Sudan, Burkina Faso, Israel-Palestine.

Today's three stories you should know.

Jul 05, 2022

Sudan

Proximities has mentioned several times how resilient Sudanese anti-coup protesters have been for a gruelling nine months. But now, perhaps, a breakthrough. Military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has pledged to hand power to a civilian government. Protest leaders, though, reacted with caution and said they will continue to demonstrate until their demand that Burhan step down is met. Some are also demanding that he face trial. Burhan has reneged on similar promises in the past.

Burkina Faso

At least 22 people have been killed by an armed group in northwestern Burkina Faso. Attacks from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS have increased dramatically in recent months, prompting people to take to the streets demanding that the government do more to stop them. More than 530 attacks occurred between February and May of this year, which was more than double the amount during the same period of 2021, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

Israel-Palestine

Slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh’s family have dismissed the findings of a US investigation into her killing. The US state department said an independent forensic examiner could not conclude whether the bullet was fired from an Israeli or Palestinian gun but that it was “likely” Abu Akleh had been killed by Israeli forces. The report said there was no evidence she was shot deliberately. Multiple investigations by media organizations, as well as several Palestinian journalists on the scene, have said that the much-loved journalist was shot by an Israeli soldier. She came under sustained and direct gunfire despite wearing a flak jacket marked with the word “press.” Her family said they will keep fighting for justice.