Africa

Somali Government efforts to build a lasting peace through political reform and transformation have progressed along a “positive trajectory” but everyone involved in the process needs to “pull in the same direction”, the UN Special Representative in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.

In the wake of an ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), neighboring Uganda is implementing a series of preventative response measures to keep the deadly disease at bay.

An attack on a village in central Mali earlier this week in which at least 37 civilians died, is to be investigated with the help of United Nations human rights experts, the UN stabilization mission in the country (MINUSMA), announced on Thursday.

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Dr Akwasi Osei, CEO of Ghana’s Mental Health Authority, Medi Ssengooba, and Shantha Rau Barriga.

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With great sadness we share the news that Medi Ssengooba, a dear friend, partner, and colleague at Human Rights Watch, passed away last week after a short illness.

Medi was a strong advocate, a sharp lawyer, and a kind and gentle man who shattered the notion that disability meant inability. He joined Human Rights Watch as the 2011-2012 Finburg Fellow and led a team investigating and writing a seminal report, “Like A Death Sentence,” on shackling and other abuses against people with psychosocial disabilities in Ghana. During our research mission together to Ghana, Medi and his wheelchair had to be carried over the rocky terrain to reach the gates of the prayer camp where people were held in chains, but he was determined to get in and document their stories. The 2012 report and related video, featuring Medi, prompted Ghanaian officials to adopt many of its recommendations.

Medi went on to work for the Disability Rights Fund, managing their grants to Ghana, so we continued to work together to push for change. In a meeting with Medi in April 2017, the chief executive of Ghana’s Mental Health Authority, Dr. Akwasi Osei, agreed to ban shackling and to release people in chains from key prayer camps that we had identified, a promise fulfilled later that year.

He also changed the environment closer to home, persuading Human Rights Watch to install remote-controlled doors more usable to someone in a wheelchair, and advised us on how to renovate our New York office to make it more accessible. Life in New York City can be particularly challenging when you’re in a wheelchair, but Medi faced it all with unshakable good humor.

Medi persevered throughout his life. He was one of the first people with disabilities to graduate from Makerere Law School in Uganda and went on to get his LLM from American University in Washington, DC, with a fellowship from the Ford Foundation. He also co-founded the legal aid organization, Legal Action for Persons with Disabilities (LAPD), in Uganda.

Medi touched many colleagues with his optimism, warmth and kindness.

Our thoughts go out to Medi’s family, the disability community (particularly in his native Uganda), and the many who had the privilege of calling him a friend.

Solar power is helping make universal healthcare a reality in places where unreliable power supplies regularly affect access to vital services, and can out people’s lives at risk, thanks to support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Tuesday’s attacks against the UN compound in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, saying that intentionally attacking UN personnel may constitute "a violation of international humanitarian law.”

Kenyan journalist Joseph Warungu writes about what he will be looking out for in 2019.

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this year.

Some of the best images from the day as people vote for a successor to Joseph Kabila.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's leading cobalt producer, holds elections on Sunday.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all those playing an active political role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to “continue working together” to ensure free and fair elections, as the country heads to polls this Sunday.

The excessive use of force during large-scale demonstrations against food and fuel shortages in Sudan is alarming, and an infringement on the right of peaceful assembly, said UN independent experts on Friday.

December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese security service on Thursday evening arrested ten opposition leaders ahead of protests announced for Friday afternoon and the announcement of a joint coordination committee between all the opposition groups.

Calls for regime change during Tuesday's demonstrations in the capital Khartoum organized by professions unions marked a turning point in the nature of protests which a started as spontaneous popular reactions in the provinces to the increase of bread prices and difficult living conditions.

Aware this development the opposition groups, held a series of talks, putting their differences aside and agreed on Wednesday 26 December to set up "a coordinating committee to manage the joint action to continue the popular uprising and bring down the regime, dismantle (its apparatus) and liquidate the regime".

Took part in the meeting, which was held at the premises of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) in Khartoum, delegates of the National Consensus Forces (NCF), Sudan Call alliance, Sudanese Professional Gathering, Republican Party, Centre Forces for Change, Intifada Forces, and Federal Alliance.

Hours after the statement, the opposition groups announced the arrest of ten leading members mainly from the NCF factions including Sudanese Communist Party, Ba'ath Party, Nasserist Party and Unionist Movement.

According to the statement, the detainees are Siddiq Youssef, Jamal Idriss, Mohamed Dia al-Din, Babikir Mahgoub, Tigani Mustafa, Mrs Rahamah Attiq, Fatehi Siddiq, Hamad Musa, Ahmed Hadra and Kamal al-Suni.

The opposition groups, according to the statement, called on the other political forces, civil society groups and national figures to join them to achieve a radical change, pointing they welcome their propositions over the agreed charters.

Activists recently circulated audio and written comment on the Popular Security which is known as a militia of the ruling National Congress Party. Also, they circulated videos showing these militiamen opening fire on the peaceful protesters.

The Sudanese government on Thursday reviewed the number of people killed during the protests saying it reached 19 victims. Initially, it sail only eight were killed.

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December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian government and Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party ) on Thursday expressed their support to the government of President Omer al-Bashir which is facing growing popular discontent over economic hardships.

President al-Bashir on Thursday met with the visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister and the head of Egyptian intelligence service who were in Khartoum for talks with their Sudanese counterpart over bilateral relations.

The longtime scheduled visit coincided with the popular protests across Sudan over the difficult living conditions and calls to overthrow the regime of President al-Bashir who is ruling the country nearly 30 years ago.

Following the meeting, Sameh Shoukry told reporters he handed over a message from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to his Sudanese counterpart stressing the importance of supporting bilateral relations and stability in the two countries through the activation of all frameworks of cooperation and coordination.

"This is an essential matter because we feel that stability in Sudan is directly affecting Egypt's stability and Egypt's stability also directly affects the stability of Sudan," Shoukry stressed.

The Egyptian minister further said that his country "is confident that Sudan will overcome the current circumstances," stressing that Egypt is "always ready to provide support to Sudan in accordance with the vision of the Sudanese government and its policies."

Sudan and Egypt developed this year strong security and political cooperation after accusations in January 2018 of support to Eritrean-backed rebels to carry out attacks in eastern Sudan.

In Angara the Turkey's ruling AK Party voiced its government support to the government of President Omer al-Bashir.

"We are aware of the recent ploys against Sudan," Cevdet Yilmaz, deputy chairperson of AK party, said during a meeting with the Sudanese ambassador in Ankara on Wednesday.

"We support the legitimate government of Sudan. Turkey has faced similar ploys many times," he further added.

Ankara is confident that the Sudanese government is sensitive to the demands of the Sudanese people and works to avoid violence, he added.

Last Saturday, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani phoned President al-Bashir to express his support for Sudan and added that his country was ready to all that was necessary to "help Sudan overcome this ordeal".

Sudanese opposition forces are calling to extend the protests and to announce general disobedience in the country after the success of Tuesday protests organised by the professional unions.

Also, the armed groups in Darfur and the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states announced their support to the peaceful protests stressing that the peaceful mass protests are able to protect themselves from the violence of the regime's militias.

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December 27, 2018 (JUBA) - Murle political leaders in Buma state have vowed to end the practice of cattle raiding and child abduction by individuals in the community.

Jodi Jonglei, who is also the state speaker, announced the move on the festive season during the Christmas festive season.

We don't want the issue of cattle raiding, killing and child abduction to happen in our area again, not just as the government – but as political leaders of Murle in Buma State in Pibor or in Juba here.”

“Those coming to Juba here from Pibor to sell their cows always when they are going back, they abduct children of other people according to Eye Radio.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization strongly welcomes and congratulates the position of the Buma State political leaders. It is a remarkable decision that requires real seriousness for actualizing it into reality.

Cattle raid and revenge attacks stand as the second major factor in the country that leads to loss of human lives in big number and destruction of properties at large scale annually across the country since the independence of South Sudan.

Watching at cattle raiding without a proper state policy for addressing, it is a clear demonstration of reluctance and careless of political leaders in finding a lasting state-driven solution.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO said the move of the Buma state political leaders for declaring no more cattle raiding is encouraging and deserve support for translating those political leaders' decision for enough to cattle raiding into policy with clear actions that contributes for minimization cattle raiding in short-term and stoppage in long term. CEPO will take lead in taking further steps for supporting the decision for “enough to cattle raiding”.

Among the steps CEPO will undertake is declaring a campaign called “Enough to Cattle Raiding” which will be kick-off in Buma state on 20th February 2019.

Also, Right Honour Speaker, Jodi Jonglei of Buma State Parliament will be declared as “CEPO First Ambassador for Enough to Cattle Raiding-2019,” Yakani stressed.

CEPO is calling upon the leadership of Buma State at their capacities to take their made decisions serious and set it as an example for the rest of the other states where their communities are engaged in deadly cattle raiding.

CEPO will take lead in mobilizing funds and other forms of support for making the made decision of Buma State on “Enough to Cattle Raiding” to be real and as a new state of movement for no more deaths and destruction of properties due to cattle raiding. CEPO is aware that it is not an easy task but all positive records in history starts with hard decision.

December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government admitted that 19 people have been killed during the recent demonstrations throughout the country to protest against the difficult living conditions and calling on President Omer al-Bashir to leave.

"Nineteen people lost their lives in the incidents including two from security forces" since the protests began on 19 December, announced the Information Minister and Government Spokesperson Bushara Juma said in a press conference held in Khartoum on Thursday.

Juma gave the details of the death toll saying three were killed in the Northern State, five in th River Nile State, six in the Gedarif State and three in the White Nile State, in addition to two regular forces without elaborating on how and when they were killed.

Until Thursday, the government maintained the number of dead was eight people. Opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi spoke about 22 victims while Amnesty International put the death toll at 37 people.

The minister went further to say they arrested 107 opponents most of them belong to the Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW).

He said that the government will file a case against the group leader and issue an Interpol arrest warrant for him. However, the SLM-AW denied the accusations that its members are involved in sabotage actions during the protests.

BRITISH MPS CONDEMN VIOLENCE

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday, the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Sudan and South Sudan (APPG) condemned the"disproportionate and deadly "
use of violence by the Sudanese government in response to the peaceful protests.

"The Government of Sudan must now engage constructively with the legitimate grievances raised by a diverse range of demonstrators across the country," said APPG Vice Chair Mp David Drew.

Drew further called on the Sudanese authorities to respect the freedoms of assembly, expression and association in accordance with the Sudanese and International Human Rights Law, and to investigate into the killing of protesters.

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December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu (SPLM-N al-Hilu) Thursday joined calls by the opposition forces to protest against the regime of President Omer al-Bashir saying its collapse allow to preserve Sudan's unity.

The SPLM-N split last year following calls by al-Hilu to include the principle of self-determination in the talks with the Sudanese government.

Also, the group leaders in their briefings to the faction supporters in the Diaspora about the peace negotiations said the self-determination is the ultimate goal of the group, pointing they might accept a transitional period before a referendum on the future of the Two Areas.

Nonetheless, in an audio message released by the rebel group on Thursday, al-Hilu said he believes that all the Sudanese have to participate in the uprising against the "mafia of the National Islamic Front".

"I invite you all women and men to break down the barriers that the Centre has made, (...), to unite at this historic juncture and devote our strength and energies to remove this fascist regime in order to clear the way for a radical and genuine change that provides the opportunity for a just unity based on justice, equality and freedom," he said.

He further said the regime change will allow Sudanese to bypass the "unilateral exclusivist project" that continues to threaten the unity of the country and to build a secular democratic Sudan based on the peaceful transfer of power and transparency.

"From this perspective, I appeal to the masses of the SPLM to take to the street and participate actively in the national epic in support of the popular uprising and the battle of dignity and freedom," he stressed.

Al-Hilu's call comes as calls have been launched in the capital to take the street after the weekly prayer of Friday while the Popular Security members, a militia of the ruling National Congress Party, patrolling the main streets of the capital Khartoum.

Also, U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a demonstration alert saying protests are expected after Friday prayer and urged "American personnel at the U.S. Embassy" to limit their movements from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

"Demonstrations are also expected in Khartoum and in other cities and locations across Sudan on Monday, December 31, 2018, and Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in light of Sudanese Independence Day," the embassy further said.

For his part, the Deputy Chairman of the SPLM-N led by Malik Agar released Thursday an opinion article where he called on the opposition forces to define a joint plan of action setting clearly the priorities to be undertaken during the upcoming days.

"We really need a unified centre for the Intifada, in which the steps are collectively agreed upon," said Yasir Arman.

Arman further joined a call by Gebril Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement stressing that the uprising should remain peaceful pointing that the participation of millions is the (best) protection of the uprising.

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DR Congo has one of the largest contingents of UN peacekeepers in the world.

After fleeing terrorist attacks, as well as clashes between Government forces and militia, more than 2,000 newly displaced Nigerians have arrived in an already over-stretched camp known as Teacher’s Village, in Maiduguri, the capital of the country’s Borno State.

Unless political actors in Guinea-Bissau demonstrate renewed good faith to hold “genuinely free and fair elections,” the country is set to face a continuous cycle of instability, the United Nations Security Council warned on Thursday.