Africa

November 12, 2018 (JUBA) - President Salva Kiir received a congratulatory message on the signing of the revitalized peace agreement from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who did not attend peace celebration on 31 October.

South Sudanese government spokesperson and Information Minister Michael Makuei, on 2 November voiced his government disappointment for the unexpected absence of President Kenyatta.

He said they were concerned that the Kenyan president even didn't alert them of his absence or delegated someone to represent him at the event.

The congratulatory message was delivered by the Kenyan foreign minister who was accompanied by Stephen Kalonzo Mosyoka, Kenya former top diplomat, nearly two weeks after the celebration day.

"The Cabinet Secretary, Monica Juma outlined that President Uhuru Kenyatta extends his best wishes and support to President Salva Kiir in implementing the peace agreement," said a statement released by the South Sudanese press service on Monday evening.

Monica further reiterated Kenya's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Kenyatta was also absent at the signing ceremony of the revitalized peace pact on 12 September 2018. he was represented by Juma.

The Kenyan president was very involved in the mediation of the peace agreement of 2015 besides the Ethiopian prime minister.

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November 12, 2018 (KAMPALA) – The United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo has announced the appointment of Peter Pham as Washington's special envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

U.S special envoy for the Great Lakes region Peter Pham (Getty)

Pham, a statement from the U.S Department of State noted, will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of U.S. policy on the cross-border security, political, and economic issues in the Great Lakes region, with an emphasis on strengthening democratic institutions and civil society, as well as the safe and voluntary return of the region's refugees and internally displaced persons.

Prior to his appointment, however, Pham served as Vice President and Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council.

He reportedly brings to the Department vast Africa experience as the former vice president of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) and editor-in-chief of its quarterly Journal of the Middle East and Africa; an associate professor of Africana studies at James Madison University, where he was director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs; and on the Senior Advisory Group of the U.S. Africa Command.

Pham will, in his new role, assume the work previously undertaken by Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes, Ambassador Larry Wohlers.

The special envoy will reportedly work in close coordination with the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and U.S ambassadors in the region to further the department's work toward lasting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Great Lakes region.

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November 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan is preparing to launch over 30 oil exploration bids next year in an attempt to lure western companies to reinvest in its petroleum industry after the left of economic sanctions, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

"Now, as relations between Sudan and the US improve, the ministry of petroleum plans to tender 30 to 35 new oil blocks in the second half of next year to revive exploration activity in the country," Azhari told the Financial Times.

Since the split of South Sudan in 2011, the Sudanese economy felt the tough effect of economic sanctions because it did not use oil financial income to develop the national economy but to fund its war against the armed groups in southern Sudan and Darfur region.

The Sudanese oil industry was developed by the oil-hungry China, India and Malaysia. The U.S. Chevron oil company made the first discovery of oil in Sudan in the late 1970s, but it had to stop exploration activities after the outbreak of Sudan's second civil war in 1983

After, the lift of embargo in October 2017, few western countries showed interest to invest in Sudan because it is still under several U.S. sanction as the country remains on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Also, corruption and heavy taxes dissuaded investors from the Gulf to work in Sudan.

However two weeks after the lift on 31 October of the past year, Sudan's Oil and Gas Ministry invited several U.S. oil firms to visit the country and offered them to invest in Sudan, pointing to the need of introducing advanced technology to push forward oil production in Sudan.

During a meeting with the visiting oil firms, the then oil minister Abdel-Rahman Osman called to invest in a number of oil blocs in the Red Sea area, eastern Sudan.

Following what, Baker Hughes a U.S. industrial service company in November 2017, signed a cooperation agreement with Asawer Investment Company, the technical arm of the state oil and gas firm Sudapet.

Sudan has proven gas reserves of 3 trillion cubic feet, but development has been limited. It also does not have the pipelines or the port terminals to bring in gas or liquefied natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration in 2014.

Sudan lost 75% of its oil reserves after the southern part of the country became an independent nation in July 2011, denying the north billions of dollars in revenues. Oil revenue constituted more than half of Sudan's revenue and 90% of its exports.

Sudan currently produces 133,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). The country's production is stationed mainly in the Heglig area and its surroundings, as well as western Kordofan.

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November 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has handed over four sites to the Sudanese government as part of the Mission's exit strategy from the region.

The Mission on November 1st has withdrawn from the team site at Labado area in East Darfur State. Also, the Mission on 4 November handed over its site at Mukjar area in Central Darfur State to the Sudanese government.

Moreover, the Mission on 8 November handed over the team site at Ambro, North Darfur State to the government in the presence of officials from both sides.

Also, UNAMID on 30 October has officially withdrawn from its site at Sharia, East Darfur.

A tripartite working group including the Sudanese government, African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) have been set up in February 2015 to develop an exit strategy for the UNAMID from Darfur.

In June 2017, the AU and the UN decided to draw down the UNAMID by withdrawing the military personnel by 44% and that of the police component by 30%, the closure of 11 team sites in the first phase and the withdrawal of the military component from another 7 team sites in the second phase.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) admitted that the security situation in Darfur has improved but it decided to reinforce its presence in the mountainous area of Jebel Marra because there is no cessation of hostilities as a Sudan Liberation Movement faction led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) refuses to declare a unilateral truce or to engage in peace negotiations.

Last July, the UNSC unanimously decided to extend for one year the mandate of the UNAMID and also to reduce the number of its troops in line with an exit strategy aiming to close the hybrid operation in two years.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in western Sudan's region.

It is the world's second-largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million are displaced.

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November 11, 2018 (NYALA) - At least 20 fighters from the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been killed and more than 100 wounded in the fierce fighting that has been going on for days in Yemen, a reliable source told Sudan Tribune.

Sudanese soldiers carry the coffin of Haytham al-Tayeb, the first Sudanese soldier to die in Yemen at Khartoum airport on Friday January 29, 2016 (ST Photo)

According to the source, 17 bodies of RSF fighters participating in the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen have arrived in Nyala, capital of South Darfur State on Sunday.

The same source pointed out that the RSF militiamen had been killed in a missile attack on the borders of Hodeidah, 226 km from the Yemeni capital Sanaa two days ago.

He said the RSF general command in Khartoum has conveyed the news to the families of the dead on Saturday, adding that more than 120 injured soldiers have been transferred to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for treatment.

The Sudanese army hasn't issued any statement regarding the incident.

It is noteworthy that Nyala on 19 October received bodies of four RSF fighters who had also been killed in a missile attack on their base in Hodeidah.

Reports from Yemen say the coalition forces have renewed their offensive on Hodeidah, an entry point for 80 per cent of the country's food imports and relief supplies.

The Sudanese army has been participating in the Saudi-led military coalition since 2015 in a regional effort to back the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after he was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels.

However, following reports about the death of dozens of Sudanese troops and Houthi's threats to launch missile attacks against Sudan, several legislators called to withdraw the forces from Yemen.

Also, critics point out that several countries members of the Saudi-led coalition did not send troops to Yemen. Others say Saudi Arabia and UAE provides financial support to other countries but not Sudan despite its difficult financial situation.

Last May, State Defence Minister Ali Mohamed Salim said his ministry was evaluating pros and cons of the participation in the Yemen war in order to decide on it soon.

But three weeks later, President Omer al-Bashir underscored continued participation in the military coalition, pointing to Sudan's declared position to "defend the land of the Two Holy Mosques''.

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November 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Upon the request of the African Union, Sudan delayed a new round of talks for peace in the Central African Republic, said the Foreign Ministry in Khartoum on Sunday.

"Due to the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Institutional Reform which will take place in Addis Ababa from 14 to 18 November, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, requested the postponement of the negotiations between the government and the armed movements in the Central African Republic scheduled for mid-November," said the foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday

"Consultations are under way to set a new date for the negotiations," further said Ambassador Babikir al-Siddiq in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday evening.

Several regional leaders and African Union officials were invited to attend the opening session of the conference for peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic. in Khartoum on 15 November.

The purpose of the conference is to bring the Christian anti-Balaka and Muslim Seleka militias to end the violence and the disarmament of their militias which have been fighting each other since six years ago.

The divided groups signed the Khartoum Declaration of Entente on 28 August 2018 where they accept to negotiate a peaceful settlement for the civil war that erupted in December 2012.

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November 11, 2018 (JUBA) - SPLA-IO military commanders visited their peace partners of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) in four areas where peace is at risk to build trust and enhance its implementation process.

SPLA-IO military spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel on Sunday said that the visits took place in Bieh, Imotong, Raja, Yei River states.

The purpose of the visits, which took place on Saturday 10 November except for Raja as it was held on Friday, was to discuss peace implementation and build confidence between the local commanders from both sides.

"Freedom of movement and accessibility as directed by our two chiefs of staff but those travelling will have to carry departure order and unarmed," said Gabriel when he spoke about the outcome of a meeting held in Waat town of Bieh State.

However, he said the meeting stressed that cattle raiders and criminals should be apprehended.

The state is located in an area where the cattle raiding is a very common activity, as it borders Fangak to the west, Central Upper Nile to the north, Latjoor and Akobo to the east, and Jonglei to the south.

For the willingness visit in Kajo-Keji of Yei River State, The meeting aimed at preparing a meeting of the senior commanders from both sides to take place soon.

For the Imotong State, the meeting took place in Magwi town as the SPLA IO delegation met the SSPDF commander, commissioners of Magwi and Ayaci and the state governor.

The same for Raja State, the SPLA-IO visiting team met in Raja town with the acting governor and the state military command.

During a meeting of the CTSAMVM Technical Committee (CTC) held in Khartoum on 7 November, CTSAMVM Chair Ibrahim Abdeljellil pointed out that some areas still experience hostilities.

The meeting identified that Leer, Wau and Yei are the areas where there is a need to focus on the confidence-building process. Accordingly, the CTC in its fourth meeting decided to increase the trust—building visits with a special focus for Yei.

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November 10, 2018 (JUBA) - Nigeria-based energy firm Sahara Group (SPG) and the Ministry of Energy and Dams agreed to develop infrastructures of the power sector in South Sudan.

Kapoeta power plant. Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan. Feb 4, 2011 (ST)

South Sudan has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in Africa, 1 to 3 kWh. This situation is mainly attributed to the underdeveloped energy infrastructure in the young nation, which has been severely impacted by decades of civil wars.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the SPG said the signed a Memorandum of Understanding aims to develop the generation, transmission and distribution spaces of electricity across the country.

"We are already working with the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) to develop a dedicated crude oil processing plant to guarantee steady and adequate supplies to the power plants as and when needed," said the SPG Managing Director, Kola Adesina

Also, Juba and the Nigerian company would collaborate to develop transmission backbone infrastructure and the establishment of the grid code.

There will be further collaboration between the two parties on the Environmental Impact Study, Load Evacuation Study and overall project development.

In April 2018, South Sudan installed equipment at a 100MW power plant in Juba.

Dhieu Mathok Diing Wol Minister of Energy and Dams, at the time, stated that the power plant in Juba would cover over 21% of the country's 500MW needs in electricity.

In October 2017, Juba and Kampala signed an agreement to supply power to South Sudan's border towns of Kaya and Nimule.

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November 10, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan will take part in an international conference on Libya in Sicily, Italia, in the upcoming next week, said the Sudanese foreign minister Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed on Saturday.

During a meeting with the visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Dirdeiry expressed Sudan's keen interest in the situation in Libya and the Central African Republic, two neighbouring countries that experience chronic instability.

Dirdeiry further disclosed his participation in the high-level meeting which aims to bring the warring parties in Libya to conclude a pact to end the civil war and agree on an electoral process for the election of a unified government.

The conference, which is scheduled for 12-13 November, will be attended by Libya' neighbours, Gulf and European Union countries.

In a statement released after the meeting, the foreign ministry said that Dirdeiry further informed the Russian diplomat about the efforts that Sudan is exercising to achieve regional stability.

The minister spoke about the peace process in South Sudan and the reconciliation process between the warring factions in the CAR which will take place in Khartoum on 15 November with the participation of regional leaders.

Moscow, which has close relations with the CAR's government, supported a first meeting between the leaders of the armed groups in the Central African Republic held in Khartoum last August.

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November 10, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) - Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed Saturday welcomed the expected lifting of international sanctions on Asmara and vowed to enhance their tripartite cooperation.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Somali President Mohammed Abdullahi Mahmud Farmajo and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held two-day consultations in Bahr Dar, Ethiopia on November 9-10, 2018.

The meeting came as the Security Council is expected to endorse, next week, a draft resolution ending an arms embargo and targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - imposed on Eritrea.

Also, the British-drafted resolution encourages Eritrea and Djibouti to settle the border dispute over the Ras Doumeira peninsula and adjacent territory and to resolve related issues.

"The leaders of Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea welcomed the impending lifting of all sanctions against Eritrea and underscored their conviction that this act of justice would contribute to enhancing peace, development and cooperation in the region," said a statement issued at the end of the meeting.

The joint statement further reaffirmed the commitment of the three countries to work for an inclusive regional peace and cooperation.

In a report to the Security Council on 12 October, the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) SEMG found no conclusive evidence that Eritrea was providing support to the Somali group of Al-Shabaab.

Also, the report points out that armed groups acting against Ethiopia with the support of Eritrea have now signed agreements with the Ethiopian government.

The statement stressed the "importance of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Somalia as well as their firm support for the Somali people and the Federal Government of Somalia and all its institutions".

It was not clear if the statement refers to the situation in the self-declared state of Somaliland where the United Arab Emirates is constructing a military base.

On 6 September 2018, the three countries signed the Joint Declaration on Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation following a summit held in Asmara between the leaders of the three countries.

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November 10, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - President Omer al-Bashir praised the developing bilateral relations in a meeting with the visiting Russian deputy foreign minister on Saturday.

Mikhail Bogdanov is heading a Russian delegation visiting Khartoum for the meetings of the joint Sudanese-Russian high-level committee for political consultation which was convened in Khartoum on Friday.

During the meeting, al-Bashir expressed appreciation to Russia's support for Sudan at all international forums, stressing the strong relations between the two countries and Sudan's keenness to promote these ties to serve the interests of the two peoples.

For his part, the visiting official praised the distinct relations between Sudan and Russia, pointing to the strong personal relation of al-Bashir and President Vladimir Putin.

He pointed out that his meeting with al-Bashir constitutes a step forward to enhancing bilateral relations which are based on mutual trust and cooperation in all domains within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two nations.

In December 2015, Sudan and Russia signed 14 cooperation agreements in different domains, including oil, minerals and banks.

The agreements also include a concession contract between Sudan and the Russian Rus Geology to prospect for oil in Sudan's Bloc E57 and another accord for the geological mapping of the Jebel Moya area, North Kordofan State.

The Sudanese side for the joint high-level committee was headed by the State Foreign Minister Osama Faisal while the Russian side was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Bogdanov.

The meeting discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and the latest developments in both nations as well as political, economic, cultural, educational and consular cooperation.

Also, the meeting discussed regional and international issues of common concern including the peace process in South Sudan and the Central African Republic and the Sudanese-U.S. dialogue as well as relations with Egypt and Syria.

During a visit to Moscow last July to attend the 2018 World Cup Final, the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir was met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders pledged to promote military cooperation in the near future.

The two leaders last met in November 2017 in the Russian city of Sochi, with both expressing a desire to enhance military ties.

During a visit to Russia in November 2017, al-Bashir offered to construct an airbase for Russia on the Red Sea coast and to re-equip the Sudanese army with the Russian weapons including SU-30 fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles.

Russia is seen as a major ally of the government of al-Bashir that faces isolation from the West. However, economic cooperation between the two countries has remained very low, with a trade balance that does not exceed $400 million.

(ST)