Sudanese Army Makes Advances in Khartoum and Regains Control of Wad Madani
January 12, 2025, 1:18 pm

Sudanese Army Makes Advances in Khartoum and Regains Control of Wad Madani

السودان

Media reports indicate that the Sudanese army launched artillery shelling from Omdurman targeting Rapid Support Forces positions in the Khartoum North area, where the Sudanese capital has witnessed a notable advance by army forces following previous progress on several fronts.

A military source confirmed to Al Jazeera that the army managed to advance from its base at the Armored Corps south of the capital toward central Khartoum. The source explained that the army destroyed the defenses of the Rapid Support Forces at the Al-Ruwad residential complex and Best Care Hospital, declaring control over the complex and inflicting significant casualties on the Rapid Support Forces.

The source also mentioned that the armed forces are on the verge of engaging with the Rapid Support Forces deployed in the Al-Muqrin area in central Khartoum.

In a related context, the Sudanese army announced on Saturday that it had regained control of the city of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State in central Sudan, following intense battles with the Rapid Support Forces near the headquarters of the first division in the city.

Additionally, the source stated that the army also regained control of the Bakash Mountains surrounding the Jeli Oil Refinery in Khartoum North after violent confrontations in the refinery's vicinity.

For his part, Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan pledged to the Sudanese armed forces that they would reclaim every inch of territory seized by the Rapid Support Forces. In a post on X, he expressed his greetings to the people of Sudan who endured what he termed "the harm of the terrorist militias," as well as congratulating "the partners of the Battle of Dignity" from the joint forces, security forces, and popular resistance.

Earlier, cities such as Omdurman and Port Sudan witnessed celebrations to mark the army's regain of control over the city of Wad Madani, with army forces and citizens participating in marches in support of the army. Similar marches were organized in several states, including Northern State, River Nile State, Gedaref, Kassala, Blue Nile, and Sennar.

On the other hand, Rapid Support Forces Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti) expressed his view that his forces may have lost a round but not the battle. In a voice recording broadcast by the Rapid Support Forces channel on Telegram, Hemetti confirmed that they would make efforts to regain the city of Wad Madani.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.