Africa

April 23, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, Monday called to ensure freedoms in Sudan and end the state of emergency in Darfur region.

Nononsi concluded a visit to Sudan from 14 to 24 April to assess the implementation of recommendations made to the Government by human rights mechanisms. Besides the government officials, he met with UN officials, UNAMID and civil society groups.

In a press conference held in Khartoum at the end of his five-day visit to Sudan, the independent expert said he raised the arbitrary detention of political opposition leaders and activists following a series of protests in January and February 2018.

"I also call on the Government to lift restrictions on freedoms of expression and association and allow civil society actors, as well as political activists, to demonstrate peacefully, and engage in public action. The National Security Service should cease using prolonged unlawful detentions to silence human rights defenders, journalists and political activists".

During his visit to the capital of North Darfur El-Fasher, Nononsi visited the Shallah Federal Prison were several opposition figures had been arrested after January-February protests.

During his visit to the notorious prison, the visiting expert said he met with men and women detained for several months without trial on the basis of Emergency Laws

"I call upon the Sudanese authorities to repeal Emergency Laws in Darfur and to review all cases of 117 men and women currently detained in the Shallah Federal Prison in relation to Emergency Laws, with the aim of ensuring compliance with due process and fair trials standards," he said.

"Should it be found that these cases were not compliant, I appeal for the immediate release of these individuals," he further added.

Sudanese president declared the state of emergency in Darfur since 2003 following a rebel attack on the El-Fasher airport.

The government and UN reports say the security situation in the region is now calm expect some rebel pockets in Central Darfur mountainous area of Jebel Marra.

On the technical assistance to the Government in the field of human rights, Nononsi said this support can be provided after the deployment of an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' technical assessment mission to discuss and agree on areas for possible technical assistance.

He added that some funding to key government bodies was made by donor States and that technical assistance provided by various United Nations agencies will continue.

"I would like to reiterate my call on the donor community to increase its financial and technical support to the Government and civil society in order to improve the human rights situation in the country," he added.

The Independent Expert will present his findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018.

(ST)

April 23, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The German Ambassador to Khartoum Ulrich Klöckner said his country would continue its efforts to facilitate peace talks between the Sudanese government and the rebel movements.

In an interview with the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) on Monday, the German envoy said his government is working with the African Union since two years to facilitate Sudan's peace talks and bring the holdout political parties to the negotiating table.

He pointed out that they have invited the various opposition parties and the rebel movements and the Sudanese government to Berlin at different occasions for consultations during the last four years.

The German diplomat said his government doesn't want to force the parties to the Sudanese conflict to reach an agreement saying such a move could lead to the collapse of talks.

He added they are optimistic that the warring parties would reach a peace agreement, hoping this to take place “very soon”.

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

Last week, the 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 Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, 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.

(ST)

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April 22, 2018 (JUBA) - A sexual minority activist has fled South Sudan after facing threats from the country's national security operatives.

Asan Juma, the executive director for Access for All [AfA], said she ran into trouble for championing the rights of gays and lesbians.

She claimed his community-based organization is being targeted by the South Sudanese security operatives, who have accused her of promoting the rights of sexual minorities in the war-torn nation.

Asan said it is hard to talk about same-sex marriages in South Sudan.

Juma claimed about six members of their community-based entity were arrested last year, but released after three months in detention.

“Four members were arrested at Intra-Health office in Kokomo, these four members are peer educators of AfA who usually do access some of the health services from Intra Health offices,” she narrated.

According to Asan, AfA office was closed by national security operatives on 6 December 2017 after authorities accused their organization of promoting gays and lesbians in South Sudan.

“The national security froze our bank account which had the organization funding and took office's furniture, which included, tables, chairs, solar panels and batteries donated by the USA [United States of America] embassy, documents that include the stamps, registration Certificate and other valuable documents,” she said.

Most of the organization's staff members, Asan further disclosed, have since fled to Uganda, Sudan and Egypt for fear of being killed.

AfA is a community-based organization that was founded in 2015.

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The system was "polluted" with bad laws but things are improving, says the country's president.

April 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's gold production has reached 36.5 tons during the first quarter of this year, said a report released Sunday by the Sudanese Minerals Resources Company (SMRC), the monitoring arm of the Sudan Minerals Ministry.

The SMRC performance report revealed that the "production of gold for the first quarter reached (36.5) tons with a performance rate of (162%) while the revenues during the first quarter reached 778.548 million Sudanese pounds ($43 million) with a performance rate of 104%," said a statement released by the minerals ministry.

During a meeting chaired by the Minister of Minerals Hashem Ali Salem, SMRC Director General, Mujahid Bilal, said that the production of traditional mining represents 88% of production during the first quarter of 2018.

Gold production is now Sudan's main source of hard currency after the secession of South Sudan where are the two third of its oil reserves before 2011.

However, restrictions on the hard currency by the Central represents a big challenge impeding the development of the mining industry but also encourage traditional minors to smuggle their production to neighbouring countries.

Sudanese officials said they hope to increase gold production to more than 140 tons during this year and make Sudan the first gold producer in Africa by 2018.

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April 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Military chiefs of staff from Chad, Niger and Sudan held a consultations meeting in Khartoum on border security following the increase of transnational crimes in the sub-Saharan region.

Took part in the meeting Lt. Gen. Kamal Abdel-Marouf Chief of the General Staff of the Sudan Armed Forces, Lt Gen. Ahmed Mohamed Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Niger, and Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Saeed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Chad.

"The meeting tackled ways to enhance solidarity and joint action to confront the challenges of border control and security, combating transnational crime, combating terrorism and rampant groups and achieving security and stability," says a statement released by the official news agency after the meeting.

Earlier this month, military from the three countries and Libya discussed in the Niger's capital Niamey, ways to enhance cooperation to fight jihadist and rebel groups and to stop human trafficking.

The political instability in Libya after the collapse of Muammar Kadaffi's regime impacted negatively the whole region and particularly, Niger, Chad and Sudan. al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and Boko Haram pose a serious threat to Niger and Chad while Sudan seeks to prevent trafficking of arms to Darfur and migration of mercenaries to Libya.

The statement said the three countries agreed to hold an expert-level meeting in Ndjamena next month to draft a framework document for the mechanism of monitoring and securing the common border between the three countries.

Sudan is not part of the multi-national military force in Africa's Sahel region dubbed " G5 Sahel force" which includes Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

The UN-backed force is tasked with policing the Sahel region in collaboration with 4,000 French troops deployed there since intervening in 2013 to fight an insurgency in northern Mali.

(ST)

April 22, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan vice-president, James Wani Igga has, in an unexpected move, accused the clergy of promoting violence in the young nation by allegedly spreading hate messages.

South Sudan's vice-president, James Wani Igga, speaks at the opening of the national reconciliation and peace conference in Wau on 2 September 2014 (ST)

Igga, while addressing the congregation at All Saint Cathedral Church of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan in Juba Sunday, claimed some said some clergymen were orchestrators of violence.

"Some clergymen have resorted to preaching against personalities in this country. They misinforming believers that President Salva Kiir and the government are bad," he was quoted saying on Sunday.

The vice-president did not, however, name any of these clergymen he accused.

South Sudan descended into violence on December 2013 following political disagreements within the country's ruling party. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 3 million.

According to Igga, the violence in the country could have ended by now if some church leaders desisted from misleading the people.

He dismissed claims by some clergy men that the government had failed in its mandate to protect the population during this civil war.

"They [clergy men should not mix politics with religion," Igga stressed.

The church, despite the vice-president's utterances, is also known to have played positive roles in efforts to end the five-year civil war.

In February, for instance, Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church declared 23 February as a day of fasting and prayer for the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The Pope, in a message, appealed to those who are faithful to seek spiritual intervention by fasting as well as praying for peace. The Pontiff also invited non-Catholic faithful to play a part in the search for peace in the two countries and around the world.

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April 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Sunday said arrangements are underway for the upcoming visit of China's President Xi Jinping to Sudan during this year.

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)

The Sudanese Ambassador to Beijing Omer Issa Ahmed said the Chinese President has accepted the invitation extended to him by President Omer al-Bashir to visit Sudan.

He pointed out that the joint team tasked with arranging for the visit is working to set a date that fits into the schedule of the two presidents.

According to the ambassador, al-Bashir has instructed to implement the strategic agreements signed between the two countries, saying China seeks to increase its investments in Sudan particularly in oil, energy and industry sectors.

China has been Sudan's largest foreign investor, particularly in oil and telecommunications after western firms shunned the East African nation due to conflicts and sanctions.

It has invested more than $20 billion in Sudan mostly in the oil sector during the past two decades. Beijing provides low-interest loans and weapons transfers in return for oil.

Sudan hopes to attract new Chinese investments after Beijing had refrained from implementing a number of projects agreed upon with Khartoum following the latter's failure to settle its debts.

Sudan's total debt is estimated at $ 10 billion, accounting for about one-fifth of Sudan's estimated $ 50 billion foreign debt.

(ST)

April 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Sunday has discussed with the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui the regional security and the situation in Libya.

President Omer al-Bashir speaking at the opening of the second parliamentary session 19 Oct 2015 (Photo SUNA)

Al-Bashir on Sunday morning received the AU official at his place of residence in the Ethiopian city of Bahr Dar on the sidelines of the 7th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa.

According to the official news agency SUNA, Chergui expressed appreciation for the positive development in Darfur region, pointing to the downsizing of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

He pointed out that the AU would continue to consult with Sudan in all issues of common concern.

It is noteworthy that al-Bashir returned to Khartoum on Sunday from Ethiopia where he attended the Tana Forum from 21 to 22 April in Bah Dar.

The Tana Forum is an independent initiative that seeks to provide an informal platform for African Heads of State and Government to engage in open and frank discussions with a wide spectrum of non-state stakeholders on the most pressing peace and security issues confronting the continent.

The theme of the 7th meeting was “Ownership of Africa's Peace and Security Provision: Financing and Reform of the African Union.”

(ST)

April 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)'s Chief of the General Staff, Lt General Kamal Abdel-Ma'arouf and his Saudi counterpart, Lt General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli have discussed military cooperation between the two countries.

On Sunday, Abdel-Ma'arouf returned to Khartoum following a 3-day visit to Saudi Arabia during which he attended the closing ceremony of the joint military exercise “Gulf Shield-1”.

The two chiefs of staff discussed a number of issues of common concern besides ways to promote military cooperation between Sudan and Saudi Arabia in all fields.

The meeting also discussed Sudan's participation in the Saudi-led war against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

It is noteworthy that Sudan was among 23 countries that took part in the “Gulf Shield-1” military drills that began on March 18, 2018.

For years, Khartoum's regime maintained close relations with Riyadh's arch-rivals in Tehran.

However, in January 2016, Sudan severed ties with Iran after an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran amid a row over the execution of a Shiite Muslim cleric.

Sudanese troops are deployed in Yemen since October 2014 within a Saudi-led Arab coalition against the Shiite Houthi militants.

In February 2016, the Sudanese army participated in a regional military exercise including Saudi and Gulf armies, Egypt, Jordanian, Pakistani, and Sudanese armies.

Following reports about the killing of dozens of Sudanese soldiers in Yemen's northern province of Hajjah earlier this month, several legislators called to withdraw the troops from Yemen.

However, the Minister of State for Defence Ali Mohamed Salim defended Sudan's participation in the war and described it as "normal".

Last October, President Omer al-Bashir thanked Saudi Arabia and UAE for their strong support to the lift of 20-year U.S. economic embargo. The two countries vowed to continue supporting Sudan removal from the list of countries supporting terrorism.

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April 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Liberation Movement - Abed Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) Sunday released a short statement claiming that its fighters are under fierce attacks of the government forces in northern Jebel Marra.

Last March and during the first two weeks of April, the SLM-AW spoke about fighting in eastern and southern parts of Jebel Marra, stressing that civilians are in dire need of humanitarian aid.

The rebel group since Friday have released three statement speaking about clashes with government forces in different areas of northern Jebel Marra saying a significant number of civilians fled their villages as result of the attacks.

"Our forces are engaged in a fierce battle against government forces in Katti area of Jaldu locality," said the SLM-AW in a short statement on Sunday.

On Saturday the group mentioned the displacement of thousands of civilians in northern Jebel Marra, saying the government forces were waging a scorched earth campaign and burning villages.

On Friday the holdout group claimed that the government militias burnt the villages of Hilla Hajja Madina, Sankara, Loki warrro, and Gharab Waffir. The inhabitants of these villages fled to other areas forests and mountains to protect themselves.

The statement added that the villagers fled their areas of Slo, Dardro, Vtakrja, Kry, Kaya, Hilla Ow Moya, Caginari, Dar Al Aman, Mery, Aw Gharb, Kata, Hilla Oh Abdo Ahmed and Kara.

The SLM-AW estimated the number of displaced persons at 30,000,00, but neither the UNMAID nor humanitarian actors in the Central Darfur State were not reachable for comment on these figures.

Also, none of the two observers issued a statement speaking about a massive displacement of civilians recently.

The rebel group, on the other hand, kept silent on the casualties of the group or among the government force.

The Central Darfur government used to point to the unilateral cessation of hostilities declared by President Omer al-Bashir and speak about limited operations against rebel elements in Jebel Marra to stop "looting on commercial convoys and other criminal activities".

In a briefing to the UN Security Council on 14 April, UNAMID chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said the Jebel Marra Task Force is being operationalized within the framework of the mission's reconfiguration after the reduction of 40% of its troops.

However, Mamabobo pointed to the persistence of some administrative restrictions preventing the access to some areas without indicating if these areas in Jebel Marra or elsewhere.

The SLM-AW rejects negotiations with the government demanding the disbandment of government militias, the return of displaced persons and financial compensations.

Mamabolo called on the Security Council to "use leverage with Abdul Wahid, to prevail upon him to acknowledge the futility of war and to join the peace process".

(ST)

By Miroslav Laják

When the United Nations was created, its founders envisioned a different kind of world.

A world in which disputes were resolved in meeting rooms and not battlefields. A world in which wars were stopped before they broke out. A world that didn't wait for lives to be lost before springing into action.

But violent conflicts are on the rise in many parts of the world today. They're becoming more drawn out, complex and deadly. Civilians are no longer killed in cross-fire; they are now the targets of direct attacks. We are also seeing an unprecedented number of people leaving their homes, out of fear and desperation.

And that is why the UN needs a new approach to peace.

I will convene a High-Level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace in New York on 24 and 25 April. It will bring world leaders together to focus on conflict prevention, mediation, dialogue and diplomacy. This is part of a wider effort by UN Member States to help our Organisation do better at fostering peace.

And when I say peace, I'm talking about the kind of peace that can be taken for granted. The kind of peace that won't disappear at the next election cycle. The kind of peace that is measured not in months or years, but in generations.

This is what we call “Sustaining Peace”. And this is what we should be working for – rather than scrambling for solutions, once conflict has broken out.

Some might say that true lasting peace is impossible in certain parts of the world. But it is not. I have seen this firsthand. When Montenegro split from Serbia, peace was not a given. In fact, some people were predicting serious violence. But through intense diplomatic efforts, and real political will, peace persevered. And it has lasted – with no signs that it will waver in the future.

Last month, I travelled to western Colombia and was inspired to see indigenous communities working with the UN to build peace through strengthening social bonds. I was inspired to see villagers, some of whom had suffered through more than 50 years of war, excited about their futures. One woman told me about her people's determination not to slide back into conflict.

These are the examples of Sustaining Peace, which are taking place now – all around the world. We may have the bulk of our discussions in New York. But they should be led by experience from the ground. We need to highlight what the real peacebuilders are doing – from those running women's peace huts in Liberia, to those organising mediation workshops in Kyrgyzstan. That's why the High-Level Meeting will pool actors from across different countries, sectors and societies, and allow them to share their insights.

Of course, it won't matter that everyone buys into Sustaining Peace if there are no funds to make it happen. We need more investment in prevention. When conflict causes societies to collapse, social fabric tears. Buildings are destroyed, and no one fixes them. Salaries stop getting paid. Water stops flowing out of taps.

So then we spend money on rebuilding – but so much more than what we'd spend on preventing conflict in the first place. Aside from the suffering that we're failing to avert, that just doesn't make financial sense. Increasing investment in even a handful of countries can result in billions of dollars of savings for the international community.

At the end of the day, what we can't forget is that the UN was founded for peace. That's what its flag should stand for. Its success in preventing conflict should be the norm – not the exception.

It must be the world's broker for peace.

Miroslav Laj?ák is the President of the United Nations General Assembly.

April 22, 2018 (JUBA) - The former political detainees in South Sudan have described the country's fallen army chief of staff, General James Ajongo Mawut as “a friend, a liberator and a colleague”.

The late General James Ajongo Mawut (Juba24 News photo)

Mawut died in Cairo, Egypt on Friday after a short illness.

The group, in a 20 April condolence message to the deceased family and the public, expressed shock over Mawut's death.

“It is with shock that we have come to learn of the untimely passing on of General James Ajongo Mawut. We join the people of South Sudan at large in condoling the family and friends of the late Ajongo as they try come to terms with this great loss. General Ajongo was a friend, liberator and colleague, who had stood shoulder to shoulder, fought alongside, agonized, cried and laughed together with many of us, during the liberation years”, partly reads the statement.

The former political detainees, in the statement, also described the deceased as a “humble” and “honourable” person widely respected not only within the army, but in the larger society as well.

“Today General Ajongo joins many other liberation heroes and heroines who had gone before him. As South Sudanese mourn and honor his memory, we pray that his demise, sad as it is, will serve to shine light on the plight of war veterans, fallen heroes and heroines of the war of liberation, especially the plight of the families of those who have passed on, after having made the ultimate sacrifice,” adds the statement, signed by Kosti Manibe.

South Sudan president, Salva Kiir earlier described the fallen army chief of staff as a “remarkable” man and committed founder member of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).

“He [Mawut] served this nation with dedication and honour and shall be remembered as [a] hero,” Kiir said in a statement issued Friday.

Although it still remains unclear what caused the general's death, a family member said he spent months in Kenya before he was relocated to a Cairo-based hospital.

Meanwhile the government has declared three days of official mourning of Mawut and ordered that all flags be flown at half-mast.

Mawut, who joined the southern-based rebel movement in 1983, became army chief of general staff in May 2017 after South Sudan President Salva Kiir sacked General Paul Malong Awan.

(ST)

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