Africa

Survivors of the worst single atrocity of Liberia's civil war in 1990 bring a perpetrator to court.

UK tour operators are offering Tunisia holidays for the first time since the 2015 terror attack in Sousse.

Arguments over a hate-filled shooting in Macerata may decide next month's election.

We find out, by joining barber Nikky Okyere on home visits to his Premier League clients.

The cast of the newest Marvel Studios film explain why it's a superhero movie with a difference.

Frank Okoro, a school teacher and father of four, has opened his home to 28 traumatised refugees.

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this week.

The street dancers in Sierra Leone who are using their talent to try to make a living.

The street dancers in Sierra Leone who are using their talent to try to make a living.

James Okina was a tearaway teen - now he is helping hundreds of children in Cross River State.

Stressing the importance of quality education for the future of young people and children, senior United Nations officials, including the head of its education agency and the UN youth envoy, called for cooperation to strengthen education and learning programmes in all corners of the world.

February 2, 2018 (WASHINGTON) - The United States is reportedly set to announce an arms embargo against South Sudan on Friday, a week after its ambassador to the United Nations made a similar call.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

Sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the US State Department is due to make the announcement on Friday morning.

Last month, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley called for an arms embargo on South Sudan after its warring parties failed to honour a ceasefire agreement signed late last year in Addis Ababa.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council on 24 January, Haley criticized the President Salva Kiir-led Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) of failing to lead efforts to end the civil war.

“The time has come to acknowledge the hard reality – that the leaders of South Sudan are not just failing their people, they are betraying them,” Haley told the 15-member Security Council.

"I urge my fellow Council members to support an arms embargo. This isn't punishment. Nor is it a meaningless gesture. It is something we can do to actually help the people of South Sudan – to slow the violence, slow the flow of arms and ammunition, and protect innocent lives," she added.

In December 2016, the Barrack Obama administration attempted to convince the UN to back an arms embargo against South Sudan.

However, while there is no US weapons trade to South Sudan, arms continue to flow into the young nation through neighboring states from countries in Eastern Europe, a source told Reuters on Friday.

In March last year, a UN panel of experts called for an arms embargo on South Sudan after it emerged that its government was spending oil revenue on weapons as its citizens faced starvation.

The call was, however, opposed by China and Russia, insisting regional nations must play a key role in resolving South Sudan's war.

South Sudan descended into war in mid-December 2013 when Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. The conflict has forced more than two million people to flee their homes.

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February 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - With the establishment of a new base for Darfur peacekeepers in Golo, Amnesty International has called Thursday to give them unfettered access to protect civilians in Jebel Marra.

The international rights group praised the signing of an agreement to open a Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Golo, Jebel Marra, in the context of UNAMID's reconfiguration with a special focus on the mountainous area to protect civilians due to the presence of non-signatory armed group and government militiamen in the area.

"This long-overdue agreement between UNAMID and the Sudanese authorities is a positive first step towards protecting the people of Darfur against further violations by the armed forces and their allied militias," said Amnesty.

"However, the Sudanese government must ensure that UNAMID peacekeepers are guaranteed unfettered access across all of Jebel Marra to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid once the base is operational," it added.

The human rights group pointed to the government campaign in Jebel Marra against the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdel-Wahid in 2016 saying civilians suffered "the unimaginable horror" by the government troops and militias.

“UNAMID must use this opportunity to publicly report on all allegations of crimes under international law and human rights violations committed by any party to the conflict in Darfur, especially in the Jebel Marra area,” said the statement.

In September 2016, Amnesty International accused the government of carrying out 30 chemical weapons attacks in the Jebel Marra. "These brutal attacks left an estimated 200 to 250 people dead and scores more with horrific injuries," the group said.

Despite the government denial and the right groups maintains it has "credible evidence of the shocking use of what are believed to be chemical weapons, against civilians", but the matter remains without investigation.

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February 1, 2018 (JUBA) – National staffs of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) South Sudan have vowed to continue with their strike as they demand increase in salaries as well as better working conditions.

An external view of KCB Buluk branch in Juba, South Sudan. Dec. 7, 2011 (ST)

The chairman of the national staff association, Paul Ajok Garang said the demand has been driven by rise of commodity prices in markets.

The Kenyan-based bank employs more than 200 national staffs.

“After this unfruitful dialogue, we the association body later resolved to continue with the strike since their dialogue with the bank's management has been unsuccessful,” Garang told Sudan Tribune.

“We are still on strike, we had a big assembly yesterday and the strike is still ongoing. We have not agreed on anything,” he added.

The staff demand follows the devaluation of the country's currency.

“We are demanding for our rights because the standard of living in Juba is becoming costly, and our children are not studying and we cannot continue with life this way” Garang said.

“We want the management of KCB bank to look in to our issue so that they give us commensurate payment so that we continue to support our families,” he added.
A few local staffs and mainly foreign workers could be seen working at the bank's headquarters in Buluk when Sudan Tribune visited it.

The management of the bank could not immediately comment on the matter.

In February, 2016, KCB employees laid down their tools demanding a pay increment of 600% in line with the local currency devaluation.

The bank has operated South Sudan since 2006, with its branches initially spread all over the young nation. Last year, KCB closed down many of its branches, citing economic hardships due to the ongoing conflict.

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February 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Security Council said it remains concerned by the by the presence of 2.7 Sudanese displaced in displacement camps in Darfur region and called on the conflict parties to create a conducive environment for their return to areas of origin.

In a presidential statement issued on Wednesday, the 15-member body welcomed the improvements in the security situation, "the ongoing absence of armed clashes" between government forces and the armed groups, and the extension of unilateral cessations of hostilities by both sides.

It also praised the humanitarian throughout Darfur and the return from Chad and the Central African Republic of more than 5,000 refugees in recent months.

However, “The Security Council reiterates its demand that all parties to the conflict in Darfur create the conditions conducive to allowing the voluntary, informed, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons,” further said a Presidential Statement on Wednesday.

The Council also underlined that improvements in the security situation have not translated into a "commensurate reduction" in the level of human rights violations and abuses, such as sexual and gender-based violence, and serious violations against children, perpetrated with impunity.

The UN body reiterated its support for the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) as a viable framework for the peace process, urged the implementation of the Land Act and provisions related to compensation and the creation of a conducive environment enabling the return of IDPs and refugees.

Regarding the armed group, the presidential statement "demands that the non-signatory armed movements refrain from impeding the implementation of the DDPD and encourages UNAMID and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to continue to engage fully in support of the implementation of the DDPD".

Furthermore, the Council pointed to the African Union roadmap and urged all parties to "make immediate progress on the implementation of the Roadmap, including the signing of a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian assistance agreements (...), and further urges the non-signatory armed groups to sign it without delay".

Referring to the recent reduction of the peacekeeping troops deployed in Darfur, the statement said it was “still too early to reach conclusions on the full impact of the hybrid mission's reconfiguration.

With phase two of UNAMID's reconfiguration due to begin on 31 January, the Council said it supported a recommendation by the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the Secretary-General for a review – prior to the renewal of UNAMID's mandate in June – that would consider a new mission concept with adjusted priorities reflective of trends and the situation on the ground.

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February 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested more leading opposition members following a series of protest during last January against the rising prices, said a statement issued by the Opposition Forces released on Thursday evening.

During the day, NISS arrested Fadlallah Burma Nasser, deputy head of the National Umma Party (NUP), and Saleh Mahmoud, a member of the Central Committee of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP), said the statement.

At about 9:30 pm on Thursday, February 1, 2018, a force of the security forces raided a meeting of leaders of the opposition forces in Almanshia neighbourhood, Khartoum and arrested the head of the National Alliance Party Kamal Ismail, the secretary-general of the Republican Party, Asma Mahmoud Mohammed Taha, and the lawyer Mohammed Al-Hafiz, further said the statement.

"Another NISS force at the same time arrested the spokesperson for the Sudan Call Forces, Mohammed Farouk, at his home," added the opposition coalition against austerity measures, describing their arrest "as a punishment for peaceful protests against hunger".

Opposition sources say the different political parties intend to elaborate a comprehensive plan to increase the popular mobilization and to extend it to other areas.

Observers in Khartoum say the opposition is encouraged by the relative good mobilization in the demonstration of 31 January protest in Khartoum North in comparison with the two previous protest of 16 and 17 January.

Earlier last January, the NISS arrested the leader of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), SCP Political Secretary Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khatib, NUP Secretary General Sara Nugdalla and two NUP leading members Ibrahim al-Amin and Mohamed Aldoma.

Different sources in Khartoum said the SCoP former leader Ibrahim al-Sheikh actually was not arrested but the security service ignores his whereabouts. They add the NISS arrested his daughters to interrogate them about their father.

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February 1, 2018 (JUBA) - The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Deputy Chairperson, Lt. General Augostino Njoroge has called on the business community in South Sudan to take on their critical role of being key drivers in the growth of the economy and in the quest for peace in the country.

Government officials, church leaders, students, businessmen in Yambio town in South Sudan's Western Equatoria state protest against the occupation of Abyei by Sudan's northern army on Monday. May 23, 2011 (ST)

He made the remarks at the closing of a two-day workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) organized by JMEC and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Juba on Wednesday.

“I cannot over-emphasize the critical role that the business community have played and continues to play in driving sustained growth within South Sudan”, said Njoroge.

“As the country emerges from conflict, you will find yourselves being called upon to improve and widen that role as you create job opportunities, broaden trade, and contribute to the overall economic well being of the population”, he added.

The two-day workshop that had 80 participants drawn from different businesses and companies in Juba, was a presentation of the various chapters of the ARCSS.

Njoroge said the discussions held over the two days would enable the participants to find out ways and opportunities in which they can engage in a more inclusive and participatory way in the implementation of the peace agreement going forward.

“I am confident that you appreciate the modest progress that has been made, the huge challenges that we continue to face together, and what you as representatives of the business community can do better to support the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), JMEC, and all other institutions and mechanisms to deliver on their mandate”, he stressed.

The JMEC official further encouraged the participants to view their roles as not simply to generate economic activities within the country but also to help in sensitizing the people on the dire need for peace and good governance.

“It is my hope that you will use the knowledge you have acquired during this workshop to build a strong, independent, business sector that will be a strong voice in persuading the parties to the Agreement to honor their commitments and fully implement the Peace Agreement”, he emphasised.

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February 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government and the SPLM-N led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu Thursday handed over their proposals on an agreement to end the fighting in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

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

The two delegations resumed talks for a cessation of hostilities agreement in the Two Areas for the first time since 16 months when they failed to sign a humanitarian cessation of hostilities agreement in August 2016. The SPLM-N delegation, at the time, demanded that 20 % of the emergency relief be delivered directly to the rebel-controlled areas from Ethiopia.

This time, the mediation delinked between the truce and the humanitarian assistance. This round of talks is only about the end of hostilities.

According to the official news agency SUNA, the chief mediator and head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki received the proposal of the two parties.

On Friday, the mediation will present a draft agreement to the parties based on their proposal and they will start discussions on the basis of their initial positions.

The government delegation spokesperson Hassan Hamid said Mbeki told the two parties the mediation would study the two proposals and would present a harmonized one at a meeting to start at 10 am on Friday.

The Sudanese government officials have emphasised that this 14 round of talks would begin from where the talks had stopped during the past round. They added the discussions this time should focus on the remaining 15% of the agenda as they had agreed on 85%.

Sources close to the talks in Addis Ababa said the government in its paper spoke about a cessation of hostilities paving the way for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.

Several observers at the venue of the talks said they remain optimistic on the signing of an agreement.

The mediation excluded the SPLM-N Agar from the talks on the cessation of hostilities saying only al-Hilu faction controls the rebel areas in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

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February 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) led by Minni Minnawi has dispatched a delegation to Addis Ababa to meet the SPLM-N al-Hilu over political coordination between the opposition groups.

Delegations from the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N al-Hilu have started Thursday a two-day meeting on a cessation of hostilities agreement.

The SRF sent a delegation including, Ahmed Tugud, JEM chief negotiator, Noreldaem Taha, a leading figure in the SLM-MM and Eltom Hajo of the Democratic Unionist Party- Revolutionary faction.

Reached by Sudan Tribune, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader Gibril Ibrahim confirmed the arrival of the SRF delegation saying their delegation has been tasked with meeting al-Hilu to discuss with him three issues.

"We want to know the position of the SPLM-N from the Two-Track process. Secondly, we seek a clarification on its position from the Sudanese Revolutionary Front. Are they will to reunite the SRF or prefer to coordinate with us? The third point is the position of the SPLM-N al-Nilu from the Sudan Call alliance," he said.

The opposition groups called on the SPLM-N al-Hilu to join them in the Sudan Call alliance at least to, hoping that their unity would consolidate their position in the talks with the Sudanese government for a comprehensive peace and constitutional reforms.

In a meeting held with Sudan Call forces in Khartoum on 2 September 2017, the SPLM-N al-Hilu said committed to the Sudan Call alliance which gathers all the armed groups and the political opposition forces committed to the African Union process.

But in fact the group it remains without contact or consultations with them.

Gibril said the delegation would meet also with the international special envoys present at the venue of the peace talks to explain why they declined to take part in the consultations meeting with the mediation.

The Sudanese opposition groups asked the mediation to postpone to a later date a consultations meeting on the fate of a roadmap for peace in Sudan signed in August 2016.

They further called on the mediation to pressure the government to release Omer al-Digair on the Sudan Call leaders and chairman of the Sudanese Congress Party.

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February 1, 2018 (NAIROBI) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock have launched a funding appeal for $1.5 billion to support refugees fleeing the worsening humanitarian situation in South Sudan and for $1.7 billion for its people in need during 2018.

South Sudanese refugees in Gambela, Ethiopia (Photo: South Sudan Consul, Gambela)

The appeal was jointly launched on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nearly 2.5 million South Sudanese, the UN said, have fled the country into Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic since conflict broke out in December 2013.

Conflict and insecurity, it says, has also forcibly displaced 1 in 3 of the country's population, either within South Sudan or across its borders.

Inside the country, 7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The number of refugees is projected to cross the 3 million mark by the end of this year, making South Sudan Africa's largest refugee crises since the Rwanda genocide.

“The human cost of the South Sudan conflict has reached epic proportions,” said Grandi.

“If the war doesn't stop, refugee numbers will rise from 2.5 to three million in 2018. The conflict is purging South Sudan of the people who should be the greatest resource of a young nation. They should be building the country, not fleeing it. For as long as the people of South Sudan await peace, the world must come to their aid,” he added.

Uganda, the largest host with over a million refugees, could end up hosting a further quarter million refugees more, UN estimates show.

According to the world body, nearly 90% of the forcibly people displaced are women and children and nearly 65% are under 18. Women have reported rape and other forms of violence, the killing of their husbands, and the abduction of children during flight.

“The conflict in South Sudan has taken a brutal and deadly toll. Many millions have fled in fear for their lives. They now require our support,” said Lowcock.

“It is in the interest of everyone to continue to provide generous and continuous support to people affected by the crisis inside and outside the country,” he added.

Despite this, funding for the South Sudan refugee crisis remains dismally low, with only 33% of the required funds reportedly sourced last year. The humanitarian response plan for 2017 was 73% funded, allowing the UN and its partners to about reach 5.4 million people

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