Africa

May 27, 2015 (RUMBEK) - Warrap state authorities said calm has returned to greater Gogrial counties following two weeks of inter-clan fighting between two Dinka rival groups which left 18 people dead.

Deputy Governor of Warrap state Akec Tong Aleu (ST photo)

The clashes began on 14 May between clans of Gogrial East county and Gogrial West county, home to president Salva Kiir, allegedly over ownership of grazing rights along River Nyinagoth.

However, Warrap state's deputy governor, Akec Tong Aleu, said people were now going about their normal business after organized forces had deployed to quell the tension. He assured the opposing communities of Apuk and Aguok sections that those responsible for the clashes will face justice.

The state official said the fighting had been successfully halted and that the case had been referred to court to try the perpetrators.

“I want to assure people of Warrap state that these people have calmed and they accepted what we told them. They accepted the peace and they are waiting now for the trial,” Aleu assured.

He said both sides of the conflict wanted justice to be served by sentencing those who instigated the violence in the once stable state.

Agany Agany, an eyewitness, however described the conflict between Apuk and Aguok clans as a setback for stability of the two communities, adding that for the conflict to stop there was urgent need to impose justice in a fair manner without favouritism.

“Justice is most [likely] solution to this conflict of Apuk and Aguok communities. We need correct justice and justice should be done in a transparent manner,” he said.

He also blamed the situation on proliferation of weapons in Warrap state, noting that clashes were always encouraged by prevalence of weapons in the hands of civil populations. He called on the government to disarm the civil population in the area.

Residents of the two counties, Gogrial West and Gogrial East are also complaining of lack of food in the area with officials calling for relief assistance.

The deputy governor said severe hunger had hit greater Gogrial counties and called on humanitarian organizations and people of good will to offer food assistance to the two counties, saying the hunger situation was “serious.”

“You know that there is this coconut. Now they are eating coconut all over. There is no food,” he said.

He further added that the population was mainly depending on wild fruits for food, also blaming the rival communities for looting their items.

(ST)

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The next president of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – world football’s governing body – should ensure that future host countries of the World Cup are required to comply with fundamental human rights norms, Human Rights Watch said today. The FIFA presidential election will be held in Zurich on May 29, 2015.

(New York) – The next president of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – world football’s governing body – should ensure that future host countries of the World Cup are required to comply with fundamental human rights norms. The FIFA presidential election will be held in Zurich on May 29, 2015.

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May 27, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government, office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed on a joint strategy paper in Khartoum today to combat the growing wave of human trafficking.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also signed on to this strategy paper.

The state minister at the Ministry of the Interior Babiker Ahmed Digna said following the signing ceremony that Sudan is only hub for human smugglers and therefore suffers minimally unlike receiving countries which end up becoming the most affected.

He stressed that those considered victims of trafficking should now be viewed as partners in this crime because they are voluntarily working with smugglers.

The Sudanese commissioner for refugees Hamad al-Juzooli said that the new strategy developed is an extension of previous ones signed in 2013-2014 adding that donors made pledges to boost support after its proven success.

The UNHCR representative Mohammed Adar said that the joint cooperation with Khartoum succeeded in stopping the phenomenon of kidnapping in eastern Sudan and also led to a significant reduction in cases of human trafficking reported from 338 cases in 2012 to 113 in 2014 .

“There is still a long way to go to address this regional phenomenon effectively," Adar cautioned.

"The number of refugees who have arrived in Sudan doubled in the past year, and the tragic deaths of more than 1,800 people this year in the waters of the Mediterranean, highlight the need for cross-border cooperation and searching for a solution in the long term," he added.

(ST)

May 27, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the visiting US Coast Guard delegation said that his country is prepared to help Sudan strengthen security measures in Port Sudan.

Head of US Coast Guard delegation Steven Paul (Ashorooq)

Sudanese officials said that the delegation which arrived two days was to hold discussions on several common issues pertaining to the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The head of the US delegation Steven Paul said in remarks following the conclusion of the meetings said that the port satisfies the security and safety ISPS requirements .

Paul was quoted by pro-government Ashorooq TV as saying that they reviewed the workload in Sudanese ports and security standards stressing that the two sides will work together for greater coordination.

"Sudanese ports are working well and we have the opportunity to enhance the security measures in Port Sudan and we are looking forward for future cooperation with Sudan in light of the good relationship that exists now," he said.

The director general of Sudan's Sea Ports Corporation (SPC) Jalal al-Din Mohamed Shulia for his part said that US delegation will provide them with a detailed report on the results of their visit after they return home.

He predicted that the report will praise the performance of Sudanese ports and noted that Mr. Paul mentioned that the security measures are applied properly and reliably.

(ST)

More open and constructive dialogues should be held among Sudanese stakeholders as a top priority to address ‘the silence and the denials’ of crimes against women, a United Nations human rights expert concluded after her recent mission to the country.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has condemned Boko Haram militias in Nigeria for “waging war on women’s physical, sexual and reproductive autonomy and rights” by repeatedly raping their female captors and treating them as vessels for producing children for fighters.

May 27, 2015 (JUBA) - The government of South Sudan's Western Equatoria state has warned of a likely outbreak of a new rebellion in the area should authorities fail to address insecurity concerns in the region.

Western Equatoria's information minister Charles Kisanga (ST/File photo)

“The situation can be become rebellion only if authorities fail to answer the cry of the people for security and not rough SPLA soldiers and we are asking Army headquarters to change these units for better understanding and cooperative units who can live in harmony with the citizens of the area.”, Western Equatoria state information minister Charles Barnaba Kisanga said in a statement.

Minister Kisanga, in a statement Sudan Tribune obtained, denied that there was a rebellion in the area despite announcement by army spokesman that a new 'rebel' group was formed.

Colonel Philip Aguer, spokesman of the government forces announced on Monday that a new rebellion has formed in the state, “There is a new rebel movement in Western Equatoria state. Security reported that somebody called Charles Balogore under Wesley Waluba” leads the rebellion”, said Aguer.

But state government spokesperson dismissed the reports of rebellion as “not true” and these reports were “one sided” and not taking into account of things into consideration” from state administration.”

“I stand by our earlier story that it was local youth who reacted to the looting and destruction by SPLA unit in Mundri on Friday 22nd May 2015 and took control. The Youth were angry at the assassination of their Executive Director plus random gunfire perpetuated by the army then,” Kisanga explained.

The minister however admitted that there was attack on the government troops by unknown, citing the presence of some cattle keepers who had reportedly carried attacks before the incident in the area.

“Yes there was unknown gunmen who attacked some group of SPLA soldiers at night on Rumbek/Maridi roads junction but also some remnants of cattle raiders/rustlers had been attacking cars and civilians along the road in the area for sometimes and just a few days before the junction incident, two civilians were killed in circumstances related to the tension between cattle raiders/pastoralists, local civilians and the army and so the whole episode then was related to the previous tension with cattle raiders in the area”, he explained.

Minister Kisanga further out that the death of the county executive director John Cleopa cannot be blamed on rebels because he was surrounded by security forces “all around” while he was inspecting the scene of the shooting where SPLA soldiers had been killed when he was killed.

“It seemed one member from the security forces moved a bit aside and opened fire killing the Executive Director and fire was also directed at the commissioner Hon Hassan Bhakeit who had to duck to escape the bullets and even his car was later hit.” he said.

(ST).

Mai 27, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - UN's resident coordinator in Sudan, Geert Cappelaere, said "very concerned" by reports about significant displacement of civilians in Blue Nile state where the government forces carry out a military campaign on the positions of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N).

Refugees from Blue Nile state arrive at the Yusuf Batil refugee camp in South Sudan's Upper Nile state on 22 June 2012. The site is currently home to almost 40,000 refugees (Photo: Giulio Petrocco/AFP/Getty Images)

In a statement issued on Wednesday Cappelaere said the large-scale displacement, including forced relocations, is taking place in Bau locality in the western part of Blue Nile state and possibly other areas.

“As conflict has increased in Blue Nile, it continues to be civilians who bear the brunt of this fighting. Humanitarian needs are rapidly rising in Blue Nile, but aid agencies are often not permitted to independently assess humanitarian needs and respond accordingly in the state,” he further said.

SPLM-N rebels said they repulsed a government attack on Thursday 19 May in Kalgo area in Bau town, 45 km west of the Blue Nile state capital, Ed Damazin.

Earlier this month, the rebel group repelled an attack carried out by the Sudanese army against Kalgo. Also, they claimed to have repulsed a third attack against the same area on 23 April.

In a separate statement extended to Sudan Tribune; the Blue Nile Center for Human Rights and Peace (BNCHRP) said that six thousands families, 30.000 civilians, fled their villages as the result of the attacks by the government forces in Bau.

Civilians interviewed by the rights group said the army resorted to scorched earth tactics and destroyed water pumps, sanitation, schools, markets, elimination of livestock and burnt crops.

Cappelaere called to stop violence and to allow humanitarian access to the needy.

“I call on all parties to stop fighting immediately and allow aid agencies to get assistance to people in need, wherever they may be located. These people should not have to suffer,” he said.

The SPLM-N has been fighting the Sudanese army and their aligned militias in South Kordofan since June 2011and Blue Nile states since September of the same year.

(ST)

May 27, 2015 (JUBA) – The opposition forces led by former vice president, Riek Machar, have occupied a number of strategic areas in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, government officials have confirmed.

South Sudanese rebel fighters hold up their rifles as they walk in front of a bushfire in rebel-controlled territory in Upper Nile state on 13 February 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

State officials and local residents told Sudan Tribune that the opposition fighters occupied areas previously held by government troops in Nyinbuoli and many other key locations in Aweil West and Aweil North counties.

The move by the opposition forces under the overall command of General Dau Aturjong has sparked fears that fighting may spread to the once relatively peaceful Bahr el Ghazal region.

Aweil North county commissioner, Kon Angok Kon, acknowledged in an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that the opposition forces had moved into the areas and were occupying strategic locations in northern part of the county near the border with eastern Darfur region in neighbouring Sudan.

Kon is one of the first state officials to admit the presence of the rebels in the area but did not say whether the government troops had attempted to engage them in an active combat operation.

It was not clear how and why the government abandoned such locations only to be occupied by the rebels without a fight, but some cited mass redeployment of troops from Bahr el Ghazal region to the active frontlines in Upper Nile region as the main reason.

A high ranking military source also told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview that the general command at the military headquarters in Juba was aware of the presence and activities of the opposition fighters in the area but had not yet decided how to react to their activities.

“Discussions are underway at the high level of command but as far as I know, there is no decision taken yet on how to handle the activities of the forces of Dau Aturjong. There are discussions at the level of political leadership about it. Some have proposed reaching out to them in form of dialogue,” he said.

The officer, who comes from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, said his people suffered enough and it would be unwise to continue to fight to perpetuate the suffering and displacement of innocent people.

Another politician said politicians and military officers with the legislators from the area were trying their best to avoid hostilities between the two forces, pointing out innocent civilians would be the victims of armed confrontation in the end.

“You have seen the damage and the level of destruction this war has caused in other states. The people who have paid the price of this war are not the politicians but the ordinary people who have nothing to do with the cause of the war but they have been made to suffer for nothing”, another state official currently visiting Juba from Aweil town, capital of the state, told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

He confirmed that political leadership had been trying to persuade the religious leaders to initiate dialogue on behalf of the government with General Dau Aturjong and his group, adding that it however appeared the latter had refused.

“We do not want our people to die. The loss of lives we have had, the sacrifices our people have made in this war alone is immeasurable,” he said.

He further lamented that the worst part in the war was that it will continue to be fought at home.

“It will be a war within the people, inside the communities, between family members, so it will be a war between brothers fighting another brother,” he said.

General Aturjong was appointed by the rebel leader as deputy chief general staff and commander of the opposition forces in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.

He has not however been actively fighting against president Salva Kiir's government in his home state, owing to alleged advice to him by his home intellectuals not to wage war in the area.

(ST)

May 26, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudan Council of Church (SSCC) leaders have asked government to urgently tackle the deteriorating economy and end killings in the country.

A group of bishops in Rumbek East call for peace in Lakes state on 13 January 2014 (ST)

The clerics, in a statement, said they would not sit idle as civilians suffer in a country “without effective governance”.

“If our statements are not headed, we will take more proactive steps to achieve and reconciliation for the people of South Sudan,” partly reads SSCC's 26 May statement.

“Any long term solution to the conflict must take account of the needs of the ordinary people, not the agenda of the political and military elite,” it stressed.

South Sudan recently witnessed renewed clashes between its military and the armed opposition in Unity and Upper Nile states, displacing tens of thousands of civilians.

Addressing the Security Council last week, the head of United Nations mission in South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Loj described as “extremely worrying”, the humanitarian situation in the country, appealing to the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities.

The clerics appealed to the country's political and military leaders to listen to voices of church leaders, who speak on behalf of the citizens.

“We seriously doubt whether this new statement will be headed by our leaders, but nevertheless we want them, along with the citizens of South Sudan, our friends in the region and the international community to know that we are watching and we are aware of what is happening,” stressed the statement signed by eight church leaders.

“It is important for us to speak truth to power, even if those in power ignore truth,” it adds.

The religious leaders also warned of new armed rebellions emerging in the country and the increase in hostilities among its communities, a day after the spokesperson for the South Sudanese army admitted that a new rebel group exists in Western Equatoria
state.

Also of concern, they said, were the killings, torture, destruction of properties in the country, further cautioning security operative against taking the law into their hands.

(ST)

Rome, Italy (PANA) - The number of hungry people in the world has dropped to 795 million, 216 million fewer than in 1990-92, or around one person out of every nine, according to the latest edition of the annual UN hunger report (The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2015 - SOFI). Agriculture

HelpAge International

For immediate Release

Nairobi/Juba, Tuesday May 26, 2015: HelpAge International and its partner, the Islamic Relief will on Wednesday, May 27th, 2015launch a three year programme in Juba, South Sudan to support badly malnourished older persons in Warrap State.
Funded by the German Government, the project will target to provide food vouchers and/or food baskets to older persons in one of the most affected States by the ongoing internal conflict that has left more than 1.4 million people displaced.

According to Tendai Gunda, HelpAge International Nutritional Coordinator in South Sudan, the project will reach 210 households. “Those able to walk to points where food centers will be stationed will get food vouchers while those found not able will get food basket delivered to them through”, she said.

Tendai said 600 households will further receive training on nutrition. They will learn how to establish food gardens to improve their nutritional needs.

On the other hand, Islamic Relief will support the affected people with provision of water and sanitation services as well as food security and livelihood activities.
Selection criteria for the target group are their limited income opportunities and critical nutritional status. Due to ongoing conflicts and several other multiple stress factors, local support mechanisms stopped functioning hence need for this timely intervention.
Expected at the event include top Government officials as well as officials from the German Embassy in South Sudan.

Background
The conflict in South Sudan has internally displaced over 1.4 million South Sudanese. People from the Greater Upper Nile (GUN) region (Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile States) have been most severely affected. This has negatively impacted livestock and crop production, and markets, especially in the conflict-affected states. These disruptions have in turn increased cereal prices by up to 300 per cent and reduced cereal stocks. In the worst affected counties in the GUN, as much as 80 per cent of the population was unable to cultivate staple crops in the last agricultural season and staple foods remain limited in many local markets. Overall, staple food stocks were depleted within the first quarter (January to March) of 2015. Approximately 112000 older persons were affected by the conflict.

The conflict in Unity has led to an influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) into Warrap, where the IDPs and the local population compete for the already scarce resources. According to OCHA-classification, Warrap is a “stressed state”. Further, the region has experienced heavy flooding in two consecutive years which caused widespread destruction of livelihood sources as well as communal support structures. Warrap state is built of six counties; the project will be implemented in Tonj North County.

About HelpAge International
The HelpAge network is a unique worldwide alliance of over 100 organisations in 65 countries. HelpAge International helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives.
For more information please visit www.helpage.org
Media Contacts:
Henry Neondo, Regional Communications Coordinator, EWCA+254703618872 henry.neondo@helpage.org Skype: henry.neondo15
Jamillah Mwanjisi: Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communication, EWCA +254720043823 jamillah.mwanjisi@helpage.org Skype: jamillah.mwanjisi
Tendai Gunda, Nutritional Coordinator for South Sudan, tendai.gunda@helpage.org Skype: tendai.gunda +263773362352

Henry Neondo
Regional Communications Coordintor
HelpAge International
Eastern, Western, and Central Africa Regional Office, Nairobi
Tel: +254 703618872/ +254-(20)-2637853/4
Skype: henry.neondo15
Website: www.helpage.org

May 26, 2015 (BOR) - The state governor of Jonglei state, John Kong Nyuon has sacked his finance minister for his alleged involvement in corruption-related matters.

Jonglei state governor John Kong addresses residents of Panwel village on 12 October 2014 (ST)

The decree in which Dhano Obongo was removed came on Tuesday evening, although no reason was given for the governor's surprise decision.

A source at the finance ministry claimed Obongo allegedly diverted 300,000 South Sudanese pounds, which had been allocated for repairing state government vehicles.

“We got clear information from someone who had witnessed the minister misusing state government funds. The minister wrote on an invoice indicating that the money would be used for repairing government vehicles, but after withdrew it. Indeed no vehicle was repaired and the money was no longer there in cash”, the finance ministry official, who preferred anonymity, told Sudan Tribune.

The former finance minister had earlier been accused of allegedly utilising development funds initially allocated for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).

A committee headed by the minister of livestock and fisheries, Nyang Lul was formed and tasked to investigate Obongo's alleged involvement in corruption-related practices.

The committee presented its report to the governor, which eventually resulted into the termination of the former finance minister, the source said.

Both Lul and Obongo hail from Akobo county in Jonglei state.

However, the state information minister claimed the committee's findings did not in any way influence the former minister's sacking.

Meanwhile, Sudan Tribune was unable to reach Obongo, who was appointed by the state governor to oversee the finance ministry in May last year.

(ST)

May 26, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Several journalists from the Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) have protested in front of the National Council for Press and Publication (NCPP) premises Tuesday against the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) crackdown on press.

Members of Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) hold banners outside the National Council for Press and Publication (NCPP) premises in Khartoum in protest against repeated seizure of newspapers, on May 26, 2015 (ST photo)

On Monday, NISS seized copies of 10 newspapers and suspended 4 of them indefinitely without giving reasons.

The pro-government Sudan Journalists Union (SJU) condemned the move, describing it as an unfortunate development that brought back memory of seizing 14 newspapers on 16 February.

The Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) submitted a memo to the newly appointed chairman of NCPP, Fadl Allah Mohamed, and the secretary-general, Hisham Mohamed Abbas, describing frequent seizure of newspapers without reason as clear violation for the 2005 interim constitution.

The memo said the executive power is imposing absolute control over media and freedoms of press and expression, adding that the Sudanese press is currently witnessing the worst phase in its history due to tightened security grip besides persecution of journalists and deteriorating economic conditions of newspapers.

The letter further pointed to growing incidents of newspapers' confiscation copies and the various types of censorship as well as summoning and interrogation of journalists by the NISS.

The SJN referred to physical violence against journalists, mentioning the incidents against the Chief-Editor of Al-Tayyar newspaper, Osman Mergheni, and chairman of the board of directors of Al-Mustaqilla newspaper, Ali Hamdan.

It accused the regime of seeking to draft a new press law inconsistent with the freedom of expression and the 2005 interim constitution. This bill does not reflect opinions of the majority of journalists, besides applying harsh economic measures through imposing high duties, taxes and customs on printing press materials, the SJN said.

The memo asked the NCPP to offer advice to the various government organs regarding press laws as is the case in any plural society, demanding it to work with all the concerned legislative and executive bodies including the presidency which oversees NISS's activities.

“The presidential palace is not [innocent] of the abuses and violations against the Sudanese press”, the memo says accusing the head of the state of giving the security organs unlimited powers against the law and the constitution.
.

The SJN said it looks forward to seeing swift measures by the NCPP with the participation of all concerned bodies to cancel the pre-publication censorship and lift the ban on the suspended newspapers and journalists.

It called for applying economic remedies by exempting the press industry from duties, taxes and customs, saying legal measures must also be taken to oblige the NISS to resort to the press court in dealing with the issues of publishing.

Sudan's constitution guarantees freedom of expression but laws subordinate to the constitution such as the National Security Forces Act of 2010 contains articles that can be potentially used to curtail press freedom and instigate legal proceedings against newspapers and individual journalists.

Journalists say that NISS uses seizures of print copies of newspapers, not only to censor the media but also to weaken them economically.

(ST)

May 26, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Salva Kiir on Monday issued an order sacking the head of national oil company from his position. According to the order broadcast on the state owned South Sudan Television (SSTV), the president removed Paul Adong, and replaced him with Joseph Cleto Deng Kuol.

South Sudan President an SPLM chairman Salva Kiir speaks during the inauguration of the new SPLM premises in Juba on 15 November 2013 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

Adong was moved to the headquarters of the ministry of petroleum and mining. No explanation was given for the sudden sacking of the long serving top civil servant.

Sources with direct knowledge of the circumstances leading to the presidential action claimed the president was persuaded by the parliamentary debates in which majority of the members directly called for the removal of the head of the central bank, Cornelio Koriom Mayik, head of national oil company, Paul Adong, and the under-secretary of the ministry of trade, Simon Nyang Anei.

Although the president responded to directives by parliament and removed two officials, Adong and Anei, he did not act on their directive to replace the head of Central Bank of South Sudan, Cornelio Koriom Mayik.

The legislators in a heated debate last week criticized the way the officials managed the letter of credit, resulting in the periodic shortage of essential commodities, including fuel and skyrocketing of consumer prices. This is despite government allocating 40 million South Sudanese pounds (SSP) on monthly basis to each institution.

In other appointments, the president named Joseph Lual Acuil, former minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management as head of national communications authority and Biel Jok Thich, as under-secretary in the ministry of trade.

Thich replaced his predecessor, Simon Nyang Anei, who was fired without new assignment.

(ST)

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Gambian authorities have detained incommunicado, depriving them of all contact with the outside world, dozens of friends and relatives of people accused of involvement in a coup attempt since January 2015. Those detained include women, elderly people, and a child, and many are believed to be in ill-health.

(Dakar) – Gambian authorities have detained incommunicado, depriving them of all contact with the outside world, dozens of friends and relatives of people accused of involvement in a coup attempt since January 2015, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today. Those detained include women, elderly people, and a child, and many are believed to be in ill-health.

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May 26, 2015 (PORT SUDAN) – A food shipment from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) arrived in Port Sudan on Tuesday for distribution among the needy population in various parts of the country.

US charge d'affaires in Sudan Jerry Lanier (L) shaking hands with World Food Programme (WFP) official Margot VanderVelden in Port Sudan May 26, 2015 (ST)

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) received the US contribution of 47,500 tons of sorghum that will be delivered to people mainly in Darfur and eastern Sudan.

The US charge d'affaires in Sudan Jerry Lanier, accompanied by officials from the embassy and WFP, witnessed the unloading of the cargo after conveying his thanks to the governor of Red Sea state Mohammed Tahir Aila for facilitating the reception and distribution of this shipment to fight hunger.

"The shipment amounting to 47,500 tons of sorghum is sent by the American people to the Sudanese people,” Lanier said of the cargo valued at $53 million that represents the first batch of USAID pledge to WFP 2015 operations in Sudan.

The US diplomat underscored that his country is committed to helping those in need in Sudan as it always has since the 60's, adding that the shipment will help WFP provide food for about 1.8 million displaced people in Darfur for 3 months and will also help 500,000 Darfuri students for 6 months along with 226,000 children in central and eastern Sudan.

"I am happy that in this day we received ship Liberty Grace which is based in New York but the shipment came from Galveston, Texas" he said.

Today's contribution from USAID follows another one in 2014 comprised of 68,440 tons of sorghum, 8,730 tons of lentils and 1,320 tons of vegetable oil.

"American people are committed to fighting hunger and malnutrition and will continue to be the biggest supporters of the Sudanese people," the US diplomat said.

"We hope that the fighting stops soon so there is no need for food aid in Sudan," he added.

The United States has contributed more than $195 million in 2014 to WFP.

For her part, the deputy WFP country Director in Sudan Margot VanderVelden noted that the US provided approximately $626 million to Sudan since the secession of the south in 2011.

She said that the aid shipment will be distributed to those affected by the conflict in Darfur and South Sudan.

VanderVelden stressed that if it wasn't for USAID generous assistance, they would not have been able to help thousands of needy people.

In another context, VanderVelden denied in a statement to Sudan Tribune that they have reduced food rations for IDP's in South Darfur state but pointed out that their assessment during the last ten years attempts to identify the most deserving as opposed to other less needy groups.

She pointed out that the process of evaluating those in need is a long process conducted through meetings with mayors and camp chieftains and going to IDP homes as well.

The WFP official said that they are able to access all areas in Darfur with the exception of Jebel Marra.

(ST)

May 26, 2015 (NYAL) – At least 28,000 people who fled their homes last week due to clashes between South Sudan's warring factions in the oil-rich Unity state have returned.

Internally displaced people at a UN camp in Unity state capital Bentiu on 29 October 2014 (ST)

The rebel-appointed commissioner for Payinjiar county, John Pout, said Nyal payam [district] and its surrounded areas were calm.

He claimed pro-government forces burnt several homes when they seized the town from from armed opposition, allegations Sudan Tribune could not verify.

“Most of their homes were burned down [and] the little food taken. Their life has returned to square one after losing everything, including livestock,” Puot said over satellite phone Tuesday.

The rebel official cited lack of proper medication and food shortages as the main challenges facing civilians in the county.

“Children and lactating mothers are at high risk of food shortage, they have nothing to feed on [and] depend on water-lily they got from the river and other wild roots,” he said.

Most non-governmental organisations that operated in the area evacuated their staff due to the deterioration security in Payinjiar.

Poor health services have reportedly made life unbearable for citizens.

Puot urged non-governmental organisations that operated in the county to return and continue providing life-saving services to civilians, while assured them of their safety.

LEER TOWN VACATED

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) all its stores in Leer, a town north of Payinjiar, were looted after militias allegedly allied to government forces left the area on Saturday.

“Livelihoods have been destroyed and several houses burnt to the ground in Leer. Four vehicles and all the furniture in the ICRC compound were looted. The ICRC is now working to re-start its operations in the town,” the organisation said in a statement.

Daniel Littlejohn Carrillo, the ICRC officer in charge, said the situation on Leer was “awful”, stressing that there were wounded people left without medical care, food and water, which was life-threatening.

According to both ICRC and the United Nations, more than 100, 000 people have been displaced since the fighting reached the heart of Leer town last week. Reports, however, emerged that some of those forced to leave their homes were returning.

(ST).

May 25, 2015 (BOR) – Residents of South Sudan's Jonglei state celebrated Monday's takeover by the army of the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal from the armed opposition.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) patrol the streets in the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal, on 21 January 2014 (Photo: AFP/Charles Lomodong)

Several youth and the elderly gathered near television sets in the different hotels as news about the SPLA's victory graced the state-owned SSTV.

Malakal, a key town north of Juba, fell to rebels under the command of Gen. Johnson Olony, a militia leader initially loyal to the South Sudanese government, last week.

The South Sudanese army (SPLA) had, prior to entering Malakal, given the armed opposition rebels a 72-hour ultimatum to completely pull out of the oil-rich capital.

RESIDENTS REACT

“This is the message to the world that SPLA stood its ground to defend the people of South Sudan and their properties including the oil fields in Upper Nile state. The SPLA has to pursue the rebels to the point of no return”, said Panchol Malok Deng.

Ayuen Deng Majak, a youthful teacher in Bor, said the population would be relieved from stress following the capture of Malakal town.

“The issue of Malakal had been dominating discussion in offices and even at social arenas in Bor where we play different games, chess, dominoes and others. We brainstormed on how to capture Malakal and what it needs to retake it. Many blamed the SPLA as to why they gave Olony these powerful guns,” Majak told Sudan Tribune.

“Nobody knew that the fight to retake it would be as simple as [Philip] Aguer said. Allow me say congratulations to the SPLA”, he added.

The army, its spokesperson said, never encountered resistance while moving to take control of the Upper Nile state capital on Monday.

(ST).

May 26, 2015 (PORT SUDAN) – A team from the United States Coast Guard has arrived Monday in Sudan's coastal city of Port Sudan within the framework of cooperation between the two sides.

Last week, the director general of Sudan's Sea Ports Corporation (SPC), Jalal al-Din Mohamed Shulia, said that a high-level delegation from the US Coast Guard will arrive in Port Sudan to continue discussions on several common issues pertaining to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The delegation discussed Monday with the competent ISPS's security committee the course of action and security applications as well as ways for making the necessary coordination for the implementation of the navigational procedures.

During its two-day visit, the US team will tour the al-Khair and Bashair ports on the Red Sea besides meeting with the SPC's top management.

Sudan's foreign minister, Ali Karti, said in press statements on Sunday that they are making efforts to improve ties with the US.

He revealed that several business delegations would visit the US, saying they support all moves aims at serving Sudan's interests and explain their stance towards the US.

Sudan is on the US list of countries supporting terrorism since 1993 and also subjected to economic sanctions since 1997.

However, Washington admitted Khartoum cooperation to combat terrorism but maintains the sanctions to bring the government of president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to end armed conflicts in Sudan and achieve democratic reforms.

(ST)