You are here

Africa

Ethiopia set for election, gov't warns against violence

Sudan Tribune - Sun, 24/05/2015 - 00:30

May 23, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – As the horn of Africa country is preparing to conduct parliamentary elections, the Ethiopian government on Friday warned supporters of contesting parties against any act that could incite violence.

A man herds his animals near a billboard of Blue Party candidate Amlaku Fiseha Ishete on the outskirts of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, May 23, 2015. Reuters Photo)

Ethiopians will go to polls on Sunday, the country's fifth parliamentary election since the former dictatorial Marxist Derg regime was overthrown in 1991.

Nearly 37 million eligible electorates will cast their votes at over 45,000 polling stations nationwide.

The ruling Ethiopia People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has called on party supporters to maintain peace after casting votes.

The Ethiopian government repeatedly reiterated commitment to deliver in orderly manner a democratic, peaceful, free and fair election. But some opposition groups say that the election lacks a level playing field.

Addressing parliament on Thursday, EPRDF leader and prime minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, said his government will take actions against any individual or group who attempts to cause disturbances during the election days.

“There is no reason whatsoever for anybody to incite electoral violence in the current election,” Desalegn said.

“In the event of any election disturbances, the government is well prepared and stands unflinchingly determined to take measures” he added.

The premier also warned some opposition parties who he said are planning to incite violence in the pretext of vote rigging.

The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission has also called on contesting political parties and supporters to exercise restraint so as the country remain peaceful and stable to conduct the polls.

Hifikepunye Pohamba, former Namibian president and head of the AU observers' mission told reporters that four teams of long-term observers have been deployed in eight regional states.

Some 6,000 parliamentary candidates fielded by 58 political parties will contest for the 547 seat parliament.

All parliament seats had been occupied by the ruling party except two.

The Ruling EPRDF party has won all the four previous held elections and it is also widely expected to secure landslide victory this weekend.

Under the rule of EPRDF, Ethiopia has a continuously managed to register double-digit economic growth making the East African nation one of the 10 fastest growing economies worldwide.

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country has also been relatively stability compared to other countries in the volatile Horn of Africa's region.

However international human rights groups continuously accuse the Ethiopian government of gross human right violations including illegal detention against opposition members and journalists critical to government.

The Ethiopian government is accused of using the 2009 introduced anti-terrorism law as a pretext to silence dissent and punish members and leaders of opposition political parties.

The broadly defined counter terrorism law criminalizes any reporting considered to 'encourage' or 'provide moral support' to entities such as Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and Ginbot-7 labelled by government as terrorist organizations.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Senior SPLM-N delegation concludes visit to Sweden

Sudan Tribune - Sun, 24/05/2015 - 00:00

May 23, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - A senior delegation from the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Saturday concluded a visit to Sweden announcing it would participate in a hearing about the situation in Sudan at the European Parliament next month.

A photo extended to Sudan Tribune by the SPLM-N showing the goup's chairman Malik Agar (C), its secretary general, Yasser Arman (L), and Gen Gagod Mukwar in Stockholm on 23 May 2015.

SPLM-N spokesperson, Mubarak Ardol, said the delegation, which is currently conducting a European tour, includes the movement's chairman, Malik Agar, its secretary general, Yasser Arman, and the member of the top leadership office, Gagod Mukwar.

He said the delegation met on Friday with several officials at the Swedish foreign ministry including the deputy director general of the foreign affairs and head of the African department, the senior advisor at the foreign ministry, Horn of Africa official and the former envoy to the Horn of Africa.

According to Ardol, the meetings discussed the humanitarian issues and the situation in the conflict areas following refusal of the Sudanese government to open relief corridors.

The delegation briefed the Swedish officials on the government shelling of civilians and violence against women particularly by the government militia besides attacks against students particularly those from Darfur and the arrest of activists and political leaders.

He added the delegation revealed government crackdown on press freedom and the civil society organizations, noting they also discussed efforts to unify the opposition forces and develop a political alternative to rule the country.

The visiting delegation also discussed with the Swedish officials the recent elections and the refusal of the government to engage in a genuine dialogue, noting the regime is only seeking to buy time.

The visit is the first of its kind by an SPLM-N delegation to Sweden since the conflict erupted in South Kordofan and Blue Nile in June 2011.

During its visit to Paris, the SPLM-N delegation had previously discussed with French officials the political situation in the country and the prospects for peace particularly after failure of the pre-dialogue meeting which was to be held last March under the auspices of the African Union mediation.

Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) refused to attend a meeting in Addis Ababa last March to discuss issues pertaining to the national dialogue conference and its procedures.

Khartoum at the time said the African mediation team did not coordinate with the government on who would participate in the meeting, stressing that it would be held at the wrong time given the elections which took place in April.
Consequently, the African mediation announced that it has indefinitely suspended the pre-dialogue preparatory meeting after the government and its affiliated political parties refused to attend.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HEARING

Meanwhile, Ardol disclosed that the SPLM-N delegation would participate in a hearing about Sudan at the European Parliament on 9 June in coordination with the rebel umbrella Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the “Sudan Call” forces.

“The SPLM-N delegation would also participate in the meetings of the SRF and the “Sudan Call” forces scheduled to be held later,” he added.

“Sudan Call” forces are expected to participate in the hearing session which would be held at the European Parliament headquarters in the French city of Strasbourg. Other opposition forces are also likely to participate.

Several opposition leaders are also expected to take part in an annual meeting about Sudan to be held in Germany after the hearing.

Ardol said the immediate objective of the opposition should be the unification of its forces and continuation of the work to isolate the regime, pointing to the need for carrying out all issues agreed upon particularly the document about “the road to the popular uprising.”

He warned against ongoing acts of looting, killing and burning of villages in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, calling for revealing those atrocities which he described as “criminal”.

The SPLM-N has been fighting the Sudanese army and their aligned militias in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since June 2011.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

South Sudan defence and oil ministers visits Melut after rebel attack

Sudan Tribune - Sun, 24/05/2015 - 00:00

May 23, 2015 (JUBA)- South Sudanese defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, on Saturday headed a high level ministerial delegation that paid an inspection visit to Melut town, less than a week after an attack by a coalition of armed rebel forces.

South Sudan's Petroleum and Mining Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau (3rd R) applauds as he restarts oil production in the main oil field in Palouge, on May 5, 2013. (Reuters)

Petroleum minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau, chief of General staff of the government forces, Paul Malong Awan, among several officials and military officers accompanied Minister Juuk.

Upper Nile state information Minister, Peter Hoth Tuach told Sudan Tribune on Saturday, the ministerial delegation visited market area, the riverside where the government troops reportedly destroyed boats used by the rebels to shell and capture the town.

“The minister of defence was received on arrival by the sector commander Gen. Johnson Gony Bilieu and the state government officials. They visited all the areas in town and held talks with local officials and oil workers. They assured our people of the capability of the SPLA forces to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country,” the minister Tuach said on Saturday.

Minister Dau confirmed having visited his home town and birthplace, Melut, and Paloch, asserting that government forces were in complete control of the area.

“Our visit was to inspect the area and assure oil workers and our people of the capability of the government to provide adequate security not only to oil installations but also to the people in the area, ” the oil minister said.

“We assured them of the commitment of the government to protect the citizens and their resources. This responsibility has always been upheld by our gallant SPLA forces whenever there is a threat. They have demonstrated their abilities and capabilities by defeating the rebels of Riek Machar and forces of Johnson Olony in Melut,” he emphasised.

The minister said there was no danger to the oil production in the area because government troops were in firm control of the situation and also denied that armed opposition had captured oil refinery.

“Yes, the rebels of Riek Machar forces have tried to advance towards oil fields to destroy the oil installations and they controlled Melut for less than 24 hours but they were defeated by our gallant forces. They did not advance to where there are oil refineries,” he said.

The minister said he reassured oil workers and denied the evacuation of oil workers.

"The oil workers are there. I met them today and assured them of the capability of the government to provide adequate security. So it is not correct that oil workers have been evacuated. Why evacuate them and the government is control? There is no danger,” he said.

This is the first high level visit after heavy fighting in recent days in oil producing areas in Upper Nile state. It was meant to boost the morale of the government soldiers and assure local population.

Last Thursday the Chinese official TV announced the evacuation of 400 oil workers from Paloch oilfields in South Sudan due to the ongoing fighting in the oil-rich Upper Nile state territory.

(ST)

Related articles

China evacuates oil workers from South Sudan oilfields over fighting: report

South Sudanese rebels withdraw tactically from Melut town: spokesperson

Categories: Africa

S. Sudan withholds distribution of tractors over funding

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 09:51

May 22, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan said it will not distribute tractors purchased to be used in the current planting season to bolster food production due to lack of funds.

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

This then implies that the purchased tractors will not be utilised until funds are secured to help facilitate at least 22 centers across the country.

The country's agriculture minister, Beda Machar told the national assembly on Wednesday that his ministry will have to establish 22 mechanical centers in the country for the 1000 tractors.

“The process of distributing the tractors will not begin until after the 22 mechanical centers are ready. The process of establishing centers will be in phases. Phase one entails establishing 22 centers that is two for each state and one center each for the two administration areas,” Machar told parliamentarians.

Establishing the 22 centers, he said, would cost the nation 39,887,443 SSP.

“Per center this is 1,813,065 SSP so the approximate 40 million SSP is not an amount to facilitate only on center, it is only for phase one, to assist in establishing centers all over the country including in Abyei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area” said Machar.

On Tuesday, members of South Sudan's national legislative assembly 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.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Escalation of fighting worsens suffering of civilians: UN official

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 09:26

May 22, 2015 (JUBA) – Escalation of fighting in recent weeks between South Sudan government forces and its armed opposition has resulted in alarming gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Friday.

Thousands of people wait for food aid in the hot sun near the air drop zone in Leer, South Sudan, in July 2014 (Photo AFP/Nichole Sobecki)

The clashes, he said, have had intolerable suffering on civilians.

“For more than 17 months, women, men and children have been senselessly suffering through an entirely man-made catastrophe, living in the most inhumane conditions. More than two million people have been robbed of their homes, their livelihoods, their security, having lost family members to death and forced recruitment,” said Zeid.

“And now, over the past few weeks, the opposing parties have actually managed to make a terrible situation much, much worse.”

At least 10,000 more people, Zeid stressed, have joined an estimated 60,000 internally displaced people in the UN's protection of civilian sites in Bentiu, in Unity State, in recent weeks, many trekking on foot over long distances in very treacherous conditions, with the constant threat of being waylaid and attacked by armed groups.

Another 1,600 internally displaced people are reportedly seeking protection at the ill-equipped and vulnerable UN base in Melut, Upper Nile state, where seven died after shells landed at the base.

“These people have been living in terrible conditions and I shudder to imagine how much more the humanitarian situation can worsen with the onset of the rainy season. The unrelenting, indefensible conflict in South Sudan should enrage the conscience of each and every one of us in the international community,” said Zeid.

The senior UN official further expressed concerns over alarming reports of gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law since the escalation of fighting on 29 April, including killings, rapes, abduction and the burning and destruction of towns and villages in various counties of Unity State.

There has been heavy fighting around the town of Melut and the main oilfields of Paloch, and there are fears of a further, damaging escalation in the conflict.

Zeid said UN human rights monitors have been denied access by the SPLA to various sites in Unity State where they have sought to verify allegations of human rights violations and abuses. He also urged the authorities to allow such access.

The UN High Commissioner noted that successive commitments to end the hostilities have failed to be implemented and there has been a “shameful lack of justice and accountability for victims of such gross violations in South Sudan.”

“Such persistent impunity has left many with unresolved grievances that are easily mobilised for renewed violence and revenge attacks,” Zeid warned, adding that “The fight against such impunity must be a priority if any peace in South Sudan is to hold.”

He warned the parties to the conflict that they must take all feasible measures to prevent harm to civilian lives and infrastructure, including the personnel and premises of the UN and humanitarian agencies.

(ST).

Categories: Africa

South Sudanese gov't troops accused of gross human rights violations: report

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 09:15

May 23, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan army (SPLA) forces loyal to president Salva Kiir is accused of carrying out gross human rights abuses including gruesome killings of civilians, abduction of adolescent boys and girls and raping of women and young girls in the oil-rich Unity state.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) patrol near burnt houses in Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 (Photo: AFP/Simon Maina)

A report on a new research published by the Amnesty International has painted a devastating picture as victims narrated experiences they recently faced in the hands of the government's troops during the ongoing full scale military offensive against the rebel forces led by former vice president, Riek Machar.

Amnesty International researchers who have just returned from Bentiu in Unity released documented violations, quoting the victims of the atrocities.

Most army officers and soldiers who do the fighting on behalf of the government are from Machar's Nuer ethnic group, also targeting their fellow Nuer in the state whom they accuse of supporting the rebels, the report said.

“Individuals who fled violence in Rubkona, Guit, Koch and Leer counties consistently described government forces, some in SPLA uniform and others in civilian clothing, mostly from the Bul section of the Nuer ethnic group, attacking their villages armed with axes, machetes and guns,” said Amnesty International.

The interviewees gave chilling accounts of the government forces setting entire villages on fire, killing and beating residents, looting livestock and other property, committing acts of sexual violence and abducting women and children.

Amnesty International quoted a 45-year-old woman as saying that government forces reached Panthap, in Rubkona county, early on the morning of 8 May. They instructed villagers to bring out all their property and took away anything of value. She said they beat her with a stick, but no one was killed. She fled with approximately 200 other villagers, arriving at the UN camp for displaced persons in Bentiu on 12 May.

A woman who said was from Chatchara, in Rubkona county, described an attack on her village on 7 May by groups of Nuer young men she believed were allied with president Salva Kiir's government.

“They came and said, ‘bring your property out,' and then they burnt our tukul [thatch-roofed mud structure]. They beat us with sticks and metal rods, saying ‘where are the boys and young men?' They took our property, our maize and clothes, and forced us to carry them towards Mayom. We were many women from the village. One woman got tired and was killed. They also shot her two-year old daughter,” she said.

A 70 year-old man, also from Chatchara, similarly described beating, burning and looting by the government forces in which their livestock were looted and girls abducted.

“When the SPLA arrived, they beat me and set fire to my three tukuls, and all the tukuls in the village. They took the cows and goats. Some children were shot in the crossfire. Many women and children were killed. I saw young children and women taken and forced to drive the cows and goats. They took my granddaughter, a girl of 13 or 14 years.”

Another 20 year-old woman from Guit county, home town of rebels chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai, also recounted how a group of armed SPLA soldiers and youth attacked her village on the night of 7 May.

“They even killed young children and old men. They set the granaries, where we keep maize, on fire. They came to my house and shot my nephew who was about 20 years-old. They beat my mother with a rope used for tying the cows. They were asking her, ‘Where are the young men, we want to kill them, they have joined the opposition,” Amnesty International quoted her as narrating.

“I took off running with my three children and two siblings. We ran to the river while they were shooting at us. From the river, I saw them burn the house. They also took our cows and goats—we had 15 cows and 30 goats.”

She also said four men raped her 23-year-old cousin, a mother of two, and abducted her 13 year old sister and 15 year old brother.

Nyanaath, a mother of three, said that government forces attacked her village in Guit county at midday on 10 May. She said the attackers, some of whom were in uniform, stole cows, looted property and set all the tukuls on fire.

She said women, including herself were raped at gun point by the government forces. Nyanaath told Amnesty International that soldiers took her, pushed her on her back and pulled down her underwear.

She said one started raping her while another pointed his gun at her. She also said she saw 10 boys and girls, aged between 10 and 13, being abducted by soldiers.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says some 100,000 people have been displaced by the recent fighting in Unity state. About 2,300 civilians, mostly women and young children, have sought refuge at the UN base in Bentiu since 20 April, joining over 50,000 others who have fled there since the start of the conflict in December 2013. More are on their way.

Government forces have blocked others at checkpoints, preventing them from reaching the safety of the base. Thousands have fled into the bush or swamp areas.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that at least 28 towns and villages in Unity state were attacked in the space of two weeks, between 29 April and 12 May. Civilians were targeted and their property was looted.

CALL FOR ACTION
The rights group has called on the international community to act fast, calling on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to impose a comprehensive arms embargo against all parties to the conflict in South Sudan.

“The UN Security Council to move quickly to impose asset freezes and travel bans against individuals and entities who have engaged in violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of international human rights law,” the statement says.

It said the UN Security Council should make public and act upon a paper outlining options for accountability that the Council members reportedly discussed on 12 May.

The report also called on the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council to release and make public the report of the Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan conflict, pending the finalisation of a peace agreement.

On the other hand, it called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to quickly reconvene parties to the conflict and impress upon them that they are bound by commitments to abide by international humanitarian law incorporated within the 23 January cessation of hostilities agreement and recommitted to on numerous occasions over the past year.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

S. Sudan conflict leaves thousands of civilians without food: MSF

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 07:29

May 22, 2015 (JUBA) – Medical charity, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, said thousands of civilians in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states have been displaced and left without food and medicines previously provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) following the escalation of violence.

Thousands of civilians fleeing violence seek shelter at a UN compound in Jonglei state capita Bor (Photo: UNMISS/Hailemichael Gebrekrstos)

In a press conference held in Nairobi on Friday, MSF, the largest medical provider for South Sudanese, said the fighting was “exposing civilians to widespread violence and severely restricting the provision desperately.”

“The escalation [of the conflict] has left people in conflict areas exposed to violence and without much needed medical care and humanitarian assistance,” said Paul Critchley, MSF head of mission in South Sudan.

He said an upsurge of violence in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile states has resulted in the suspension of medical services, destruction of health structures and evacuation of medical staff.

“All parties to the conflict must respect civilians and healthcare structures in order to prevent even more unnecessary suffering,” he said in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

MSF said since the conflict erupted in December 2013, it provided 167,207 outpatient consultations, of which 62,269 were for children under five years, 10,367 patients admitted to hospital, of which 5,123 were children under five years, 5,096 surgeries performed and 3,587 deliveries. Another 1,102 patients under treatment for kalaazar and 6,243 children treated for malnutrition, of which 1,102 admitted to hospital in South Sudan as well as contested region of Abyei.

“Ongoing insecurity is preventing planes from landing and has forced hundreds of people to seek shelter at the United Nations ‘Protection of Civilians' site in the last few days,” the statement further lamented.

MSF's ability to provide care to those in desperate need is now at risk, he said, unless the safe passage of staff and supplies is guaranteed, the press statement claims.

Describing the security situation in South Sudan as “volatile,” the medical charity said it treated people wounded in recent fighting in Malakal and provided medical assistance to approximately 30,000 people living in the ‘Protection of Civilians' in the Upper Nile state capital.

“The highly volatile situation continues to prevent teams from being able to enter Malakal town itself where much of the fighting took place.”

MSF evacuated its staff from Unity state's Leer town on 9 May as front-line approached, leaving about 200,000 people without medical access.

Even before the conflict began in December 2013, the government of South Sudan was not providing adequate medical services or food needed by people in the villages. The war, being fought by forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar, has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in the nearly four years old country.
(ST)

Categories: Africa

Libya: UN condemns string of suicide attacks, urges continued political dialogue

UN News Centre - Africa - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 07:00
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has condemned a spate of suicide bombings committed by Islamist terrorists in what it says is a blatant effort to undermine the country&#39s ongoing political dialogue.
Categories: Africa

Sudanese Islamists protest against Morsi's death sentence

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 06:42

May 22, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Hundreds of Sudanese Islamists staged a demonstration in Khartoum denouncing a recent death sentence against Egypt's ousted president Mohammed Morsi.

A man holds a banner with the image of Egypt's ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi as protesters march against an Egyptian court's decision this week to seek the death penalty for Morsi, after Friday prayers in Khartoum, May 22, 2015 (Reuters Photo)

Last week, a court in Cairo sentenced to death Morsi and 105 co-defendants for allegedly taking part in a mass jailbreak during Egypt's January 2011 uprising that ousted then president Hosni Mubarak.

Sudan's government distanced itself from the matter and described it as an Egyptian “internal affair”.

While several Sudanese Islamists groups including the People's Congress Party (PCP) of Hassan al-Turabi and the Muslim Brotherhood condemned the court decision and warned that Egypt would witness a strong internal strife if Morsi and his companions were executed.

On Friday, the secretary general of the pro-government Islamic Movement (IM), al-Zubair Ahmed al-Hassan, and the leader of the opposition Just Peace Forum (JPF), al-Tayeb Mustafa, led about 800 hundreds of demonstrators following the weekly prayer in the Sudanese capital.

“Down with the al-Sisi government,” protesters chanted as they marched from the grand mosque toward the United Nations office in Khartoum east.

They waved pictures of Morsi and the famous yellow and black four-finger sign (symbol of the Raba'a al-Adawiya protest camp in Cairo where Egyptian police allegedly killed hundreds of Morsi supporters in 2013).

Riot police cordoned off roads leading to the UN office and the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was ousted by the military in July 2013 after only one year in office following mass protests against his rule.

The court decision against Morsi and his aides drew condemnation from US, Turkey, Germany and the European Union (EU) with the rights group Amnesty International describing it as “nothing but a charade based on null and void procedure”.

Al-Hassan addressed the protesters demanding the UN and the free people across the world not to remain silent about Morsi's death sentence.

He condemned silence of the rights groups and the secular and liberal forces “who claim to defend freedom but remain silent about the heinous crimes against the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt”.

The IM secretary general also said Egypt has turned into a “large prison”, noting those illegal, unconstitutional, and inhumane rulings would lead to an endless conflict in the country.

Mustafa, for his part, said Egypt is witnessing a “new pharaonic era”, stressing the protesters seek to support the “right” anywhere in the world.

The leading figure at the opposition Reform Now Movement (RNM), Hassan Osman Rizg, said Egypt is being tested by the recent events, noting the Egyptian government chose to bully its people after it failed to achieve a victory for the Islamic nation.

The political secretary of the PCP, Kamal Omer, said that al-Sisi must know that the Sudanese people would not remain silent while he is killing the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Western diplomats call for immediate end of fighting in South Sudan

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 06:41

May 22, 2015 (JUBA) – Visiting diplomats to South Sudan's capital, Juba, have condemned the recent fighting in Unity and Upper Nile states and called on the warring parties to cease hostilities.

An aerial view of a UN camp for internally displaced people in South Sudan's capital, Juba (ST)

The delegation of European Union (EU), together with the heads of missions from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the heads of mission of Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and United States of America converged in Juba on Friday, condemning the spread of violence in South Sudan.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday the diplomats have called on the opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), led by former vice president Riek Machar and the South Sudan government headed by president Salva Kiir to end the 17-month long conflict.

"The heads of missions are deeply concerned about the spread of violence in Unity state and Upper Nile. The ongoing military offensives constitute blatant violations of the cessation of
hostilities agreement signed by the Government of South Sudan and the SPLM/A-in Opposition,” partly says the statement.

The diplomats urged the warring parties in the “strongest possible terms” to end the fighting and killing immediately, both to respect the ceasefire and stop the “terrible” humanitarian consequences.

South Sudan warring parties have been engaged in intensive military operations for the past three weeks in Upper Nile and Unity states.

It is reported the military activities during recent weeks in the two states have forced up to 100,000 people to flee from their homes. Humanitarian actors have also been forced to leave areas which already were extremely fragile and volatile.

The result is that an estimated 650,000 people are left without life-saving aid at the onset of the rainy season. The heads of missions are especially disturbed by reports coming from the conflict ravaged areas about gross human rights violations, often targeting children and women.

The statement says situation in Unity and Upper Nile states are volatile, adding that they are standing against destabilization of citizens and urging both parties to stop fighting.

“Those responsible for violations of human rights and other humanitarian crimes must be held to account. We urge all fighting parties to lay down arms, ensure the safety and security of civilians and humanitarian aid workers, and provide unhindered access for humanitarian aid,” the statement added.

The groups called on the South Sudan warring parties to continue with face to face dialogue to end the conflict and restore peace in the country.

“The only way forward is for all parties to immediately return to the negotiating table to resolve the crisis," they said.

Recently a regional Great Lake region that include Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have rejected direct involvement of troika countries and the United Nations in another expected round of talks in Ethiopia.

They also rejected the United Nations resolutions which calls for targeted sanctions and arms embargo on South Sudan.

Observers criticize the African leaders for failure to successfully mediate between the warring parties and at the same time refusing direct help from outside the continent.

The East African regional bloc (IGAD) said it was developing a new mechanism to expand membership of the mediation team that will include troika countries (US, UK and Norway) as well as African Union, European Union, China and the United Nations.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

UN: UN urges international community to end obstetric fistula

Panapress (EN) - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 06:21
New York, US (PANA) - Obstetric fistula is a devastating yet completely preventable and, in many cases, treatable injury of childbirth, affecting at least two million women and girls worldwide and leaving them isolated from communities, according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.. Health
Categories: Africa

Two US diplomats in Khartoum applaud women tea servers

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 01:00

May 22, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Two female diplomats at the United States embassy in Khartoum have posted a video message expressing sympathy with the Sudanese women who serve tea on the streets.

Two American diplomats from the US embassy to Sudan sipping tea on on the River Nile street, The video was released on 21 May 2015

A video recording which has been widely circulated on social media websites showed, Caroline Schneider and Jennie Munoz sitting on the River Nile street in Khartoum sipping tea while they are recording a video message of solidarity with the women.

“Carrie, Jennie, and everyone at U.S. Embassy Khartoum congratulate the entrepreneurial women who serve tea along the Nile and businesswomen throughout Sudan,” they said in a short written message released with the video.

“Research shows that societies are more prosperous, stable, and secure when women are safe and empowered, so we applaud efforts to increase women's access to education, technology, capital, justice, and leadership opportunities. Cheers and thank you for all the delicious tea,” the two diplomats added.

The message of the American diplomats coincides with a campaign carried out by the local authorities in Sudan's twin capital of Omdurman on Thursday against women serving tea on the streets under claims of “combating negative phenomenon”.

Women who sell tea on the streets were forced by the absence of the breadwinner due to civil war or domestic migration from the countryside to the cities which was caused by drought.

The profession became their only source of livelihood especially as the country faces increasing economic hardships.

ACTIVISTS CELBRATE TEA SELLERS

Activists and various sectors of the Sudanese society also express solidarity and sympathy women who sell tea on the streets.

Last week, in a big gathering of ordinary people, the “Emergency Clinic” Youth Initiative celebrated the opening of the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the children's hospital in Omdurman.

Um Gisma, a woman who serves tea on the street, cut the ribbon giving a start of the ICU to provide help for children who suffer from cancer and bedded in the hospital.

Members of the initiative explained that the costs of the ICU, amounting to 2.6 million (SDG) ($435,880) were raised by voluntary work and fundraising campaigns. The unit is equipped with the latest monitoring capabilities, to treat seven emergency cases a day.

Um Gisma then has been known as the Godmother of the Emergency Clinic Initiative. Thus, the initiative decided to award her the honour of opening the new ICU instead of the minister of health.

Although large segments of Sudanese applauded the move, the publisher of the Al-Meghar al-Siasi daily newspaper, al-Hindi Izz al-Din, attacked it saying the youth group should have invited the minister of health to inaugurate the ICU instead of Um Gisma.

His column drew a tidal wave of criticism on the social media prompting several activists to launch a boycott campaign against purchase of his newspaper.

However, a leading figure at the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and former minister of social welfare, Amira al-Fadil, has expressed support to the tea sellers and the youth initiative.

“I am impressed with the initiative and with the youth who stood behind it. Tea sellers are women who seek to seek to gain Halal livelihood and each of them have a family to support,” she said in a statement on Friday.

“Tea sellers are victims of our political, economic and social problems and they are in need for our help and protection. We have to organize and develop their profession,” al-Fadil added.

The former minister said she drew this conclusion after conducting studies including 10.000 women tea server in Khartoum state.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Ethiopia returns nationals stranded in conflict-hit Yemen

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 00:30

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 22,2015 (ADDIS ABABA) - The Ethiopian government has continued to evacuate thousands of citizens who are stranded in Yemen's roiling violence.

Spokes person for the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs, Tewelde Mulgeta on Thursday said some 2,000 nationals have arrived home during the past week alone.

Up on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole international Airport, the repatriates are being welcomed on daily basis by government officials from the ministry of foreign affairs.

Approached by Sudan Tribune, arrivals, who most are women were overwhelmed with gratitude to the urgent response by the Ethiopian government and called for more coordinated effort to evacuate for those thousands who remained behind.

According to the government official, hundreds more will be repatriated via Saudi Arabia in the weeks to come.

The repatriation operation is underway in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The horn of Africa's nation intends to evacuate at least 50,000 Ethiopians stranded following the fighting erupted in March between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to ousted president.

According to the UN refugee agency at least some 200,000 refugees from the east African region are trapped in Yemen left almost with no option for escape route.

Every month hundreds of Ethiopians and thousands of others from Eritrea and Somalia take dangerous sea journeys to Yemen, a country seen as a gate way to the wealthier Arab nation of Saudi Arabia where they hope to get a lucrative job.

However thousands of them every year drown and perish at the Arabian Sea off the coast of Yemen while travelling in a crowded and unsafe boats.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

S. Sudan rebels claim capture of Mundri town, officials deny

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 00:30

May 22, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The South Sudanese rebel faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, claimed their forces have captured Mundri town in Western Equatoria state.

Western Equatoria's information minister Charles Kisanga (ST/File photo)

“The spokesperson in the office of the chairman and commander-in-chief,SPLM/SPLA, do hereby announce the capture today [Friday] of Mundri town in Western Equatoria state by our gallant forces under the overall command of Major General Elias Lako Jada,” Machar's spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak said in a statement issued on Friday evening.

He said Mundri town, about 200km west of the country's capital, was strategic since it links Juba to the state capital, Yambio.

“We congratulate our freedom fighters for the victory,” said Dak, adding that more details on the matter would follow later.

But Western Equatoria's information minister, Charles Kisanga dismissed the rebels' claims, saying the entire Mundri county remains under government control.

TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL KILLED

Meanwhile, a top state official was Friday killed after unknown gunmen opened fire at his convey as he returned from the scene of an earlier attack in Mundri West county.

Kisanga said the executive director for Mundri West, John Keliopa met his fate after visiting the scene where government troops traveling to Lakes state were attacked.

“The council [of ministers] agreed unanimously that this was another assassination of a top Western Equatoria official, condemned it in the strongest term possible and ordered thorough investigation into the killing”, Kisanga told Sudan Tribune Friday.

He said the council of state ministers, during their emergency meeting, further discussed the deteriorating security situation in the state, especially around Mundri.

“Since yesterday the security situation around Mundri was very fluid, particularly in the evening after some SPLA soldiers arrived in the area using Maridi roads junction and set camp for night on their way to Lakes state,” Kisanga disclosed.

The minister said an attack on SPLA soldiers occurred Friday night at about 2:00 am [local time], resulting into two fatalities and some injuries.

“In the morning, the commissioner plus the executive director, John Keliopa rushed to the scene to investigate the shooting and deaths and see how to take the bodies of the dead soldiers to Mundri. While at the scene, unknown gunman opened fire on the officials and resulting in fatal shooting of the executive director”, he explained.

DECEASED HAILED

State officials described the late Keliopa as a hero who stood for justice among citizens, citing his stand on insecurity caused by cattle keepers in Mundri last year.

The former executive director acted as the Mundri West commissioner when the latter resigned earlier this year and served until the current commissioner was appointed.

He reportedly faced several threats from various communities, but maintained steadfast.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

SPLM-N says it repulsed government attack in Blue Nile

Sudan Tribune - Sat, 23/05/2015 - 00:30

May 22, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) said it repulsed a government attack on Thursday in Kalgo area, 45 km west of the Blue Nile state capital, Ed Damazin.

SPLM-N leader and SRF chairman Malik Agar (photo SPLM-N)

Earlier this month, SPLM-N said it repulsed an attack carried out by the Sudanese army backed by 18 military vehicles against the town of Kalgo in Bau in county. They also claimed to have repulsed a third attack against the same area on 23 April.

The SPLM-N has been fighting the Sudanese army and their aligned militias in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since June 2011.

The rebel group said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune that its fighters in the fourth front of the Angasana Mountains sector had repulsed a government attack against Kolgo on Thursday, noting the attack started at 6:00 am (local time) and continued for six hours.

The statement further said the government army suffered heavy losses while the SPLM-N forces did not incur any losses.

It claimed that 11 government troops were killed in the battle including two officers besides destroying 4 military vehicles and seizing 10 Kalashnikov rifles and RBG ammunition.

The SPLM-N stressed the government troops were forced to withdraw to Damzain and Khor Manza.

A Sudanese army spokesperson was not available for comment.

Since last year, the Sudanese army and its aligned militia have launched the “Decisive Summer” military campaign in a bid to end rebellion in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Boko Haram militants ‘must be brought to justice’ – UN chief

UN News Centre - Africa - Fri, 22/05/2015 - 22:31
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he is deeply troubled by Boko Haram’s “continuing indiscriminate and horrific attacks” against the civilian populations of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, according to the United Nations.
Categories: Africa

As South Sudan fighting intensifies, UN rights chief warns of ‘persistent impunity’

UN News Centre - Africa - Fri, 22/05/2015 - 20:26
The escalation of fighting in South Sudan has resulted in “alarming gross violations” of international human rights and humanitarian law as well as having exacted a terrible toll on the young nation’s civilian population, the United Nations human rights chief confirmed today.
Categories: Africa

UN: UN chief says biodiversity essential to sustainable development, eradicating poverty

Panapress (EN) - Fri, 22/05/2015 - 16:55
New York, US (PANA) - Variety of life on Earth is essential for the welfare of current and Environment
Categories: Africa

Algeria: 30 countries expected at Algiers int'l fair

Panapress (EN) - Fri, 22/05/2015 - 15:29
Algiers, Algeria (PANA) – Exhibitors from at least 30 countries and 643 Algerian companies are expected in Algiers Wednesday next week for the 48th international fair of Algiers, the Algerian minister of Trade, Amara Benyunés, said here Friday.
Categories: Africa

Pages