Africa

October 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Minister of Interior Ahmed Bilal Osman on Tuesday said the United States has granted $16 million to meet the needs of refugees in Sudan.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) has quoted Osman as saying he met with the U.S. delegation on the sidelines of the 69th session of the Executive Committee of UN Higher Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.

He pointed out that he briefed the U.S. delegation on Sudan's efforts to hosting refugees, saying Washington has provided $16 million to meet the needs of refugees and promised to provide more funding in the future.

Osman also demanded the international community to support Sudan to meet the needs of the continued inflows of refugees, saying the current international funding covers only 32% of the actual needs of refugees.

According to statistics of Sudan's Commission of Refugees, Sudan is hosting around 2 million refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, Somalia, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, Yemen and Syria.

The United Nations says Sudan hosts 110,000 Eritrean refugees, 400,000 South Sudanese refugees and more than 100,000 Syrian refugees.

In addition, some 500,000 South Sudanese who stayed in Sudan following the separation are also in need of humanitarian assistance according to the UN.

(ST)

October 16, 2018 (JUBA) - The National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen Thomas Cirilo Swaka Tuesday dismissed accusations of attacking the SPLA-IO positions in Yei River State saying its fighters acted in self-defence.

In a statement issued Monday SPLM-IO Deputy Spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said NAS fighters killed 17 civilians in two attacks on their positions in Minyori and Logo of Yei River State.

However, NAS Spokesperson Suba Samuel Manase said his group which rejected the revitalized peace agreement is fully committed to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 21 December 2017.

"On I4th October 2018, SPLM-IO under the command of Col Gadi attacked NAS small patrolling contingency force in Minyori Boma of Yei County," Manase said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"As a result, NAS force responded in self-defence and pursued the SPLA-IO bandits into their operational base in disarray," he stressed.

The African Union Peace and Security Council on Monday issued a statement about the outcome of a meeting held on 10 October about the situation in South Sudan.

The Council called on the parties to not resort to violence.

The Council ''Appeals to all the parties to the conflict to cease all acts of violence in South Sudan and respect for the signed Revitalized Agreement and to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict".

(ST)

October 15, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudan legislators Monday endorsed the full text of the revitalized agreement 33 days after the final signing in Addis Ababa on 12 September.

Members of South Sudan's parliament sing the national anthem during the reopening of parliamentary sessions in the capital, Juba, on 11 June 2012 (Photo: Giulio Petrocco/AFP/Getty)

In line with the implementation matrix of the revitalized peace agreement, the Transitional National Legislature comprising the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States should ratify the peace pact within seven days of the signature.

Once tabled for parliamentary approval by Minister of Justice Paulino Wanawila Unango, the agreement was unanimously adopted by the Members of Parliament (MPs) of the two houses.

NLA Speaker Anthony Lino Makana welcomed this great achievement saying it shows that the MPs of the two Houses are for peace.

Analysts in Juba say now after the parliamentary consent they expect that the release of the political detainees and prisoners of war take place soon.

(ST)

October 16, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir directed the governors and tribal leaders of the states bordering neighbouring Sudan to implement the cooperation agreement particularly the operationalization of the buffer zone.

On Tuesday President Kiir held a meeting attended by his first deputy Taban Deng Gai with the governors, presidential advisers, defence and police senior officials as well as the tribal leaders of the border areas.

The South Sudanese presidential press unit said the president sought "answers on the status of the operationalization of the security arrangements agreed with the Republic of Sudan on the safe demilitarization of the buffer zone".

"While addressing the meeting, President Salva Kiir urged the state governors and paramount chiefs (in the areas) bordering the Safe Demilitarized Buffer Zone to work collectively with the national government to implement the security agreement reached between the two sisterly countries".

On 27 September 2012, the two countries signed a security agreement aiming to stop the flow of guns and supplies to the rebel groups across the border. The deal provides to establish a centreline and a buffer zone, which run 10 km along either side.

It was agreed by the parties that these security measures represent only the location of the separation line between the armed forces of the two States but it does affect the ongoing discussions on the border demarcation.

However, under the pressure of local leaders, South Sudan had stopped its participation in the joint border monitoring operation also suspended the marking of crossing points fearing that delimitation of the centreline, which passes through contested areas, may be seen as the final location of the boundary.

Recently, UN Security Council said it would downsize the international forces deployed in Abyei and involved in the operation if no progress is achieved until next November.

For his part, First Vice President Taban Deng Gai urged the State governors and paramount chiefs to support the national government in enhancing the working cooperation between the two countries. Also, he pointed that the opening of the six joint border corridors will boost trade between the two Countries.

Minister of Defence Kuol Manyang Juuk who signed the implementation matrix stressed the importance of implementing the security arrangements for the safety co-existence between the two Countries.

(ST)

The execution-style killings of two aid workers raised fears that the Islamist insurgency is far from over.

British-Nigerian Filmmaker Adeyemi Michael explains the inspiration behind his short film, Entitled.

The United Nations Secretary-General strongly condemned on Tuesday the killing of an aid worker from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in north-east Nigeria. He said he was “appalled” by her death on Monday.  

Congolese nationals forced back across the border to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after being expelled from neighbouring Angola, “are returning to a desperate situation,” a UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The Sudanese Regime Tends to Order Righteousness to others while ignoring doing so for itself

By Mahmoud A. Suleiman

Heads of Failed States in the African Continent are trying to save other failed states; a questionable phenomenon posing many unanswered questions that remaining seeking answers! On the other hand, the question is whether the African people expect and/or except Peace initiatives brokered by regimes such as the National Congress Party (NCP)in Sudan that continues Waging Wars of Attrition against Its Own Citizens and Fails Honouring Peace Accords it has signed with the Parties in Dispute?

Reviewing the recent literature on African conflicts, Africa has a history of producing mixed results on mediation efforts to end conflicts. Successes include Mozambique. Failures include Somalia and eastern Congo. The author ofMay 30, 2010 Nico Colombant indicates that he spoke with several Africa experts in the United States about lessons learned and what seems to have worked. The conclusion indicated that African Mediation Efforts Have Mixed Results.

The list of African countries going through the process of conflict mediation is long, from Madagascar in the south to Sudan in the east, Ivory Coast in the west, and others in between.
https://www.voanews.com/a/african-mediation-efforts-have-mixed-results-95278874/154664.html

There is a basic legal principle known in Latin as - Nemo dat quod non habet – indicating that a person who does not own property, especially a thief, cannot confer it on another except with the true owner's authority.https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nemo+dat+quod+non+habet.&oq=nemo+dat+quod+non+habet.&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.8374j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
This article comes against the backdrop of the recent news media outlet reports that the new Cabinet of the National Congress Party (NCP) regime is trying to find peace for the neighboring African countries while the former National Islamic Front (NIF) and its offspring the National Congress Party (NCP) regime continued Waging Wars of Attrition against Its Own Citizens and reneging and failing to honour Peace Accords it has signed with the Parties in Dispute and allowing Sudan to be in wars with its people in the Darfur region since 2003. It has been surfaced in the news that the regime's new Foreign Minister Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed is currently on his way as of Monday 15th October 2018 to the Capital and largest city of the Central African Republic (CAR) Bangui and to N'Djamena the capital and largest city of the Republic of Chad, carrying messages from the National Congress Party (NCP) President Marshall Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir to his counterparts of the Chadian President Idriss Débyand the President of Central African Republic, Président de la République centrafricaine Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

According to a statement issued by the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, which was read by Bag News, the visit comes within the framework of Sudan's efforts to achieve peace in the Central African Republic (CAR) adopted by the African Union (AU). Furthermore, let us not forget the peace deal signed by the feuding groups of the Republic of South Sudan of President Salva Kiir Mayardit with the main rebel leader Dr Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon in Khartoum in 2018 in Khartoum where the National Congress Party (NCP) President Omer Al Bashir has offered to host peace talks. Nevertheless, the peace accord targeted at the time has yet to be archived, given the South Sudan's bitter rivals President Salwa Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar. The IGAD-led peace mediation in South Sudan as all of us know, things didn't go as expected.

Now coming back to the topic which is the communal warfare that has been continuing since 2013 when the Central Africa Republic (CAR) has slipped into a sectarian conflict in which the Christian Anti-Balaka militias, the so-called "Silica" coalition, a political and military coalition with a Muslim majority, have been put to the fore. On April 10, 2014, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved the deployment of an international peacekeeping force of 12,000 troops in the Central Africa Republic, shaken by a stifling sectarian crisis. The United Nations has deployed a 12,000-strong force to stabilize the country, which was able to emerge from a transitional phase and hold presidential elections in early 2016.

Thus, Omer al-Bashir and his ruling regime mimic the story of a doctor who tries to cure sick patients while he is sicker than the patient himself!
There are signs, however, that the "Sick Man of Africa", as Uganda was dubbed after a 20-year reign of terror by Milton Obote and Idi Amin, is well on the way to recovery.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/sick-man-of-africa-is-very-much-on-the-mend-1594060.htmlAt one time, Nigeria has also been given the label of “Sick Man of Africa"https://nationalinterest.org/article/the-sick-man-of-africa-3345?page=0%2C1
Now Sudan under the 30-year reign of the National Congress Party (NCP) will qualify the title of the failed state the "Sick Man of Africa", par excellence.http://www.gamji.com/article5000/NEWS5169.htm
According to the cyber journal Sudan Tribune that in Last September in a meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the African Union integrated the Sudanese initiative to end the armed conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) between Muslim and Christian militias that continue to destabilize the country despite the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission.http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article66426

At this juncture, there is a question posing itself as to whether there exists not a single wise head of state in all the African continent who could help in solving the chronic internal conflicts in the sisterly countries other than Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir who has been indicted for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide against the Sudanese citizens in the Darfur region and remains fugitive from the international justice? That is the 64 Dollar Question! In other words; is there not among the African leaders a person of reason? Isn't there a wiser discerning individual among them to make peace initiatives other than the criminal bloke? The questions remain endless as to whether there is not in the club of African dictators even a single head of state who is unique among them has the wisdom and qualifications of the statesmanship and presents himself as a model of initiatives for peace, prosperity, justice and equality to be followed as a living model example to be cherished by others?TheKenyan academic Professor Patrick Lumumba has said you African people you allow your goats to be looked after by the hyenas who you elect and when the goats are consumed, you ask as if in a surprise; “how that has happened?”!Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba commonly referred to as Prof. PLO Lumumba gave speeches on Africa's Worst Tragedy: Economic Disorientation – A Case of South Sudan and quoted as saying:” When I look at Africa, Many times, I ask myself, “What would happen if Mwalimu Julius Nyerere were to rise up and see what is happening?”Many times, I would ask myself, “What would happen if Kwame Nkruma and Patrice Lomumba were to rise up and see what is happening?”!https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-i-look-africaa-must-read-speech-patrick-loch-otieno-rashid-adam

Prof PLO Lumumba goes further with his speech: “There is a war going on there. But it is not on the front pages of our newspapers, because we did not even control our newspapers and the media. As I speak to you, the Central African Republic is at war. But we talk about it only mutedly. As I speak to you now, in South Sudan, the youngest nation in Africa, the Nuers have risen against the Dinka. As I speak to you now, Eritrea is unsettled. As I speak to you now, there is unease in Egypt and there is unease in Libya, in Niger it is no better, in Senegal in the Casamance.”The Cassamance conflict is an ongoing low-level conflict that has been waged between the Government of Senegal and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Cassamance since 1982.https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Senegal+in+the+Cassamance&oq=Senegal+in+the+Cassamance&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.1901j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli the Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, writer, playwright and poet of the Renaissance period has been quoted as saying: ”Men are so imprudent that they take up a diet which, though it tastes sweet, is poisonous.”http://quotes.yourdictionary.com/author/quote/561430

The Situations of the ruling regime of the National Congress Party is similar to that of the Pharaoh that does not see himself naked until the little boy draws his attention!
Abraham Lincoln the American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th President of the United States of America and led the United States through the American Civil War—its bloodiest war and perhaps its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865, has been quoted as saying: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/stephen_king_130778

Dr. Mahmoud A. Suleiman is an author, columnist and a blogger. His blog is http://thussudan.wordpress.com/

October 15, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Security authorities in Sudan detained a number journalists for several hours before to release them, Monday.

The Sudanese Parliament building

The journalists demonstrated outside the parliament to protest the ban of a colleague from covering the sessions.

The security agents dispersed a protest by the journalists of Al-Akhbar newspaper in front of the National Assembly in Omdurman, before to arrest nine protesters.

The newspaper organised the protest after the parliament officials systematically targeted its reporter Murtada Ahmed and prevented him from covering the sessions.

Ten Members of Parliament from the independents' caucus participated in the protest.

Murtada Ahmed told Sudan Tribune that the security service took him after dispersing the protest to a detention center in Omdurman with members of the editorial board including Nizar Sayed Ahmed the general editor, Ahmed Hamdan head of news section, Abdel Rahman Al-Aqab head of the political section, Abdel Rahman an editor, Shawqi Gamar Aldolla a designer and Ibrahim Nugd Allah a photographer.

Also were detained Omar al-Kabbashi, Haji Abdel Rahman al-Moz who are from other newspapers.

According to Murtada Ahmed, the security agents interrogated him and others for about an hour and kept them in detention for additional three hours before the intervention of Omdurman Commissioner Magdi Abdel Aziz who requested the release of detained journalists.

Abdel Aziz who is a member in different discussions groups with the Sudanese journalists further promised to intervene personally to contain the crisis between the parliament officials and Al-Akhbar newspaper.

For his part, the head of the news section of the newspaper Ahmed Hamdan said they would escalate the issue and file a case before the Constitutional Court against the ban because it violates the law and the Constitution and the status of the Parliament.

Last year several disputes occurred between parliament authorities and the press.

In August 2017, the reporters boycotted the parliament activities in solidarity with their colleague Mourtada Ahmed, who at the time was a reporter of Al-Ahram Al-Youm newspaper.

Also, the General Secretariat of the National Assembly sued Al-Jareeda and Al-Ahram Al-Youm newspapers for publishing statements by Badria Suleiman the deputy speaker expressing her rejection of the appointment of a third deputy speaker.

In addition last July, the parliament authorities issued a decision banning newspapers and satellite TV journalists from covering their activities after a two-day boycott by the journalists to protest the ban on another female colleague from entering the National Assembly.

(ST)

October 15, 2018 (JUBA) - South Africa reaffirmed its support for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and called on the parties to abide by its provisions for the benefit of South Sudanese people and the regional stability.

In a statement released in Johannesburg Monday after his meeting with President Salva Kiir on Monday, the South African Deputy President David Mabuza urged the signatories of the IGAD-brokered peace agreement to be committed in their efforts of implementing the peace agreement, said the South African presidency.

Mabuza further assured President Kiir and the people of South Sudan, of" South Africa's continued and unwavering support".

He added that South Africa will continue to provide support and share her own experience learned from South Africa's transition to democracy.

The visiting deputy president also met with representatives of other peace partners in Juba from the Former Detainees, SSOAs, the National Dialogue chairmen and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Juba.

He left to Khartoum where he would meet the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and other South Sudanese peace parties including Riek Machar, SPLM-IO leader.

For his part, the Minister in the Office of the President Mayiik Ayii Deng said that the visit of the Vice President of South Africa to Juba is a confirmation of the efforts of South Africa to support the peace process in the country

Mayiik pointed to the initiative of South Africa to reunite the ranks of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement which culminated with the signing of Arusha agreement on 21 January 2015., adding "it was the real beginning of the important role played by South Africa for peace in (South Sudan)".

He stressed the keenness of the Government of South Sudan under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit to implement peace in order to restore stability to the country.

(ST)

October 15, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sixty professors from United States universities will participate in the first forum between Sudan and American universities which would convene in Khartoum on 27 October.

A general view taken on June 13, 2012 shows the campus of the Sudanese capital's Khartoum University,(AFP Photo/Simon Martelli)

The three-day forum is the first of its kind and is organized by Sudan's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in coordination with the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington.

Representatives from a number of U.S. universities including Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Indiana State University, University of Indianapolis and University of California, Berkeley will participate in the forum.

Minister of Higher Education Al-Sadiq al-Hadi has earlier said all arrangements have been completed to host the forum, describing it is a first step towards promoting cooperation between the two countries on education.

In October 2017, a delegation of experts from IIE visited Khartoum to assess Sudan's higher education institutions to build partnerships with its counterparts in the United States.

Established in 1919, the IIE is a nonprofit organization which focuses on international student exchange and aid, foreign affairs, and international peace and security.

It creates programs of study and training for students, educators and professionals from various sectors. Some of its most recognized programs include the flagship Fulbright Program and Gilman Scholarships.

Last year, the U.S. Administration permanently lifted 20-year-old economic sanctions against Sudan citing positive actions on humanitarian access and counter-terrorism.

The two countries are engaged in a five-track process towards the full normalization of relations.

(ST)

October 15, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The government of North Darfur State on Monday has approved a plan to turn the Internally Displaced Persons' (IDPs) camps into permanent residential areas.

The plan proposes to establish a technical committee to conduct the necessary surveys to turn the camps into new residential compounds to accommodate the IDPs who wish to integrate into their current communities.

North Darfur government spokesperson Al-Hadi Burma Salih said each family would be granted a plot of residential land, pointing out that the plan was developed following lengthy consultations with the IDPs.

It is noteworthy that the first phase of the plan aims at resettling 45,000 IDPs families from Abu Shouk, Al-Salam and Zam Zam camps.

Despite the relative security in Darfur region and the deployment of the government troops across the region, the existence of displacement camps remains the symbol of the 2003 insurgency that displaced over 2.5 million since 2003.

Last June, Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) Ahmed Mohamed Adam stated that the government has no plan to forcibly evicting the camps, but has set a number of options for IDPs, including resettlement in the area where they are, or in another area according to their desire.

Since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2011, the government constructed several villages and vowed to support IDPs who return to their home areas.

However, the return of IDPs and refugees remains the main challenge for the Sudanese government. There are 2.7 million people living in protracted displacement camps since 2003 despite the relative improvement of the security situation.

In a report released on 5 February, UNOCHA estimates there are about 386,000 returnees in Sudan conflict areas including Darfur and the Two Areas.

(ST)

October 15, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan main armed opposition (SPLM-IO) accused a holdout opposition group and the government army of attacking its positions in Yei River and Wau states raising fears of the resumption of hostilities after the signing of the revitalized agreement on 12 September.

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

During the last three weeks, the parties ceased hostilities in the country after sporadic skirmishes here and there denounced by the South Sudanese leaders who described it as isolated incidents.

However, SPLM-IO Deputy Spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said in a statement issued Monday the rebel fighters loyal to Gen Thomas Cirilo Swaka killed 17 civilians during two attacks on their positions in Minyori and Logo of Yei River State.

"Yesterday the 14/10/2018 the forces of NAS attacked the SPLA IO position in Minyori, Yei River State killing five civilians and injuring several others leading to the displacement of many civilians into Yei town and further into the bushes for safety. They also attacked our base in Logo killing 12 worshippers," Gabriel said.

"This is a direct declaration of war by Gen. Thomas Cirilo against the signed R-ARCSS since he refused to sign it," he stressed.

During a meeting in Texas on 23 September, the National Salvation Front (NAS) leader said they are not committed to the ceasefire in South Sudan even if their group is a signatory to the security arrangements.

"We cannot implement an agreement in isolation because there are eight protocols we cannot implement part and reject the others part. Since we are not part of many protocols we are not going to be part of the security arrangements agreement," he said.

The ceasefire monitoring body didn't yet confirm the attacks but if it is true similar attack can represent a serious challenge to the peace implementation process.

The SPLM-IO spokesperson, also, said the government forces based in Mboro, Wau state has been on constant offensive against the SPLA-IO positions in Ngisa, Tado, and Ngoku from 3 October to yesterday the 14 October "causing unwanted lost of lives both civilians and military besides further displacement of civilians".

He further accused the government troops of abducting Col. John Andrea Kangandi Known as (John Kofi) with his wife.

"These attacks have been premeditated and planned by commanders of the regime in Juba to widened their territory and deny any establishment of cantonment sites in the area," he asserted.

In line with the security arrangements, the South Sudanese parties have to disengage and separate their forces when they are in close proximity within thirty days of the signing of the revitalized agreement.

Also, the assembly and cantonment operations should take place in the same period to enable registration of personnel, weapons and equipment accountability, screening, re-organization and/or disarmament and demobilization.

In a related development, Stephen Par Kuol, Chairman of SPLM-IO National Committee for Foreign Relations, released a statement on Sunday denouncing the failure of South Sudanese government to enforce the revitalized pact.

Kuol pointed to the continued attacks on their positions in Central Equatoria, Western Bahr el-Ghazal and Unity, Juba refusal to release the prisoners of war and political detainees and the non-ratification of the revitalized peace agreement.

"Once again, the SPLM/A (IO) leadership is urgently calling upon the IGAD, AU. UN, TROIKA and the guarantors of R-ARCSS to deliver on the commitment they made on the margins of the 73rd UN General Assembly," he said.

The SPLM-IO official further quoted a statement by United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale before the UN General Assembly saying that his country is a partner with the South Sudanese people and the region for a sustainable peace in South Sudan and strongly encourage member states of the IGAD and the African Union to hold the parties of the 12 September accountable to honouring their commitment

An IGAD official said last weekend that the IGAD prepares for a meeting with the South Sudanese parties to discuss the implementation of the agreement next week.

(ST)

The body in charge of leading the fight against corruption will use the Bible to teach ethics.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called an Emergency Committee meeting on the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has already claimed around 130 lives.

October 14, 2018 (JUBA) - Former South Sudanese army chief of staff Paul Malong strongly denied allegations of embezzlement of public funds or committing atrocities against civilians during the five-year civil war in the country.

A recent documentary by investigative journalist and filmmaker John-Allan Namu once again reiterated accusations against Malong who is under UN and US sanctions about his wealth and his involvement in the war crimes during the conflict.

In a 25 minute interview with the Kenya Citizen TVreleased on Sunday, Malong further said he didn't take advantage from his position as Governor of Northern Bahr El-Ghazal or profited from his position when he was the chief of staff.

"They did not tell us where I got the money," he said. He further said the documentary and those who accused him have to prove that he has stolen money, give the details of these accounts and the country where these funds are deposited

"I'm not a rich man I'm just taking care of myself and my family. I have nothing," he said.

"Northern Bahr El-Ghazal is not an oil producing state and everybody knows that," so why the accuse me, he wondered.

Regarding the time when he was the army chief of staff, he said the minister of defence is the one who plans the army budget while the chief of staff is the implementer.

I use what is given to me for certain jobs that I'm going to do. if people say I took the tents and sold them that may be, I took ammunition and guns and sold them that may be, (...) but I do not get cash," he said.

The same for the war crimes and atrocities, Malong said he executed the orders he received from his military hierarchy the army commander in chief President Salva Kiir.

"I was not operating independently," he repeated.

Also, he dismissed any responsibility for the killing of civilians in Juba following the clashes at the South Sudanese presidency in July 2016.

"During the J1 fight, I was in control of the army more than any time," he said stressing that the clashes ended at Jebel Kogor.

When asked about the rape of women in Juba, he said it was done by security soldier but not his army.

"I know what happened. It was in one of the hotels and one of the ladies said that the person who had raped her is an agent of security soldier and his name was written," he said.

On the UN sanction, Malog said "they are missing the point. If they speak about the cause of the war, the cause of war is Salva and Machar. Whatever I did in the army was just orders," he said again.

The old friend of the South Sudanese president avoided criticising Salva Kiir for his sack from the position of the army chief of staff.

However, Malong said that he was disappointed when Kiir accused him of asking Kenyan, Ugandan presidents and even Ethiopian prime minister to support him to overthrow Salva Kiir.

The South Sudanese tycoon Lawrence Lual Malong Yor Jr. took part in the interview to explain that General Malong was not his father and he is not his relative.

He and General Malong said they would pursue those who continue to repeat such claims in order to prove the corruption of the former South Sudanese official.

(ST)

PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 14, 2018

Africa's leading entrepreneurship-focused philanthropic organisation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), has announced October 25, 2018, as the date for its 4thannual TEF Entrepreneurship Forum.

The largest gathering of African entrepreneurs and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem will unite over 5,000 entrepreneurs, global investors, leaders from the African public and private sectors and developmental organisations at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. The event is a unique opportunity to generate ideas, forge networks and bring policymakers and the private sector together, in a spirit of robust debate and interaction. The 2018 cohort from the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme, as well as mentors and partners, will be present, as the culmination of their intensive twelve-week induction.

In keeping with the Foundation's track record?most recently with President Macron of France?of bringing politicians face to face with the new generation of young business women and men shaping Africa, the Forum will include an interactive session with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, moderated by TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu.

5,000 Entrepreneurs to be welcomed in Lagos for Africa's largest entrepreneurial convening

The Forum will also feature the launch of the TEFConnect, the world's largest digital platform for African entrepreneurs, dedicated to connecting African entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, stated: “In just four years, we have directly impacted 4,460 entrepreneurs, and we are beginning to see the results – job creation, ripple effects, but most importantly a recognition that Africa's economic well-being is driven by entrepreneurs: female and male, large and small – they are the engine of our continent's transformation. We will be championing and celebrating them. This year, we are truly achieving scale and impact; we received over 150,000 applications in 2017 alone, up from 20,000 applications in 2015.

We are now calling on the current generation of African success stories and others to partner with us to see how we can all further create impact, genuinely transform millions of lives and increase the number of inspiring stories we will be hearing in Lagos”.

TEF CEO, Parminder Vir OBE stated: “The TEF Entrepreneurship Forum is the only event across the continent that brings together the complete African entrepreneurship ecosystem, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the whole continuum – from the entrepreneurs themselves, governments who must provide enabling environments, to capital, advice and perhaps most importantly access and network”.

About Tony Elumelu Foundation:

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is Africa's leading entrepreneurship philanthropy. Inspired by Tony Elumelu's economic philosophy of Africapitalism and his vision to institutionalise luck and democratise opportunity for a new generation of African entrepreneurs, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has implemented one of the most ambitious entrepreneurship programmes globally.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10,000 entrepreneurs. Its goal is to invest in businesses that will generate at least 1,000,000 new jobs and contribute at least $10 billion in new annual revenues across Africa.

In its 4th year, TEF Entrepreneurship Programme has empowered 4,460 entrepreneurs with a total investment of USD20million; 4,000 funded directly by the Foundation and 460 have been funded by partners.

October 14, 2018 (JUBA) - South Africa's Deputy President David Mabuza arrived in Juba on Sunday for talks with President Salva Kiir on the implementation of South Sudan revitalized peace agreement.

Mabuza was received at Juba airport by the Minister in the Office of the President Mayiik Ayii Deng who told the press that the South African guest comes as a special envoy of South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa.

During his two-day visit Mabuza "would be conducting bilateral talks with his Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit on a number of bilateral issues," Mayiik further said.

For his part, Mabuza's spokesperson Thami Ngwenya stated that the South African deputy president will discuss with President Kiir ways through which South Africa can assist in the implementation of 12 September peace agreement.

He further said that the South African official would travel to the other IGAD countries involved in the peace process to discuss the enforcement of a lasting peace in South Sudan.

Mabuza “will also visit the neighbouring countries that are part of the guarantor of Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. He will look at the kind of assistance that South Africa can provide to people and the government of South Sudan," he added.

South Africa, together with Tanzania, sought in the past to bring peace in South Sudan through the reunification of the historical Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in what is known as Arusha process which had been concluded by the signing of an agreement on 21 January 2015.

(ST)

October 14, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf has praised bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) describing it as strong and extended.

On Sunday, Ibn Ouf received the UAE Ambassador to Khartoum Hamad Mohammed Al-Junaibi in the presence of the newly appointed military attaché Ajlan Obied.

During the meeting, Ibn Ouf welcomed the newly appointed military attaché, wishing him success in his new position.

He underscored that bilateral relations between Sudan and the UAE are developing steadily.

Sudan managed to achieve a breakthrough in ties with UAE after a long period of strained relations over Khartoum's close ties with Tehran.

UAE is in a long-standing territorial dispute with Iran over the three Gulf islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb.

Iran refuses international arbitration over the dispute and insists that its sovereignty over the islands is non-negotiable.

In 2014, Sudanese authorities ordered the closure of Iranian cultural centre in the capital Khartoum, and other states in a move which was seen as a gesture to the Arab Gulf states.

The estimated size of UAE investments in Sudan is $11 billion approximately, of which about $5 billion are projects in progress while the rest are still in the pre-execution phase.

In May 2015, Sudan said it offered UAE's companies $59 billion in investment opportunities mainly in agricultural projects.

(ST)