Sudan Tribune

February 17, 2017 (JUBA) - The international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), said fighting in Yuai town in South Sudan's Bieh State between the country's warring factions has had major impact on the civilian population in the area.

The area of Yuai that remained largely peaceful throughout the three years of civil war, is now witnessing clashes between government and rebels.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the international medical charity said the recent surge in fighting in Yuai town, has left those forced to flee cut off from healthcare.

The medical aid charity pointed out that its national staffs in Yuai town have fled together with the civilian population after the clashes in the area.

"MSF is extremely concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the fighting,” says Liz Harding, MSF's head of mission for South Sudan.

The organization called on all warring parties to ensure that civilians are protected and that medical and humanitarian facilities as well as staff are respected and protected.

(ST)

February 18, 2017 (ABU DHABI) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Saturday has held talks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of common concern.

Al-Bashir, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday in an official visit, was received at the airport by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and several members of the diplomatic community.

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the meeting between the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation on political, economic, development and cultural fields besides regional and international issues of common concern.

The Sudanese President stressed his country's keenness to promote ties with UAE for the benefit of the two nations, expressing appreciation for the role played by the UAE in support of the Arab issues and on preserving security, stability and identity of the region.

For his part, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi expressed his delight for the recent development of fraternal ties between the two countries in light of the growing attention from President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his keenness to support and develop these relations to serve common interests of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples.

He underscored UAE's strong ties with Sudan, pointing to the historical and economic relations between the two countries besides their cooperation to defend interests of Arab nation against foreign aggression.

The Sudanese President was accompanied by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Fadl Abdalla Fadl, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Investment Mudathir Abdel-Ghani, Minister of Social Welfare Mashai'r al-Dawalab and Minister of State and Director of the Office of the President Taha Osman al-Hussein.

It is noteworthy that Al-Bashir will attend the inauguration ceremony of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017) that will kick off in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Sudan managed to achieve a breakthrough in ties with UAE after a long period of strained relations over Khartoum's close ties with Tehran.

UAE is in a long-standing territorial dispute with Iran over the three Gulf islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb.

Iran refuses international arbitration over the dispute and insists that its sovereignty over the islands is non-negotiable.

In 2014, Sudanese authorities ordered the closure of Iranian cultural centre in the capital Khartoum, and other states in a move which was seen as a gesture to the Arab Gulf states.

The estimated size of UAE investments in Sudan is $11 billion approximately, of which about $5 billion are projects in progress while the rest are still in pre-execution phase.

In May 2015, Sudan said it offered UAE's companies $59 billion investment opportunities mainly in agricultural projects.

(ST)

February 18, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan on Saturday has welcomed a statement by the Troika countries expressing support for the peace process brokered by African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and called on the rebels in the Two Areas to accept an Amercian proposal aiming to facilitate the signing of a humanitarian cessation of hostilities.

The joint statement issued by Norway, U.K. and U.S. called on the signories of the Roadmap Agreement to conclude "comprehensive cessations of hostilities and engaging in an inclusive political dialogue”. It further called on the Sudanese government to “create an environment that is conducive to freedom of expression and political participation by both armed and unarmed opposition in Sudan”.

The statement urged the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) “to swiftly accept this proposal and facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to those in need in the Two Areas”. And called on the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid al Nur "to cease hostilities and immediately engage with the AUHIP peace process".

“The U.S. proposal was intended to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the affected populations in the Two Areas, in line with AUHIP efforts for broader negotiated humanitarian access,” said the statement which marks the endorsement of the new American administration of President Donald Trump of the proposal made by the former U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir welcomed the support of Trump's administration to the humanitarian proposal, and expressed his government commitment to continue its efforts to achieve peace as strategic option.

“The government is working very hard and wholeheartedly with the Sudanese parties, and cooperates in all honesty and appreciation with the African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki, who is making strenuous efforts to achieve peace[in Sudan],” he said.

Khidir added that the government seeks to address the root causes of the conflict in Sudan which requires support from the international community.

“In order to integrate the Sudanese economy into the world's economy, cancel external debt and allow Sudan to join the World Trade Organization besides increase development funding, investment and trade exchange,” he said.

The Sudanese diplomat pointed out that “the Sudanese government highly appreciates continued efforts by the Troika to achieve sustainable peace in Darfur region, the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states”.

“As the government of Sudan renews full commitment to the cease-fire, it calls on the armed opposition movements to urgently and seriously respond to calls for dialogue and peace and to join the dialogue and negotiation process in order to consolidate security, stability, national reconciliation and comprehensive development,” he said.

The Sudanese foreign ministry further renewed call for the SPLM-N to endorse the U.S. proposal to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Two Areas.

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

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.

Khartoum refuses to allow the direct delivery of food to civilians the rebel-controlled areas in the Blue Nile State through Asosa, an Ethiopian Town near the border with Sudan. While the SPLM-N sticks to its demand saying they made much of concessions in the past.

In a bid to break the deadlock in the peace talks between the two parties, 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 Asosa to the rebel areas.

(ST)

February 18, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese army confirmed on Saturday the resignation of yet another senior military officer, days after its head of logistics quit over allegations the army was being turned into an ethnic institution.

SPLA soldiers are seen at the airport in Bor January 19, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeaunu)

The army spokesman, Brigadier general Lul Ruai Koang, confirmed the resignation of Colonel Khalid Ono Loki, who headed the military court in Juba.

Koang said Khalid quit the army last year and has been absent and outside the country.

“That man [Khalid] resigned last year and he decided to not publicize. Why now. It is not important and has no bearing on the SPLA," Koang told reporters in Juba on Saturday.

Khalid becomes the third top official in a week to resign while criticizing the government of President Salva Kiir over its alleged failure to implement the August 2015 peace deal.

The former head of the miltary court described the justice system as "arbitrary", " corrupt" and "discriminatory" against those who are not part of the president's ethnic group.

He also accused chief of general staff, Paul Malong Awan, of being engaged in "relentless endeavors" to protect his Dinka tribesmen and advocated for his resignation.

"You have indeed brought shame and an unfamiliar ethos to South Sudan that will only lead the country to more calamities," wrote Khalid.

This comes days after Thomas Cirillo Swaka, the deputy chief of general staff for logistics resigned from the army, saying the military was dominated by the ethnic Dinka.

The minister of labour and public service, Gabriel Duop Lam, also resigned his position in the unity government and joined the armed opposition faction led by Riek Machar.

These resignations, observers say, are signs that Kiir is struggling to retain his coalition of support. South Sudan is experiencing hyperinflation, worsened by renewed conflict.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the country's worst ever outbreak of violence since it broke away from neighboring Sudan in July 2011.

(ST)

By Deng Kiir Akok

Dictionary.com defined resignation as formal statement, document stating that one gives up an office or position. While on the other hand, rebellion is a resistance to or defiance of any authority, control or tradition.

Except for Nhial Deng Nhial's resignation in 2006 from his post as minister for regional cooperation of the defunct Government of southern Sudan. Since then the others who followed had been on zigzagging. No one has ever followed the normal resignation procedures.

In normal procedures for resignation one needs to send his/her letter of resignation to employer and then wait for an approval that will not last than two to three weeks. In most cases for South Sudanese, they do not follow these steps. As a result, they quit before their boss sign or approve their letters. Some took an online resignation as the case of Thomas Cirilo, the former deputy chief of logistics.

Proper procedures were not applied in the Lam Akol's resignation letter last year as minister for Agriculture and food security. He made sure he was in Khartoum before announcing his resignation. The same method was used by Thomas Cirilo, The author of this piece is wondering why does most South Sudanese resign while they are outside the country? They usually resign their positions while in Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya. Lam Akol and Thomas Cirilo are now the living examples for those who resign while abroad. Akol did not take long in this position before resigning from last year formed Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU). He was by then in Khartoum.

He was waiting to hear the whereabouts of now exiled rebel leader and former first vice president Riek Machar who was forced to flee the country after the battle of J1. Until the Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) comer ended up in hospital in Congo and was referred to Khartoum later for further medication.

Lam announced his intention to resign his position as the minister for Agriculture and food security. In his resignation letter, he cited that the peace agreement has failed.

As such, resigning and rebelling against the system is a new phenomenon facing the government of South Sudan.

Nobody knows what will happen next after Wol Deng Atak, former deputy head information commission, Lam Akol, former minister of Agriculture and food security, Thomas Cirilo, former deputy chief of logistics and Gabriel Duop Lam, minister of labor, public service and human resources have resigned.

But for Dinkas that resign, their reasons differ from other tribes. The question that asks why the Dinka tribe is bigger than other ethnic groups and its domination of the army. That said after his resignation letter was approved.

But the question is that; what kill those who resign outside South Sudan if they resign while in the country? The issue is that they have other hidden agenda in their hearts which is rebellion.

It could be a reason they make sure they are not in South Sudan before making their resignations public.

The fresh one is that of Thomas Cirilo. In fact, resignation in the minds of some South Sudanese politicians goes together with the rebellion.

But in a real sense, resignation has nothing to do with rebellion. It's a new style for politicians in South Sudan. Something which cannot happen in the United States or in a democratic world. Because of my observations, Americans resign if there are grounds for resignation and stay in America. But that one cannot happen in South Sudan. What's wrong with our people? They resign their posts and go to America or Kenya for the case of Wol Deng Atak, Sudan for Lam Akol and Ethiopia for Thomas Cirilo.

Moreover, every person that resigns whether from the government or in the army does not miss Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) and its Dinka ethnic group out of their main reasons for resignation.

Those who resign their positions blame Jieng Council of Elders for being a big driver for president Kiir's government. And that, Dinka dominates the national army, which needs to be reversed.

In my own view, this author would tirelessly work together with other ethnic groups in South Sudan to keep the Jieng Council of Elders away from the President's office if that's the only reason for these people leaving the government and the army in big masses.

By doing so, we would make sure that the office of the president is out of reach of Jieng Council Elders. It will be a joint work by this author and other activists to call for it to distance itself from the state affairs. Or he will go as far as calling for it to move its office to Wau. This call will put it under pressure from all the citizens of this country.

Also, activists will make sure it would not mingle up in running of the country. Yes, there is a solution to this problem of Jieng Council of Elders. We can build a wall around it. That idea would only work if we ever wanted to lock it up in a wall that we have built and forever forget about it.

But one thing will not happen. The balancing of ethnic groups in the army cannot and will never happen until any power would test the creator to turn hyenas into cows with horns. If those cows are without horns, then that one would be called a partial turning of hyenas into cows.

This is the fact that Dinka tribe are the majority. That's to say, in every corner of the world, there is a Dinka. There's only one country in this world and that's Somalia the author is not sure whether Dinka lives in it.

This's because they do not feel secure to stay in there. Take this simple example, in the Diaspora, Dinka are the majority. Leave alone the fact that Dinkas are in a large number of neighbouring countries.

They are now outnumbering Ugandans in Kampala and Kenyans in Nairobi just to mention the few. If any politician thinks s/he would ascend to power by any means and start the unstudied idea of balancing the ethnic groups in the army, or send home extra Dinka soldiers that would remain during the balancing, he would be committing suicide.

Because these soldiers that would be sent home will group themselves and form a militia that is more dangerous than the present White Army in Upper Nile. I do not know what would that militia be called.

In conclusion, resigning and rebelling with reasons that Jieng Council of Elders interferes with the state affairs and that Dinka tribe dominates the national army will not solve the current crisis. I think no one would be willing to question the nature. Why this ethnic group is bigger than the other? This is the question being asked by smaller ethnic groups. Even Dinka themselves do not know why they are the majority in South Sudan. It's the nature that makes them like that.

I bet that any politician with a believe that s/he would cut the number of Dinka when s/he is power would have his/her idea rotten at birth.

The writer is a blogger with blog address https://dengkiirsouthsudan.blogspot.com. He can be reached at dengkiirsouthsudan@gmail.com. Tel: +211912186333

February 17, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A Sudanese radical Islamic preacher Mohamed Ali al-Gazouli, Friday, has accused a Sudanese female journalist of apostasy, which is punishable by death in Sudan, and called on worshipers to protect their religion.

Shamael al-Nur

Al-Gazouli who is known for his support to Jihadist groups, in his Friday sermon slammed Shamael al-Nur, a journalist and columnist at the independent Al-Tayyar newspaper for writing an article saying that Islamic regimes are more preoccupied with virtue, female clothing, appearance and behaviour issues than health and education issues.

"It is easy to drop spending on health in the state budget, but it remains very difficult to (grant) the Ministry of Health the right to distribute condoms," she wrote on 2 February, denouncing the "virtue's obsession" of Islamic groups.

In his sermon of Friday prayer at a mosque in the Khartoum suburb of Al-Jarif West, the preacher pledged to mobilise religious scholars against al-Nur and the "seculars", adding that his action will be through the media and the judiciary.

"Get up to protect your religion. Get angry for your law and your Lord," he called before to wonder, "How can a girl dare to write about condoms?". He further vowed to file a legal complaint to see whether the court will consider what she wrote is "an apostasy or not".

Al-Gizouli had already published an article against the journalist on Thursday in Al-Siha newspaper of al-Tayeb Mustafa, the uncle of President Omer al-Bashir and head of the Just Peace Forum (JPF).

Mustafa himself was the first person to write against the female journalist and called to prevent the journalist and "her likes of worms" from corrupting the virtues of the country.

Al-Nur, filed a complaint against Mustafa and accused him of inciting radical and extremists groups against her. Also, Al Tayyar newspaper has officially requested the police authorities to protect the female journalist.

"The matter now should be dealt with under the Terrorism Act. We have officially sent a letter to the police to clarify the magnitude of the threat against the newspaper and Shamael," wrote Osman Mirghani, the publisher and chief editor of Al-Tayyar.

He further warned that the competent authorities should bear their responsibilities on this respect.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

February 17, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Friday disclosed that it is building hundreds of transitional shelters for tens of thousands of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia.

Transitional shelters for South Sudanese Refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia (IOM Photo)

IOM said it will construct some 900 transitional shelters in the newly built Nguenyyiel camp in Gambella Region which borders South Sudan.

Nguenyyiel camp was opened in September 2016 to accommodate an estimated 4,500 refugees; however, it currently hosts 27,620 refugees who have fled their home country.

Refugee flows from South Sudan to Ethiopia didn't see a sign of decline due to ongoing fighting and food insecurity.

According to IOM officials, the transitional shelters are a considerable improvement on the basic emergency shelters currently being used by newly arriving refugees in the camp.

The new shelters, which will be built using local techniques and materials, according to IOM official will contribute to managing the continued flow of South Sudanese refugees into Gambella

"The new transitional shelters and the ongoing relocations are vital in our ongoing efforts in managing the inflow of South Sudanese refugees into Gambella in a way that really responds to the needs of refugees,” said Miriam Mutalu, the Head of IOM Ethiopia's Sub-Office in Gambella.

The construction of the shelters is being carried out in close cooperation with the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) which is UNHCR's main government counterpart which is maintained to ensure the protection of refugees in Ethiopia.

The construction of the shelters aimed to relocate refugees from the border is being financed by the UK's Department for International Development

Ethiopia currently shelters some 325,000 South Sudanese refugees in different camps in Gambela region.

The world's newest nation gained its independence in 2011 but plagued by a civil war in December 2013 after President Salva Kirr accused his former deputy turned rebel leader of a coup plot.

The conflict has forcibly displaced over 2.6 million citizens making the east African nation of the countries that saw the highest level of conflict-induced displacement worldwide.

UNHCR on Thursday said it is fully engaged in coordination mechanisms to mainstream the needs of refugees within humanitarian and national plans.

These coordination mechanisms include the UN Country Team, the Humanitarian Country Team, the Refugee Task Force, and donor, NGO and inter-agency meetings at the national, field and camp levels.

"This has ensured an effective coordination environment in the context of the Level 3 Emergency for South Sudanese refugees as well as the development of a regional response plan for the same situation in 2017," said the UN refugee agency.

Ethiopia provides protection to refugees from some 20 countries, with the majority originating from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan.

South Sudanese, Eritreans, Yemenis and Somalis originating from South and Central Somalia are granted automatic refugee status.

While to all other individuals refugee status determination is undertaken by the Government's Eligibility Committee on which UNHCR sits as an observer.

The Ethiopian Government maintains the policy requiring refugees to reside in refugee camps. However, the Government has also an Out-of Camp-Policy (OCP) which allows certain refugees to reside in the urban areas, primarily Addis Ababa

The out of camp policy benefits refugees in need of special medical attention unavailable in camps; refugees with serious protection concerns or inability to stay in camps for humanitarian reasons and Eritrean Refugees enrolled in OCP.

Currently, a total of 19,977 refugees under the OCP programme reside in the capital Addis Ababa.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (YAMBIO) – A local artist was seriously tortured and shot deal with a gun by unidentified person or group on Friday morning in the outskirts of Yambio, the Gbudue state capital.

New police recruits during a parade in Yambio June 27, 2016 (ST)

“We have just got information that one local artist called Gerham was found dead on the road to Tiindoka and we don't know who killed him,” said a local security official.

The source who preferred anonymity added that Jerham Gersama was found dead after torture and gunshot wound on his chest.

According to the state security official two girls, one believed to be his girlfriend were under arrest for investigation.

No one has claimed the responsibility for the killing, but police have launched investigations into the matter.

The victim studied in Uganda and came back to live in Yambio where he performs music.

Also, he was a member of the former rebel South Sudan National Liberation Movement SSNLM tasked with the protection of the group commander.

The group signed a peace agreement with the government in April 2016.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese minister of trade has on Friday denied reports quoting him to have said the government would fix the exchange rate, in a bid to salvage the economy from spiraling out of control and to help regain trust and confidence of the local population in the light of hike of foreign exchange against the local current in an effort to reduce market prices.

Minister Moses Hassan Ayet (Photo from his Facebook)

Minister Moses Hassan Ayet told Sudan Tribune on Friday that he did not say the government was intending to fix the foreign exchange rate but that the government was exploring ways to address it.

“That was out of context. It was not what I did say. I said the exchange rate was dropping and if it continues it would reach the point where the exchange rate would stabilize and any stabilization becomes a fixed rate by itself, if the market forces meet at the point of satisfaction, where goods would be locally available for our people to access and traders would be able to get hard currency to help import only goods and services which are not produced locally,” said Ayet.

The foreign exchange rate was fixed against the pound until in December 2015 when the government decided to adopt floating exchange rate against the pound. The objective, according to proponents of the proposal was to help everyone have access to foreign exchange market.

Ayet, who visited the market on Thursday in a bid to carry out a survey to gain insight about the prices of different commodities, said the survey gave him and his team the opportunity to gather firsthand information about the prices and what the traders were facing in the light of the current economic situation.

“Yes, I was in the market to conduct a survey and to talk to the traders. I wanted to know the cause of the rise of prices while the exchange rate was dropping. The other day, the dollar went up. It was exchanging at the rate of 13,000 per 100 dollars but it went down the next day to 10,000 per 100 dollars but the prices never dropped. They remained fixed. This was what I wanted to understand so that we could it use in our planning,” explained Minister Ayet.

The official said it was important to gather the views of the traders as they are important stakeholders and so his ministry appreciates their involvement and cooperation and coordination.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Friday has cancelled the general assembly meeting of the Central Committee of Sudanese Teachers (CCST) saying the move was dictated by security reasons.

The CCST is an independent organization that was established as a parallel body to the pro-government Sudanese Teachers Union.

On Friday morning, NISS agents encircled the headquarters of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) where the CCST general assembly was scheduled to be held and prevented the teachers from entering the premises.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, NUP said the NISS officer told its Secretary General Sara Nugd Allah that they received “instructions to prevent the teachers' event for security reasons” without elaborating on these reasons.

The NUP described the move as a “clear violation of the law, the constitutional rights and the basic freedoms”, adding it further indicates the mounting harassment and intimidation measures and more restrictions on political and trade union action.

The statement further warned the regime of the consequences of such reckless actions against peaceful groups, stressing that the prevention of political, social and cultural activities reveals government claims about freedoms and rights.

In October and November of last year, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), which is also an independent organization not recognized by the government, organised a series of strikes refusing non-emergency treatments to protest the poor working conditions, lack of medicines and protection of doctors after increasing attacks by frustrated patients and their families.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - A splinter faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdel-Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) has complained about the slow pace of implementation of the peace agreement signed with the government last year.

SLM-AW fighters on guard during a visit by UNAMID chief Ibrahim Gambari to Fanga Suk village, in East Jebel Marra, West Darfur, on 18 March 2011 (Photo: Reuters)

In February 2016, Sudanese government signed a peace deal with breakaway commanders from SPLM-AW including Nour al-Din Zorgi and Salih Adam Ishag allowing them to join Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

In exclusive statements to Sudan Tribune on Friday, Zourgi criticised the slow implementation of the agreement signed between them and the government.

“We have no representation in the civil service according to what we agreed upon. Also, the security arrangement item hasn't been completed as required because some fighters were integrated [into the Sudanese army] as non-commissioned officers while others have not been promoed,” he said.

Last May, the Security Arrangement Commission at Darfur's Regional Authority said the procedures to integrate 145 fighters from Zourgi's faction have begun in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

Zourgi added that the security, political and development items of the agreement are underway, pointing to the lack of funding for the development projects in areas of his faction's presence in North Darfur.

“Until now, some development projects that have not been implemented for reasons that are not known to us and we are facing mounting pressures from our fighters” he said.

He called upon the state and federal governments to intervene immediately to fulfil the agreement, praising the support rendered by President Omer al-Bashir to lay the foundations for peace in the country.

Qatar brokered the Darfur peace negotiations which resulted in the signing of the DDPD by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011.

However, three rebel movements including SLM-MM led by Minnawi Minnawi, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim and SLM-AW led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur didn't join the deal.

JEM and SLM-MM, who are part of the African Union-mediated peace talks, call for opening the document for negotiations, saying some issues were ignored or not fairly treated, but Khartoum rejects such request.

SLM-AW, however, is not part of the peace talks. It rejects negotiating a peace agreement with Khartoum government unless the government militias are disarmed and displaced civilians return to their original areas.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan's minister of labour and public services has resigned, citing the “impartial” composition of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (Photo: Reuters)

Gabriel Duop Lam declared his allegiance to the armed opposition leader and ex-First Vice President Riek Machar. Machar fled Juba in July 2016 and lives in South Africa.

“(…) With sound mindand excellent rule of reasoning, (I) do hereby officially resigned from the position as being the Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Development in what so call partial Government of National Unity with effect from 17 February 2017 and from there I reaffirm my full allegiance to the SPLM/SPLA-IO under the wise leadership of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon (sic),” partly reads Duop's letter.

Duop was appointed labour minister in August 2016 by First Vice President Taban Deng having been appointed by Machar, serving as Minister of Interior from April-July 2016.

The former Jonglei state minister for law enforcement and rebel governor of territories controlled by the SPLM IO in Jonglei survived the fighting in State House J1 in July 2016 and praised the leadership of President Salva Kiir for protecting his life.

When Machar fled the capital, Juba, following three days of intensive streets battle, Duop remained in Juba and shifted allegiance to Machar's controversial replacement, Taba Deng Gai.

However, in his resignation letter, the former labour and public service minister claimed the government of President Kiir attempted to kill Machar last year.

Duop reportedly left Juba early this week on an official trip, but lost touch with the ministry.

This is the second resignation of a top politician from president Kiir's government after the deputy chief of general staff for logistics, Thomas Cirillo quit last week.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Thursday discussed with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Marta Ruedas the challenges facing humanitarian activities in the country.

Since several months the government has allowed humanitarian access in the whole Darfur region. Also, recently a series of meetings were held between the UN agencies, aid groups and local officials in the Two Areas to assess the humanitarian needs of IDPs and war-affected civilians.

In a statement issued following the meeting, Ruedas said she briefed President Al-Bashir about the ongoing work of the UN, the support of national and international partners and challenges facing their activities in Sudan.

President al-Bashir stated that "he looks with great interest on the progress gained from the ongoing collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Sudan," said the statement.

The UN humanitarian official who met President al-Bashir for the second time since last June 2016 alluded that he vowed to support the activities undertaken on the ground.

The President emphasized that "further efforts are required by both the government and the United Nations to ensure that joint work is undertaken by both parties with full trust, collaboration and intention to optimize all opportunities particularly in accelerating the country's path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," she said.

Her meeting with al-Bashir took place twenty-four hours after a meeting with the Presidential Assistant and head of the government negotiating team with the SPLM-N over the six-year conflict in the Two Areas.

“The meeting discussed the role that could be played by the UN to deliver the humanitarian assistance to the Two Areas,” said Ruedas after the meeting with Hamid on Wednesday.

The humanitarian official is expected to fly soon to New York to discuss ways to start a significant humanitarian operation in the government-controlled areas in the Two Areas.

In line with an agreement reached with the American administration on the partial removal of sanctions, Khartoum agreed to facilitate the humanitarian access in the war affected areas in Darfur region, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (BOR) - Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a major cause of the Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a major threat affecting the men and women in national army and other civilian protection forces in South Sudan.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) assembled in the capital, Juba on 8 January 2014 (Photo: Mehmet Kemal Firik/Anadolu Agency/Getty)

Brigadier General, Majok Kuol expressed this worries about the prevalence of the disease among the men and women in the armed forces in South Sudan, a concern which he said should be addressed to save lives.

“In October up to November last year, we have tested 1,500 soldiers of uniform forces, interior and wildlife, among them there were 44 HIV positive which indicated there is a threat”, Major Kuol told reporters in Bor on Thursday during HIV/AIDS awareness workshop conducted by International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The number of infected individuals in the army could be more than expected, he said.

The sensitization workshop was attended by 40 commanders drawn from SPLA, wildlife, police, civil defense and prisons with an objective of sensitizing them about the threats of HIV and AIDS, according to the workshop organizers.

Commanders who attended the workshop said any detail to conduct general test and awareness about the disease would be tolerated in the army and organized forces.

“We are to start right away to know our status immediately because it is a disease which is hiding in our blood whenever we meet with women”, said brigadier general Atem Manyok and director of wildlife who also attended the HIV/Aids workshop.

In September 2014, South Sudan Aids Commission raised an alarm about the swiftly-rising HIV/Aids pervasiveness rates, amidst the conflict that engulfed the nation, displacing millions of its civilians.

South Sudan, according the commission, is one of the sub-Saharan countries relatively hard hit by impacts of the deadly disease today.

During the UN high level meeting on HIV/Aids in New York in June 2011, a new declaration, entitled “Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Intensifying our Efforts to Eliminate HIV and Aids was unanimously adopted by member states on 10 June. The declaration set new targets and called on member states to redouble efforts to achieve by 2015, universal access, with a view to attaining the Millennium Development Goals. The declaration also recognised key populations at higher risk of HIV infection, citing men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and sex workers.

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February 16, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese army (SPLA) said Thursday it had gained control of Yuai, a key rebel town in located in eastern Jonglei region after clashes during which some rebel fighters allegedly joined pro-government forces.

SPLA soldiers are seen at the airport in Bor January 19, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeaunu)

Yuai, the Bieh state capital, used to host the rebel-appointed governor.

The clash took place on Wednesday after a group of rebel defectors declared their allegiance to the government on Tuesday. The defection generated mixed reaction from the local population, resulting in clashes which government forces based in Pajuet military outpost exploited and used it to gain control of the area.

The deputy SPLA spokesman denied there was fighting, saying they took over the town after the rebel faction allied to former first Vice President, Riek Machar deserted it.

The military spokesman of the armed opposition did not make any statement about the development.

Multiple military sources in Bor, however, told Sudan Tribune, that the SPLA were forced to fight back after the rebels attacked their soldiers at the nearby village of Patuet, not far from Pajut.

“After rebels attacked our soldiers at Patuet, they were not only pushed back, but also given a hot pursue. So we ended up in Yuai today”, a junior military officer, said.

Although the army headquarters in Juba concealed information regarding the clashes that occurred in Bieh state, rebels on the side confirmed the fighting, but claimed that SPLA forces were repulsed by the white army, claims Sudan Tribune could not easily verify.

There are also reports that civilians in Uror county, displaced as a result of the fighting have been moving towards Akobo on the Ethiopian border.

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February 16, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army has vowed to investigate reports of rape, which allegedly occurred in villages along Juba-Nimule road last week.

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers are pictured in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

Anglican Bishop Paul Yugusuk of the Lomega Diocese in Eastern Equatoria claimed that pro-government soldiers raped several women and detained 47 men over the weekend.

Five young girls and women, the Bishop said, are being treated at Juba hospital.

“We don't know the exact number of women who were raped but we have five [women and girls] here in Juba Teaching Hospital. Most of them are underage girls and women,” Yugusuk told reporters after visiting the victims in Juba on Monday.

The 47 men arrested after the ransacking of the Kubi village, some 50 km on Juba – Nimule highway, have been released, according to local news report that quoting George Ladu, the Commissioner of Lokiliri County in Jubek State.

But the South Sudanese army spokesman Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the military will form a committee to investigate the report, identify the suspects and take action.

“The chief of general staff has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the reported rape incidents in Kubi, identify the suspects and arraign them before the military court,” Koang told Sudan Tribune over phone on Thursday.

The military official further said all church groups and any other “interested” parties are invited to help in the investigation to dispel any fears of bias during the process.

The SPLA, despite promises to take measures, has been accused by advocate groups of doing little to end sexual assaults on women and girls during military operations.

In the past, however, human right organizations have accused both the government forces of carrying out atrocities, including gang rape and mass killing of innocent civilians when taking over a territory held by rebels.

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February 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N) Thursday has set up a commission to investigate a recent armed robbery on cattle keepers in South Kordofan, and accused the government of seeking to incite local Arab tribes against the group.

Undated picture released by the SPLM-N on 16 October 2015 showing the SPLA chief of general staff Gen. Gagod Mukwar speaks in a meeting in a rebel controlled area

Unidentified gunmen on 10 February ambushed cattle keepers from the Hawazma tribe near Al-Hujairat area, some 30 kilometres west of Kadugli, South Kordofan capital killing seven herders and stole 1500 heads of cattle.

The government accused the SPLM-N of the attack, as local sources said the marauders deliberately followed a pathway leading to the rebel-controlled area of Galad. Also, the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) of Sadiq al-Mahdi called on its political ally to probe the attack.

SPLA-N Chief of General Staff Gen. Gagod Mukwa "issued a decision to establish a higher commission from the SPLA-N leadership in the region to deal with this situation the utmost sensitivity, to detect and foil plans of National Congress (Party) for proxy wars and cause discord between the region's components," says a statement extended to Sudan tribune.

Gen. Mukwa who signed the statement further said they noticed that the NCP and its local allies continue beating the drums of war with the hope to rally the Hawazma tribe in their war against the SPLA-N.

He further praised the refusal of the Hawazma and Misseriya to join the government forces, saying "despite the resources spent by the regime, the Arab tribes did not participate in the second war of the regime which has lasted six years now".

The rebel general further welcomed the NUP call to probe the bloody attack and expressed readiness to work with the opposition party, tribal leaders and intellectuals who want to achieve peaceful coexistence in the region.

He further pledged to publish the findings of the investigation panel and invited opposition leaders, civil society groups and opinion makers to visit the SPLM-N held area.

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February 16, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - Government troops and a group of local gangsters fought a gunbattle in the east of North Darfur capital El-Fasher on Thursday, following what the authorities announced the killing of a lieutenant officer in the latest spate of shootings this week.

The North Darfur government said gunfire erupted when a Sudanese government force chased the members of a gang suspected of being behind several armed attacks in the town during the past days.

In press statements, Governor Abdel Wahid Youssef Ibrahim said that the State Security Committee formed a joint force including security and military elements after receiving information about the presence of the gangsters in the Boursa neighbourhood east of El-Fasher, on Thursday morning.

A Sudanese army Lieutenant was killed in action and four other soldiers were wounded during the fire exchange.

Youssef further said the government forces are continuing the hunt for the gangsters, adding they identified their names and their position. He indicated that the gang is led by Issa Mohamed Ibrahim.

Three people had been killed during armed attacks this week in El-Fasher. One was shot in the centre of El- Fasher on Wednesday, another one was murdered in the Boursa neighbourhood Tuesday, while the third died in Al-Thoura area south of El-Fasher.

Sudanese officials say they government is preparing to launch a disarmament campaign in the region, but criminal gangs continue to get arms easily and drive vehicles without number plates despite an official ban.

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February 16, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan has deployed more troops in preparation for the resumption oil production in areas where activities were halted as a result of the December 2013 outbreak of conflict, which badly affected production in Unity state and parts of the Upper Nile region.

A worker walks through an oil production facility in Paloch in South Sudan's Upper Nile state, on 5 May 2013 (Photo: Hannah Mcneish/AFP)

The head of Nilepet, the country's national oil company, disclosed Thursday that government hopes production resumes after preparations are fully completed.

“The government is doing the best to ensure that there is adequate protection at the sites where oil production would resume soon in unity. Preparations are underway,” said Machar Ader Achiek.

“The security forces are on the ground to provide adequate security and to ensure the safety of the oil workers and operators”, he added.

Local authorities, Achiek said, have started sensitising communities around the area to embrace peaceful dialogue and to help government at their level to bolster security at oil installations at Tharjiath field and other sites.

“Oil is a national resource and it is when it is extracted that the government can now be able to provide services to the people. If extraction is affected, the delivery of the basic services is also affected. So the resumption of the oil production is in the interest of both the government and the communities from where it is extracted,” explained Achiek.

He added, “This is why protection of oil sites requires cooperation from the communities”.

The Sudanese government, according to the head of the state-owned oil entity, agreed to provide electricity from Heglig and to work collaboratively with the south Sudanese authorities to protect oil workers engaged in production.

Northern Liech state information minister, Lam Tungwar said the state government will do its best to help the national government provide protection to workers in the oil fields as requested by the minister of petroleum, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, when he visited the newly-created state last month.

Since its independence, South Sudan has relied on oil for all income—a situation that has significantly compounded ongoing political and economic instability due to fall in crude oil prices.

According to South Sudanese officials, production in the past reached as high as 350,000 bpd but fell after a dispute with Sudan over fees for pumping South Sudan's crude through Sudan's export pipeline, which led Juba to halt production in 2012.

South Sudan got the lion's share of the oil when it split from Sudan in 2011, but it's only export route is through Sudan, giving Khartoum leverage and leading to the ongoing pricing disputes.

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February 16, 2017 (JUBA) – The U.N Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday expressed concern about the safety of up to 20,000 civilians said to have been displaced in the western bank of the Nile River in Upper Nile state, describing their stay in the wilderness as “real problem.”

The map of Upper Nile state

The head of the U.N peacekeeping mission in the country, David Shearer remarked this when he visited Malakal in Upper Nile state.

“We want to find out what has happened to those people and provide them with assistance if they need it,” Shearer said Thursday.

According to the world body, fierce fighting between pro-government forces and armed opposition forces in the west bank of Nile River recently escalated, leading to further displacements.

“UNMISS believes that the 20,000 people have fled towards Kodok from Wau Shilluk, a town eight miles north of the UN base in Malakal on the west bank of the River Nile,” partly reads UNMISS's statement.

The clashes, it said, indicates further escalation with no “signs of abating.”

“On Thursday, UN peacekeepers attempted to carry out a foot patrol to Wau Shilluk, but were prevented from doing so by government SPLA soldiers located at Wau Shilluk,” it further stressed.

The latest fighting, UNMISS said, led to abandoning of Malakal town by an estimated 33,000 members of the Shilluk tribe who took shelter at the protection of civilians sites managed by peacekeepers.

The opposition forces fighting the government west of Malakal, a territory of the Shilluk tribe, are largely commanded by Gen. Johnson Olony, a Shilluk, who is loyal to the armed opposition leader and the country's ex-First Vice Presdient, Riek Machar.

Some 4.9 million people, aid agencies say, are facing severe food insecurity in South Sudan, while 1.84 million are displaced internally, in addition to approximately 1.2 million who have fled to its neighbouring countries.

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