Africa

January 8, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's eastern state of Kassala on Monday has formed a higher committee for popular mobilization hours after its governor announced the closure of borders with Eritrea.

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir last week issued a decree imposing a six-month state of emergency in North Kordofan and Kassala states.

The government said the decision was prompted by security reasons pertaining to the collection of illicit arms as well as combating drugs and human trafficking.

On Saturday, Sudan shut down its border with Eritrea following deployment of thousands of the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters to Kassala.

The official news agency SUNA on Monday said the paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) has made a proposal to set up a mobilization committee in Kassala.

According to the agency, the governor of Kassala State has approved the proposal and instructed to form a higher mobilization committee under his auspices.

The committee will be chaired by the Minister of Education and a representative from the PDF would serve as a rapporteur.

The PDF fought along the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) during the two-decade civil war with South Sudan and many analysts believe that it is the military arm of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite television recently reported that Egypt has sent reinforcements to a military base in the Berbera port of Eritrea.

Ethiopia had previously accused some Egyptians and the government in Eritrea of providing support to Ethiopian opposition groups to disrupt construction of the multi-billion dollar power project and to destabilise the nation.

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January 8, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The U.S. dollar exchange rate on Monday has hit a new all-time high in the black market as the Sudanese pound (SDG) declined to 29.5 per dollar.

Following an unprecedented increase in dollar price last November, the Sudanese authorities introduced new measures allowing for10-year prison term for anyone caught trading on foreign currency outside the banking system or approved institutions.

Also, the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) revoked business licenses of a number of gold trade companies saying the decision was prompted by their involvement in currency speculations.

Also, Sudan's 2018 budget saw an increase in the U.S. dollar official exchange rate to 18.00 pounds (SDG) from 6.9 pounds.

Money traders told Sudan Tribune on Monday the purchase price of the dollar reached 29 pounds while the selling price settled at 29,5 pounds compared to 27,5 and 28 pounds on Sunday.

They attributed the increase in the dollar price to the low supply and high demand from large companies particularly those operating in medicines importation.

A black market trader told Sudan Tribune that most of the Forex traders transferred their activity abroad and in particular to the Gulf States following the recent government security measures.

“The government measures were counterproductive because the dollar price before it was 22 pounds and now it approaches 30 pounds and it would continue to rise until it reaches 50 pounds because the CBoS doesn't have enough reserves and whenever the official rate increases, the black market would raise its price,” he said

“The black market is the largest source of Forex in the country because it controls the remittances of the Sudanese expats which exceed 6 billion pounds annually,” he added.

The Sudanese pound has lost more than 100% of its value since South Sudan's secession in 2011, pushing inflation rates to record levels given that the East African nation imports most of its food.

The most recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicated that Sudan's gross international reserves remained very low in 2017 ($1.1 billion, 1¾ months of imports).

(ST)

January 8, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Monday demanded the return to the country of former army chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan, saying the response he will receive from the latter would form the basis of his decision to either consider him a rebel or not.

President Salva Kiir, (L), accompanied by army chief of staff Paul Malong Awan, (R), waves during an independence day ceremony in the capital Juba, on July 9, 2015 (Photo AP)

Awan on Sunday vigourously denied inciting his supporters in the army to rebel as it was leaked in an audio tape with his voice. The general who was a close friend to the president openly accused the security service saying this false recoding was the latest in a series of provocations aiming to push him to rebel.

“You listened to the tape yesterday and heard the voice. You can tell me whether it was imitation or the real voice of Paul Malong. Tell me the difference between the tape, what he said in the release and all that you hear and read in the media," Kiir said.

" I know Malong and his voice. Tell him to return to the country if what is being said about him is not true. I give you time to talk to him but not more than two weeks. If he fails, then let me know,” he further stressed in a meeting with the Dinka Council of Elders who mediated his release in November.

Speaking after the meeting, presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny cited the audio tapes leaked on social media as the evidence of subversive activities in which the former chief of staff is involved. Ateny pointed to an alleged audio tape in which the ex-military leader was heard giving orders for fighting that included clashes outside the capital, Juba, last week that violated a cease-fire.

Awan said he is the one who purchased the tape recording equipment used by the South Sudan security apparatus to forge the fake recording.

He further warned that he would be forced to make a decision in the light of these constant provocations, "I would be forced to make a decision because there is a threat to my life and that of my family," he said.

Awant was granted a permission to leave the country on medical grounds and after pressures by the Dinka elders on 20 November.

The former chief of staff was suspected by the security service of plotting to overthrow the President Kiir. He was against the signing of the peace agreement in August 2015 also, he is accused of launching an attack on the forces of the former First Vice President Riek Machar in July 2016 without referring to President Kiir.

(ST)

Tobi Ibitoye went from the odd black kid to a pop star, epitomising Romania's changing attitude.

January 7, 2018 (ZALINGEI) - The Sudanese security service arrested six internally displaced people in Nertiti camp 100 km east of the Central Darfur state capital Zalingei, an IDPs representative said on Sunday.

Hussein Abu Sharati, a spokesperson of Darfur IDPs told Sudan Tribune that members of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in Nertiti locality took six of the camp's IDPs to the local security buildings without explanation.

Abu Shrati added that the security services have begun to harass the IDPs again, pointing that it becomes dangerous to move between their houses in the camp and the farms.

Hussein called on the hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) to protect the displaced women by providing police patrols to accompany them as they collect firewood.

In the with a plan to reduce the UNAMID troops deployed in Darfur region, the peacekeeping mission has to concentrate its patrols for the protection of civilians in Central Darfur state and particularly in Jebel Marra.

Despite the relative calm in the rest of the western Sudan region, the security situation in the area remains very shaky.

The Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) fighters who are not committed to the unilateral cessation of hostilities clash from time to time with the government forces. Also, the UN Secretary-General in his latest report to the Security Council in December 2017 mentioned clashes between different rebel factions there.

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January 7, 2018 (JUBA) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by the former First Vice President Riek Machar has accused the government forces of killing eight civilians in two area in the Yei River State in south-western South Sudan.

According to the SPLM-IO Spokesperson in Yei, Wayi Godwill Edward the civilians were killed at Iraga and Gomoja areas in Morobo County on Thursday, 4 January 2018.

SPLA soldiers from Morobo "ambushed dozens of civilians and notoriously tortured and killed the eight. The rest were scattered into the bushes and pursued at gunpoint," Edward claimed.

The warring parties in South Sudan signed a cessation of hostilities agreement brokered by the IGAD mediators with the support of the international community before to launch a process for the implementation of the peace agreement reached in August 2015.

Yei state which is close to the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda was one of the hot areas before the signing of the humanitarian truce which aimed at building confidence between the warring parties before to discuss the security arrangements implementation.

All these violations are happening at the watch of the ceasefire monitors and the guarantors which casts doubt on the effectiveness of the implementation of the CoH in an attempt to thwart the widespread insecurity in preparation for the upcoming peace talk.

The rebel spokesperson condemned the killing of civilians pointing that such violence comes in total violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

"We urge CTSAMM not to condone the barbaric acts of ethnic extermination in violation of the truce by merely condemning and blaming, but to systematically investigate and hold Kiir's defiant regime to immediately account for these deliberate violations," he stressed.

With the resumption of the peace revitalization process, the parties have to discuss the enforcement of the permanent ceasefire agreement. The armed opposition has already called to review the ceasefire monitoring body.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (EL-GENEINA) - A student was killed and others wounded Sunday in a wave of mass protests that swept through West Darfur State capital, El-Geneina over commodity price hikes.

An official at West Darfur government told Sudan Tribune under the condition of anonymity that hundreds of students took to the streets of El-Geneina, accusing unnamed parties of mobilizing the students against the price hikes.

“The police and the Rapid Support Forces intervened to disperse the demonstration. There were casualties among the protesters. A high school student named Al-Zubayr Ibrahim Sekeran was killed and the authorities would investigate the incident” he said

In the same context, the minister of education in West Darfur State Bashir Adam Idris issued a decision to suspend primary and high schools study for one week.

However, West Darfur governor Fadl al-Mawla al-Haga had cancelled the decision of the education minister to suspend primary and high schools study.

He said they would investigate the killing of the student, saying the situation is now stable and the study will continue as normal.

Sudan Tribune has received names of some of the injured including the student Safa al-Tigani Khalil, police officer Abdel-Halim Salih, student, Azza Hamdan, worker Ibrahim Aboud and resident Isam Bashir Yahia.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOUTH DARFUR

Meanwhile, police dispersed limited student protests over the increase of bread price in South Darfur capital, Nyala.

Reliable sources said most of the bakeries have stopped production due to lack of flour, pointing the loaf of bread is being sold at two Sudanese pounds instead of one pound.

The police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protestors who set car tires on fire and closed three major streets leading to downtown Nyala for several hours.

An official source told Sudan Tribune that the protests were limited and didn't require the use of excessive force against demonstrators.

However, he pointed out that the security organs are ready to deal with any contingency, stressing the state of readiness was raised to the maximum degree.

The Sudanese government on Friday increased the price of flour sack from 167 pounds to 450 pounds. Following what, bakeries raised the price of a loaf of bread from 50 cents to one pound.

The government decision triggered sporadic protests across the country particularly as it coincides with other measures that contribute to exacerbating the already harsh economic conditions.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese authorities Sunday have launched an arrest campaign and mass newspapers confiscations amid continued protests against harsh economic conditions.

Sporadic protests erupted on Friday in Khartoum and the Gazira State in central Sudan against the recent government decision to increase the bread price.

On Friday, bakeries raised the price of a loaf of bread from 50 cents to 1 Sudanese pound following a government decision to increase the price of flour sack from 167 pounds to 450 pounds.

Also, the protests continued for the third day on Sunday in a number of states amid calls by the opposition on the Sudanese people to take to streets to protests against the unprecedented rise in the cost of living and commodity price.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) said its chairman Omer al-Digair was arrested in North Kordofan State on Sunday morning.

The SCoP added the former chairman of the party Ibrahim al-Shaikh and the human rights secretary Jalal Mustafa were also detained.

According to the statement, al-Daigiar travelled to North Kordofan State capital El-Obied to visit the head of the SCoP regional council Mohamed Nour Tirab who was detained in the town of Sodari.

The statement pointed out that the detention of its “leaders wouldn't neither resolve the regime's crises nor would it alleviate the mass pressure against the government failure to provide the basic needs”.

NEWSPAPERS CONFISCATIONS

Meanwhile, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Sunday morning seized copies of six newspapers from the printing press without stating reasons.

The seized newspapers include Al-Tayyar, Al-Mustaqilla, Al-Saiha, Al-Qarar besides the SCoP's mouthpiece Akhbar Al-Watan and mouthpiece of the Sudanese Communist Party Al-Midan.

The chief editor of Akhbar Al-Watan, Hanadi al-Siddig, said: “she isn't aware and wasn't notified of the reasons for the seizure”.

However, al-Siddig pointed out that the confiscation was likely a reaction to the “transparent, honest and professional reporting on price increase and the high cost of living”.

For its part, the Reform Now Movement (RNM) led by Ghazi Salah al-Din has criticized the NISS campaign against the political and press freedoms.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the RNM described the NISS campaign as an attempt to cover up “economic disaster that has plagued the country as a result of irresponsible government policies”.

The RNM rejected the infringement on the freedom of publishing and expression and the arbitrary detention, saying the NISS actions are against “all heavenly laws, international and human rights laws and the outcome of the national dialogue”.

It further demanded the immediate release of all political detainees and on top of them the SCoP leader Omer al-Digair and former leader Ibrahim al-Shaikh.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government Sunday has expressed “deep regret” over Washington's decision to include Sudan on the list of countries of particular concern regarding religious freedoms.

The U.S. Secretary of State annually designates governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom as “Countries of Particular Concern”.

“Today, the Department of State announces that the Secretary of State re-designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as Countries of Particular Concern on December 22, 2017” said the U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert in a press statement on Friday

In a press release on Sunday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said the U.S. announcement is inconsistent with the praise received by Sudan from many symbols and leaders of the world religious institutions.

“Most notably the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as the Commissioner of Religious Freedom in the European Union and the U.S. Congress delegation [which visited Sudan]” read the press release

The spokesman also pointed to the visit of the U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Ian Turner, and the head of the Ethiopian Church, who visited the church of the Ethiopian community in Sudan and praised the level of security, freedom and respect for the rights of Christians in Sudan.

He added the reception of these religious delegations underscores Sudan's confidence which emanates from an extended history of coexistence and tolerance among various religions and races.

Khidir pointed out that Sudan allows large freedoms to its citizens, foreign residents and refugees to practice their religious rights and rituals through 844 churches which manage 319 educational institutions and 173 cultural and health centres.

He called on the U.S. Department of State to review “it's negative statement and deal fairly with this country which hosts millions of refugees without asking anyone of them about his religion and who practice their religious rituals freely.

The Foreign Ministry further underlined readiness to continue discussions with the U.S. on this issue in order to clarify the reality of Sudan's distinctive regional and international experience in this regard.

Last October, Washington permanently cancelled the 20-year economic sanctions on Sudan opening the door for the normalization of bilateral relation and removal of remaining sanctions on the east African country particularly its removal from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

Sudanese officials insist on the need to remove Sudan from the list of terror states, pointing 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 ongoing constitutional process after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed groups.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir said Sunday his ex-army chief of staff whom he released into exile through mediation brokered by elders was now mobilizing for war, citing videotapes in which he was talking to soldiers and officers in the army to cause rebellion and attack towns in Bahr el Ghazal.

“This was what I said no one knows Malong more than me. The way he talked to me in Yirol on phone and the way he talked when he returned from Yirol was a clear proof of the reason he fled. Now listen to this tape, hear it and tell me what you should do if you were in my position,” said President Kiir.

The president was talking to some of the Dinka elders who mediated the release of the ex-army chief of staff Paul Malong Awan following a standoff over presidential orders asking disarmament his guards and return to their units.

South Sudanese leader played a tape recorded with the voice of ex-army chief asking officers in the army to start fighting in Wau and Aweil. One video recorded his voice talking to Major Baak in Wau and asked him to start a fighting immediately to capture Wau airport while another tape featured his voice talking Manut Yel, Kuol Athuai Hal,Chan Garang Lual and several officers who have rebelled from the government in protest of the way Awan was treated after removal.

The recording took place during different dates and time. The communication he had with Lt. Col. Chan Garang Lual took place on 28-12-2017 11:31:04 in Kuda, Equatoria and the other conversation with Manut Yel Lual in Malual-Bai, Aweil East State ccurred on 28-12-2017 18:57:44 .

Kiir relieved Awan on 9 May 2017 after security reports about a coup d'état he was preparing with his supporters across the country. He also stopped the former chief of general staff who was heading to his home area in Bahr el-Ghazal in Yirol after his sack and forced to return to Juba.

AWAN DENIES

In a statement released from Kenya, Awan strongly denied the purported leaked tape recording conversations he had with junior commanders on the ground to rebel and fight government.

He further accused "the enemies of peace" of being behind this alleged tape.

"I would want to make it clear to the people of South Sudan that the tape is fake and doesn't bear the slightest authenticity in it. The tape record is a clear imitation of my voice minted by my well-known enemies," he said.

He further went to point an accusing finger to "individuals" around President Kiir seeking to undermine their relationship "in order to survive in this collapsing economy".

Awan said he personally purchased a recording machine for the South Sudan security apparatus when he was working there before the independence.

This machine among others "has the ability to record the voice of a victim and this recorded voice can be turned around to cook future voices for the sake of implication," he added.

Awan described this alleged tape as a new provocation to push him to rebel, adding there were other similar fabricated rumours including that he was in Khartoum to meet opposition figures.

" In light of this constant provocations, I would be forced to make a decision because there is a threat to my life and that of my family," he warned without elaborating.

(ST)

One million children aged six months to 10 years in Puntland and 4.2 million across Somalia were reached during a five-day measles campaign that wrapped up on Sunday, the United Nations has reported.

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By Trayo A. Ali

In less than a year of so-called and supposed “engagement” with his former enemies, Sudan's President General Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Basheer—an ICC indictee and international fugitive) is fooling and insulting internationals. The chameleonic character is turning the table on the face of his opponents, showing his true skin and telling them what they did not expect to hear.

But this time around, his victims are the international heavyweights—the Americans, the Saudis, the Europeans, and the Egyptians.

In Sudan's traditional political culture, such circumstances are described as “Halima goes back to her old habits.”

As to how much he could pay for this rocky navigation, he is charting is anybody's guess. Nonetheless, one is inclined to agree with this Sudanese blogger who insists that:
"No matter how he thought was smart, General Al-Basheer can hardly run away, this time around, with this foxy tricks. The bush is so thick and full of mines, ambushes and potentially explosive. His habitual tricks could end up here. He would definitely pay for what he is risking in.”

FOR HIM IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ICC PARANOIA

While one cannot assume (in any way or by any means), that these internationals are naïve, it is very reasonable to assume that their approach is based on the principle of the benefit of doubt. However, General Al-Basheer (a man pathologically known for his habitual unpredictability, evasion, and dishonour), is proving by these developments that he does not respect whomever he deals with, whether they are international or local subjects.

What is important to note down here is that the dramatic upward increase in the instability and unpredictability in al-Bashir's behaviour is propelled by the paranoia caused by the ICC. He never considers any international engagement if he does not think it might address his personal principal concern: the ICC. Ever since his indictment, Sudan's diplomacy has only been anchored around it.

Gen. Al-Basheer always expected from these engagements (with Americans and Saudis in particular) to lead to a deal on the issue of the ICC. In fact, does not have any real concerns about the lifting of sanctions or any other issue related to political reform in Sudan. In his consideration, any engagement should be designed to address his overriding troubled case with the ICC.

Experts on this issue have a definitive opinion which irritates the president and that he intransigently refuses to accept. One such expert stated:
"The General should know that this is a tightened screw. No force on this earth can loosen it. Obviously, because of his political heritage, patriarchic culture and upbringing, the General mixes up between what is legal and what is political. These are two different and separate issues. He is unable to comprehend. He needs to separate." Mr B.B.S, a senior researcher in the European Institute for Peace (EIP) has lamented in no uncertain terms.

However, irrespective of experts' views and opinions, Gen. Al-Basheer never changes his scheme of thinking. As he believes in blackmailing his opponents, he made this latest surprise in a way that he thought was more effective and humiliating.

ON THE AMERICANS
President Al-Basheer did initially allow the engagement process with Americans to proceed, one step of which led to the lifting of the US sanctions on Sudan. But soon after he realized it would not address his own predicament with the ICC, he took two steps backward. He even surprised his own government officials when he took his case to the Russians, calling on them to come to his rescue and save him from the Americans. He even offered for the Russians a military base in the Red see to counter the American presence. He made this provocative, insulting, and calculated move to deliberately embarrass those within his government who happily believed the engagement could take its natural course. Though his message was directed to American and those within his cabinet, much of his move was directed to the American who elevated the engagement to the level of the Deputy Secretary of State. Remember, Mr John Sullivan personally flow to Khartoum to grace the talks. It was reported that General Al-Basheer privately revealed to some of his close cronies that what he needed was for the Americans to kill and bury this troublesome issue of the ICC once and for all, and not dilly dally around meaningless talks about lifting the sanctions.

ON THE SAUDIS AND THE GULF
Sudan's Islamist regime's relations with the Gulf in general, and that with the Saudis, in particular, is characterized by a kind of jealousy, envy, and sometimes even hate.
After years of pouring insults upon insults, provocations and sheer disrespect against the Saudis kings and their establishment (including hosting Saudis famous dissidents Osama Bin Laden), General Omar Al-Basheer ultimately determined to be friend with the Saudis, thereafter joining the Arab alliance in Yemen. Gen. Al-Basheer even hailed the eruption of Yemeni crisis as a God-given opportunity, and to the surprise of everybody, he stated that his government gives more importance and priority to the security of The Holy Mecca more than that of Sudan itself.

He accordingly broke relations with Iran and joined the Arab alliance to the effect that he contributed with military contingency to participate in the Yemeni war. In a show of commitment, he paid several homage visits within a very short time to Saudi Arabia. The move was obviously appreciated by the Saudis who felt obliged to mediate and did convince their Americans allies to lift decades-old sanctions against Sudan. While nobody can confirm anything on what exactly transpired, it was reported that Gen. Al-Basheer brought the issue of the ICC before Saudis during those frequent visits.

But something, somehow, somewhere cropped in to make Gen. Al-Basheer abruptly change his mind and unceremonially declare his new direction. He put all that short-lived cordiality into jeopardy which started scrambling.

To add more insult to the injury Gen. Al-Basheer has started flirting Iranian Mullahs (Saudi's arch enemies). He also decided to bring the Turks and offering them military base in the Red Sea Port of Sawakin to irritate and provoke both the Saudis and Egyptians as they have no illusion of the fact that the Turkish government is a mere symbolic representation of International Muslim Brotherhood and it's both strategic threat to Saudi Arabia and Egypt as well.

ON EGYPTIANS
For some time now, the Sudan government has been using two effective cards in blackmailing and twisting Egypt's arm: The Nile Water and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood dissidents.

Although the Egyptians had the upper hand in ascending General Al-Basheer into power by way of giving him initial political support, they remained at the receiving end of the biggest blow from Sudan's NCP government. The Sudanese have never stopped giving unwavering support to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood members. They also attempted to kill Egyptian president and assisted bringing Mr Mursi to power.

But the biggest game the NCP regime is playing against Egypt is over the strategic issue of the Nile Water politics. Observers have noted that the level of extremism of Sudan's political irrationality exhibited towards Egypt is clear from the unreasonable concessions made by Sudan to Ethiopians. Such concessions (as observers note) have even undermined Sudan's own interests in the water-sharing arrangements.

It is clear that Gen. al-Bashir's regime is aware of the fact that Egypt is the gift of the Nile and as such its politicking around this sensitive fact.

ON THE EUROPEANS
The obvious fact is that Sudan government has never believed (at any point in time) that the EU has a unified and harmonized political approach over any issue regarding Sudan. When the EU decided to commission Sudan to fight the migration through Khartoum Declaration agreement, the GoS interpreted that move was an act of desperation from the EU side. The regime then thought it was an opportune windfall to blackmail the EU.

Today, the EU finds itself (perhaps inadvertently) sponsoring (especially in logistical terms) the notorious militia, (Janjaweed turned Rapid Support Force - RSF).

After it felt that the EU was implicated, both the Sudanese media and the government officials are now openly challenging the moral authority of the EU on the issue of the ICC. Today, and in contrast to the original objectives perceived by the EU, the whole exercise turned out to be a hoax and sham, to the point that Sudanese media is now boasting and hailing on the government's smart move and its ability in dragging the EU into political mud. On the other hand, Sudan is using the opportunity to pump more migrants, as the government officials involved in human trafficking. Ironically, this situation has encouraged President Al-Basheer to go on record in telling his cronies that: If the Europeans only like my services but do not like me and they think I am a fool, I will then show them who is a real fool.

HAJIA HALIMA NEVER CHANGE HER OLD HABIT
The idiom has it that " Once a teacher always teacher," and so Hajia Halima never changes her old habits.

To determine whether Gen. Al-Basheer would change his unpredictable and irremissible attitudes towards the internationals, it might interest you to read the story of this Sudanese Woman.

The story is that there was this lady (named Halima) was engaged in the Oldest Profession, and she decided to go to the pilgrimage to Mecca to perform the Haj. She went and performed her Haj.

Upon her return, one of her old clients visited her to congratulate her.

When he reached lady's house and knocked on the gate, the lady came out majestically and shook the client's hand. She was dressed in a tight and tiny skirt that was short enough to arouse the interest.

The old client, who got confused asked her: "Hi Halima, haven't you gone to Mecca for the pilgrimage? The lady answered: “Yes, of course, I did by the grace of God.” She then asked the client: “What is wrong that you see?” The client said, “But how can this your custom reconcile with your status as Hajia?”
He further asked: “Have you gone back to the same profession?” The lady replied: “Yes of course, what is wrong with that?” And she asked the client: “Do you think that a carpenter or plumber or medical doctor or a pilot would change his or her profession where she/he gets the daily bread because of Haj?”

Then the old client sad: Subahanallahi !!!

In the context of the above story, the politics of containing the spoiler (as pursued by the international community) would be a mere fruitless and impotent game and a mission impossible.

So, under the dictate of this politico-religious cultural background, he too is staying the same.

Indeed Halima will never change her old habits.

The author of this article is the chief negotiator of the Sudan Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM). He can be reached at saharaclub2015@gmail.com

The AfroPunk festival, celebrating alternative black culture, comes to Africa for the first time.

The AfroPunk festival, celebrating alternative black culture, comes to Africa for the first time.

The United Nations is launching a special investigation into attacks on peacekeepers in restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), one month after 15 &#39blue helmets&#39 were killed and dozens wounded in the deadliest single assault on a UN mission in nearly a quarter century.

Deeply concerned over rising tensions near Guerguerat in the buffer strip in southern Western Sahara between the Moroccan berm and the Mauritanian border, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday called for maximum restraint in the area.

Amid ongoing political tension in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), violent actions by the security forces during recent protests in Kinshasa and other cities suggest “deliberate intention to suppress civil and political rights,” the United Nations human rights office reported on Friday.

The United Nations human rights wing on Friday expressed deep shock that 20 people were reported to have been executed in Egypt since last week, amid concerns that due process and fair trial guarantees did not appear to have been followed.

In the wake of a recent flare-up of violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations refugee agency said Friday that it is registering and assisting thousands of mostly women and children refugees arriving in Chad.