swing ridings, as well as guest voices from across the province.
|
|
Canadanewsmedia has projected a United Conservative Party majority government in Alberta.
Leader Danielle Smith and her party rode a wave of rural support to victory, but the NDP made inroads in the traditional conservative stronghold of Calgary.
UCP Leader Danielle Smith won her seat in Brooks-Medicine Hat and other key cabinet members were also returned, including Education Minister Adriana LaGrange, Agriculture Minister Nate Horner, Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson and Affordability and Utilities Minister Matt Jones.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley won her seat in Edmonton-Strathcona for a fifth time and her party was on track to sweep the capital.
No election winner had been called more than two hours after polls closed at 8 p.m. Elections Alberta said in a statement it was moving as fast as possible.
“We are not seeing any issues at this time, but understand that people are keen to see the results,” said Elections Alberta in a statement.
“Processing the votes takes some time. The hand count of today’s ballot is occurring.”
To win, the NDP needed to flip 20 seats in the 87-seat legislature and early results showed promise in multiple Calgary constituencies outside of traditional UCP core support in the south end of the city.
UCP cabinet heavyweights in the city were facing stiff challenges from the NDP, including Justice Minister Tyler Shandro in Calgary-Acadia and Health Minister Jason Copping in Calgary-Varsity.
Calgary cabinet minister Nicholas Milliken, responsible for mental health and addiction, was defeated in Calgary-Currie by the NDP’s Janet Eremenko.
Smith’s two deputy premiers were also in tough against Notley’s crew: Kaycee Madu in Edmonton-South West and Nathan Neudorf in Lethbridge-East.
The UCP was seeking a second mandate while the NDP was fighting to regain the majority government it lost to the UCP in 2019.
Voter turnout was expected to be strong, given advance polls set a record of 758,540 votes cast, eclipsing the previous record of more than 700,000 in 2019.
The campaign took place alongside a record-breaking spring for wildfires in Alberta. Ten communities were under evacuation orders Monday.
Elections Alberta set up alternate voting locations for those displaced. Evacuation was added as an eligible reason to vote by special ballot and mobile voting stations were placed in evacuation centres.
To win, the NDP would have to continue its dominance in Edmonton, flip the majority in Calgary and hope for some help in smaller cities, while defeating scores of UCP incumbents including cabinet ministers.
The UCP won 63 seats under then-leader Jason Kenney in 2019 to 24 for Notley’s NDP in the 87-seat legislature.
Polls suggested the UCP should continue its near total domination in rural areas and smaller centres, giving it a cushion of up to 40 or so seats to reach the 44 needed to form a majority government.
The month-long campaign was dominated by the economy and health care.
Albertans are struggling with high costs for consumer goods, a shortage of family doctors and long waits in emergency rooms.
Smith promised to keep Alberta the lowest tax regime in Canada.
Her government, she said, would introduce a law to mandate a referendum before any personal or corporate income tax hikes. There would also be tax changes to benefit those making more than $60,000 a year, at a cost of $1 billion annually to the treasury.
The NDP promised to maintain Alberta’s status as Canada’s lowest tax regime. It pledged to end the tax on small businesses and raise the corporate income tax to 11 per cent from eight per cent, which it said would help pay for investments in health and education while keeping the books balanced and maintaining the lowest corporate rate in Canada.
The NDP also promised legislation to counteract UCP policies that hiked the cost of utilities, auto insurance, a range of fees and tuition.
Both leaders promised to preserve the publicly funded health system while creating more primary care teams — physicians accompanied by related specialists such as nurses and therapists — so more Albertans are able to access a family doctor and not clog emergency wards for care.
Polls showed trust was a key issue, with Notley viewed more favourably than her party and vice versa for Smith.
Smith was dogged during the campaign by past comments she made comparing those who took the COVID-19 vaccine to credulous followers of Adolf Hitler. A report also came out mid-campaign from the province’s ethics commissioner that concluded Smith undermined the rule of law by pressuring her justice minister to end the criminal court case of a COVID-19 protester.
The future isn’t clear for Jennifer Johnson, the winning UCP candidate in Lacombe-Ponoka.
During the campaign, Johnson apologized for comments last year comparing transgender students to feces. Smith has said Johnson would not sit in the UCP caucus because of the remarks but later said, when asked about Johnson, that she believes in redemption and second chances.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2023.
More coming.
Uganda’s president signs into law anti-gay legislation with death penalty in some cases
Alberta votes in the strangest — and closest — election in its political history
Alberta voters await election results as polls close across province
-
News19 hours agoThe Hidden Struggles: Uncovering the Reality of Being Black in Canada
-
Economy20 hours ago
Lira hits record low, but stocks rise after Erdogan win in Turkey
-
Business20 hours ago
Halifax condo residents face obstacles trying to go green with solar panels
-
Media17 hours ago
Russia says U.S. Senator should say if Ukraine took his words out of context
-
Health22 hours ago
Coming to Terms with My Baby’s Food Allergies
-
Health19 hours ago
B.C. initiative aims to expand genetic screening for Ashkenazi Jewish people at risk of hereditary cancers
-
News16 hours ago
More Canadian companies adopt ‘stay interviews’ amid push to retain staff
-
Real eState18 hours ago
BCFSA rules on real estate agent’s $50K loan to client
