Africa

The road ahead “will not be easy” for the Horn of Africa, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Monday, briefing the Security Council on her Joint Solidarity Mission with the African Union (AU) at the end of October. 

The UN migration agency appealed on Friday for the immediate liberation of a volunteer and child who’ve been missing since a gun battle in South Sudan at the weekend that claimed the lives of three agency workers.

The Security Council highlighted the growing partnership on matters of peace and security between the United Nations and African Union (AU) on Wednesday amidst calls to bolster overall effectiveness.

Protecting marine areas from over-exploitation and providing the people who have traditionally lived off the sea with a sustainable alternative livelihood does not come cheap, but in the Seychelles, a focus on financial instruments is making that task easier. 

Updating the Security Council on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday, the head of the UN Mission in the country, MINUSCA, called on the country’s friends and partners, including the Council, to “transform the dreams of peace, prosperity and development of millions of Central Africans into a lasting reality”.

Sudan and neighbouring South Sudan “have never been closer” to reaching a sustainable peace with each other, and their own internal armed opposition groups, the head of UN peacekeeping told the Security Council on Thursday.

Somalia has made “enormous strides on its path to peace and stability”, and Somali women’s participation in peace and security efforts has “helped advance society towards an inclusive and peaceful future”, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Wednesday.

In a visit to South Sudan this past weekend, members of the UN Security Council urged leaders to expedite implementation of a 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending six years of ongoing conflict.

Authorities in Egypt are being urged by the UN human rights office, OHCHR,  to immediately release scores of citizens who have been arrested in connection with recent anti-government demonstrations in several cities.

Despite major political developments at a national level, which have led to the establishment of a civilian-led government, the security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan remains unstable, UN peace chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed the Security Council on Thursday.

UN chief António Guterres has strongly condemned Friday’s attack on a mosque in northern Burkina Faso, in a statement released on Saturday.

September 19, 2019 (JUBA) - The peace process in South Sudan remains “precarious”, but progress is being made, David Shearer, the head of the United Nations Mission in the country (UNMISS), said.

David Shearer (UN photo)

Briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Shearer said maintaining momentum will depend on the continuing goodwill of all parties as well as the collective and unrelenting focus of its international friends to support formation of a transitional government.

“The formation of the Transitional Government provides an opportunity to lift our gaze from immediate challenges and look over the horizon towards elections, expected at the end of three years of Transition. Elections give the opportunity to resolve differences through democratic rather than violent means,” said the UN envoy.

“And to make a fundamental shift from deals done between elites to a duty to deliver policies by a government elected by the people”, he added.

Shearer, also Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan, said the recent visit of Riek Machar to Juba on President Salva Kiir was a critical step for the 2018 peace agreement.

He said there were positive aspects of the peace deal implementation, citing the ceasefire which largely continues to hold. “Political violence and subsequent displacement have decreased markedly,” stressed Shearer.

According to the senior UN official, opposition members have continued to work in Juba alongside their government counterparts on implementing key elements of the revitalized peace agreement.

He said the more than 130 rapprochements held across the country demonstrate confidence and commitment at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, Shearer said the UN is also providing technical assistance to reform and rebuild the justice system, not just to tackle criminal acts, but more pervasive impunity in the world's youngest nation.

As part of the process, he stressed, mobile courts staffed by South Sudanese judiciary, have expanded beyond Bentiu and Malakal.

“In the next few weeks they will try hundreds of serious cases, including sexual and gender-based violence,” he noted.

South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

In September 2018, the rival factions involved in the conflict signed a peace deal to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2 million people in the country.

(ST)

August 20, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Call forces will hold a meeting in Cairo in the next few days on the democratic transition in the country after a separate meeting of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) to complete its vision on peace.

The meeting of the alliance, which is composed of armed and political groups, comes after the resignation of Sadiq al-Mahdi, from his position as the chair of Sudan Call, as he called for a review of its structure and its alliances with other national forces.

The political components of Sudan Call are part of the transitional government, while the armed groups remain outside the framework of the transitional arrangements.

In a statement to Sudan Tribune from Cairo, Yasir Arman, a Sudan Call leading official, said that the meeting of the Revolutionary Front from one side and the meeting of the forces of Sudan Call on the other side will take place from September 21 and end on September 30 stressing they will discuss the peace process and ways to accomplish the tasks of the democratic change.

"Sudan needs a genuine partnership that must include the forces of revolution and forces of change, on the other hand, it should include the regular forces, and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC)," he said.

Arman underscored that the importance of the Cairo meetings stems from the fact that they are crucial for peace and democratization alike.

Severe disagreements between the SRF and the FFC political components erupted after the overthrow of the al-Bashir's regime last April.

The armed groups complained they had not been consulted in the decision-making process during negotiations with the junta. Further, the disagreement exacerbated after the rejection of the SRF request for seats in the transitional authority.

Regarding the meeting of the Revolutionary Front, Arman said the umbrella will discuss the peace process and negotiation with the Sudanese government as agreed in Juba.

Also, they will consider cooperation with the region's countries to reach a comprehensive peace in Sudan.

Egypt has expressed willingness to host the peace process but finally, the signatories of the Juba Declaration agreed on Juba as the venue of negotiations. In addition, Chad, Ethiopia Qatar and UAE should be associated as facilitators together with the African Union, IGAD and the United Nations.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (NEW DELHI/JUBA) - Five Indian women police officers have been honoured by the United Nations for their commendable roles in their South Sudan mission, officials said Friday.

UNMISS troops from India patrol the perimeters of a compound in South Sudan's capital, Juba (AP)

The officers received the UN medal at a medal parade in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) office in Juba on Tuesday.

The police officers included, Reena Yadav, Gopika Jahagirdar, Bharati Samantray, Ragini Kumari and Kamal Shekhawat.

The women officers were honoured by the UN for upholding the UN mandate of protection of civilians in conflict-ridden South Sudan.

The officers are engaged in community policing, administrative, operational duties and capacity building of local authorities.

India is among the largest troop contributing countries in the world to UN peacekeeping missions. As of March 2019, 2,337 Indian troops were reportedly deployed in South Sudan.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has said the Transitional Government of National Unity must be formed on November 12 as agreed by the parties to the peace deal in May this year.

South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar (L) and President Salva Kiir in Juba on September 8, 2019 (PPU)

Kiir made these remarks during prayers organised by South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) at State House in the capital, Juba on Thursday.

“Through your prayers our wounds people will be healed,” he said.

The South Sudanese leader also appealed to the armed opposition leader Riek Machar to return to Juba ahead of the formation of the new coalition government.

During last week's meetings between Kiir and Machar in Juba, both leaders committed to the timely formation of the new government.

The two rival leaders also agreed to form a committee that would look into the final report of the Independent Boundary Commission (IBC), number of states and their boundaries and come up with findings suitable for both parties and the people of South Sudan.

On his part, however, Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro appealed to the signatories to the peace pact to ensure the accord if fully implemented and new government put in place as agreed.

South Sudan descended into war in mid-December 2013, when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

In September 2018, the rival factions involved in the conflict signed a peace deal to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2 million people in the country.

The power-sharing arrangements under the deal were supposed to take effect in May, but the process was delayed by six months until November as both sides disagreed on security arrangements.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese health authorities reported 124 cholera cases in two states, confirming the spread of outbreak as a result of poor health and water and sewage system structures in the country.

Following the recent floods that hit 16 of 18 states, the cholera epidemic killed six people in the Blue Nile state.

Also, the health ministry identified five states - White Nile, Gedaref, Sennar, Kassala and Khartoum- saying they have the highest risks of a cholera outbreak.

"Blue Nile state recorded five new cases of cholera on Wednesday, bringing the total to 101, while no new deaths have been recorded except for the previous six cases," said Suleiman Abdel Jabar the health ministry undersecretary.

Abdel Jabar in his statement further said that "the total number of cases of cholera amounted to 124 cases, including 101 in the Blue Nile State and 23 in the state of Sennar".

Sudanese authorities under the new regime vowed to be transparent in term of international safety standards and to not repeat the policy of the al-Bashir regime.

After the recent floods, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned against the risk of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases spreading due to the poor hygiene infrastructures in Sudan

The Ministry of Health and WHO are working together to strengthen disease surveillance and provide medical treatment said OCHA Sudan in a statement on Thursday.

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), a UN funding mechanism for humanitarian activities in Sudan, is allocating $7.6 million for the cholera and flood response under its Reserve for Emergencies envelope.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Sovereign Council Thursday dropped death penalty against eight people of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) which fights the army in Darfur region.

Mohamed al-Faki (ST photo)

The presidential pardon, the Council said, comes within the framework of the government efforts to bring peace in the country and in line with the Juba Declaration signed with the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the SPLM-N led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu.

Sovereign Council's member and spokesman, Mohamed al-Faki told reporters that the collegial presidency in a meeting held on Thursday discussed the progress made in implementing the confidence-building agreements signed with the armed groups in the South Sudanese capital on 14 October

"The Transitional Sovereignty Council decided to drop the death penalty against eight members of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur," al-Faki said.

"Also, it decided to release 18 convicts of various periods of imprisonment belonging to the armed struggle movements," he further added without giving the name of their groups.

The SLM-AW is not a member of the rebel umbrella signatory of the Juba Declaration. Also, in recent statements the group leader said the army and the Forces for Freedom and Change FFC have stolen the revolution and called for a referendum on the constitutional document to prove they have legitimacy.

Last Sunday, SPLM-N led by Malik Agar which an SRF member welcomed the release of 17 its fighters by the Sudanese government.

In line with the Juba agreement, the parties will start a comprehensive peace process on 14 October in the South Sudanese Juba.

Speaking to Alghad TV from Cairo where the SRF will meet on Friday, Yasir Arman welcomed the move and said they expect more steps in the upcoming days.

"We hope that meetings for the cessations of hostilities and humanitarian access to the war-affected areas will take place soon," said the SPLM-N Agar deputy leader.

He added they will send a delegation for the prisoners of war to Khartoum before to launch the peace talks next October.

The confidence-building measures are part of the constitutional document signed in Khartoum on 17 August 2019.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (KAMPALA) - Uganda has commended South Korea for its contribution towards the relative peace in South Sudan.

UNMISS peacekeepers deployed in Jonglei. (UN)

Speaking during South Korea's National Foundation Day occasion in Kampala on Wednesday, Uganda's Veterans Affairs minister, Bright Rwamirama said Korean forces have greatly contributed to peace keeping operations in South Sudan by repairing peace roads which will have significantly impacted on lives as well as on the economy.

This year's celebrations were held at the Sheraton, Kampala Hotel.

In July, a new contingent of South Korean troops was deployed to carry out United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.

The more than 280 troops were the eleventh batch of forces to be sent to South Sudan since South Korea began deployment in 2013.

The South Korean troops will reportedly focus on helping repair the peace road, a 200km expressway linking Bor, Mangala and Pibor to help revive the nation's economy and better support UN operations.

South Sudan attained its independence from neighbouring Sudan in July 2011 after decades of civil war that killed an estimated 2.5 million people.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (NEW YORK) - United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Wednesday joined calls to remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism after the popular revolution that overthrew the regime of Omer al-Bashir.

Guterres made his call in New York at a press conference at the outset of the 74th session of the General Assembly which officially opened on Tuesday 17 September while the high-level General Debate will begin on Tuesday, 24 September 2019.

Responding to a question about the situation in Sudan, the UN chief hailed the political agreement reached last August between the army and the protesters' coalition to form a transitional authority and to work together to bring peace into the country and achieve democratic reforms.

"Sudan is a matter of great hope for us. I believe that what was possible in the dialogue in Sudan demonstrates that all political conflicts can be solved by dialogue (...), and this should be a lesson for everywhere else in the world," he said.

"It is time now for the international community to support Sudan,"

He pointed out that the east African country is experiencing "a very dire economic situation (and) in a very dramatic economic situation".

"I hope that all the restrictions that exist about Sudan, namely, the classification as a country that supports terrorism and sanctions, will be quickly removed," he stressed.

UN officials say a high-level event on Sudan will be held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the General Assembly to mobilize international support for the country.

However, Trump administration says they do not consider to cancel Sudan designation as a terror state for the time being.

But, Guterres warned that the failure of international support to the interim government may hamper its efforts to achieve the transition towards a democratic regime in Sudan

"I hope that there will be a massive mobilisation of resources to support Sudan overcome the extremely difficult economic situation that the country has, because, if that doesn't happen, obviously, we risk that the gains in democracy, human rights, and political solutions that were observed could be put into question".

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Wednesday held bilateral talks with the Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi who arrived in the capital, Juba Monday.

President Salva Kiir with the Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi in Juba, September 18, 2019 (PPU)

The discussions, the Presidential Press Unit state, focused on foreign relations, education and ways of boosting the country's economy.

The First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, minister for the Presidency, Mayiik Ayii Deng and the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng attended the meeting.

The meeting, the deputy Foreign Affairs minister said, also discussed how government plans to ensure South Sudanese students who completed their studies in Zimbabwean universities get their certificates.

He further said President Kiir passed a message to his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa asking him to visit South Sudan.

On his part, however, Mohadi said South Sudan and Zimbabwe share a long historical relation and pledged his government's commitment to continue supporting the young nation in all areas.

69 South Sudanese students have already graduated from various Zimbabwe universities this year alone while 79 are studying on scholarships.

(ST)