Sudan Tribune

May 16, 2017 (JUBA) – A prominent Dinka tribal leader has praised the patriotic role played during the 2013 conflict by the former army chief Paul Malong Awan, claiming he safeguarded the nation from disintegration.

Malong recruited the Dinka youth from Bahr el-Ghazal region to fight the SPLM-IO rebels led by the former Vice-President Riek Machar. With the support of Ugandan troops, he successfully stopped the progress of the opposition troops towards the capital Juba.

"This was the man who saved the country. He saved the lives of millions of people who could have fallen victims of hatred and revenge," said a prominent member of the self-appointed Jieng Council.

"Indeed the patriotic role General Paul Malong played helped the country, it would have collapsed, disintegrated if it were not the efforts he and others made from the region,” he further emphasised in a statement to Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity.

This is the first time that a tribal leader voices his support to Awan, braving the unanimous public approval of his dismissal.

The member of the tribal body described Malong as someone who would not be bullied into submission, pointing out that that is a trait of a leader.

“He is bold and you cannot fool him, he is someone you can trust. Malong is very respected in the army and it would be surprising why he would not be respected in the whole country,” the council member added.

After his removal, Awan abruptly left the capital heading to his home region in the northern Bahr el-Ghazal region, but President Salva Kiir forced him to return to Juba.

His return followed reports that he would foment a coup against the President Kiir.

Observers say his sack was a result of several reports by the security services against him.

Infighting in the government has focused on the future of President Salva Kiir, who has faced several scandals and continuous allegations of incompetence from opposition parties during his presidency.

(ST)

May 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A visiting team from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) Tuesday has started a visit to Darfur to assess the situation in the restive region.

The AUPSC delegation on Tuesday met with the governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef and the security committee in El-Fasher to discuss the recent developments in the state.

Youssef has briefed the African team on the security and humanitarian situation besides refugee issues and development and services programs, pointing to the coordination between his government and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

He also pointed to challenges facing his government including illegal migration, human trafficking and arms proliferation, mentioning efforts to collect illegal arms and address employment, refugee and IDP's issues.

The security committee, for its part, gave a detailed explanation of the political, security and humanitarian developments besides efforts to impose state authority across the state.

In press statements following the meeting, the Ugandan envoy and head of the AUPSC delegation Molu Katandi said they came to assess the situation in Darfur, pointing the team will also visit Central Darfur's state capital, Zalingei.

He praised the significant improvement of the situation in the region, pointing to the joint cooperation between North Darfur government and UNAMID.

MEETING UN PANEL OF EXPERTS

Meanwhile, the governor of North Darfur has met with the United Nations Panel of Experts on the Sudan established pursuant to the UN Security Council resolution 1591 (2005).

In press statements after the meeting, Youssef said he briefed the delegation on government efforts to combat illegal migration and human trafficking operation on the border.

He pointed to cooperation between his government and the UNAMID, saying the people of Darfur are the most affected by the sanctions imposed on Sudan.

UN Security Council Resolution 1591 imposes travel bans and asset freezes on parties involved in the conflict in the western Darfur region.

Also, it imposes an arms embargo on Darfur and called on states that supply Sudan with military equipment to take measures to prevent its use in Darfur.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (NEW YORK) - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Monday has decided to reduce Abyei force and warned it may withdraw its support to the Sudan-South Sudan border monitoring force if they continue to impede the activation of the operation.

The 15-member body unanimously adopted the resolution 2352 (2017) which provides extending until 15 November 2017 the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

Also, the Council decided to reduce UNISFA's troops from 5,326 to 4,791, marking the first change in the Force's troop levels since 2013. Further, it urged the two countries to resume direct negotiations in order to agree on a final settlement of the Abyei question.

The resolution drafted by the U.S. reiterated concerns about persistent delays and stalled efforts to operationalise the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) which the two countries agreed in the Cooperation Agreement of September 2012.

The Council "takes note that continued investment in achieving full operational capability of the JBVMM should be based on a set of conditions, including resolution of the dispute over the SDBZ, and calls upon the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan to make timely and effective use of the JBVMM, JPSM and other agreed joint mechanisms to ensure the security and transparency of the SDBZ, including the “14 Mile Area,” said the resolution.

The Security Council went to decide that UNISFA's support to the monitoring mechanism will be ended within six months unless the two countries activate the border monitoring mechanism.

"Decides that this extension of the mandate modification set forth in resolution 2024 (2011) shall be the final such extension unless both parties demonstrate through their actions clear commitment and steadfast guarantees for implementation of the JBVMM," reads the resolution.

The JBVMM is intended to monitor the Sudan-South Sudan border, in line with the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ) the two countries agreed to establish in the cooperation agreement.

But, the JBVMM was suspended on 22 November 2013 following South Sudan's withdrawal from the mission.

Michele Jean Sison, the United States Deputy Representative to the United Nations hailed the adoption of the resolution. She further regretted that Sudan and South Sudan had yet to take the steps necessary to make the Mechanism fully operational.

“Five years of obstacles to deployment […] is enough,” she said, adding “The status quo must be questioned when the status quo is not working,”.

The Sudanese Ambassador Magdi Ahmed Mofadal Elnour blamed the South Sudan for delaying the implementation of the cooperation agreement and Abyei interim intuitions.

On the joint monitoring body, he declared: “We have never restricted the movement of this Mechanism.” He was pointing to the UN Secretary general report which said that the JBVMM had cancelled 18 air patrols due to delayed approval by South Sudan.

He further called on Juba to implement the temporary arrangement for the administration of Abyei and all provisions in the 2012 cooperation agreement. He further renewed accusation that South Sudan continue, instead, to harbour rebel groups in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur.

South Sudan's Ambassador Joseph Moum Malok said that the withdrawal of support for the JBVMM would negatively impact the cooperation agreement between South Sudan and Sudan, emboldening each side to take a more combative posture along the border, he cautioned, pointing out that ceasing support could lead to proxy fights.

He further pointed to the need fill the "vacuum of State responsibility", and called on the international community to provide the need support adding it is "urgently needed to stabilise the situation in the area and create a conducive environment for a more constructive and fruitful dialogue on the future of Abyei."

In line with the 2005 peace agreement, the residents of the disputed area have to hold a referendum to determine whether Abyei will remain part of the Sudan or join the South Sudan. But the two countries failed to agree on the participation of the Misseriya pastoralists who reside there several months every year.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (JUBA) - A senior South Sudanese official says he is mediating a peace dialogue with the Sudan People Liberation Army-In Opposition in (SPLM-IO) faction in the country's Imatong state.

David Otim (R), principal representative for the SPLM/A in Opposition in Uganda, and Oyet Nathaniel Pierino speak at a press conference in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on 22 September 2014 (ST)

Governor Tobiolo Alberto told Sudan Tribune he is in talks with rebels allied to the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar to lay down their arms and return home.

“We are in negotiation with rebels group. We welcome their positive response to initiating a home base South Sudanese dialogue,” he told Sudan Tribune.

The rebels, however, said the official's claims on talks were “white lies”.

“I want to overstate that the SPLM/A-IO is not fighting to be included in the national dialogue, or cantonment or any position in the country. Such claim by government authority especially at the level of a government or state government only speaks for the level of ideological bankruptcy and disorientation the regime has descended into,” said the rebel-appointed governor of Imatong state, General Pierino Nathaniel.

He said their forces remain intact under the SPLA-IO Commandership of Riek Machar and are fully committed to the full pursuit of what he said was an infallible demand of the people of South Sudan.

“Federalism, democracy, liberty, justice, accountability and prosperity and not national dialogue and self-enrichment or a plate of food. If anything the national dialogue has been born dead and buried in Presidential palace,” he stated.

The rebels' governor says Imatong state remained hopeful to South Sudanese aspirations with other brothers in Equatoria region, Western Bar el Gazel and Upper Nile regions.

“The grievances of land grabbing, marginalisation, exclusion, targeted killings, genocide, atrocities and ethnic cleansing have made our resolve to fight for the total liberation and freedom of South Sudan stronger than ever,” he said.

He accused the Juba regime of running a "bankrupt of political program" and allegedly uses an ethnic-shell mobilisation as a tactic to fight wars against other tribes in South Sudan.

“The Dinka ethnic community has been victimised by the regime in the name of power and wealth yet it's only the members of Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) whose families have settled abroad who benefit,” he further stressed.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 15, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of the country's First Vice-President, Taban Deng Gai has welcomed President Salva Kiir's move to sack former army chief of general staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan.

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)

In a brief statement, which Gai's office in Juba extended to Sudan Tribune, the SPLM faction said it welcomes and honours the executive decision of president Kirr to appoint Lt. General James Ajongo Manwut as the new army chief of general staff.

Last week, President Kiir removed his powerful hardline army chief, in what was described by the presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny as a "routine change of guards and not politically motivated".

Malong, a former military commander, had largely been seen as an ethnic-nationalist of Kiir's dominantly ethnic-Dinka tribes and further been accused of renewed fighting in July in the capital, Juba.

The office of the country's First Vice President, said the appointment of the new army chief of general staff would lead to boosting the implementation of the regional bloc (IGAD)-brokered peace agreement signed between the country's two main rival factions.

"His appointment will create a workable conducive environment between the two stakeholders in the peace agreement,” partly reads the statement from the office of the First Vice President.

It said the appointment of the new army chief will accelerate the establishment of cantonments and transformation of SPLA forces.

"As the former chair of Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), we are confident that the newly appointed will closely work with regional and international peace partners", it further stressed, while calling on other South Sudanese factions and ethnic groups to join in efforts to bringing about peace, reconciliation and national unity.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Monday has summoned Mohamed Wida'a, editor-in-chief of Ba'ath newspaper, the weekly mouthpiece of the Sudanese Ba'ath Party (SBP) Mohamed Wida'a.

Wida'a told Sudan Tribune the NISS agents informed him that newspapers have been instructed not to interview leaders of the armed movements, saying publishing any interview with rebel leaders is considered “redline”.

It is noteworthy that Al-Ba'ath newspaper last week published an interview with the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Gibril Ibrahim.

Wida'a added he told the NISS agents that his newspaper was launched three months ago and didn't receive any instructions banning interviews with rebel leaders.

In May 2016, the NISS confiscated Al-Wan newspaper for publishing a similar interview with the JEM leader.

Sudanese journalists work under tight daily censorship controls exercised by the NISS.
The NISS enjoys wide-ranging powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure the country's 2010 National Security Act.

In February, the National Assembly rejected new amendments to the 2005 transitional constitution providing to restrict the powers of the security services and to guarantee political freedoms.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (JUBA) – On Monday, General Paul Malong Awan, the former Chief of General Staff of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) said he had no personal vendetta against President Salva Kiir.

SPLA Chief of General Staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan (C) is visiting his farms in his homeland of Warawar in Aweil East State on 7 May 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

General Awan said his departure from Juba was misinterpreted and was the reason he decided to return to Juba to avoid more confusion and any political altercations.

"I told the President when he used to call and talk to me while in Yirol, that I was just going home because I did not want my relief to be misunderstood and to cause more confusion," he said.

"I left because I thought it was the best way to manage the situation, people decided to say something different, others even speculated that I had a problem with the President,” he added.

He continued to emphasise that he had no problems with the President Kiir.

Awan's decision to return to Juba was in compliance with the call made by the President and the community leaders.

“When I returned, it was because I wanted to put to rest the confusion, so I decided to come back and listen to why I am needed,” he said.

General Awan reiterated that he has no intentions of rebelling, adding that if he did he would have fought in Juba after he was removed from his position.

"I said already that If I wanted to rebel, I would have rebelled here (Juba), I had guns here and these soldiers do not belong to anybody. If I was about to fight, I would have fought here," he said.

He further reiterated that he will seek permission to return to his home State.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir has issued several orders restructuring the army, renaming the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) to South Sudan Defence Force (SSDF).

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (Photo: Reuters)

In a Presidential Decree number 85/2017 read out on the state-owned television (SSBC) on Monday, Kiir surprisingly reinstated Major General Dau Aturjong Nyuol into the country's active military service.

Aturjong switched allegiance from the army in 2014 after the eruption of conflict but later returned to Juba where he defected from the armed opposition forces (SPLM-IO) in July last year.

President Kiir, in a separate decree, restructured the SPLA into three institutions, namely the ground force, air force and air defence and navy units. Each of the institutions will be overseen by a commander.

The presidential decrees are in line with the resolutions of the fifth SPLA Command Council Conference in June 2016, which authorised the establishment of a Defense Structural Review Committee, tasked with the review of the structures of the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs to be in line with the SPLA white paper of 2008.

Meanwhile, in another republican order, Kiir restructured the leadership of the SPLA general staff to hierarchically consist of the Commander in Chief, the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, the Chief of Defense force, the Deputy Chief of Defense force and Inspector General. This abolished the previous structure, where deputy chief of general staff is now assistant chief of general staff.

The new structure envisages re-branding the army as departments will now be headed by an assistant. As such, for instance, the deputy chief of general staff for finance and administration now becomes assistant chief of defence force for administration, personnel and finance.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (JUBA) – Two United Nations agencies have appealed to donors to step up support for people fleeing crisis-hit South Sudan as the $1.4 billion response plan remains 86% unfunded.

South Sudanese refugees carrying Core Relief Items walk down a road in Bidibidi refugee settlement, Yumbe District, Northern Region, Uganda. (UNHCR/David Azia)

“Bitter conflict and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in South Sudan are driving people from their homes in record numbers,” the U.N High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi said in a statement jointly issued by the U.N Refugee agency (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

According to the U.N, the situation in war-torn South Sudan continues worsening, with a combination of conflict, drought and famine leading to further displacement and a rapid exodus of people fleeing one of the world's most severe crises.

South Sudan has reportedly now become the world's fastest growing refugee crisis with more than 1.8 million refugees, including one million children, having sought safety in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR).

“The suffering of the South Sudanese people is just unimaginable,” said WFP Executive Director, David Beasley.

“Aid workers often cannot reach the most vulnerable hungry people. Many are dying from hunger and disease, many more have fled their homeland for safety abroad,” he added.

Humanitarian agencies are seeking $1.4 billion to provide life-saving aid to South Sudanese refugees in the six neighbouring countries until the end of 2017, according to an updated response plan presented in Geneva today. But the plan so far remains only 14% funded.

“Our funding situation forced us to cut food rations for many refugees in Uganda," said Beasley.

However, with acute underfunding, humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide food, water, nutrition support, shelter and health services to refugees, further noted the joint U.N statement.

Communities hosting refugees are among the world's poorest and are under immense pressure, the world body said in its joint release.

“Helping refugees is not just about providing emergency aid,” said Grandi.

“It also means supporting governments and communities in neighbouring countries to shore up services and economies in the areas receiving them,” he added.

South Sudan has witnessed renewed clashes between forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) backing the country's former First Vice-President Riek Machar, in spite of the August 2015 peace agreement.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A visiting delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) Monday has discussed with the Sudanese government officials recent developments in Darfur region.

The Sudanese side was chaired by the Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdel-Ghani al-Nai'm while the AUPSC side was headed by the Ugandan envoy to the African Union.

In a press release issued Monday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir underlined readiness of “government organs to carry out its constitutional tasks in Darfur following the exit of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)”.

He praised the great role played by the hybrid peacekeeping in achieving security and stability in Darfur, saying the Mission represents a successful model for the joint African cooperation.

Al-Nai'm said the Sudanese side briefed the AUPSC delegation on the recent security, political and humanitarian developments in Darfur, pointing to government efforts in the field of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration.

The press release pointed that the AUPSC delegation has hailed the significant improvement in the overall situation in Darfur as well as the cooperation between the government and the council.

The delegation also praised the great support rendered by the government to the UNAMID, stressing the AUPSC support for government efforts to achieve peace and stability in Sudan.

It is noteworthy that the UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Kingsley Mamabolo, Sunday briefed the Sudanese government about the outcome of his recent meeting with armed groups in Darfur.

Mamabolo held a meeting with the Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) earlier this month in Paris to discuss ways to reach a peace deal in Darfur.

Sudan, African Union and the United Nations since three years hold discussions on the UNAMID's exit from Darfur. Khartoum says the security situation is stable and its efforts to curb the tribal violence have been successful.

But the UN proposed a limited and gradual withdrawal from some sectors saying the full exit should intervene after the signing of a peace agreement with all the rebel groups and to ensure the protection of displaced civilians.

Last June, the UN Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate of the mission until 30 June 2017, stressing that the situation in the region continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (KWAJOK) – Youth activists and leader of People's Liberal Party (PLP) Majok Lang Majik, have called on the South Sudan government of national unity and security authorities to release the detained youths arrested during the recent protests in Juba.

Majik is an artist currently based in the United States.

“It was absolutely peaceful and the citizens did not cause any damage and therefore as a country that is the signatory to several international and human right treaties. The South Sudan authority need to respects those conventions and the Bills of Rights,” he said.

Majik said that the South Sudanese national unity government should double its efforts to deliver services, instead of pestering its citizens.

“Expressing your feeling peacefully to your government is not a crime nor does it deserve confinement. The government is a social contract which its renewal of service depends on citizens through a democratic means of elections,” he emphasised.

Majik went on to say that the actions jeopardise the upcoming dialogue process stating that “it is not in the spirit of the National Dialogues if citizens cannot express themselves freely, therefore the citizens must feel the environment is a free and liberty is assured under a very liberal state.”

in a phone interview Monday, Majok Lang told Sudan Tribune he had recently toured Australia and Canada advocating for peace to turn to the country.

The South Sudanese government has arrested a number of youth members in Juba for the protests which were triggered by the country economic crisis.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Last week, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir pardoned a pastor and an activist sentenced together with a Czech missionary Petr Jasek who had already been released by the end of February.

The Rev. Hassan Abdurahim Tawor. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide Photo)

The two men were sentenced to 12 years for colluding with the Czech filmmaker who had been condemned for espionage, waging war against the state and inciting hatred against religious congregations.

According to a statement released by Middle East Concern (MEC), Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Mr Abdulmonem Abdumawla are released on 11 May after a presidential pardon.

Their release comes about two months after a call by the European Union Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion, Jan Figel, to release them during a visit to Sudan on 19 March.

Sudan released Jasek on 26 February 2017, following a visit to Khartoum by the Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek.

The two had been arrested in December 2015 and sentenced were each sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, on 29th January 2017.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (JUBA) – The office of South Sudan President Salva Kiir said the country's former army chief, General Paul Malong Awan should seek medical attention as a “priority” then returning to his home state of Northern Bahr El Ghazal.

The presidential press secretary, in a statement released on Sunday evening, said a meeting between the South Sudanese leader and four delegations representing ex-army chief, that lasted six hours, tried to seek an amicable solution to the standoff.

“It was acknowledged that the attempt by Gen. Paul [Malong] to defy the Presidential Decree was miscalculated act, citing his close friendship with the President, and that he should have first acknowledged the importance of change and hand over the duties to the new army Chief, and then ask the President for permission to leave,” reads the statement.

Family members of the former army chief, who attended the meeting reportedly demanded his freedom of movement to Awiel, the headquarters of former Northern Bahr El Ghazal were Malong served as a governor and remains his strong support base.

But his request, according to the press statement, has been rejected by the government.

“Responding to the request of the family to the President that Gen. Malong should be allowed to go home in Aweil, the President and the delegations held that the medical attention was the priority,” the statement said, citing that “Gen. Malong had suffered serious high blood pressure while he was in Yirol.”

Kiir told reporters last week that Malong was “in fighting mood” and this affected his health.

Sunday's meeting between President Kiir and four groups led by Eastern Lakes State governor Bor Philip Wutchok Bor, a delegation from Juba, which included Malong's personal friends headed by South Sudan ambassador to Russia Telar Ring Tekpiny Deng, a delegation from Gogrial State led by Governor Gregory Deng Kuac and a delegation from Greater Aweil States which included Malong's own family members was meant to iron out the differences that led to the former army chief of staff leaving the capital Juba after being fired as top army officer on Tuesday.

The president agreed to meet Malong and “pardoned those [army] generals and other officers and non-commissioned officers who accompanied Malong when he fled Juba last week.

“That he [President Kiir] will be reflecting on the request by the delegation to allow General Malong to leave the country or to where appropriate seek further medical attention,” the statement added.

The former army chief returned to Juba on Saturday to “listen to those who called him”, but insisted on “going home” in Awiel after being relieved of his duties.

He told reporters it was his “choice to go home.”

“I am somebody who is having a good family. I want to live with my family if I am not asked to do anything for the nation. I should do something for myself,” he told journalists at his thunderous reception at Juba airport on Saturday.

(ST)

May 15, 2017 (BOR) - A major cattle raid allegedly carried out by the Murle tribesmen occurred Saturday as preparations were underway to call back youth from Murle land.

The map of Jonglei state in red

Sources from Duk county said there were few youth in the cattle camp when the raiders attacked.

“The youth were no there, only few old man were herding the cattle. But we managed to recover a half of the total number raided, and we are still on run an attempt to get them back”, a youth from Pangagoor in Twic East county said Sunday.

Such attacks and counterattacks had increased over the last three months between Dinka Bor and Murle when the Dinka Bor youth went to the Murle land, claiming to recover their stolen herds of cattle and children. This aggravated the tribal conflict between the two ethnic communities who had been at war for more than 80 years.

The country first vice president, Taban Deng Gau, who led a government delegation to Jonglei and Boma states, to hold talks on the way forward to create, told the Jonglei state government and communities leaders on Friday in Bor, before he left to juba on the following day, that ceasefire must be signed for peace talks to begin.

Taban also said the strong police should be deployed in the regions, after the agreement to monitor the peace at the borders.

“For peace to come, there must very strong policing. I went to Pibor, we have agreed that there must be peace. For this peace needs to be monitored. We need about 2,000 police to operation between Jonglei, Lou and Pibor, to monitor the criminal activities at the border. We need you to support us on this. Let there be peace so that people go about their normal life, looking after their goats and cattle. The government should build schools for Bor, Murle and Lou," said Gai.

He added, "Water point must be created up there so that people settle. Juba-Bor must be opened and will not be closed anymore. You will return to your villages in Makuach and Anyidi and so on, and Murle will also return to their villages”.

Six children were abducted by the Murle youth at the islands in Mar, one man injured near Bor and two others killed in Anyidi in the same week the first vice president was in Bor and Pibor. People wonder how the ceasefire will be respected by both sides.

(ST)

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May 14, 2017 (JUBA) – A United Nations panel of experts has accused Ukraine of supplying the young nation with weapons.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

The U.N report, for instance, mentioned the case of an Ilyunshinil-76 aircraft that was transported from Ukraine to Uganda on January 27, 2017.

Allegations in the report, if confirmed, would largely put blame on Ukraine for perpetuating the conflict in the East African country, now in its fourth year.

Border areas between South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda were key entry points for arms to Juba, the U.N panel of experts report stated.

Media reports say the plane's manifest indicated that it contained two L-39 jets and engines provided by Musket OU, a company based in Tallinn, and that the flight was operated by the Ukranian defense ministry.

“The Ukrainian Government confirmed that the two jets were listed as being operated by the Ugandan military and that the end user certificates indicated they were to be used only for pilot training,” partly reads a section of the U.N reported quoted in media outlets.

The experts, in the report, further said they were investigating if the planes were taken to war-torn South Sudan following reports that an aircraft with obscure markings was parked at Juba airport.

Also being investigated, the U.N panel of experts said in the report, is a Hungarian fighter jet pilot, Tibor Czingali, contracted by the Ugandan Air Force, but believed to be flying a South Sudan aircraft.

According to the U.N panel of experts, recently received documents from a confidential source detailed a contract, signed in June 2014 by two National Security Service officers for a company based in the Seychelles to provide weapons to the South Sudanese Internal Security Bureau, headed by Akol Koor.

A confidential U.N report released in March slammed the government of South Sudan for spending more than half its budget on weapons and security as 100,000 people are dying of starvation.

The report also called for an arms embargo on South Sudan, a measure supported by United States, but rejected by the U.N Security Council during a vote in December, 2016.

"Weapons continue to flow into South Sudan from diverse sources, often with the coordination of neighboring countries," said the report by a panel of experts.

The experts also found a "preponderance of evidence (that) shows continued procurement of weapons by the leadership in Juba" for the army, the security services, militias and other "associated forces."

(ST)

Mai 14, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Kingsley Mamabolo, has briefed the Sudanese government about the outcome of his recent meeting with armed groups in Darfur.

Mamabolo held a meeting with the Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) earlier this month in Paris to discuss ways to reach a peace deal in Darfur.

The South African diplomat was received by the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdel-Ghani al-Nai'm on Sunday. The meeting discussed the recent political developments in the country following the formation of the national dialogue government.

Also, Mamabolo briefed al-Nai'm about his efforts to reach the leaders of armed groups in Darfur and his dialogue with them to join the peace process, further said the foreign ministry.

The two groups which are part of the peace process brokered by the African Union refuse to engage peace talks on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), while Khartoum says the framework document is now part of the constitution and represents the pillar of peace in Darfur.

On 3 May 2017, the two groups handed over a position paper where they reiterated their commitment to reach a negotiated settlement with the government.

They further stressed on the need "to address the rules of procedure and other protocol issues for how negotiations on Darfur would proceed, so as to ensure parity and effective communication among the parties," says position paper seen by Sudan Tribune.

The two groups further said they want negotiations on substantive issues including the root causes of the conflict, and its consequences.

(ST)

May 14, 2017 (JUBA) – Norway has invited South Sudan government and members of the country's opposition parties for a reconciliation conference due next month, its special envoy to South Sudan, Erling Skojonsberg said.

Embassy of South Sudan in Oslo, Norway (Wikipedia Photo)

According to the Norwegian official, his country is ready to assist South Sudan in the implementation of the 2015 peace accord.

“The Norwegian government has promised to help South Sudan to implement the peace agreement in order to have a peaceful resolution to the conflict in this country,” Skojonsberg told reporters in the South Sudanese capital, Juba on Thursday last week.

The Norwegian special envoy also met South Sudan President Salva Kiir, during which they discussed the need for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire to end the violence in the young nation.

Norway played a key role in the negotiations for the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan to end the second Sudanese civil war. Oslo was also instrumental in supporting the negotiations between South Sudan government and its armed opposition faction, leading to the signing of the August 2015 peace deal on resolving the country's conflict.

(ST)

May 14, 2017 (LONDON) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Antionio Guterres has reiterated the world body's deep concerns at the prevailing security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan, specifically citing the untold sufferings being inflicted on civilians.

António Guterres (UN Photo)

The top U.N officials made these remarks on the margins of the London conference on Somalia, where the situation in South Sudan was discussed with a number of international stakeholders.

“He [Guterres] underlined the imperative of renewed regional and international efforts to bring to an end the unfolding tragedy in that country, in particular through the immediate cessation of hostilities, unfettered humanitarian access to the millions of people in need of assistance…”, partly reads a statement from the world body.

Also emphasized during the meeting, it added, was the need for South Sudan government to allow the freedom of movement for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the promotion of a credible and truly inclusive process involving all opposition forces in line with the principles enshrined in the August 2015 Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS).

The Secretary-General recognized the commitment of all his interlocutors to further enhance efforts towards ending the violence tearing South Sudan apart, bearing also in mind the need to prevent further negative repercussions on regional security and stability.

“The United Nations looks forward to working closely with the IGAD and the AU in the period ahead to identify practical steps that would help arrest the current downward trend towards greater fragmentation of South Sudan, escalating violence and deepening hardship and sustainably put the country put back on the track of peace and reconciliation,” further stressed the U.N statement.

Last week, Guterres met the Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, with discussions mainly focused on the South Sudan war.

South Sudan has witnessed renewed clashes between forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) backing the country's former First Vice-President Riek Machar, in spite of the August 2015 peace agreement.

Up to 50, 000 civilians in South Sudan's Upper Nile region are at imminent risk of human rights violations as government troops close in, the U.N High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein recently warned.

(ST)

May 14, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Saiga Company, one of the largest flour suppliers in Sudan, announced that a U.S. wheat shipment will arrive in Port Sudan on Monday as the first trade deal between American and Sudanese companies since the ease of economic sanctions last January.

Last January, former President Barack Obama eased the 19-year economic and trade sanctions on Sudan. The decision came as a response to the collaboration of the Sudanese government on various issues including the fight against terrorism.

Next June, several U.S. administration agencies will decide to confirm the decision of President Obama to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan or to maintain it.

In a press release seen by Sudan Tribune Sunday, Saiga said: “an American wheat shipment of 51,000 metric tonnes for Saiga coming from Houston, Texas will arrive in Port Sudan on Monday”.

According to the press release, the shipment was made by the U.S. Cargill Incorporation.

“This shipment marks the beginning of the return of cooperation between U.S. and Sudanese companies, which will benefit this vital area,” read the press release.

In June 2015, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Sudanese private company, DAL Group have signed an agreement to provide local pasteurised milk for 5,000 school children suffering from malnutrition in Sudan's Red Sea State.

It is noteworthy that, Saiga Investment Company is a subsidiary of DAL Group which is owned by the Sudanese businessman Osama Dawood.

(ST)

May 14, 2017 (NAIROBI) - Seven South Sudanese opposition parties have agreed to closely work together against the regime in the war-torn nation.

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

"There is great value in working together and, as a result, the opposition groups will actively work together with a view of seeking a united front on common strategic and operational issues,” partly reads a draft communiqué of the 1st Teleconference of the Leaders of Opposition Groups in South Sudan, held on 7 May 2017.

The group also agreed on a face-to-face meeting of the leaders of all political groups to discuss and work out the details and modalities for closer relationship among all opposition groups.

In the statement, the various opposition political party members also encouraged efforts by the different opposition groups to help convene a summit of leaders of the country's opposition groups.

The South Sudanese opposition groups further expressed concerns about the “untold” and “unbearable” suffering of South Sudanese people, whom they said urgently and desperately needed peace.

“Aware that the regime in Juba is dysfunctional, in crisis, paralysed and about to implode and take the country down with it, if no urgent action is taken to save the country, to unify it, and reclaim the country from forces who want to destroy and liquidate it,” they said.

The opposition groups called for drastic and immediate change in the world's youngest nation to foster and promote mutually beneficial alliance of all political and military groups in South Sudan.

Signatories to the document included, Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO faction led by Riek Machar, FDP party leader Gabriel Changson Chan, Thomas Tut Doap of UDRA, SPLM-FDs member Kosti Manibe, SSNMC leader Joseph Bakasoro, National Democratic Movement (NDM) leader Lam Akol, and Thomas Cirillo Swaka, leader of the National Salvation Front (NAS).

(ST)