Sudan Tribune

November 12, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese activists have launched a campaign to end the suffering of thousands of people that are denied the Sudanese nationality after the independence of South Sudan particularly those whose mothers are Sudanese.

After South Sudan independence in 2011, Sudanese authorities withdrew the nationality of South Sudanese that are born in Sudan. Also, those who are from a South Sudanese father have been arbitrarily deprived of nationality.

Sudanese activists told Sudan Tribune that the stateless people are not allowed to go to schools, to buy a house, to get married, to get a job or to move inside the country or abroad.

There are now 300 court cases against the Sudanese government on deprivation of nationality, according to Ihsan Abdel Aziz, a Sudanese activist member of the "I'm Sudanese" Initiative which monitors the situation of stateless children from Sudanese mothers.

"This number is not true because there are much more, but the victims of the removal of citizenship (after the 2011 separation) avoid recourse to the judiciary fearing to be harassed by the authorities, especially most of them are working in the private sector in marginal jobs," Abdel Aziz told "Sudan Tribune.

The I'm Sudanese" campaign aims to give Sudanese citizenship to any person from a Sudanese mother and South Sudanese father without condition as it is provided in the nationality law. Also, the group calls to restitute the Sudanese nationality to those who have been denied the nationality after the 2011 secession.

The activists further say they want to prevent the risk of statelessness in Sudan, in line with the international human rights instruments.

Abdel Aziz said the government has appealed to the Supreme Court against the rule of some courts in favour of the stateless people after the South Sudan independence.

The campaigners point that despite the clear provisions of the law guaranteeing the right to acquire Sudanese nationality for the sons of a Sudanese female, the authorities refrain from delivering the ID cards to hundreds of children in the state of Khartoum and other states since the secession of South Sudan five years ago.

They are determined to end the suffering of a large number of families whose children have been deprived of their nationality and citizenship, as a result of which they are treated as foreigners who are required to pay school and university fees in dollars, as well as being deprived of free treatment and discrimination.

(ST)

November 13, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has assured the country's former army chief of safety, reducing panic and tension generated by the deployment of government troops around the latter's home.

S Sudan's President Salva Kiir is received by former Chief of General Staff of the SPLA Paul Malong Awan at the airport in Juba March 6, 2015 (Reuters)

Elders and church leaders involved in negotiations to break the standoff between government and General Paul Malong Awan said the latter was now free to move and live anywhere in the country.

“The discussions we have had with the president have been encouraging. He is a man of peace and he wants the situation to be addressed peacefully. The issue of has now been resolved and Gen Paul Malong will choose where to go. The troops deployed around his residences have been withdrawn as part of the implementation of the outcome of the meeting and for confidence building," Deng Macham Angui”, chairman of traditional leaders told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

The president has given personal assurance of safety to Awan, he stressed.

Meanwhile presidential advisor on security affairs said the government decided to withdraw troops from Awan's home after a review showed no security threat existed.

Tut Kew Gatluak said the withdrawal was done to reduce and eliminate uncertainty created by deployment of security forces around the residence of former army chief.

“There is no problem and there was no problem completely. It was just a misunderstanding. But it has been resolved peacefully. The forces have now withdrawn to build confidence between the Government and General Paul and to ease inconveniences caused to other road users," said Gatluak.

The official spokesperson for the South Sudanese army said the decision follows the “peaceful” resolution of misunderstandings between government and Malong.

“Armoured Personnel Carriers and security forces initially deployed around the residence of Gen Paul Malong have been withdrawn,” said Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.

“Withdrawal came about after Gen. Paul accepted presidential order on reduction of his bodyguards”, he added.

Malong, a former elected state governor, lost his position as army chief of general staff in May and his movement had to be restricted.

The army spokesperson said the decision to withdraw security forces from the ex-military chief's home was taken for after a security review reportedly showed the latter posed no security threats to government in particular and residents in general.

He said government will on Monday officially issue a statement on the peaceful resolution of misunderstandings with the ex-army chief.

Last week, however, attempts by government forces to disarm the former army chief's bodyguards failed, prompting an uprising from some troops loyal to Malong.

But Malong warned of potential bloodshed should government insist on disarming and arresting his guards.

The UN Mission in South Sudan earlier expressed willingness to assist resolve the standoff between the government and the former military chief of staff.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (JUBA) - The number of South Sudanese forced to flee the country could reach the 3 million mark if the war continues by the end of next year, a top United Nations official said.

Sudanese refugees in a refugees camp in Maban, South Sudan (WFP Photo)

This was revealed by Arnauld Akodjenou, the regional coordinator for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) for South Sudan, after he visited four of the six countries which are hosting South Sudanese refugees, including northern Uganda, which is hosting over a million people.

The senior UN official, in his assessment of the humanitarian situation, gave some horrific accounts of what he witnessed during his visit to the various countries that currently host South Sudanese refugees.

Last week, the world body said 1.25 million people are facing starvation as the conflict in the war-torn nation enters its fourth year.

The government and aid groups warned that country could once again plunge into famine in 2018, if the conflict continues unabated.

Famine was early this year declared famine in two counties of South Sudan's Unity State, where about 100,000 people were affected.

Meanwhile, in response to last week's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global alert, the international humanitarian organization, Action Against Hunger issued an urgent call for political leadership to end the conflict-driven hunger crisis in South Sudan.

According to the IPC alert, in the worst-case scenario, famine is possible in 2018 in multiple locations throughout the war-hit nation.

"It is not unusual to see seasonal spikes—or declines—in levels of hunger in different parts of the country," said Guy Halsey, the country director for Action Against Hunger in South Sudan.

"But what we are seeing is devastating. Prevalence of acute malnutrition has exceeded the emergency threshold throughout the country,” he added.

At least 45 percent of the South Sudanese population will face severe food insecurity during this year's harvest season (October to December) when food is usually most plentiful, the government and various humanitarian agencies said in the IPC alert issued last week.

The conflict in South Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million since it broke out in December 2013.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Australian gold mining companies have an interest to invest in Sudan said the Australian non-resident Ambassador to the Sudan and Egypt Neil Hawkins on Sunday.

The Australian diplomat who is based in Cairo made his remarks after a meeting with the Sudanese Minister of Minerals Hashim Ali Salim in Khartoum one week after a visit of a delegation of an Australian mining firm to the east African country as another one is expected next week.

Hawkins said that five of the largest Australian mining companies that want to work in Sudan after the lift of U.S. sanctions adding that Sudan is among the attractive African countries for investors.

Sudan's revenues from gold exports during the first half of 2017 amounted to $1,6 billion. The East African country.

The gold production of the first half of 2017 reached 50.22 tonnes, according to the semi-annual performance report of the ministry of minerals. The share of traditional mining sector reached 42,6 tonnes.

The Sudanese Minister Salim, for his part, expected the arrival of a number of Australian companies to invest in the mining sector in Sudan, especially those working in the field of mining services.

He further pointed to Sudan's need for the expertise of Australian companies in the field of exploration and mining services, as well as the new Australian technology to extract gold without the use of mercury.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government announced it has withdrawn armed personnel initially deployed to guard the home of former military chief of staff, General Paul Malong.

Paul Malong arrives at Juba Airport 13 May 2017 (ST Photo)

A spokesperson for South Sudan army said the decision follows the “peaceful” resolution of misunderstandings between government and Malong.

“Armoured Personnel Carriers and security forces initially deployed around the residence of Gen Paul Malong have been withdrawn,” said Lul Ruai Koang, adding “Withdrawal came about after Gen. Paul accepted presidential order on reduction of his bodyguards”.

The government had earlier dismissed as untrue reports that the powerful former army chief of staff has been freed from house arrest.

Malong, a former elected state governor, lost his position as army chief of general staff in May and his movement had to be restricted.

The army spokesperson said the decision to withdraw security forces from the ex-military chief's home was taken for after a security review reportedly showed the latter posed no security threats to government in particular and residents in general.

He said government will on Monday officially issue a statement on the peaceful resolution of misunderstandings with the ex-army chief.

Last week, however, attempts by government forces to disarm the former army chief's bodyguards failed, prompting an uprising from some troops loyal to Malong.

But Malong warned of potential bloodshed should government insist on disarming and arresting his guards.

The UN Mission in South Sudan earlier expressed willingness to assist resolve the standoff between the government and the former military chief of staff.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (JUBA) - Rwandan peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have introduced voluntary community cleaning exercise to ensure hygiene, sanitation and other human security activities in the internally displaced peoples' camps within the war-torn East African country.

An honour guard of Rwandan peacekeepers welcomes the Secretary-General at the UNMISS Tomping Base, Juba May 6, 2014 (Photo UN)

The Rwandan homegrown initiative, also known as Umuganda, was launched in Protection of Civilian (POC) 3, an IDP camp that accommodates over 33, 000 internally displaced South Sudanese.

POC 3 is currently under the protection of Rwanda police peacekeepers.

The peacekeepers, joined by the camp community leadership and the people on Saturday, cleared bushes, cleaned the streets, water trenches and collected littered waste, including plastic bags.

The contingent commander of the Rwandan peacekeepers in Juba, Bosco Rangira, and the chairman of POC3, Charles Riek Wal, as well as zone leaders in the IDP camp, headed the community exercise.

Rangira said the exercise was conducted in the spirit of community policing, to interact with the people they serve on daily basis, and to uphold national values.

While addressing the people shortly after the official launch of Umuganda, the contingent commander thanked the population for the big turn up and usual cooperation in the security operation.

He stressed that the activity was initiated purposely to “share original Rwandan home-grown initiatives of keeping the camp clean, protect the environment and be solution to the problems.”

Similar activities will be conducted monthly, the event organizers said.

The camp chairperson, Charles Riek Wal, lauded the Rwandan peacekeepers in South Sudan, for the “noble work to keep us safe” and urged the IDPs to equally own it and make it part of their culture.

Wal particularly commended the role Rwandan peacekeepers played in protecting them during the July 2013 crisis, saying that “without your protection possibly most of us here wouldn't be alive.”

He reassured partnership with the Rwandan peacekeepers in ensuring security of the IDPs and other community activities, and urged people to support and own such human security initiatives.

There are about 430 Rwandan police peacekeepers serving in South Sudan, including two 400-strong Formed Police Units. Others serve as individual police pfficers, who mainly act as advisors and mentors.

Rwandan peacekeepers have introduced and conducted similar Umuganda activities in different UN missions across the world, where they have been credited for teaching people values of partnership in security and development.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - A senior French delegation on Sunday has arrived in El Fasher, North Darfur state capital to at the beginning of a tour to inspect the security and humanitarian situation in the restive region.

The delegation, which includes the French Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Stéphane Gruenberg and the French Ambassador to Khartoum Emmanuelle Blatmann, has met with the deputy governor of North Darfur Mohamed Biraima.

Biraima told Sudan Tribune following the meeting he briefed the visiting delegation on the security situation in the state, pointing to reconciliations among the various tribes.

The meeting also discussed the reconfiguration process of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) as well as the progress of the disarmament campaign.

Last June, the African Union and the United Nations decided to draw down the UNAMID by withdrawing the military personnel by 44% and that of the police component by 30%, the closure of 11 team sites in the first phase and the withdrawal of the military component from another seven team sites in the second phase.

But at the same time, the Council decided the opening of a temporary operating base in the Jebel Marra town of Golo.

“The envoy [Gruenberg] stressed that France would confidently support development in Sudan especially in areas of agriculture, animal production, culture and the various fields after Darfur has stabilized,” said Biraima.

He pointed out that the French diplomats have underscored the need to direct support towards development, infrastructure, reconciliation and stability during the coming period.

For her part, Blatmann told Sudan Tribune they would also visit Zalingei, Golo and Nyala, saying they would meet with the UNAMID, non-governmental organizations as well as visiting the University of El Fasher.

She stressed France keenness to achieve stability in Darfur, saying they would join efforts with the international community to resolve the Sudanese crises.

Blatmann pointed to France support for the mediation efforts of the African Union which seek to achieve peace in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile on the bases of the Roadmap Agreement.

“The goal of our visit is to promote bilateral cooperation in all domains especially human, cultural and academic development,” she said.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as “Two Areas” since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

The government and Sudan Call forces (the armed groups and the National Umma Party) signed in March and August 2016 the Roadmap Agreement brokered by the African Union including several steps towards their participation in a national constitutional process inside Sudan.

However, the parties failed to sign a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian agreements that are seen crucial before to move forward in the roadmap implementation process.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (EL-OBEID) - Local officials in North Kordofan state Sunday said all arrangements have been completed to resume relief operations in South Sudan through a new route connecting the state with the neighbouring country.

The conflict in South Sudan has triggered a humanitarian crisis with 2.3 million people forced from their homes and 4.6 million in need of emergency food (AFP Photo/Tony Karumba)

Three United Nations agencies declared an outbreak of famine in the young nation in February, saying an additional 1 million people were are the brink of starvation.

In July 2014, Juba and Khartoum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to open a humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese through the River Nile or by road. Last January, the agreement was extended for a six month period.

On 30 June, the World Food Programme (WFP) began providing food assistance to South Sudan using a new corridor to transport food items overland from El Obeid in central Sudan to Bentiu in South Sudan's Unity state.

Sudan has so far opened three aid corridors to deliver food assistance to South Sudan. Last month, South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation deputy commissioner said the Sudanese government has agreed to open an additional corridor.

During a meeting on Sunday, the secretary general of North Kordofan government and chairman of the sub-committee tasked with the delivery of humanitarian aid to South Sudan Abdullah al-Tom Imam Sunday laid out the arrangements to resume the relief operations.

According to the official news agency SUNA, Imam said the concerned bodies indicated that all arrangements have been completed to transport 500 metric tonnes of sorghum via 18 trucks.

He added the delivery of the aid underlines the seriousness of the Sudanese government to assist the South Sudanese citizens, demanding the WFP to resume the relief operations through the new corridor.

For his part, the WFP representative in Khartoum, who is also in charge of the logistical support for South Sudan, has pledged to meet all demands of the committee.

He vowed to provide the storage and transportation needs, renewing the WFP commitment to cooperate with the competent authorities.

Also, the deputy commissioner of humanitarian aid in North Kordofan has expressed readiness to deliver food assistance to South Sudan via the new corridor.

South Sudan became the world's newest nation after declaring independence from Sudan in 2011.

However, in 2013 the country was plunged into civil war killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions.

November 11, 2017 (JUBA) - The Aweil community have issued a strongly-worded statement demanding the “immediate” release of South Sudan's former army chief, Paul Malong Awan from detention.

South Sudanese army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan speaking at a Dinka Malual community meeting in Juba on 1 Novemer 2012 (ST)

The community, in a 10 November statement, warned that it would hold President Salva Kiir personally responsible should anything happen to Awan while in detention.

“If Gen. Malong dies today in Juba, then we the Aweil community will hold you personally responsible for his blood. We will also hold you responsible for bloods of those other people from Mading Aweil whom we are told are now detained for speaking out in Juba some of whom have already died reportedly beaten to death by the security operatives of Akol Kor”, the statement reads in part.

Simon Henry Angok, who described himself as president of the Aweil community in Australia signed the statement, also initialed by Atileo Deng, president of the Aweil community in Canada, Adim Malek Puot, president of the Aweil community in the United States and Garang Wel Aleu, leader of the Mading Aweil community in Egypt.

“Our community has sensed a systematic targeting of our community figures, which started during the years of struggle, early on with Benjamin Bol Akok, George Kuach and many others all of whom were murdered in cold blood when you were head of the Intelligence of SPLA. The people of Aweil in Australia, Canada, USA and Egypt strongly condemns the incident in which armed militias under the tutelage of Akol Kor, the Director of National Security, were brought to attack the resident of Gen. Paul Malong,” further reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

It added, “This is unjustifiable and clear misuse of power by your government”.
The statement represents the level of frustration and an apparent anger with the manner in which the government was handling the detention of Awan, a former ally of President Kiir-turned opponent.

Observers have warned the current standoff involving Awan could spark another conflict if not handled with care and leadership.

However, the Juba government says it wants the matter concerning the ex-army chief resolved through negotiations instead of using military means, saying it would have been a question of moving in tanks and the whole issue resolved if want to use military option.

“Efforts are underway and talks are going on and because we don't want this thing to be handled militarily, because under the normal circumstances, it would have been the question of moving in tanks and the whole issue is over,” said information minister, Michael Makuei.

“But we don't want that to happen and this is why we are giving rooms for further contacts and intervention and we are optimistic that this issue will be addressed soon”, he further stressed.

A presidential advisor on Friday downplayed reports that circulated about release by the president of the former military chief of staff.

“I have no such information. What I know is that talks are continuing. When they are concluded they will be made public and both sides will speak to the public. What is true is that the president of the Republic has demonstrated critical leadership in this matter and has made it clear that the standoff will be resolved amicably through elders and religious leaders,” Tor Deng Mawien told Sudan Tribune.

Awan, a former ally of the South Sudan leader, has been placed under house arrest since he was sacked by the president in May 2017.

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan government uses food as a weapon of war to target civilians by blocking life-saving aid in some areas, a United Nations report to the Security Council has revealed.

People in conflict-affected areas of South Sudan collect food from WFP (WFP/eter Testuzza Photo)

According to the confidential report seen by Reuters, between 2016 and 2017, a campaign allegedly carried by government troops in South Sudan's Wau state and areas in Western Bahr el-Ghazal targeted civilians on ethnic grounds, displacing more than 100,000.

“The government has during much of 2017 deliberately prevented life-saving food assistance from reaching some citizens,” the confidential report from UN monitors partly reads.

“These actions amount to using food as a weapon of war with the intent to inflict suffering on civilians the government views as opponents to its agenda,” it added.

The UN report faults President Salva Kiir's government for food insecurity situation in a nation where 1.2 million people risk starvation.

“The denial of aid had caused extreme food insecurity among large sections of the population, with malnutrition and death by starvation the documented outcome, in particular in the Greater Baggari area in Wau County,” says the report submitted to the Security Council.

South Sudan government did not immediate react to the new UN report.

Last month, a UN report said South Sudan's government bears "primary responsibility" for incessant violence in the young nation.

The five-member panel established by the UN Security Council cited an absence of political will to implement a 2015 peace agreement and to address "the destructive governance practices and historical grievances that continue to drive the conflict in South Sudan.

The experts attributed these failures to the political and military elite of the country, with the primary responsibility for the ongoing violence resting with those in the government led by President Kiir and the first vice-president, Taban Deng Gai.

Neighbouring nations continue to experience adverse impacts of the nearly four-year-long civil war, yet are making no effective efforts to negotiate an end to the fighting, the report says.

The South Sudanese conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced over two million people.

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (KAMPALA) — Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir will visit Uganda next Tuesday for bilateral talks with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni, announced e foreign ministry in Kampala.

Omar al-Bashir (R) welcomes Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at Khartoum Airport for talks during an official visit to Sudan September 15, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

"During the upcoming Official Visit by President Omer al-Bashir, a number of areas of cooperation will be discussed including trade and investment, agriculture, regional peace and security as well as international matters of mutual interest," said a statement on Saturday.

Human rights activists have in the past urged Uganda to arrest the Sudanese leader who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In his visit on 14-15 November, President al-Bashir will be accompanied by ministers, senior officials and a business delegation in various sectors to discuss trade, investments and business partnerships. Also, a Sudan-Uganda Business Forum is expected to be held during the visit.

After long years of mistrust and accusation of support to rebel groups, Kampala and Khartoum are now working together on may regional files including the South Sudanese crisis and enhancing bilateral relations in various field.

Also, President al-Bashir attended the inauguration of President Museveni in May 2016 and the latter visited Khartoum in October of the same year to attend the final session of National Dialogue Conference.

The Sudanese Undersecretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdel-Ghani Al-Nai'm visited Kampala to prepare for the visit and met his counterpart Patrick Mugoya on 5-6 October 2017. The two parties agreed to implement the decisions during the latest joint commission meetings held in Khartoum earlier this year.

"Among the issues they discussed were opportunities for trade and investment, immigration, air transport, regional issues and security matters," said the statement.

Sudan imports 20% of Uganda coffee and is the single biggest export market for the product from which about $100 million is earned.

A delegation from the Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization visited Uganda from November 5-8, 2017 to inspect the coffee testing/quality assurance facilities of Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and private coffee processors.

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu (SPLM-N al-Hilu) has told the French government of its determination to work with all national, regional and international forces to achieve peace in Sudan.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the SPLM-N rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011.

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one led by al-Hilu and the other led by Malik Agar. The rift emerged several months ago over the right of self-determination and other issues.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, the SPLM al-Hilu said its Secretary General Amar Amon has sent a message to the French Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Stéphane Gruenberg thanking the French people and government for their role in the Sudanese issues.

According to the statement, Amon underscored the Movement's intention to work with all national, regional and international forces to achieve just and comprehensive peace in Sudan.

“The message also addressed the right to self-determination for the Two Areas and other important issues” read the statement.

The statement pointed out that the Movement representative in Paris, who handed over the message, has briefed Gruenberg and the foreign ministry officials on the success of the Extraordinary General Conference held with the participation of several important Sudanese political forces and friends of the Movement in the region and the world.

He said the Movement decision to sack some officials doesn't constitute a rift but a democratic and institutional measure that wouldn't affect the strength of the Movement or its army.

According to the statement, the meeting also discussed the speech delivered by the SPLM-N al-Hilu chairman during the conference, saying some international parties close to the Sudanese issue described that speech as “the most important speech in the history of the Movement since 2011”.

It underlined the two sides agreed on the need to continue to coordinate and work jointly to make a progress on all outstanding issues.

The SPLM-N al-Hilu held its Extraordinary General Conference in the Nuba Mountains area of South Kordofan state from 8 to 12 October.

The conference elected Abdel Aziz al-Hilu as leader of the armed group and reaffirmed its demand for the right of self-determination saying it should be the basis of a negotiated solution to establish the New Sudan.

It also stressed the need for the unity of the SPLM/A North under the elected leadership but closed the door for any rapprochement with the other faction led by Agar, saying no attention will be paid to any groups or platforms that speak in the name of the SPLM-N.

Talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N for a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access are stalled since August 2016.

Following the recent developments within the SPLM-N, the Sudanese government rejected the SPLM-N al-Hilu's demand for self-determination, expressing readiness to resume talks on the basis of a framework agreement signed with the SPLM-N negotiating team headed by Yasir Arman.

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (PARIS) - Abdel al-Wahid al-Nur, the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) expressed his understanding for the demand of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led Abdel Aziz for self-determination but stressed that it is not a solution for the Sudanese crisis.

Al-Nur made his remarks in a meeting organized in the French capital Paris organised by his movement with the participation of representatives of several opposition groups and civil society activists. Also, the rally was attended by hundreds of his supporters among the Sudanese refugees in France.

"Self-determination is not a gift, but a cardinal principle of the United Nations charter. Anyone who feels persecuted in his own country has the right to decide his own destiny," said al-Nur on Saturday.

He further said that neither al-Hilu nor the South Sudanese who chose to secede from Sudan were responsible for this situation but the Sudanese state, which treats its citizens unequally."

"We give those who demand self-determination their right, and we stand with them in one trench to establish the State of which we dream," he further stressed to express his support and understanding for the SPLM-N al-Hilu.

Last October, the SPLM-N al-Hilu put the right for self-determination at the top of the resolutions of an extraordinary general conference held after a split in the group that fights the government in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The opposition forces sought to convince the rebel group to abandon this demand because Sudanese people, in general, reject it and it will question the whole the African Union-led political process to end the war and achieve democratic reforms.

The SLM-AW is not part of the peace process, as it calls for a regime change in the country considering the regime of President Omer al-Bashir would not concede on the Islamic state to establish a secular and multicultural state where the religion is a private matter.

However, he made it clear that the self-determination is not a solution to the Sudanese crisis.

"If it represents a solution I am the most demanding person, but it is not a solution We should not impose solutions people do not consent, but let us sit with each other to find a solution," he further emphasized.

The SLM-AW dispatched a big delegation to participate in the SPLM-N extraordinary general conference last month. Many saw it as a prelude to a new alliance between the two groups, while the other opposition groups keep seeking to integrate the two factions of the SPLM-N in the broader alliance of the Sudan Call.

When asked by the Sudan Tribune about the SLM-AW position from the unity of the opposition forces in the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the Sudan Call, al-Nur pointed they are a founding member of the SRF stressing it was established on the principles and goals of his movement.

He further criticized the opposition leaders' lack of commitment to the signed charters and adherence to their principles.

He pointed that in 2011 his movement launched the New Binging programme and "called all those who believe in the SLM project to join us and we started the SRF based on the SLM principles of secularism, federalism and democracy. Also, one of its important conditions is to change the regime through mass uprising and armed action".

He added that the SRF leaders had left the founding document and went to Addis Ababa to negotiate with the government.

"We do not want negotiations that would make us employees in the government. We have the right to work on a change project because the regime is corrupt and we have the right to change our country by all the means available to us," he stressed.
On the Sudan Call alliance, al-Nur said that its groups signed the African Union roadmap agreement after rejecting it, adding that the government itself now does not want this roadmap.

"You have to know that there is a crisis of disrespect for the Sudanese citizen. The leaders of the SRF coalition were talking about change and overthrowing the regime and now they have given up."

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sharif Al Emadi on Sunday would start an official visit to Khartoum for several days to discuss a number of political, economic and social issues.

President Omer al-Bashir received by the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha on 16 June 2016 (QNA Photo)

The official news agency SUNA Saturday quoted Sudan's Finance Minister Mohamed Osman al-Rikabi as saying the Qatari minister will discuss a number of projects and issues with the Sudanese officials.

He added Al Emadi will also discuss bilateral relations with regard to the financial and economic sectors, expecting a number of agreements would be signed between the two countries at the end of the visit.

Al-Rikabi pointed out that Sudanese-Qatari relations are witnessing great openness in all fields, especially in light of the Qatari government's efforts to expand investment in Sudan.

He indicated Qatar's intentions to continue its support for the development projects in Sudan, particularly in Darfur region.

Sudan has maintained long-standing and robust relations with Qatar over the years. The tiny Gulf state supported Sudan politically and economically when the country faced an international isolation.

Qatar has hosted successive rounds of peace talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels which culminated in the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) in 2011.

Also, Qatar in the past pledged to invest up to $2 billion in Sudan, including a purchase of government bonds issued by the African nation. But it only received one billion.

The Qatari investments in Sudan worth 1.7 billion dollars and include, real estates, agriculture and the banking.

Sudan is among the Arab states that refused to take part in the ongoing Gulf crisis between Qatar and three of its neighbours, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain and declared its support for the Kuwaiti efforts to settle the rift.

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The government militia, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday said it has captured the leader of the rebel Sudan Army Movement-Revolutionary Forces (SAM-RF) Abdelallah Raziqallah aka (Savanna) in North Darfur following two days of clashes.

On Friday, RSF fighters clashed with the SAM-RF rebels in Amari Gadid, Kaila, Niro and Abshara areas of North Darfur state.

SRF spokesperson Abdel-Rahman al-Ga'ali on Saturday said his militiamen arrested Raziqallah and two of his aides in Jibal Moro area, east of Kabkabiya and south-west of Kutum locality, North Darfur state.

He added one SRF fighter has been killed and another injured during the arrest operation of the rebel leader, saying they have ambushed Raziqallah and his aides at Al-Malha area in Jibal Moro.

“The RSF is ready to pursue and defeat all outlaws in Darfur's [five] states so that residents could enjoy security and stability,” he added.

Raziqallah was part of the government militias but rebelled after Khartoum decision last August to merge his militia in the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti).

Last week, RSF said some 300 fighters have joined its ranks after their defection from the SAM-RF.

(ST)

November 11, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has ordered for a decisive action to maintain security in the country, an attempt aimed at deflecting and allaying fears and panic generated by the standoff with former army chief, General Paul Malong and the defection of officers and soldiers from government.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

President Kiir, according to South Sudan's minister for interior, gave the orders during the meeting of the security committee, which was held Friday under his chairmanship to discuss the security situation.

Minister Michael Chiengjiek said the security committee listened to a number of security reports from the various units in the young nation.

The minister said the security situation was stable except for some few criminal acts associated with night lootings, especially in Juba.

“The President of the Republic, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, directed all security units to continue monitoring the security situation and act decisively with any criminal act”, said the interior minister, although he did not elaborate further on motives behind the order.

The South Sudan leader also issued an order approving a 90-day extension of the state of emergency in parts of Bahr al Ghazal region.

However, the order, announced on the state owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Thursday, did not cite any reasons for the extension of the three-month-old state of emergency which was imposed in Gogrial, Tonj, Wau and Aweil East states in July.

Observers interpret the order to mean part of the measures to maintain law and order in the wake of revenge killings and cattle rustling in some areas.

In a separate order, the president ordered free movement of humanitarian organizations across South Sudan after reports emerged that aid workers were being restricted from accessing vulnerable people in dire need of assistance in the country.

The order said all roadblocks must be cleared immediately. It also warned that anybody who hinders the delivery of aid assistance or imposes taxes on humanitarian convoys will be held accountable.

(ST)

November 10, 2017 (JUBA) - United Nations monitors have accused the South Sudanese government of preventing humanitarian assistance to reach the civilians in the war-affected areas located in Western Bahr el-Ghazal region, adding they are perceived as hostile to the regime.

The SPLA-IO forces during their arrival at Masana Biira in Wau on 07, August 2017 (ST)

“The government has during much of 2017 deliberately prevented life-saving food assistance from reaching some citizens,” says a report to the U.N. Security Council's South Sudan sanctions committee submitted by UN monitors,

“These actions amount to using food as a weapon of war with the intent to inflict suffering on civilians the government views as opponents to its agenda,” stresses the report which has been disclosed by Reuters on Friday.

The international monitors, also, cite the Greater Baggari as one of the areas subjected to the "persistent and systematic" government's access denials despite the "catastrophic humanitarian conditions".

In August, the government eased restrictions, allowing aid groups to distribute food and lifesaving assistance to more than 12,000 people in Greater Baggari. Villages had been looted and burned and crops destroyed, the U.N. monitors wrote.

The report says over 164 children and elderly had died from hunger and disease between January and September 2017.

Different reports since last year mentioned that the South Sudanese prevent aid workers from reaching the civilians in different areas. Last August the head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) David Shearer Friday said the east African country is the most difficult place in the world for humanitarian workers.

After a visit to Wau in September 2017, the head of USAID Mark Green urged President Salva Kiir to allow humanitarian access to civilians pointing that the government army and allied forces impede the humanitarian access the civilians in the war affected areas.

Some 15 aid workers were killed this year until now bringing the number of humanitarians killed during the four-year conflict to 85 people as they continue to be attacked and the humanitarian assistance looted by gunmen in various areas in the troubled country.

The U.N. monitors said the South Sudanese army during the 2016 and 2017 military campaign in the north-western town of Wau and surrounding areas targeted civilians on ethnic grounds and displaced more than 100,000, according to Reuters.

(ST)

By Abdirahman M Dirye

From South Sudan, Somaliland, to Ethiopia, ethnic conflicts brew to tear apart these countries and weaken institutions but this time nepotism and clan-loyalty regenerated in Somaliland like never before. Siilanyo the outgoing president of Somaliland planted time bomb in the society to keep them divided on bloodlines to get his defenders no matter what corruption he commits. The new presidential candidate Muse Bihi took it to the next level: well aware of his notoriety and unable to play the political games with his political rivals, he introduced dangerous game of accusing Wadani of being “pro-Somalia unity”, a declaration of war by other means. To give credence to the baseless allegation, the government asked the international reporter at the ITV Rageh Omaar to pen PR article about the warlord Mujahid Muse Bihi Abdi following his bankruptcy of the creative ideas to attract voters, he resorted tribal card and divide and rule game.

Despite the ruling party's constant crackdown of the fourth estate of the private media, its smear campaign, and character assignation against the main opposition party Wadani, on October 23, not less than a million supporters of Wadani party flooded to major cities' public venues in Somaliland disappointing the military presidential candidate Muse B. Abdi of Kulmiye ruling party the agitated successor of the bedridden president Silanyo. The law enforcement agencies sent a warning, a lame excuse to arrest Wadani party fans perhaps, to all Somalilanders “traffic lawbreakers would languish in Mandhera of Mexican-style dungeon” says Fadal Police Chief on the state TV. However, this election this time the stakes are high.

With the vivid memory of hundreds of innocent people perished in the terror attack in Mogadishu's Sobe junction, dozens missing, at the least another hundreds fatally wounded weeks ago, and the fear the ruling party.

Wadani's Road to the Palace

In this commentary, I predicted the winning party based on their past performances for the last weeks of unrelenting campaigning and given on the strategies of both Kulmiye's and Waddani parties have exhibited. The success comes out not from shoving book of party manifestos to voters but doing the party campaign smartly by hiring professionals and experts in the field.

So far, Waddani party innovated the old campaign system with a game changer: they established a call centre, deployed a team of volunteers, who have been calling to the voters, and asking the people to vote for Waddani candidates for the upcoming presidential election.

Also, Waddani's volunteers introduced a door-to-door campaign for the first time in the election history of Somaliland. A more than 3000 volunteers have been reaching every household in Somaliland, asking to vote for Waddani, as well as, distributing party manifesto. When it comes to Africa, it's a difficult to find in Africa such type of innovative campaign, but Waddani introduced it in the young democratic country which is lacking international recognition.

For the Kulmiye (ruling party) unable to understand the Waddani's state-of-the-art strategies; the sophisticated tools they employ during the campaign, Kulmiye party spokesperson Hassan Gafadhi has accused WADDANI National Party of stealing voters' data. Waddani's Campaign Manager and Chief Strategist Hamse Khaire told to the press, that there is no any data in regard to the voters received from NEC or any other entity, but they try techniques of a great creativity from the pooling roster of Western-educated people, amends to fit the local context, and reapplies them to get votes for the people.

On the other hand, Kulmiye ruling party monopolizes the state media to make outreach. A former worker in Nigeria Abdi Bile hijacks the role of MP Kijandhe in charge of the party election campaign. The first step of a door-to-door mission backfired when they knocked the door of the houses of government employees with overdue wages from the government. Then, they distributed leaflets to possible voters in Somaliland. Kijaandhe Kulmiye's campaign manager never outlined his plan about what to do to counter Waddani's brutal campaign spearheaded by Hamse Khaire. Many voters confirmed the sale of their voters' IDs to unknown persons alleged by the ruling party.

Restaurants serve food but tastes differently, and this depends on how chief cooks are professional, likewise the blueprints shaped by the intellectual capacity of its chief strategists of both parties. An opinion poll taken by an independent statistician and researcher Ereg said “ for Wadani 53%, Kulmiye ruling party 42%, 5%” Wadani party will win with landslide victory hopefully unless the result rigged.

Dirye is a writer based in Hargaysa, the capital of Somaliland, @mrdirye

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

November 10, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The office of the SPLM-IO in Tanzania Friday appealed on the regional bodies and the international community to immediately push for the immediate release of the opposition group's leader, Riek Machar, so that he can fully participate in any political process to end the four-year war in the country.

South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar looks on during an interview at his residence on August 31, 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Photo AFP /Zacharias Abubeker)

In October 2016, Machar left Khartoum to Pretoria for medical treatment as it had been announced at the time but when he returned to region seeking to join his troops near the Ethiopian border the rebel leader was forced by Addis Ababa to fly back to South African where he is confined there.

Since, it appeared that the confinement had been decided by the IGAD countries in consultations with Juba and the international community in a bid to prevent the resumption of hostilities after the collapse of the implementation of the peace agreement and the eruption of clashes in Juba in July 2016.

"What wrong has he done? We need an answer to this question. Detaining a peace lover does not bode well with the spirit of promotion of peace and stability in the world. My Chairman commands a majority of supporters inside and outside the country and therefore it would be a very grave mistake for anybody in the region or the wider international community to sideline him from any political process to end the crisis," said Peter Oyoyo kleto, the armed opposition group's deputy representative to Tanzania.

He went further to say that Machar is not for war but has been calling for a sustainable and comprehensive peace that leads to democratic reforms and create the needed conditions for political stability in the new nation.

" Chairman His Excellency Dr Riek Machar Teny, Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/A IO has from day one advocated for a peaceful settlement of the conflict and our position on peace and stability in South Sudan has not changed. This is the truth that Juba does not want to the world to know," he stressed.

The rebel official condemned he alleged the government military offensives in many parts of the country in violation of the ceasefires despite the recent renewal of a unilateral ceasefire announced by the government.

"This is what we have been telling the region and the wider international community on various occasions that the regime in Juba is well known for saying one thing and doing a totally different thing," kleto said.

Referring to the IGAD proposed peace revitalization forum, he said all the opposition groups in South Sudan are ready to take part in the regional efforts to end the crisis, pointing that war would not bring an end to the ongoing conflict.

"In light of all these, the August 2015 peace agreement needs to be resuscitated in order to prevent South Sudan from total collapse and disintegration into tribal enclaves," he said.

(ST)

November 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Sufi orders have announced support for President Omer al-Bashir's reelection for another term in 2020 praising his significant efforts to unify Muslims in Sudan.

Al-Bashir's term ends in 2020 and he couldn't run for office again according to the constitution. However, some voices within the ruling party and the government have recently called for amending the constitution to allow him to run for the presidency again.

Speaking before a meeting with the leaders of Sufi orders on Thursday evening, al-Bashir said Sudan has experienced the biggest targeting by foreign powers, pointing to various kinds of conspiracies and sanctions that have been imposed on the country.

According to the official news agency SUNA, al-Bashir called on the Sufi leaders to promote religious values to protect the young generation against the Western cultures and intellectual invasion, pointing to the war launched by unnamed parties against Islam and Muslims.

The Sudanese President also called to enhance values of tolerance and cooperation among the various Islamic schools of thought, pointing to the important role played by Sufi sects to consolidate the Islamic values.

Al-Bashir who came to power through a coup d'état in June 1989 will have ruled Sudan for 31 years by the year 2020.

In March 2012, al-Bashir said he wouldn't seek his re-election in April 2015 but he ran and won in an election that was boycotted by the major opposition parties.

In August 2016, he said “I'm not a dictator and I don't want to cling to power. I won't run for another term, my term will end by 2020 and I won't be able to run again according to the constitution and the constitution won't be amended”.

(ST)