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  Recent discussions about the Sudanese army highlight its role in relation to the Islamic movement and the implications for women's rights in conflict areas. The Sudanese army has established closer ties with the Islamic movement, particularly the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood. This relationship has influenced various aspects of society, including dynamics in regions like Al Jazriah. Feminist organizations in Sudan are working to raise awareness and advocate for women's rights amidst these challenges. Their efforts are vital for promoting safer conditions and ensuring that women's voices are included in discussions about rights and protections. For more information on these topics, you can read the full article https://knowafrika.com/the-sudanese-armys-role-in-empowering-the-islamic-movement-and-womens-rights-in-conflict-zones/

  As the M23 rebellion pushes further into South Kivu following the fall of Goma, the group has declared a ceasefire set to take effect on Thursday, February 3, 2025. The M23 stated that the decision was made in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis. However, reactions in Goma remain mixed. While some residents welcome the move as a step toward peace, others express deep skepticism about its credibility. "We are really exhausted, very exhausted,"  said Didier Bahati, a resident of Goma.  "There are too many collateral victims. Honestly, we strongly doubt this ceasefire." For others, the announcement brings hope.  "This ceasefire is very important for us,"  said Kabunga Nelson, another Goma resident.  "It will allow life to return to normal—no more killings and everyone can resume their daily activities." Yet, some remain unconvinced.  "Despite the ceasefire, the war continues, and people are still suffering,"  said Byamungu Hang...

  Real Madrid will be without several key players when they face Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Wednesday. Antonio Rudiger is set to miss the match after picking up a hamstring injury against Espanyol, with the defender expected to be sidelined for around three weeks. The team will also be without Dani Carvajal and Eder Mili-tao, while there's uncertainty around Eduardo Camavinga after missing the last five matches with his own hamstring injury. Despite these absences, Real Madrid will still be favourites to progress, having beaten Leganes 3-0 earlier this season at Bu-tarque, with Kylian Mbappé, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham all scoring in that victory. The team will be looking to bounce back from their shock 1-0 loss to Espanyol in La Liga at the weekend when they face Leganes on Wednesday for a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

  Real Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday. Man City, the 2023 champion, will host the first leg on Feb. 11 or 12 and the return game in Madrid is on Feb. 18 or 19. Madrid won a record-extending 15th European title last season. The winner over two legs advances to the round of 16 to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen, who placed in the top eight of the new 36-team league standings that ended Wednesday. Teams that finished from Nos. 9 to 24 in the standings dropped into the two-leg knockout playoffs. Madrid placed 11th and Man City barely qualified in 22nd, after rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game. By finishing in 22nd Man City knew it would have to face No. 11 Madrid or No. 12 Bayern Munich in the playoffs. Munich was drawn instead to face 21st-place Celtic. Seedings decided by the 36-team standings means Madrid and Man City alr...

  A nurse in Uganda has died of Ebola, a health official said Thursday, in the first recorded fatality since the last outbreak ended in 2023. The 32-year-old male nurse was an employee of Mulago Hospital, the main referral facility in the capital, Kampala, Diana Atwine, permanent secretary of the health ministry, told reporters Thursday. After developing a fever, he was treated at several locations in Uganda before multiple lab tests confirmed he had been suffering from Ebola. The man died on Wednesday and the Sudan strain of Ebola was confirmed following postmortem tests, Atwine said. At least 44 contacts of the victim have been identified, including 30 health workers and patients at Mulago Hospital, according to Uganda’s Ministry of Health. The health authorities are “in full control of the situation,” Atwine said, urging Ugandans to report suspected cases. Tracing contacts is key to stemming the spread of Ebola, and there are no approved vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola. U...

  World Cup semifinalist Morocco was drawn in a group with Mali, Zambia and Comoros on Monday for the men’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations it will host. The Dec. 21-Jan. 18 tournament will be the biggest soccer event in Morocco before co-hosting the  2030 World Cup  with Spain and Portugal — the teams it eliminated at the 2022 World Cup to become the first African nation ever to reach the semifinals. Morocco then lost to France. At the last Africa Cup, one year ago, Morocco was surprisingly ousted in the round of 16 by South Africa. Ivory Coast won that Africa Cup as the host nation and will begin the defense of its title in a group with Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique. Nigeria, the beaten finalist last year with star strikers  Ademola Lookman  and Victor Osimhen, is in a group with Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Egypt, with Mohamed Salah still seeking a first Africa Cup title at age 33 when games start in December, was drawn into a group with South Africa, Angol...