Photo : Ibrahim Mohammed Ishak, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Ibrahim Mohammed Ishak, Reuters
IN BRIEF
By Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: US and Saudi Arabia to resume peace talks
On 26 October, the US and Saudi Arabia announced that they will resume peace talks in Jeddah to reach a ceasefire in Sudan. Representatives of Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have agreed to attend the peace talks. Previous peace talks held in Jeddah were ineffective after the warring sides failed to commit to the agreed ceasefires. The conflict between the two military factions has reached a sixth month leaving 9,000 people dead. Meanwhile, the same day, BBC Africa reported that the RSF has taken control of the Nyala town in the state of South Darfur. (“Sudan army, RSF to resume peace talks in Jeddah,” BBC, 26 October 2023)
South Africa: World Bank to provide loan for power crisis
On 26 October, the World Bank announced that it will loan USD one billion to South Africa to assist the country in addressing the long unresolved power crisis. The World Bank stated: “The loan endorses a significant and strategic response to South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis and the country’s goal of transitioning to a just and low carbon economy.” 80 per cent of the country’s energy production depends on coal, making the country the 14th largest emitter of carbon dioxide. (“SA gets $1bn World Bank loan to tackle power crisis,” BBC, 26 October 2023)