Africa

June 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A visiting Russian official announced today his country's readiness to support Sudan technically as well as militarily to boost its defense capabilities to enable it to combat terrorism.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir meeting with Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Khartoum June 3, 2015 (SUNA)

Russia's deputy foreign minister and the presidential special envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov told Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir that Moscow does not mind training Sudanese officers and assist the country in counter terrorism.

Bogdanov said that there is a political will in the leadership of the two countries to strengthen the bonds of friendship and fruitful cooperation and achieve a true partnership in all fields, describing Sudan as the closest partner of Russia in African and Arab region.

Bashir on his end affirmed his country's keenness to develop relations with Russia in all fields and expressed gratitude to Russia's participation in his swearing-in ceremony and praised Russia's role in monitoring the April elections.

He also commended Moscow's support of Sudan in international forums.

In a related issue, Bashir received an official invitation from his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, to visit Beijing to promote bilateral relations between the two countries.

Jinping's special envoy, Cheng Jing, who visited Sudan for the inauguration ceremony underscored the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries and the need to enhance them in all fields.

The Chinese diplomat pointed to the strategic partnerships that combine both countries, and conveyed the congratulations of envoy Jinping on the occasion of his new presidential term and wished him and the people of Sudan, progress and prosperity.

(ST)

June 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The leader of the Darfurian clan of Mahameed, Musa Hilal, said Wednesday he intends to discuss with government officials what he called "four pivotal issues" including the registration of his militia as political party.

Former janjaweed leader and tribal chief, Musa Hilal welcomed by his supporters at Khartoum Airport on Saturday 30 May 2015 (Photo by Saleh Ajab Aldor)

Hilal, who was one of the main militia leaders that participated in the brutal counter-insurgency campaign during the first years of Darfur crisis returned to Khartoum on Saturday from his home town of Misteriya in North Darfur to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of president Omer al-Bashir
.
He left Khartoum in mid-2013 and turned his militiamen against the governor of North Darfur state, Osman Kibir accusing him of feeding tribal conflicts in the state.

The notorious Janjaweed leader then started making statements critical of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), of which he is a member, and calling for deep reforms.

Also, last year Hilal's troops seized control of western localities in North Darfur state including Saraf Omra, Kutum, Kebkabiya, Al-Seraif, and El Waha.

The tribal chief went further to announce the establishment of administrations in these localities, naming his forces the Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council (SRAC).

On Wednesday, Hilal addressed a meeting of his supporters in the Sudanese capital saying he intends to discuss with the political leadership in Khartoum four issues including registration of SRAC as political party, the security arrangements, social reconciliation and the political reforms.

He also said the discussions would include the need for equal sharing of power and wealth besides the just development.

"We came to Khartoum to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of president Bashir and we will sit with decision makers in the coming days to discuss those issues clearly and we would achieve an agreement that will take us and the Sudan forward," he said.

The tribal leader denied that he is part of the opposition, stressing he would not rebel against the government.

He said that he went to Darfur to visit his people and discuss their concerns, adding the presidency is fully aware of his activities there.

"We are neither outlaws nor opponents as some people claim", he noted.

"If we were rebels, we would have held arms against the existing legitimate government and we won't hold arms against our government", the tribal leader added.

Hilal further said that differences of opinions don't constitute a crime and divergence of views is not a shame, expressing confidence that SRAC would reach an agreement with the country's top leadership.

The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when an ethnic minority rose up against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum, which then was accused of enlisting the Janjaweed militia group to help crush the rebellion.

In April 2006 the UN Security Council imposed financial and travel ban against Hilal for obstructing peace in Darfur. The then US president George Bush issued an executive order enforcing similar sanctions on them.

In January 2008, Bashir appointed Hilal as a special advisor for the Ministry of Federal Affairs in Sudan.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 3, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said over 100,000 people have been displaced over the last two months alone due to fierce fighting in South Sudan.

Ethiopia has witnessed a huge influx of South Sudanese refugees since conflict erupted in the young nation in December 2013 (AFP)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, the UN refugee agency, said the heavy fighting ongoing in South Sudan's Unity and Upper Nile states has also blocked humanitarian aid deliveries for some 650,000 people as aid organizations were forced to withdraw from war zones.

Upsurge of fighting in different areas of the country and mounting food insecurity are said to be the main reasons forcing people to leave their homes.

“It's estimated that more than 3.8 million people, representing a third of South Sudan's population of 11 million, do not have sufficient food,” the statement said.

The youngest East African nation plunged into chaos in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of attempting a coup, an accusation the latter denies.

Since January this year some 60,000 South Sudanese have fled home to neighbouring countries mostly to Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya to escape ongoing fighting between government forces and rebels led Riek Machar.

“UNHCR offices in Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda have all reported sharp increases in arrivals during May” the statement said.

According to UNHCR, last week alone, some 6,000 South Sudanese arrived in Sudan's White Nile and South Kordofan states.

Since conflict erupted, the UN said some 555,000 people have fled the country while some 1.5 million have been displaced internally.

The UN refugee agency also said its aid programme for South Sudan is lacking funding and expressed concern that the 2015 South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan that covers the refugee programmes in the neighbouring countries, run by UNHCR and 39 partners, is only funded at 10 percent.

“This leaves many lifesaving activities such as the provision of clean water, sanitation and health services, food and shelter severely underfunded,” it added.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR has launched its annual World Refugee Day Campaign in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The Campaign was launched on Tuesday with the release of several films featuring celebrity supporters that tell the human side of the refugee plight.

The UN refugee agency said this year's campaign aims to bring the public closer to the story, showing refugees as ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances.

The films feature UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and best-selling author, Khaled Hosseini, photographer and supermodel, Helena Christensen, singer and songwriter Maher Zain and actor Jung Woo-Sung.

(ST)

June 3, 2015 (WAU) – South Sudanese civil society activists have organised a one-day consultative meeting on peace talks between the country's two warring factions mediated by regional leaders.

Civil society activists demonstrate in Warrap state capital, Kuajok, April 16, 2012 (Julius Uma/ST)

The event in Western Bahr el Ghazal state, also focused on the country's Financial Policy Bill 2015, currently before the national legislative assembly.

Religious leaders and political parties attended the forum, organised by Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO).

“Today, CEPO in Western Bahr el Ghazal state with support from Justice Africa is organising a one day consultative meeting aimed at gathering ideas on challenges facing both the Inter-governmental Authority for Development and civil society organisation at the peace venue in Addis Ababa,”, said CEPO's state coordinator, Stephen Robo.

“We need public demands on how the Financial Bill will look like,” he added.

The forum, Robo said, will also explore ways of how taxes can be collected to save the seemingly collapsing South Sudan economy.

“Since our financial situation appears to be collapsing, there is a need for us to find a possible situation of collecting the national taxes that would help rebuild our national economy,” he stressed.

The official further said the forum will also suggest ideas to the mediators and other stakeholders in the negotiation between the warring parties in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Both IGAD and other mediating terms are having a lot of weakness during this peace talk. Therefore, this consultation meeting will help the mediating teams by providing them with ideas for the two warring parties to reach a lasting peace,” said Robo.

Peace talks between the rebels and government hit a deadlock on 6 March prompting the mediators to initiate an IGAD-Plus arrangement, involving the five African countries, the African Union, United Nations and the Troika (Britain, Norway and United States).

The negotiations, being brokered by the East African regional bloc offers the best chance to end nearly 18 months of conflict in the world's youngest nation.

(ST)

June 3, 2015 (NYALA) - The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has restored eight vehicles stolen from the hybrid peacekeeping in Darfur (UNAMID) by an unidentified militia in Jaraf area, 37 kilometer north east of South Darfur capital, Nyala.

The El Fasher 1 Team Site conducts a joint morning patrol with Community Policing Volunteers and interacts with community leaders at the Zam Zam camp for IDPS near El Fasher, North Darfur. (Photo UNAMID/Rabi Abuassi)

Brigadier Isam Fadil, advisor to the RSF said in press statements on Wednesday that their forces captured three of the perpetrators and killed six others besides seizing three four-wheel drive vehicles during heavy clashes with the gunmen.

He added that they thwarted the largest armed robbery attempt against UNAMID following fierce clashes with the armed gang in the jungles of Jaraf area which belongs to the locality of Al-Wihda.

"The (SRF) forces managed to recover UNAMID's cars including 3 Land Cruiser vehicles and 5 trucks besides seizing 3 vehicles belonging to the gunmen," he said

On the other hand, the commander of the Sudanese army's sixteenth infantry division, Maj. Gen. Adil Hamad al-Nil, said the army, after it crushed the rebellion, targeted groups of outlaws in order to achieve security and stability in the state.

He added that armed militias continued to carry out looting, kidnapping and killing attacks while the army was busy fighting against rebel groups, warning the outlaws that the RSF would always be lurking for them.

Hamad al-Nil pointed they received preliminary information from a border guard station about suspicious movements, saying the army and the police informed the RSF which in turn moved quickly and defeated the armed group.

He stressed that maintaining security of the people is their top priority, noting that regular forces have been deployed across the state to secure the farms and villages of voluntary return.

The military commander further pointed that the security committee in the state is well informed about the dense of the crime in South Darfur.

Composed of former militia groups in Darfur and Kordofan regions to fight rebel groups across the country, the RSF currently operates under the command of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and in coordination of the Sudan Armed Forces.

The SRF forces, themselves, are accused of committing war crimes and atrocities against civilians in Darfur and South Kordofan.

The acting governor of South Darfur state, Omer Mohamed al-Bashir, for his part, emphasized that the perpetrators neither belong to the rebel groups nor have tribal affiliation.

He told the pro-government Sudan Media Center (SMC) that the gang is comprised of 12 people, pointing they all worked for the UNAMID.

Al-Bashir underscored the perpetrators will be brought to a prompt and fair trial in the coming days according to the emergency law imposed since last July.

He urged the UNAMID to reconsider some of its contractors, stressing the perpetrators serve agenda of the rebel groups who have recently suffered serious defeats at the hands of the regular forces.

It should be recalled that South Darfur, at the difference of some other states, is witnessing few rebel activities. However the state is known for criminal activities and robbery committed by armed gangs.

In a bid to curb criminal activities, the state authorities in July 2014 declared an indefinite emergency situation in South Darfur state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am (local time) in the capital Nyala.

(ST)

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today reported an increase in the intensity and geographic area of Ebola transmission in Guinea and Sierra Leone, warned that the onset of the rainy season &#8220from now onwards&#8221 will make field operations more difficult and noted that community engagement remains a challenge in both countries.

June 3, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – A South Sudanese academician, professor Wani Tombe Lako, died on Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. He was found dead while in his apartment on Wednesday morning.

Wani Tombe Lako (ST)

Tombe who used to live in exile in England last year came to Ethiopia and sought membership of the opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), led by former vice-president, Riek Machar.

Although he was not yet assigned to leadership position in the rebel faction, he participated in the mid-April leadership conference which the opposition group convened in Pagak, their new headquarters.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, opposition leader, Riek Machar, described the sudden death of his comrade as a great loss to the country, the movement and the late's family.

“On behalf of the Movement and my family and on my own behalf, I am extending my heartfelt condolences to the family of my late comrade Dr. Wani Tombe Lako. His death is a great loss to the Movement and the country,” opposition leader, Riek Machar, said in a statement he issued on Wednesday.

Although no public medical statement has been issued in declaring the cause of his death, his friends and colleagues said it could be attributed to heart failure.

The late held a Bachelor of Science (BSc. Hons.) in Economics and Rural Development from Gezira University, Sudan; a Masters of Human Rights Law (LL.M) from Nottingham University in United Kingdom and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rural Social Development.

He taught in various universities and wrote extensively on social and political issues about Sudan and South Sudan. The late was the leader of Greater Equatoria Council of Rights (GRECOR), a body mainly based in exile.

Late Tombe after the eruption of the current civil war in South Sudan wrote many articles urging the people of greater Equatoria region, his home region, to rise up against president Salva Kiir's government in order to achieve freedom and prosperity in the country.

He last year joined the rebel movement led by Machar and continued to travel to United States, Canada and Australia, mobilizing the South Sudanese people to join the armed struggle against the government.

His death has received mixed reactions with observers pointing out that the loss of such a high profile personality may generate discontentment and uncertainty from within the political and geographical constituency.

Late Tombe was a strong advocate of federal system of governance in South Sudan which the rebels have also tabled for adoption in the Addis Ababa peace process and for implementation in the transitional period.

Opposition sources and family members have suggested that the body will be taken to the United Kingdom for post-mortem examinations.

(ST)

Renewing its support to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the vital mandate it is performing to protect civilians there, the Security Council today expressed its grave concern over the security and humanitarian situation in the country, which has been torn by “a conflict that is only growing more violent as it nears its 18th month.”

June 3, 2015 (JUBA) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), has expressed grave concern over the security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan and also condemned the recent expulsion of the UN humanitarian coordinator from the world's youngest nation.

Last week, South Sudan expelled Toby Lanzer, a Briton, who doubled as the deputy special representative of the UN secretary general.

“They underscored that to make such a determination immediately following the warning by the World Food Programme that South Sudan is facing the worst levels of food insecurity in the young country's history because of a combination of conflict, high food prices and a worsening economic crisis, shows a disregard for the plight of the South Sudanese people,” the council said Wednesday.

According the 15-mmber council, since the beginning of the year, some 60,000 civilians have fled the country, mostly to Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda bringing to 555,000 the total number of people who have fled South Sudan since the start of the conflict December 2013.

In addition, some 1.5 million are internally displaced in the country and more than 3.8 million of them reportedly lack sufficient food.

The statement comes a week after the UNSC extended the mandate of its mission in the country until 30 November, giving the operation authorisation to use all necessary means to protect civilians, monitor and investigate human rights, and create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Members of the council, in the statement, also demanded that all parties end “intimidation and harassment” against UNMISS and humanitarian personnel, cease ongoing restrictions on freedom of movement, and “allow the Mission to fully implement its mandate.”

The Council, in the wake of the recent upsurge of violence, condemned “in the strongest terms” the repeated violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement by the South Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) forces and its armed opposition groups.

The Council members underlined their willingness to impose sanctions against those who threaten peace, security or stability in South Sudan, further urging all the warring parties to engage meaningfully in the peace process to bring an end to the conflict.

US CONDEMNS SOUTH SUDAN

The United States has condemned South Sudan's decision to expel the UN humanitarian coordinator for the world's youngest nation.

The US State Department, in a statement, said South Sudan decision to expel the senior UN official was "an affront to the international community working to bring peace and stability to South Sudan."

South Sudan government's priority should be to end to the violence that has displaced millions of citizens in the country, the US said.

(ST)

June 3, 201e5 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese leader, Salva Kiir has unconditionally revoked an executive order, which earlier dismissed senior members of the country's ruling party (SPLM).

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (Photo: Reuters)

In February last year, the president issued an administrative order, removing Riek Machar from his position as first deputy chairman of the SPLM party.

The president, in the order announced on SSTV, also dismissed the former Unity state governor, Taban Deng as well as former environment minister, Alfred Lado Gore.

The dismissed officials were accused of orchestrating the December 2013 outbreak of violence, which saw thousands killed and millions displaced.

However, Akol Paul Kordit, a member of the SPLM political bureau, said the South Sudanese leader, in his capacity as the ruling party chairman, revoked that dismissal of the senior officials.

The move, he said, was part of the implementation of the resolutions of the meeting held with an advance team of the former political detainees on Tuesday. Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy chairman of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) attended the meeting held in the capital, Juba.

"All the previous decisions dismissing some members of the SPLM have been revoked in accordance with the Arusha reunification union. All the bank accounts of the former detainees have been unfrozen,” Kordit told reporters in Juba on Wednesday.

“They [former detainees] are free to leave and return to the country as ordinary citizens anytime they want. We have agreed to work together as one family,” he added.

Kordit said the ruling party's political bureau also resolved that the armed opposition leader be re-instated back to his position as first deputy chairperson of the SPLM.

“We have agreed to recommit ourselves to reunifying the party so that we all take the party and the country forward and embark on reconciliation and healing process", he said.

Meanwhile, the advance team of the country's former political detainees disclosed that they would soon travel to meet rebel leader Machar and of his group on a separate trip.

“We have a team that also will proceed to meet Dr. Riek Machar wherever he is," John Luk Jok, a former justice minister told reporters in Juba on Wednesday.

(ST)

Language English

Peter Bouckaert, Human Rights Watch's emergencies director and an expert in humanitarian crises, is responsible for coordinating the organization's response to major wars and other human rights crises. A Belgian-born Stanford Law School graduate, specializing in the laws of war, Bouckaert is a veteran of fact-finding missions to Lebanon, Kosovo, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Macedonia, Indonesia, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, among others. Most recently, Mr. Bouckaert has been in the Central African Republic, where he has conducted investigations into ethnic cleansing and war crimes committed during the current civil war.

Mr. Bouckaert is featured in the 2014 documentary film "E-Team," which was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2011, he was in Libya, where he investigated the use of landmines, the execution of prisoners and arbitrary arrests of African migrant workers. He has testified about war crimes before the United States Senate, the Council of Europe, and at the Yugoslav Tribunal (ICTY) in the Hague, and has written opinion pieces for papers around the world. His work has been profiled in Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Stanford Lawyer, and The Santa Barbara Independent Newspaper. 

Last Name Bouckaert Type Experts Senior Management Staff Link to Profile Director, Emergencies Photo Peter Bouckaert - Bio bouckapRegion / Country

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe/Central Asia
• Global
• Middle East/North Africa
• Libya
• Syria

First Name Peter Twitter Feed ID 608731420916350976

• 日本語

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced his intention to establish an independent review panel to investigate the United Nations&#39 handling of sexual abuse allegations involving foreign troops in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Organization has confirmed.

The only option Libya has, “the only real alternative for the future,” is an agreement, Special Representative and head of the United Nations Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL), Bernardino León said at a meeting in Algeria with Libyan political leaders and activists today.

June 2, 2015 (JUB) - Sudan may have supplied military weapons by air to the armed opposition forces fighting the South Sudanese government, a new report has revealed.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a London-based entity unveiled these new findings, based on weapons and ammunition captured by pro-government forces from rebels in Jonglei state late last year.

Some of the weapons examined by the CAR's investigation team at South Sudan army headquarters in Upper Nile reportedly provided important details in the sources of arms supplied to the armed opposition forces led by the country's former vice president-turned rebel, Riek Machar.

“Notably, the weapons and ammunition documented display clear evidence of damage sustained during airdrop to SPLA-iO units, which reportedly took place in September–October 2014,” says the 25-page report.

“Furthermore, the materiel is identical to previously documented arms and ammunition airdropped by Sudan to rebels in South Sudan in 2012, which provides strong indication of new, direct supplies from Sudan to SPLA-iO operations,” it added.

Fighting has, since December 2013, been ongoing between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA-in Opposition (SPLA-iO) forces in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan.

In the first three months of the crisis, the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal changed hands several times between the warring factions.

According to the report, ammunitions seized were damaged in a way suggesting they were airdropped and a closer scrutiny showed evidences, which directly point to Sudan army's involvement.

“Most of the ammunition documented had suffered heavy impact damage, which is consistent with eyewitness reports that aircraft dropped materiel to SPLA-iO forces in September–October 2014,” says the new report.

DIRECT SUPPLY TO REBELS

“The composition of the documented materiel, and a precedent for airdropping identical materiel to rebel forces in South Sudan in 2012, prior to the current conflict, suggests direct supply from Sudan to SPLA-iO forces,” further said the report released 2 June.

The 7.62x39mm ammunition, bullets used in Kalashnikov-style assault rifles had "lateral impact damage, which is consistent with either free-fall dropping from an aircraft or very low altitude parachute dropping".

According to the London-based research group, some 70% of these particular type of rifle round were made in Sudan in 2014.

"The recent date of manufacture is further evidence of direct supply from Khartoum to SPLA-iO forces," the group said.

It said some ammunitions possessed by armed opposition forces were Chinese-made.

Officials from the armed opposition were not readily available to comment on the report.

In the past, however, the Sudanese government has repeatedly denied its alleged involvement in the conflict, but accuses its southern neighbour of supporting its rebels.

Fighting in South Sudan has worsened in recent weeks, as thousands have been displaced into United Nations protection of civilian sites (POCs) across the country.

Recently, aid agencies said that millions of people were facing hunger in South Sudan.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (ED DAEIN) - A Sudanese government commission of inquiry on the tribal clashes in East Darfur state left Ed Daein without meeting with the traditional leaders of the Rezeigat tribe.

Following the deadly clashes between Ma'alia and Rezeigat tribes last May, Sudanese minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara formed an investigation commission to inquire into the recent tribal dispute.

The move took place after the government admitted the failure of traditional reconciliation conferences to end the tribal conflict which lasts since years despite the different mediations meetings.

The fact finding committee composed of legal and security officials met only members of the native administration and tribal leaders from the Ma'alia tribe. The Rezeigat refused to cooperate or to meet with the investigation body.

The head of Ma'alia Shoura Council, Mardas Guma, told Sudan Tribune that the commission of inquiry conducted extensive investigations with the umdas and dignitaries of his tribe and also met with the security services officials.

Guma added that the Ma'alia native administration allowed the investigation team to undertake all the actions needed to fulfill it mission and achieve its goals.
*
The Ma'alia have accused high-level officials in the Sudanese government including the vice-president Hasabo Abdel Rahman and held them responsible for deadly clashes with the Rezeigat. They also say the Rezeigat use sophisticated weapons, pointing that many of them are part of the government's militia groups.

A Rezeigat umda, Mohamed Haj Mrano, told Sudan Tribune that the commission has not met with the leaders of the Rizeigat native administration because of the hostile protests carried out by the youth of his tribe in the state capital Ed Daein after the arrival of the investigators.

Mrano said they commission members met only with the state and security officials, pointing that Rezeigat will not recognize the findings of the investigation body unless a committee is formed to probe all the previous tribal clashes.

"It is necessary to return to the eternal relations between the Rezeigat and Ma'alia. Dialogue is the most effective way to reach a solution satisfactory to both parties," he further said.

The traditional leader called for a negotiated solution and to stop hostile statements. He also called to reinforce the security forces in the nine counties of the state to prevent the renewal of intercommunal conflicts.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has on Tuesday appointed former Malian president, Alpha Oumar Konaré, as the AU high representative for South Sudan to coordinate an “African action” in the peace process aimed to stop the ongoing civil war in the young nation.

Alpha Oumar Konare

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, it said the appointment for the high representative aimed at further strengthening the AU's contribution towards ending the conflict in South Sudan and the untold suffering inflicted upon the civilian population.

The newly appointed high representative is charged with responsibility to facilitate and coordinate various regional and international efforts geared towards ending the war.

“In the discharge of his responsibilities, the High Representative will maintain close contact with the South Sudanese parties and other stakeholders; interact with the IGAD leaders, other African stakeholders and the members of the ad hoc High-Level Committee, to facilitate a collective and coordinated African action, in the search for a negotiated solution; and work with the United Nations and other international actors, in support of the African-led efforts,” partly reads the statement.

It also explained this was in furthering the same spirit of the commission in working to operationalize the AU high-level ad hoc committee which was established by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 47th meeting on 5 December 2014 in order to support the mediation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The statement further revealed that AU summit will take place in mid-June on Johannesburg, South Africa, and that the ad hoc committee will as well meet on the margins of the summit.

“The High-Level ad hoc Committee, which comprises the Heads of State and Government of Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa, will meet on the margins of the next AU Summit, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in mid-June 2015,” it said.

The high representative for the war-torn South Sudan has an “outstanding” experience. He was president of the Republic of Mali from 1992 to 2002, chairperson of the AU commission from 2003 to 2007 and chairperson of the AU high-level panel for Egypt between 2013 and 2014.

He was also described in the statement as a leader with long standing commitment to pan Africanism and therefore a major asset in the search for a solution to the conflict that is tearing South Sudan apart.

Recent approaches by IGAD and AU suggest that the continent is backing away from the previous idea of imposing peace on the warring parties to now encouraging them to further negotiate and end the war through a negotiated peaceful settlement.

(ST)

By Mahmoud A. Suleiman

This article comes against the backdrop of the preparations and the lavish expenditure of the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) for the Inauguration of the incumbent de facto president Omer al-Bashir as a President for Sudan. This follows the fraudulent April 2015 elections which was shunned by the opposition and boycotted by the Sudanese people through their 'GO' Campaigns of 'GO Omar Bashir', but Bashir entered the elections solo and as expected won alone!

The inauguration of Omar al-Bashir as a president on Tuesday second June 2015 under election boycotted by the Sudanese people is a miserable play on sad day of mourning and marks a repetition for the killing of civilians and burning of villages and mass rape in Darfur.

The Sudanese people who boycotted his election have abandoned Al- Bashir and his entourage in the NCP regime. They also announced the 'Get out' campaign. The people of the free world boycotted his regime and avoided him like a mangy. They did so for the heinous crimes al-Bashir committed for more than a quarter of a century. Moreover, al-Bashir remains fugitive from international justice. His government is now bankrupt through the epidemic of corruption and shamelessly begging the Federation of GCC countries.

The great people of Sudan who boycotted the election of Omer al-Bashir for further Presidential term because of his lack of legitimacy do not expect anything new in what he has to say in his inaugural speech. This is because he who has nothing at hand cannot give, as the popular saying goes. Moreover, Omer al-Bashir is renowned for shallowness of ideas , lack of rhetorical eloquence and his usual public speeches and discourse are usually marred by insults and obscenities of the type of ' insects' to the citizens of South Sudan and 'eccentric anomalous' describing opponents when addressing the gatherings hailed by his supporters.

All that is expected Omer al-Bashir to say is the threat with doom and gloom for the political opposition the threat to the armed movements he always have vowed to liquidate them decisively!

The Sudanese people appeal to the international community represented by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to help release the Sudanese people from the shackles of the regime led by the perpetrator of crimes of genocide Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir and protect them from the terrorist al-Bashir and his oppressive regime.

The real isolation of the regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) centres around the continuing boycott from the people of the Sudan.

The inauguration of Omar al-Bashir is nothing but a fraudulent scam which, tries forging the will of the people of Sudan by his never-ending repulsive absurd dramatic sitcom.

The installation of the war criminal Omar al-Bashir in search for missing legitimacy for the dictator and perpetrator of genocide fugitive from international justice and castaway from the neighbouring countries and the citizens of the free world like a mangy .

The NCP regime media claimed that ruling the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the President of the Republic of Egypt will be attending Forum of the inauguration of the dictator Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir as President of Sudan for another five-year term to be added to his previous twenty five lean years adding up to 30 years of rule by iron fist and fire on the people of Sudan. Political observers indicate that it will be absurd and shameful for the leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia King Salman and the Egyptian President Abdel Aziz Sissy if they attended this very Sad Forum which is condemned and boycotted by all the people Sudan.

Omar al-Bashir's validity and the default age to the rule of Sudan has ended and expired as President. Furthermore, the political make-up plastic surgical operations would not help. The popular adage goes saying that the Arabic Attar - the perfumer the Spice-dealer- cannot repair the damaged that caused forever by longevity. Thus, the regime of Omer al-Bashir and his entourage are not fit for the purpose neither in the past nor at the present or in the future..

And of course we can understand the intersecting political interests of the between the two referred statesmen alleged to be part of the invitees to the inauguration of Omer al-Bashir. The intersecting interests between the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) centered around Iran's influence in the Sudan, in the form of weapon , Iran's Security threat in the Red Sea and the presence of Sudan within the military campaign against Al- Houthis in Yemen under the Operation Decisive Storm. For beleaguered President Sissy of Egypt, Sudan's importance comes to him from three vital angles: first and foremost is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in the Nile basin, the International Political Islam of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement (IMBM) to which al-Bashir's (NCP) is party and its impact on the rule of Sissy and on Egypt in general, let alone the octopus like the fundamental Jihadist Islamic organizations spreading their lethal tentacle to all countries of the Arab and African regions. Of course, the National Islamic Front (NI) from which came the (NCP) is a part and parcel for global political Islam, which resulted in the end of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS)or Da'esh as an acronym in Arabic!.

The NCP regime soon after the forged elections began the ethnic cleansing policy targeting the Darfur students in the Sudanese Universities nationwide using gangs of NCP affiliated student militias who carried out violence using all types of weapons wounding scores burning student residents while the police watching idly. Moreover, the NCP regime's notorious National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) succeeded in creating discord between the tribes of the Rizeigat and Al-Ma'alia to break the social fabric in Darfur, in application of the malicious doctrine of 'Divide, Conquer and Rule

This genocidal criminal of the people of Darfur is still an outcast of the world. The most recent international event he failed to attend was the Non Allied Movement (NAM) countries conference in Indonesia. The NAM represents more than a 100 developing nations whose combined population amounts to more than half the world population. The genocidal criminal al-Bashir remains under siege from all the credible nations of the world , but the Arab countries and is not allowed to attend the UN Assembly and other relevant meetings, partly because he is a persona non grata and more importantly for his fear of getting apprehended and handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague to face the ordeal of his evil deeds and heinous crimes he committed in Darfur, South Kordofan in Nuba Mountains, Ingasana in Blue Nile, Beja people in Eastern Sudan and Sudanese people of Nubia in Amrey and Kajbar in the far North of Sudan.

It is high time for the international community and the human rights organizations and peace loving people of the world to support the efforts of the Sudanese people to bring about groundbreaking change in Sudan. The only option available is ousting the regime of the NCP and replacing it by a true democratic system that treats equally the Sudanese people irrespective of their tribe, colour, creed, gender, age, ethnic origin or regional affiliation.

Moreover, the people of Sudan will wipeout the legacy of the regime and throw it into the dustbin of the history. The elements in the NCP regime will face the predicaments of their evil deeds and results of what they committed of crimes. Transitional Justice and Retribution for the crimes they committed against the peoples of Sudan will confront them. The survivors of the atrocious crimes will be rewarded with full compensation for the losses they incurred under the reign of the criminal Omar al-Bashir. Then the people of the homeland will adopt one and only one identity of Citizenship for all the inhabitants of Sudan, the Sudanese Identity.

"Our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it." President Barack Obama said during his second inaugural address.

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

African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies Two South Sudanese Pastors face death penalty for voicing opposition to corruption scandal at Khartoum Bahri Church

(2 June 2015) Two South Sudanese pastors are currently on trial in Khartoum for criminal charges which carry the death penalty under Sudan's 1991 Penal Code after making public remarks criticizing a corruption scandal at a Khartoum Church and the treatment of Christians in Sudan. The two men Yad Michael, (m), 49 years of age, and Peter Yen, (m), 26 years of age, were detained by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 14 December 2014 and 11 January 2015 respectively, and held incommunicado until their first family visits on 2 March 2015. They were transferred to Kober prison on 1 March after being charged by the Office of the Prosecutor for Crimes against the State. Their first court session was on 19 May, and the second on 31 May. The next court session is scheduled for 15 June 2015.

Mr. Michael and Mr. Yen are both Christian missionaries and South Sudanese nationals visiting Sudan who had been vocal about the controversial sale of land and property belonging to the Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church and the treatment of Christians in Sudan. The sale was made by the Community Council of the Church, a body appointed by the Government of Sudan's Ministry of Endowments and Guidance which reportedly does not have a mandate to sell church land. Sudanese police forces violently raided the Church on 2 December 2014 to break up a sit-in demonstration organized by members of the congregation protesting the sale. 38 people were arrested and 20 convicted of disturbing the public peace and membership of criminal or terrorist organisations.

Mr. Michael, who arrived in the country on 13 December, was arrested by the NISS on 14 December after preaching that day at the Evangelical Church of Khartoum Bahri. During the sermon, he had condemned the sale of the church land and property. Peter Yen, who arrived in Sudan in September 2014, was arrested by the NISS from his home attached to Al Gereif Church in Khartoum on 11 January. Both men and Mr. Yen's wife had their laptops confiscated by the NISS. Mr. Yen had also been vocal about his opposition to the sale of land by the Community Council and voiced concern on the situation facing Christians in Sudan.

Both pastors were initially detained by the NISS in Rayed, Khartoum, before being transferred to Kober Prison on 1 March 2015. On 1 March 2015, the Prosecutor for Crimes against the State, charged them under articles 21 (joint acts in execution of criminal conspiracy), 50 (undermining the constitutional system), 51 (waging war against the state), 53 (espionage against the country), 55 (disclosure and obtaining information and official documents), 64 (promoting hatred amongst or against sects), 69 (disturbance of the public peace), and 125 (insulting religious creeds) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code. Articles 50 and 51 carry the death penalty, while other articles carry flogging sentences. They were held incommunicado by the NISS until 2 March, when they were permitted their first family visits in Kober prison. On 28 and 29 March 2015, Mr. Michael and Mr. Yen launched a hunger strike for two days objecting to their continued detention without trial.

The first court session took place on 19 May, and the second on 31 May. The next court session, scheduled for 15 June 2015, will hear testimony from the complainant in the case, the NISS. The men are being represented by a team of pro-bono lawyers.

ACJPS believes that the serious criminal charges against Mr. Michael and Mr. Yen have been levied solely on the basis of their religious convictions and outspoken criticism of the ruling party, and as such, that their continued detention and criminal proceedings are discriminatory and in violation of constitutional and international law guarantees of equality before the law. There is also speculation that the trial of the two men is intended to send a message to other Christian leaders in Sudan to refrain from criticizing the treatment of Christian minorities in Sudan and the policies of the ruling party.

Sudan's constitution and international human rights commitments guarantee the freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Article 31 of Sudan's Interim National Constitution of 2005 provides that all persons are “equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination, as to race, colour, sex, language, religious creed, political opinion, or ethnic origin, to the equal protection of the law.” Article 38 further provides that “every person shall have the right to the freedom of religious creed and worship”.

This case demonstrates the internal contractions of Sudanese law and its incompatibility with Sudan's diverse population and international commitments. International law strictly prohibits discrimination based on religion. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, interpreting Sudan's obligations under the African Charter, previously found in Amnesty International and Others v. Sudan that Sudan was in breach of its obligations under Article 8 of the Charter owing to legal and other restrictions that inhibit the ability of individuals to freely practice their own religion.

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) condemns the use of the death penalty in all cases, and corporal punishment, such as floggings.

Background

ACJPS has documented increased restrictions since 2013 on religious freedoms, particularly restrictions on members of Christian churches in Sudan. This includes raids on churches and harassment and arrests of church members by members of Sudan's NISS.

On 2 December 2014 the Evangelical Church of Khartoum Bahri was raided by police forces in six cars. They beat a number of peaceful demonstrators with pipes and water sticks and arrested thirty eight members of the church. After the raid, twenty of the people arrested were sentenced to a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds (roughly $40) after being convicted without legal representation under articles 65 (criminal and terrorist organisations) and 69 (disturbance of public peace) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code. The charges were dropped against the remaining eighteen individuals. The sit – in demonstrations were prompted by a corruption scandal, including the sale of church lands to investors. In 2010 the Evangelical Church of Khartoum Bahri elected a Community Council to control the administration, assets, and investments of the Church. The Community Council was plagued by accusations of corruption. The Evangelical Church attempted to resolve the conflict, with the Church's General Assembly electing a new Community Council. The previous Council refused to recognise the new Council and hand over institutional documents. The Government of Sudan's Ministry of Endowments and Guidance intervened on 28 April 2014, and re-appointed several members of the old Community Council. Despite not having an official mandate to sell church properties or engage in investment on behalf of the church, they sold a substantial amount of property.

ACJPS has also documented apostasy charges, which carry the death penalty, levied against Christian women.

On 15 May 2014, Al-Haj Yousef Criminal Court in Khartoum Bahri confirmed the sentence of 100 lashings and the death penalty by hanging against 27-year old Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a Christian woman convicted for adultery and apostasy on 11 May. Meriam gave birth in her prison cell, shackled, before her convictions were overturned on appeal following international outcry. Following her release from detention, she was briefly prevented from leaving Sudan with her husband and children owing to new charges levied against her concerning disputed travel documentation issued by South Sudan. She later left the country.

Earlier in May 2014 the Al Gadarif Criminal Court dropped charges against another woman accused of apostasy after she recanted her Christian faith and converted to Islam to avoid the death penalty. A criminal complaint had been lodged against her by a police officer at the National Identity office in Al Gadarif town after she applied for a national identity card. On the application, she was asked to declare her own faith and that of her father. The criminal complaint was filed when she declared that she was a Christian, married with eight children to a Christian man, and that her father was a Muslim.

ACJPS has also documented restrictions, including forced closures and cancellation of registrations, of political parties and organisations affiliated with reformist visions of Islam. On 1 May 2014 Sudan's Political Parties Affairs Council (PPAC) rejected an application from the Republican Party, founded by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, to register as a political party. Taha was executed days after being convicted of apostasy in 1985 on the basis of his opposition to Sudan's interpretation of Sharia law. The PPAC argued that the Republican Party's political ideology contradicted the constitutional provision that law in Sudan be based on Islamic Sharia law and the conditions for the establishment of political parties in Sudan. The Republican Party proclaims to oppose Islamic fundamentalism and promote secularism. The Mahmoud Mohamed Taha Cultural Centre was raided and forced to close by the NISS on 18 January 2015, the 30th anniversary of Taha's execution, whilst a commemoration of his life was taking place.

Contact:

Katherine Perks, (English), +256 775072136 / info@acjps.org.

Mohamed Badawi, (Arabic), +256 783 693 689 / info@acjps.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN 3 CLEVELAND ROW, ST.JAMES'S LONDON SW1A 1DD PRESS AND INFORMATION RELEASE (3/2015)

President Bashir's Swearing- in Ceremony

Today 2 June 2015, President Omar al Bashir has started a new term of office. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of tens of Heads of State or their representatives.

There are good grounds for optimism in the Sudan in view of many factors:
The economy is now recovering, as the strict reforms worked out with the IMF and economic experts begin to bear fruit. The challenges caused by the shortfall resulting from the loss of oil wells after secession of South Sudan have been managed and overcome.

In his swearing-in speech, President Bashir highlighted the economy and promised to create a conducive atmosphere for stability and prosperity. In this respect, the president underlined the importance of peace and security for all citizens. He expressed appreciation of the role of the army and security services. Their efforts would be complemented with political factors that include reconciliation and strengthening the home front in a country that is wide enough for all its citizens.
In his swearing-in ceremony speech, President Bashir has declared a comprehensive pardon of all those carrying arms against the State. He called upon all opposition factions to return home and take part in national construction.
Reserves in minerals, especially gold are huge. With agriculture they will secure economic well-being and prosperity for all.

The President emphasised the importance of continuing to reform the economy, improve productivity, combat corruption and nepotism and ensure democratic transformation along moderate Islamic principles. He reiterated his pre-election promise to resume the Inclusive National Dialogue which is the peaceful way to probe common grounds and reach a national consensus.

Along these lines, relations with neighbouring countries, African Union members and Arab League would be enhanced. As far as the West is concerned, he referred to “common interests” as basis for engagement and cooperation.

A firm basis is already in place:
The Sudan has been asked officially by the UN to mediate between the warring factions in neighbouring Libya. IGAD has likewise asked the Sudan and its president to help bring peace to the Republic of South Sudan. President Bashir has already succeeded in bridging the gap between Egypt and Ethiopia and hosting a summit last March in which President A. Sisi of Egypt and PM of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn signed a framework agreement that put an end to tensions about the Renaissance Dam.

The ICC's decision to “freeze” its work on Darfur was not surprising, because President Bashir has carried on despite the ICC distractions and achieved a conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with a successful Referendum that resulted in the peaceful birth of the Republic of South Sudan. Those who expected the Sudan to scupper the Referendum, or take the opportunity of the current internecine fighting to seize the Southern oilfields were proven wrong.

The International Crisis Group has, albeit grudgingly, acknowledged that Sudan's relations with the Gulf States have improved and that increased gold exports have relived the “economic pressure”.

The prescient words of the former UK Foreign Minister William Hague (during whose term of office the UK declared that it had no sanctions on the Sudan) ring louder now. He said when he chaired the UN Security Council's meeting on Sudan (16 November 2010): “A stable Sudan will help build security and prosperity in the region…it will help the Sudanese people receive the tangible benefits of peace that have eluded them for so long”.

US sanctions notwithstanding, the Sudan has built an extensive motorway network as well as Dams and Bridges. Universities and secondary schools were established. Women were empowered and the Inclusive National Dialogue that will include leaders of the small pockets of troubles in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states will soon be resumed.

The timing of two other events is not seen as coincidental. On 26 May a US coast guard visited Port Sudan for a 2-day visit. This comes in the wake of partial lifting of some secondary sanctions on Sudan. The second significant event was the speech of the EU ambassador to the Sudan, Tomas Ulicny (13 May 2015) on the occasion of Europe Day and Europe's year of Development. He spelled out what is well known but seldom acknowledged when he said: “In the wake of alarming developments in Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, we are interested in strengthening of productive cooperation and coordination with regional actors including Sudan and its government…”
The Sudan is key to stability in the whole region. President Bashir's next years as leader will see that consolidated.
One of the main drivers of “alarming developments” is Islamist extremism, especially ISIS and its imitators. General David Petraeus, former CIA head has made an important statement telling the BBC's Jonathan Marcus that “you cannot deal with an industrial-strength extremist problem with just force of arms. You have to have the political component as well.”

He has put his finger on the flaw in the West's (or rather the US's) sanctions policy on the Sudan. To cold shoulder moderate Muslims, like President Bashir, and believe that one can confront Muslim extremism ideologically is a fallacy. Only Muslim moderation can defeat Muslim extremism.

The swearing-in ceremony heralds both a continuation and a new phase. Development and democratic transformation will be reinforced while a new push to reach overall peace in the country is a most promising turning point.

Media Office
London
2 June 2015