Sudan Tribune

February 2, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir said has decided to open a new chapter of cooperation with the United Nations, saying he met and agreed with the new secretary general of the United Nations to work together towards promoting the founding values of the organizations.

“My knowledge of the United Nations is that it is not an independent country and it is not superior to any country. I know it as an organization of the member states which are governed by their own laws and practices as sovereign states. At the United Nations, we are equal members, regardless of whether a country is young, old, big or small”, said President Kiir, according one of his aides who attended a meeting with the new UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the recent summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Kiir said his country and himself has been treated as unequal member and a boy to other countries and leaders that the United Nations was acting like a separate government in South Sudan.

"Sometimes when citizens read messages from the United Nations about South Sudan, they begin to wonder why the country and its leadership are treated like that. When they are annoyed, they go out on their own to protest this treatment. We understand their concerns but we say no that is not how to present issues. There is a way to do things but some people within the United Nations took it as our weakness and they continued to behave as if South Sudan a protectorate state of the United Nations so we get orders from them,” said Kiir

The South Sudanese leader said an indirect reference to his bad relations with the former secretary general of the United Nations. As, the relations between UN and South Sudan government have deteriorated after fighting broke out in Juba in December 2013.

In January 2014, the UN's camp in Bor was the scene of a dispute between the government and the UN when South Sudan's Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth' was refused entry the compound because of his two armed bodyguards.

At the time, the UN chief released a statement condemning the forced entry by government officials. Ban Ki-moon said he was particularly disturbed over threats made to UN staff after they refused to allow armed soldiers to enter the site after they tried to accompany civilians inside.

“Some of them have now gone to contest for elections in their own countries to become president. I don't know now how they would feel if they become president and the United Nations secretariat decided to treat them like the way they conducted them when it comes to the issues related to South Sudan and their leadership. This has to change so that we treat ourselves according to international protocol and norms .As for us; we are ready to open a new chapter of cooperation with the new leadership of the United Nations and we will support you in implementing and promoting the founding values and universal ideals,” said President Kiir.

The former rebel commander turned politician and became president of the young nation made the remarks during his recent meeting at the margin of the African union summit

His remarks appear to have played a role in the manner in which the new secretary general of the United Nations has been making comments indicating a major shift in relations.

After returning to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, Antonio Guterres expressed readiness of the organization to working to “avoid the worst” for South Sudan. He also praised the international and regional cooperation that prevented large-scale violence. He also described the situation in the country as “dramatic” and could worsen.

Guterres said it was agreed at a meeting involving himself, leaders of the AU and East African bloc IGAD that they would cooperate to make sure that South Sudan's national dialogue be genuinely inclusive and move forward.

“In a meeting with Salva Kiir, it was agreed that we will have better cooperation both for the U.N. mission to operate more freely inside South Sudan and for the Regional Protection Force to be put in place," said Guterres.

African nations have proposed deploying 4,000 troops into South Sudan to help stabilize the country, where three years of conflict have displaced more than two million people.

The United Nations has noted "historical deep-rooted rivalries" between ethnic groups in the region. President Salva Kiir recently created more states in the Malakal area by dividing its political borders.

(ST)

February 2, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan security agents on Wednesday arrested a state minister of finance as he attempted to flee the nation while possessing $70,000, officials told Sudan Tribune.

U.S. dollar notes (Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha Photo)

The finance minister of Boma, one of South Sudan's newly created states, Joseph Lolimoi was arrested at Juba Airport while boarding a plane headed for Sudan's capital, Khartoum.

“I heard that he [Lolimoi] was arrested and he not released or charged (in court) by the security and I don't know the reason for his arrest,” remarked the Boma state coordinator in Juba, Peter Lebelek.

John Achuan, the Boma state information minister also confirmed Lolimoi's detention, but he declined to further discuss the matter.

Lolimoi, a member of the defunct South Sudan Democratic Movement, Cobra-faction formed by current deputy minister of defense David Yau Yau in 2010 and fought for a separate of Boma state from Jonglei, served in Greater Pibor Administrative Area before creation of 28 states in 2015. He was appointed minister of finance by ex-Boma governor, Baba Maden Konyi.

The new Boma governor, Sultan Ismail Konyi has not reshuffled the state cabinet and Lolimoi, according to aides, will not retain his post.

“I think this information (of being ousted) reached him and he wanted to reward himself with that huge money,” a Boma state official who preferred anonymity as investigation continue, revealed.

"I think he was fleeing to Khartoum. That is where he grew up and hatched his political ambition there," he official added.

The $70,000 (SSP 7 million) is enough to pay state workers for two months.

(ST)

February 2, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan has signed a new construction deal for its new capital city with Morocco.

Ramciel by Google Maps

The newly completed deal was witnessed by President Salva Kiir and the visiting King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, on Wednesday evening at the presidential palace in Juba.

The Moroccans leader arrived the country on Wednesday afternoon after postponing the visit in late January due to lack of completion of preparations for his reception, including finding a standard mosque where he would pray as he was expected to arrive in the young nation on Friday.

The visit is reportedly aimed at consolidating bilateral relations and economic ties between the two countries.

Officials said the two countries signed nine agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in various fields.

One of these agreements and MoUs the two sides signed concerned the construction of South Sudan's proposed capital city of Ramciel, general cooperation, and promotion, protection of investment and avoidance of double taxation.

The MoUs also covered areas of agriculture and food security, industrial cooperation, cooperation in the field of mining, cooperation in the field of vocational training and open business opportunities between the two countries.

The South Sudanese foreign affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol told reporters that the visit of the king of Morocco, which culminated into the signing of several cooperation agreements and memorandum of understating between the two countries, would greatly benefit the young nation.

He cited the use of expertise in different areas agreed upon by the two nations as some of the benefits the young nation would get if the cooperation agreement and memorandum of understanding are properly utilized by the two countries.

“Between us and Morocco, there are very important issues, issues of bilateral relations where we are going to cooperate at the regional level and international, we are going to cooperate in the area of agriculture. Morocco has advanced in many areas, better expertise, and we are going to benefit from those areas,” stressed the minister.

Morocco's foreign affairs minister, on the other hand, said their King's visit would open a new chapter in bilateral relations with Africa and South Sudan in particular.

“It is very important visit, it is a very historical visit that will open a new chance in bilateral relations through these new agreements and full discussions between His Majesty and His Excellency President of South Sudan,” said Nasser Bourita.

(ST)

February 2, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese French joint political consultation committee held a series of meetings on Thursday n in Paris to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties in the various fields.

The 3rd session of the joint body is the first of its kind since 2014 the committee stopped its annual meetings after Paris's hosting of a meeting for the rebel groups and the National Umma Party and the signing of Paris Declaration in August 2014.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune, Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said the 3rd session would continue for two days.

The 2nd session was held in Khartoum in on 17 February 2014.

According to the press release, the Sudanese side is chaired by director of bilateral relations department at the foreign ministry Mahmoud Hassan al-Amin besides the director of the European department Youssef al-Kordofani and Sudan's ambassador to Paris Dafallah al-Hag Ali as members.

Khidir pointed that the meetings would discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations and promote the proper understanding toward a number of issues of common concern.

In their meetings, the parties "exchange ideas to promote a correct understanding of many issues of common concern, and discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields and how to push it toward new horizons," said the Sudanese diplomat.

Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour criticized France for hosting frequent meetings of the opposition groups and accused Paris of interfering in the Sudanese internal affairs. He also rejected explanations by the French foreign ministry that Paris is seeking to contribute to the achievement of peace in Sudan.

In a statement on May 9, 2015, Ghandour said that the armed movements reject the African peace initiative and speak "about overthrowing the government through the use of violence. So the official participation of the French government (in these meetings) at the level of the Director for Africa at the French Foreign Ministry. This implies tacit support for such initiatives"

During the 2nd session in 2014, the Sudanese side requested from the French to play a role in resolving Sudan's foreign debt issue in its capacity as the chairman of the Paris Club.

Sudan also renewed its request to join the International Francophone Organization as an observer.

The French side called for renewing the framework agreement between the two countries in the field of humanitarian organizations that will allow the financing of small projects in the health and humanitarian fields.

(ST)

February 2, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco Thursday witnessed the signing ceremony of nine agreements and memoranda including construction of multi-million new city for the East African country.

South Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs named other documents inked on Thursday as agreement on general cooperation, promotion of investment, agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, agreement in the field of vocational training and understanding in agriculture.

Four memoranda were signed on industrial cooperation, mining and commerce between the two countries.

In accordance with the signed deals, a five million dollar feasibility study and assessment will be billed by Morocco.

“The Kingdom of Morocco has taken upon itself the commitment to finance the project (assessment fees) worth five million dollars,” said Morocco's interior minister, Mohammed Hassan.

Environmental and social effect of the projects, particularly the new city, Ramciel, will be carried out. There is no date set for the projects to commence or exact cost estimates.

South Sudan government proposed relocating the capital to Ramciel, a pastoralist area located in Eastern Lakes State and assumed to be neutral and central in the country, in 2011.

Despite numerous government's sponsored studies, the project failed to kick-off, partly due to the cost involved.

King Mohammed VI was received by South Sudan President Salva Kiir at Juba international airport on Wednesday for a two-day state visit.

(ST)

February 2, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Thursday renewed his welcome to the Washington's decision to ease sanctions imposed on Sudan saying the move “came after the U.S. Administration was convinced of its futility”.

On 13 January 2017, pleased with the Sudanese government's efforts on the fight of terror groups, President Barak Obama eased the trade and economic sanctions imposed on Sudan since 1997.

On Thursday, Al-Bashir addressed a public rally on the occasion of the inauguration of the power production plant from Upper Atbara and Setait Dam in eastern Sudan.

He said the U.S. Administration sought to press Sudan by all means but to no avail, describing the Americans as “pragmatic” people.

Al-Bashir pointed that a number of countries and organizations have participated to the lift of sanctions and on top of them Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and China.

The Sudanese President also thanked Algeria and Sultanate of Oman for supporting his country, saying the latter didn't respond to all attempts to prevent it from offering support to Sudan.

It is noteworthy that the lifting of sanctions would be delayed by 180 days, however. The delay is seen as a way of further encouraging the Sudanese government to continue its anti-terror fight -and to improve its record on human rights.

The six month delay means that by July 12, U.S. government agencies will confirm to the White House that Sudan has continued to be cooperative on both fronts.

(ST)

February 2017 (EL-GENEINA) - Sudanese authorities Wednesday condemned a rape of two female teachers by unidentified armed men outside El Geneina, the capital of
West Darfur state.

File picture shows a woman stands in the ruins of a village destroyed in fighting near West Darfur's capital el-Geneina, on February 22, 2008 (Reuters)

The raped teachers had been abudcted by gunmen wearing of kadamool (a turban which covers the face) at one o'clock in the morning on Wednesday from their residence in Addar area, 15 km north of El-Geneina.

The abductors took them to an unidentified place where they raped them and brought them back to their house, the state authorities said.

In press statements in El Geneina, West Darfur State Education Minister Fardos Hassan Saleh condemned the sexual assault describing it is as a "disgraceful" conduct, and called on the state police to do the needful to arrest the criminals and bring them to justice.

She said the two teachers were transported to the hospital and underwent medical examination that confirmed the rape.

Darfur crimes special prosecutor last January confirmed that over hundred rape cases were reported in Darfur during the year 2016.

(ST)

January 31, 2017 (YAMBIO) - 40 members from South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM), the armed opposition (SPLA-IO) and youth groups in Gbudue, one of South Sudan's new states have attended a one-day workshop on peace mitigation and human rights.

SPLM-In Opposition (IO) forces gather outside capital Juba, April 7, 2016 (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomun)

The event was organized by U.N mission's civil affairs division in the state.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the civil affairs division team leader, Stelar Abayomi said the symposium saw both military and civilians attend the two-day workshop, which focused on role of youth and military in conflict mitigation in order to improve the civil relation between communities and the military.

Staler stated that the U.N civil affairs division's role is to keep advocating for people to be conscious about the need to resolve conflict through dialogue, adding that workshop will be done to different groups of community in South Sudan because the conflict could not be resolved by means of fighting, but through dialogue.

The minister of local government and law enforcement, Jackson Ezekiel appreciated UNMISS for organizing such an important workshop at the critical time of need where youth and armed groups are desperately in need of skills to allow them live in peace.

“As the government, we appreciate UNMISS for organizing such an important workshop focusing on peace which the youth and armed groups are in need of at this critical time,” said Ezekiel.

One of the acting commanders of SSNLM, Abel Mathew Mbaraza applauded UNMISS for organizing the one-day workshop for his group, including SPLA/IO members who surrendered to government.

This initiative, he said, will enable them learn how to live with the community peacefully and solve problem in a non-violent way.

“We have been touching how to handle conflict by not using arms and violence, but sitting around the table to address the problem,” said Mbaraza, stressing the need for living in peace and harmony.

(ST)

February 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Wednesday handed over a British journalist captured in Darfur region to the U.K. embassy in Khartoum as he entered into the country illegally.

Independent filmmaker Philip Cox is the first journalist to report the Darfur crisis to the world through a report broadcast by Channel 4 in early 2004.

The British journalist was released in El-Fasher by the end of January, after a presidential pardon granted by President Omer al-Bashir, according to an information note released in the Sudanese capital on Wednesday.

"Cox entered to the country illegally and his involvement in planned activities harmful to the national security has been proved," said the note adding he was released after signing a written pledge not to repeat the offense.

The British national had been detained in El-Fasher on 21 January and since he was transferred to Khartoum where he was interrogated by the security service.

In the past, the young journalist reached Darfur from Chad with the help of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

Cox has been released under the request of the British Ambassador Michael Aron who thanked the Sudanese authorities for the gesture.

Several British officials including the Permanent Under-Secretary at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Simon McDonald and UK Special Envoy for Sudan Christopher Trott visited Khartoum recently and vowed to work for the improvement of bilateral relations.

Last Thursday, a Sudanese court has sentenced the Czech filmmaker Petr Jasek to life in prison for espionage. He was accused of spreading false reports about the situation in the Nuba Mountains to tarnish Sudan's image.

(ST)

February 1, 2017 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese lawmaker has expressed disappointment with the manner in which communities and politicians, particularly in his home state of Gogrial demand for the delivery of service with frequent requests for change of the leaders.

South Sudanese MPs stand during a parliamentary session in Juba on 31 August 2011 (AFP)

In interview with Sudan Tribune, Kuot Deng Kuot attributed this to lack of understanding of roles of the government and the citizens.

Kuot, a member of South Sudan's ruling party (SPLM) said he was disappointed with way the communities and politicians run the country.

A member of the high command council during the war of liberation struggle, which ended with the signing of the 2005 peace agreement that paved way for secession from Sudan after a referendum, Kuot has not held any key positions either as the head of specialized committees in the national legislative assembly, as national minister, state governor or as ambassador.

The lawmaker, however, insists he did not join the movement for positions and cannot rebel if his contribution during the liberation struggle has not been recognised after the war ended.

“My problem has not been why others have been getting assignments and I am not assigned. My problem has been why those who get these assignments not perform to the expectations of the people. My other problems and which is the painful one is why our people are engaged in a constant senseless and tribal fight. Why they don't embrace themselves and this is what I tell them whenever I get the opportunity to talk to them, especially our people of Gogrial,” said the lawmaker.

“I told our people to embrace peace, embrace one another and accept themselves. They need to emulate the way our next door neighbour, the great people of Aweil, the Dinka Malual relate among themselves and how they handle their own issues, even when they have political differences among themselves”, he added.

According to the legislator, it is unwise for the leadership not give servicemen ample time and opportunity they deserve to do what they wanted to do when they were aspiring for leadership positions.

“Our people like changing leaders which is a bad practice. How do you measure the performance of a leader who did not spend one year in office? How do you measure the performance of the minister, say education or agriculture who did not time commensurate to the programs he had outlined and planned to achieve if this minister is removed within three months of his appointment? How will you hold him accountable?” asked the lawmaker from Gogrial.

He continued, “Whose fault is it if he fails, is it the minister, the governor or you the people who came to the governor and asked for replacement? Obviously it is the people who came to ask for replacement knowing this person has programs to implement”.

He said people should be sincere and give officials enough time to perform.
“I told them let us be sincere to ourselves and look ourselves in the eye instead of talking at the backdoor, praising someone in the day and backbite this same person in the night. This is not politics, it is chauvinism”, stressed Kuot.

He said it was high time people appreciated the country's president by giving him the support he needs to bring peace to the country.

“I told them look you wanted the president to give you your state and he did it. He gave you your demand just as the other community requested him to do. Again you went to him and asked him to change your governor and appoint for you the governor you want and he did. So what do you want him again to do?” Kuot asked.

“Since he has been responsive to your demands, you should now reciprocate because relationship between the government and citizens is not a one way traffic, but two way communications,” he added.

(ST)

February 1, 2017 (JUBA) – Newspapers hit the streets of the South Sudanese capital, Juba on Wednesday after fuel shortage saw printing suspended for at least two days.

Newspapers vendor in Juba streets (Photo Cafod)

Universal Printers, the company that prints the privately owned newspapers like the Juba Monitor, The Dawn, This Day and Al-mougif attributed failure to print this week's early editions to lack of fuel.

Fuel was supplied to the printer on Tuesday, an editor posted on social media.
“For your information, we will have the newspapers out in the morning [Wednesday] (...The) issue of fuel resolved,” wrote Emmanuel Monychol Akop, editor in chief of The Dawn newspaper.

Alfred Taban, the editor in chief of the Juba Monitor newspaper said failure to print the paper's early week editions led to financial losses.

“We [newspapers] depend on sales and adverts and without printing the papers, we are being forced to lose money and it will be very difficult to sustain the paper for a couple of days,” said Taban, also the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) chairperson.

South Sudan government solely imports fuel products through state-owned Nile Pet company. However, fuel has been scarce in the city, resulting to long queues and hiking prices at the black market.

Officials managing the distribution of fuel to various stations in Juba have been accused of indulging in the black-market sale of fuel.

Last week, South Sudan's First Vice President Taban Deng Gai disclosed that his office used 10 oil tanks in six months without his knowledge, but vowed to investigate what could have happened.

“This is corruption and it must stop. Anyone involved will be punished,” Gail told a youth gathering at Juba stadium.

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 the 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 South Sudan 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 ongoing pricing disputes.

Even after restarting production, it never recovered to those levels, but it dropped to 245,000 barrels per day after the outbreak of the civil conflict in South Sudan in 2013, which hindered production in the oil-rich regions.

(ST)

February 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - An U.S. embassy official in Khartoum said the eighth of July will be decisive for the relations between Sudan and the United States because it will resolve the matter of sanctions on Sudan permanently or reinstate it.

The Obama administration on 13 January 2017 decided to ease Sudan sanctions, citing the cooperation of the east African country in counterterrorism. However , the partial left of sanctions would be definitive within six months after a last review by the US agencies.

Speaking in a symposium at the Association of Banks premises in Khartoum the Political and Economic Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, David Scott, stressed that the reports covering the upcoming six-month period will determine the fate of sanctions.

The American diplomat further said the recent travel ban of President Donald set off mass confusion in Sudan as many thought that it represents a set back and cancelled the decision of the former President Barak Obama to ease sanctions.

Scott was referring to the presidential executive order barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days.

American diplomats across the world and particularly in the seven countries hit by the travel ban seek since last Friday to minimise the impact of the new border policy based on religion.

For the State Department and the CIA, the two organs that worked to restore relations with Sudan, Trump's decision may break all their efforts to improve relations with the government of President Omer al-Bashir to fight terrorism and preserve the regional stability.

A Sudanese security official said in statements published on Tuesday that the CIA office in Khartoum is the largest office in the Middle East. He said that to give an idea about the important cooperation between intelligence officers in the two countries.

Another diplomat at the economic section of the U.S. embassy in Khartoum, Theodore Thomas, said the American investments will not flow to Sudan immediately after the decision to ease sanctions.

He stressed that attracting investors requires improving the investment environment to gain the confidence of investors especially through the adoption of laws that protect them, and the fight against corruption which makes a lot of investors are reluctant to invest in Sudan.

(ST)

January 1, 2017 (JUBA/WAU) - The new head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer has said the world body is committed to helping the South Sudanese create the conditions of peace and security,” that internally displaced people in the young nation need so as to feel confident of returning home.

The Special Representative of the U.N Secretary General in South Sudan David Shearer, February 1, 2017 (ST)

Shearer made these remarks on Wednesday during his first field trip outside the capital, Juba, in the town of Wau, where some 41,000 people are sheltering after fleeing their homes due to insecurity.

“The internally displaced people in Wau urgently need to return to their land ahead of the planting season in April and May,” he said.

“If they do not there will be no harvest and they will be further dependent on aid,” added the new head of the U.N mission.

UNMISS, Shearer further said in a statement, can support South Sudan's peace process, but stressed that “ultimately peace and stability is something that the South Sudanese need to create.”

Shearer also visited Rumbek town in Western Lakes State, where insecurity has been heightened by long patterns of cattle raiding.

According to UNMISS, the new head of its South Sudan mission met U.N peacekeepers who have rehabilitated over 250 kilometers of roads, noting how important transport infrastructure is for the development of war-torn South Sudan.

“The supply of humanitarian aid as well as business and trade all depends on having a good road infrastructure, but the key is to first bring peace to the country,” said Shearer.

During his visit to Rumbek and Wau towns, Shearer held meetings with the respective state governors and members of the legislature.

Shearer also listened to the concerns of internally displaced people.

South Sudan has experience violence since December 2013 when political disagreements between President Salva Kiir and Machar saw the nation split along ethnic lines. Tens of thousands of people have since been killed and millions displaced in South Sudan's worst ever outbreak of violence since its 2011 independence.

(ST)

January 29, 2017 (JUBA) - The new head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer held a meeting with South Sudan President Salva Kiir, during which the former reiterated the mission's commitment to supporting peace efforts in the young nation.

David Shearer (Getty Images)

Shearer, a U.N spokesperson said, also assured the South Sudanese leader that the U.N and UNMISS are there to support the Government and help the people of war-torn South Sudan.

The senior U.N official reportedly state that he was in South Sudan with an open mind and would leave the East African nation if conditions in the country permit UNMISS to leave.

Shearer, who doubles at the special representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan, also met with the South Sudanese minister of cabinet affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro and that he was pleased to hear the minister reiterate South Sudan Government's commitment to the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) mandated by the U.N Security Council in August 2016.

UNMISS was deployed in July 2011 after South Sudan's independence from Sudan. Currently, there are 13,000 uniformed personnel and over 2,000 international and local civilian staff.

South Sudan descended into turmoil in mid-December 2013 when rival forces loyal to President Kiir bitterly fought with those loyal to his former deputy Riek Machar. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in a crisis that has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.
(ST)

January 29, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The United People's Front for Liberation and Justice (UPFLJ), a group from eastern Sudan, has called on the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the killing incident known as “Port Sudan Massacre”.

Over 20 people were killed in Port Sudan, capital of the Red Sea state on 29 January 2005 when thousands of protesters called for the end of an armed conflict in the impoverished province and to provide job opportunities.

A delegation from the UPFLJ including its chairwoman Zaineb Kabashi and her deputy Osama Saeed has met with a number of officials from the office of the ICC chief prosecutor in the Hague.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, UPFLJ said the meeting discussed the ICC role to prosecute Sudanese officials wanted by the tribunal and on top of them President Omer al-Bashir.

The ICC has issued two arrest warrants against President al-Bashir in 2009 and 2010 for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Darfur.

According to the statement, the delegation presented an integrated vision that the ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute the “Port Sudan Massacre”, saying “the special force which had committed the massacre in cold blood was brought to disperse peaceful protests”.

The statement pointed that the ICC has jurisdiction individuals for crimes against humanity, saying the tribunal shall have the jurisdiction “when national courts are unable or unwilling to investigate the defendants”.

It pointed that the Sudanese courts are unwilling to institute the proceedings in relation to “Port Sudan Massacre”, accusing the Sudanese regime and security services of obstructing any moves to file a lawsuit in this regard.

“Accordingly, the delegation requested [the ICC] to file a lawsuit against the perpetrators of the massacre,” added the statement.

It further said the two sides agreed to hold a second meeting to allow the UPFLJ to hand over a complete dossier to the ICC to file the lawsuit.

The UPFLJ is a splinter faction of the Eastern Front that signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government in October 2006.

The group says Khartoum government didn't implement the Eritrean government brokered agreement which provides to establish a $600 million development fund to be paid over four years.

(ST)

January 29, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir has issued an order removed Lam Akol Ajawin from the ministry of agriculture, several months after his resignation from the position.

Lam Akol, chairman of South Sudan's main opposition party (AFP/Samir Bol Photo)

Akol, an influential opposition leader, resigned his position august 2016 from the unity government formed in line with the 2015 peace agreement which the government and armed and non-armed opposition signed to end the over three years destructive war.

He described the agreement as “dead” following renewed rounds of fighting between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar, in the capital Juba in July 2016.

“Since the agreement is dead and there is no free political space in Juba, the only sensible way to oppose this regime so as to restore genuine peace to our war-torn country is to organize outside Juba,” Akol told journalists in the capital of neighboring Ethiopia, Addis Ababa,

Akol was one of two ministers in the unity government that was neither part of Kiir's SPLM nor Machar's opposition, known as the SPLM-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO). He was representing the alliance of non-armed opposition parties in unity government. When he left, the group was expected to convene a meeting at which they would deliberate on who should be the replacement.

His deputy, who hails from the alliance, has been acting and the new order from the president effecting removal of Akol from the position did not elevate him to full ministerial capacity and did not appoint a new official, continuing to create an administrative vacuum at the ministry.

South Sudan was plunged into civil war in December 2013, when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup to overthrow him, resulting in the eruption of war in which tens of thousands were killed and more than 2 million displaced in the civil war, with sporadic outbreaks of fighting even after a peace agreement was brokered in August 2015. Machar returned to the capital to re-take up the post of First Vice-President in April.

Last July, the rival forces clashed in Juba, resulting in the loss of more than 270 lives and tens of thousands of residents fleeing to neighbouring Uganda. Machar fled the capital with his forces as a result and Kiir issued a 48-hour ultimatum for him to return. When Machar failed to show, Kiir swore in Taban Deng Gai, as the new First Vice-President until Machar returned. The appointment was rejected by Machar as illegal.

Upon his resignation, Akol said he would to align with like-minded compatriots” in order to build a national coalition, saying the South Sudanese would no longer tolerate a “callous, totalitarian and ethnocentric regime that seems to thrive on the suffering of its own people,”

He later formed a national democratic movement which pledged to work with other remove the government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir from power.

(ST)

January 29, 2017 (JUBA) - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reiterated its call on all the warring parties involved in South Sudan's conflict to immediately cease hostilities and fully implement the peace agreement.

UNMISS troops from India patrol the UNMISS compound in Juba, South Sudan recently (UN MISSION/AP)

UNMISS, in a statement issued Sunday, said was deeply concerned about the outbreak of fighting between the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and SPLA in Opposition (SPLM-OI) in and around Malakal town, including intermittent shelling that has been reported over the last few days.

The situation in Malakal town, according to the mission, remained tense following clashes between rival factions.

“The mission continues to patrol regularly in Malakal and reports that the town is largely deserted,” reads the statement issued by the U.N mission in the young nation.

The acting SPLA spokesman, Santo Domic Chol said Wednesday that the two rival forces clashed near Malakal, the Upper Nile state capital after government forces were allegedly attacked by militias under the command of Johnson Olony.

He neither gave details on the exact location where the clashes occurred nor unveil information on any casualties from the Malakal incident.

UNMISS, however, said it will continue to act within its capacity to protect South Sudanese civilians in imminent danger and calls on all the country's warring parties in the conflict to silence the guns to enable the movement of humanitarian aid and personnel to affected areas.

South Sudan has experience violence since December 2013 when political disagreements between President Salva Kiir and Machar saw the nation split along ethnic lines. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in South Sudan's worst ever outbreak of violence since independence from neighbouring Sudan.

(ST)

January 29, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Ministry on Sunday has summoned the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Khartoum Steven Koutsis to protest against the decision by President Donald Trump restricting entry for Sudanese nationals to the United States.

President Trump on Saturday issued an executive order temporarily banning refugees and travellers to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries – Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune Sunday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdel-Ghani al-Nai'm has expressed to Koutsis his government resentment over the ban against Sudanese nationals.

He described the move as a “negative signal” in light of the recent positive developments in relations between the two countries following the ease of economic sanctions imposed on Sudan and the joint cooperation in the fight against terror.

A week before the end of his second term, President Barack Obama signed an executive order easing economic embargo imposed on Sudan since 1997.

According to the press release, al-Nai'm underscored Sudan's keenness to continue the dialogue and cooperation with the American side at all joint levels as well as regional and international issues of common concern.

He added that Sudan awaits the U.S. government to lift its name from the list of states sponsors of terror very soon; saying they also expects the U.S. to reconsider its decision to ban Sudanese nationals from entering its territory.

The US State Department added Sudan to its state terror list in 1993, accusing Khartoum of harboring local and international militants including for a time AQ leader Osama bin Laden.

Since Washington admitted Sudan's cooperation in the anti-terror war but continues to maintain the east African nation name on the list.

Last September, the State Department spokesperson praised Sudan counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. "In recent months, Sudan has taken important steps to counter ISIL and other terrorist groups and has sought to prevent their movement into and through Sudan," said John Kirby.

Countries on the list of state sponsors of terrorism cannot receive U.S. economic aid or buy U.S. weapons and a raft of restrictions on financial and other dealings. The list currently includes Sudan, Libya, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria and Yemen.

According to the sudanese foreign ministry, Koutsis pointed that he would convey Sudan's government message to his government, saying the U.S. is keen to continue dialogue and cooperation to promote ties between the two countries in light of the positive moves that have been achieved during the past six months.

(ST)

January 29, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir will meet his South Sudanese counterpart on the sidelines of the 28th African Union Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa next week.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour disclosed Saturday that the two leaders will meet in Addis Ababa to discuss peace in South Sudan. He made his remarks following a meeting with the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan David Shearer.

Sudan is a member of the IGAD mechanism that brokered a peace agreement signed by the South Sudanese warring parties in August 2015. Also, Khartoum has opened its river and land border to allow international humanitarian assistance to the South Sudanese.

In his statements published by the official SUNA , Ghandour said the meeting comes in the framework of the role played by President al-Bashir and Sudan in support of the (regional) efforts to stop the war and achieve reconciliation between the warring factions in South Sudan.

During a meeting of the IGAD leaders held last year, Bashir called for an inclusive process involving the SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar. He also backed the regional efforts to prevent the resumption of war in the neighbouring country after Juba clashes in July 20016.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss the deployment of the joint force on the buffer zone to prevent cross-border attacks by rebel groups.

(ST

January 28, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - European Ambassadors to Sudan Saturday expressed hope that the return of opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi would positively impact the ongoing efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.

The leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) al-Mahdi who returned to Sudan on 26 January vowed to work for an inclusive process to end war and accomplish democratic reforms in the country.

The opposition leader who sealed an alliance with the armed movements said after his return to the country that all the rebel groups are committed to a negotiated solution and pledged to not resort to violence to overthrow the regime.

Following a meeting with him at the NUP premises in Sudanese capital on Saturday, the European ambassadors including the EU Ambassador Jean-Michel Dumond issued a statement welcoming his return to Sudan after over two years of self-exile in Egypt.

"They expressed the hope that his return will contribute positively and leads to a meaningful dialogue and participation between all the political parties of Sudan," said the statement.

"They encouraged and urged all parties to seize this momentum to speed up engagement on the AUHIP roadmap framework to end the conflicts in Sudan and move towards peace and stability in the region," the EU diplomats stressed.

Different EU countries, particularly, Britain and Germany, are backing in the efforts led by African Union mediation team to sign a humanitarian cessation of hostilities and to hold an inclusive process including the armed groups.

Al-Mahdi, the leader of the largest opposition party, is seen by the international community as key element in this process as he played a crucial role in the signing of the Roadmap Agreement.

They expect that he continues to narrow the gaps between the government and the armed groups to sign the humanitarian truce and create a conducive environment for the inclusive constructional process.

In a speech he delivered last Thursday, he backed the American proposal for a humanitarian deal and suggested that the other demands of the SPLM-N particularly a safe humanitarian corridor through Asosa; Ethiopia be included in the agreement.

(ST)