Africa

Are Zimbabweans learning to voice their anger?

About two million people, or half the population, in the Sahelian belt of Chad face hunger and more than a quarter of them are in severe need of external assistance to meet their minimum daily food needs, the United Nations food relief agency said today.

You have probably never heard of Bekoji, but this small town in the highlands of Ethiopia has had a huge impact on athletics.

Concluding a three-day visit to Côte d&#39Ivoire, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has welcomed progress made thus far by the Government, and in particular by the national armed forces, in addressing sexual violence crimes in the country.

The verdict announced by a special court in Senegal on the conviction of the former President of Chad, Hissène Habré, of crimes against humanity sent “a strong signal” to those who perpetrate serious crimes of international concern, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.

May 31, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim said the Sudanese government isn't a party to the ongoing Doha consultations pointing the two-day meeting aims to reach a common vision with the Qatari mediation on the Darfur peace process.

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdalla al-Mahmoud (CL) and the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi meet in Doha with JEM and SLM-MM delegations on 30 May 2016 (QNA Photo)

On Monday, the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdalla al-Mahmoud and the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi started discussions in Doha with the JEM and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi on ways to join the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

"Talks with the two movements focused on the possibility of joining the peace process on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the views of the two movements in this regard," said a short statement released by the official Qatari News Agency (QNA).

In a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, the chairman of JEM's legislative council El-Tahir al-Faki declined to describe the consultations as “negotiations with the Sudanese government”, saying the aim of their visit to Doha is to explore the Qatari stance on the Darfur peace process and to arrive at a joint view.

He pointed that his movement and the SLM-MM met with al-Mahmoud in Paris last January at the request of the Qatari government to discuss Darfur's peace, saying the two movements presented a joint position paper to the Qatari mediator on ways to achieve peace in Darfur.

Al-Faki said the paper pointed that the two movements are looking forward to finding “a serious partner to achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan and to help the Sudanese people avoid wars and realize stability and development”.

“The DDPD mustn't be considered the reference for the talks whatever and Qatar mustn't stick to the Doha forum and should become part of the African Union [mediation]” the position paper stated.

Last month, JEM leader told Sudan Tribune that they intend to ask Qatar for joining the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) led by Thabo Mbeki in order to have a united framework for negotiating a number of issues on Darfur and the comprehensive peace in Sudan.

However, the Sudanese presidency quickly rejected the armed movements' proposal describing it as “an attempt to circumvent the (AUHIP-proposed) roadmap which was not signed by the two armed movements”.

According to al-Faki, the position paper pointed that Qatar had monopolized the previous talks which led to the signing of the DDPD despite the presence of the former Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Bassolé.

The DDPD was signed on 11 July 2011 between the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) of Tijani al-Sissi and the Justice and Equality Movement splinter faction led by Bakheit Abdel- Karim Dabajo (JEM-Dabajo) joined the deal on 6 April 2013.

He added that the position paper also rejected the participation of movements which have no weight on the ground besides “not allowing the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to make use of the forum”.

“We are advocates of peace and if it wasn't for us, the Doha forum wouldn't have been created. We have offered valuable and precious [sacrifices to achieve peace] including offering of martyrs and on top of them the leader of the movement [Khalil Ibrahim]” he said.

The two groups call to open the DDPD for negotiations saying some issues were ignored or not fairly treated, but Khartoum rejects such request.

The Sudanese government proposes they sign the framework document deal stressing it deals with all their claims. After what, they have to discuss security arrangements agreement and join the national dialogue to discuss any further regional or national demands.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 31, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Sudanese government last month has deported hundreds of Eritreans to their home country where they could suffer severe violations by an extremely repressive regime, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

Eritrean migrants wait aboard a navy ship in the Sicilian harbour of Augusta, March 4, 2015 (Photo Reuters/Antonio Parrinello)

In a new report issued Monday, the rights watchdog said Sudan has deported at least 442 Eritreans, including six registered refugees, to Eritrea in May 2016.

Sudanese authorities have started this month arresting Eritrean refugees residing in the capital, Khartoum, and intercepting hundreds who were travelling towards Libya in a bid to cross to Europe.

According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the Sudanese authorities arrested 377 people on May 6 in the Sudanese border town of Dongola as they tried to cross to Libya.

Among them were the 313 Eritreans, including six who had already registered as refugees in Sudan and were all tried and convicted of “illegal entry” into Sudan.

The Sudanese authorities deported all of them including 4 Eritreans children who were part of this group.

The latest crackdown against Eritrean migrants comes as EU reportedly reached a deal with Khartoum to stem migration towards Europe.

A leaked document obtained by European Medias indicate that Sudan - which has increasingly become a key transit country for migrants from East Africa seeking to illegally travel to Europe via Libya - will be provided with financial aid to tighten its border control and intercept refugees bound to Europe.

Along with Sudan, 7 other African countries will be aided with a total of £40 million over three years to do so.

Following the recent secret deal, Sudan has reportedly rounded up some 900 Eritreans in Khartoum last week.

Those deported were arrested while they were en route to Libya.

Every month, hundreds of young Eritreans flee their country to evade military conscription which is mandatory to all citizens aged 18-50.

Per the authorized law, the national or military service lasts for only 18 months however President Issaias-led repressive regime forces citizens to serve indefinitely leaving them with no option but to escape their home country.

Citizens leaving the country without government's knowledge are perceived to be a deserter.

Escaping military conscription or leaving Eritrea without permission from the government is a criminal offense considered by the regime as treason which is punishable up to death sentence.

Human Rights Watch has expressed grave concern over the deportation of the Eritrean refugees as they face a serious risk of prosecutions and end up locked up behind bars in life-threatening condition.

“Sudan is arresting and forcing Eritreans back into the hands of a repressive government without allowing refugees to seek protection,” said Gerry Simpson, senior refugee researcher and advocate at Human Rights Watch.

“Sudan should be working with the UN refugee agency to protect these people, not send them back to face abuse.”

Eritreans and Ethiopians are denied of chance to claim asylum.

International law forbids countries from deporting asylum seekers without first allowing them to apply for asylum and considering their cases.

“This right applies regardless of how asylum seekers enter a country or how long they have been in a country before claiming asylum,” HRW added.

International law also prohibits the deportation, return, or forced expulsion of anyone to a place where they face a real risk to their life, or of torture or ill-treatment.

Sudanese authorities have allegedly denied access for UNHCR representatives to allow them access to visit the refugees group.

Sudanese authorities are entitled to arrest and question Eritreans and other foreign nationals not registered as asylum seekers or who do not have other legal status in Sudan, Human Rights Watch said.

However, it added Sudan is obliged to allow Eritreans and others to lodge asylum claims in Sudan at any time, even if they have already been in the country for some time, and to fairly review those claims.

As Eritrea is a closed nation, it is impossible for international agencies to monitor the situation and treatment of Eritreans back home after deportation.

Thousands of Eritreans use smugglers every year to travel from Eritrea through Ethiopia and Sudan to Libya and Egypt, from where many then try to reach the European Union by boat.

Human Rights Watch has documented that thousands were kidnapped and tortured for ransom in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula between 2010 and 2013, in some cases with the collusion of Sudanese and Egyptian security officials.

“If Sudan wants to market itself as a refugee-rights-respecting nation, it's going about it the wrong way,” Simpson said. “Eritreans, Ethiopians and others who want protection must be allowed full access to fair asylum procedures.”

In addition, the report says that Sudan has also arrested 64 Ethiopians who risk deportation.

Human Rights watch said Ethiopia's restrictions on political rights have spurred citizens to leave and a crackdown that began November in its Oromia region may have led to “thousands” fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Ethiopian security forces have killed Dozens of ethnic Oromos mainly university students after they staged weeks-long demonstration in protest to government's plan to expand the capital's territory to parts of the Oromia region.

Following the violent and deadly clashes, many Ethiopians are believed to have fled to neighbouring countries, including Sudan.

(ST)

May 31, 2016 (JUBA) – For the first time since formation of the transitional government of national unity on 29 April, South Sudan presidency have met to review the implementation of the August 2015 peace deal.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

In a joint meeting on Tuesday at the presidential palace in Juba, President Salva Kiir, his first deputy, Riek Machar and second deputy, James Wani, were shown on the national television, shaking hands and sitting together in the discussions.

In the brief TV broadcast, it was reported that the three leaders reviewed the implementation of the deal, with emphasis on the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

There were no however more explanation about the details of the discussions or its outcome.

There are many contentious issues in the agreement, including the number of states, cantonment of forces and reconstitution of the national legislative assembly, among others.

Donors have not yet pledged or brought in financial support to the new government, citing lack of commitment to peace by the former warring parties.

(ST)

Malawi's President Peter Mutharika tells the BBC he feels ashamed by attacks on albinos in his country and calls on the church to help stop them.

Kenya's Dadaab refugee camp - the world's largest - will close by November, the country's Interior Minister Joseph Nkaisserry says.

Nigeria's Michael Babatunde ends his five-month stint with Morocco's Raja Casablanca to join relegated Qatar SC.

Ivory Coast international Serge Aurier will appear in court in September for an alleged assault on a police officer.

BBC Sport looks at the effects of Algeria's decision to ban foreign players from its leagues from next season.

May 30, 2016 (NEW YORK) – United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is scheduled to discuss renewing and even adding more sanctions on South Sudan in the wake of none or slow progress in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) signed by warring parties in August last year.

United Nations Security Council meeting which unanimously adopted resolution 2228 (2015) extending the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) June 29, 2015 (UN Photo)

On Tuesday, 31 May, the Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the South Sudan sanctions regime including assets freezes and travel bans on designated individuals for an additional year and also renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts for 13 months.

This comes after an agreement to pursue the sanctions was reached with Russia on Friday, 27 May, in which the draft resolution followed two technical rollovers (resolution 2280 of 7 April and resolution 2271 of 2 March) that briefly extended the sanctions regime.

The sanction's renewal was delayed due to the return to Juba of the opposition leader and current First Vice President, Riek Machar, and the formation of the transitional government of national unity in late April.

Some members of the UN Security Council believed that the Council required more time to consider an appropriate approach to sanctions, including a potential arms embargo, while the political situation was in considerable flux and the threat of additional sanctions could affect the calculations of the key decision-makers.

Also members were of the view that the additional time might allow the Council to formulate a more unified strategy, given the divergent views on sanctions. Hence, brief technical rollover resolutions were adopted.

The decision now to pursue an extension of the sanctions regime for a full year appears to reflect the view that an important milestone was achieved with the formation of the transitional government, although there is general recognition that enormous difficulties still lie ahead in the implementation of the peace agreement.

These hurdles include lack of political will by the parties in the transitional government of national unity to resolve on the controversial 28 states which IGAD and UN wanted suspended, but not done up to now.

Others include the non-implementation of most part of the security arrangements and cantonment of forces which was supposed to be done since last year in the pre-transitional period of three months before formation of transitional government.

A new transitional parliament has not yet been reconstituted by the parties, leaving the former parliament of President Salva Kiir's faction to illegally continue to operate, among others.

However, based on the negotiations of the current text, it is clear that the Council remains divided on the issue of sanctions. The resolution expected to be adopted on Tuesday does not make fundamental changes to the current sanctions regime.

The US, the penholder on South Sudan, circulated the first draft on 18 May, and the first and only round of negotiations among all 15 members was held the following day. Subsequent negotiations were conducted bilaterally. The initial draft was based on the text the Council was negotiating in late February, before it opted to pursue a short technical rollover.

There were a number of areas of disagreement during the negotiations. One controversial issue was the request for a special report from the Panel of Experts. The initial draft proposed that the report focus strictly on the transfers to South Sudan of arms and related materiel, to enable the Council to evaluate the “appropriateness of additional measures.”

Russia, China and Egypt appeared to be uncomfortable with referring to possible “additional measures”, apparently believing that this would prejudice the outcome of the Council's deliberations in favor of a possible arms embargo.

As a compromise, the US attempted to temper the language in this paragraph; for example, it changed “appropriateness of additional measures” to “appropriate steps.”

However, this formulation was still not acceptable to Russia, one reason why it broke silence. As a compromise, the penholder agreed to delete from the text in blue any reference to follow up, that is ”additional measures” or “appropriate steps” that the Council might take based on the findings of the report.

The Council is also concerned about the ongoing threats in South Sudan to humanitarian organizations and workers as well as non-cooperation with the United Nations Mission in South

Another controversial issue was how to refer to the South Sudan Non-Governmental Organizations Bill, which has been criticised by non-governmental organisations that believe it discriminates against them and inhibits their ability to provide humanitarian assistance to South Sudanese.

The original draft expressed deep concern with this bill, indicating that it could disrupt the operations of international and national non-governmental organisations.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Council members will agree on a measure to take against parties in South Sudan once the deliberations, expected on Tuesday, kick off in New York.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) Monday announced the release within some days of 20 prisoners of war (POWs) and 20 mine workers on the eve of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

SPLM-N negotiating team spokesperson Mubarak Ardol (Courtesy photo of SPLM-N)

SPLM-N Peace Spokesperson, Mubarak Ardol; said the SPLM-N leadership held consultations on the release of the 40 people through the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Addis Ababa.

"The movement's leadership directed to hand over the prisoners and detainees as soon as possible to the Red Cross so that they can perform Ramadan fasting with their families after long time," Ardol added.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is expected to begin this year on Monday 6 June 2016.

Since more than a year, the SPLM-N which fights the Sudanese army in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states agreed to release 20 POWs and 20 mine workers following discussions with the Islamist group of Al-Sa'ihoon.

However, in May 2015 the rebel group said the government refused to give the needed authorizations for the ICRC to collect by plane the 20 PoWs and 20 workers who were in different locations in the two states.

Ardol said that the SPLM-N has an impeccable record of respect for human rights that its historical leader John Garang had contributed to consolidate this tradition.

He pointed the ongoing military campaign by the Sudanese government on their positions hinders the release of the 40 people. But the SPLM-N and the ICRC will make every efforts to enable the prisoners and detainees to join their families.

Also, the rebel official disclosed that some POWs were killed during the government attacks without elaboration.

(ST)

Architect tells the BBC about the challenge of building the world's smallest airport

May 30, 2016 (JUBA) - The Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) in South Sudan are opposed to any global pressure against last year's presidential decree, which expanded the country's number of states from the constitutionally recognised 10 states to 28.

President Salva Kiir Kiir with members of the Dinka (JIENG) Council of Elders. Its chair Ambrose Riny Thiik apprears to his right (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

The order is said to have contravened the peace deal signed with armed opposition under the leadership of the first vice president Riek Machar based on the 10 states.

“The Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) is alarmed and deeply regrets the recent respect to the status of the 28 States establishment order, (EO 36/2015). The UNMISS (United Nations mission in South Sudan) head said that she does not recognise the 28 states,” party reads the 26 May protest statement, which Sudan Tribune obtained.

It add, “Obviously, there are pockets of political opposition in the country to the creation of 28 states and so for her to take the same position, as the opposition, is an act of partiality and goes counter to the spirit of the agreement and inconsistent with the mandates of the institutions they lead”.

The JCE, comprising largely relatives and political allies of President Salva Kiir, accused the special representative of the secretary general of the UN mission in the country of allegedly siding with the opposition on the issue and must cease doing so.

“The UNMISS leader appears bent on encroaching deliberately into the affairs of a sovereign state,” said JCE.

“It may serve her well to stay out of South Sudanese politics and administrative matters and allow the South Sudanese to chart their course on these matters without prejudice. The council therefore advises the two institutions to adhere strictly to their respective mandates by avoiding unwarranted meddling in the affairs of a sovereign state,” it added.

The JCE reiterated that the establishment was a sovereign decision and should not therefore be reversed; asserting doing so would endanger the unity and social harmony.

South Sudan's sovereignty, JCE said, is vested solely in the people of South Sudan and it is not amenable or subject to debates engendered from within or from without.

“The right of the people of South Sudan to govern themselves within confines of their respective diverse cultures ought to be held sacred and inalienable,” it said, adding the 28 states was in response to popular demand.

The statement had signatures of Ambrose Riny Thiik, chairman of the group and co-chair Joshua Dau Diu. Aldo Deng, another member of the JCE also signed the document.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 30, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Eritrea said the huge exodus of tens of thousands of its citizens was the outcome of an international conspiracy supported by human smugglers.

Migrants from Eritrea sit near tents as they live in a make-shift camp under a metro bridge in Paris, France, May 28, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Benoit Tessier)

The remarks was made by Eritrea's Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, during the recent Ministerial Conference on “Sustainability of Migratory Phenomenon; towards a new Model of Dialogue” held in Rome, Italy.

The Minister denied that right violations were the causes for the increasing number of citizens fleeing the Red Sea nation.

He argued that the migration which he said was not peculiar to Eritrea instead was due search of improved opportunities oversees.

However Eritrean refugees who arrived in Ethiopia this year has told Sudan Tribune that poverty, political repression, different forms of right abuses, imprisonment, joblessness were main causes driving citizens flee their home country.

According to the refuges, military conscription and the indefinite service afterwards is forcing more and more young Eritreans leave their country.

At the conference, Saleh claimed that an international migration conspiracy is being used to tarnish nation's image.

He said "sensationally manipulated statistics and the perceived number of Eritrean migrants frequently quoted by the UNHCR" had also become a tool of political disinformation to tarnish the image of Eritrea.

He alleged illegal migration had become a politically motivated agenda serving as part and parcel of a larger campaign to vilify, isolate and destabilize Eritrea.

“The youth has been the main target of the migratory conspiracy and protracted psychological warfare to lure them away from national defence and development responsibilities by attracting them to a promising heavenly life”

He added false and manipulated asylum cases have been orchestrated and used to project a false image of impending crisis so as to accuse the Eritrean Government.

The minister mentioned a statement by President Barack Obama back in 2012 as corroborating the alleged “conspiracy perpetuated to use Eritrean migration as a political tool”

He also added that “this criminal activity has the involvement of some countries, organizations, surrogate anti- Eritrean groups and pseudo-human right activists”

Eritrea also referred by international right groups as the North Korea of Africa is one among the world's most oppressive nation.

According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), every month at least 5,000 citizens flee the Secretive east African nation.

In Ethiopia alone there are an estimated 100,000 Eritrean refugees sheltered in a number of refugee camps located near the common border.

Last year, Eritreans were recorded as the third largest group of people embarking on the perilous Mediterranean in a bid to cross to Europe.

Every month hundreds of Eritreans bound to Italy attempt to cross the Mediterranean from Libya however many of them end up perished.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdalla al-Mahmoud and the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi Monday started discussions in Doha with two Sudanese armed groups on ways to join the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The leaders of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Gibril Ibrahim and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Minni Minnawi seek to include Qatar in the African Union brokered talks for peace in Sudan in order to review some parts of the DDPD that they didn't sign.

"Talks with the two movements focused on the possibility of joining the peace process on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the views of the two movements in this regard," said a short statement released by the official Qatari News Agency (QNA).

The two sides will continue consultations in order to reach common grounds that could pave the way for the movements to join the peace process in Darfur, further said the agency.

During the peace talks in Addis Ababa with the Sudanese governments the two groups demanded to discuss some matters related to landownership, compensations, and protection of civilians. Khartoum refused this demand and asked them to sign the DDPD first.

It was noticed that al-Tom Hajo, deputy chairman of the Sudanese Revolutionary Forces led by Gibril Ibrahim is taking part in the Doha meeting.

A rebel official told Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity that Hajo's participation aims to show their commitment for a comprehensive solution in Sudan.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (BOR) - Boma state, a region cocomprising mainly of pastoralists, is yet to get the 20 tractors promised to each state by the South Sudanese Presdent, Salva Kiir.

Tractors to be sent to Baidit payam in Jonglei state February 27, 2016 (ST)

Plans to increase food production in Boma state, through engaging its redundant youth in agricultural activities had been marred by failure to secure the 20 tractors meant for the state population, according to the Boma state governor, Baba Medan Konyi.

“We did not manage to receive our share of tractors this year from Juba. Majority of the people, whom we wanted to engage on agriculture, especially the youth, are now redundant. Very few have cultivated around their homestead, on less than a fedan. This cannot support them in any way”, he told Sudan Tribune in Pibor on Saturday.

The communities in Pochalla and Anuak are said to have tried best, using their manual hand tools to cultivate reasonable sizes of their farms. He however said the Murle had not done much in farming due to several challenges it's communities had been faced with.

“One of the reasons is that man in Murle don't cultivate, they only go after cattle, while women remain at homes to do the rest of the jobs, including cultivating for the family. Maize is the common crop they plant, but what they plant cannot feed them for even a month”, stressed Medan.

“So there was a need for us to train them on large scale food production and to teach men that farming is not only for women”, he added.

Medan said failure of the tractors to arrive, indicated that the status of food security in the state would still be low next year, urging the humanitarian to step in for help.

In other places, large section of the communities spent the entire year moving from one place to another with their cattle as they searched for green pastures.

“We will target this communities by making them settle, so that they begin to cultivate to have enough food for the rest of the year. This will give their children a chance to access education”, said Medan.

(ST)