Africa

July 26, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan government and the French oil company Total SA (TOT) have ended without agreement negotiations for two blocks in Jonglei region, as the oil minister pledged to attract new investors.

The formerly known as Block B, and held by Total in line with an agreement with the government of Sudan, was split into three parts in 2012.

In 2013, the two parties started discussions on the Block 1 and Block 2. In 2017, the Ministry of Petroleum awarded the third Block 3 to the Nigerian oil company, Oranto Petroleum.

The South Sudanese oil minister said the French oil firm wanted to launch long exploration works before to sign an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) with the government.

"The Ministry of Petroleum of South Sudan has stated its willingness to proceed with the signing of a draft EPSA, but Total has insisted on an extremely long exploration period and on economic terms that are not viable for the government," said Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth

Gatkuoth regretted that Total, after this long period of talks, has been unable to agree on economic terms and a timeline that works for the country

"Without this cornerstone in place, the Ministry of Petroleum cannot continue to negotiate an EPSA with Total. We are keen to discuss the exploration of Blocks B1 and B2 with new parties," he added.

Already in March 2017, Minister Gatkuoth threatened to terminate contracts awarded to Total by the end of April of the same year.

Since its independence, South Sudan relies on oil as the main source of cash. Also, the country seeks to increase its production to have the needed money for development and infrastructure project after the end of a 5-year civil war.

The French company set foot in Sudan in 1980 when it was awarded a permit to explore the vast Block B. Total shot 1,600 kilometres of seismic survey but had to leave the country in 1984 because of the outbreak of violence between the north and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army of the south.

After the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, Total had to struggle for several years to keep its rights in the Block B after the attribution of the same bloc to the U.K. company White Nile Ltd by South Sudanese officials.

(ST)

July 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's State Foreign Minister Osama Faisal and the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Khartoum, Steven Koutsis on Tuesday have discussed ongoing arrangements to resume the second phase of dialogue between the two countries.

During the meeting, Faisal praised the recent U.S. Department of Treasury decision to remove from the code of federal regulations the Sudanese sanctions regulations authorizing transactions related to exports of agricultural commodities, medicines, and medical devices.

He also called on the international community to support peace talks among South Sudan's warring parties, stressing Sudan's readiness to support the talks to achieve a comprehensive peace to enhance regional security and stability.

For his part, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires praised Sudan's efforts to host and support South Sudan's peace talks.

In October 2017, Washington decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework reached by the countries in December 2016. Khartoum, accordingly, authorized humanitarian access to civilians in Darfur and unilaterally declared a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The two countries agreed to resume talks on the normalization of bilateral talks and the lift of remaining sanctions particularly its designation as a state sponsor of terrorist groups.

Sudanese officials insist on the need to remove Sudan from the list of terror states, pointing out that the country cannot benefit from the debt relief and international development aid without this measure.

But Washington insists on the need to improve Human rights, religious freedom and other freedoms in a way to create a conducive environment for the opposition group to take part in the constitutional process after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed groups.

(ST)

Both candidates have questioned Mugabe's controversial policy, in the run-up to the election.

The presidential election is set for 29 July despite militias terrorising large parts of the country.

Dance into Space is a contemporary dance group in which almost all the members are physically disabled.

July 25, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government has reiterated readiness to resume Darfur peace talks as soon as it receives an invitation from the African mediation.

Sudan's Presidential Envoy for Diplomatic Contact and Negotiation for Darfur Amin Hassan Omer told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) should constitute the basis for any future peace agreement in the region.

He pointed out that he has recently held meetings with the head of African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) chief, Jeremiah Mamabolo, saying the meetings addressed a number of peace files but didn't discuss the resumption of peace talks with Darfur holdout groups.

He stressed that the government is serious about meeting with Darfur movements to reach peaceful solutions to the conflict in the region.

Last April, delegations representing the Government of Sudan, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi ended two-day discussions in Berlin without signing a pre-negotiation agreement.

The two sides say willing for a negotiated settlement but failed to agree on how to proceed. The government put on the negotiating table the DDPD, but the armed groups say they want a new process on new bases, not this framework text signed in July 2011 with other former rebel groups.

The holdout groups including the JEM and SLM-MM refused to sign the DDPD in July 2011 and called to open the framework agreement for talks.

Other groups like the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) have declined to join the process and rejected its outcome.

The AUHIP led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki proposed a holistic process to end the armed conflicts and produce political reforms in Sudan.

During the year 2015-2016, talks between the government and the SLM-MM and JEM failed to reach a tangible result despite international efforts to bring together the opposition groups and to narrow the gaps between them and the government.

Last February, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (PSC) urged the AUHIP to make progress in the resolution of Darfur conflict during the upcoming three months.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the conflict and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

June 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudanese government and SPLM-IO initialled power-sharing and governance agreement on Wednesday while other political opposition groups rejected the deal pointing that it didn't resolve the issue of the 32 states established in violation of the 2015 peace pact.

As the discussions were recently focused on the issue of the states, on Wednesday morning, the Sudanese mediators released a new proposal maintaining the power-sharing at the local government level despite Juba opposition and providing to hold a referendum if the parties fail to reach an agreement over the fate of the 32 states at the level of the Independent Boundaries Commission.

The signing ceremony was attended by the government negotiating delegation including senior ministers, and the Riek Machar who avoided to issue any public statement during the negotiations unlike the other opposition or the government delegations.

Sudanese foreign minister who endorsed the role of chief mediator announced in his speech at the initialling ceremony that final signing ceremony will take place on 5 August 2018 in the presence of the IGAD leaders.

El- Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed further reiterated Sudan's keenness to continue its efforts to bring the holdout groups to join the agreement.

According to the agreement which is the last issue of contention in the peace revitalization process the transitional government, tasked with the implementation of the peace agreement, will be composed of 35 ministers. The incumbent government will get 20 ministers, SPLM-IO 9 ministers, SSOA 3 ministers, FDs 2 ministers and OPP one minister.

Machar will be reinstated as First Vice President, and with him, there will be four other vice-presidents. All of them they will form a collegial presidency with President Salva Kiir to deliver the content of the peace agreement and achieve democratic and institutional reforms during the 30-month transitional period.

The Parliament will consist of 550 parliamentarians with 332 members from Kiir's government, 128 from Machar's group, 50 members from SSOA, 30 members from OPP and 10 members from FDs.

The political opposition groups which rejected the military action during the nearly past five years believe the current percentage of representation will deprive them of playing an important role during the transitional period. It is not clear now which role they can play during the transitional period.

Observers in Juba say SSOA- FDs's rejection may weaken Machar position during the transitional period. But an opposition leader stated to Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity that they will be free from any constraints and act as an initial sounding-board to explain their ideas.

ENOUGH WELCOMES THE DEAL

Rights advocacy group Enough Project welcomed the initialling of the power-sharing deal in Khartoum but stressed on the need for an inclusive peace and achieve the needed reform for the sake of peace and democracy in the new nation.

"The narrowing of the gaps between the primary warring parties in the South Sudanese conflict is welcome news. However, an inclusive peace is the only peace that will ever be sustainable," said John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project and Co-Founder of The Sentry.

for his part, Brian Adeba, an Enough Deputy Director of Policy pointed to the need to avoid concentration of power in few hands to avoid a return of war.

"The contentious issue of state borders requires the utmost independence and impartiality in its management to deter political machinations that favour one side" he further added.

(ST)

Persistent reports of grave human rights abuses in Cameroon — including a widely shared video showing the alleged execution of a woman, child and baby — must be investigated by the authorities urgently, UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Wednesday.

Zimbabweans are going to the polls for the first time in 38 years without Robert Mugabe in power.

Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance 25th July 2018

Mindful of our commitment under the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011,as amended (TCRSS), to lay the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law,
Deeply regretting the scale of untold human suffering that had befallen our country and people as a result of disregarding this commitment,
Determined to compensate our people by recommitting ourselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past,
Recognizing the prime significance of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country,
Cognizant that a federal system of government is a popular demand of the people of the Republic of South Sudan and of the need for the Revitalized TGoNU to reflect this demand by way of devolution of more powers and resources to lower levels of government,
Confirming the commitments that we have solemnly undertaken in the ARCSS and the Khartoum Declaration,
We the Parties, comprising of Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan (TGoNU), the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Former Detainees (FDs), Other Political Parties (OPP), collectively referred to as the Parties, confirm our commitment to the agreed part of the Revised Bridging Proposal and do hereby resolve as follows:
1. The Presidency:
1.1. During the Transitional Period:
a. H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit shall continue as President of the Republic of South Sudan.

b. The Chairman of SPLM/A-IO Dr Riek Machar Teny shall assume the position of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.
1.2. During the Transitional Period there shall be four Vice Presidents of the Republic of South Sudan who shall be nominated as follows:
a. Vice President to be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.
b. Vice President to be nominated by SSOA.
c. Vice President to be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.
d. Vice President to be nominated by FDs, who shall be a woman.
1.3. Apart from the First Vice President, there shall be no hierarchy among the Vice Presidents. The ranking in 1.2 above is for protocol purposes only.
1.4. Decision making in the Presidency shall be in a spirit of collegial collaboration. However, the powers and functions of the President, First Vice President, and Vice Presidents shall be delineated along the provisions of the ARCSS 2015.
1.5. The First Vice President and Vice Presidents shall oversee respectively the following Cabinet Clusters:
(a) First Vice President: Governance Cluster.
(b) Vice President: Economic Cluster.
(c) Vice President: Services Delivery Cluster.
(d) Vice President: Infrastructure Cluster.
(e) Vice President: Gender and Youth Cluster.

2. The Revitalized TGoNU:
2.1. The Council of Ministers shall comprise of thirty five (35) Ministers that shall be organized in the abovementioned five (5) Clusters.
2.2. The three Clusters stated in the ARCSS shall continue having due regard to the amendments required as a result of creating new Clusters and new Ministries.
2.3. The Infrastructure Cluster shall include Ministries of Energy and Dams; Transport; Roads and Bridges; and any other appropriate Ministry of the five new Ministries.

2.4. The Gender and Youth Cluster shall include Ministries of Gender, Child and Social Welfare; Culture and Heritage, Youth, and Sports; and any appropriate Ministry of the five new Ministries.
2.5. The additional five Ministries and their clustering shall be agreed by the Parties before or during the Pre-Transitional Period further to a proposal to be drawn by the IGAD. The full list of the thirty five (35) Ministries and their clustering shall be drawn at that time and shall be included in the Revitalized ARCSS.
2.6. The Ministerial positions shall be allocated as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 20 Ministries.
b. SPLM/A-IO: 09Ministries.
c. SSOA: 03 Ministries.
d. FDs: 02 Ministries.
e. OPP: 01Ministry.
2.7. There shall be ten (10) Deputy Ministers in the following Ministries:
a. Cabinet Affairs.
b. Foreign Affairs.
c. Defense.
d. Interior.
e. Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
f. Finance.
g. Agriculture and Food Security.
h. General Education and Instruction.
i. Public Service and Human Resources Development.
j. Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
2.8. Deputy Ministers shall be allocated as follows:
a. TGoNU: five (5) Deputy Ministers.
b. SPLM/A-IO: three (3) Deputy Ministers.
c. SSOA: one (1) Deputy Minister.
d. OPP: one (1) Deputy Minister.
2.9. The Parties shall agree on the assigning of Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial portfolios and nominate their Ministers and Deputy Ministers accordingly.

2.10. No fewer than three (3) of the Deputy Ministers shall be women.
2.11. No Assistant Presidents, any other Ministers or Deputy Ministers shall be appointed during the Transitional Period.
2.12. If more than two Advisers to the President are appointed, the responsibility sharing ratio shall apply to their selection.

3. The Transitional National Legislature:
3.1. The Transitional National Legislature (TNL) shall consist of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States.
3.2. The TNLA shall be expanded to 550 members and reconstituted as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 332 members.
b. SPLM/A-IO: 128 members.
c. SSOA: 50 members.
d. OPP: 30 members.
e. FDs: 10 members.
3.3. The Speaker of the TNLA shall be nominated by the Incumbent TGoNU. One Deputy Speaker shall be nominated by SPLM/A-IO; another, who shall be a woman, shall be nominated by the Incumbent TGoNU; and a third Deputy Speaker to be nominated by OPP.
3.4. Upon issuing the final report of the IBC the Council of States shall be reconstituted as shall be recommended by the IBC. However, if the IBC failed to issue its final report the Council of States shall be reconstituted pursuant to the outcome of the referendum and as stated in the TCRSS.
3.5. The Speaker of the Council of States shall be from SPLM-IO, Deputy Speaker from TGoNU, who shall be a woman, and Deputy Speaker from SSOA. For the purpose of regional inclusivity required in a body representing the States, each of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers shall come from a different region.

4. Number and Boundaries of States:
4.1. Within two weeks of the signing of the Revitalized ARCSS, the IGAD Executive Secretariat, taking into account the decision of the 55th Extra- Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 30-31, 2016, shall appoint an Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) for the Republic of South Sudan.
4.2. The IBC shall consist of fifteen (15) members with the necessary skills and expertise.
4.3. Members of the IBC shall be appointed as follows:
a. Five (5) members to be appointed by TGoNU.
b. Five (5) members to be appointed by opposition groups: two (2) from SPLM/A-IO, one (1) from SSOA, one (1) from FDs, and one (1) from OPP.
c. Five (5) highly experienced members to be appointed by C5 states (South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria and Chad).
4.4. The IBC shall be chaired by one of its non-South Sudanese members who shall be of recognized standing and integrity and who should have had occupied a senior judicial, executive or administrative position in his/her home country.
4.5. The IBC may retain the services of a team of experts from South Sudan, the IGAD region, AU, the Troika, and the international community as required.
4.6. If found appropriate, the IBC shall establish three teams, each consisting of five representatives and relevant experts, to be deployed at locations it will designate.
4.7. The function of the IBC shall be to consider the number of States of the Republic of South Sudan, their boundaries, the composition and restructuring of the Council of States and to make recommendations on the same.
4.8. The IBC shall study all viable alternatives in the light of guidelines that shall be drawn beforehand and right at the beginning of its work. The IBC shall also draw its own internal regulations. Adoption of the guidelines and internal regulations shall be by simple majority of the IBC.
4.9. The IBC shall strive to adopt its final report by consensus. If consensus is not achieved, the IBC shall adopt its final report by a decision taken by two thirds of all its members that shall include at least seven (7) of its South Sudanese members.
4.10. The recommendations of the IBC shall be presented to the IGAD Executive Secretariat and shall be immediately communicated to the Parties.
4.11. The Parties agree to abide by the recommendations of the IBC, and hereby authorize the IGAD Executive Secretariat to enshrine the same in the Revitalized ARCSS as an addendum. The Parties accept to implement the recommendations in full at the beginning of the Transitional Period.
4.12. The IBC shall complete its work within a maximum of ninety (90) days that shall not be extendable.
4.13. In the unlikely event of the IBC failing to make its final report before the end of its term, the IBC shall be automatically transformed on the 90th day of its term into Referendum Commission on Number and Boundaries of States (RCNBS) of the Republic of South Sudan.
4.14. The RCNBS shall work under the direct supervision and support of the African Union and the IGAD, and shall conduct the referendum before the end of the agreed eight (8) months Pre-Transitional Period.
4.15. The referendum shall be conducted on the number and boundaries of States of the Republic of South Sudan; taking account of the positions advanced by Parties. The question or set of questions that shall be posed in the referendum shall be the same for the entire country unless it is decided in the RCNBS that each State shall have different question or set of questions more understandable to the people.

5. States and Local Government
5.1. The Responsibility sharing ratio at State level and local government level shall be as follows:

a. Incumbent TGoNU: 55%
b. SPLM/A-IO: 27%
c. SSOA: 10%
d. OPP: 08%
5.2. At the beginning of the Transitional Period State and local governments shall be dissolved and reconstituted as per the responsibility sharing formula stated above.
5.3. The positions that shall be shared as per the responsibility sharing formula include: Governors, Speakers of State Legislatures, State Councils of Ministers, State Legislatures, County Commissioners, and County Councils.
5.4. In sharing State and local government positions the Parties shall take into account the relative prominence each Party has in the respective State or county.
5.5. The FDs shall have three State Ministers in States of their choice that shall be deducted from the opposition ratio.

6. General Provisions:
6.1. The Parties recognize that during the Pre-Transitional Period, the Incumbent TGoNU shall continue to exercise its powers as per the TCRSS.
6.2. At the beginning of the Pre-Transitional Period, the Parties shall issue a solemn commitment to their people and the international community at large confirming unequivocally that they will not return to war and shall work hand in hand diligently and collectively for the sake of peace and stability of their country. In particular, the Parties shall pledge to use the resources of the country wisely and transparently, for the best interests of the people of the Republic of South Sudan, and to put in place the efficient mechanisms required for achieving this paramount goal. In their solemn commitment the Parties shall also appeal to the international community for support and cooperation at this difficult time of the Republic of South Sudan.

6.3. The activities that shall be undertaken during the agreed eight (8) months Pre–Transitional Period shall include:
a. Dissemination of the Revitalized ARCSS to South Sudanese people inside the country, in different cities and refugee camps in neighboring countries, and in diaspora, so that the people can understand, support and own it.
b. Carrying out the tasks entrusted to the IBC and the RCNBS.
c. A process of national healing and reconciliation that shall be led by the Parties, churches and civil society groups inside and outside of the Republic of South Sudan.
d. The agreed security arrangement activities.
e. Incorporation of the Revitalized ARCSS in the TCRSS.
f. Reviewing and drafting necessary bills as per the Revitalized ARCSS.
g. Any other activities agreed by the Parties.
6.4. Provisions of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan and ARCSS on participation of women (35 %) in the Executive shall be observed. In particular, Incumbent TGoNU shall nominate no fewer than six (6) women to the Council of Ministers, and SPLM-IO shall nominate no fewer than three (3) women to the Council of Ministers.
6.5. Having in mind that more than 70 percent of the population in the Republic of South Sudan is under the age of thirty and that youth are the most affected by the war and represent high percentage of refugees and IDPs, the Parties shall strive to include people of young age in their quotas at different levels. In particular, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports in the Revitalized TGoNU shall be less than forty (40) years old.
6.6. In selecting their nominees Parties shall give due consideration to national diversity, gender and regional representation.
6.7. Without prejudice to Paragraph 6.1. above, a National Pre–Transitional Committee (NPTC) shall be formed as follows by the President of the Republic of South Sudan within two weeks of signing the Revitalized ARCSS:

a. The NPTC shall be formed of ten members representing the Parties as follows: five (5) for Incumbent TGoNU, two (2) for SLPM/A-IO, one (1) for SSOA, one (1) for FDs, and one (1) for OPP. The NPTC shall be chaired by TGoNU representative with two Deputy Chairs to be nominated by SPLM/A-IO and SSOA respectively, and shall adopt its decisions by consensus.
b. The NPTC shall be entrusted with the function of oversight and coordination of the implementation of the activities of the Pre– Transitional Period stated in 6.3 above in collaboration with the Incumbent TGoNU .
c. The NPTC shall draw the road map for implementing the political tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period, prepare a budget for the activities of the Pre–Transitional Period, and address issues of VIP security and preparations for new Ministers, among others.
d. The NPTC shall start its work in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and shall move to Juba sometime during the Pre-Transitional Period. The NPTC shall be dissolved when the Pre-Transitional Period ends.
6.8. There shall be established a fund, to be drawn from oil proceeds and contributions of donors, for the implementation of the activities of the Pre–Transitional Period. The fund shall be deposited by Incumbent TGoNU in an escrow account in a bank agreed to by the NPTC. The NPTC shall manage the fund transparently and report on it monthly to the President of the Republic of South Sudan and to the Parties.
6.9. The IGAD-led mediation shall revitalize and restructure all monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure inclusion of all Parties and to enhance the effectiveness of all mechanisms. Such review and restructuring shall be reflected in the Revitalized ARCSS.
6.10. Within 12 (twelve) months of the beginning of the Transitional Period, the Reconstituted National Constitutional Amendments Committee (NCAC) shall revise relevant laws and draft new legislations pursuant to the Revitalized ARCSS.
6.11. The Parties reaffirm their agreement in the ARCSS that a federal and democratic system of governance that reflects the character of the

Republic of South Sudan and ensures unity in diversity be enacted during the permanent constitution making process.
6.12. The Parties also reaffirm their commitment to the principle of lean government and that the number of members of the future parliament shall be commensurate with the number of the population of the country pursuant to the internationally recognized proportions. The Parties recognize that the high number of members of the Executive and TNLA is agreed herein on exceptional basis for the purposes of the Transitional Period only and that those numbers shall form no precedent or any precursor for the future.
6.13. This Agreement shall prevail on contradictory or incompatible provisions of ARCSS, any other agreement and the Revised Bridging Proposal.

Done in Khartoum, Sudan, this day 25th of July 2018.

For Incumbent TGoNU
…………………………………………………………………………..

For SPLM/A-IO
……………………………………………………………………………

For SSOA
…………………………………………………………………………...

For FDs
……………………………………………………………………………...

For OPP
………………………………………………………………………………

For the Republic of Sudan (Guarantor):
………………………………………………………………………….

For IGAD (Witness):
…………………………………………………………………………..

July 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - The mediators handed over to the South Sudanese negotiating delegations a new draft agreement on the governance chapter that amended the composition of the on the states boundaries mechanism but keeps the power-sharing at the local government level.

The government and the opposition groups alike rejected the draft agreement on the governance chapter issued by the Sudanese mediation ob 18 July citing reservations over some points mainly focused on the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) and the inclusion of the counties level in the power-sharing which was not part of the 2015 peace deal.

In a new version dated on 25 July seen by the Sudan Tribune, the mediation with the same ratio but sought to review the issues of contention between the parties particularly at the state level.

The latest draft maintains the IBC members at 15 but abandoned its rule of one representative for each South Sudanese party. Now, the South Sudanese government gets 5 members at this commission which will determine the fate of 32 states the opposition rejects.

The SPLM IO has two representatives, and the SSOA, FDs and OPP will get one delegate per group. Also, the IGAD, and Troika will lose their vote in the commission as they will be represented only at the expert level. While the African Union remains represented by five members from the C5 countries, (South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria and Chad).

In the previous draft, the IBC mandate is limited to study " the alternatives currently proposed by the Parties and any other viable alternatives" but in the new draft IBC shall "study all viable alternatives in the light of guidelines that shall be drawn beforehand".

Further, the decisional mechanism has been changed in the case the IBC members fail to reach a consensus. In the new draft, the decisions will be taken by "two-thirds of all its members that shall include at least seven (7) of its South Sudanese members", abandoning the rule of the simple majority in the previous draft.

On Tuesday, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) declared their rejection of the power-sharing deal saying they will not "comprise on fundamental issues" referring to the IBC and their involvement in the administration of local governments.

In the draft of 25 July, the mediators have maintained the power-sharing " ratio at State level and local government level" despite Juba's opposition to this extension. Also, the mediation increased the ratio of the SPLM-Io to 27% from the initial 25% and reduced the percentage of the OPP form 10% to 8%. the incumbent government and SSOA kept the percentage 55% and 10% respectively.

Among the other changes brought in the new draft that the SPLM-IO will nominate the deputy speaker of the transitional legislative body. In the proposal of 18 July, the deputy speaker was from the OPP. This one now is the second deputy speaker.

Also, the mediation increased the number of the FDs Members of Parliament at the legislative assembly from 5 to 10 MPs and reduced the MPs of the OP to 30 from 35.

The Sudanese government invited the IGAD leaders to attend the signing ceremony on Thursday 26 July and Juba said willing to sign the agreement pointing they have one item they want to discuss with the mediation at the states level.

(ST)

Click here to read the latest draft agreement on governance

The statistics that explain how things have got so bad in Zimbabwe.

In the 16th Century, ruthless Queen Amina commanded an army of 20,000 men in what is now Nigeria.

July 24, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Fourteen pastoralists from Lahaween tribe have been killed by farmers from Hausa tribe at Al-Hamra village, Galabat Sharqiya locality, 50 kilometres south of the capital of Gedaref State.

On Monday, the security committee at Sudan's eastern state of Gedaref issued a statement about the incident but it didn't mention the death of 14 pastoralists.

Multiple sources told Sudan Tribune that the situation is alarming following mobilization of Lahaween tribesmen from Fashaga area on Tuesday, calling on authorities to interfere immediately to end the stand-off between the two tribes.

According to the same sources, farmers from Hausa tribe on Monday set fire on houses of Lahaween pastoralists in Al-Hamra village killing 14 people and injuring several others.

They pointed out that the dispute between the two groups is not new, saying the Lahaween pastoralists had settled in a nearby forest to feed their cattle provoking the anger of Hausa farmers.

The same sources said small skirmishes had occurred between the two groups in the past but the government failed to address the problem which has aggravated the situation.

It is noteworthy that the rapporteur of Gedaref State's security committee Adel Jamal al-Din issued a statement on Monday saying clashes erupted between residents of Al-Hamra village and some nomads leading to injuries on both sides.

He stressed the security forces have contained the situation, saying the injured have been transferred to Gedaref Teaching Hospital.

Jamal al-Din also underlined that life in Al-Hamra village has returned to normal and the situation is under full control.

(ST)

July 24, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Seven people have been killed on Monday by heavy rains and flash floods that hit Al-Nuhood town, West Kordofan State.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that heavy rains and floods hit the eastern and northeastern parts of Al-Nuhood leading to collapse of about 2000 homes.

Yassen Ahmed Khalifa, a resident of Abu Snoon neighbourhood in Al-Nuhood said 7 people have been killed and 3 are missing including a child, calling on government agencies and aid groups to provide support for the affected.

An informed source in Al-Nuhood told Sudan Tribune that among the 7 dead were 3 inmates of the main prison, stressing large parts of the prison have collapsed due to heavy rains.

In 2016, more than 100 people were killed and 21,000 houses destroyed by rain and flash floods that hit many parts of Sudan.

The most affected states were Kassala, Sennar, South Kordofan, West Kordofan and North Darfur.

(ST)

July 24, 2018 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) Tuesday has rejected the draft governance and power-sharing agreement saying they cannot compromise on their position against the 32 state and the power-sharing at the level of local governments.

The South Sudanese parties to the peace revitalization process had to initial a draft agreement on the governance last Thursday 19 July establishing a mechanism -the Independent Boundaries Commission (IPC)- to settle the difference over the 32 states during the transitional period.

Also, the same draft agreement on which Juba expressed strong reservations provides that the power-sharing deal will include the counties and not be limited to the state governments only as agreed in the 2015 peace deal.

However, the Sudanese mediation told them on 21 July that " Juba would want to maintain its illegal 32 States and would not like to have SSOA and other Opposition groups represented at sub-national levels of government". SSOA spokesperson Kwaje Lasu said.

The further said that the two issues are a red line that they cannot make any concession on it.

"SSOA delegations will continue to engage in the peace talks but will not compromise on fundamental issues related to our suffering people," he stressed.

The statement pointed out that the 32 states have been established by President Kiir in clear violation of the peace agreement wondering how come the government logic and insist on an illegality.

The South Sudanese government Monday said they would sign the draft agreement even if they have one reservation at the state level.

The Sudanese government for its part, said they have extended the invitation for the IGAD leaders to attend the signing ceremony on Thursday 26 July in Khartoum.

Opposition leader Deng Alor told the semi-official Sudanese Media Center (SMC) that the parties would reach an agreement on the outstanding issues.

"I am sure that a full consensus on the power-sharing before would be reached before the deadline for the final signing on Thursday," said the leader of the SPLM Former Political detainees.

(ST)

The Ebola virus outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been declared over, thanks to a concerted national and international effort to contain the threat, the UN’s top health official said on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe’s upcoming presidential elections must be peaceful and credible, the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday, amid increasing reports of voter intimidation and coercion linked to the ruling ZANU-PF party.

July 23, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government Monday signed a peace agreement with a rebel faction in the Kapoeta State mediated by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

The peace agreement was signed by the Maj Gen Joseph Buong Anyardit, the government chief negotiator and Maj Gen Simon Carlo Loypanyang the leader of the National Salvation Front (NAS) - Kapoeta State.

It is not clear when this faction broke away from the NAS of Gen Thomas Cirillo Swaka which was established in March 2017.

According to the agreement seen by Sudan Tribune, the rebel fighters will be integrated into the South Sudanese army, organized forces, and civil institutions.

Gen Loypanyang will be integrated to National Security Services.

The government of Kapoeta State will allocate four political portfolios to the former rebels: two at the state level and two counties.

Also, the state wil return all the confiscated or frozen properties belonging to the NAS members.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church- Peace Desk in Yei River State under the leadership of Bishop Elias Taban will guarantee the implementation of the agreement.

(ST)

July 23, 2018 (JUBA) - The former SPLA chief of staff Paul Malong Monday praised a call by the U.S. White House for an inclusive process in South Sudan and accused President Salva Kiir of excluding his group from the IGAD brokered peace process.

"The United States' keen observation on how the matters pertaining South Sudan have been unfolding is commendable and SOUTH SUDAN UNITED FRONT/ARMY (SSUF/A) is registering her concern that Salva Kiir Mayardit has been playing a game of tricks in the name of peace," said Malong.

The former army chief of staff pointed to the efforts by President Kiir to obstruct a viable peace process saying that the IGAD ignored their demand despite being "a viable entity with huge membership, bath in her armed and civil wings".

He further pointed an accusing finger to President Kiir saying he managed to convince the mediation to exclude the SSUF/A from the peace process arguing that Malong's didn't mount any attack on the government forces.

"(...) the United States should note with keen interest that South Sudan headed by Salva Kiir Mayardit will never experience peace and economic development. Instead, it will remain as a stagnated country defined by suffering of all sorts ranging from curable diseases to hunger, war and massive displacement," he emphasized.

Deng Alor, former foreign minister and opposition leader recently told reporters in Khartoum that Washington which facilitates the peace process expressed reservations over Malong's inclusion in the peace process pointing that he is on its sanctions' list.

On 6 September 2017, Malong and two other South Sudanese government officials have been blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department and decided to freeze any assets in the United States or tied to the U.S. financial system belonging to the three officials.

Also on 13 July 2018, the Security Council approved a U.S.-drafted resolution imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan and targeted sanctions several government members or former officials including Malong.

On 19 July, Malong denied committing atrocities against the Nuer ethnic group in South Sudan. He said he implemented orders by President Kiir who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the army.

(ST)