Africa

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After 12 years, Ebrima Sillah, who was forced to flee The Gambia for being too critical of Yahya Jammeh, hopes to return home.

December 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Trial of a college student charged with murder for allegedly killing a police officer during protests at Khartoum University (UofK) in April is scheduled to resume on Wednesday in Khartoum.

Asim Omer Khalifa, who faces charges under article 130 “premeditated murder” of the Criminal Code, is a member of the student chapter of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP).

The court of appeals has returned the case file to the Khartoum North criminal court after considering an application for examination by the General Prosecutor's Office against the court's decision to deny appearance of one of the prosecutors before the court and removal of his name from the prosecutors list.

It is noteworthy that the Judge at Khartoum North criminal court last September has prevented some members of the prosecution and defence teams from appearing before the court after they had engaged in sharp verbal altercation inside the courtroom.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, SCoP said the accused student didn't enjoy the rights stipulated by the Criminal Code throughout the period of his arrest.

“He [the accused] has neither been notified of the charges against him nor has he received a copy of them to exercise his right to appeal. Also, the prosecution repeatedly denied requests from his defense team to meet him, and these are rights guaranteed by the laws and Sudan's 2005 interim constitution,” read the statement.

It added the trial would resume after the accused has spent eight months behind bars, pointing the delayed justice is injustice even if the court acquits the accused.

“We have followed with complete satisfaction the Khartoum North court proceedings which showed clear desire for a fair and speedy trial, however, we are concerned about the delay at the court of appeals and we are confident that no matter how long it takes, the dawn of truth will shine at the end of the long tunnel of injustice” added the statement.

In April, massive demonstrations erupted at the (UofK) following press statements made by some officials about government intentions to transfer the university from its current location and to lease out its premises for investment purposes.

Dozens of students were arrested and others wounded in the protests when the police intervened with tear gas and rubber bullets.

(ST)

December 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Monday said the civil disobedience wouldn't topple his government stressing he won't hand over the country to those who hide behind the “computer keyboards”.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

Groups of activists have launched a wide electronic campaign to mobilize the Sudanese to engage in a civil disobedience action on December 19 th to protest recent government decision to lift fuel, electricity and drug subsidy.

Sudanese opposition forces and armed groups expressed support for the general strike and called upon their affiliates to play an active role to ensure its success.

In his address before a crowd in Sudan's eastern city of Kassala on Monday, al-Bashir said the government wouldn't be overthrown by the “WhatsApp”, pointing he wouldn't hand over the country to the activists who oppose the government via the social media.

“You hear about those who seek to defeat you through the keyboard and the WhatsApp..I won't hand over the country to them, and I say to them: If you want to topple the regime, meet us on the streets, however, we are certain that you won't take to the streets because you are aware of what had occurred in the past,” he said.

In September 2013, over 200 people were killed according to rights groups in the spontaneous popular protests after the announcement of the first austerity plan.

The Sudanese president urged his supporters not to listen to the calls of those who he called the “mercenaries” who want to “sell the country for a few dollars”.

He further pointed to the crowed with his cane saying “Inqaz (salvation) regime is not the government or Omer al-Bashir, it is you”.

“Some said the president has fled the country..I won't flee because I represent the pride and dignity of the Sudanese people.. Sudan is precious,” he added.

It is noteworthy that al-Bashir's speech in Kassala was the first of its kind since the government announced the second austerity plan in November.

The government decision stirred up large protests across Sudan last month. Also, large segments of the Sudanese had engaged in a three-day civil disobedience action from 27 to 29 November.

In an interview with the UAE-based Al Khaleej newspaper on 29 November, al-Bashir said the general strike was a “one million percent failure”, pointing that all residents were keen to go to their workplaces.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 12, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – A diplomat from the opposition faction of the South Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) on Monday called on the regional bloc IGAD member states and the world not to turn a blind eye on the atrocities allegedly committed by President Salva Kiir led regime in Juba.

Miyong Kuon SPLM-IO representative to UN (Getty Image)

In an email exchange with Sudan Tribune, Miyong Kuon SPLM-IO representative to UN in New York alleged that government sponsored wide ranging atrocities are being carried out in Equatoria state and else where in the country.

However he said the international community has given little attention and urged to the international body to launch probe into it.

The two rival SPLM factions signed peace deal in 2015 however commitment to implement it has become a major challenge leading for continued fighting and suffering of the people.

“The ARCISS has been hijacked and abrogated by the regime,” Kuon said adding “We have nothing left there to implement unless an inclusive approach is taken and the 4,000 force allowed in Juba is deployed”.

The Opposition official further urged the international community to condemn the forceful removal of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) humanitarian chief out of the country.

The NRC he said had been instrumental in providing humanitarian aid and in saving the lives in South Sudan since 2004.

“Removing its chief out of the country is another tool used by the regime to increase the suffering of the people affected by war,” Kuon added.

Meanwhile the office of SPLM IO Deputy Representative to the United Republic of Tanzania commended Ethiopian Prime minister, Hailemarian Desalegn for calling on his counter-parts to have the IGAD head of states meeting to address issues of peace and stability in the region with South Sudan and Somalia on top of the Agenda.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune the Tanzania mission office welcomed the decision of the IGAD head of states to revive the August peace agreement.

“It is the only way to ending the suffering of our people and bring about peace, stability and prosperity to our country and people,” it said.

It said any peace implementation that excluded opposition leader, Riek Machar won't bring durable peace and stability in South Sudan.

SPLM/A IO Deputy Representative to the United Republic of Tanzania, Peter O. Kleto said there is a tendency by a small clique in Juba to remain in power at all cost at the expense of the suffering of masses.

The group further opposed a remark made by government official who said the transitional government is more harmonious after the Departure of Riek Machar from Juba.

“This statement is unfounded and false concocted to mislead South Sudanese and the world,” Kleto said.

Instead the opposition official added that the security and economic conditions has become worse after Machar was chase away from Juba.

He urged the leaders of IGAD, AU and the wider international community to put pressure on President Kiir to accept a “genuine peace”.

(ST)

December 12, 2016 (JUBA) – Head of South Sudan football association, Chubar Goc, reversed earlier announcement to quit over accusation of fraud, insisting he will not handover office on arrival to Juba on Monday.

South Sudan Football Association suspended Chubar over a week ago when an auditing company found transfer of $400,000 from SSFA's account to a private bank account in 2015. Chubar, according to the Kenyan auditing firm (KPMG) “borrowed” $12,000 from SSFA without the knowledge of the association's board members. The football body in Juba called for independent investigation after lifting his immunity.

In a post on social media site, Facebook, Chubar, said on December 2 that he will return to Juba and hand over office to his deputy and acting chairman of SSFA, Andrea Abdalla.

But speaking to reporters on arrival to Juba on Monday, Chubar refused to give handover the office.

“There is no any handover of anything. I'm till now the president of the [South Sudan Football] federation,” he said when asked by reporters in Juba.

Chubar declined to take more questions from reporters.

World football governing body, FIFA, reportedly suspended financial support to SSFA over financial mismanagement.

Football is popular in South Sudan and the national team made headline in 2015 for wining some games in the qualification for the African tournament 2017. The South Sudanese team, however, recorded more defeats and was knocked out of the qualifiers.

(ST)

People on social media are ridiculing the lowness of a bow by a minister who greeted Cameroon's president.

Riyad Mahrez is "very proud and very happy" to be named BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016.

Delphine Traore Maidou is the head of Allianz Global Corporate in Africa and she wants to see more people who "look like her" in the top jobs.

Ghana's President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo has said that he will set up a special team to investigate corruption but said it would be independent "to take the politics out of it".

December 11, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – A group of investors from Saudi Arabia on Sunday have complained of difficulties facing over 500 projects in Sudan.

On Sunday, the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Khartoum has opened a liaison office to follow the economic, investment and commercial cooperation between the two countries and ease difficulties facing Saudi investments in Sudan.

Speaking at the third Saudi - Sudanese Joint Business Council on Sunday, the head of the Saudi Arabia investors group, Hussein Bahari, said that Saudi investors are facing difficulties to transfer their profit, getting hard currency and the various investment procedures.

Also, Bahari has complained of sudden decisions issued by Sudanese authorities such as increasing diesel price by 200 per cent, which highly affects investments in Sudan.

The new Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Hassan, pointed that Saudi investments in Sudan face some difficulties, stressing that the two parts are able to overcome it.

“Saudi Arabia encourages investments in agriculture and animal breeding in Sudan,” said bin Hassan, adding that that the two countries have the strong political well to enhance mutual cooperation.

Recently, Sudan has allocated 1 million feddan in Upper Atbara and Setait Project, which is expected to start production at the end of 2016, for Saudi Arabia government investment.

On his part, the Sudanese Businessmen Union chairman, Saoud al-Brair, pointed that Sudan is keen to solve all the problems facing Saudi investments in Sudan, pointing that the Labor Act might be amended.

Al-Brair said that the Saudi- Sudanese Businessmen Council is a good channel to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, solve problems and ease Sudanese exports to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has the largest Arabic investments in Sudan that expected to reach $ 15 million by the end of 2016. Some 196 investors from Saudi Arabia are active in producing fodder, wheat and sorghum, which are exported to Saudi Arabia.

(ST)

December 11, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The head of the African Union High level Implementation Panel Thabo Mbeki will meet Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on 20 December, a presidential aide announced on Sunday.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir (L) speaks with AUHIP chairman Thabo Mbeki in his office in Khartoum on 5 September 2013 (SUNA)

Mbeki since last November had to meet al-Bashir over peace in Sudan as he was considering ways to reinvigorate the already-ailing process which had been suspended since last August.

Speaking to Ashrooq TV on Sunday, Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid disclosed that the chief mediator had to meet the Sudanese president since the 17th November but the meeting was delayed several times due to the presidential visits to Morocco, Guinea , and United Arab Emirates.

He further said the meeting will take place on 20 December, expressing hopes that political environment will be ripe to reach understandings paving the way for the signing of cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals between the government and the armed movements, "if the latter abandon their preconditions".

U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth brokered recently informal consultations in Addis Ababa between the government and the two armed groups participating in Darfur Track to narrow the gaps between the parties.

However, the two sides still disagree on the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) as the armed groups want a new political process on Darfur but Khartoum persists that the 2011 document remains the only framework for peace in Darfur.

On the talks with the SPLM-N over the conflict in the Two Areas, the government refuses to allow direct access of 20% humanitarian aid to the rebel controlled areas from Ethiopia. However, the two sides finalized a draft agreement on the cessation of hostilities.

Ibrahim said the none of the parties to the conflict wants war, adding that "the region, the international community and even Sudanese are despaired of war".

(ST)

December 10, 2016 (JUBA) -The Initiative for Peace Communication Association (IPCA) organized a peace and human rights symposium, which brought together South Sudanese communities in the young nation on Sunday.

South Sudanese people take to the streets as part of a peace march organised by civil society groups in the capital, Juba, on 8 January 2014 (Photo AP/Ali Ngethi)

IPCA's executive director, Joseph Edward, said the event sought to create opportunity for South Sudanese by imploring cultural diversities and sport as a tool for healing and developing their ability to view each other as important and shun ethnic groups' ideologies.

The event, supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was part of a nationwide peace and reconciliation campaign among divided South Sudanese communities to engage them in dialogues, singing, cultural performances and sports.

“This festival seeks to bring healing and wholeness to communities suffering from ethnic conflict, hatred and appeals to many divided societies and amplify the need for peace by bringing together youth, women, men, girls and boys from around the nation to speak out for peace and share information about peace building, healing, reconciliation and reconstruction,” said Edward.

Founded in 2012, IPCA is a youth wing-led nonprofit, non-governmental entity fully registered under South Sudan Ministry of Justice and South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.

The organisation seeks to foster interaction and collaboration among authorities, human rights activists and other sectors of the society on issues of peace, human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, rights to information and defend communicators against control that could undermine freedom of expression, among others.

(ST)