Africa

July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Malik Agar welcomed the progress achieved towards a lasting peace in South Sudan and expressed its support for the process brokered by the Sudanese government.

"We welcome the end of war in South Sudan, whether is done in Khartoum or elsewhere, " said Yasir Arman the deputy Chairman of the Sudanese rebel group which was part of the historical SPLM that brought the independence of South Sudan in July 2011.

The war is the worst scenario facing the South Sudanese, and the end of the war enables them to look at the other items on the peace agenda Arman further said, stressing that the continuation of the five-year conflict would lead to the collapse of the South Sudan state.

The SPLM-N Agar deputy leader was reacting to the signing of an agreement on the revitalization of the governance chapter of the 2015 peace agreement between the warring parties in South Sudan. The deal which is still not initialled by some political groups will be signed on 5 August in Khartoum.

The Sudanese mediators continue to discuss the few pending items with the government in Juba, the opposition alliance (SSOA) and the FDs groups. For his part, President Salva Kiir stressed his government keenness to have an inclusive agreement.

Arman further mentioned the SPLM-N's vision for the relations between the Sudanese and South Sudanese people in the future.

"We are for the establishment of a Sudanese confederation between two independent states. Each state maintains its flag and institutions, but the relationship between North and South will be strategic," he further said.

He took the opportunity to praise again the recent reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia saying it creates a positive environment in the Horn of Africa, adding that the cooperation between the Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Eritrea and Ethiopia would consolidate a suitable astrosphere in the region.

He further pointed that the current developments will reduce the manoeuvres of the Sudanese regime, "which continues to intervene in Central Africa and Libya, and constitutes a negative factor in the Congo Basin and Libya," according to leading opposition figure.

"We welcome the end of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea and in South Sudan. We believe that the changes in the issues of peace are in the interest of the peoples of the region".

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July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Canadian Stamper Oil & Gas Corp has failed to secure an extension to an agreement to operate Block 25 with the Sudan National Petroleum Corporation, Sudapet.

Sudanese oil workers at one of GNPOC fields in South Kordofan (file photo Asawer oil company)

The tiny $16 million company, earlier this year, said the probable reserve of the Al-Rawat field is at around 182 million barrels with significant potential room to grow.

According to the MoU which initially was signed with State Oil Corporation, Stamper may farm-in up to a 50% interest of the Al-Rawat field.

The Oil Review Africa reported on Monday that the chairman of State Oil Corporation, Lutfur Rahman Khan, failed to secure an extension to the MoU with the state-owned oil company, Sudapet.

" As a result of these developments, the board of Stamper has notified State Oil Corporation that the MoU between Stamper and State has been terminated," further said the report.

Sources close to the file in Khartoum told Sudan Tribune that the Sudanese authorities realised that the Canadian oil firms, State Oil Corporation and Stamper which acquired the former, do not have the expertise or financial resources to carry out oil exploration and production works.

The deal with the small Canadian firm "has been a symbol of Sudan oil industry going astray. It also shows "how desperate" the Sudanese officials were, he added.

The fact that Sudan was under the U.S. economic embargo discouraged the big oil firms from working in the east African country.

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July 30, 2018 (JUBA) - President Salva Kiir Monday received an invitation extended by his Sudanese counterpart Omer al-Bashir to attend the signing ceremony of an agreement on the outstanding issues on governance.

According to a statement released by the South Sudanese presidency, the invitation was handed over by the Sudanese Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf and National Intelligence and Security Services Director Salah Gosh who were in Juba on Monday morning.

"The Minister in the Office of the President, Hon. Mayiik Ayii Deng stated that the Sudanese envoys came to invite President Salva Kiir to attend the signing ceremony that is being organized by the Sudanese government in Khartoum on the 5th of August," said the statement.

Mayiik further stressed the commitment of the Sudanese government to ensure that South Sudan attains sustainable peace and stability.

The signing ceremony is expected to be attended by the IGAD leaders.

Al-Bashir on Sunday encouraged the South Sudanese government to reach a compromise over the outstanding issues on the governance chapter with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance and the FDs.

The two groups reject the deal of 25 July saying it is designed to maintain the controversial 32 states. They contest a referendum to be conducted 5 months before the end of the 30-month transitional period, demanding to give more time for the campaign before the popular vote.

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July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Chairman of the National Umma Party (NUP) and opposition umbrella “Sudan Call” Sadiq al-Mahdi on Monday said the alliance would hold a meeting in Paris in the third week of August to discuss requirements of the post-regime era.

In a letter titled “Homeland Salvation Message”, al-Mahdi said all security, economic and political indicators point to the imminent collapse of the regime.

He pointed out that the coming change would gain meaning only if specific plans to build the nation were developed.

The veteran leader added change would inevitably occur either through comprehensive dialogue or popular uprising, saying the Sudan Call meeting would produce a charter to build the nation.

Al-Mahdi also said the meeting would discuss the tasks of the next period, saying these tasks would be laid out in details in a statement to be issued in Paris later.

He expressed hope that all Sudanese people not only the Sudan Call forces support demands of peacebuilding, democracy and just development in order to overcome national crises.

The Sudan Call, which was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, includes the NUP, the rebel SRF factions, Sudan Call parties inside Sudan and the Civil Society Initiative (CSI).

In a meeting held in Paris last March, the Sudan Call chose al-Mahdi as chairman and approved a constitutional declaration and a final communiqué calling to adopt peaceful political means to achieve change through peaceful popular uprising or dialogue.

However, the Sudanese authorities filed criminal charges against al-Mahdi accusing him of dealing and coordinating with the armed movements that seek to topple the regime.

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July 30, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Monday said that his government is still in talks with the non-signatory groups ahead of the formal signing of an agreement on the outstanding issues on governance on 5 August.

On 25 July the government, the SPLM-IO and Other Opposition Parties (OPP) delegations initialled the deal on the power-sharing and governance but the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the Former Political Detainees (FDs), abstained pointing to their small shares and a referendum to settle the issues of the 32 states if the parties fail to reach a compromise through the Independent Boundaries Commission.

In a statement released on the occasion of Martyrs Day seen by Sudan Tribune, President Kiir said the government continue to exert " its considerate efforts" to reach an inclusive agreement with all the opposition groups within the framework of Khartoum Round on the revitalization of the 2018 peace agreement.

"Several clauses constituting the agreement have already been signed and we remain with very few outstanding issues which we will continue to redouble our efforts to bridge a gap and sign the final text of the Revitalized peace Agreement," said Kiir.

"Your government is determined to ensure that peace returns to the people of South Sudan as soon as possible such that our collective nation-building process is reactivated," he further stressed.

President Omer al-Bashir on Sunday received the South Sudanese negotiating team and urged them to resolve the few pending issues on the governance chapter.

Also, Government spokesperson Michael Makuei told reporters after a meeting of the negotiating delegation with President Kiir on Monday that they discussed with the President and his two deputies on the outstanding issues before the final signing of the peace agreement

Minister Makuei further stated that the negotiating team will travel back to Khartoum to prepare for the signing ceremony Sudan on 5 August.

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July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday said it has freed an Egyptian force abducted by Libyan gunmen on the border triangle among Libya, Sudan and Egypt.

Director of Information Department at the NISS, Mohamed Hamid Tabidi told reporters at Khartoum Airport that Libyan gunmen have abducted an Egyptian army officer and four soldiers from the border triangle and took them inside the Libyan territory.

Tabidi described the rescue operation as “qualitative operation that took several days”, saying it was carried out in close coordination between the NISS and the Sudanese army military intelligence.

“The force has been handed over to the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate and they are in good health condition,” he said

“This operation indicates the extent of the continued qualitative and close coordination between the intelligence services in both countries,” he added

However, Tabidi didn't elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the Egyptian military troops or the nature of the kidnappers who he described as “outlaws”.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Media Center (SMC), a website close to the NISS, quoted an intelligence source as saying the Egyptian force has been freed in early hours of Monday in a special operation that has been carried out under the direct supervision of the NISS director, Salah Abdalla Mohamed (aka. Gosh).

For its part, the Egyptian army has thanked the Sudanese army for its help in “returning a missing military patrol”.

The Washington-based Al-Hurra TV has quoted an Egyptian security source as saying the Sudanese security services had “freed” Egyptian troops “captured by a Libyan armed group” on the border between Sudan, Egypt and Libya.

The same source pointed out that the Egyptian force includes an officer and four soldiers.

Sudan and Egypt have recently developed joint security cooperation.

On Monday evening, the five military Egyptians arrived to Khartoum airport where they were received by NISS Director Salah Gosh.

Last March, Sudan's Ambassador to Egypt Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim said his country proposed to Egypt to establish a joint force to protect the border between the two countries.

Last year, Egypt deployed large military forces on the borders with Libya and Sudan in Jabal Al-Awinat district in order to deter any terrorists' infiltration.

Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year-rule in 2011, Libya has slid into chaos and has become the most important transit country for illegal migrants to Europe.

Also, radical Islamist groups and rebels from Darfur region are active on the border triangle.

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July 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The United Nations Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Field Support, Atul Khare, said his visit to the disputed area of Abyei meant to build up coordination with the mission ahead of the expected review of the mission mandate.

Last April, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 October 2018 and warned that it would terminate a modification to its mandate decided in 2012 to support a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism agreed by South Sudan and Sudan in line with the Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 2012.

On Friday Khare concluded a two-day visit to Abyei included JBVMM sites in Kadugli South Kordofan to inspect the mission's operational progress, its challenges and plans. In Abyei, he met with local leaders and UNISFA leadership and staff.

In a meeting with the UNISFA leadership on Friday, the senior international official thanked UNISFA leadership for its tireless efforts to carry out the mission's mandate despite political and security challenges. He further praised the Force Commander, General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu, for building a team and running an inclusive administration.

"USG Khare highlighted that his visit aimed to strengthen the coordination and support between Headquarters and the mission and assured Staff members that the current review of UNISFA's composition is aimed at aligning the mission with new realities on the ground," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

The Security Council in its resolution 2412 (2018) said the UNISFA's support for a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) would be the final until the parties took action leading to progress on border demarcation.

The JBVMM is operating under the UNISFA and has been tasked to monitor, verify and investigate any movement by armed forces and armed civilians in the 2100 km Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ).

Accordingly, the Council decided to maintain UNISFA's authorized troop ceiling of 4,791 until 15 October 2018, and further that, as of that date, the ceiling would decrease to 4,250, unless the Council decided to extend the mandate modification.

Before to visit Abyei, the USG for Field Support spent three days in Darfur region where he discussed areas of cooperation, including support for IDPs and refugees to voluntarily return to their areas of origin, construction of internal road networks and capacity building of state government employees through training.

"UNAMID is going to be here for about two more years and within these years we will try to help as much as possible for the future," Khare said in according to a statement released by Darfur hybrid peacekeeping operation.

Ahead of the UNAMID exit from Darfur in two years, Khare added that discussions would take place with authorities at locality, state and national level to determine the best use of the facilities established by UNAMID to benefit communities. Some of the facilities, such as camps, could be converted to hospitals, colleges or schools and used for social development, among various options, he said.

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July 29, 2018 'KHARTOUM) - Sudanese state minister for foreign affairs and Chinese ambassador to Khartoum discussed on Sunday the participation of President Omer al-Bashir in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will take place in Beijing in September 2018.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, September 1, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Parker Song)

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Garib Allah Kidir said Minister Osama Faisal met Chinese diplomat Li Lianhe and discussed preparations for the participation of President Omer al-Bashir at the upcoming summit, as well as arrangements for a bilateral summit to be held with the Chinese President ahead of the forum.

He said the upcoming Sudanese-Sudanese summit will discuss ways of developing cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially economic and trade cooperation.

According to the spokesperson, the minister of state referred to the meetings of the joint working group to develop cooperation in Beijing on August 28, ahead of the president's visit.

China's debt on Sudan is estimated at more $10 billion.

In August 2017, China announced a debt relief for Sudan worth $160 million saying it would provide about $75 million in financial assistance to Khartoum.

In return, Sudan proposed that China develop its oil investments in Sudan.

Also, among the issues to be discussed between the two sides, Sudan's debt arrears towards China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

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July 29, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese civil society groups called for the release of Peter Bair Ajak a rights defender known for his criticism for the failure of South Sudanese leadership to achieve peace.

Ajak was arrested on Saturday morning at Juba airport as he was heading to Aweil, for a meeting organized by one of his groups, Red Army Foundation.

The International Youth for Africa (IYA) and the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), called in two separate statements extended to Sudan Tribune for an immediate and unconditional release of the prominent South Sudanese activist saying say the arrest was politically motivated.

"To best of my knowledge Peter is innocent and must be released, should anyone have anything against him that let him go to the police and file a case," said Tito Anthony CPJ's Executive Director.

Anthony stressed that the Ajak was arrested without a legal order from the court pointing such arrest is a violation of the South Sudanese constitution which ensures freedoms of speech and movement.

For its part, the IYA said it is time for South Sudanese to search genuine peace not a time for arresting for the people who are advocating for peace in the country.

"Arresting individuals who are working for peace in South Sudan will never help us to solve the ongoing crisis in the country," said the youth group.

Akaj is the founding chairman of South Sudan Young Leaders Forum (SSYLF), Red Army Foundation and NxGeneration of SouthSudan group. He recently twitted and re-twitted several messages hostile to the South Sudanese leadership.

"We must stop thinking that the so-called leaders will bring peace to South Sudan. We, the great people of South Sudan, must organize ourselves to bring about the peace we deserve!," he wrote in a recent Twit.

However, the government didn't issue a statement on his arrest. But sources claiming close to the South Sudanese security apparatus said Ajak is accused of supporting the former army chief of staff Paul Malong who is now a rebel leader.

But his family and friends deny the accusation.

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July 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The government negotiating team for the Two Areas talks with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) on Sunday has called on African mediation to set a date to resume the talks.

Mbeki speaks to participants at the inaugral session of Strategic Consultations Meeting in Addis Ababa on 18 March 2016 (AUHIP Photo)

Member of government team, Osman Andu, has appealed to the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to invite the two sides for a final round of talks to end the conflict and sign a just and comprehensive peace agreement.

Andu, who also serves as deputy chairman of the ruling National Congress Party in South Kordofan, described President Omer al-Bashir's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire as “advanced positive move”, saying it has created a conducive climate to achieve peace.

He pointed out that the unilateral cessation of hostilities has created a new reality in South Kordofan's peace file allowing contacts between the two sides.

Andu added the SPLM-N has also adhered to the unilateral ceasefire for the last three years, saying large numbers of civilians and rebels have returned to the state after they were convinced of the futility of war.

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and the other led by Malik Agar. The rift emerged last year over the right of self-determination and other organisational issues.

Several sources close to the file say the African Union mediation held recently several meetings with the al-Hilu faction but failed to agree with them on agenda for the talks.

The AU is brokering comprehensive peace talks to end the war and achieve democratic reforms. The two-track process comprises the Sudanese government and opposition forces including the armed groups in Darfur and the Two Areas.

During the recent round of talks from 1 to 3 February, the Sudanese government and SPLM-N al-Hilu failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement.

Al-Hilu group demands to deliver humanitarian assistance directly from abroad to the rebel-held areas, but Khartoum rejects such request saying all the relief operations should be conducted from the Sudanese territory.

Before the SPLM-N split, the rebel group called to establish a corridor from Asosa on the Ethiopian border to deliver 20 per cent of the humanitarian aid directly to the SPLM-N-controlled areas in the Blue Nile state.

In February talks, the mediation limited the discussions on the cessation of hostilities to the government and the SPLM-N al-Hilu saying Agar faction has no military leverage in the Blue Nile state.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

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July 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir received a letter from his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir on the expected resumption of oil production next September.

The letter was handed over by South Sudanese Oil Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth who met al-Bashir on Saturday evening.

After the meeting, the minister told reporters that oil production will resume on 2 September with 45,000 barrels per day from El Toor and Toma South fields. After what will restart the production of other oil fields in Munga and Unity.

"So, by the end of the year, production in the blocks 1,2,4 will be at its maximum capacity," he added.

The meeting, which took place at the Guest House, was attended by Salah Gosh the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Services.

On June 27, South Sudanese parties signed the Khartoum Declaration of Agreement, where they committed themselves to a permanent ceasefire and pledged to finalize a deal on the pending issues in the governance chapter of the 2015 peace agreement.

The declaration provides to resume immediately in collaboration with the Sudanese government the rehabilitation of the damaged oil installations in the Unity region, Blocks 1,2, 4 and 5.

On Saturday, South Sudan's Minister of Petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth and Sudan's Minister of Oil and Gas Azhari Abdel-Gader inspected the rehabilitation work at Toma South oil field.

In press statements following the visit, Abdel-Gader described the completion of the paved road ahead of schedule as “big achievement”, saying he and his South Sudanese counterpart are committed to implementing the agreement on the resumption of oil pumping.

For his part, Gatkuoth said the two sides are committed to resuming oil pumping in early September according to the agreed plan, praising efforts of companies operating in rehabilitating South Sudan oil fields.

He further instructed the companies to finish work at Toma South field as soon as possible and then head to Munga field which is ready for oil pumping.

It is noteworthy that the Khartoum Declaration does not provide for the immediate resumption of oil production because South Sudan's opposition led by Riek Machar rejected this idea saying this step should intervene after the signing of a comprehensive political settlement.

Khartoum proposed to repair and protect the installations in coordination with the South Sudanese government and to resume the production which will intervene within several weeks when the discussions are concluded.

South Sudan heavily relies on oil income to fund up to 98% of its budget. Also, it relies on the Sudanese pipeline to export its oil production through the Red Sea.

Analysts say the resumption of oil production will also benefit Sudan and Uganda.

Khartoum is in dire needs for hard currency from the exportation of South Sudanese oil through its pipelines and ports at the Red Sea, while Kampala wants to resume goods exportation to the South Sudanese market.

The world newest nation says it is producing around 130,000 barrels of oil a day but plans to double it by the end of the year.

(ST)