Egypt
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Humanitarian crisis in Sudan
"I'm trapped in the war"
Sudanese are desperately trying to leave their country. But many, like Mahir Elfiel, are trapped because their passports are stuck in one of the closed European embassies. Here he talks about his hopeless situation. Andrea Backhaus recorded his story
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UN Special Envoy Volker Perthes on Sudan
"We must make sure this war does not drag on"
UN special envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes rejects accusations that the West is to blame for the current crisis in Sudan. In interview with Kossivi Tiassou, he warns of "bounty hunters" and mercenaries from abroad joining the conflict while tens of thousands of Sudanese citizens flee their country
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Fighting for power in Sudan
Burhan and Dagalo – greed-driven egotists
In Sudan, two generals are fighting for power and sinecures. Khartoum-based female activist Hala al-Karib says there can be no democracy with them: for that, women need to enter politics. Interview by Andrea Backhaus
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Sudan's ongoing hostilities
A disaster waiting to happen, says expert
Fierce fighting is continuing between Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary RSF. With so many proxy interests playing into the current situation, the outcome of the conflict is wide open, says Marina Peter of the Sudan Forum
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Egypt's female Islamic chanters
These Egyptian artists are challenging traditional norms by performing 'inshad', a form of Islamic chanting typically done by men.
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Sudan army versus the RSF
The generals' power struggle
Sudan's military and the RSF militia are fighting for power while the country's civilian population watches helplessly from the sidelines. The bloody events over the last few days can be summed up in one sentence: this is not a civil war. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
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Freedom of expression
Egypt’s female social media influencers face arrest
Charged with "inciting debauchery" and "violating family values": Last week, Egyptian TikTok celebrity Salma Elshimy became the latest in a growing list of women to fall foul of the Egyptian authorities over social media posts
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Economic crisis in Egypt
Debt on the Nile
For leading economist Yazid Sayegh, the cause of Egypt's current economic and financial crisis lies primarily in the government's policy of excessive borrowing. He also criticises the way German and European politicians handle the Sisi regime. Interview by Mahmoud Hussein
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Economic crisis in Egypt
Rising costs spell doom for Egyptian village traditions
Multi-day weddings, feeding the bereaved and homemade bread are all becoming things of the past in rural Egypt, as centuries-old traditions are steadily squeezed by a punishing economic crisis
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Dammed thirsty
The cross-border fight for water
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Udo Steinbach on Europe and the Gulf
Let's have none of the old arrogance
Middle East expert Udo Steinbach has been advocating closer relations with the Gulf states for years. Genuine interest in regional development, however, needs to look beyond the stereotypes. Birgit Svensson spoke to him in Baghdad
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Press freedom in Egypt?
Mada Masr journalists to stand trial
Reporters from one of Egypt's last remaining independent media outlets are preparing for what activists criticise is a politically motivated trial. The international community should be doing more to help, they say. By Cathrin Schaer