Africa

September 18, 2019 (NEW YORK) - United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Wednesday joined calls to remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism after the popular revolution that overthrew the regime of Omer al-Bashir.

Guterres made his call in New York at a press conference at the outset of the 74th session of the General Assembly which officially opened on Tuesday 17 September while the high-level General Debate will begin on Tuesday, 24 September 2019.

Responding to a question about the situation in Sudan, the UN chief hailed the political agreement reached last August between the army and the protesters' coalition to form a transitional authority and to work together to bring peace into the country and achieve democratic reforms.

"Sudan is a matter of great hope for us. I believe that what was possible in the dialogue in Sudan demonstrates that all political conflicts can be solved by dialogue (...), and this should be a lesson for everywhere else in the world," he said.

"It is time now for the international community to support Sudan,"

He pointed out that the east African country is experiencing "a very dire economic situation (and) in a very dramatic economic situation".

"I hope that all the restrictions that exist about Sudan, namely, the classification as a country that supports terrorism and sanctions, will be quickly removed," he stressed.

UN officials say a high-level event on Sudan will be held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the General Assembly to mobilize international support for the country.

However, Trump administration says they do not consider to cancel Sudan designation as a terror state for the time being.

But, Guterres warned that the failure of international support to the interim government may hamper its efforts to achieve the transition towards a democratic regime in Sudan

"I hope that there will be a massive mobilisation of resources to support Sudan overcome the extremely difficult economic situation that the country has, because, if that doesn't happen, obviously, we risk that the gains in democracy, human rights, and political solutions that were observed could be put into question".

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September 18, 2019 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Wednesday held bilateral talks with the Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi who arrived in the capital, Juba Monday.

President Salva Kiir with the Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi in Juba, September 18, 2019 (PPU)

The discussions, the Presidential Press Unit state, focused on foreign relations, education and ways of boosting the country's economy.

The First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, minister for the Presidency, Mayiik Ayii Deng and the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng attended the meeting.

The meeting, the deputy Foreign Affairs minister said, also discussed how government plans to ensure South Sudanese students who completed their studies in Zimbabwean universities get their certificates.

He further said President Kiir passed a message to his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa asking him to visit South Sudan.

On his part, however, Mohadi said South Sudan and Zimbabwe share a long historical relation and pledged his government's commitment to continue supporting the young nation in all areas.

69 South Sudanese students have already graduated from various Zimbabwe universities this year alone while 79 are studying on scholarships.

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September 18, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) utility has launched a call for consultants to help define the renewable energy development program in Africa's newest nation.

An energy efficient stove in Warrap State South Sudan, 13 April 2012 (ST)

SSEC, in a statement, said consultants must have relevant professional experience, especially in development of private sector, grid-connected solar projects and associated battery storage.

“The winning bidder will be tasked with defining the tender mechanism for the procurement of clean energy generation capacity,” partly reads SSEC's consultancy tender document.

“Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank's procurement policy framework for bank group funded operations (October 2015),” it added.

Meanwhile South Sudan has asked Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, a multi-donor trust fund administered by the African Development Bank to provide $990,000 for the renewable energy program.

According to Renewable Energy Council of South Sudan (RECOSS), South Sudan is endowed with abundant untapped renewable energy resources such as solar power, biomass, wind power, hydro-power and fossil fuel used for power generation.

Established in 2018, RECOSS is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit making organization founded by renewable energy experts, operators, environmentalists and distinguished energy professionals to promote renewable energy technologies and efficiency in the country.

South Sudan reportedly has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in Africa, 1 to 3 kWh. This situation is mainly attributed to the underdeveloped energy infrastructure in the young nation, severely impacted by decades of civil wars.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reiterated his support to Sudan's stability and vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the neighbouring country when he received Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

Hamdok arrived in Cairo on Wednesday in his second foreign trip after taking office in the transitional government after his two-day trip to Juba.

Hamdok and al-Sisi in Cairo discussed means to support and strengthen cooperation and promote strategic projects between the two countries, Sudan's Foreign Minister Asma Abdallah said on Wednesday after the meeting.

"The two leaders discussed many issues including Sudan's removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, writing off the country's foreign debts, besides seeking to achieve comprehensive peace across the country,” SUNA quoted the minister as saying.

Hamdok was received at the Cairo international airport on Wednesday by Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly before to head to the Egyptian presidency.

For his part, Egypt Presidency Spokesman Bassam Rady said that al-Sisi asserted Egypt's support for Sudan's security, stability and its people's choices, adding that Cairo will offer all support to accelerate joint development projects such as the electricity grid and railways.

“The president praised Sudan's success in overcoming this critical phase in its history and voiced hope that the country would begin serious steps toward reaching the aspirations and hopes of the people for development,” Rady said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The president reaffirmed Egypt's full support for the security and stability of Sudan and its support for the will and choices of the Sudanese people in shaping the future of their country," and expressed willingness to provide all means of support to the brothers in Sudan in this regard.

Also, al-Sisi further pledged to ensure the quick implementation of joint development projects, especially the electrical connection and the railway line, Rady said.

For his part, Sudan's Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Badawi said that Egypt has expressed readiness to use its regional and international relations to support Sudanese efforts for its removal from the terror list and to write off its foreign debt.

In addition, he said that Hamdok and Madbouly in a separate meeting at the premises of Egyptian Council of Minister tackled various issues particularly the electricity connection projects.

They further agreed to hold further meetings to discuss agriculture, electricity and reactivation of previous agreements signed between the two countries, besides establishing strategic economic relations, al-Badawi added.

After December revolution's Sudanese and Egyptian officials vowed to bring the relationship between the countries back to the time before al-Bashir's regime.

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September 18, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi, Wednesday has resigned from the chairmanship of the Sudan Call alliance, calling to review the group's partnership with the other forces.

Also, he called to hold a peace conference inside the country instead of foreign venues.

Following the signing of the "Paris Declaration” in August 2014 with Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), the NUP and the armed groups formed the Sudan Call alliance but they waited until March 2018 to form a leadership council he headed.

The Sudan Call is one of the four main blocks that formed the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in January 2019, however, the alliance's members, including the armed groups, NUP and Sudanese Congress Party have growing dissonances with the National Consensus Forces (NCF) of the leftist groups.

Al-Mahdi said he was keen during the rule of the transitional to preserve the goals of the revolution and avoids the pitfalls until it reached the current transition.

"The current phase requires a review of positions, including Sudan Call structure and our alliances with the other national forces".

"In preparation for the requirements of this phase, I announce my resignation from the Sudan Call and I hope that we will meet as soon as possible to discuss the new structure and the options available now," he stressed.

Recently, the Sudanese Communist Party voiced once again its opposition for the formation of a leadership body for the FFC to enable it to provide the needed support for the transitional government.

Also, the NCF groups showed fierce opposition to any compromise with the armed groups and complicated efforts to seal a peace agreement with them paving the way for an inclusive government with the rebels.

Al-Mahdi said that Sudan Call has become the largest alliance which includes political, civil and armed components.

He further applauded the outcome of the discussions on the confidence-building measures between the transitional government delegation, SRF and Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu.

“The comprehensive peace conference should be an umbrella for all armed forces, the forces that have signed peace agreements previously, the IDPs and refugees, the parties to tribal conflicts, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and other components involved in the revolution,” al-Mahdi added

Comprehensive Peace Conference

However, al-Mahdi expressed his reservation over the ongoing dealings on the venue of the peace process and the foreign mediations.

"The peace process must avoid selection shortcomings and foreign incubators because the expected approach of the peace process is deeper and broader".

Instead, he called to hold an inclusive peace conference in Khartoum, once the confidence-building measures are fully implemented.

The peace conference must include "all armed resistance forces, (former rebel) forces signatory of peace agreements, displaced people and refugees, parties to tribal conflicts, Forces for Freedom and Change and the other forces involved in the revolution".

Sudan's neighbours, the African Union and the international community should be invited as observers, he further said.

In line with the Juba Declaration, the government and the armed groups agreed that Juba would be the venue of the peace talks.

(ST)

September 17, 2019 (BEIJING/JUBA) - 163 peacekeepers from China left Beijing on Tuesday for war-hit South Sudan on a one year mission.

Chinese peacekeepers patrol around the perimeter of UN House in Juba on 27 January 2016 (UNMISS Photo)

A sapper team of 130 and a medical unit of 33 are reportedly the first group of 331-strong battalion sent by the Asian nation.

The group of Chinese peacekeepers will reportedly handle tasks like maintaining and upgrading supply routes, repair runways at airports, building shelters and providing engineering support in mission areas.

In addition, the medical unit is expected to provide basic healthcare services such as treating common and infectious other diseases.

Last month, Chinese peacekeepers serving in South Sudan were given United Nations Medal of Peace for their service in the region.

331 members of the 9th Chinese peacekeeping medical and engineer detachment in South Sudan received their honors in Wau city, which is located in the northwestern part of the young nation.

Over the years, however, China has stood with the East African country as it struggles to rise from the ashes of a damaging civil war.

In March this year, for instance, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) reached an agreement with South Sudan government to construct at least 26 hospitals across the country.

South Sudan descended into a civil war in mid-December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy-turned rebel leader Riek Machar of an attempted coup.

In September 2018, the rival factions involved in the conflict signed a peace deal to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2 million people in the country.

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September 18, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudan and neighbouring Kenya have signed an agreement granting citizens from the two countries free visas.

The agreement, an official said, was inked last week.

“It took place last week between the government of Kenya and us. We signed an agreement and the ministry of interior is in charge of immigration. Of course it is not only Kenyans coming here, but South Sudanese going to Kenya will also not be required to pay visa fees,” Mawien Makol, the foreign affairs ministry spokesperson told Eye Radio.

The deal, he added, was signed between the two ministers of interiors in the two countries and will take effect from October.

A visa a conditional authorisation granted by a territory to a foreigner, allowing them to enter, remain within, or to leave that territory. Visas typically may include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits or an individual's right to work in the country in question.

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September 17, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - A doctor injured during the brutal attack on the pro-democracy sit-in in Khartoum died of wounds received on 3 June from the security forces, a medical group said on Monday

"Dr Ammar Yasir has remained in the intensive care unit for many days in Sahiroon Hospital. He was one of the brave doctors in the sit-in working with dedication to treat patients and injured people," said the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD).

Yasir was injured by a bullet in his thigh, according to the independent group.

The Sudanese security forces stormed the main peaceful protest site outside the army headquarters but the transitional military council denied the responsibility of the attack and accused military elements supporting the former regime.

The health ministry previously put the death toll at 61, while opposition medics said 127 people were killed and 400 wounded in the dispersal.

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September 17, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudan and Zimbabwe have agreed to deepen relations through exchange programs in education.

Students take part in an English class at a government school in Bentiu on November 13, 2010 (AFP)

Speaking to reporters in the capital, Juba on Tuesday, the higher education minister, Yien Oral Lam Tut thanked the Zimbabwean government an initiative that has seen several South Sudanese students enroll in various universities in the South African nation.

"Our bilateral relations will continue and our universities will still be linked with universities of Zimbabwe. South Sudan's higher education is still an eight-year-old baby that is still moving ahead but we are pleased that our counterparts and friends are still assisting," he said.

On Monday, a high-level delegation from Harare led by Zimbabwe's vice president, Kembo Mohadi arrived in the capita, Juba and held discussions with officials centered on issues like the revitalized peace deal implementation, agriculture, education and foreign relations.

Victor Muzvidziwa, a representative of the Zimbabwean higher education minister, said his country was willing to help train and build capacity of South Sudanese through educational exchanges.

"We hope to even deepen the exchange relations between our two nations and to ensure that as we travel this journey, we are co-partners in ensuring that education will make a big difference to the industrialization and modernization of our nations," he remarked.

This year, nearly 70 South Sudanese students have graduated from various Zimbabwe universities and 79 are still pursuing their studies.

South Sudan, a nation hit by civil war since 2013, has one of the world's highest illiteracy rates.

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September 17, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok will travel to Cairo Wednesday, while his visit to Paris, scheduled for Thursday, was postponed to a later date

Sudan's new Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok speaks during a press conference, in Khartoum on August 21, 2019 (AFP Photo)

Cairo will be the second town that the head of the Sudanese transitional government visits after his two-day trip to Juba.

Minister of Cabinet Affairs Omer Monis said that Hamdok's trip to Egypt comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation with its neighbours.

Despite the border dispute, the two countries seek to open a new page and develop bilateral relations and boost economic cooperation. Sudanese and Egyptian officials vowed to bring the relationship between the countries back to the time before al-Bashir's regime.

The Sudanese premier was supposed to stay one day in Cairo and to be in Paris on Thursday morning for a symbolic meeting with President Emmanuel Macron who wanted to show his country support to the Sudanese revolution.

But reliable sources told the Sudan Tribune that Macron on Tuesday has requested from Khartoum to postpone Hamdok's visit until a later date due to an unforeseen and emergent situation.

The visit, however, will take place very soon in the upcoming days most likely after the end of the UN General Assembly meetings, said the source.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was in Khartoum on Monday for talks with Sudanese officials and pledged 60 million Euros in aid to the east African country. Also, he promised to support Hamdok' government in its efforts to end European and U.S. sanctions, cancel Sudan foreign debt.

Hamdok was expected to request Macron to support his efforts to achieve peace in Sudan and to encourage leaders of Darfur armed groups residing in France to join the negotiating table.

The Elysee Palace announced Monday that French President Emmanuel Macron will meet on Thursday with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, who will stop in Paris before to travel to New York to take part in the UN General Assembly.

The prime minister will lead high-level Sudanese delegation to the New York meetings and is expected to deliver Sudan's speech on 27th this month.

"Sudan's participation in UN General Assembly meetings is the first step to introduce the county with a new face and to engage with the international community positively as a leading and responsible country," said Monis.

(ST)

September 17, 2019 (JUBA) – South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and the Eritrean special envoy to South Sudan, Osman Salih held a meeting in the South Sudanese capital, Juba on Tuesday.

President Salva Kiir and the Eritrean special envoy to South Sudan, Osman Salih at State House in Juba, Sept, 17, 2019 (PPU)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, South Sudan's deputy Foreign Affairs minister, Deng Dau Deng said Osman handed over to the South Sudanese leader letter from his counterpart Isaias Afwerki.

The Eritrean official, according to the minister also appreciated the role Kiir played in ending the political crisis in neighbouring Sudan.

On his part, however, the Eritrean special envoy, said a wide range of bilateral issues were discussed between Juba and Asmara.

In August last year, President Kiir visited Asmara and held talks with Afwerki during which the latter expressed his support to South Sudan and urged Kiir to enhance relations with the Horn of Africa countries.

The two-day visit, observers said, was seen as a confirmation of a new dynamic in the Horn of Africa region following last year's reconciliation between Addis Ababa and Asmara.

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The second worst Ebola outbreak of all time, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was officially declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Wednesday, with the head of the World Health Organization calling for countries to ‘take notice and redouble our efforts”.

Ahead of a key expert meeting convened by the United Nations to decide whether to declare the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) an international health emergency, the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF warned that the epidemic “is infecting more children” than earlier outbreaks.  

Deadly, attacks on health workers in Ebola-hit areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including one at the weekend that left two dead, are an indication that combating the disease outbreak will require far greater international support, UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said on Monday. 

Access to education in Somaliland is extremely limited, with more than 50 per cent of children in Somaliland out of school. In an effort to address the problem, the UN children’s fund, UNICEF, has partnered with the government, and the global fund Education Cannot Wait, to launch a programme designed to help children affected by ongoing crises in the country.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the terrorist attack that took place on July 12 in southern Somalia. 

Determined children learning in classes without roofs, resilient women farming without tools or much land, and grateful people who survived a cyclone that destroyed their livelihoods; on his final day in Mozambique, UN chief António Guterres witnessed first-hand the inner strength and resilience of the storm-ravaged country's people.

“As a priority, we ask that 5,600 refugees and migrants currently held in centres across Libya be freed in an orderly manner and their protection guaranteed” the UN refugee and migrants chiefs said in a joint statement, released on Friday.

Arriving in Mozambique to express solidarity and see for himself the damage wrought by two back-to-back cyclones earlier this year, UN chief António Guterres on Thursday said “undeniable moral authority” lay with its people, who had borne the brunt of a disaster linked inexorably to climate change, and a warming world. 

Health workers have started a massive measles vaccination campaign in north-east Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a region that’s in the grip of the second deadliest Ebola virus outbreak on record.