Africa

June 2, 2015 (RUMBEK) – At least 13 people were killed and dozens more wounded on Monday when rival sections of the Dinka community in the South Sudan's Lakes state clashed in Rumbek counties.

Fighting erupted when residents of Malek-Agok payam of Rumbek East county came under attack in what was believed to be a cycle of revenge killings between communities of Gong and Thuyic, both belonging to Dinka Agaar clan.

According to an eyewitness, Moses Maker, seven people were killed and 18 others sustained gunshot wounds from Gong section while four people were killed and five others were wounded from the side of Thuyic section.

State government minister of information and communication, Dhieu Wal Takping, refused to comment when contacted to verify the information, saying that he was just returning from Juba and did not yet received report about the clashes.

But according to the police's Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, he confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the clashes resulted in loss of many lives. He added that more personnel from the state police were being sent to quell the insecurity in Malek-Agok payam.

In separate clashes between cattle raiders and police forces in Abeer payam, located in western part of Rumbek Central county, 2 policemen were killed by cattle raiders while trying to intervene.

“Suspected cattle raiders arrived in Abeer and surrounded policemen who were walking cows. They started firing at policemen, killing two on spot and shooting in self-defence. Two of the cattle raiders who were injured managed to escape,” Police sergeant Akot Majok told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He described Monday as a bad day that left 13 people killed and 25 wounded in complex clashes in Rumbek East and Rumbek Central counties.

Lakes state has been embroiled in cycles of revenge attacks with many blaming government for allegedly failing to curb insecurity.

The situation recently worsened when a joint force of the police and military withdrew from all hotspots in the state, claiming they had no way to collect information due to community's failure to cooperate.

Data from Lakes state Criminal Investigation Department reported an increase in crime-related incidences within the volatile region.Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of governor Matur Dhuol amid claims he had failed to stem the violence, but president Salva Kiir has overlooked these calls.

Dhuol was appointed in 2013 after president Kiir sacked elected governor Chol Tong Mayay.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (BOR) – 74 people were killed, 108 wounded and 54 children abducted in South Sudan's Jonglei state last year, an annual report to the state assembly showed.

Jonglei's minister for local government Peter Wall Athiu before lawmakers in Jonglei state June 2, 2015 (ST)

The minister for local government and law enforcement, Peter Wall Athiu presented the report, which implicated members of the Murle ethnic tribe.

A total of 1,800 herds of cattle were raided in the state, it said.

According to the minister, of the 54 children abducted, five were from Uror county of the country's largest state.

“In all these insurgencies, Murle have been the cause [of] all damages devastating [Jonglei],” Athiu told lawmakers.

But the minister said enforcement units has 9,648 officers, comprising of police and prisons and wildlife services, but lacked enough arms to protect innocent civilians from such attacks by armed criminals.

“Our problem is not about the lack of man power, we have no weapons to arm these trained officers”, he told state legislators.

Jonglei invested more fund in the security sector when the financial year started, but no improvement has so far been seen on ground.

The gross salaries for law enforcement forces amounted to 12,290, 438 SSP, and over 1.5 million SSP allocate for security maintenance.

The minister said his docket faced financial shortage as collection and remittance of personal income tax levied on all organised forces salaries was not effectively done, hence deficits in the budget.

The tax was projected to be 9,713,000 SSP, but only 454,697 SSP was realised.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese female activist who has gone missing for several days last April has recanted her story on Tuesday after more than a month of controversy.

Undated photo of Sandra Farouk Kadouda

The 31-year old Sandra Farouk Kadouda was reported to have been forcibly taken from her car by a group of unidentified men in Sudan's twin capital city of Omdurman as she was driving to an opposition sit-in at the National Umma Party (NUP) headquarters.

Kadouda's car was found abandoned nearby with the keys still in the ignition and her phone was switched off.

After several days, she was as found badly beaten at a street in Khartoum in a state of extreme fatigue with a dislocation in her right shoulder apparently due to severe beating.

Kadouda never made direct statements on what happened but her family accused the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) of standing behind this incident.

The NISS subsequently filed a complaint against her for defamation after which she was interrogated intensively by state security prosecutor.

Today Kadouda issued a statement apologizing to the Sudanese people and government's security agencies “for what I caused by claiming I was kidnapped” adding that she was not subject to torture as was reported.

A family representative by the name of Abdel-Qadir Ismail said that "a dispute occurred between Sandra and government agencies and it was imperative for the family to intervene after a blaze of publicity because of her disappearance during that period," he said.

"We thought she was detained by the security services, but the family arrived at conclusions contrary to what was believed, therefore this press release came as a reinstatement and to clear the security services which we thought were behind this".

Two newspapers were seized by NISS last April for discussing Kadouda's disappearance.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir issued a decree on Tuesday night dissolving the government and relieving his aides in preparation for the formation of the new cabinet following the beginning of his new term today.

Ibrahim Ghandour, top aide to Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir and head of Sudan's negotiating team with the SPLM-N (Photo: AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

The decree did not mandate undersecretaries to run the ministries in the interim which suggested that the announcement of the new cabinet is imminent.

Earlier today, presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour who also holds the position of ruling National Congress Party (NCP) deputy chairman said that the new cabinet will be announced in the next 48 hours.

Ghandour said that there will be no presidential advisers and a maximum of 5 presidential assistants.

He also downplayed announcements by several parties that they will not join the new cabinet saying that “not all parties should be part of the government”.

President Bashir has said earlier this year that only parties which contested in April's general elections will be offered posts in the government.

The Federal Truth party (FTP) has been excluded from the new cabinet while the United Umma Party (UUP) rejected the NCP offer for ministerial posts on the grounds that it is not compatible with their political stature.

Last week, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani announced that it will not join the government for the same reasons spelled out by the UUP.

But the NCP swiftly denied the DUP declaration stressing that consultations between the two sides are ongoing.

It is understood that the NCP offered the DUP the same posts it currently holds in the cabinet which includes three federal ministries, two state ministers and other posts on the state level.

The NCP said it will look into the DUP's request for an additional post without committing to it which aggravated al-Hassan al-Mirghani who is currently running the party as his father is still out of the country.

The DUP was considered the second largest northern opposition party until December 2011 when it left opposition ranks and joined the joined the NCP-dominated “broad-based” government.

(ST)

The United Nations is continuing its efforts to facilitate a dialogue among Burundian stakeholders amid the country’s ongoing political deadlock and a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, a spokesperson for the Organization announced today.

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM)- Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony, Sudan's president Omer al-Bashir vowed to pursue dialogue with the West to normalize relations and announced that the national dialogue would kick off soon.

Surrounded by the speakers of the lower and upper houses Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir (centre) takes part in his swearing in ceremony for another term of five years at the parliament in Khartoum, on June 2, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

Bashir, 71, won re-election with 94% of the vote in an election boycotted by opposition and marred by low voter turnout, extending his nearly three-decade rule for another five years.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several heads of state and government including Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, Chadian president Idris Deby, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn among others.

South Sudan was represented by its Vice-President James Wani, Qatar by the deputy prime minister and minister of state for cabinet affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, and Saudi Arabia by its state minister Mansour Bin Mutaib.

"Sudan will seek, God willing and with an open heart to complete dialogue with Western countries to return relations to normal guided by the recent positive indicators," Bashir said in his speech before the Sudanese legislators.

He further pledged to exert the necessary efforts to attract Arab capital to invest in food security projects in Sudan.

Relations between Sudan and Western countries deteriorated since the military coup d'état that brought Bashir to power in June 1989. But the arrest warrant over Darfur crimes against him dimmed any opportunity to improve relations as the country has been already under US economic sanctions since 1997 for alleged support of terrorism.

However, following the separation of South Sudan and considering the regional instability, the US administration and a number of European countries are reviewing their relations with Khartoum. But Washington still links between the normalization process and peace and democratic reforms.

A US delegation is expected in Khartoum during the upcoming weeks for talks on bilateral relations.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE

Bashir further reiterated his commitment to the national dialogue process that he launched in December 2013 and called to the holdout forces from the opposition and rebel groups to join it.

"I can assure your esteemed Assembly that we finalized the arrangements and identified mechanisms of the comprehensive national dialogue with its political and social tracks for which we called all people last year," he told the lawmakers.

"It will begin its activities, with the benediction of God, in the next few days," he said.

He further renewed his call for the "undecided" or "refusing" opposition parties to join the internal process and directed the same call for the rebel groups that "have chosen the path of violence".

Also, he renewed the offer of full amnesty for rebels who sincerely want to return to participate in the dialogue.

"We welcome them all around the table of dialogue to get out a document acceptable to all the people of Sudan," he stressed.

The Sudanese government said the dialogue process should take place inside the country without any foreign involvement.

However, it accepted that the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) facilitate the process through talks on the security arrangements with the rebel groups including the ceasefire.

But Khartoum refused last March to take part in a preparatory meeting for the national dialogue arguing it will send a wrong message to the Sudanese people and asked for it to be held it after the elections.

The alliance of the opposition and rebel forces wants to create a new process for peace and constitutional reforms involving the international community.

The Sudanese president vowed to work for the welfare of all the Sudanese and to improve the economy of the country.

He also pledged to fight corruption and nepotism announcing that around 8,000 tons of gold reserves have been identified in the country worth $330 billion.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (JUBA) - The disintegrated leadership of South Sudan's ruling party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), will convene a high-level consultative meeting in the third week of June in Juba to discuss reunification process. This will be based on the roadmap agreement signed in Arusha, Tanzania, by three rival factions early this year.

Former cabinet affairs minister and G-10 team leader Deng Alor with former justice minister, John Luk Jok, after their arrival at Juba Airport on 1 June 2015 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

President Salva Kiir's spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, on Tuesday said the meeting will bring together SPLM of former detainees, led by former secretary general, Pagan Amum and SPLM in government under president Kiir.

Ateny said the aim of the summit, which he said will also take place in the country's national capital, Juba, will be to assess progress made in the implementation of the Arusha intra-party agreement.

Scheduled for 26 June, the meeting, he said, is expected to be attended by leaders of Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The president's spokesman did not however say whether representatives of the main armed opposition faction of SPLM led by former vice president, Riek Machar, will also take part or not in the planned summit.

He pointed out that president Kiir on Tuesday met and held talks with an advance preparatory team of the former detainees led by Deng Alor Kuol following their return on Monday from neighbouring Kenya where they lived in exile for the past one year.

The 5-member delegation of the ex-detainees, sometimes referred to as G-10, who returned to Juba on Monday included Deng Alor, former cabinet affairs minister and team leader, John Luk Jok, former justice minister, Kosti Manibe Ngai, former finance minister, Cirino Hiteng, former youth minister and Madut Biar, former postal service minister.

Others who remained behind included Pagan Amum Okiech, former SPLM secretary general, Oyai Deng Ajak, former national security minister, Majak Agoot, former deputy defence minister, Gier Chuang Aluong, former roads minister and Chol Tong Mayai, former governor of Lakes state.

The ex-political detainees fled to exile in 2014 following their release from detention after they were accused of allegedly masterminding a plot in 2013 to topple the government through unconstitutional means; charges they dismissed as false.

But Ateny said the returning officials have expressed readiness to work with president Kiir and members of his administration with the view of putting their acts together and efforts aimed at reunifying the ranks and file of the ruling party.

They also announced that their delegation will equally visit the leadership of the SPLM-IO in Pagak and hold similar talks aimed at unifying the party.

Earlier, spokesperson for the leader of SPLM-IO said they were not sure about intentions of the former detainees who unilaterally decided to travel to Juba to allegedly mediate between Machar's group and the government.

In reaction to the slated meeting in Juba to implement the Arusha agreement in June, SPLM-IO said they would also discuss with the mediation in the intra-party dialogue a way forward.

“As we stated earlier we are committed to the Arusha tripartite intra-party dialogue. Any other new proposed mechanism for the reunification process should seek prior consultation and agreement with our leadership,” said Machar's spokesman, James Gatdet Dak.

On the announced plan by former detainees to visit Pagak to hold talks with Machar, he said the opposition leadership would welcome the visit so as to hear from the former detainees what their new initiative was all about.

He however pointed out that there was still need to finalize negotiations on the Arusha intra-party reunification process, explaining that what was signed was only a ‘roadmap” agreement to guide further dialogue towards reaching a final agreement for the party.

The opposition group further explained that a party agreement would only complement the Addis Ababa comprehensive peace process under the mediation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), saying the issues that need to be resolved have become national beyond the SPLM party.

Representatives of the warring parties are invited by IGAD for a consultative meeting on 8 June before the talks can resume under an expanded mediation mechanism which will include countries and international bodies beyond African continent.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has explained circumstances under which it expelled Toby Lanzer, the United Nations relief coordinator in the country.

South Sudan's presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny (AFP)

The spokesperson for the presidency said the council of ministers reached the decision during its weekly meeting held on Friday last week.

“This [decision] came as a result of council of ministers' resolution against the background of the statement he has made that is not responsible completely,” Ateny told reporters on Tuesday.

He described UN official as an “enemy”, who allegedly predicted that the South Sudanese economy would collapse, a statement in "violation" of his UN mandate.

“And Toby Lanzer's statement was not giving hope to people of South Sudan given that he was predicting the collapse, the total collapse [of the country],” he said at a briefing in the capital, Juba.

On Tuesday, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon condemned the expulsion of the Lanzer, urging South Sudan government to reverse its decision towards the UN envoy.

But Ateny said only president Salva Kiir had the prerogative to reverse the council of ministers' decision, which held at the moment.

“If a country collapses, it will be rule of guns that will prevail and so anybody who makes statements that would not give hope to people of South Sudan is an enemy of South Sudan,” he stressed.

South Sudan's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth accused the former UN relief coordinator of uttering “misleading” statements.

“That guy [Lanzer] has been making untruthful statements,” he said.

EU AND UN CONDEMN EXPULSION

The European Union delegation joined the UN secretary general in condemning South Sudan's decision to expel the senior UN humanitarian official.

"The Heads of Mission join UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon in condemning the decision of the government of South Sudan to expel Mr Toby Lanzer, deputy special representative of the secretary general,” the EU said in a statement issued Tuesday.

Lanzer, the delegation members said in a joint statement, had spared no effort on behalf of the millions of victims of the man-made crisis in world's youngest nation.

“He has echoed the views of many members of the international community who believe it is time the leaders of South Sudan pay heed to the suffering of their people, and make the decisions and compromises that their people and the deepening humanitarian tragedy demand,” added the statement also extended to Sudan Tribune.

They further called for the reinstatement by the South Sudanese government of the expelled UN humanitarian coordinator to enable him complete his term of appointment.

“The heads of mission further call for all those who are working in the humanitarian field, from UN agencies and non-governmental organisations alike, to be accorded full respect and for their vital work to be facilitated by the Government of South Sudan,” it said.

Lanzer, a Briton, was last month appointed for another UN mission in the Sahel region.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The fighters of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) killed six Sudanese soldiers in an attack on a Sudanese military convoy in the troubled South Kordofan state.

A SPLM-N fighter stands near Gos village in the rebel-held territory of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan on 1 May 2012 (Photo: Reuters)

Reports from the region say the Sudanese army intensified during the past days attacks on the rebel stronghold town of Kauda, in preparation of a ground operations.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, SPLM-N official spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi the ambush took place on the road between Shamshaka and Teri village in Rashad county.

“Six enemy forces were killed and more than 25 others wounded, two land cruisers completely destroyed and the following equipment captured in good condition, 1- one Doshka MG, 2- six pcs AKM rifles,” Lodi said.

The Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

The Sudanese government and rebel group failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement after a series of talks brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in December 2014.

Since, the fighting between the warring parties resumed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

(ST)

To help mobilize needed resources “in the last mile of the response” against the Ebola outbreak and to start the affected West African countries on the path of early recovery, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced that he will convene an international conference next month.

Somalia must put in place a legal framework that guarantees freedom of expression in the country, as well as a moratorium on capital punishment, a United Nations independent expert recommended today, while commending progress accomplished so far.

June 1, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government on Monday downplayed the prominence of some of the returning ex-political detainees on arrival after spending more than one year in exile, saying they were treated like ordinary citizens with no significance for reception.

South Sudanese information minister Michael Makuei Lueth attends a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 January 2014 (Photo: AP/Elias Asmara)

Information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, told reporters on Monday that the government did not prepare any special reception for the returning members of the group known as ‘former detainees' led by former cabinet affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol, arguing they were returning home with no official status.

“There were no preparations for them because they are returning as ordinary citizens. What the government has done is the provision of security and protection to them,” said minister Lueth.

He was explaining to the press the reason as to why the government did not organize a reception for the return of the exiled officials at the airport.

Lueth, who speaks for the government, said family members and relatives of the ex-detainees were however allowed to receive them in “whatever fits the day” provided that it did not undermine security and public order.

The group sometimes referred to as ‘G-10' is a composition of middle and high ranking members of the governing Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) who were accused and arrested for allegedly masterminding the unrest with the former vice-president, Riek Machar. The group was gradually released following the outpour of intense pressure from Machar's armed opposition group and demand on the government from the inside the country as well as from region and the international community.

The G-10 was released to neighbouring Kenya on the request of the Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and his administration to provide a safe haven for them until such time when political differences were settled.

Although group shared a lot in common with the armed opposition under the leadership of the former vice-president, Machar, they decided after the release to participate in the negotiating table as a third party in the conflict, separate from the government and the armed opposition leadership.

Speaking after arrival at Juba airport, Deng Alor Kuol, head of the team, said the return visit was very important because it would explore ways and means on how the conflict could be arrested using the capability of the SPLM and home-grown approach to removal of the obstacles to bring peace and end the suffering in the country.

“I am confidence and hopeful of the capability of SPLM leadership to come out of this situation. We will be meeting the president and some SPLM members to discuss how best this situation can be arrested so that peace returns and embark on reconciliation and healing process,” said Kuol.

He emphasized that the visit would play a strong role in confidence building among the leadership of the three SPLM factions to implement the reunification agreement reached in the Tanzanian town of Arusha early this year.

Foreign affairs and international cooperation minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the return of the former detainees demonstrated commitment of the government to fully implement the Arusha reunification accord and willingness to end the conflict through peaceful dialogue.

Marial was referring to the clause in the roadmap agreement in Arusha which called for reinstatement of the former party officials to their positions.

Deputy speaker of the council of state, Clement Janda, said the return of the former detainees was a one important step towards peace and confidence building.

“Their coming is a signal of hope and represents a desire to end the conflict through dialogue using home-grown approach to complement the current peace effort,” he said.

The legislator said implementation of the Arusha reunification agreement of the SPLM leadership will provide a solid foundation to resolving difficulties in IGAD led peace talks in Ethiopia.

(ST)

June 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Sunday signed an agreement with the Sudanese Dal Dairy factory to provide locally produced milk to 5000 malnourished primary school children in Red Sea State.

An advertisement by Dal dairy group showing a child drinking milk

The eastern Sudan state of the Red Sea registered the highest rate of malnutrition in the country, according to a nutrition survey conducted in January 2014.

Since 2001, Dal factory has supported Sudan's School Milk Program and provides 17,000 poor students in Khartoum state with daily dose of milk.

“The American people want to address the underlying causes of poverty and marginalization in Sudan, and by partnering with the private sector, we will be far more effective if we can bring our combined skills and resources to the effort,” said USAID Acting Mission Director Lea Swanson.

The US embassy in Khartoum said in a statement released on Monday that the purpose of this partnership with a private company is to improve education and nutrition through dairy distribution.

“The spirit of this partnership project, providing a daily source of critical nutrition to school children, reflects the ongoing support of the American people for the people of Sudan,” said U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Jerry P. Lanier.

Lanier further reiterated his government's commitment to work with Dal and “other like-minded business colleagues to alleviate poverty and support humanitarian activities in Sudan,”

On 26 May, the United States, which is the largest donor of food assistance to Sudan, delivered 47,500 tons of sorghum to the UN World Food Programme to displaced for the displaced population in Darfur and the needy in eastern region.

(ST)

By Steve Paterno

For over the years, South Sudanese politicians have gained notoriety of proverbial 'Prodigal Son,' well explained biblically. The recent arrival into Juba of some of G-10 members, (now the G-5), has just added into the long list of Prodigal Sons—the folks who enjoy the livelihood of defections from one political camp into another.

The return of some members of this group, nevertheless, presents unique challenges, which provides for some interesting scenarios. After accepting and acknowledging their treacherous role in igniting the current conflict, the G-10 signed the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Reunification Agreement, paving way for intra party dialogue, reunification, and eventual reforms.

The intra party negotiations is initiated as a parallel peace process to augment the ongoing IGAD sponsored peace talks. The negotiations is supported by regional powers. It involved three of the former SPLM splinter factions, which include the SPLM, the armed group, and the G-10.

Nonetheless, the armed opposition led by former Vice President Riek Machar reluctantly participated into the process. After signing a series of agreements under this process, the armed group ultimately abdicated their involvement entirely, leaving only the SPLM and G-10 as active participants. The armed opposition may indeed have good reasons as to why they are hesitant to participate in the intra party negotiations, since the framework guiding the negotiations does not provide platform for the outlandish demands the rebels are vowing for under the IGAD peace process.

This, compounded with other elements makes this agreement rather challenging to implement, both in theory and practice. First, this agreement as a complementary to the whole peace process; is literally pending, awaiting the results and outcomes of IGAD sponsored talks.

The implementation of this agreement is also further complicated by the personalities involved from either sides in the conflict. Actually, the return into Juba of some members of the G-10 in an attempt to implement this agreement offers some glimpse as to what may be laying ahead.

It is important to note that the implementations of this agreement hit a snag from the get go. The President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir had to go out of his way by issuing blanket amnesty in favour of the rebels, in order, to facilitate smooth implementation of this agreement and reach a comprehensive peace.

Now that some members of G-10 gave it a chance in an attempt to implement the intra party agreement, it actually raises the spectre of speculations more than ever. The group that showed up to Juba called itself the "advance team of the G-10," even though G-5 best fits their description, because the group was initially G-11 plus, and since then, their number is on a nose dive, dwindles to only five individuals at the current rate. Some of the questions remain for speculations are such as: what would the G-5 advance in Juba, with their much hyped prodigal son farewell return? What would happen to the rest of G-10 members. who seems to have disappeared behind the scene? And the questions go as we anticipate the farewell return of more prodigal sons...

Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at stevepaterno@yahoo.com

June 1, 2015 (JUBA) - An advance team of five-member delegation from former political detainees arrived in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, on Monday, vowing to reunify the disintegrated ruling party of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) and save the country from “collapse.”

Former South Sudanese political detainees hold a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 13 February 2014 (Photo: IGAD)

The team led by former cabinet affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol, said they came to work with president Salva Kiir and members of his administration to avoid collapse of the country and disintegration of the ruling party.

Speaking at Juba airport upon arrival, Kuol, described the SPLM as a historical party capable of working together to resolve the differences through dialogue to avert further disintegration.

“It is a historical movement, a historical party. It can't be allowed to die. No one can accept it. We in the SPLM Leaders, we feel that SPLM has to be rescued equally in the way that we are trying to rescue South Sudan, because we can't allow this history to go to the dust bin,” Kuol told reporters in Juba.

He said he and his group would not accept the vision they have developed under the leadership of the founding leader, late John Garang, to die because of differences which could be resolved through dialogue.

The official further narrated that he would meet president Kiir to hold talks on the reunification of the SPLM and how to resolve the conflict in order to return the country to peace and stability and avert total collapse.

“The economy is collapsing. This country is collapsing,” he said.

He called on both leaders, president Kiir and former vice-president, Riek Machar, who leads an armed faction of the SPLM to stop fighting and unite the ruling party and restore its vision.

Alor however said both the intra-party dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania, and the national comprehensive peace process for the country in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, should go hand in hand in order to resolve the crisis.

“The two processes of Arusha and IGAD have decided to come together to coordinate their position because objective is one: peace in South Sudan,” he said.

“You need to stop the war because if SPLM is reunited and the war is still ranging on, then I think that will serve a very little purpose to the people of South Sudan.”

He described the South Sudanese war which erupted in mid-December 2013 as the “most difficult time” compared to the 1983 to 2005 Sudanese war between former north and south Sudan.

South African deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who accompanied the former detainees to Juba as mediator in the reunification of SPLM said the aim of the visit was to expedite the Arusha process in reuniting the three factions of the ruling party.

He disclosed that the mission was a preparatory process that will end up with SPLM former detainees (SPLM-FD) returning home to Juba.

“This is a new phase in the peace making process. We are here on a preparatory mission; a mission that will end with the return home of the SPLM leaders who are made up of the former detainees,” Ramaphosa told reporters at Juba airport upon arrival.

“Today is a big day for peace in South Sudan. We have brought five of its outstanding sons back home. We have brought them home as part of the process of making sure we restore peace once again in this country,” he further explained.

However, he said the main armed opposition faction of SPLM-IO led by Machar was missing on the return process mission, but added that the three SPLM factions (SPLM-G, SPLM-IO and SPLM-FD) will meet again soon in Tanzania to continue with joint dialogue on reunification of the party.

Earlier, SPLM-G secretary general, Ann Itto, said the return by members of former detainees was in implementation of Arusha intra-party dialogue which sought to reinstate the exile leaders back into the party at home.

SPLM-IO on Sunday said they were committed to the Arusha intra-party dialogue on reunification process which involves the three factions as a complement to the Addis Ababa comprehensive peace process. They expressed doubt over intentions of former detainees in their decision for unilateral return to Juba to reconcile between SPLM-G and SPLM-IO, saying they were also a party to the internal conflict within SPLM.

Former detainees however announced they would also send their delegation to the SPLM-IO leadership in Pagak to explain their new role in trying to reunite the party.

A date is yet to be fixed for resumption of dialogue in Arusha among the three conflicting factions of the ruling party.

(ST)

Heavy fighting in South Sudan’s Unity and Upper Nile states over the last two months has displaced more than 100,000 people and blocked humanitarian aid deliveries for some 650,000 people as aid organizations have been forced to withdraw, a representative for the United Nations refugee agency has confirmed today.

June 1, 2015 (JUBA) - Ambassador Gabriel Setlhoke shakes his head in apparent horror after touring staff offices at a public school in the South Sudan capital, Juba on Monday.

“When I went to the head teacher's office, I nearly went down on my knees after seeing the terrible conditions within which he works,” Setlhoke, the South African envoy to South Sudan, said, as MTN South Sudan donated an internet-connected computer lab, the second in a public elementary school, as part of the Group's flagship volunteer event, 21 Days of Y'ello Care.

Setlhoke said South African firms operating within South Sudan ought to use the 67 Minutes for Mandela, a minute for every year of Mandela's jail term, to improve infrastructure in the young nation's schools.

“MTN and our companies must use that 67 minutes. I think they can do something to help. I have been talking to the minister of Education, Dr. John Gai Yoh, since the time when he was the representative of the SPLM to South Africa, to find ways and projects that can improve the conditions of learning," he stressed.

Under this year's 21 Days of Y'ello Care, staff will also hold a Digital Expo at Juba University to disseminate knowledge on ICT, engage with girls and tutors in institutions of higher learning and with women in business, and donate modems and computers to participating institutions.

“This year's Y'ello Care is in line with our vision of fostering ICT through education,” Philip Besiimire, Chief Executive of MTN South Sudan, said.

“We believe the young will embrace this technology, which comes with the knowledge economy,” he added.

In South Sudan, this year's initiative follows an aggressive expansion of network coverage and capacity that saw MTN rollout 76 new sites, built by ZTE, and become the largest and fastest 3.75G data network in the country with crystal-clear voice calls and superfast Internet browsing speeds.

(ST).

June 1, 2015 (BOR) - Inadequate support and ignorance have contributed to the rising numbers of street children in South Sudan's largest state of Jonglei, an official said.

Street children in South Sudan (AP)

In a report presented to lawmakers on Monday, the state minister for gender and social welfare, Rachael Anok said majority of children on streets hailed from families of civil servants.

These children come from families where both or one of their parents serve as employees in the state government, the gender and social welfare minister disclosed.

Anok told lawmakers that they carried out a survey, which showed that these children opted for street life due to lack of proper care, ignorance and insufficient support from parents.

The ministry, in its assessment, discovered that only 44 boys aged between 6-17 years were vulnerable with no families in Bor county.

According to Anok, the 44 kids would be supported to go back to school by the government with the help from partners, adding that a separate camp for them was discouraged on legal basis.

“We made an assessment to identify the vulnerable street kids, but we came to realise that very many of them [children], had their parents here in Bor,” she told lawmakers.

“The parents of these children serve in different ministries in Jonglei,” she added.

The ministry, Anok said, advised that the children be taken to schools, further stressing that the responsibility of caring for them was in the hands of their parents.

Most street kids in Bor are known for pick-pocketing, a habit they practice for survival. Others shine shoes and wash cars for money.

With no shelter to their rescue, majority of these children sleep in old cars and abandoned houses while eating food leftovers from hotels.

Meanwhile, the Korean Child Funds pledged to construct temporary structures in Bor Leudier to enable street children access education.

(ST)

June 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese minister of minerals Ahmed Sadiq al-Karuri warned that some unnamed foreign organizations are actively compiling negative reports on the mining sector in Sudan especially gold as a prelude to a ban the country's exports of this precious metal.

Workers break rocks at the Wad Bushara gold mine near Abu Delelq in Gadarif State, Wad Bushara on 27 April 2013 (Photo: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Sudan is trying to compensate for the loss in oil which constituted more than 50% of its revenues until 2011 South Sudan seceded and took with it 75% of the country's oil reserves.

The East African nation now ranks third in Africa in terms of gold production after South Africa and Ghana and aspires to reach the top spot by 2018.

Last March, a US-based think-tank group urged Washington to impose sanctions on gold produced in Sudan's conflict zones.

“After studying this regime for 25 years, it is my conclusion that the Khartoum government is most vulnerable to targeted, focused, relentless economic and financial pressure. Therein lies the greatest opportunity for American leverage to be deployed in support of peace and human rights in Sudan,” John Prendergast, the co-founder of the Enough Project, said in prepared remarks before US congress.

Prendergast urged the US congress to introduce a resolution that would “call on banks and gold refiners to red-flag Sudanese gold as high risk, and for gold industry associations to include Sudan as a high-risk country in their conflict-free audits, in order to ascertain what gold exports from Sudan are conflict-affected”.

At a speech before his ministry on Monday, al-Karuri stressed that they will continue the process of regulating traditional mining operations in order to reduce the use of mercury.

He denied that the primary goal of regulation is to collect revenues and announced that the ministry has achieved 75% of the traditional mining reform plan.

More than 1 million Sudanese work in the traditional mining sector which produces the largest chunk of the country's gold but it is still difficult to obtain credible data.

Sudan said last March, that it produced 17 tonnes of gold during the months of January and February, and that it expects to boost production during 2015 to 80 tons and 100 tons in 2016.

The revenues from gold exports totaled more than $1 billion in 2014 according to a report previously released by the ministry of minerals.

(ST)

June 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The newly elected speaker of the Sudanese parliament Ibrahim Ahmed Omer said his country is committed to promoting the principles of Shura (consultation) in all issues that affect the nation's progress towards prosperity and development.

Sudan's new parliament speaker Ibrahim Ahmed Omer June 1, 2015 (ST)

Omer, who has been elected speaker of the National Assembly by 375 votes on Monday, underscored the country's leadership awareness of the importance of the national dialogue, saying they identified the areas of deficiency which is hindering its progress.

He pointed that the national dialogue initiative launched by president Omer al-Bashir has been widely welcomed by those who are keen on Sudan's progress, demanding adherence to unity and to raise the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood.

Bashir launched the national dialogue initiative in January 2014 but it faced serious setbacks after the government refusal to create suitable atmosphere by releasing political prisoners, ensuring freedoms, and postponing elections.

The Umma Party led by former PM al-Sadiq al-Mahdi withdrew from the process in protest of al-Mahdi's arrest in May 2014.

Later on, several political parties including the Reform Now Movement (RNM) led by Ghazi Salah al-Din and the Just Peace Forum (JPF) led by al-Tayeb Mustafa and the Alliance of the Peoples' Working Forces (APWF) announced they had decided to suspend participation in the national dialogue until the requirements of a conducive environment are met.

The speaker of the parliament stressed that the National Assembly intends to continue efforts to complete the national dialogue and to engage all political forces and civil society figures to resolve the challenges facing the country particularly issues of security and peace.

He noted that the recent parliamentary and presidential elections was a necessary constitutional requirement, describing it as “bright spot” in Sudan's history.

Omer noted that 43 political parties have participated in the elections, saying that 21 of them are being represented in the parliament.

Sudan's general elections produced sweeping victory for the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and president Bashir was re-elected with 94% of the votes.

It should be recalled that the opposition boycotted the election, citing a widespread crackdown on civil society and the media, which they say created an impossible environment to fairly contest Bashir's presidency.

Omer called upon the civil society leaders to be aware of the aggression plots which targets Sudan's security and stability, praising efforts of the army and regular forces to maintain security and defend the country against various types of aggression.

He emphasized the parliament's full support for the army and the police, pointing to Sudan's participation in the Saudi-led “Decisive Storm” operation to restore the legitimate rule in Yemen.

He stressed that the Sudanese people are standing by their leadership in its efforts to support the Arab and Muslim nation.

Last April, Sudan joined the military coalition against Yemen's Huthis comprising mainly of Arab Gulf states in addition to Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

The offensive codenamed “Operation Decisive Storm” is targeting Shiite Houthi militants allied with Iran, who have taken control of Yemen's capital Sanna since September 2014.

The head of the independent lawmakers bloc at the national assembly Abdul-Jalil Aajabin disclosed their intention to meet with president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to participate in the executive branch while finding guarantees for the bloc to work with the government in accordance with national principles.

Aajabin who was speaking at a press conference in the parliament noted that they come from marginalized areas in need of services.

His deputy Mubarak Abbas announced their agreement on fundamental principles for the nation's issues and the development of the less-developed regions in coordination with the government for what he called the big goals.

"We will not act as opposition in all issues but we will work with a strong will to pass policies," Abbas said.

MP Abu al-Gasim Burtum from Dongola constituency (2), who declined to join the independent bloc and refused to vote for any of the candidates for parliament speakership expressed surprise over the choice of Omer saying he expected the ruling party would put forward new faces.

He pointed out that he did not run for parliament to be a pressure tool but to provide services to his constituents and for the country and to covey the concerns of the citizens of his district.

(ST)