Sudan Tribune

January 6, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement Friday denied statements by Sudanese presidential aide that an agreement has been reached with two Darfur rebel movements on major issues at informal meetings held recently.

Chief negotiator of JEM & SLM-MM delegation Ahmed Tugud and his delegation member Sayed Sharif (C) seen after a meeting with the mediation, while the government chief negotiators listens to unidentified interlocutors on Sunday November 22, 2015 (ST Photo)

JEM, Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the Sudanese government last held several informal consultations meetings in Addis Ababa and Doha brokered by Uganda and U.S. special envoy for two Sudans, and Qatar.

Following his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy, Nicholas Haysom on Wednesday, Sudanese Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid said the “government, in informal meetings held earlier, has reached an agreement with Darfur rebels on the major issues and we hope to settle the issue completely in the coming rounds of talks”.

JEM Chief Negotiator Ahmed Tugod Lissan denied that they had reached any compromise with the government since the end of the peace talks brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

"The Movement did not meet at all - either alone or jointly with the SLM-MM - with a National Congress Party (NCP) delegation to discuss any outstanding issues related to the cessation of hostilities or to the negotiations between the parties since the last round under the auspices of the AUHIP in Addis Ababa," Tugud said.

"We are not surprised that a leading NCP member lies because lying is part of their political methods," to cover up the massacres committed by their militiamen or the failure of the dialogue process, he added

In their last meeting from 9 to 14 August 2016, the government, JEM and SLM-MM discussed the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement and a humanitarian access agreement. The two deals are part of confidence building measures conceived by the mediation to pave the way for an inclusive national dialogue conference inside Sudan.

However the parties diverged on the location sites of rebel fighters and mechanisms for the monitoring of humanitarian assistance. Also, the two groups raised the release their prisoners from the Sudanese jails and the need to open the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) for discussions.

At the time, the AUHIP criticized the position of the two armed groups saying they “re-opened numerous issues that had previously been agreed and others which contradicted the Roadmap Agreement”. Also the mediation disclosed they refused the options the mediation proposed on the location sites of fighter.

In a bid to break the deadlock, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Donald Booth, and before him President Yoweri Museveni organized informal and separate consultations meetings with the parties to narrow the gaps between them.

Also, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister tasked with the implementation of the DDPD Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud and the head of UNAMID and Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi met with the two parties and made some proposals.

(ST)

January 6, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir expressed readiness and optimism of forging new working relations with the new Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, saying his administration appreciate and wants to enhance better working relations with the new leadership

“Sometimes situation creates misunderstanding, it creates confusion but with leadership, these challenges can be turned into opportunity to address the issues of concern. I extend you, your Excellency, on behalf of the people of South Sudan and the government the support your office would require so that we all work together in championing universal principles and ideals enshrined in the UN charter”, president Kiir said in a congratulatory message address to the new Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who assumed office this week.

Kiir said he would like the United Nations and other western countries to look at South Sudan as a member state with equal rights, sovereignty and leadership ready to work with the global community.

He said sanctions and arms embargo would not solve the problem but rather support for peaceful dialogue and nonpartisan engagement of the international community would address the conflict.

“We say sanctions and arms embargo would not contribute to addressing the issues of war, instead they will exacerbate and undermine the process”, he added in a 1st January 2017 message seen by Sudan Tribune on Friday.

The message is his first official reaction to a draft resolution by the United States, backed by Britain and France, seeking to impose arms embargo after it warned of a risk of impending mass atrocities and genocide.

The measure, however, fell short of the nine votes needed for adoption in the 15-member council.

Russia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Venezuela and three African council members — Angola, Egypt and Senegal, abstained from the voted after they all expressed serious reservations.

Activists and human right groups viewed the rejection of the arms embargo a setback for the United States, which helped South Sudan to gain independence in 2011 but has been unable to steer the country away from a war that erupted two years later.

If the proposal was approved it would have seen rebel leader Riek Machar, Chief of General Staff of the government forces and a key ally of President Kiir, Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei, put on a sanctions blacklist and subjected to an assets freeze and a global travel ban.

Japan, which has some 350 troops serving in the UN mission in South Sudan, has argued that the measures, if adopted, would antagonize President Kiir's government and put peacekeepers' lives at risk.

Opponents of the sanctions point to Kiir's call earlier this month for a national dialogue process to restore peace, saying that initiative must be given a chance.

However, the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was backing the U.S. push for sanctions on South Sudan, saying an embargo would reduce the capacity of all sides to wage war.

"If we fail to act, South Sudan will be on a trajectory towards mass atrocities," Ban told the Council. The proposal provides for a one-year ban on the “supply, sale or transfer” of “arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment” as well as spares parts.

The world's youngest nation, South Sudan descended into war in December 2013, leaving tens of thousands dead and more than 3.1 million people displaced.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power argued at the time of failing to secure the support of other members that all sides were mobilizing for more fighting and that action was needed to prevent a bloodbath.

"The situation is not getting better, but worse, and we are sitting on our hands," Power told the council on Monday. "Large-scale attacks could start at any moment."

Russian Deputy Ambassador Petr Iliichev expressed different view of the warning and cast doubt over warnings of a risk of genocide, arguing that criminal groups and "undisciplined" troops were responsible for mass violence, and not the government's policy.

There is growing alarm over the humanitarian crisis in the country as the conflict enters its fourth year.

More than 6 million people — half of South Sudan's population — are in need of urgent aid and humanitarian organizations expect this number to rise by 20 to 30 percent next year.

Some 1.3 million South Sudanese have fled across borders as refugees, including 383,000 who have fled to Uganda since July, according to UN figures.

(ST)

By Trayo A. Ali

On January first 2017 Sudan celebrated Sixty One anniversary of its Independence Day. Unfortunately, neither the political environment is pretty cozy nor the public mood is festive to stomach the occasion. It is rather all out grief, state of mourning, and sorrow. The news is polluted and the air is contaminated with blood. The smell is all gun-powder than an odour. Orphan children, street boys and school dropped youngsters out number their age group who have access to milk, bread, butter and class room. The horizon is getting ever darker and hopes getting dashed. It's a suffocating air. The Six Decades of the independence are lost case and the ordinary Sudanese manages to erase the bad memories while the government insist to force and fool by way of a fake celebration. The government should stop selling the wind to boats.

Hailing the conquered is never the answer
The state of Sudan is a failure case and the Six Decades of the claimed Independence are a lost ones. What is there then to celebrate for it at all?.
The independence is meaningless and celebration is worthless unless it's totally associated with the welfare of the people. Progress, prosperity, voluntary unity, peace, security, stability, equality and education for all.
The independence anniversary is usually considered as a time to exercise sober reflection, soul searching and self reexamination for stock taking.
The true independence is measured up by indicators that answer questions such as:
How much prosperity and welfare of the citizen is achieved? How equal are the concerned citizens? How dignified are they before their state? How much security they enjoy? How much its leaders (men or women) are of integrity who cheer accountability? How affordable the necessary services to the disposal of the citizen (education, health, food, clean water, shelter, electricity and roads)? How clean the environment?
This is how the relevancy of any independence is measured. Ask the Koreans, the Ghanaians, the Tanzanians, the Senegalese and the rest of the Sexagenarian nations. All are age group of the Sudan.
The Britons have every right to question the ability and stamina of Sudanese leaders for self management.

The missing link is visionary leadership
"He who has nothing can offer nothing". How can any independence be credible and meaningful if it only generates death, misery, abject poverty, hunger, wars, diseases, ignorance, corruption, thievery, greed, nepotism, racism, hatred, genocide, indiscipline, abuse of power, brutality, displacement, refuge, insensitivity, frustration, extremism, intolerance, exclusion, marginalization, dishonesty, divisions, mediocrity, dependency ?. It only takes a crook regime like the Islamist NCP government to insist on presenting false facts to fool its citizens. You can fool some peole some time or all people for some time but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
So what the celebration for?. Aren't we exercising a kind of self deception in hailing the conquered instead of hailing the conqueror hero? Aren't we only adding insult to injury?. Stupid level of ostracization and a state of living in denial

Challenges and fundamentals. None is fixed
How can the independence be relevant and worth celebrating if it was not able to identify the challenges and failed to fix the fundamentals ? .

Searching for identity: Zebra, Donkey or Zonkey ?
No nation can conduct its affair in this manner. Any meaningful progress and development can only take place in the context of redefined identity acceptable to all. What does it mean when a president of nation confess and publicly declares that his country has failed to redefine its identity after six decades of its independence? Does this situation deserve to be celebrated?
Strange for a sexagenarian nation searching for identity ? Unable to identify itself whether Is it Zebra, donkey or Zonkey ? Are we celebrating Zebra, or donkey or Zonkey for a Zonkey is a hybrid. The celebrators should tell us.

Indeed Fire gives birth to ashes
Sudan (once a cradle of African civilization) is in state of evaporation. It is reduced into smoke. Professor Leopold Senghor of Senegal statement clicks our memory. He once noted that "Sudan made the worst choice. Instead of becoming the best of Africans it chose to be the worst of Arabs". Indeed history does not have a mercy upon a fool who mess and tamper with it. The circumstances will dictate upon a kind of revenge you deserve. It is humiliating.

Aluta must continua till the beautiful ones are born.
Sudanese must continue to fight for conditions that deserve a meaningful and useful celebration. They should first liberate themselves from the yoke of dictatorship. Dignity must reign, prosperity must prevail. Peace and security of the citizen must be the order of the day. That was when it give birth to the beautiful ones. They are not yet born. Only then they can have enjoyable, credible and sustainable independence that is truly independent. Only then Sudan deserve national celebration.

African Peace Information Service (APIN). He can be reached at saharaclub2015@gmail.com

January 5, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Khartoum and Juba governments Thursday signed an agreement extending river and land transit of international humanitarian assistance for the South Sudanese civilians for a six month period.

In July 2014, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to open a humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese through the Nile river or by road.

The cross-border operation allows the World Foord Programmes (WFP) to reduce the costly airlift or airdrop operations in a time where the international agency faces serious financial challenges.

The MoU was signed by the Sudanese Deputy Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Ahmed Mohamed Osman and South Sudanese Ambassador to Khartoum, Mayan Dut Waal.

Speaking to the media following the signing ceremony, the Sudanese humanitarian official said the extension of the agreement contributes to consolidate human relations between the two countries.

He further stressed that the Sudanese government would continue to exert the needed efforts with international partners to deliver humanitarian assistance to the affected people in South Sudan.

"We reaffirm the keenness of the government of Sudan to provide all possible facilities for the passage of humanitarian aid into South Sudan," he added.

River transport of goods across the joint stopped after the border's closure following South Sudan's independence in 2011 as Khartoum accused Juba of supporting Sudanese rebels in the Two Areas.

The resumption of river and road transport enabled the WFP to deliver hundreds of metric tons of food to South Sudanese. Barges loaded of food reached South Sudanese in the Upper Nile state towns of Renk and Wadakona.

(ST)

January 5, 2017 (JUBA) - A top South Sudanese rebel commander has been killed after squabbles erupted over the allegiance and the objective of the armed struggle.

Gabriel Tanginye shakes hands with leading members of the Nuer tribal community in Unity state, Bentiu on October 19, 2010 (AP)

Gabriel Tanginye was killed on Wednesday during a clash in which more than 20 others lost lives. The exact circumstances under which the attack took place remain unclear. Military sources and relatives have provided conflicting accounts surrounding the incident.

Military spokespersons representing two rebel leaders, Lam Akol and RiekMachar, confirmed his death in separate statements without elaborating on the circumstances under the attack was carried and which the sides initiated it.

Tanginye was one of the senior rebel commanders who switched side from the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition under the overall command and leadership of the former vice president, Riek Machar before the signing of the 2015 peace agreement.

He remains one of the holdout rebel commanders and did not join Machar when the new conflict resumed.

He opted to remain at South Sudan-Sudanese border as independent commander until Lam Akol resigned from the unity government in which he served as the minister of agriculture and formed his own rebel movement.

Sources say Akol later recruited Tanginye as one of his commanders. Others refute the reports of having joined Akol, saying Tanginye was only in the area under the control of Akol's commander Yohanis Okech, whose headquarters came under attack on Wednesday by a group allied to Machar, resulting in the clash in which several lives, including Tanginye and his son were lost.

“As far I know, I don't think Tanginye was one of the commanders under Lam Akol. He was only in the area preparing to go to Fangak area, where he wanted to carry out his own recruitment.

His mission to the area took sometimes due to logistics and so he decided to stay with Yohanis Okich, who is the commander of the forces under Lam Akol. He was there because of personal relations between the two men. They are friends”, a source with the direct knowledge of the situation told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

The source explained Tanginye became the victim of an internal conflict between Okich and Johnson Olony, who is the commander, allied to Riek Machar forces in the area.

(ST)

January 5, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Interior Minister, Ismat Abdel Rahman Zein al-Abdin, Wednesday has called for the intervention of the army to end the control of armed militias over gold mines in North Darfur State.

Interior minister Ismat Abdel-Rahman (SUNA Photo)

Responding to a questions by a Sudanese lawmaker about presence of foreigners at the gold mines in North Darfur State, the minister admitted that the Jebel Amir gold mines are under the control of "foreign elements, and some dual national armed tribal groups in the region".

Fighting between two government allied Arab militias of Bani Hussein and Abbala Rizeigat tribes during the year 2013 resulted in the death of over 800 people and displaced 105,000 others. Since, the Abbala militiamen control the area.

In their report of July 2016, UN experts said Abbala militiamen under the control of Musa Hilal control at least 400 mines. They said the group earns some $54 million annually from levies on prospectors and support businesses, direct prospecting and the illegal exporting of mined gold.

"They are more than 3,000 heavily armed foreigners riding four-wheel-drive vehicles in the gold rich area in addition to other foreigners the interior ministry was not able to count because of the 'overlapping tribal ties in Jebel Amir," said the minister.

"The Ministry is in need of heavy machinery and tanks to break up the heavily armed groups." further said Ismat who is a former Chief of Staff of the Sudan Armed Forces.

He disclosed that an inter-ministerial meeting will be held next week including officials from the North Darfur State; ministry of minerals, interior ministry and other services to discuss the needed solutions and to mull over a plan on how to intervene in the area.

The minister stressed that the alone police would not be able to face what he called "the enormous quantity of foreigners", pointing they had failed to control the area in the past because of the huge military machinery of foreign miners and people with dual nationality.

"We cannot confront this colossal quantity of vehicles, and we need to advanced weapons," he said.

(ST)

January 4, 2017 (YAMBIO) – Hundreds of citizens, mostly women and children from South Sudan's Gbudue state have reportedly fled their homes and are currently taking refuge in schools around Yambio town as a result of the killings and burning of houses along the Rimenze-Yambio road.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

An elderly man who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, said he fled due to fears he could be killed after all homes within his neighbourhood were set ablaze and properties looted.

“We are running away from our homes fearing death and all our belonging have been looted and houses are burnt and we decided to flee to Yambio town where life can be better for us,” he explained.

A few dead bodies, he added, were lying on the road between Rimenze and Yambio.

Eye witnesses have accused government's organized forces, who were deployed to the area to provide security, for the allegedly killing innocent people and burning their houses while warning the community in the area to evacuate and leave the area for destruction. Those who resisted were allegedly killed.

On Wednesday, the acting state governor, Victor Edward visited displaced persons in Nabima primary school and brief the displaced people about the situation, assuring them that calm would be restored.

“We are going for a security meeting to discuss about the safety of the community, if it is the organized forces who were deployed there are the problem, we will call them back from those areas,” said Edward.

The security situation in Gbudue state continues to worsen after the Christmas and New Year periods, as armed men have continued looting, while over five civilians were reported killed in the same period.

Meanwhile, World Vision, UNICEF, and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission are reportedly conducting assessment in order to supply the necessary humanitarian assistance to the population.

(ST)

January 04, 2017 (JUBA) – Authorities in South Sudan's Jongeli state have assured citizens of security after several cattle raids and child abductions blamed on Murle tribesmen from neighbouring Boma state.

Jonglei state governor, Phillip Aguer speaks during the independence occassion July 9, 2016 (ST)

The governor of Jonglei, Philip Aguer said he was closely working with his Boma counterpart, Baba Medan Konyi and the national government to devise a proper plan for identifying the suspects.

"When we join hands with Boma [state] and South Sudan army, the unknown criminals will be known this dry season," stressed Aguer.

Cattle raiding and child abductions rocked Jonglei state in December last year, while an attack on Christmas day in Twic North county left over a dozen people dead and several others injured.

Although both raids were blamed on Murle tribesmen from Boma state, its officials have repeatedly denied involvement of their people.

The raids increased at the time both states were engaged in peaceful resolution of the tribal hostilities. A peace agreement between Bor and Pibor was signed on 4 December, 2016 - only to be followed by several attacks north and south of Jonglei.

In the agreement facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the two states agreed to form a joint police force to patrol the borders of the rival communities and arrest cattle raiders.

However, the 500-strong joint police force is yet to be established.

(ST)

January 4, 2017 (JUBA) - Government official who just ended a visit to Yei says South Sudanese in the volatile Yei River State have called on President Salva Kiir to end war in and achieve reconciliation.

S. Sudan cabinet minister Martin Elia Lomoro (Photo KT Press)

UN officials including UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, issued reports about the deterioration of the security situation and massive displacement of civilians in Yei.

On Wednesday the delegation which had been led by the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai presented a report President Salva Kiir, petitioning him personally to reach out and speak out directly to the aggrieved population.

Cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro told reporters that every group they met has a special message to the President. So they decided to compile all the messages they were given by various groups into a single and detailed report.

“You know every group we met and held discussion with them has a special message to the president. Their messages are all about peace, they want the war to stop. " said Lomuro.

"They want their people come out from wherever they have run and return to their homes. They also want reconciliation and indeed I accept. This country needs to reconcile,” he stressed.

The minister who was part of the two-day visit to Yei said the journey was a successful mission, as they met all components of the government and civil society including traditional leader.

"We met with the governor and his cabinet members, members of parliament, traditional leaders, youth, women, members of the civil society, everybody," he said.

Last October, a delegation led former governor of Central Equatoria state, Clement Wani Konga, who is the current presidential advisor for special affairs with Daniel Awet Akot, presidential advisor on political affairs was in Yei to assess the security situation and the causes on the attacks on civilians by the government forces.

Local youth groups loyal to the SPLM-Io leader Riek Machar carried out attacks on the government forces. The latter launched reprisal assaults on the civilians in a bid to quell the insurgency.

Following a visit to the area last November, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide told reporters in Juba about violence escalating along ethnic lines, and mentioned the risk of a genocide there.

He also made a report to the UN Security Council where spoke about fears among local population

"When I visited, there was widespread fear among the population. One person told me in desperation, “Tonight I don't know what will happen to me.” An elder expressed terror that his community would be “finished.” Dieng told the Security Council.

(ST)

By Longar Mathiec Wol

The problems that faces South Sudan are either made within or millions mile away and affect the innocent citizens of South Sudan. Regardless of the foil attempted coup according to the government description or misunderstanding or massacre of Nuer in Juba. The songs of regime changes continues from the initiators and implementers. Now, that the people of South Sudan has come back to their senses and agreed to bring peace to their country although is still shaking, we don't know whether the initiators of regime change will look for other avenues to overthrow the government of South Sudan.

Yes they are trying hard those avenues through economics and social uprising but the people of South Sudan have seen enough and I don't think whether they are ready to continue perusing the regime change that goes through rough roads. The only way I know people of south Sudan can change a regime is through ballot papers apart from that is a destruction of the country. But are we ready to destroy what we have been fighting for generations, almost half a century need to be destroyed only for the interest of the few who need to retain their positions.

Last three or more years we waged war against ourselves and now that the unstable peace has come back, not all of us are benefiting in term of positions that are shared among the warring parties, you and I who were not in the government still remain out of the government; then the question is why do we fight ourselves for the other people positions instead of continuing building a peaceful South Sudan where we do our own businesses and raise our children and educate them. The only benefit I know about this peace hopefully if it work is the silencing of the guns and some of us who their relative are lucky to be appointed in the government go for begging and grouping and gossiping for the whole day which is not helping us in any way.

So now the madness is almost coming to an end, but people are still contemplating what cause the conflict and if it stops from there, what will prevent the repeat of the same things in the future. Since we knew or some of us knew that we were either incited within or outside the country to kill ourselves for unknown reasons. Now we have known the disadvantages and advantages of what to gain and what to loose. Those who think that rebellion is the way to get the top positions in public services is nothing but a betrayal of your people who suffered for long.

Since we learn rebellions in the name of change is not taking us anywhere; therefore, is time to look for another alternative way of changing the government and that is through the ballot box. Here I am talking of democracy as the only main that can work in 21st century. Therefore, it will take us to why the regime change advocate outside democracy within or outside the country hasn't work and won't work.

Why regime change hasn't work is because people of South Sudan struggle for long and they were not ready to make short cut by overthrowing the government they struggle for long to bring to it existences. People were busy with their social activities to rebuild their lives that has been destroyed by the colonial regime. People were not ready for any struggle any time soon regardless of whether the dictatorship that has been advocated by the opposition exist or not. It was too early for another struggle for the people of South Sudan who were demoralized by the longer and brutal civil war in Africa unless through democratic main.

Lack of trust from the man who led the process by the majority of the people of South Sudan. since the leader of the opposition was one time betrayed the people of South Sudan during the independence struggle and kill many people to what become known as Bor massacre which make people lost confidence hope in him regardless of the apology he made to the people of Bor still it would have taken time for the people he apologized to observe him and slowly regain trust with time and to see whether to accept the apology or to live with it. But immediately the same man has repeat the same mistake that make many people to be reluctant in joining the second struggle.

Tribalism propaganda, the coup or whatever it's call, immediately after it fail the only option was tribe. So me personally I think the tribe propaganda led to the failure in opposition side even people who lost confidence in government remain behind assuming that they would be victimize based on the tribe. Also, since Nuer and Dinka has been having issues of cattle raiding and communal violent among themselves for so long complicated the matter. People turn blind eyes to the mistake both leaders from the government side and the opposition side did and remain loyal to them (two leaders) regardless of the failure both leaders had.

The mentality of Junubin won't allow coup in South Sudan regardless of whatever the case might be I think it will never work and if it work it might lead toward genocide since the tribe comes to power through coup might see itself as superior and the rest inferior. What make President kiir's government to continue to exist besides all the challenges is because some people know they have voted for it. That what I think safe it. You might have difference explanation. Another reason I think the use of force won't work is because we militarize society. We have been in war for long and our experiences toward war made people to not longer fear war since it almost becomes part of their daily life and war seems to be like a joke so when it happened some enjoy.

People are tired of the western countries incitement in Africa, some of the Africans are beginning to understand that western countries still have the indirect ideological colonization. They only accept leader or leaders in Africa who only do what they want and when the leader goes against their will they will come up with what is called regime change as tool of threatening the weak government in Africa. Now people have understand and will no longer be abide by that negative ideologies of divided and rule, where the divided people based on their tribes, incite them to kill themselves and when one tribe become victorious they install it in power so that they can access to whatever they want from that poor and weak country. Africans knew that trick and they are tired of it.

The opposition leader is not an alternative to Salva Kiir in my own view for a reason that they were in the same government as president and vice president respectively for eight years. If he was to do something good to the people of South Sudan he could have done since he was the man in charge of South Sudan since Salva Kiir was a First Vice President of the then Sudan government. What did he do to convince the people that during his time he has done this and that so that people will see him as an alternative for a position or not, he didn't do that. How does he expect people to choose him as alternative with failure that is known by everyone in the country?

Riek is tribalistic in nature, when someone who had been a vice president and a first vice president a man known as academician base his political interest all the time on tribe. That approach made people to think that if this person come to power than he might decide to silence or target certain tribes in his government.

The only way for the people of the great country South Sudan is to put aside their tribal affiliation and ask themselves tough questions and the way forward. Democratizing our country is best way forward toward resolving our own problems. We are a country multiethnic groups ever in Africa; if we put our tribal loyalty aside and become loyal to our country we will one day become strongest country in African and if possible in the world.

The author can reached at longarmaxiech@gmail.com

January 4, 2017 (JUBA)-The command of South Sudanese army (SPLA) has denied clashing with rebels in Eastern Equatoria region, describing claims to have captured military posts in Torit as "making of the New Year".

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

“The New Year celebrations in the country and particularly in Eastern Equatoria went well. The security situation is under control. There was no problem, no clashes; everything is quite and calm”, a military officer in Torit town told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday when reached to comment on reports that a military outpost was overran and briefly controlled by armed dissident youth in the area.

The acting spokesperson of the government forces, Dominic Santo said in a separate statement he was not aware of fighting in Torit and its environs, asserting that neither the state governor nor command of the government forces in the area had reached out to the general command with reports of clashes.

He however confirmed a road ambush by gunmen he described as "bandits" on Monday and raid on a village on Tuesday. Several civilians also confirmed road ambush incident and denied fighting in Torit town.

While the spokesperson of the government forces denied any knowledge of the clashes, the spokesperson of the rebel SPLA-IO led by Riek Machar claimed to have overran a military outpost where they killed 20 military and captured several other weapons in a place called Lolore and Cholore along Magwi road.

“It was in the afternoon when the SPLA-IG launched an attack on the SPLA-IO at the contention base along Torit, Maguiy (Magwi) road at the area called Lolore. The attackers were repulsed and pursued back to Cholore, the out cut (outskirts) of Torit town, 30 minutes' walk after a fierce battle shown to them by the freedom fighters commanded by Gen. Fatrick Ohiti”, the statement reads in part.

The statement bearing the name of Col. William Gatjiath Deng, spokesperson of Riek Machar forces, claimed 20 dead bodies were found exposed on the sunshine and 36 Ak -47, 4 PKM machine guns and 2 RPG-7 are captured in good condition. Other weapons claimed to have been captured after the clash was pickup truck mounted with 12.7. The vehicle has allegedly been destroyed.

It claimed wide spread vanishing of the civilians in the whole of Equatoria region since last year. Systematic killings of the innocent people, rape of teenage girls and women and the burn down villages everywhere, forcing the affected civilians to leave their homes and to take refuge in the forests.

(ST)

(ST)

January 4, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom on Wednesday has called for the need to achieve total peace between the two neighbouring countries.

Haysom, who met with the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir in Khartoum Wednesday, said the “international community seeks to restore normal relations between Khartoum and Juba and create opportunities to achieve development and stability in South Sudan”.

He called for the need to achieve full peace between Sudan and South Sudan through continued contacts.

The UN envoy told reporters that he discussed with al-Bashir the conditions in the two nations and the role that could be played by Sudan as a member of the regional bloc IGAD to achieve peace and stability in South Sudan.

“The meeting also reviewed relations between Khartoum and Juba and how they could cooperate to achieve peace and stability in the region,” he said.

It is noteworthy that Haysom, who was appointed last March, visited Khartoum in August and discussed with al-Bashir regional issues particularly the situation in South Sudan as well as the outstanding issues between Juba and Khartoum.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern voters chose independence.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence following a series of disputes over a number of issues including mutual allegations pertaining to harbour and support of rebels.

In September 2012, both Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others.

In March 2013, the two countries signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements. However, the execution of the agreements didn't go according to the plan.

MEETING FM AND PRESIDENTIAL AIDE

In the same context, Haysom discussed with Sudan's presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud and Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour the situation in the region and the progress of implementation of agreements signed between Khartoum and Juba.

Ghandour briefed the UN envoy on the situation in Sudan especially with regard to efforts to achieve comprehensive peace and implementation of the national dialogue conference.

He also reviewed the current situation of relations with South Sudan, particularly regarding Juba's implementation of the requirements of the cooperation agreements and especially the security and political aspects.

(ST)

January 4, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government Wednesday disclosed it has agreed with two Darfur rebel movements on major issues at informal meetings held recently expressing hope to reach final agreement during the coming rounds of talks.

The Sudanese army and its allied militias have been fighting a number of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

Last August, direct peace talks in Addis Ababa, between Sudanese government and two Darfur groups, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) under the auspices of the African Union (AU) have collapsed after rebels throw out government requests to disclose fighters' locations.

Since last year, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni facilitated informal meetings in Kampala and Addis Ababa between the Sudanese government, the SLM-MM and JEM leaders.

Following his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom on Wednesday, Sudanese presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid said the “government, in informal meetings held earlier, has reached an agreement with Darfur rebels on the major issues and we hope to settle the issue completely in the coming rounds of talks”.

He pointed that Khartoum has agreed to all proposal contained in the Roadmap Agreement and the arrangements agreed upon with the US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth, stressing the Roadmap must be the basis for any peace process.

The Sudanese presidential assistant further said they provided some proposals to the rebels and waiting for their response, calling on the opposition to not use “temporary tactics” which only increase the suffering of the people.

He added that he discussed with Haysom the situation in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile as well as Khartoum's relation with Juba.

Hamid pointed that the “UN envoy was now sure of the government's seriousness in its quest for peace”, expecting the regional and international community to put pressure on the armed opposition to achieve peace.

“However, we hope the Sudanese don't resort to external pressures to bring security and stability to the Sudanese citizen,” he said.

It is noteworthy that South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile states, also known as the “Two Areas” have been the scene of violent conflict between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North rebels and Sudanese army since 2011.

The AU has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However since last August the peace talks are deadlocked over cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals.

(ST)

By Lako Jada Kwajok,

President Museveni's persistence to prop up Kiir has been the subject of discussions in the South Sudanese intellectual circles, particularly among the Equatorians. It's also true that the laypeople are aware of the ever-increasing influence of the Ugandan leader over the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. Many believe that had it not been for the Uganda People's Defense Force ( UPDF ) intervention; the regime in Juba would have collapsed in early January 2014. Museveni's intervention gave the embattled government a lifeline. In reality, the regime is heavily dependent on Uganda for its survival. The UPDF has been deployed in Western Equatoria since 2005. Its mission as we were made to believe; was to pursue and uproot the Lord's Resistance Army ( LRA ) in collaboration with the Sudan People's Liberation Army ( SPLA ). The Americans were also involved in providing logistical support, special forces and funding. The Garamba Offensive ( codenamed Operation Lightning Thunder ) between 2008 and 2009 was the culmination of the coalition's efforts including the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) to eradicate the LRA. But for the last 5 to 6 years, the LRA is nowhere to be found in Western Equatoria. Many observers are now of the opinion that the LRA is no more or if at all it existed it will be in the form of a negligible group in the depths of the remote jungles of the Central African Republic ( CAR ). As such it fits the description of a group of bandits rather than a rebel group to be reckoned with. Yet the UPDF remains deployed in Western Equatoria State. There are now reports that they are present in Eastern Equatoria and even in disguise within the capital city, Juba.

No one would dispute the fact that President Museveni has done a lot of good things for the people of South Sudan during the war for independence. In addition to whatever legacy he is going to get in his country, the people of South Sudan would remember him as one of the few African leaders who gave them unwavering support. However, that good reputation is in jeopardy or has already been damaged following his involvement in South Sudan's conflict. An operation aimed at evacuating the Ugandan Nationals as was initially announced by the Ugandan authorities was swiftly modified into safeguarding the strategic infrastructures in Juba in the aftermath of the December 2013, massacre of the Nuer civilians. Ultimately the operation ended up with the UPDF taking sides and decisively tilting the power balance in favour of the government. People were told that there was an Agreement/Treaty between the government of South Sudan and the Ugandan government to intervene in such a situation. The fact of the matter is that if such an Agreement/Treaty ever existed, it would have been unconstitutional because the National Legislative Assembly ( NLA ) did not deliberate on it or pass it. In fact, the NLA was unaware of such an arrangement between the government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda. Furthermore, a Mutual Defence Treaty is universally for defence against foreign invasion and not for defending the government against the opposition or an uprising of its own people.

Museveni's motives are quite unclear. Following his statement that there was no coup d'etat in Juba, people expected a change in policy towards a more neutral position. What he said showed a government that fabricated a coup, plunged the country into civil war just for the sake of maintaining the status quo. That alone should have been enough for the Ugandan leader to review his backing of Kiir's government. Also, it was reported that Museveni did say while addressing a rally, that if security in Uganda was to be like the state of affairs in South Sudan; he would hang himself. It's a clear admission that the government of South Sudan has failed its people. Then why would the Ugandan leader continue to support such a government?!

I believe " It's the economy, stupid " if I may borrow President Bill Clinton's phrase that was first coined by James Carville, Clinton's campaign strategist in the successful 1992 Presidential campaign. Probably other weird calculations do exist in the Ugandan leader's mind that are subject to speculations. There is no doubt that Uganda's economy is " booming " because of unfettered access to the South Sudanese markets. Foreign trade regulations are rudimentary in the new country with Uganda and the other regional powers taking full advantage of the situation. Rampant corruption is also attracting bogus foreign investors and traders who hardly pay taxes. Juba has become the centre of attraction for all the thieves in the world. South Sudan is the top consumer of Ugandan goods with trade deficit almost 100% in Uganda's favour. However, the policy of shoring up an unpopular regime is short-sighted and risky. History has shown us that the outcomes are usually grim than when foreign countries show solidarity with the people or at least remain neutral. The case of Iran during the Shah era is a classic example. The US blanket support for the Shah did not save the regime from collapse or ensure the furthering of American interests and influence in that nation. Instead, it led to the radicalization of the society, marginalisation of the moderate political figures and extreme animosity against the US. It was apparent that for decades the US lost a big consumer market and a major trading partner in that region. The Europeans, the Japanese, the Russians and the Chinese were quick to seize the chance and fill the gaps.

Even from a practical point of view, the gains to the Ugandan economy under the current turmoil are unsustainable in the long term. As the war continues to rage in South Sudan, and due to reasons of proximity to a war zone - Uganda's economy would be negatively affected one way or another. Refugees are crossing the borders into Uganda in their thousands. Ironically they are fleeing the SPLA atrocities to safety in Uganda, while the government of Uganda is helping the SPLA to acquire lethal weapons to commit those atrocities. With the steady increase in the refugee population, a drop in the buying capacity would occur coupled with a decrease in the number of consumers. Both would certainly have a negative impact on Uganda's exports to South Sudan. There is no doubt that the war will have a significant effect on the flow of goods from Uganda to South Sudan as the major routes between Uganda and South Sudan would be at the mercy of the opposition forces. Additionally, the Equatorians have reached a level of awareness that may push them towards boycotting Ugandan goods in protest to the support rendered by the Ugandan government to the murderous regime in Juba. Most of the commodities imported from Uganda are produced locally in Equatoria. It's the absence of help from the government and widespread insecurity that's preventing our farmers from producing those commodities. The best strategy for Uganda to protect its economic gains and ensure sustainability is to be on the side of the people of South Sudan rather than throwing its weight behind a government that has no future.

The relations between the people of Equatoria and the Ugandan people goes beyond politics. There are strong ethnic and cultural ties between the two peoples. The colonial borders are artificial as it has divided families with the result of some having both nationalities among their members. The constant flow of refugees into Uganda who are clearly in a dire situation is bound to evoke sympathy towards them from the Ugandan people. Museveni's policy would likely backfire. The heinous crimes that are being committed in South Sudan, would certainly push the Ugandan people into solidarity with their brethren across the borders. Should that happen; which is quite likely, it would mean that the Ugandan leader has stirred up the hornets' nest. A host of problems could arise as a result. The Equatorian people have been instrumental in the efforts to ward off the LRA attacks on Ugandan soil. In particular, the Arrows boys have been battling the LRA in the jungles of Western Equatoria for at least 5 years. Their contribution cannot be underestimated particularly in providing accurate intelligence about the whereabouts of the LRA. With the current policy of the Ugandan government, the locals will have no incentive to help in the war against the LRA. That leaves the door wide open for the possibility of LRA resurgence. The UPDF presence on South Sudanese soil would likely be viewed differently than it used to be. Many are seeing it increasingly reminiscent of the infamous 1998 UPDF invasion of the DRC in collaboration with Rwanda.

During a recent unannounced visit to Juba, the Ugandan leader issued statements that raised eyebrows. The following quote which is attributed to him appeared in the Sudan Tribune on December 22, 2016 - " Any other issue that needs to be handled will be handled in order to allow elections should be done now." It showed that Museveni is now pushing for early elections in South Sudan. He knows that his friend lacks legitimacy and the only way to overcome that is by organising an election. It will, of course, be a fake one but still carries the name election which is all that Kiir needs to cling to power. However, the Ugandan leader committed a serious breach of diplomatic protocol by dwelling on a matter that touches the sovereignty of the host state. Such a statement would have caused a diplomatic and media uproar should it be delivered in a democratic or indeed any sovereign country. In 1967, General Charles de Gaulle, the President of France, during a visit to Canada said the famous phrase " Long live free Quebec! " He received harsh diplomatic and media criticism both in Canada and in his country France. De Gaulle had to cut his visit short and return to France. What he said was perceived as an attempt to undermine Canada's sovereignty. I am absolutely sure that Museveni's statement was outrageous to many South Sudanese including members of the media. But with the assassination of journalists like Isaiah Abraham, Boutros Martin, Isaac Vuni, Dalia Marko, Musa Mohammed, Randa George, Adam Juma, Peter Julius Moi and others lingering in people's minds - any criticism would seriously compromise the safety of the critic.

According to Sudan Tribune, Kiir gave the reporters the following response - " We discussed bilateral issues and listened to his ( President Museveni's ) advice and we will do what he told us. " Kiir's statement transpires two things; either he is unaware of Museveni's breach of diplomatic protocol or that he knows it but has become a pawn for Museveni. Many of us still remember President Kiir and the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth saying in the face of mounting international pressure to implement the Peace Agreement over a year ago -that Kiir was being treated as a school boy. Well, with the above statement following the meeting with President Museveni, the question that comes to mind is - who is to blame?!

The author is the Chairman and C-in-C of the SSDF

January 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Political Secretary the Popular Congress Party (PCP), Kamal Omer, disclosed that his party would dissolve itself to unite with other the Islamic parties when peace and stability are achieved in Sudan.

Popular Congress Party (PCP) Political secretary Kamal Omer (Photo SUNA)

Omer was Asked whether it's time to reveal, ‘the succession system', a plan conceived by Hassan al-Turabi the late PCP leader to reunite the Islamist forces in one party to back the establishment of an Islamic state in a democratic regime.

"I can assure you that the moment to announce it is approaching and it is not too far," he said in an interview with the Al-Siha newspaper on Tuesday, pointing the succession system is designed to take place when peace and stability are established in the country.

The late Hassan al-Turabi was criticized by the opposition forces for his indefatigable support for the national dialogue process despite the government refusal to ensure freedoms and the continuation of war against the rebel groups.

The National Umma Party of Sadiq al-Mahdi and the Reform Now Movement of Ghazi Salah al-din Attabani suspended their participation in the dialogue process to protest the lack of freedoms in the country.

The new political alliance for an Islamic constitution should gather all the Islamic forces including the Sudanese Islamist, traditional parties and Sufi groups. The Democratic Unionist Party and the National Umma Party are among the forces targeted by this large coalition.

The idea, which is detailed in a paper prepared for the PCP's leadership in 2015, links the dissolution of the party with the creation of this alliance.

The PCP secretary general said his party was not supportive of calls for civil disobedience that aims to overthrow the regime without an agreement over the transitional period among the political forces.

Omer also ruled out that the party would not take punitive measures against the PCP youth who posted a memo hostile to any participation in the new government tasked with the implementation of the dialogue outcome.

He added that his party is keen to ensure freedom of expression and disclosed that the PCP leader Ibrahim al Sanousi met with the youth group and explained the party's positions.

Different sources say the PCP would not participate in the dialogue government but intends only to participate in the parliament to take part in the elaboration of the new constitution.

(ST)

January 4, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has, in an unexpected move, sacked two governors and replaced two officials from two newly-created states.

President Salva Kiir adresses a joint press conference on 9 July 2016 (Reuters Photo)

Kiir, in a decree read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Tuesday, sacked the Twic state governor, Bona Panek Biar and his Gogrial state counterpart, Abraham Gum.

The South Sudanese leader, in a separate decree, appointed former Twic state finance minister, Kon Manyiel Kuol as the new state governor, replacing Biar.

In Gogrial, Gregory Deng Kuach Aduol is the new governor.

The appointment of Aduol, an in law to the president, has drawn mixed reactions from supporters and political allies.

"I'm celebrating the most wanted appointment of Gen. Gregory Vasili with the people of Gogrial state. Congratulations to H. E. The president of the Republic of S. Sudan Gen. Kiir for his wise decision to respond to the people's thirty for change”, said Ariech Mayar Ariech, an ally of the new governor and close friend to president Kiir's family.

(ST)

January 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - In response to statements by the South Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor, his Sudanese counterpart Ibrahim Ghandour said that the disputed Abyei area belongs to Sudan.

A man waves a South Sudanese flag as he celebrates the results of the referendum in Abyei on 31 October 2013 (Photo: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Ghandour was responding to press statements by South Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor who was in Khartoum during the week end.

During a visit to Khartoum during the week end Alor who is a son of Abyei told Al-Jareeda that Abyei belongs to South Sudan.

"Abyei is a Sudanese territory and the issue is resolved by the decisions of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the African Union," Ghandour said in statements to the press at the National Assembly in Omdurman.

He further pointed to the protocol of Abyei in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which paved the way for the South Sudan independence.

The CPA provides that the contested territory remains part of the north until the organization of a referendum determine its fate.

The difference over who will participate in the referendum prevents the two countries from holding the agreed referendum.

However, the Dinka Ngok organized a three-day unilateral referendum from 27-29 October 2013 to say they want to join the Republic of South Sudan.

Khartoum, Juba, the African Union and the international community refused to recognize the outcome of the vote.

During the electoral campaign for the presidential election in March 2015, the candidate of the ruling National Congress Party (President Omer al-Bashir told a rally in Al-Foula, capital of West Kordofan State that Abyei area belongs to Sudan and will remain a Sudanese territory.

(ST)

January 3, 2017 (BOR) - The Governor of South Sudan's Jonglei state has appealed to the army and police to ensure the safe return nearly 12,000 herds of cattle stolen from the Jalle community during a raid conducted last year.

SPLA soldiers standing near the cattle near Bor, Jonglei, South Sudan, September 26, 2012 (ST)

Speaking during a rally held in the capital, Bor, Philip Aguer, said his government agreed with the central government on how to bring back the stolen of heads of cattle from suspected Murle raiders who attacked and killed 17 people.

The government is planning to use the army and the organized forces to bring back all the stolen heads of cattle.

“We have reported all heads of cattle we lost in December 2016 to the central government and the government has agreed to return all these heads of cattle,” said Aguer.

He added, “And the government that will bring them is the police and the army, if you are a registered police or army officer, you must be ready 100 per cent”.

Boma and Jonglei state had signed a peace deal that was meant to curve down criminal activities between Dinka and Murle ethnic tribes in earlier in December last year.

But this seemed not holding as Jonglei state experienced a lot of attacks just few days after the accord was signed.

Despite all these, the governor was still hopeful that this New Year will be a year of peace in the world's youngest nation.

“2017 will be a year of peace. With peace, you cannot leave your rights to someone, so we will bring back anything that was taken away from us. Criminals in Boma state must be searched for, this year. There is nobody who is a criminal when we know where he lives”, explained Aguer.

“I hope the bad things we faced last year will not be experienced this year, we hope for good things,” he added.

The state government, the governor admitted, faced several challenges in relations to limited services delivery to, but stressed that they managed to develop plans and polices, although not much was actually implemented.

“As the government, we did not do much last year. We managed to develop our master plan and policies and objectives of what to be done in every ministry, but we did not go far in implementation,” stressed Aguer.

He added, “You see the hospital is very weak, all roads are not good, and we have not managed security either”.

On his part, the Bishop of Bor, Rubben Akurdit, blamed the people of South Sudan for creating insecurity to themselves.

(ST)

January 3, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Egyptian government has proposed to hold a meeting among Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt Foreign Ministers to complete discussions on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) ahead of the African Union summit this month.

Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (L), Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir (C) and Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn shake hands during a meeting in Khartoum on 23 March 2015 on the planned Grand Renaissance dam (Photo: Ashraf Shazly/AFP)

The 28th African summit will be held in Addis Ababa from 22 to 31 January.

According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry made the proposal during a telephone conversation with his Ethiopian counterpart Tedros Adhanom on Tuesday.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the meeting is intended to provide the necessary political support for the technical talks pertaining to the GERD.

In March 2015, Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia signed a declaration of principles on the dam project that tacitly approves the dam construction but calls for technical studies aimed at safeguarding the water quotas of the three riparian states.

On September 22, 2014, a tripartite committee from the three countries proposed the conduction of two additional studies on the dam project, the first one on the effect of the dam on the water quota of Sudan and Egypt and the second one to examine the dam's ecological, economic and social impacts of the dam on Sudan and Egypt.

The French engineering consultancy Artelia and BRL groups have been selected to undertake the dam impact studies. The U.K.-based law firm Corbett & Co was selected to manage the legal affairs of the tripartite committee.

Last Septmebr, the three countries signed the final contracts for the consultation offices appointed to conduct technical studies.

The multi-billion dollar dam is being constructed on the Blue Nile, about 20 kilometres from the Sudanese border, and has a capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, and is expected to generate electrical power of up to 6,000 megawatts.

Egypt is concerned that the dam could reduce its quota of 55.5 billion cubic meters of the Nile water, while the Ethiopian side maintains that the dam is primarily built to produce electricity and will not harm Sudan and Egypt.

Last May, Ethiopia's Minister of Information and Communication Getachew Reda said the GERD is almost 70% complete.

(ST)

January 3, 2017 (JUBA) – Several of seals and stamps were found at the premises of Click Technologies Ltd by the security personnel from the General Intelligence Bureau (GIB) during searches conducted as part of inquiries into the alleged theft of huge sums of money from the office of the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, new details have emerged.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

The contentious case involved the $500 million allegedly stolen from the president's office and transferred to the account of John Agou in Nairobi, Kenya in favor of Mayen Wol Jong, the Chief Administrator and Executive Director Yel Luol Koor.

According to the report released by Legal Watch Associates South Sudan, Koor and Agou were tasked by the investigations committee to explain how seals and stamps from government institutions ended up at Click Technologies Ltd, owned by the latter.

“This particular seal was requested by the Executive Director in the Office of the President, Yel Luol from Click Technologies Ltd. The seal was made bearing writing for the “Office of the President''. When the seal was delivered to the Executive Director, the Executive Director rejected it because they only need the seal with writing ‘'The President'' and not the one for the “Office of the President”, said Agou in his statement before the High Court.

He further added, “The Company made the correct seal and delivered it to the Office of the President and took back the incorrect seal with intention to destroy it. That's how the seal ended up being found in the premises of Click Technologies Ltd”.

However, when asked to also explain how the seal for the army chief of general staff ended up at his Click Technologies Ltd, Agou, who owns the company, claimed the seal was requested by the personal assistant of the chief of general staff, identified as Captain Dut Yai.

“The seal was produced by Click Technologies Ltd with the writings “The Republic of South Sudan – Office of the Chief of General Staff-SPLA/SPLM” and also bearing the “Coat of Arms for the Republic of South Sudan”. When the seal was ready, the company called Capt. Dut Yai to pick it and he picked it up. A few days later, he came back and said that the seal has some errors and that he need a new seal bearing “Coat of Arms of SPLA” and writings, “The Republic of South Sudan - Chief of General staff-SPLA”, Agou told the court.

“The correct seal was made and delivered to him and the company took back the incorrect seal with intention of destroying it. This is how the security personnel ended up impounded it at the premises of Click Technologies Ltd,” he added.

Testimonies contained in court documents Sudan Tribune obtained further showed that the scanned signature of the president that was found in one of the computers impounded at the premises of Click Technologies Ltd by GIB security personnel was only used for the process of producing executive portraits of the South Sudan leader.

“The sample of the signature was provided by the Executive Director in the Office of the President and its usage on the portrait photos of H.E. the President was approved in 2012 by a committee composed of former Legal Advisor to the President, Telar Ring Deng, former Minister in the Office of the President, Emmanuel Lowilla and former Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Barnaba Marial Benjamin,” partly reads a section of testimonies contained in court documents.

“The above mentioned Seals and the Signature of the President were NOT used on any financial documents requesting for payments from the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning or the Central Bank of South Sudan, neither were they used by the anybody for any official or unofficial purpose,” it adds.

Meanwhile, auditors and investigators denied that the seals and signatures found were used for any illegal activities when asked by the defense lawyers during the trial into the alleged corruption case.

An aide to the president, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the South Sudanese leader's signature is only used for specific functions, citing appointment of government officials, dismissal of the same government officials, correspondence with other heads of state, confirmed death sentences and grant pardons to people convicted, promote army and other organized forces officers and retired them also according to the law, among other official matters.

“But no such function was done without the knowledge of the president that was shown to the court as evidence, despite the high propaganda that was said by security personnel that the signature of the president was used to request money from the central bank by John Agou,” the official told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He added, “The president does not sign cheques, and neither does he have sample signatures in any bank to use his signature to withdraw money,”

A report released by Legal Watch Associates South Sudan on the alleged corruption in the office of the South Sudanese President's office poked holes in the process of administration of justice starting from the time of arrests detention, investigation, trial, and sentencing up to conviction.

The case involved 16 people from different institutions including the President's office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Bank of South Sudan and staff of Click Technologies Ltd.

(ST)