Sudan Tribune

ATLANTA, Januarg 11, 2017 – The Carter Center welcomes the recent regulations issued by the government of Sudan aimed at facilitating humanitarian relief throughout the country and looks forward to further discussions with the government and other stakeholders on the specific rollout of the new directives.

The Carter Center, an impartial, non-governmental organization, works to advance peace and public health in Sudan, with current health activities focusing on fighting trachoma and river blindness. In addition, the Center has worked for decades with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Sudanese health authorities to eradicate Guinea worm disease. By easing access to all parts of Sudan, the new regulations offer the prospect that the International Commission for Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication (ICCDE), supported by the WHO, may have the opportunity in 2017 to certify Sudan as officially free of Guinea worm disease, a historic accomplishment. The Center looks forward to the enhancement of all of its activities as the new regulations take effect.

The Carter Center has worked in Sudan since the 1980s, as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter worked personally to negotiate peace in the Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005). Milestones include negotiation of the 1995 "Guinea worm cease-fire," which gave international health workers almost six months of relative peace to enter areas of Sudan previously inaccessible due to fighting, and the 1999 Nairobi Agreement between Sudan and Uganda, in which the governments restored diplomatic relations and pledged to stop supporting rebels acting against each other's governments. The Carter Center also observed elections in Sudan in 2010 and the referendum on independence for South Sudan in 2011.

Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org

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The Carter Center

"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.

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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 11, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - A hand grenade attack at a Hotel in Gondor town of Ethiopia's northern Amhara region claimed the live of one person and injured at least 11 others, regional police disclosed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred Tuesday evening when an unidentified attacker threw a hand grenade at Entasol, a hotel known for its recreation activities.

No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in the historic town.

Gondor is one of Ethiopia's major tourist destination sites well known for its medieval palaces and marvelous architectures of ancient Churches.

Those injured, police said have been taken to Gondar Referral Hospital where they are receiving medical care.

Officials are yet to disclose details on whether if the attack was a terrorist one or linked with the latest violent anti-government protests sparked in Oromia region and spread to Amhara regional state over demands of territorial, political and economic rights.

The attack comes over two months after the horn of Africa's nation declared a six-month long state of emergency imposed in a bid to contain a year-long unrest which claimed lives of at least 500 people.

Police said it has launched an investigation, which is currently in its early stages.

Regional security forces have also continued hunting the attacker or attackers.

“The attack might be a new tactic started by anti-peace forces as the strategy they had been pursuing in the past failed” regional police official told the state affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

The official also urged residents of the town to report suspected incidents.

Ethiopia repeatedly accused arc-rival Eritrea of deploying terrorists to destabilise nation, an allegation the tiny red sea nation denies.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war however the two neighbours fought a war during 1998-2000 over territorial disputes which killed over 70,000 people.

As their border dispute yet never settled ties between the two neighbours remain at odds.

Both countries routinely trade accusations of arming and supporting one the others' rebel group.

Ethiopia says it has often thwarted Eritrea-backed bomb plots and several other attacks.

Previously Ethiopian security forces have captured hundreds of Eritrea's mercenaries while trying to sneak into the country to launch attacks intended to destabilize nation.

Ethiopian prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, on Monday told reporters that country's security forces have recently captured at least 100 armed Eritrean mercenaries while trying to cross borders into Ethiopia via the northern Tigray region bordering Eritrea.

Addis Ababa has repeatedly warned that it will take proportional military actions to what it says is to stop Eritrea's unfolding aggressions.

Previously, Ethiopian forces have penetrated deep into Eritrean territories and attacked several military bases including those bases used by militants who are given sanctuary by Eritrea to carry out attacks against Ethiopian targets.

Ethiopia has also foiled a number of terror attacks by an Islamist radical group in Somalia.

Since 2011, Ethiopian troops have been fighting al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab militants in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission.

(ST)

January 11, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has expressed disappointment with lack of progress in the implementation of the peace agreement which he signed with his first former deputy in government and other stakeholders to end more than three years conflict, claiming spoilers were preventing the deal to be implemented.

Kiir made the remarks on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt, where he led a high level government delegation in respond to invitation extended to him and members of his regime by his host.

“I want to inform you that there are people, the spoilers who are preventing the implementation of the peace agreement, as we speak here, they are holding a conference in Nairobi that the agreement has collapsed and they want the agreement to be renegotiated, they know what they are doing to South Sudanese so that they are diverted from the government not to listen to what government is doing,” said Kiir in a speech broadcast by the state owned South Sudan Television.

The agreement, according to the president, did not collapse, citing his work relations with his controversially appointed first vice president in place of Machar with whom he signed the deal.

“I want to assure you that the agreement has not collapsed. The First Vice President Taban Deng Gai is working with me very closely, and we are implementing the agreement. They think that without Riek Machar, there is no agreement, but that's not the way people work. You can sign an agreement and you get out of it, like what happened to us in South Sudan,” he said.

He attempted to justify his desire to work with his preferred choice with the death of the founding leader of the governing Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), John Garang, who died before completing the implementation of the 2005 peace accord which he signed to end more than two decades with Sudan, from which the young nation seceded in 2011 in accordance with self-determination protocol.

“Dr. John, who was our leader during the war, signed the agreement, unfortunately, God took him after days, but the agreement didn't collapse. President Bashir who signed the agreement and myself, who was a deputy to John Garang, we implemented the agreement this is why now South Sudan became an independent, nobody wanted to destroy what has been done,” he said.

(ST)

January 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese minister of religious affairs Wednesday condemned hatred campaigns by extremists Islamists groups calling to boycott Christmas celebrations and other Christian events, and reiterated his support to religious coexistence in the east African nation.

FILE - A Bishop stands in front of the altar during Easter Sunday service at Episcopal Church of the Sudan Diocese of Khartoum All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum April 24, 2011 (Reuters)

During the celebrations of Christmas by the Sudanese Catholic and Coptic Churches, radical Islamists plastered the walls of several churches with flyers calling on Muslim to boycott the celebrations and to not pay visits or to congratulate them.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Minister of (religious) Guidance and Waqf Amar Mirghani Hussein said he had received complaints from Christian religious leaders and clerics about flyers plastered on the wall of their churches, calling on Muslims to boycott their festivals.

"Islam does not forbid congratulating non-Muslims, especially Christians, on their religious occasions," Hussein said pointing to "the multiple fatwas (Islamic ruling) on this respect that stress the need to communicate with all religions, sects and groups" he added according to the statement.

The minister further called to promote peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that such hatred posters should not be allowed to stir up divisions and drive a wedge between Sudanese Christians and their fellow citizens .

(ST)

(ST)

January 11, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has regretted the hoisting upside down of her national flag during a visit of President Salva Kiir to Cairo, Egypt, attributing it to human error.

The national flag is usually hoisted in a way that places up the black side, which represents the people of South Sudan but this black colour was seen hoisted upside down during president Kiir's arrival at the Egyptian airport and in other main streets through which the president and his entourage passed.

The upside down display was also in the background of the handshake of president Kiir and his host and was hoisted on a stand next to Egyptian flag.

A South Sudanese diplomat at the ministry of foreign affairs told Sudan Tribune when reached on Wednesday to comment on the matter that the hoisting was “a human error”.

Sincerely speaking, this was not a deliberate act on our side. It was a human error and we regret that the incident has caused inconveniences to our people, which is their right, because the flag is the symbol of the nation”, a top diplomat told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

The official was reacting to protest by South Sudanese outraged by the incident in which some described it as disrespect of the country by displaying dozens of South Sudan flags upside down during the visit of president.

Eyewitness including South Sudanese in Egypt took to social media to express their anger; some described the incorrect display of the flag as a disgrace and demand the Egyptian authorities to issue an apology.

The Egyptians ambassador to South Sudan, Ayman El-Gammal is yet to comment.

(ST)

January 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) of the late Hassan al-Turabi Wednesday disclosed it has agreed with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to deposit the constitutional amendments pertaining to public freedoms to the parliament for approval.

On October 25th, 2016, Sudanese presidency deposited new amendments to the 2005 transitional constitution with the parliament, which allow introducing a Prime Minister post, increasing the number of national MPs and adopting the name of the Government of National Concord.

However, amendments related to public freedoms weren't deposited with the parliament prompting the PCP to voice concern over the move and threatened to disavow the national dialogue process entirely.

PCP political secretary Kamal Omer told reporters that the public freedoms amendments are essential for the political reality in Sudan, saying they wouldn't compromise on issues of liberties and democratic transformation.

He said that a committee from the PCP headed by him has met with the NCP, pointing the latter agreed to the required constitutional amendments without any objection.

Omer pointed that the new amendments is on its way to the presidency, saying President Omer al-Bashir is expected to issue a decision to deposit it with the parliament.

“We have ongoing contacts with the NCP and they confirmed that the amendments might reach the parliament next week,” he said.

Since January 2014, Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir has been leading a national dialogue process whose stated aims are to resolve the armed conflicts, achieve political freedoms, alleviate poverty and the economic crisis, and address the national identity crisis.

Last October, the political forces participating at the national dialogue concluded the process by signing the National Document which includes the general features of a future constitution to be finalized by transitional institutions.

The opposition groups boycotted the process because the government didn't agree on humanitarian truce with the armed groups and due to its refusal to implement a number of confidence building measures.

The Islamist Popular Congress Party splinted from the NCP since 1999, and joined the opposition ranks since that time but it supported the dialogue process and participated in all its forums.

(ST)

January 11, 2017 (JUBA) - The weakening South Sudanese pound (SSP) means families in neighbouring East African countries are dwindling. Some families have not paid rent for months and children are out of schools.

"It is a tough situation that families face in Uganda and Kenya - some families don't afford food items, far from money for rent and school fees," said David, who family is Kampala, Uganda.

South Sudan Pound lost about 80% of it value since ministry of finance and central bank floated the exchange rate against United States dollars in December 2015. $1 sales for 110 SSP on Wednesday in Juba black market. The central bank has not auctioned the U.S. in recent weeks, leading to scarcity. For families in South Sudanese employees paid in local currency, black market is the source of their black market.

"In Elegu (Uganda border town with South Sudan near Nimule), 1,000 SSP is exchanged for only 25,00 Ugandan shillings," said David, preferring to use his first name only.

"Unless you exchange 20,000 SSP per month, you will not be able to sustain your family abroad," he said, adding that he is struggling to pay rent and move his family back to South Sudan despite insecurity fears that forced him to send his wife and three children to Uganda.

1,000 Kenyan shillings now exchange for 900 SSP, a substantial increase from 1,000 Kenyans shillings to 300 SSP early last year.

Some families are shifting to refugees' camps.

"It is expensive to transport the family from Nairobi to Juba and the nearest cheapest location becomes Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya," said Johnson Oldi, a South Sudanese whose family had lived in a Kenyan town for three years.

"Unless you are working for an international organization that pays in U.S dollars, there is no way one can continue to pay rent and school fees for money that finish in few weeks," added Johnson.

The number of South Sudanese families in Uganda and Kenya has dwindled, he added.

"The situation is even worse for junior (government) employees. Whether you bring your family to South Sudan or remain in Uganda or Kenya, the situation is the same - worse," said David Deng, a grade 7 government employee. Deng receive close to 2,000 SSP monthly, just about 20 dollars if exchanged at the current black market exchange rate.

Most South Sudan send families to neighboring countries of Kenya and Uganda for medical, education and security reasons. However, South Sudanese currency has been in free fall for the last 12 months and painted a bleak future for the work youngest nation.

(ST)

January 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Wednesday has released four leaders from the opposition umbrella National Consensus Forces (NCF).

Following calls by activists for a general strike to protest the austerity measures last November, the NISS arrested four NCF leading figures Siddig Youssef, Tarig Abdel-Mageed, Munzir Abu al-Ma'ali and Mohamed Diaa al-Din.

In its weekly bulletin on Wednesday, the opposition Arab Ba'ath Party (ABP) said the NISS released the four leaders, pointing they spent about two months in detention and were prevented from family visits.

It added that the NISS continues to detain a number of opposition figures including ABP member Abdel-Rahim Fath al-Rahman al-Sanjak who was arrested on December 20th.

On Tuesday, opposition activists published a list including 34 political detainees and their arrest dates, saying there are others who they were unable to confirm their detention dates.

Meanwhile, social media activists have celebrated the release of the sports journalist Ahmed al-Dai Bishara and posted photos of him after he was released.

It is noteworthy that Bishara was arrested on November 26 after he appeared in a video tape urging the Sudanese to engage in the civil disobedience.

On December 19, activists urged Sudanese to stay at home as part of a civil disobedience action, the second such initiative after a similar strike from 27 to 29 November which had a larger response.

Following the government decision to raise fuel and electricity price on November 3rd, the NISS launched a large arrest campaign and detained more than 40 opposition figures.

(ST)

By Yasir Arman

Peace, democracy and nation building challenges in Sudan

The challenges that have been facing Sudan for more than “sixty” years of its independence from the British have always been nation building and the possibility of building a modern state based on equal citizenship, democracy and social justice. Respect of the cultural, religious and social diversities of the Sudanese Communities has been a key element in the heart of the nation building issues. Failing to absorb this cardinal reality led to the secession of South Sudan, and indeed, is threatening the very existence of the rest of the Sudan.

Nation formation and nation building is a key issue for any reliable and successful national project. It is prudent upon the Sudanese stakeholders to recognize the historical and contemporary diversities and build a modern state based on equal citizenship without discrimination, and a program that is geared towards democracy and social justice. Sudanism is the only commonality that can unite Sudanese, regardless of their respective backgrounds. The political Islam program has shaken the basis of the Sudanese commonality, and it is a program that cannot yield a national consensus. It is important to stress that the political Islam agenda has not only threatened the Sudanese national unity and nation building, but is also an agenda that poses a threat to the whole of the African continent, as Africa is a continent of diversity, as well as the world at large.

Khartoum regime reaching end of its journey

The National Congress Party (NCP) regime is facing multiple crisis; economically, politically, culturally and socially. These have manifested in the bankruptcy of the political class, and it is clear the regime no longer has a foundation to exist upon. It is known that the regime was depending on a narrow social base and can only keep power in their hands through wars and security repression. Therefore, wars and the cracking down on opposition is an integral part of the NCP governance. Since they took over power, they have been facing continuous resistance in the rural and urban areas of Sudan, and they continued to wage war in the marginalized areas, and to repress the resistance of the mass movement in the urban areas. However, the days when the regime enjoyed spending oil money on their military, security and political institutions are gone, and the core of the regime's political brain is divided.

The regime tried to reproduce its system and widen its social base through an empty national dialogue that could not address the main problems facing Sudan, such as putting an end to wars, providing freedoms, basic rights and services, a democratic system of governance, as well as normalizing relations with the outside world. They were not ready to give concessions; they were only interested in reproducing their system at the peak of their economic and political crisis. The Sudan Government was neither ready to stop the bombardment of the civilian population in the war zones, nor open humanitarian corridors to end the civilian population suffering - especially in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile where they have denied humanitarian access for about six years, while committing war crimes, as well as the continued genocide in Darfur.

New realities on the Sudanese political landscape

The armed struggle was the main means of struggle during the early years of the dictatorship of the National Congress, where they systematically destroyed the peaceful means in what they called the ‘empowerment policy'. In this policy, they changed the nature of different state institutions and completely politicized them, including the security sector. Nevertheless, this dictatorial regime has been the dictatorship in which the Sudanese people have paid the heaviest price in their continuous struggle against, with millions displaced persons, refugees, wounded causalities and the struggle of the Sudanese people has continued throughout the past 27 years. At this point in time however, there is a qualitative change, and the peaceful mass movement is taking the lead. We can certainly say the peaceful resistance of the Sudanese people has been born again and the political landscape is pregnant and expecting a new born. This new mass movement consists of:
• Official opposition, with all its components and different alliances.
• New professionals and syndicate movements that include medical doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, university lecturers, plus teachers unions.
• New social movement of youth, women, students and others.
• Movements of specific causes; land grabbing, dams, farmers, internally displaced and others.
• Social media groups, who played a major role in the civil disobedience of November 27th and December 19th, are emerging as a powerful and youthful group, injecting new blood into the political life, and looking for a new political agenda for the future of Sudan. They are the very youth who were brought up during the National Congress's dictatorship and were targeted by a lot of brainwashing programmes. The youth are sending a clear message that the present regime, does not represent any future for them. Therefore, equally, the regime has no future.

What has taken place is because of the accumulative struggle throughout the last 27 years, including the years of the interim period of the CPA, which provided a relative opening up for political debate, as well as critical events such as the uprising of September 2013, in which the youth played a remarkable role in facing the regime security machines, where more than 200 of them lost their lives. The new youth movement has manifested itself in many ways, including when they rallied around the late singer Mahmud Abdelaziz, who was an icon of youth rebellion against the vision of the regime and the political Islam. It is a movement of diverse backgrounds, that uses different means.

The road to change is not an easy one. It is going to take a lot of effort in such a complex situation, but the mass movement and the Sudanese people in general are prepared for this journey to usher Sudan into a new error of equal citizenship, just peace and democracy.

The building up of resistance

The main phenomena in the present political landscape is the building up of the peaceful political resistance, from diverse forums. It has injected a new political will into the mainstream movement of resistance against the regime. It is to be noted that the youth are major players in this movement, and the professionals are making a come-back into the political scene. The medical doctors have carried out a strike for two months, in more than sixty hospitals nationwide. This movement emboldened the masses and killed the fears that were systematically planted by the regime into the minds and hearts of the people over the years.

It is evident that the expectations are high, and the National Congress is a spent force with nothing to offer. What is missing, is the unified mechanism that can bring together the oppositions from different backgrounds with a minimal plan of action to remove the NCP government, and bring about a new socio-economic/political dispensation that is in favour of peace, democracy, equal citizenship without discrimination and social justice. As well as a mechanism to coordinate between the different means of struggle, and our masses in the rural marginalized areas of Sudan and the urban ones.

The economic situation will continue to play a major role in bringing more social forces who are deprived from their living, into the political resistance. The new Annual budget of 2017 submitted by the minister of finance geared the bulk of the resources to the military and security sector. This was done so it can allow them to continue war and repression of the Sudanese people, indicating that the regime is going in the same old direction i.e a complete political bankruptcy. Allocating meagre resources to health and education, and depending fully on taxes and price inflation of essential commodities. Therefore, change is inevitable. It is also to be noted, at this very time of crisis, the regime has been accused by Amnesty International of using chemical weapons in Darfur.

The army and the other regular forces

The army and the other regular forces will eventually be forced to take a position in light of the continuing build-up of the mass movement and it would be an important factor and moment that would take things towards strengthening the chances of real change. Nevertheless, the mass movement should be cautious of a palace coup d'état that may intend to stop the process of real change.

Position of the regional and international community

The political forces have continuously expressed their willingness in a peaceful settlement, and the National Congress government has continually not only rejected the peaceful settlement, but continued to deliberately destroy any chance for a peaceful settlement. They are only interested in reproducing their old, ugly system. They are not interested in a new agenda of peace and democracy, and their old agenda can never bring national consensus.

There is a need for a new national project, and for a new Sudan, especially after the secession of the South and the genocide against important communities. Those two events are the most critical events in the modern history of Sudan. Sudan can only bring itself together if it can correctly learn lessons from those two major events and build a new country on new parameters of our new national project, so as to bring life to our national economic sectors in the agricultural industry, national transportation of railways, river, sea, and air and avail services to the ordinary citizens, especially of water, health, education and others. We need to address the needs of the poor people, and to rehabilitate the rural areas where most of our population is, and as Late Dr. John Garang used to say, “take towns to people, not people to towns”. We need to have a new nation building project that is based on democracy, and equal citizenship without discrimination, and the peaceful exchange of power.

Therefore, the civil disobedience injected new blood and constitutes a chance for the region and international community to re-think their agenda on the Sudanese crisis and look for a comprehensive new agenda of peaceful settlement that will lead to ending the war, and achieve democracy simultaneously. It is important for the region and the international community to respect the will of the Sudanese people for a change, and for them to review their policies towards Sudan, which are partial and tactical, and based on narrow interests, as they have never led to peace in either parts of Sudan.

It may be important to mention that the cooperation with Sudan on what is called “the Khartoum process” to prevent immigration to Europe, has not yielded the desired result, for the simple fact that the number of Sudanese immigrants, and other immigrants originating from Sudan in the last two years, is even higher than before the Khartoum process, and we can review the immigration statistics regarding Sudan in Italy, France and U.K. It is equally important to mention that general Bashir's regime has displaced, internally and externally around 6-8 million Sudanese. It would be absurd to expect him to help in preventing immigration to Europe. The biggest regards the Sudan government can pay the immigration agenda, is to end the war, along with the internal and external displacement in Sudan.

War on terror

The Sudan government is part of the international terrorism network, which is why they are able to cooperate by giving information to some countries, and handing over some of the terrorists and it has become an investment for them; to work on one hand on terrorism, and to share information and hand over terrorists on the other. It is ridiculous to continue working with a terrorist to combat terrorism. For instance, in Libya, Sudan is helping the political Islam organization, and at the same time, offering to work with the international community to bring law and order to Libya. It is a contradiction. The correct approach should be ending the era of terrorism in Sudan, which started with the Sudanese people themselves, and effect change and transformation in Sudan, and have a new government that has nothing to do with terrorism, whose interests lie in regional and international peace and stability. Moreover, I would appeal to the Gulf States not to provide money that is going to be used to fuel internal war in Sudan and repression. The Gulf States' investment in Sudan, can only be guaranteed by the Sudanese people and not by a regime that has no future. Sudan is on the eve of change, and it is only a matter of time.

Humanitarianism before politics

After more than 5 years, the SPLM/N leadership, rank and file, observe that Khartoum is using political engagement as a cover to continue its war and denial of access for humanitarian assistance. It is obviously clear that resolving political issues will take more time at the expense of the humanitarian situation. Therefore, the SPLM/N decided to take the humanitarian issues into the front seat, and as the only way to unlock even the political situation. Consequently, the SPLM/N decided it will never mix between the two issues again, and the priority should be in accordance with the International Humanitarian law to deliver humanitarian assistance.
Humanitarianism before politics.

Rebranding the SPLM/N

The SPLM/N will continue to pursue the vision of the new Sudan, working to achieve a secular democratic Sudan. The SPLM/N understands the need to rebrand itself and develop the vision of the New Sudan, taking into consideration the new realities, including the secession of South Sudan, and the experiencs that followed it. There is also a need to revisit its structural and internal democracy, along with the change that occurred all over the world, examining the failures and successes of national liberation movements and our means of struggle. As we are into the third millennium, with all its complexities, the big issues of social justice, ethnicity, the decaying of the nation state in certain aspects, and how to build a new future that addresses the nationality issues and the separation of religion from the State, remain prevalent.

Additionally, it is important to bear in mind the Sudan union between two independent statesin the North and South, the union process in the continent, our surroundings and the relationsbetween the developed/developing worlds. These can only be addressed by a democraticsystem that will allow equal opportunities to its people, tackling the issues of women, youth,economic justice, equal citizenship without discrimination and the environment e.t.c Addressing of the aforementioned, rests on the building of a modern organization that will cater for democracy, equality and justice.

The author is the SPLM-N Secretary General. He made this speech at the Eldorado Book Center, Oslo, Norway, on January 10, 2017

January 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The foreign ministry in Khartoum said the Sudanese national who had been charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching by the police in New York is not a member of the diplomatic staff of its mission to the United Nations.

The Sudanese foreign ministry was reacting to press reports that New York Police arrested a Sudanese diplomat and charged him with sexually rubbing up against a woman in the Subway on Monday.

However, the charge were dropped and he was freed because of his diplomatic immunity on Tuesday, the police said.

"The accused is a member of support staff of the Permanent Mission and not a diplomatic staff member. He was surprised by the complaint filed against him and has no knowledge of the complainant," said a statement issued by the Sudanese foreign ministry late on Tuesday night.

Investigation by the Permanent Mission showed that no criminal case has been initiated against the accused, the statement further said.

New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson Arlene Muniz told Reuters they had informed the State Department of the complaint filed by the woman and it may complain to the Sudanese government.

Also, State Department spokesman Mark Toner stated they are in touch with the NYPD and the mayor's office so that "we are able to take appropriate steps, as needed, to address this matter".

The Sudanese foreign ministry said they are in contact with the relevant authorities through the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

The NYPD told Reuters that the Sudanese national who is identified as Mohammad Abdalla Ali, 49, was riding a train out of the city's Grand Central Terminal on Monday afternoon when he approached a 38-year-old woman from behind and rubbed his crotch against her.

(ST)

January 9, 2017 (YAMBIO) – At least 25 administrative officials drawn from six counties in Gbudue, one of South Sudan's newly-created states have completed three weeks of intensive training on their job.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

The acting state governor, Victor Edward Kpiawandu urged the new graduates to be a bridge between the government and the communities at all levels to implement government policies, accordingly.

The administrative officials, he said, will be deployed in the newly-created counties of Gbudue state.

After the creation of the 28 new states, most of the few administrators went to their respective states in Western Equatoria state, creating gaps in over 10 created new counties and payams,” said the governor.

He cautioned the officials to desist from politics and embark on administrative issues and development of their departments where they would be deployed, adding that they should work hand in hand with their commissioners and should not undermine orders given by top government officials.

The minister of local government and law enforcement in Gbudue state, Jackson Ezekiel said, training of the new and old local government administrators was a project initiated before state was created and the training could not take place due to lack of resources and insecurity in the state.

He stressed the importance of the local administrative officials they are the machine of the government to implement all policies and development at grass root levels to deliver service to the community.

(ST)

January 10, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan government now says it will not accept the deployment of regional protection forces, claiming the country's security situation has improved.

South Sudan's defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, pictured following a cabinet meeting in Juba on 17 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, the presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak questioned whether it was still necessity to send regional protection forces.

“They were talking about security but now security situation has improved. Juba is safe and everyone is the witness. The Christmas and New Year celebrations went well, now you can move freely because security situation has improved. The national dialogue has been launched and the agreement is being implemented," said Gatluak.

The cantonment sites for SPLA-IO forces have been agreed and directives have been given for them to move into these area. Everything is moving well”, he added.

South Sudan's defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk equally dismissed claims that fighting still existed in Juba hence the need to justify deployment of the protection force.

“We acknowledge that there are problems in South Sudan and it is our duty as government to resolve these challenges," Juuk told a social gathering held in Juba.

He accused the United Nations of compiling reports from individuals in order to justify calls for the deployment of the regional protection force and to back up other voices.

Juuk rejected demands for revival of the peace accord, calling upon the international community to support the unity government to help restore peace and stability in the country.

“There are individuals now calling for renegotiation on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. This is interference with another country's sovereignty, and we totally reject that, I also call upon South Sudanese citizens to reject this. We are not toys, but a nation, “ he stressed.

(ST)

SPLM-N Secretary General speaking at the Eldorado Book center in Oslo, Norway, on 10 January 2017 (ST)

January 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Tuesday denied that arrangements are underway to hold a meeting between the government and the armed groups in Paris or elsewhere in Europe accusing Khartoum of seeking to impede unity of the opposition forces.

On Monday, Sudan's Information Minister Ahmed Balal Osman disclosed an American initiative to hold a meeting between his government and the armed groups in France this week.

He told reporters that the informal consultations meeting may take place on 15-16 January in Paris.

However, SPLM-N Secretary General Yasser Arman on Tuesday told Sudan Tribune that there are no arrangements to hold such a meeting on 15 or 20 January, stressing they wouldn't engage in any political talks with the government.

He renewed his movement's declared position that it would only engage in talks on humanitarian issues, reiterating the SPLM-N refusal to resume political talks.

“We know that President Mbeki would address the African Union Peace and Security Council and we have nothing to do with that [because] these arrangements pertain to the African Union,” he said.

He criticized Sudan's Information Minister, saying “he doesn't have information even about what his own government is doing”.

Last August, Sudanese government and armed groups in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states failed to reach two agreements on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, seen as important step before to engage in political talks ahead of an inclusive constitutional conference.

The armed movements involved in the African Union mediated negotiations are the SPLM-N, Sudan Liberation Movement–Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

CLASHES IN BLUE NILE

Meanwhile, Arman pointed to the government attack against SPLM-N positions in the Blue Nile state, saying “clashes still ongoing in the area”.

On Monday, SPLM-N accused the Sudanese government forces of attacking its positions in the Blue Nile State.

“Today 9th of Jan 2017 at 6:00 am, National congress party (NCP) forces and militias in Blue Nile region attacked SPLM/N controlled area of Arum,” said Arnu Nugultu Lodi, the SPLM-N spokesperson on Monday.

Last June, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir declared a four-month unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. On December 31st he extended of the ceasefire for one month.

Also, SPLM-N, SLM-MM and JEM in October 2016 extended for six months the unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur, Blue Nile and south Kordofan they declared in October 2015 and April of this year.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the SPLM-N rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as “Two Areas” since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

MEETING WITH BRITISH OFFICIALS

In a related context, Arman pointed to recent statements by the British Ambassador to Khartoum Michael Aron about the recent meetings between his government and the SPLM-N.

Speaking to the press in the capital of South Darfur Nyala, Aron Monday said that his government last week in a meeting held in London had discussed the Roadmap Agreement implementation with the SPLM-N Secretary General, adding that Sudanese people would hear good news soon.

Arman said the meeting with the British officials discussed the American humanitarian initiative laid out by the US Special Envoy Donald Booth last November, pointing they received the initiative in December and would respond to it on January 13.

“We are ready to meet with the American and British officials and we wouldn't meet with the [Sudanese] government and this is what we said to the British and American governments and we will say it to the Norway government in our meeting with it today” he said.

UNITY OF OPPOSITION

The rebel leader renewed his movement's call to unify the opposition forces and escalate the mass action to topple the regime, saying the regime is not keen to reach peace and democratic transformation through dialogue.

“We would press ahead with the [implementation] of the programme to unify the opposition … the regime is ruined and bankrupt and the Sudanese people must get ready to overthrow it and shouldn't expect any solutions from al-Bashir and his regime” he said

It is noteworthy that the Leadership Council of the opposition umbrella Sudan Call would meet from 15 to 20 January. Also, contacts are ongoing to unify the two factions of the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF).

Also, the SPLM-N recently held meetings with the Broad National Front (BNF) and the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) within the framework of establishing a unified center for the opposition to topple the regime.

Appointment of Gen. Gregory (Kiir's in-law)

By Simon Yel Yel

It was on Tuesday, the 3rd of January, the first work day of 2017 when President Salva Kiir Mayardit inked the polemical appointment of Gen. Gregory Deng at J1. It was exactly the third day of the New Year and the New Year's wishes were still fresh in everyone's mind. With that appointment, President has controversially coloured the wishes of the New Year.

For some in Gogrial state (Pres. Kiir's own state) who thought that 2016 was not fair to them economically and politically because of former governor Gum being in power, and they were wishing the New Year to come with many desirable items on its menu ranging from political to economical, I want to say congratulations!
President Kiir has served you with Gen. Gregory on gubernatorial plate as your best New Year wish on the 2017 political menu.

Maburuk! to those who tie their political fortunes to the political success of Gen. Gregory that, please, enjoy but don't forget that there are many challenges lying ahead there and if you don't work hard to maintain this seat by delivering what is expected of you to the people of Gogrial state, then be mindful what brought Gregory may take him away any time.

To those who are mourning the removal of Gum and thinking that it is the their end and a bad kick start of 2017, I want to tell them that, be strong, “PINY ATOU ALONG DET”… President Gives and President Takes!

Arguably, the appointment of Gen. Gregory as a governor for President's home state has glimmered a lot of debate on social media. The appointment did not only draw mixed reactions from Gogrial state natives but throughout the country with some SPLM politicians, writers and analysts defining it in their own terms.

“I disagree sharply with the President's decision to appoint his brother-in-law as the governor of Gogrial state. This decision is against the SPLM principle of equality and Justice; it is a clear sign of bad governance because this post is electable and any appointment can't be done based on marital/social or any similar blood/favoritisms relations,” blasts Suzanne Jambo, former SPLM secretary for external affairs (now a opponent of the president).

Meanwhile, Agel Riing Machar, a senior member of SPLA-IO (Vice-president Taban's faction) Military Council and a former youth leader, chipped in: “The debate should focus on his capability and track records rather than his relationship with the President. He is an excellence choice for the portfolio. The people of Gogrial state can benefit from his connections and influence at the National level as well as regionally and internationally in areas of business and governance.”

To define this appointment based on South Sudanese standard, there is no way that it would fit in any description rather than “nepotism” given the way we view things with our tribal or communal/sectional lenses where one's relationship with an employer always triumphs one's capability.

However, to define this appointment based on law, it is on “meritocracy.”
In America, when President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert, as an attorney General, some media pundits and analysts described the appointment as based on nepotism rather than on merits.

Robert Francis was argued to be under-qualified for the job because he was only 35 years old with a few years of legal service as legal counsel to two senate committees; however, with the backing of his brother, he passed the senate vetting.

“It is not simply good enough to name a bright young political manager, no matter how bright or how young or how personally loyal, to a major post in government”, the New York Times editorialized after the nomination.

A member of Senate later observed, “it was nepotism, I mean; he was the brother of the President”. Anthony Lewis, a veteran courts reporter said “though it was simply awful idea, Kennedy was a zealot with no understanding of the terrible responsibilities of an attorney General.”

After the assassination of President Kennedy, his successor, President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 was prompted by the appointment of Robert to lobby and sign into law a Nepotism statue prohibiting a President from appointing a family member.

Legally speaking, it is generally agreed among legal scholars that “Nepotism”, for purposes of the law, refers to the hiring and advancement of un- or under-qualified relatives simply by virtue of their relationship with an employer or officer. In other words, it's only restricted if the appointee is not qualified for the position.

So, given how nepotism is viewed legally, and therefore could be argued in court, for the purpose of law, Gregory has both academic merits and experiences that can qualify him not only for gubernatorial portfolio but for any portfolio in Kiir's government or in any other government to come.

The question of nepotism can be licit only if we have anti-nepotism law in our constitution like in the U.S.A and if he were under-qualified for the job. Unfortunately, with the absolute absence of such law as of now in our constitution, we can only objurgate the appointment made by any public officials such as the President, ministers, or governors as based on “nepotism” only if the appointee has no merits or under-qualified to claim that post.

It is also up to our legislators to legislate an anti-nepotism law if they see that the appointment of Gregory could possibly open a Pandora box of nepotism and may be of advantage to some corrupt public officials who might use it as an ambiguity to employ their unqualified relatives.

Therefore, it is upon our legislators whether to legislate it or not or the public should shut up feeble and incoherent arguments of fanciful articles in our constitution being infracted by the appointment of relatives by public officials.

Gregory didn't become President's brother-in-law in 2017 nor did he divulge his political ambitions to lead people (in various capacities) after Kiir assumed presidency.
Gregory got his first political assignment in 2002 by late Dr. John Garang as the first commissioner for Gogrial East County. He is brilliant, thoughtful, politically ambitious, undoubtedly articulate, and wondrously learned with good qualities of a leader; however, the history of defunct Warrap politics of “stabbing the back” and his previous records in commissionership office can be the best guide to foretell his success or failure, politically, socially, and security-wise.

He has his own political ambitions to achieve and he had laid bare his desire many times to be a governor of the defunct Warrap state before and after 2010 elections. In 2010, Gregory was among the three gubernatorial aspirants for Warrap state whose names were sent to SPLM political bureau in Juba for final nomination of one candidate to battle it out with other candidates in 2010 General Elections.

Unluckily, Gregory lost the nomination to Nyandeng Malek, however, he accepted the decision of political bureau and campaigned vigorously for Nyandeng to win the election. Sometimes later after her election, Gregory fell out with Nyandeng and joined the voices calling for her removal.

Debatably, with the election time remaining uncertain and the life span of the presidency that you can't predict, Gregory had run out of long wait for General Election to contest but to lobby Gogrial community and other political deities to support him and convince the President that it is now a high time for Gregory to govern Gogrial state.

Gregory is an entity, a person with his own political ambitions different from Kiir's and has a right to enjoy all the rights and privileges that every citizen in South Sudan is entitled to in our constitution; and it is unfair to divest him of these rights because of his mere relationship with the President.

Therefore, what matters the most is not how Gregory is related to the President but whether or not he has what it takes to be in that position; for example, does he have clear track records; does he understand the values and ideals of the state that he is going to govern; does he understand the urgent need of the people of Gogrial state; does he understand that he is now a politician and his high military ranks can't immune him from being condemned if he does something wrong; does he understand that the military philosophy of “whatever your boss says is true” doesn't work in politics; and does he understand that in politics, critics or dissents are not jailed, intimidated, prosecuted, or exiled, but are given freedom of expression and debate them with open mind and challenge them with your achievements?

In conclusion, Gregory has been looking for this job for so long and now he has it. It is incumbent on him to clearly spell and work out his programs why had he been after this job for so long.

Gregory must take this assignment as a full time job and prove it to all people that he has political agendas in mind to implement and he is capable of holding any other senior government position than gubernatorial post.

In fact, many rich politicians like him often go for politics to top up their richness with power while others go for politics to change the lives of their people. Whether he is going to top up his riches with power or transform the lives of the people of Gogrial state, only time will tell.

Mr. Governor, don't smile too much, they will think otherwise; remember always, all eyes are on you!

Simon Yel Yel is co-editor (with Paanluel Wel) of the book of the President Kiir' speeches and essential writings published in two volumes as “Salva Kiir Mayardit: The Joshua of South Sudan”. He can be reached at maandeng2017@gmail.com

January 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Joint Ministerial Committee between Sudan and Belarus Tuesday announced that the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will visit Khartoum on Monday for the first time.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, Sudan's Oil Minister and head of the joint committee Mohamed Awad Zaid said Lukashenko would be accompanied by a senior economic delegation, pointing the visit comes upon an invitation from President Omer al-Bashir.

He added the visit aims to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries and to discuss a number of issues of common concern.

According to the Ministry of Oil, Lukashenko would meet al-Bashir and address the Sudanese parliament, pointing the two sides will hold ministerial meeting and sign a number of cooperation protocols and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).

It is noteworthy that the two countries in January 2015 signed a number of MoU in the domains of higher education, scientific research, pharmaceuticals, medical training, industrial cooperation and auto imports.

According to Sudanese officials, Sudan seeks to broaden the partnership to include industrial and agricultural domains in order to benefit from the Belarussian experience especially in the oil industry.

Last Tuesday, the economic development sector at the Sudanese Council of Ministers approved the report of the Joint Ministerial Committee between Sudan and Belarus.

Belarus is one of the Sudan armament providers. A military cooperation protocol covering training, exchange of experiences, and military science fields was inked between the two countries on June 15, 2006.

(ST)

January 9, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Information Minister Ahmed Balal Osman Monday disclosed an American initiative to hold a meeting between his government and the armed groups in France this week.

Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed al-Balal Osman speaks during a press conference in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on June 9, 2013. ( Photo AFP/ASHRAF SHAZLY)

In press statements Osman told reporters that the informal consultations meeting may take place on 15-16 January in Paris.

However, he didn't give further details about who will participate in the meeting or its agenda.

The opposition Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF)-Agar recently announced that the Sudan Call Leadership Council would meet from 15 to 20 January, but it was not clear if they would meet a government delegation.

Since the failure of August meeting in Addis Ababa over the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth met several times with the rebel groups and the government. He also held informal consultations meetings for the two sides in a bid to narrow the differences between the two sides.

The government went on with its national dialogue process saying the holdout groups can join the National Document of a conference held last October and participate in the transitional government. On the other hand, the opposition groups - including the Sudan Call forces- speak more and more about the need to conjugate efforts to overthrow the regime.

Speaking to the press in the capital of South Darfur Nyala, the British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron Monday said that his government last week in a meeting held in London had discussed the Roadmap Agreement implementation with the SPLM-N Secretary General, adding that Sudanese people would hear good news soon.

In a related development, the Sudanese communist Party Monday issued a statement reiterating its rejection for any process leading to a negotiated agreement with the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

"The clear position of the National Consensus Forces is to overthrow the regime by building a broader mass front," said the statement, adding "The conservative and traditional forces managed to bar the way for the uprising, circumvented it and emptied its goals and contents. This attitude has ultimately led to the entry of the country in the dark tunnel since the NIF coup in 1989".

The National Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi Sunday called on the United Nations in coordination with the African Union to adopt a resolution requiring Khartoum to implement the African Union Roadmap Agreement which paves the way for an inclusive process for peace and democratic reforms.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 10, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn said on Monday that his country will not free a prominent opposition leader from the restive Oromia region being jailed under the state of emergency decree.

Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn (Allafrica)

The Chairman of the Opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) party, Merara Gudina, was arrested last month upon return from a meeting with European Union (EU) lawmakers in Belgium.

In Brussels, Merara appeared at the EU parliament to testify on the recent political crises and reports of alleged human right violations in the horn of Africa's nation.

Merara appeared at EU Parliament along with Birhanu Nega, leader of Ginbot-7, an exiled opposition movement long branded by Ethiopia as terrorist entity.

Also present at the EU Parliament was Feyisa Lellisa, Ethiopian Olympic Athlete who staged a protest sign at the Rio Olympics when he came second in a marathon race.

Ethiopian officials told Sudan Tribune Tuesday that the opposition leader was arrested for trespassing the state emergency ruling. Ethiopia imposed a six-month state of emergency in October following months of deadly protests in parts of the country.

The country faced an unprecedented wave of protests mainly in Oromia and Amhara regions over territorial as well as wider political and economic rights.

The decree's directive Article-2 prohibits any individual from communicating with banned opposition organisations or other "anti-peace" elements.

However, the Ethiopian Prime Minister on Monday said his country would not release the prominent opposition leader, but rather allow him face the courts of law.

"Individuals in EU Parliament who are harbouring anti-peace elements can't save those who trespass the law of the country", Hailemariam told reporters.

Opposition officials today told Sudan Tribune that Merara is likely to be tried under the country's anti-terrorism law, which right groups allege is being used as a tool to stifle freedom of speech and to arrest opposition members and critical journalists.

They say the state emergency law has severely affected opposition activities.

Right groups have also said that the decree has affected freedom of expression, dissent and independent reporting.

Ethiopian authorities have arrested over 20,000 suspects since the decree was declared last October in a bid to arrest violence.

The state emergency set to end in May is Ethiopia's first in over quarter a century.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister said the state of emergency decree has brought calm and could be lifted, considering the gains it had so far achieved.

"As far as the date of lifting the state emergency is concerned, it should be seen in the perspectives that we have to consolidate the gains that we have made so far" he added, but did not hint on whether his government would extend the decree after its end.

(ST)

January 10, 2017 (JUBA) - A top South Sudanese rebel commander has warned that rivalry between two rebel factions poses a threat to the cause for which the two camps pledged to pursue jointly.

Maj. Gen. Peter Gadet

Violence has, in recent weeks, risen in parts of South Sudan, which is dominated by the rebels under the command and leadership of former First Vice-President, Riek Machar.

Observers say disputes between Machar's predominantly ethnic Nuer and Lam Akol's Shilluk is attributed to the latest wave of power struggles between the rival factions.

The violence includes political assassinations disrupting the common goal for which the two rebels came into existence and threatens to destabilize the entire country.

So far, 2 top rebel commanders, all allied to Akol's National Democratic Movement — have been assassinated in what seems a contest for influence and control of the area.

Peter Gadet, a top rebel commander and one of those who defected from Machar before the signing of the 2015 peace agreement, sees a link between the two rebel factions as a threat to the cause for taking arms struggle against the Juba regime.

“Everyone was caught by surprise by what happened in Upper Nile. Nobody was expecting that. Nobody was expecting that the differences in views would escalate into the killings between colleagues whose objective is one: to remove the dictatorial regime under Salva Kiir in Juba. By turning on each other in the bush, what have they achieved than killing themselves?" Gadet told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He added, "They have now empowered the regime, which I believe is the one engineering this. It is the regime”.

Gadet said rivalry has shifted to who should have leverage and control over the local people.

"This wave of violence shows there is a real threat that it would derail the focus on the main cause for which these movements were formed. “We are now talking about a security situation that is different than the sectarian fighting, when there are groups fighting against the government and against those who cooperated with the government," the top rebel commander stressed.

"We now have two main groups in the same community and they both accept the political process. But each one wants to be the sole representative of the movement and within the area," he added.

Last week, top rebel commanders, Gabriel Tanginye and Yohanis Okiech were killed in an apparent power struggle in South Sudan's Upper Nile state.

(ST)

January 9, 2017 (BENTIU) – Major defections have hit the South Sudanese army (SPLA) in Unity State after dozens of its forces reportedly joined the armed opposition allied to first Vice-President, Riek Machar in the north of the state.

SPLA forces in Wau town on May 16; 2016 (ST Photo)

In a statement, the armed opposition spokesperson, Col. William Deng, claimed 250 soldiers defected from Mayom county, northwest of Bentiu town.

Those who defected, he said, were commanded by Col. Simon Mayiel Kulang from brigade 12, division 3 and reported at Panakuach, north of Unity state.

“These huge forces defected with 11 PKM, seven RPGs and a vehicle mounted with enough ammunition,” he said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The defectors, Deng further said, were received by their sector two commander, Lt. General Maguek Gai Majak at the armed opposition base in Panakuach.

The anticipated the numbers of those who defected to steadily rise with time.

“At least 250 soldiers defected to us yesterday [Sunday] and we have welcomed them to division 4 headquarters in the area,” the rebel official said.

“The number of the [pro-government] soldiers may be more than that. But this is a preliminary report I received from the ground,” he further told Sudan Tribune.

Meanwhile, Kulang accused the Juba government of allegedly practicing tribalism and nepotism, which has forced soldiers to defect to the rebels.

The rebel spokesperson also renewed claims the Sudanese rebels still exist in Unity State to fight alongside forces allied to President Salva Kiir's soldiers.

“The regime in Juba has also maintained it close relationship with the Sudanese rebels, including the Justice and Equality Movement or JEM and SPLA-North that the regime has been relying on since it imposed this war on the people of South Sudan,” further stressed the armed opposition's statement.

The rebel faction warned that there could be further escalation of the current conflict should government and its allied forces continue attacking armed opposition troops.

(ST)

January 9, 2017 (LEER) – Humanitarian operation in Southern Liech, one of South Sudan's new states is on the decline, with aid workers accusing the country's two main rival forces of blocking their work.

A group of displaced women wait registration under mango tree in Nzara county, 2010 (ST Photo)

James Andrew, an area aid worker, told Sudan Tribune Monday that security in Leer town and its surrounding villages is on the decline.

“It has not been easy for us to reach the victims in several places. Both pro-government forces and armed rebels harass us as we take assistance to the vulnerable civilians displaced by war,” he said.

Mary, a 28-year humanitarian worker on ground also echoed the mistreatments of non-governmental organization workers in the area.

“We have been facing hardships while giving assistance to the committees affected by the conflicts, whether in areas held by government or SPLM-IO [South Sudan armed opposition faction. It had never been an easy task to reach those in need,” she said.

The government chief whip, Khan Nin Yieh, claims the dismissal of the deputy governor has affected the achievement of peace and unity.

He said the removal of Simon Chuol Biel at this particular time, will be more difficult for the operation, describing the former deputy governor as the most understanding leader on the government side.

“The deputy governor remains the simplest man, who always stands with everybody in Southern Liech state in particular his cooperation with several aid workers, making their work easy on ground,” he said.

Southern Liech remains one of the areas currently being contested between the armed opposition forces and South Sudan army (SPLA).

Leer town had been a scene of fierce battles between South Sudan's warring factions, with Human Right Watch documenting what it says are some of the worst human rights abuses in the country.

(ST)