Sudan Tribune

March 10, 2017 (JUBA)- The Sudan people's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai Friday has established a political bureau composed of 28 members.

According to a statement he released, Gai declared himself as the chairman of the politburo and appointed General Alfred Lado Gore as the deputy while Dhieu Mathok Diing takes the position of the secretary-general.

Are member of the SPLM-IO highest political body, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Ayii Ayii Akol, Agel Riing Machar, Richard K. Mulla,Hussein Mar Nyout, Sofia Pal Gai, Ramadan Hassan Laku, Mary James Kong Kong, Lumumba De-Apiny Kau, Gabriel Yoal Dok, Michael Mario Dhuor,Michael Chiangjiek Geay, Gabriel Thowkuc Kuc, Yien Oral Lam, Timothy Tut Chol, Bor Gatwech Kuany, Abdel Daim Deng Machar, John Clement Kuc, Riaw Gatlier Gai, Theji Da Duot Deng, Majed Babiker Tonga, Catherine Peter Laa, Otim David Okot, Ramzi Matueny Muorwel and Victoria Ada Garille.

The statement said the appointment of the members of the political bureau was reached after consultative meetings among members and the top leadership of the group.

Taban's faction split from the SPLM-IO of the former First Vice-President following the violence that erupted in the Juba in July 2016.

Regional leaders backed by the and international community decided to support the breakaway SPLM-IO group, hoping they would establish a smooth cooperation with President Kiir and achieve a successful implementation of the peace agreement.

(ST)

March 10, 2017 (WAU) – The Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement
Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), concluded that one of its members representing the SPLM-IO led by Taban Deng Gai was killed in Wau by alleged members of a rebel group.

Rebel fighters walk in front of a bushfire in a rebel-controlled territory in Upper Nile State, South Sudan February 13, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

The mechanism which is tasked with monitoring and verification of the implementation of a permanent ceasefire between parties and armed groups, Thursday said it had completed investigations into the death of one of its members Lt. Col. al-Fadil Meil Issa

The CSTAMM Chairman, Major General Molla Hailemariam, said that the investigation results indicate that the late Fadil was killed by rebels operating in Wau loyal to the former First Vice President Riek Machar.

Fidal was appointed by the FVP Taban Deng Gai who broke away from Machar following the bloody clashes in Juba last July.

“We call on the relevant authorities to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice as our staff should not have to feel under threat in carrying out their duties and, as such, a precedent must be set to ensure such politically motivated killings do not go unpunished,” read the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The CTSAMM comprises representatives from the warring parties who are considered as board members. Also, the panel includes the Former Detainees, the Women's Block, Civil Society Organisations and the youth.

The Eminent Personalities, the African Union, China, the European Union, Troika, UNMISS, the IGAD and the IGAD Partners Forum have also their delegates who meet on a regular basis to discuss the CTSAMM reports before the reports are submitted to the JMEC.

On January 26, the Mayor of Wau, Mel Aleu Goc reported that four suspects working within the UN camp were apprehended in connection with the incident involving the Lt. Col.

(ST)

March 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Friday has cautiously welcomed the government decision to pardon convicts from Darfur armed movements calling for the release of all detainees including its prisoners.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the SPLM-N in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, also known as the Two Areas since 2011and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

Last week, SPLM-N released 125 Prisoners of War (POWs) and detainees from the Sudanese army.

President Omer al-Bashir Wednesday issued a decree dropping death sentences against 66 convicts from Darfur rebel movements and pardoning 193 others. On Thursday, Kober prison authorities in Khartoum-North released 259 POWs in implementation of the presidential pardon.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Friday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said prisoners from his movement were not included in the presidential pardon and “on top of them Brigadier Omer Fadl Tour Shain and those who have been tried in Ed-Damazin and Singa cases”.

“They [SPLM-N members] have not been detained in the battlefield and this is a clear violation of the international humanitarian law [also] the politically motivated death sentences against SPLM-N leaders were not cancelled,” he pointed out.

In March 2014, SPLM-N Chairman Malik Agar and Secretary-General Yasser Aman were handed the capital punishment along with 17 others in connection with the outbreak of the conflict with Khartoum in the Blue Nile state in September 2011. The same court sentenced 47 others to life in prison which was also upheld by the appeals court.

In October, President al-Bashir issued a decree dropping charges against 24 of them.
Ardol demanded to hold an investigation “in the killing of the POWs” and on top of them “Brigadier Ahmed Bahar Hagana who has been slaughtered inside the United Nations headquarters in Kadougli before the eyes of the UN soldiers”.

He called for the release of all prisoners from other armed movements including “Ibrahim Almaz, Mustafa Tamboor, al-Tom Hamid Tuto and others”.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE DELIVERY

Meanwhile, Ardol called on the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to deliver the humanitarian aid to the needy in the SPLM-N controlled areas through the same crossing points used for the POWs released by the Movement last week.

“The regime has no excuse to accept the use of the external crossing points to resolve one humanitarian issue while rejecting to use them for another,” he said
He urged the African Union (AU), IGAD countries, international community and the UN Security Council to support the PSLM-N position to deliver the humanitarian aid, stop the war, allow freedoms and release of all prisoners and convicts.

The AU has been seeking to end the conflict in the Two Areas for several years. However, last August, the two sides failed to sign a humanitarian cessation of hostilities agreement because Khartoum refuses to allow the delivery of food to civilians in some rebel-controlled areas in the Blue Nile State directly through Asosa, an Ethiopian Town near the border with Sudan.

In order to break the impasse on an agreement and facilitate humanitarian assistance, the United States last November has offered to deliver humanitarian medical assistance to the people in SPLM-N controlled areas.

However, the SPLM-N declined the American proposal and stuck to its demand for a humanitarian corridor through Asosa, to directly deliver 20% of the humanitarian aid to the civilians in the conflict-affected areas.

(ST)

March 10, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has pardoned two of the country's political figures.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation from the State House on September 15, 2015, in Juba (Photo AFP/Charles Atiki Lomodong)

The president made this announcement during Friday's national day of prayer, which was held at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in the capital, Juba.

Former Wau State Governor, General Elias Waya Nyipuoc and his Deputy General Andrea Dominic were publicly pardoned by the South Sudanese leader who made a speech and announced that all political detainees in the country were to be released.

“I did not come to speak politics. I have come to pardon General Elias Waya and General Andrea Dominic. If there are any other political detainees, I will release them all tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” said President Kiir.

Waya and his Dominic were arrested and detained in Juba at the military barracks in Bilpham and were relieved of their positions last year after clashes in Wau.

The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani said that the spirit President Kiir demonstrated during his speech was a clear message that violence is not the solution in resolving an on-going political crisis.

The president's positive response to the call to release political detainees shows the non-violent approach in settling a violent conflict and has left many impressed.

Yakani stressed that pardoning political detainees was a great call for peace and a non-violent approach towards resolving political differences. CEPO is urging all armed forces to join the call for a non-violent motion, stating that such decisions are needed to win the publics' trust and confidence which will create a stable environment.

CEPO, in the statement, also appealed to the South Sudanese leader to pardon the Radio Miraya journalist George Livio, among others. It urged the president to be a champion of peace and hope that other political leaders in the country follow suit.

(ST)

March 10, 2017 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese bishop, who presided over Friday's national day of prayer urged President Salva Kiir to “go pray alone in a room for peace in the country”.

The Archbishop of Juba Diocese Lokudu Loro

Catholic Archbishop, Paulino Lokudu Loro said the government must choose between peace, unity, reconciliation and justice over rape, killings and arbitrary arrests.

“Mr President, go into the room [after this gathering] to pray for peace in your country,'' he said.

The cleric warned further warned the president, stressing that torture, corruption, raping, arbitrary arrests and tribalism would continue if the latter misused his prayer.

“If this prayer is correct, many things should happen in this country; peace, justice, love genuine dialogue and unity should happen after this prayer. Good governance, security, good economy, provision of service, we can expect then to happen after this prayer, if the prayer is correct,” said the Bishop in a mixture of English and Arabic.

The South Sudanese leader called for the national day of prayer last week and delivered his own prayer before the crowd on Friday, asking for divine forgiveness.

“I pray not for condemnation but for forgiveness. I had over my heart and body for your blessing, Guide me Lord for who you want me to be. Give me wisdom not for my merit but for your loving kindness,'' said the president in a prepared prayer that read to thousands of his supporters at John Garang Mausoleum in the capital, Juba.

President Kiir, who had never prayed in public since assuming chairmanship of South Sudan's ruling party (SPLM), called for “the most merciful God” to redirect his deeds.

“Through my shortcomings, I have sinned against You in words and deeds for what I have done,” said the president, without mentioning any specific mistakes he committed as a leader.

The country's First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai and Vice President, James Wani Igga knelt as the South Sudanese leader delivered his five minute prayer on Friday.

Several Christian and Muslim sermons were delivered during the six hour prayer.

“I prayer should not go in vain. Ï hope you [President Kiir] called us in this heat [sun] because you want peace. After this prayer, is the government going to choose evil?” said Bishop Lokudu.

Pentecostal Church Bishop, Isaiah Majok Dau called for “humanity in our hearts” during the prayer.

“If you are repenting today and you use to kill people, don't kill anymore, regardless of who you are. If you are repenting today and you use to talk badly about other tribes, cease and talk about South Sudan,” added Bishop Dau.

Several prominent Christian leaders, namely retired Catholic Bishop Diocese of Torit, Paride Taban, retired Anglican Bishop of Bor Diocese, Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, Archbishop of Anglican Church of South Sudan and Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul were present.

South Sudan's Council of Churches chose repentance and forgiveness as the theme for the event, also held in the capitals.

(ST)

March 9, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan Thursday has called on the American administration to review its decision to include its citizens in a ban on travellers from six Muslim-majority nations.

Last Monday President Donald Trump signed a revised executive order freezing new visas for Iranians, Libyans, Somalis, Sudanese, Syrians, and Yemenis citizens. the ban will begin on 16 March and will last for three months.

The revised ban however exempted Iraq from the list saying its removal was decided after an agreement with the Iraqi government on the screening procedures in place that would prevent suspected terrorists from leaving Iraq and coming to the United States.

The foreign ministry Thursday summoned the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Steven Koutsis to protest the new ban on the Sudanese nationals.

In a statement released after the meeting, the Undersecretary Abdel-Ghani Al-Nai'm said he informed the American diplomat that the decision is "not consistent with the great and recognised Sudan's cooperation in the fight against terrorism."

"Sudan will be waiting to see its name removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and calls for a partnership with the United States for peace, security and development based on the potential of the two countries to serve the common interests of the two peoples," Al-Nai'm stressed.

In a paragraph dedicated to the Sudan, the Executive Order minimised Khartoum's cooperation on the fight against terrorism with the United States, saying it provides "some cooperation" with the United States' counterterrorism efforts.

It went further to stress that "elements of core al-Qa'ida and ISIS-linked terrorist groups remain active in the country."

Last September, U.S. State Department praised Sudanese government efforts in the fight against terrorism and its cooperation with the U.S. intelligence agencies. However, it linked the normalisation of bilateral relations and Sudan removal from the terror list to the improvement in Darfur conditions.

(ST)

March 9, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan will continue to cooperate with the international community to fight terrorism with determination and resolve and contribute to create a new environment of security and stability, said the Sudanese First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Saleh on Thursday.

Sudan's first vice president Bakri Hassan Salih (Photo SUNA)

The first vice-president made his remarks, four days after a new travel ban imposed on Sudanese citizens by the new U.S. administration. Trump's presidential decree justified the decision saying the east African nation is still harbouring terrorist elements.

He was speaking at a workshop organised by the National Authority for Combating Terrorism, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to explain Sudan's counter-terrorism strategy and its plan to prevent violent extremism in the framework of its efforts to remove its name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Saleh reiterated his government's support to combat terrorism in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme.

"The Sudanese hands remained and will continue to be extended in order to silence the voice of terrorism and to break its spell and create a new environment for peace, security and stability."

He further pointed to the need for a consensus on the fundamental principles to combat the violent extremism and terrorism, stressing that Sudan is one of the first entrepreneurs to address the phenomenon.

In June 2016, the Sudanese ministry of religious affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the (UNDP) to coordinate efforts to fight against extremism and terrorism.

The agreement included the UN Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism endorsed by the UN General Assembly in February 2016. It provides more than 70 recommendations to the Member States to prevent the further spread of violent extremism.

(ST)

March 9, 2017 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese opposition leader said President Salva Kiir, who leads Friday's national day of prayer should ask God to punish corrupt ministers.

"The government should question the ministers residing at hotel (...) the prayers would not focus on peace and reconciliation only but it should include praying for corrupt(ed) official to stop corruption,” said Peter Mayen Majongdit, the leader of People's Liberal Party (PLP), an opposition political entity formed in 2014.

People's Liberal Party (PLP) leader Peter Mayen Majongdit (ST)

The South Sudanese leader, last week, declared March 10 a national day of prayers.

The state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) television and radio have been urging the citizens to attend the event that will be led by the head of state.

Last week, Bishop Santo Laku, a respected Catholic Bishop, described the prayer as “political and mockery” in a interview with Voice of America. The Bishop challenged government, whose armed forces, he said, were murdering civilians, to stop the war.

Mayen said his opposition party does not oppose the prayer but it should be focused.

“Emotions and sympathy will not improve the country crisis. Corruption must be fought, effective policy must be in place and then we can call for God to help,” he said.

At least six government ministers, according to a document Sudan Tribune obtained, befitted from money meant to facilitate operations of a Crisis Management Committee set up by the president on 30 April, 2014. The committee was headed by Vice-President James Igga to deal with the war that broker out in December 2013, but was dissolved few months later due to what critics said turned into a crisis itself.

(ST)

March 10, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan has declared 10 March a public holiday.

The minister in the office of the president, Mayiik Ayii Deng, said the holiday will allow members of the public attend the national prayer scheduled this Friday.

The meeting of the presidency chaired by President Salva Kiir March 9, 2017 (ST)

“The Presidency today in State House Juba convened its meeting under President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss important issues of our country, especially the issues of peace, reconciliation, repentance, unity and forgiveness”, said, Deng without giving further information.

Vice-President, James Wani Igga said the meeting was “very important” as it discussed mainly issues related to the current issues affecting the nation.

He said some of the issues discussed included, famine in in the war-torn nation, the economic situation and the national dialogue declared by the president.

“The other issue which we discussed was the National Prayer Day which was declared by the President. So tomorrow, Friday, will be a public holiday. This is to allow go to the Friday centers. In Juba, people will go to John Mausoleum. In the states, the governors are directed to organize where the population who hold prayers”, explained Igga.

The presidency in South Sudan under the terms of the 2015 peace agreement comprises of the President, First Vice President and the Vice President.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

March 9, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - A new public land transportation service between Ethiopia and Sudan is to start this week, Ethiopia's transport authority announced.

The cross border highway stretching from Addis Ababa to Khartoum will be open for traffic on Sunday and will provide service in accordance to reached agreements on standards of vehicles, tariffs and immigration rules of the two countries.

The new public bus transportation between the two capital cities comes to operation after the completion of a trans-border highway project which took about 8 years to construct it.

The transport service is said to further strengthen bilateral ties of the neighbours and enhance, trade, investment, tourism and social ties between people in two nations.

It is also believed to facilitate cooperation between communities residing along the common border.

Landlocked Ethiopia has three trans-border highways linking it with Sudan which the horn of Africa's nation mainly uses it to export its products and import Sudan's fuel.

However, as per the tarriff set, a passenger must pay 60 US dollars to travel from Addis Ababa to Khartoum, a route that takes two-days by road.

A passenger is expected to process a valid passport and visa before leaving.

As well as Sudan, Ethiopia has been constructing a number of trans-boundary highways to link its borders with neighboring nations, including Kenya and South Sudan.

Last month Ethiopia and South Sudan signed agreements to build cross border roads linking both countries in a bid to boost import and export volume of both countries. The agreement also enables Ethiopia to import fuel from Sudan at relatively cheaper prices.

(ST)

March 09, 2017 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan's armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO), who have not laid down arms will not take part in the national dialogue initiative, an official said.

South Sudanese information minister Michael Makuei Lueth attends a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 January 2014 (Photo: AP/Elias Asmara)

"Our understanding of inclusivity is that all opposition groups, which put down their guns, will be allowed to join the national dialogue," the country's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth said on Thursday.

President Salva Kiir announced the dialogue in December last year and its steering committee is to be sworn in this month.

According to the minister, it would be "unacceptable” for members of the armed opposition forces to attend the dialogue with guns.

"There is no way to allow anyone who is fighting the government to attend the dialogue when they have not stopped fighting," he said.

The leader of the armed opposition faction, Riek Machar criticized the national dialogue initiative, saying the process will never succeed unless peace and stability is restored in the country.

President Kiir said the dialogue will be led by “eminent personalities” accepted as credible, genuine and trusted by all rival parties in the country.

(ST)

March 9, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Salva Kiir has issued decrees sacking the head of the police service, promoting and appointing new officers.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

President Kiir, the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation announced, removed General Makur Marol from being inspector general of police and replaced him with Syed Chawul Lom, who was the police commissioner of Jubek state.

It was, however, not immediately clear what prompted Kiir to make new changes.

Police sources attributed the cause to an internal pressure within the police service in which the former inspector was heavily criticized for not getting a grip on near daily violence carried out by armed criminals, prompting his opponents in service to call for a shake-up in the security services.

The changes are seen as a first step towards the comprehensive reorganization and re-positioning of Police Force before integration with the faction of Sudan people's liberation movement in opposition loyal to the First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai.

A high ranking police officer told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that the changes were part of the recommendation by an internal committee drawn to examine and come out with what could be done to improve the image of the police services so that it be could a people centered institution.

“I was part of this administrative committee which was tasked to come out with strong recommendations about how the image of the police should be improved. The objective was to determine the general and specific causes of the collapse of public confidence in the police and recommend ways of restoring public trust in the institution. The committee was also tasked to examine records of performance of officers of the Police Force with a view to identifying those that can no longer fit into the system”, said the officer.

“For recommendation of the committee to be realized, the new leadership was required and I think this is what the president has done. He has actually acted on the recommendation”, he added.

(ST)

March 9, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) praised the efforts of the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to ensure the release of the 259 prisoners of war who have been effectively freed Thursday in Khartoum.

Kober prison authorities in Khartoum-North Thursday released 259 Prisoners of War (POWs) member of Darfur armed groups in the implementation of the presidential pardon issued on Wednesday.

The director of Kober prison, Saeed Dahia, said 25 members of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who participated in the 2008 attack on Omdurman have been released including Abdelaziz Ashr, the half-brother of JEM leader Gibril Ibrahim.

JEM Deputy Political Secretary, Mohamed Zakeria, welcomed the release of POWs and expressed hope that it would "pave the way for a true breakthrough to achieve a comprehensive peace in the country".

"We thank President Yoweri Museveni for the efforts he exerted to ensure their release. We have talked with the Ugandan leader in several meetings about this issue and explained to him that the release of prisoners is the gate to the peace process," he further said.

He added that Museveni within the framework of his efforts to facilitate the African Union-brokered peace process convinced President Omer al-Bashir to release the POWs.

Museveni held several meetings with the Sudanese armed groups in Kampala in the past year. Also, he organised informal meetings between them and the Sudanese government officials in Kampala and Addis Ababa.

The Ugandan president also attended the National Dialogue conference held in Khartoum last year and called the holdout opposition groups to join the process.

Zakeria pointed that JEM, Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and the Sudanese government have unilaterally released the POWs. He further said the warring parties in Darfur and the Two Areas have declared a unilateral cessation of hostilities since a year.

"All these measures may create a conducive environment for a comprehensive peace process," he said.

However, the rebel official regretted that several JEM POWs are not included in this presidential pardon. He further urged the government to free all the detainees from all the armed groups, along the lines of JEM and SPLM-N which released all the government forces.

He said that three out of seven POWs from Ibrahim Almaz Group detained in Jebel Moon area in 2009, are not covered by the presidential amnesty. In addition, he said the government detained some 211 POWs after Goz Dango battle of 26 April 2015 while those released Thursday are only 181 POWs.

Last August, the African Union criticised JEM and Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi for insisting to include the issue of POWs in the agenda of the negotiations for a humanitarian cessation of hostilities agreement.

(ST)

March 8, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government has renewed its accusations against the neighbouring South Sudan, saying its continual harbouring of rebel groups remains the "biggest obstacle" to regional and international efforts for peace in Sudan.

During the past months, South Sudanese officials including the Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk repeated that all the Sudanese armed groups had left the country. However, Sudanese officials continue to claim that the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and its top command continues to protect them and provide support.

"One of the biggest obstacles to peace (in Sudan) is the presence of rebel movements in the Republic of South Sudan, where they find shelter and continuous support from the government there," said Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdel-Ghani al-Nai'm in a statement released on Wednesday.

Al-Nai'm made his remark after a meeting with UK Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Christopher Trott, who seeks to facilitate the African Union-led process to end the armed conflicts in Sudan.

Khartoum and Juba trade regularly accusations of support to rebel groups despite the signing of a security agreement between the two countries in September 2012 and the several implementation deals in this respect.

The Sudanese diplomat further asked the British envoy to persuade the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to accept an American humanitarian proposal, sign a cessation of hostilities and to negotiate a peace agreement with the government.

Last February, the Troika countries: Norway, U.K. and U.S. urged the (SPLM-N) “to swiftly accept this proposal and facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to those in need in the Two Areas”. However, the SPLM-N says they are awaiting the appointment of a new U.S. special envoy to discuss a number of counterproposals they made.

(ST)

March 3, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - UN agencies and international aid groups are working with the Central Darfur authorities to rehabilitate local health and education facilities and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians who returned to Golo town in Jebel Marra.

Golo or Rokoro town is located in central and north Jebel Marra and administratively is part of Central Darfur State. The fighting between the government troops and rebel fighters during the past year (2016) forced about 100,000 civilians to flee the whole mountainious area.

However, the Sudanese government declared the area of Jebel Marra free of rebels and, in line with an agreement reached with the American administration, opened humanitarian access to the aid groups and vowed to implement a recovery programme in the affected areas.

Reporting about the humanitarian activities taking place in Golo, the (OCHA) said in its bimonthly bulletin that the World Food Programme (WFP) would "distribute one-month food rations (230 metric tonnes) to 25,564 IDPs and returnees".

While the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has identified some 4,000 people (800 families) to whom it will distribute emergency shelter and essential household supplies. The Danish group has already distributed agricultural supplies to 250 returnee families in Golo and plans to start a food voucher system for 600 vulnerable IDP families.

Concurrently, the UN Children's Agency (UNICEF), WFP and the State Ministry of Education (SMoE) have started a classroom rehabilitation programme. UNICEF provided classroom seating for 3,000 students in five schools as the SMoE rehabilitated 16 classrooms in two schools. The WFP will implement on the other hand a school feeding programmes.

Regarding the humanitarian medical activities, the report says that the UNICEF has established a cold chain system in Golo hospital and stocked it with vaccines. While the International Medical Corps (IMC) provided a number of health workers to conduct routine vaccinations.

"IMC has also sent basic medicines, an emergency response team, two medical doctors, one public health officer and 27 paramedical staff (seconded by the SMoH) to the primary health care and nutrition centres in Golo hospital as well as in Boori and Jokosti villages," OCHA further said.

Also, the state ministry of health, UNICEF are implementing a training programme for health workers to reduce the number of patients forced to come to the Golo hospital. In the same trend, international NGO Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will set up three out- patient therapeutic centres (OTPs) in Jokosti, Borri and Tero villages.

UNICEF donated a drilling rig to the Water and Environmental Sanitation Department (WES) in Golo to improve water services.

(ST)

March 3, 2017 (BOR)- The international humanitarian medical group Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders Friday announced its exit from Bor state hospital following the successful implementation of a training programme in cooperation with the state Ministry of Health (MoH).

MSF field Coordinator, Mr Shaukat Muttaqi taking to ST in Bor state hospital

According to MSF field Coordinator, Mr Shaukat Muttaqi MSF decided to pull out its medical staff from Bor, following the completion of their assignment which they had been implementing for nearly three years.

“MSF is pulling out its medical support in Bor state hospital because we have like completed our program here. We came here with the objective of capacity building of the national staff that are working in Bor state hospital. The objectives that were assigned to us and we had agreed with the ministry of health, we had fulfilled them and based on completion of that, we are pulling out medical our team from the ground,” Muttaqi explained to Sudan Tribune on Thursday in Bor.

In the last three years of engagement, MSF trained 70 medical staff in various disciplines including paediatric care, outpatient consultations, immunisation, emergency and surgical care, pharmacy management, sterilisation, waste management, laundry services and in the running and maintenance of a laboratory in Bor state hospital.

“We were here for like almost three years, teaching and doing the classroom training MoH Staff, based on the completion of only those objectives, we feel that the staff are now competent enough to support the medical activities in the hospital,” Muttaqi continued.

MSF also conducted training in the Primary Healthcare centres and Units [PHCC & PHCU] in Twic East and Bor. MSF had recently responded to Cholera in the islands of Bor and Twic East by providing training to the health care staff on how best they can help the victims.

Apart from providing medical supply in the hospital and capacity building to the staff, doctors without borders had also intervened in different areas. Its team provided support to provide 151 surgeries, and 431 patients were admitted in the hospital's surgical ward, supported consultation for 1,390 outpatients and treated 3,415 people in the hospital's emergency department. 8, 982 children were also vaccinated, 1,802 paediatric patients were treated in the wards as well.

MSF is also operating in areas like Malut, Lankien Bentiu, Yuai and Malakal and Mayom.

Ministry of health had also reported a shortage of drugs in its stores, since November 2016.

Abraham Garang Dau, the state drug storekeeper, said some basic medicines for emergencies had been in stock to help them to response to few emergency cases. He further added this limited their capacity to treat everyone that come the government owned hospital.

(ST)

March 3, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan's army Friday announced the arrest of three soldiers accused of committing gross human rights violations including mass rape of women and girls in a village south of Juba.

Military spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang told reporters that three soldiers have been arrested after they were identified by the victims of the assault, which occurred in Kubi, some 50 kilometres from Juba.

The army made the arrest after community leaders reported at least 11 people were raped.

He the decision of the command to arrest the soldiers demonstrate to the citizens and the entire world that rape and other acts of atrocities are sanctioned by the government, saying it has never been a policy to rape women and burn down villages.

South Sudanese government has repeatedly been accused of reluctance to identify and arrest perpetrators of various crimes, dropping confidence in the government and assurances of commitment to maintaining rule of law and order.

While President Kiir and members of his administration has repeatedly vowed to punish perpetrators, the United Nations and various human right organisations have expressed concerns about the prevailing widespread of impunity for rights abuses.

(ST)

By Tesfs-Alem Tekle

March 3, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - Ethiopia and Eritrea this week traded accusations over an alleged foiled attack on Ethiopia's multi-billion dollar power plant project, Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, under construction in Nile river, some 25 kilometres away from the Sudanese
border.

Addis Ababa on Thursday said its security forces thwarted an attack attempt by 20 members of an Ethiopian armed opposition group, Benishanguel Peoples Liberation Movement.

Ethiopian officials said 13 members of the group were gunned down by security forces while they were approaching to launch attacks at the heavily guarded dam site while the remaining 7 who tried to escape to Sudan were arrested by Sudanese security forces and were handed over to Ethiopian authorities.

Ethiopia said the armed men travelled from Eritrea on a mission to attack the dam and thereby disrupt the construction process underway by over 8,000 workers 24 hours every day.

Zadig Abraha, state minister for government communication affairs said the armed group was sponsored by long-time rival Eritrea, an allegation the latter immediately dismissed.

A senior Eritrean official has rejected the allegations by Ethiopia saying his country has no knowledge of the alleged plot to attack the massive dam project being funded by the people and government of Ethiopia.

Eritrea information Minister, Yemane Gebremeskel in a tweeted message denying his country's involvement in over the alleged attack attempt.

"This whole accusation is preposterous and peddled for some sinister reason," Yemane told Bloomberg news agency.

The minister further went on to saying that he has "never heard of this group"

Ethiopia and Eritrea were engaged in a two-year long war between 1998-2,000 over border dispute routinely trade accusations of harbouring and supporting one the other's rebel groups.

In 2013 the self-styled Benishangul People's Liberation Movement laid its armed decided to function in accordance with the constitution of land.

However, it is not clear if this armed group under the same banner is the original one or a splinter group.

The group originated from Benishangul Gumez region where Ethiopia is building the 4.2 billion dollar hydropower plant project.

The power plant with a capacity of generating 6,450 MW of electricity is slated for completion in 2018.

Currently, 56% of its construction is completed.

(ST)

March 3, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - United States Congressman Jim McGovern has expressed strong disagreement with the easing of sanctions against Khartoum holding Sudanese parliament responsible for authorising repressive actions carried out by the government.

Last January, former President Barack Obama eased the 19-year economic and trade sanctions on Sudan. The decision came as a response to the collaboration of the Sudanese government in the fight against terrorism, denying safe haven to the South Sudanese rebels and, improving humanitarian access to people in need.

This week, Jim McGovern, a senior House Democrat and leading voice in Congress on human rights, met with the Speaker of the Sudanese Parliament Ibrahim Ahmed Omer.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Democratic Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission said during the meeting that Sudan's National Assembly and Omer in particular, “have been responsible for authorising many of the most repressive actions carried out by the regime of President Bashir”.

“And therefore are accountable for the murder of millions of their fellow citizens and for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan,” he added.

According to the press release, the Congressman “plans to reintroduce bipartisan legislation this year to impose targeted sanctions on the Sudanese government for its genocidal acts and crimes against humanity”.

McGovern insisted “on the continuing need for unfettered humanitarian access, the release of all political prisoners and the cessation of all hostilities” in order to further improving bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Sudan.

He accused the Sudanese government of renewing attacks against the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) positions in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.

“Rather than ensure humanitarian access to South Kordofan, Darfur and Blue Nile, Khartoum has renewed offensive operations in South Kordofan, in violation of the agreements reached with the Obama Administration that resulted in the easing of sanctions,” he pointed out.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile states have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

Last August, the two sides failed to reach a humanitarian cessation of hostilities deal paving the way for political talks including the political opposition parties.

In a bid to break the deadlock in the peace talks between the Sudanese government and SPLM-N, the former U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth last November proposed that the USAID will deliver medical humanitarian aid to civilians in the rebel-held areas by air directly after its inspection from the government.

The SPLM-N declined the proposal insisting on the need to transport 20% of the humanitarian aid directly from Ethiopian border town of Asosa to the rebel areas.

Meanwhile, U.S. Charge d'Affaires to Khartoum Steven Koutsis on Friday has urged the SPLM-N to allow humanitarian assistance to areas under its control saying the Sudanese government has agreed to the U.S. proposal in this regard.

In an opinion article published in Sudan Tribune on Friday, Koutsis reiterated the U.S. proposal saying Washington has offered to deliver humanitarian medical assistance to the people in SPLM-N controlled areas.

“Our offer to oversee and implement these deliveries intends to give confidence to the SPLM-N that the Government of Sudan would not be able to control or block aid provided under this mechanism,” said Koutsis.

He pointed that the Sudanese government “has agreed to this proposal, but as of yet, the SPLM-N has not allowed the proposal for humanitarian access to go forward”.

“Given current predictions of emergency-level food insecurity likely to occur within the next two months in SPLM-N controlled areas, an agreement to allow humanitarian access to begin now is critical to save lives,” he warned.

“The United States urges the SPLM-N to remove political conditions preventing humanitarian assistance from reaching populations in need and allow rapid deployment of humanitarian aid to civilians in the areas it controls,” he further said.

(ST)

March 3, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Friday said it has agreed with the United Nations on a comprehensive plan to implement the child protection agreement signed between the two sides.

South Kordofan and the neighbouring Blue Nile states, also known as the Two Areas, have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

In November 2016, SPLM-N signed an agreement with the UN in Geneva to end use of child soldiers in the rebel-held areas in the Two Areas.

The UN signed the same agreement with the Sudanese government security forces including the Sudan Armed Forces, the Popular Defense Forces (PDF) and the Sudan Police Forces on 27 March 2016.

A working group from the SPLM-N and the UN has held a workshop from 27 February to March 1, to discuss the implementation of the agreement.

In a statement issued on Friday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said the two sides agreed on a comprehensive plan to implement the child protection agreement, pointing they also agreed on the use of humanitarian tracks that will be determined by an agreement between the movement and the Sudanese government.

The SPLM-N underscored commitment to protect children, women and civilians in war areas, renewing readiness to meet with the U.S. Administration to discuss any proposals on humanitarian issues.

Also, Ardol renewed his movement's readiness to respond to any invitation from the African Union High Implementation Panel (UNHIP) to resolve the humanitarian crisis, reiterating their position to give priority to resolving the humanitarian issue and separate it from any political agenda.

The African Union has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However, last August, the two sides failed to sign a humanitarian cessation of hostilities agreement because Khartoum refuses to allow the delivery of food to civilians in some rebel-controlled areas in the Blue Nile State directly through Asosa, an Ethiopian Town near the border with Sudan.

In order to break the impasse on an agreement and facilitate humanitarian assistance, the United States last November has offered to deliver humanitarian medical assistance to the people in SPLM-N controlled areas.

However, the SPLM-N declined the American proposal and stuck to its demand for a humanitarian corridor through Asosa, to directly deliver 20% of the humanitarian aid to the civilians in the conflict-affected areas.

(ST)