Africa

May 21, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA/NYAL) – Opposition forces loyal to former vice-president, Riek Machar, said they have inflicted heavy losses on troops loyal to the country's president, Salva Kiir, in Unity state.

Rebel commander Brig General Joseph Gai Gatluak (left) pictured in front of his troops in Upper Nile state's Manyo county in March 2015 (ST)

Heavy fighting erupted on Wednesday and continued on Thursday in Nyal town, administrative headquarters of Panyijiar county in Unity state, near the border with Lakes state in Bahr el Ghazal region.

Rebel leader's spokesperson in a press statement to the media on Thursday said their forces came under attack but responded with full force and destroyed a battalion sent by the government.

“In southern part of Lich (Unity) state, on Thursday, our forces destroyed a full battalion of soldiers loyal to Salva Kiir when they attacked our positions on Wednesday in Nyal administrative headquarters of Panyijiar county,” Machar's spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, said in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

“Their remnants were repulsed and ran back in disarray,” he said.

In the heavy fighting in Nyal, according to him, rebel troops inflicted heavy losses on government's forces in terms of human casualties and materials.

The equipment captured or destroyed he said included 3 tanks (T-55) captured in good condition, 2 tanks (T-55) destroyed, 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) captured, 1 APC destroyed, 8 big trucks captured in good condition, 2 toyota pick-up mounted with heavy weapons captured and 2 fuel tankers captured.

He added that remnants from the government troops were spotted escaping with only 2 big trucks and 1 fuel tanker towards Lakes state.

MELUT NOT STRATEGIC

The opposition leader's spokesperson said their forces have withdrawn from Melut town in Upper Nile state since Wednesday because it was no longer strategic after taking all the arsenal from it.

He said they were not defeated in Melut town but decided to leave the town which they captured on Tuesday.

“As we stated on Wednesday, our forces have withdrawn from Melut town. This is because Melut town is no longer strategic to us after we captured it on Tuesday and took all the government's war arsenal in it,” Dak said.

The South Sudanese army spokesperson Philip Aguer announced in Juba Thursday they recaptured Melut and repulsed the assailant joint rebel force which involved militianment led by Maj Gan Johnson Olony. He further said oilfields were not affected by the fighting.

However, Dak said the opposition forces remained in full control of Tangrial Bil refinery site which they also captured on Monday night.

Also the rebel official added that their fighters on Thursday captured Mangok, another strategic town which is gateway to Adar oilfield.

The opposition forces, he added, have also remained in full control of the oil-rich Upper Nile state's capital, Malakal, which they captured since 16 May, subsequently together with other towns including Doleib hills, Akoka and Kaka.

The East African regional bloc (IGAD) is yet to announce a date for resumption of the peace talks to end the 17-month long civil war.

(ST)

May 21, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A witness from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) told the judge today that two contractors working for the Sudanese foreign ministry passed on “very serious” information including transcripts of presidential meetings.

Sudan's foreign ministry building in Khartoum (SUNA)

The defendants were charged earlier this year with criminal association and collaborating with the enemy and disclosing confidential information to a US agent in the United Arab Emirates.

In today's court hearing, NISS officer by the name of Mutawakil Youssef said that the first defendant handed over classified information to the US agent and was planning to deliver more data before he was caught.

Youssef disclosed that the leaked information included documents on the visit of the speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the minutes of the meetings held between president Omer Hassan al-Bashir with his Kenyan counterpart and another with Ethiopian Prime Minister.

Among the reports passed on to the US agent was one discussing Khartoum's position towards Kampala and another on diplomatic initiatives following South Sudan's referendum on self-determination which Youssef described as confidential and strategic.

The first defendant also handed over a list of all national organizations in Sudan and secret intelligence on Egyptian organizations supporting al-Qaeda terrorist network.

The NISS officer emphasized that all the leaked documents pose a major national security threat as it represents a clear breach affecting national sovereignty, and creates a rift in the relationship between Sudan and the outside world.

The defense lawyer asked for releasing the defendants on bail asserting that the crime is a political one that has nothing to do with espionage.

But the prosecution objected saying bail should not be granted in cases where the defendants face the death penalty.

(ST)

May 21, 2015 (JUBA) – The United States has condemned Tuesday's attack at a United Nations base, in which four people were killed in and eight others wounded in South Sudan's oil-rich Upper Nile state.

US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power (Photo: AFP/Andrew Burton)

The incident, it said, were “brutal violent acts against civilians".

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims and reiterate our call for those responsible for attacks on civilians and UN facilities to be held accountable,” Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN said in a statement issued on Thursday

“Today's attacks are only the latest in a series of brutally violent acts against civilians, including the raping and murder of children,” she added.

Fighting has, in recent days, intensified between government forces and those loyal to the rebel-allied militia commander, Johnson Olony in Upper Nile state.

The rebels briefly captured Melut, a town next to the oilfield on Tuesday, but it was retaken by government forces on Wednesday.

The UN said a bomb landed at its protection of civilian site in Malakal, the Upper Nile capital on Tuesday, killing four people, including a child, and injuring eight others.

However, the US envoy to the UN said South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar should be held responsible.

“The international community is footing the bill for president Salva Kiir's and opposition leader Riek Machar's shameful disregard for the devastating humanitarian crisis facing the people of South Sudan,” said Power.

She said the country's political and military leaders on all sides of this conflict must put aside their self-serving ambitions, bring an end to the fighting, implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to which both have already agreed, and engage in negotiations for a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement to establish a transitional government and bring about a reform process that addresses the root causes of the ongoing conflict.

She said South Sudan political leaders have continuously “refused” to prioritise the well-being of their own people and that this could necessitate an increase in international pressure.

She warned of consequences for failure by both warring factions to end the war and respect UN mission in the country (UNMISS) bases.

“In this vein, we will continue our work with the UN Security Council's South Sudan Sanctions Committee to gather and review evidence that might be useful for sanctions listings that target political spoilers and those who violate and abuse human rights and violate international humanitarian law,” warned Power.

The world body said it is sheltering over 120,000 civilians at bases across the country.

(ST)

May 21, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - European Union (EU) representative in Sudan Thursday dismissed claims that they are hostile to the Sudanese government and reiterated the support of the European body to the national dialogue in the east African country.

Presidnetial assistant Ibrahim Ghandour shakes hands with EU ambassador to Sudan Tomas Ulicny on 21 May 2015 (Photo EU Delegation- Sudan)

Tomas Ulicny held a meeting today with the Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour. The two sides discussed efforts to resume the national dialogue, the situation in South Sudan and the rising radicalization in the region of Horn of Africa.

After the meeting, Quincy told reporters he " re- confirmed the European Union's position on the importance of an inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue to resolve the Sudanese problems".

"Both the government and opposition have to put Sudan and its people on the first place. He added further delays on the process complicates the situation and threaten its credibility," he added.

He was keen to underline EU support for Sudan's territorial integrity, its rejection for violent regime change and support for peace and stability in Sudan.

The meeting took place following unconfirmed reports in Khartoum about meetings of the Sudanese opposition in Europe in the upcoming days.

National Congress Party (NCP) political secretary, Mustafa Osman Ismail earlier this month said the role of "foreign forces in the dialogue would be marginal" and called to halt interfering in the internal process.

"The extremists and those who portray the EU as hostile to Sudan refuse to accept frank and open dialogue about issues of common concerns," said the EU ambassador to Sudan

He described them as few but they are quite loud.

The diplomat pointed to the EU concern on rising extremism in the region.

He warned against the increased fragility and radicalization in the region to which Sudan is not immune.

He further expressed his optimism that Sudan and European countries can do better and work together for a prosperous region free from radicalization.

The national dialogue was launched by president Omer al-Bashir in January 2014. The inclusive and internal process aims to end war and reach a national agreement on democratic reforms .

The warring parties failed to sign a cessation of hostilities agreement in talks brokered by African Union organized in November December 2014.

Also, Sudanese government refused to participate in a pre-dialogue meeting before the electoral process, as the opposition and rebel groups propose to seek a new process instead of NCP proposed conference.

(ST)

May 21, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudan said it had returned its oil workers to the country's production areas, a day after they were evacuated from the oilfields in Upper Nile state due to heavy fighting between the two warring factions in the region on Wednesday.

Workers at the Petrodar oil concession flush out the remaining oil prior to a shutdown on oil production by South Sudan, on January 29, 2012. (Getty)

“Actually production did not stop. It was only due to precautionary measures that some workers, especially the international staff were allowed to relocate to Juba. It was not evacuation”, Upper Nile's information minister, Peter Hoth Tuach said Thursday.

He said enough forces were deployed to protect the country's oil facilities.

“These workers have are returning. The rebels have already been defeated from Melut. Our forces have destroyed three of their boats which have been causing panic. They are now still burning and weapons which they were using are now exploding,” said Tuach.

He added, “The civilians have started to return to their homes because the UN-run camp here in Melut is too small to accommodate all. It was over swollen on Tuesday”.

SPLA RETAKE MELUT

The South Sudan army (SPLA) spokesperson, Phillip Aguer said pro-government forces dislodged the armed opposition forces from Melut, a town close to the oilfields.

“This afternoon at 4:30pm, our gallant SPLA forces dislodged rebels of Riek Machar and forces of Johnson Olony from Melut,” Aguer told reporters in Juba on Thursday.

“The boats they used have been destroyed and our forces are still pursuing them. The general command of the SPLA asks the criminals and other forces in Malakal to leave", he added, saying the SPLA were capable of defending the nation's territory and citizens.

PALOCH OILFIELD BESIEGED

The rebel leader's spokesman, James Dak said the country's main oilfields of Paloch, some 200kms north of Malakal, had been besieged and designated priority target.

“SPLM/SPLA forces have converged around Paloch oilfields - Adar (Upper Nile) state - from different directions to capture the oilfields from pro-Salva Kiir forces any time soon,” Dak said.

He said the leadership of the movement also renewed “strong advice” to any remaining oil worker in Paloch to evacuate for safety reasons.

He accused the government of allegedly using some oil workers as human shield and said Juba would be responsible for any harm on them.

“We have learnt with disbelief that the government, out of panic, has prevented some of international oil workers from leaving the area, using them as human shield,” he said.

“We call on oil companies operating in the area to ensure their workers are evacuated.”

The rebels said their counter-offensive aimed to temporarily close down oil production or to cut off Juba from the oil revenues which they said president Kiir's government had been using to “hire mercenaries and buy weaponry to perpetuate the war.”

This, Dak said, was in response to government's “full scale offense” which he described as a violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement between the two warring parties.

(ST)

New York, US (PANA) - UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Mr. Gordon Brown, on Thursday in New York, said that "shocking figures" relating to the position of children in emergency situations underlined the need for a new humanitarian fund to ensure the education of millions of children. Social

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is rushing critical relief supplies to Tanzania’s north-western border with Burundi amid a devastating cholera outbreak affecting tens of thousands of refugees there.

Brussels, Belgium (PANA) – Guinea and Burkina Faso are to once again benefit from Belgian public aid for development. Politics

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) – The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) on Thursday announced in Washington, DC four winners of the 2015 Courage in Journalism and Lifetime Achievement Award, among them, Mwape Kumwenda, a reporter for Muvi Television in Zambia. Society

Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Zambia.

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May 20, 2015 (JUBA) - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the shelling of its compound in Melut saying four people were killed in the oil producing area where heavy fighting take place between the government and rebel fighters.

Children play inside a camp for internally displaced persons from the Nuer ethnic group inside the UNMISS compound in Bor, the capital of South Sudan'sJonglei state, on 27 February 2014 (Photo: AFP/Jim Lopez)

On Wednesday , the opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-in-Opposition) announced it a "tactical withdrawal" from the oil-rich Melut town which they captured on Tuesday.

While in Juba, the South Sudanese army said they launched a counterattack to repulse the SPLM-in-Opposition fighters and their allied militiamen led by Maj. Gen. Johnson Olony.

Two mortar bombs hit the UNMISS compound and the protection of civilians' site on Wednesday evening. The statement did not say which party shelled the base.

UNMISS in a statement issued on Wednesday "strongly" condemned the recent surge of violence in Melut which resulted in "the deaths of 4 civilians, including a woman and a child and severely injuring another 8 civilians who are currently receiving treatment for their wounds".

“I want to remind the parties of their obligation to take all measures not to harm civilians and guarantee the safety of international aid organizations and United Nations personnel and assets,” said UNMISS chief Ellen Margrethe Løj.

“I call upon them to respect the sanctity of UN installations and staff, so the United Nations can continue to implement its activities and UNMISS its protection of civilians' mandate,” Løj further said.

There are around 1,000 civilians on UNMISS compound in Melut. 270 displaced persons arrived Tuesday on the protection site while another 250 to 350 are in an area adjacent to the compound.

(ST)

By Trayo A. Ali

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”- Charles Darwin
May 25th is African Day. On May 25-2015 the African Union (AU) representing respective member states hoists the flag, make toast in a cozy cool environment and issue statements in celebration for the occasion of fifty two years of African Unity. This seemingly comfortable situation confronts two other situations.

The first is the reality where the story of the average African citizen whose security and welfare are supposed to be the primary intention of this celebration is totally absent from any considerable deliberations. Rather, he or she is handcuffed and chained with shackles of endless civil wars, constrained by racial marginalization, refugee anxiety, haunted by genocide trauma, alienated by gender segregation, hostaged and oppressed by extremism of religious prosecution, poverty, illiteracy and diseases.

The second situation lies in between these two extreme poles where the Pan-Africanist activists are in busy mood preparing for the 8th Congress of Pan-African Movement. They are motivated and driven by the “Grand D ream” of the visionary pioneers of the continental cause such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyrere, Patrice Lumumba, Nelson Mandella and their flag bearers, the new breed of Pan-Africanism led by Yoweri Museveni and the late Meles Zenawi.

The dream is that, by way of Unity and Solidarity we achieve our Liberty and Dignity and translate it to the Welfare of African people.

To effect the 8th conference (after Kampala 7th in 1994), several calls and Initiatives made by concerned pan-Africanist activists throughout the continent and in the Diaspora. Considerable discussion is generated and analysis, comments, suggestions and proposal made, certain reactions, criticisms and sentiments, denouncements, claims, counter claims and affirmations ignited. Some regional conferences were also held. Such activities are of healthy nature and considered welcome exercise as it represents a level of emerging maturity in reflecting a whole mosaic and divergent views and stream of ideas of the ever evolving complex reality.

But the underlining point that can be detected from such such a perplexing mood is the confirmation for the need for redefining the idea of pan-Africanism all together on both procedural and substantive aspects for purposes of reenergization and revitalization. The evolving reality dictates a thorough review and reexamination that should cover among other issues the conceptual aspects, methodological, ideological, scope of operation, identification of challenges, strategic agenda, resources and related experiences. Such a review should also take into consideration a set of questions such as: What Pan-Africanism should now means, or should mean to an ordinary man? What it should entail? Who are the interest groups? How it should be operationalized in practical terms? Who should be involved and at what level? What are the new issues of today's realities that need to be incorporated in the redefining process? How can we make it relevant, viable and sustainable? Which of the examples and experiences we should creatively emulate, pan-Europeanism, pan-Americanism, pan-Arabism, pan-Islamism or what? What were the unfeasible concrete challenges emerged over time? How can we rationalize the ever evolving complex reality?

(1) Back to the drawing board: redefining the concept is the starting point

Answers to the above questions will still remain elusive under the whole process goes under critical scrutiny.
It's important to note that the Pan-Africanism is not a monolithic ideological movement. Although the founders and the flag bearers all insisted on the issues “unity, social justice, dignity integrity and welfare of the black man” the idea remained an amalgam of values, notions, ideas, assumptions and set of principles. Even from the most enduring writings and presentations of W.E. Du Bois, Padmore, Chiekh Anta Diop, and Walter Rodney they have not tend to put the idea into a rigid ideological box.

Their terms of reference are always been the idea of African civilization, culture and values that cherish the inseparability of freedom, liberty, equality, diversity, secularism that preserve African identity and character.

Thus in the absence of formal colonialism in its traditional sense, the creative approach to the idea should be based on a firm and disciplined understanding of these set of values to redirect the focus.

With the kind of political consciousness growing, I wonder, if we continue to compromise on some very provocative positions such as one uttered by the former Egyptian president, Gaamal Abdel Nasser in his book “The philosophy of the Revolution” when he said: “We cannot, under any condition relinquish our responsibility in helping, in every way possible in diffusing the light of civilization into the farthest part of the virgin jungle”.

(2) Methodology you apply

The methodology is important and among other issues it involves organization, setting of structures, and assignment of responsibilities, resource mobilization and accountability.
The 8th conference is only the movement's third to be held in the continent. The Fifth congress was in Accra (Ghana) in the 1950s, the Sixth was in Dar el Salam (Tanzania) in 1974 and the Seventh in Kampala in 1994.

Obviously two important issues are coming out from this. One is the issue of finding a friendly and hospitable venue. Thus it's clear that had not been Nkrumah's Ghana, or Nyrere”s Tanzania or Nuseveni”s Uganda there would not been any conference taken place at all in the Continent. The lesson here is that it's important to have a friendly, like minded and caring government in power.
Unfounded or unnecessary confrontations do not serve the larger purpose. Political maturity requires separation of friends from the strategic foes.

The second matter arises here is that of permanent structure or mechanism. It's important to break the kind of mode operandi that operates under a loose and ad hoc arrangements. Well organized but not bureaucratic institutional thinking is important in terms of generating new ideas and resource mobilization. Methodology also involves reaching out different categories of constituencies including lobbying governments. To survive, a vibrant Movement needs an informed grass root base and support.

Dissemination and popularization of clearly articulated political culture is of paramount important for the consumption of ordinary African about solidarity, unity, dignity, peace and welfare. Women, youth, political parties, civil society, Trade Union, the media, and the minorities participation is an an imperative choice. The AU itself is to be partner in the process.

(3) Challenges to be identified

Hydra headed challenges are engulfing the continent. They are the same old problems but posed by relatively different actors.
Slavery is still persisting in places like Sudan, ethnic based wars are ravaging with fatal effects, genocide is a new menace, radical Islamism is mushrooming and occupying space in African body politics, while terrorism is encircling the continent's geo-politic.

Two personal experiences are relevant down here in my reflections. First is a provocative statement made by a former foreign affairs minister of Sudan when in 1995 he told on point blank his counter parts from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Eretria that “It was the white man's colonialism that stopped the unhindered penetration of Islamization and Arabization in Africa, and with the departure of colonialism, the grand mission of marching will resume from Cairo to Cape. We are here for that and we are here to stay.” I happened to meet this ex-minister and when asked him how dare was he to make that kind of statement, he just shook his head but could not say anything.

(4) Dynamic agenda you need

The Pan-Afrcanist movement, like the “Pan-European” movement and organizations did, it should also influence the AU agenda and make it more relevant and reflective of the reality. Producing policy options and alternative agenda make difference and make the movement relevant. For example the movement should not shy away from vocally bringing out relevant issues such as genocide, international justice, Islamic radicalism, combating terrorism, poverty eradication onto the AU agenda. But resorting to the classical methods of work ala kind of blind criticism does not work.

(5) The need to emulate other success stories

For the “ideal dream” of Unity, Dignity, and Prosperity to be materialized it's important to emulate other successful experiences and role models. For the European Union to reach the way it is, its cardinal ideas on went through rigorous examinations and different phases of self assessment and redefinitions. Thus dynamic thinking is required. “Building-block” type of thinking is crucial. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana use to say that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked to the total independence of Africa”. But now after half a century the new reality is spelling different priority issues. The issue id independence (which formally achieved) does not top the agenda. How to build viable building blocks that has the ability to respond to today's challenges and transform the situation is the issue. The Pan-Africanist movement is therefore to consider the issue of regional integration that constitutes a viable building block.

We may all recall the debate within the then OAU on the eve of transforming it into the AU. It was president Museveni of Uganda who countered Kaddafi's “hash-mash” approach and attitudes. Museveni articulated a more mature, rational and pragmatic strategy of “bottom-up” approach while Kaddafi was attempting to impose “top-down” super continental government. The Pan-African movement is in challenge to adopt a kind of more pragmatic approach and disseminate that public culture.

(6) Concussion

To conclude my remarks, I am to observe that, when colonialism was driven out through the front door, other ignorant and different enemies are sneaking into through the back window.
As closing remark I am also to recall my second experience that I encountered. It was indeed an insult to some staunch Pan-African intellectuals like the late Dr. Chiekh Anta Diop. It was a story about how pro “Pan- Islamist” professor at Khartoum University in my days and how much he use to detests, hates, disdains and loathes two things in his life till he passed away. He uses to publicly say that he does want to hear about two thing: “Nubian civilization” and “Pan-Africanism”. For him the Nubian Civilization is “an evil deed of a black magic” and it reminds him “pre-Islamic Arabian culture“, and Pan-Africanism is “an invocation of pagan spirit of Nubian Civilization”. One unfortunate thing he ably did was to dissolve our only “Pan-African Students Friendship Club”, outlawed, banned and our premises virtually handed over to “Islamic Call Association”, the organization that preaches Islamic State and “Pan-Islamism”.

The Pan-African movement now needs more refined, realistic, pragmatic approach.
The author is a free-lance researcher on African Peace and Development (A-PAD).He is reachable at Email: tmotoy60@gmail.com

Ten trucks carrying vital relief supplies have crossed the border between Tunisia and Libya, as the United Nations hunger relief agency said today that it has resumed providing assistance in support of displaced people affected by the ongoing conflict in Libya.

May 20, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – A senior official of the rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has likened to “hawkers” governors representing the three states of greater Equatoria region in South Sudan, saying they had been advertising for president Salva Kiir at the expense of their own people.

Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, chairman of national committee for political mobilization in the SPLM-IO faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, said Equatorians were determined to remove president Kiir from power.

“We hereby affirm our oath to remove the entire regime of Kiir and its auxiliaries at the states by all means,” Pierino said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

The former head of political science department in the University of Juba, who himself an Equatorian from Eastern Equatoria state, was reacting to ongoing engagements between Equatorians in opposition and the governors of Eastern, Central and Western Equatoria states.

Greater Equatoria governors including Clement Wani Konga of Central Equatoria, Louis Lobong Lojore of Eastern Equatoria and Joseph Bakasoro of Western Equatoria have been consulting with SPLM-IO Equatorian officials in various occasions including in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, last month.

Pierino said the engagement was meant to strike areas of agreement in the ongoing peace process, but said he was surprised with ?behaviors of the governors who “pretended to be representing citizens from Equatoria region yet they are chasing bread and butter.”

“They [governors] behave like hawker trying to sell Salva Kiir government and yet for us we are non-buyers,” he said.

He further accused the government officials of promoting tribalism and regionalism by asking Equatorians in the SPLM-IO to pull out from the movement and yet they were in Salva Kiir's government led by a non-Equatorian.

He added that for the governors to claim that Equatorians in the movement should pullout is “outrageously parochial and a red line.”

The only positive outcome from this engagement, he explained, was the fact that Equatorians in the opposition faction had now known that the “so-called” governors were for status quo.

He accused them of allegedly abandoning call for federalism and reforms which Equatorians have been calling since 2010, saying they have therefore lost legitimacy and trust among Equatorians.

(ST)

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A new short documentary narrated by the French actress Juliette Binoche shines a light on the upcoming trial of Hissène Habré, the former dictator of Chad.

(Paris, May 21, 2015) – A new short documentary narrated by the French actress Juliette Binoche shines a light on the upcoming trial of Hissène Habré, the former dictator of Chad, Human Rights Watch said today.

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May 20, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The government of Ireland has contributed $1.6 million to the 2015 Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) 2015 following its contribution of $36.9 million since 2006 to help address growing humanitarian needs in Sudan.

The Irish minister of state for development, trade promotion and north-south cooperation, Seán Sherlock, said his country is a longstanding supporter of the CHF, noting that humanitarian outlook for the people of Sudan remains serious for the year ahead.

He added that Ireland support was used last year to help UN agencies and Non Governmental Organozations (NGOs) provide emergency shelter materials, seeds, tools and household items to vulnerable communities, households and individuals in Sudan.

“By providing this funding to the Sudan CHF, Ireland is helping to support the provision of timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those most in need, many of whom have been displaced from their homes by conflict” he said.

The Sudan CHF helps humanitarians reach the most vulnerable people across Sudan.

For the 2015 first round allocation, approximately 91% of funds will be distributed to international and national NGOs.

Humanitarian partners in Sudan continue to ensure the continuity of cost-effective humanitarian interventions that have an impact on addressing the urgent needs of people in Sudan.

The interim humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, El-Mostafa Benlamlih, for his part said that CHF remains the most visible source of humanitarian funding in Sudan, particularly to national NGOs, adding the funds will help support and build the capacity of national partners to promote an effective humanitarian response, especially for those organizations working in challenging and remote areas.

The Sudan CHF is a multi-donor pooled fund that supports the timely allocation and disbursement of funds to Sudan's most critical humanitarian needs. To date, it has received and granted over one billion dollars to aid organizations in Sudan.

Last year, the Sudan CHF received support from Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).

(ST)

May 20, 2015 (WASHINGTON) – The governor of North Kordofan Ahmed Haroun has appeared in Saudi Arabia in what is believed to be his first trip abroad since his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

From R-L: Governor of North Kordofan Ahmed Haroun, foreign minister Ali Karti, presidential affairs minister Salah Wansi, unidentified Saudi official, president Omer Hassan al-Bashir at Prophet Mohammed mosque in Medina Saudi Arabia May 20, 2015 (Saudi Press Agency)

In April 2007, the judges at the Hague-based tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Haroun who at the time was the minister of humanitarian affairs charging him with 42 counts including murder, torture and persecution in connection with the armed conflict in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

In a photo released by Saudi news agency (SPA) on Wednesday, Haroun was seen standing along with other Sudanese officials including president Omer Hassan al-Bashir at Prophet Mohammed's Mosque in Medina.

Bashir started a previously unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia today for talks with King Salman Bin Abdel Aziz. He was accompanied by foreign minister Ali Karti, presidential affairs minister Salah Wansi and chief of staff Taha Osman. Haroun's name however, was not listed as part of the official delegation.

It is not clear if Haroun was already in Saudi Arabia on a private visit and joined with Bashir's delegation later in Medina.

Photos and videos released by Saudi state media did not show Haroun in any of the official meetings held by Bashir in Riyadh.

The Sudanese president flew from Riyadh to Medina after concluding his state visit and is expected to head to Mecca tomorrow for pilgrimage (Umra) before heading back home.

In June 2008, the then ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo disclosed that the court worked with Saudi authorities and a third country to divert a plane that carried Haroun in December 2007 to Mecca for annual Islamic pilgrimage.

Earlier that same year, a well-placed source in Khartoum told Sudan Tribune that Haroun attempted to travel to Saudi Arabia using a forged passport.

Ocampo said that Haroun “has medical problems….sometimes he needs to go outside using different passports.

Haroun was in Jordan, one of the Arab countries that are parties to the ICC, for medical treatment when the case against him was submitted to the judges in February 2007. The Sudanese minister returned immediately to Khartoum that day.

Saudi Arabia is not a signatory of the Rome Statue that is the founding treaty of the ICC.

However, UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1593 referring the Darfur situation to the ICC urged all non-State parties to “cooperate fully”.

The Interpol has also issued a red notice for Haroun at the request of the ICC thus further heightening his risk of apprehension abroad.

Previously, Haroun served as state Minister for the Interior, and is believed to have played a central role in coordinating and planning military operations in Darfur between 2003 and 2005.

He is also accused of orchestrating massacres in the Nuba Mountains earning him the nickname "the Butcher of Nuba."

But it is unlikely that Saudi authorities would make any move to arrest him particularly given the thaw in relationship between Khartoum and Riyadh recently.

?Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia is not considered to be hostile to the court.

It has recently welcomed Palestinian authority's ratification of the ICC statute and has co-sponsored a UNSC resolution last year to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC that was vetoed by Russia and China.

Dan Verderosa, communications officer at the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) called on Riyadh to extradite Haroun.

"When the UN Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC, it urged all states - not just ICC member states - to cooperate fully with the Court. Saudi Arabia should stand with victims in Darfur by arresting Ahmed Haroun and transferring him to The Hague to face justice" Verderosa said.

(ST)

May 20, 2015 (JUBA) – Regional leaders of the Great Lakes region have rejected direct participation of troika countries (US, UK and Norway) in the mediation in the South Sudan peace process. They also rejected United Nations call for targeted sanctions and arms embargo on South Sudan.

Presidents (from L) Salvar Kiir of South Sudan, Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda stand during a photo opportunity before the start of the extraordinary summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Kampala September 5, 2013. (Reuters)

“No UN sanctions, whether targeted sanctions or arms embargo, be imposed on South Sudan, as these would be counter-productive and only serve to exacerbate the situation,” partly reads the 18 May communique.

This came in the recently concluded international conference convened by leaders of countries in the Great Lakes region, a regional grouping of 12 countries.

The leaders said troika countries should only play role of observer but should not directly involve in the peace process mediated by the East African regional bloc (IGAD).

Held in Luanda, Angola, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGL), attended by president Salva Kiir and a number of other South Sudanese officials, also said the South Sudanese leader was an elected head of state whose legitimacy should be respected.

The leaders recognize the sovereignty and legitimacy of the government of president Kiir and resolved to designate the armed opposition force led by former vice president, Riek Machar, as “negative forces.”

“We, heads of state and government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes region, affirm the sovereignty and legitimacy of the elected government of republic of South Sudan, and commended the government for continuing to seriously engage in the peace talks despite continued violation from SPLM-IO rebels,” it said.

The regional leaders did not mention the fact that president Kiir's elected term in office will end on Thursday, 21 May.

Observers note that designation of the armed opposition faction as a negative force would mean the region could be forced to wage war against the rebels in support of the government as it happened in Congo with M23.

Critics however argued that this designation appeared to have been engineered by some regional powers, specifically the government of Uganda whose forces are fighting on the government side in South Sudan. This explains why the opposition forces have been portrayed as the main obstacle to implementing the peace agreement.

But others believe that the real reasons why the war has dragged on for so long lies in the intransigence of both sides to reach consensus and make compromises on fundamental matters.

Juba and Kampala appear to have not read that while the regime under president Salva Kiir continues to claim the legitimacy. Critics and observers from the international community, specifically those from troika countries, see his administration as only one of the several competing factions, obliged to negotiate on equal terms with other parties to the conflict.

(ST)

May 20, 2015 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan's legislative assembly have queried the purchase and the recent distribution of tractors in the country on grounds that the process was not carried out in accordance with institutional norms and procedures.

Tractors purchased by the state government ready to be send to the Counties, February 12, 2012 (ST)

Kuot Deng, a lawmaker from Warrap state, commended the president's office, ministries of defence and agriculture, Agricultural Bank of South Sudan and other institutions for buying the tractors.

He however said the distribution of the tractors should have been done in accordance with institutional norms, guiding rules and regulations.

“The distribution should collaboratively have been done by three institutions. It should have involved the ministry of agriculture, the cooperative bank and agricultural bank,” Deng said on Wednesday.

“This was what was discussed in the assembly and majority of the members agreed that some procedures were not followed. I hope these views will be taken into consideration so that the relevant institutions take over the distribution so that they are put into use immediately”, he added.

The legislator said the council of ministers was a policy making body and should not have been involved in the distribution of tractors.

George Bureng, a lawmaker from Central Equatoria state, concurred with his Warrap counterpart on institutional policies and rules.

“These tractors should in the first place have been purchased through the agricultural bank in collaboration with the ministry of agriculture. It is the work of the Ministry to organize farmers into groups, call it cooperatives or association,” Bureng said.

He added, “These groups can be assisted with loans on specific terms from the agriculture bank. They will be assisted these tractors after committing that they will produce food to sell it and to pay the cost of tractors in an installment basis”.

(ST)