Sudan Tribune

January 3, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudan's First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai has urged citizens, particularly those with grievances towards each other and government to forgive, forget and open new chapters in life for the sake of peace.

Taban Deng Gai addresses delegates after he was sworn-in as South Sudan FVP inside the Presidential Palace in the capital of Juba, July 26, 2016 (Photo Reuters/ Jok Solomun)

Gai, who replaced rebel leader Riek Machar last year, made these remarks while speaking at a rally held in Yei River state on Tuesday.

“When two people do not talk to each other, God does not touch their files until they reconcile, though one must be on the right, they will not receive God's blessing if they do not compromise”, he said.

The official said he was in the state to assess the general situation as part of his peace plan and programs to sensitize the population and members of the armed opposition faction, who are yet to respond to calls for cessation of hostilities and move to the cantonment sites.

“This year, how do we want it to be? We want it to be the year of peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and unity,” Gai said in a statement, broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan television (SSBC).

He added, “If you have a problem within the family, reconcile, tell the person who offended you that I have forgiven you. If you have grievances you want to be addressed by the government, come out and tell the president and I am sure he will listen to you and the problem will be solved. This is what we should do and this is what the New Year should be. We need to forgive and reconcile”.

Yei state is one of the states in Equatoria region which have been experiencing insecurity for the last five months since the renewed violence that erupted in the national capital Juba in July last year.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes following the insecurity in the area. Observers have, however, doubted the extent to which Gail controls the armed opposition fighters.

Also although Gai claims to control rebel fighters in the area, he has shown no authority to end atrocities in Yei and its neighboring areas.

A few hours after the First Vice-President's heavily guarded visit to Yei where he spent two nights and after he flew out of Yei, a bus was ambushed on Juba-Nimule road and civilians were killed.

Despite insecurity in the region, Gai is expected to visit Torit and Yambio in Equatoria region before touring Wau in Bahr el Ghazal region.

(ST)

January 3, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan rebel leader, currently in South Africa, ordered for the release of the Tanzanian pilot who landed in a rebel-controlled area within Unity state last week, an official said.

South Sudan's opposition leader Riek Machar speaks during a briefing in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa April 9, 2016 (Photo Reuters/ Tiksa Negeri)

The armed opposition's chairman of the national committee for information, Mabior Garang said Riek Machar, directed the pilot's release after he was contacted and the latter flown back to Juba.

The plane, a Cessna 208B-Caravan-Registration: 5H.MZA was operated by Mohammed Nassur Saleh. On board was the government-appointed commissioner of Panyinjiar county, Peter Gatkoi.

Carrying a 12-member crew, the plane landed at Ganyliel airstrip, an area controlled by the Machar-led armed opposition fighters sparking concerns and investigations behind the circumstances under which the plane could have landed in a rebel held territory.

Local officials in the area, Mabior said, contacted the higher leadership after the plane landed and spotted the presence of the county commissioner and his entourage after they disembarked.

“The movement's civil administration, the local authorities in Panyijiar county immediately alerted the top leadership of the movement. The Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA Dr. Riek Machar Teny then ordered for the release of the said pilot”, he said in a statement also extended to Sudan Tribune.

The Tanzanian pilot, according to Mabior, was allowed to fly away on humanitarian grounds and he has since returned to Juba.

“The movement has since decided to release both the pilot and the plane on humanitarian grounds and the Pilot have since safely left our liberated territories back to Juba. The innocent pilot, who carried no legal documents and had no access to any embassy in the country, blames Juba government for lying to him that Panyinjiar was under government control”, he stressed.

The armed opposition official, however, expressed regrets and surprise at how saying their opponents in Juba would send an innocent pilot into a rebel controlled area as a bait for propaganda.

“The SPLM/SPLA (IO) regrets that the regime in Juba would send an innocent pilot into our liberated territories without information and then fabricate a story alleging the pilot is being held by the “IO” in exchange for their spokesperson James Gadet; who was kidnapped with the help of Kenya authorities last year,” said Mabior.

He further added, “These allegations are pure propaganda”.

The rebels denied reports that they detained the pilot and demanded ransom.

“In reference to the above subject, the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA In Opposition would like to refute the negative propaganda fabricated by the Salva Kiir administration regarding a Tanzanian pilot, allegedly held for ransom by the SPLM/SPLA (IO) security personnel,” clarified Mabior.

He described the rebel faction as a mass popular movement with civil administration in its liberated territories and that the entire movement commends the leadership shown by the commissioner of Panyijiar Brig. General John Tap Puot and his entire staff, officers and all those who reacted quickly to resolve the situation.

In the past, he said, the rebel had previously released foreign planes which landed without their permissions in Pagak, Uror and Jiech as good gestures to encourage humanitarian services in their territories.

(ST)

January 3, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan's First Vice-President, Taban Deng Gai has advised rebel leader, Riek Machar to denounce armed rebellion and return to the young nation.

Riek Machar sits in his field office in a rebel controlled territory in Jonglei State February 1, 2014. (Photo/Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Speaking during a visit to Yei River state on Sunday, Gai said regional countries denied Machar safe entry into their territories and would be locked out for a foreseeable future.

“Riek Machar has been parked [in South Africa] like a car without wheels,” Gai told a crowd gathered in Yei town.

“Time for conflict in South Sudan had ended. Time for conflict in the region has ended in all regions,” he told the Juba Monitor newspaper adding, “This is time for peace”.

This was the First Vice-President's first visit to Yei River state since his controversial appointment to replace Machar.

“This year, for the sake of peace, [we] should talk to our relatives to join peace. Let them [rebels] know what happened to Riek Machar. Now Riek Machar is a trouble maker and he has been parked in South Africa. They will be parked like Machar,” said Gai.

“Riek Machar will not be seen again. He would be seen again in elections if there is peace. If there is no peace, Riek Machar will not be seen again,” he added.

Meanwhile, Agel Machar, a youthful member of armed opposition faction said Gai's peaceful approach to the South Sudanese ongoing conflict would work.

“I believe in the leadership of Gen Taban Deng Gai, because he is working for peace, not war. My leaders in the IO-Riek are for war, which I protest,” Agel told The Dawn newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.

Agel, who hails from Bahr el-Ghazal region, initially backed the Machar-led rebel faction.

(ST)

By Elwathig Kameir

Since the launch of the "civil disobedience" initiative in November 2016, called for by several non-partisan Sudanese youth groups using cyber space, the leadership of the SPLM/A-N has not ceased its incessant chain of press statements in support of, and expressing solidarity with the peaceful youth movement, as a viable way, to reach its final aim of overthrowing Al-Bashir's ruling regime. There is no doubt, that the reader of these frequent pronouncements would not have second thoughts that the SPLM-North emanate from a political organization that favours the adoption of peaceful political means and civil action to achieve its legitimate political objectives. In a previous piece, I had strongly argued that the “civil disobedience” experience is a lesson, for the armed movements, to learn from, more specifically to review the feasibility of armed struggle in accomplishing the very same goals. The viability of armed resistance should be at the top of the SPLMN's agenda. (The Aftershocks of the Disobedience: What will the Government Do? Sudantribune.net (Arabic edition), 18 December, 2016). It is true that the armed movements have the right to support any peaceful movement for change, and to build ties with all political activists. However, it remains that the meaningful contribution, of an armed movement for exerting pressures on the ruling regime, rests on achieving military victories and occupying and/or liberating territories. Indeed, that was the "value added" of the SPLM/A, under the leadership of late Dr. John Garang, during the 1980s and 1990s. Tilting the balance of forces in favour of the “peaceful revolutionaries” in Khartoum eventually paved the way for toppling Nimeiri's regime.

However, in a statement issued on the first of January 2017 the SPLM-N transcended its earlier stance of lending mere moral support to the civil resistance, to advancing specific practical proposals in the arena of peaceful political struggle. Thus, in this press statement, the Secretary-General of the Movement called on “Sudanese nationals who hold foreign passports to organize a campaign for collective return to Sudan and challenge the regime, according to a specific agreed-upon program that aims at consolidating the escalation of popular activity. If the regime took any action against them, it would then face both internal, and external condemnation from countries, from which the returnees hold travel documents and passports (because these countries) are obliged to protect them according to their internal laws. This would cause dual pressures (on the regime)”. This sounds great.

However, the call of the SPLM-N might not find a consensus or a broad-based response among the targeted population group. The Sudanese in the diaspora do not in any way represent a holistic mass, rather they profess heterogeneous doctrines and varied political beliefs. Therefore, why doesn't the SPLM-N develop its own initiative further? This could be approached by specifically addressing, during this first phase, the Movement's external constituency, members and close supporters. The SPLM-N has dozens of chapters and offices abroad, particularly in Europe and North America, which are supposed to be prepared to mobilize and organize on a large scale. Why doesn't the SPLM-N, as long as it is convinced of the viability and feasibility of peaceful means of struggle, take the lead in challenging the regime on this score, while seeking to expand the proposed campaign by reaching out progressively to the rest of the Sudanese in the diaspora? Perhaps, such an approach might prove rewarding on a number of counts. First, it would bestow credibility on the Movement by being able to translate political slogans into reality, a lacking attribute among Sudanese politicians. Second, it would furnish a test of the degree of people's embracing of, and popularity of the SPLM-N, following a long stagnation of engagement in civil political action, dating back to June 2011. Third, it would be an exercise in assessing the degree of effectiveness of this method of peaceful resistance. Fourth, it is an opportunity for providing practical training for the cadres of the Movement in the sphere of peaceful action and political networking. Above all, opting for the accomplishment of “change” through the mechanisms of peaceful political struggle, the SPLM-N would accumulate an appreciable political capital, which God Knows is desperately needed at this critical juncture.

Dr. Elwathig Kameir is a former university professor of Sociology and consultant with numerous regional and international organizations. He is also a former member of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) . He is reachable at kameir@yahoo.com

2 January 2017

On the first day of 2016, and only one day after President Bashir's announcement of a one-month cease fire in the three conflict zones, the Sudanese Army and its allied militias attacked the area of Nirtiti in Central Darfur state. Wearing the uniform of the Sudanese Army, the attackers took over the area for several hours, assaulting people in their homes and neighborhoods, killing and wounding tens of civilians with the death toll continuing to climb.

The raid on Nirtiti took place within the area of operation of United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) forces: UNAMID did nothing to stop the attack or protect civilians as per their mandate.

The raid on Nirtiti is understood to be a reprisal by the army for the killing a solider whose body was found in the outskirts of the city the previous day.

This latest massacre confirms several important facts about the conflict in Darfur.

First, the war in Darfur is still ongoing. The government's discourse about the “end of conflict” in Darfur is a baseless assertion which the international community has swallowed, allowing a blind eye to be turned to the crimes and victims in Darfur.
Second, there is a complete lack of genuine political will on the part of the government to achieve peace. The attack on Niriti took place one day after the announcement of a cease fire by the Head of Sate. That announcement had no meaning for the Army and pro government militias which have had a constant license from the government to commit atrocities and crimes as part of the conflict strategy, regardless of the political situation.
Third, the event confirmed that despite the political rhetoric of the national dialogue, the real government policy is that declared by President Bashir in his speech to the army on 25 December in which he pledged to continue to pursue a military “solution” to the crisis in the three areas.
Fourth, this massacre exposed once again the infectiveness of UNAMID in exercising its mandate to protect civilians. Not only are bureaucratic procedures impeding its ability to act decisively, but it has repeatedly shown that it cannot act without the consent of Khartoum, most recently reflected in the Mission's cowardly response to the allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Jebel Mara.

The army's criminal offensive on the citizens of Nirtiti is not a standalone incident: it is part of the norm in Darfur. Similar raids took place on several cities last year and before. No political solution can be achieved in the conflict without addressing this practice of government sanctioned attacks on civilians and looting cities and villages. Sudanese citizens in the conflict zones deserve justice and protection. Accountability (both political and legal) for these crimes must be at the top of the agenda of any attempt to achieve a lasting peace in Darfur and the rest of Sudan.

International mediators and actors in the Sudanese crisis must not ignore the spilled blood of Sudanese citizens. It is insulting, cruel and inhumane to ignore the realities of such crimes while proposing Pro forma deals that ultimately help no one but the criminals to escape accountability and reap the benefits of the cycle of impunity.

Sudan Democracy First Group
2 January 2016

January 3, 2017 (ZALINGEI) - Central Darfur Governor Jaafar Abdel-Hakam Monday blamed the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) for the bloody attack in Nertiti, while the opposition forces pointed accusing fingers at the government saying its troops committed "the massacre".

Central Darfur governor, Jaafar Abdel Hakam (Photo SUNA)

"Preliminary investigations conducted by the security authorities in Central of Darfur State show involvement of the SLM-AW elements in the riots that broke out yesterday in the city of Nertiti - in western Jebel Marra," said Abdel Hakam in a press conference held in Zalingei on Monday.

He explained that on Friday they received a note that a soldier had been murdered in Campo forest and transported from the murder scene to Al-Jabal neighbourhood in order to mislead the investigation. The day after, he added, they learnt that doctor had been beaten and his money was looted.

The governor further said they received intelligence saying that six SLM-AW fighters infiltrated the neighborhood, killed the soldier and attacked the doctor. Following what a joint forces from the police, the army and the national security service was dispatched on Sunday morning to arrest the six rebels, the governor said, adding that the culprits opened fires on the government forces and instigated the crowed to attack the forces.

"The group intended to provoke the armed forces and cause chaos," he stressed.

From his part, the commander of 21st infantry division, Gen. Aboud Mansour said the Sudanese army forces were keen to avoid shooting when they arrived to the area. But the inhabitants of the neighbourhood were angered and attacked the troops with sticks and knives when two children were killed by stray bullets fired from unknown sources.

Abdallah Saleh al-Shafie, an IDPs representative in the area on Sunday told Sudan Tribune that the government forces in Nertiti launched an indiscriminate revenge attack on the civilians using heavy and light weapons after a soldier was found dead in the area.

Al-Shafie said that nine people were killed and 60 wounded, some of them are seriously hurt. He added that government troops looted civilian property and broke into shops in Nertiti markets.

The governor said 28 men were wounded, including four policemen and 19 women, adding they were treated from their minor wounds at Zalingei Hospital and discharged on the same day.

Abdel Hakam reiterated his accusation against the SLM-AW saying that the rebel group was involved in the events.

The Deputy Governor Mohamed Musa Ahmed said that calm had returned to Nertiti and pledged to pay the blood-prince to the victims' families, treat the wounded and compensate the affected people.

CONDEMNATIONS

Sudanese opposition groups condemned the killing of civilians pointing to the lack of security and the chaos in the western Sudan region.

"The Sudanese regime inaugurated the new year with this heinous massacre against unarmed civilians, which led to the deaths of dozens of martyrs, besides the wounded and detainees and missing persons," said Abdel-Wahid al-Nur in a statement he issued on Monday.

He further denounced the inertia of the UNAMID peacekeepers who didn't intervene to protect civilians describing their attitude as the "The worst form of collusion with the Khartoum regime".

The rebel leader called on the Sudanese opposition forces to support the action of Sudanese youth who work to achieve a civilian disobedience to topple the regime.

The SLM-AW is not part of the African Union brokered peace process to end Darfur crisis. During the year 2016, the group fought against the government forces in the western area of Jebel Marra for several months.

However, the government failed to clear the region from the rebel group. The governor in the past months admitted the existence of "some pockets" in the state.

The National Umma Party of Sadiq al-Mahdi condemned the killing of civilians saying it constitutes a "full-fledged crime" and condemned the silence of the international community.

(ST)

January 2, 2017 (YAMBIO) – Police in Gbudue, one of South Sudan's newly created states, arrested dozens of people who allegedly fired gunshots, creating fear and panic during New Year celebrations.

New police recruits during a parade in Yambio June 27, 2016 (ST)

The state minister for information, Gibson Wande confirmed the arrests, but said the organized forces acted within their jurisdiction.

State authorities, he added, laid security arrangements to deploy the organized forces to different areas in the state and warned those holding gun not to celebrate the Christmas by shooting guns in air.

“During Christmas, there was no gunshot until the night of 31 December,” said Wande.

He however stressed that those in police custody would be taken to face the court of law to explain why they violated the order from the government, which created panic and fear among the people.

“Those found guilty will be fined or jailed according to the law,” said the minister, adding that no casualties were recorded during the sporadic gunshots.

Yambio and other areas in Gbudue state have been experiencing fighting between armed men and government forces, resulting into loss of lives, looting of properties and displacement of people.

(ST)

January 2, 2017 (JUBA) – The Tanzanian pilot initially detained by South Sudanese rebels after the plane he flew landed in the armed opposition area, has been freed.

The chattered plane detained by rebels (courtesy photo)

A rebel official said Mohammed Nasser and the Payinjiar county commissioner, Peter Gatkoi, who was aboard the chartered plane, were freed on “humanitarian” grounds.

“The Tanzanian Pilot who was sent by Juba regime to the SPLM-IO liberated territories without his knowledge, believing he would be harmed for their propaganda purposes, has been released today with his plane on humanitarian grounds,” Garang Mabior, the armed opposition's director for public relations, said in a statement.

Mabior also dismissed as untrue reports that they had demanded the release of Tanzanian national with the hope that he would be exchanged for rebel leader, Riek Machar's spokesman, James Dak, who is being detained.

“There was never such a demand. This is just usual propaganda of Juba to think that The United Republic of Tanzania is supporting our movement, when no such thing exists,” the statement further added.

Mabior said the government under President Salva Kiir wanted to create a diplomatic incident. The rebel official did not elaborate on the fate of Panyijiar county Commissioner, Peter Gatkoi, who was on the same plane.

The pilot had, in an earlier interview with Sudan Tribune, blamed the country's authorities for his woes, saying he was duped to believe Payinjiar county was under the control of government.

(ST)

January 1, 2017 (JUBA) – Officials from Southern Liech, one of South Sudan's new states, have condemned the removal of deputy governor, Simon Chuol Biel.

The map of Unity state

The government chief whip, Khan Nin Yieh said removal by the governor of his deputy was unacceptable and will weaken the state administration.

Yieh described Biel as a very “dedicated” and “selfless” state civil servant.

Biel was a member of the red army who joined the liberation struggle in the earlier ages,” he said, stressing that the deputy governor's commitment to the country and its people was always beyond individual aspirations.

The chief whip claimed the governor surrounds himself with “notorious” individuals to continue running the state with “lies, greed and selfishness”.

The officials have urged the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) under South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir Mayardit and first vice president Taban Deng Gai to undertake urgent measures to address the Southern Liech state political situation.

(ST)

January 2, 2016 (EL-FASHER) - Panic has gripped residents following repeated armed robberies along the road linking North Darfur capital, El-Fasher to the locality of Tawila, some 60 kilometer to the west.

A UNAMID peacekeeper during a routine patrol in Tawila, North Darfur.(Photo UNAMID/Hamid Abdelsalam)

Ali Adam Mohamed, a bus driver told Sudan Tribune Monday that gunmen continued to ambush and vehicles and loot passenger possessions at Jebel Kousa area.

“On Sunday, an armed group robbed passenger luggage and possessions at gunpoint in Jebel Kousa area at the locality of Tawila,” he said.

For his part, Mohamed Ibrahim, a bus operator, told Sudan Tribune that gunmen riding four-wheel drive vehicles or motorcycles threaten bus drivers at Jebel Kousa, 30 kilometer west of el-Fasher.

“They loot whatever they want and we, the buses drivers, have notified the local authorities however the phenomenon continues to occur,” he said .

“In the past, gunmen used to kill [passengers] and block the roads to and from the locality of Tawila. This phenomenon has disappeared during the past period but it has returned these days,” he dded.

Last June, North Darfur governor Abdel-Wahid Youssef accused unnamed parties of seeking to keep the “insecurity and instability” situation in Darfur, pointing to “hidden hands that prompt the security chaos in all Darfur's five states not only North Darfur”.

He declared a state of maximum readiness among regular forces to control the lawlessness situation in the state and prevented riding of motorcycles, wearing of Kadamool (a turban which covers the face) and holding arms inside the capital, El-Fasher.

(ST)

January 2, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit would visit Khartoum during the coming days to meet President Omer al-Bashir to discuss outstanding issues between the two countries, said Foreign Minister Deng Alor.

South Sudan former cabinet affairs minister Deng Alor Koul(Photo: Moses Lomoyat)

Last November, al-Bashir and Salva Kiir met on the sidelines of the 4th Africa-Arab Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

The two presidents agreed to communicate directly to solve problems the joint committees encounter in their discussions to implement the signed agreements between the two neighbouring countries.

Alor, who conveyed a verbal message from Salva Kiir to al-Bashir on Monday, said he had good discussions with al-Bashir, announcing that Salva Kiir would visit Sudan to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

Responding to a question about Khartoum's recent demand from Juba to expel Sudanese rebel who are still in its territory, Alor said he discussed the issue with al-Bashir and the Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour.

He pointed they agreed that al-Bashir would invite Salva Kiir to visit Khartoum to end this problem, saying the mutual accusations on harbor and support of rebels have adversely impacted on the provision of services in both nations especially South Sudan.

On Sunday, Khartoum urged South Sudan to implement its pledges and to expel Sudanese rebel who are still in the troubled country.

South Sudan's top diplomat added that he came to Khartoum to participate at the commemoration of 61st anniversary of Sudan's Independence Day, saying he also met with Ghandour.

For his part, Ghandour said Salva Kiir's message pertains to bilateral ties and ways to implement the cooperation agreement in accordance with the outcome of the two presidents meeting in Malabo.

He pointed that Salva Kiir's visit to Khartoum aims to complete discussions on the outstanding issues, saying the Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) is following up on the implementation of these issues.

Ghandour further said he discussed with Alor issues of mutual interest and in particular ways to coordinate positions on regional and international issues especially with regard to East African nations.

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 harbor 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.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 2, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The Sudanese government has donated two buses to the state-owned Addis Ababa University.

The country's oldest institution, in a statement, said the donations followed a pledge made by the Sudanese president in July.

Speaking at the handover occasion in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, Sudan's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jamal el-Sheikh Ahmed, said the donation symbolizes the gift of cooperation and long standing relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Ahmed said Ethiopia and Sudan have historic and cordial relations based on mutual interest, vowing to work on cultural exchanges between students of Khartoum and Addis Ababa universities.

The university's president, Prof. Admasu Tsegaye expressed gratitude for the donation, saying the two buses would ease the transport problems faced during field trips to industries and the business firms.

He said the university was committed to further bolster cooperation with Khartoum University and other higher institutions within Sudan.

Each of the two buses, Sudan Tribune has learnt, costs up to $50 million.

President Omer Hassan al-Bashir pledged the donation when he received the "African Dignity Champions award" during the African dignity forum held at Addis Ababa University's Nelson Mandela hall.

The Sudanese leader was honoured with the accolade in recognition for his contributions towards adopting principles that reject modern slavery and foreign interventions in African affairs.

Also recognized at the occasion was Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn for pushing for an African solution to its problems.

The forum is a partnership between the United Nations University of Peace, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural organizations, the Addis Ababa University's Peace and Conflict Studies Institute and the Sudanese Peace and Human Rights Center.

(ST)

January 2, 2017 (BOR) - The deputy governor of South Sudan's Jonglei state, Peter Wal Athiu has been sacked in a reshuffle.

Jonglei State Governor Philip Aguer (AFP Photo)

The decree announcing Athiu's sacking was issued on 2 January.

In the same reshuffle, Governor Phillip Aguer also relieved his political advisor, Agot Alier Leek, whom he re-appointed as deputy governor.

Other changes saw education minister, Susan Lith re-appointed as the state advisor for political affairs, while the state finance minister, Ayom Mach was moved to the education and sports ministry.

Ayom was due to appear before parliament on Tuesday to explain to lawmakers some financial problems facing the state. His relieve, according to some members in the parliament, was a cover up of serious cases state lawmakers wanted him to clarify.

Meanwhile, James Akech Yen was moved from the physical infrastructure to finance ministry, while Abel Manyok Ajak, a new entrant, was appointed as state minister for physical infrastructure.

(ST)

January 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Khartoum Sunday has urged South Sudan to implement its pledges and to expel Sudanese rebel who are still in the troubled country.

Members of Darfur rebel group (JEM)

The call comes as the Sudan People's Liberation Movement -In Opposition (SPLM-IO) renewed accusations that the Sudanese groups are fighting them alongside the government forces in Maban County, in the Upper Nile province.

In statements to the semi-official Sudanese Media centre (SMC) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kamal Ismail called on the South Sudanese government to accelerate the expulsion of the armed movements from their territory saying, " Khartoum has been too patient with Juba and will wait"

Kamal further said that Juba had promised to expel the rebel movements from its territory. He added, "But we know very well that it continues to harbour the rebel movements until now," adding that they are waiting for the implementation of the promise of the South Sudanese government.

"Juba set a timetable to expel the rebel movements but it has not fulfilled its promise," he emphasized.

On 21 October 2016, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir gave Juba two months to expel the rebels and threatened to reconsider the Cooperation Agreement signed in September 2012.

The United Nations in 2013 and recently the U.S. State Department said that Juba hosts and uses Sudanese rebel groups in its war against the SPLM-IO fighters.

Nearly two weeks ago, South Sudanese Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk Wednesday said Sudanese rebels have complied with the directives to leave the country, stressing that his country wants no foreign rebels.

“We need peace in this country. We don't need war and so there is no reason to allow our territory to be used by groups whose presence would be used against us and to contribute to causing instability. Because of this, we have talked to the Sudanese rebels and they have left," Juuk told Sudan Tribune on 14 December 2016.

However SPLM-Io Col. William Gatjiath Deng in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune claimed the rebels groups from the neighbouring Sudan displaced many civilians around Maban County north of former Upper Nile State.

“They are cleansing up the civilians, rapes the teenager, girls and women and burned down the surrounded villages, purposely to grab the land in order to settle their own bases in the area,” he said.

The rebel spokesperson further said another armed Sudanese rebels have used the "Yida camp in Unity State as strong base and getting the militarily supplies from the South Sudanese government".

He went to accuse South Sudanese leaders, President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President Taban Deng Gai for misleading the Khartoum government.

(ST)

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” Joseph Goebbels, a Nazi politician and Hitler's Propaganda Minister.

Taban Abel Aguek, MP

In the last few weeks, there have been sustained warning of looming genocide in South Sudan. As reported by Sudan tribune, UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon, was the latest to add his voice to the matter saying before UNSC Monday last week, “If we fail to act, South Sudan will be on a trajectory towards mass atrocities.”

UN Special Advisor on Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, had earlier also expressed fear of genocide occurring in South Sudan just after a brief visit to the country. The statements by both Mr. Ban Ki Moon and Mr. Dieng were not any different from those of US Permanent Secretary to the UN, Ambassador Samantha Power, who without a bit of shame compared the situation in South Sudan to the one of Rwanda of 1994. Without fair evaluation, these UN elite personalities bought into false reports coined by Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, some bogus ‘paid' civil society organizations and some wicked elements of the Enough Project. All connived on how to influence and usher quick move for sanctions and arms embargo on South Sudan.

For genocide warnings to be issued, there must be strong indicators, carefully examined and clearly justifiable, to unleash such warnings. According to media reports, Mr. Ban Ki Moon cites only two indictors: first, that President Kiir and his loyalists are “contemplating a new military offensive in the coming days against the armed opposition led by Machar”. Secondly, that there are clear indications that Riek Machar and their opposition groups are pursuing a military escalation.

The question now is, are these indicators tangible enough to warrant the alarm of genocide? First of all, one has to carefully assess the size of the army accumulated at one point targeting what community to come to a conclusion that genocide is planned on that community. Secondly, military offensives by both parties to the conflict have taken place from the onslaught of the conflict and no one has ever raised an alarm. Riek Machar on his part has declared war from day one, what is being hyped as of late about his war?

Neither are the indicators enough to point at a genocide nor the language befits the proper description of genocide itself. If Riek Machar is still in the bush and is still pursuing war, then he has to be fought. Fighting negative forces does not amount to genocide. UN telling South Sudan government not to fight opposition forces is like anyone telling the US to stop war against terrorism.

The people campaigning on genocide in South Sudan are very unlucky. Whatever their intention, I must say, they have mistimed their campaign. South Sudan's days for fearing genocide are long gone. Between 2013-2014 there was very much likelihood of genocide taking place. This was the time when major cities like Bentiu, Malakal, Bor and Nasir changed hands between rebels and government forces several times in very brutal mass attacks. The best time to have warned of genocide in South Sudan should have been at a time 25,000 Nuer armed youths locally known as ‘White Army' attacked and captured Bor before they were defeated while attempting to march to Juba. At that time, when the war was at its climax the same people who are shamelessly warning of genocide rejected arms embargo and sanctions on South Sudan. It is strange and ironical that the same people who rejected sanction and arms embargo on South Sudan at the height of the conflict are now dirtily campaigning for the same at the time things have significantly normalized. There is now a suspicious feeling across South Sudan that some well paced individuals did not pursue arms embargo at first because they either had expected the rebels to win the war or were part of the groups supplying arms to rebels.

Otherwise, talking about genocide in South Sudan now is a laughable scam. It does not only challenge the honesty of its campaigners, it actually makes them appear very stupid. War has greatly scaled down in Upper Niles. There are no large military offensives akin to those of 2013 – 2014. There is no valid justified indication any tribe planning to launch a major attack on another. And again, there is in place a peace agreement and the Transitional Government of National Unity is existing and very active.

Well, Dr. Riek and a few others jumped off the peace wagon. And of course, there are pockets of insurgencies in some parts of Equatoria largely operating like terrorists and targeting members of certain ethnicities. But that has been going on since the conflict started and the Dinka have never planned any revenge. The number of the Dinkas killed by Nuer is many times bigger than the number lynched on roads by the elements of rebels in Equatoria. So, if the Dinka have never mobilized against Nuer, how can they do that against attacks of the Dinka on roads.

Lies as seen in the quote above have come a long way with the human race. The Dinka people say a false news of death of a dear one becomes a good news when it turned out in the end to be a lie. Similarly, if these warnings and nothing else, then we shall have to be happy with these lies because ‘genocide is worse than the lies about it'.

I actually thought Mr. Ban Ki Moon was going to be a bit cautious after it emerged in a recent report published by many media outlets that the institution he leads, UNMISS, gave a lot arms to rebels in Bentiu, the same arms they used a few weeks later to massacre civilians in large, shocking numbers including those in mosques, churches and hospitals. With lid blown off the corrupted system he leads, Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, chooses not to restore its values and cleanse self but instead delve into loose stories created by the godfathers of regime change and stories damaging and full of vulgarity. It is hard to see people that should advocate for peace working to jeopardize it. That is being irresponsible.

All in all, South Sudanese are not worried about the hyping or sending out of alarm of genocide in the country. However much it is repeated and no matter the weight of those who hype it, South Sudanese should not be moved about what is called ‘impending genocide'. The real problem, rather, is the implication of the song sung in its name.

Stories like these stoke fear in people, increase suspicion and kill trust among people. There are chances that hyping genocide may triggers genocide to happen. Sometimes, those who warn of what is basically a lie have the intention to have what they lied about take place. In this case those who unleash warning on genocide in South Sudan are actually campaigning for genocide to take place because they will badly be left ashamed if the said story did not happen. There is this famous saying in South Sudan that “If you warn a mad man against setting a house on fire, then you could have reminded him to do so”. So, these people should not tell people of South Sudan what they have not thought of. When UNMISS separated IDPs in its Malakal POC into Dinkas and Nuer, they eventually fought inside the POC because they were made to see and feel it that they are not one people.

We know the tory has remained around regime change. Sometimes it goes from Trusteeship to international administration and from sanctions to arms embargo but it all revolves around one thing: regime change. Many other things around these are just lies and propaganda coming from people within the circle with that notion and supported by the media that they control. It is a pity this is still not known to some Africa's big names like Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and Prof. Anyang Nyong'o.

Good enough, truth has already triumphed over the devil as the issue of sanctions and arms embargo on South Sudan were defeated yesterday at the UNSC. I applaud the nations that chose to stand with the truth now rather later after the damage is done.

Many years after the invasion of Iraq, many prominent leaders who hyped the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq admitted that they were wrong and badly regretted their role in the war created out of a baseless lie. I wonder why would some people want to repeat the same mistake in South Sudan?

It is our hope that South Sudan is going to survive the devil scheme, and by the grace of God, surmount all it challenges prove its prophets of doom wrong.

Taban Abel Aguek is the Government Chief Whip in Eastern Lakes State, Yirol. The opinions raised here are solely his own. He can be reached at abelaguek79@gmail.com.

January 1, 2017 (ZALINGEI) Sudanese government forces in Nertiti, Central Darfur State, killed at least nine civilians on Sunday with guns in an apparent revenge attack for the murder of a soldier, a local activist said.

Abdallah Saleh al-Shafie humanitarian official of displaced persons and refugees association told Sudan Tribune that the government forces in Nertiti launched an indiscriminate attack on the civilians using heavy and light weapons after a soldier was found dead in the area.

Al-Shafie confirmed that nine people were killed and 60 wounded, some of them are seriously hurt. He added that government troops looted civilian property and broke into shops in Nertiti-North and Nertiti-South markets.

He said the body of the murdered soldier was found lying in the street, stressing that the offender was not identified.

The humanitarian official said dozens of wounded civilians are treated at the UNAMID hospital as Nertiti hospital was unable to receive them.

Further the government forces arrested 15 people during the "barbaric and savage," attack, as he said, while others fled the area and sought protection in the area just outside the UNAMID site.

The Central Darfur State security committee visited the area of the attack and held a meeting that lasted for several hours during the night.

Following the meeting a local official told Sudan Tribune that ''the situation has returned to calm''.

The government officials claim rebel elements that fled from Jebel Marra battles are now sheltered in IDPs camps and neighbourhoods of Nertiti.

REBELS CONDEMN

The Sudan Liberation Movement- Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) condemned "Nirtiti massacre" and called on the international community to stop the targeting of civilians in Darfur.

"The Sudan Liberation Movement condemns this deliberate attack carried out under direct order of the president of Salvation regime who is wanted for justice and the director of security apparatus. This attack is an evidence to prove the regime's lack of seriousness to achieve peace in Sudan," said the SLM-MM spokesperson Mohamed Hassan Haroun.

He further said the group does not acknowledge the recent extension of unilateral cessation of hostilities for one month by the Sudanese president.

The SLM reiterates its rejection to sign any cessation of hostilities or ceasefire agreement unless the regime stops the repeated attacks and unless al-Bashir stops instructing these militias which he directs personally, further said the rebel group.

In a statement released to condemn the attack, the SPLM-N Secretary General Yasir Arman said the regime is committing a war crime to celebrate the New Year.

"The SPLM-N calls on the Sudanese public to stand against genocide and war crimes and it appeals to the United Nations Security Council, the United States, and the European Union to take measures against General Bashir," said Arman.

The SPLM-secretary general further said that this attack reminds "all of the international stakeholders of the need for civilian protection in Sudan rather than rewarding General Bashir and casting a blind eye on his war crimes".

(ST)

December 30, 2016 (GANYLIEL) – A Tanzanian pilot, currently in rebel custody in war-torn South Sudan for the third day, has blamed the country's authorities for his woes.

The chattered plane detained by rebels (courtesy photo)

In a phone interview with Sudan Tribune on Saturday, Mohammed Nassar said he was duped to believe Ganyliel county in Unity state was under the control of government.

The Tanzanian national operated the plane is now held hostage by rebels. On board was a county commissioner.

“There is no one I can blame, rather than government that told me the area was secured and under their full control, yet we ended up in the hand of the opposition forces on landing in the area,” Nasser told Sudan Tribune over phone.

The detained pilot said he has since failed to contact the Tanzania embassy in Juba, but made contact with family members in Tanzania and colleagues in Juba via email.

John Tap Puot, the rebel-appointed commissioner in the area, says the pilot lacked proper identification documents and wondered by foreigners were being employed.

“We detained the plane and the pilot because he [Nasser] was not in possession of any document, neither passport nor a national identification card, but claimed to be a Tanzanian national,” said Puot.

He, however, said the pilot even failed to provide details of the Tanzanian embassy in Juba when asked to avail them.

The official further disclosed that both the Tanzanian national and Commissioner Peter Gatkoi Beliew were safe.

South Sudanese authorities have not yet reacted on the matter.

(ST)

January 1, 2017 (JUBA) – War-torn South Sudan will experience extreme levels of food insecurity across the country in the first half of 2017, a new food security report show.

Acute food insecurity Feb- Sept 2016 (Photo credit: FEWS NET)

Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS Net), a body that provides early warning and analysis on food insecurity said in its new report that food availability is likely to be lower than normal due to below-average production and volatile trade and that very high price could also limit food access.

Aid agencies say over 2.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict in South Sudan, with an estimated over a million said to have fled into neighbouring countries.
The conflict between South Sudan's rival factions, has led to deaths of thousands since it broke out in December 2013.

"Despite the ongoing harvest, levels of acute malnutrition remain at Crisis and Emergency thresholds in many counties," FEWS Net said in a report released Saturday.

"Given the likely early depletion of household stocks and continued constraints to normal livelihood activities, high levels of acute malnutrition are expected to persist throughout the outlook period,” it adds.

The report also projects a likely upsurge in humanitarian needs within the country, citing the continued civil war.

It, however, said emergency humanitarian assistance and improved access should continue to urgently save lives.

According to the report, over 50 percent of the population in South Sudan's oil-rich Unity state is already internally displaced and ongoing conflict in Mayendit, Rubkona and Leer resulted into new displacement of people last month.

Food insecurity, the report further stressed, is particularly severe among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Leer, the majority of whom are displaced to nearby swamps and lack access to food aid or basic health services.

"Although Unity hosts the largest number of IDPs, internal displacement has increased most rapidly in Greater Equatoria, where the number of IDPs has increased 250 percent since July," it says.

Also cited in the report is the insecurity in Eastern Equatoria region is forcing many to flee to Kenya, where the rate of refugee arrivals increased from about 300 people per week in September to over 1,000 people per week in November.

(ST)

January 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Despite the lift of pre-publication censorship, the Sudanese press continues to suffer from confiscations by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) which has increasingly tightened its grip on printing, distribution and paid advertising in newspapers.

The NISS has shown unflinching determination to carry out mass confiscations against newspapers deemed to cross what it describes as “redlines”. In February 2015, it seized print runs of 14 newspapers from the printing press on one day.

During the last couple of months, the NISS confiscated copies of the various newspapers 32 times.

Chief-Editor of Al-Jareeda daily Ashraf Abdel-Aziz told Sudan Tribune that the NISS seized his newspaper 27 times during the last year, pointing that the National Council for Press and Publications (NCPP) also suspended the news daily four times.

He said the repeated confiscations have inflicted at the very least 600,000 pounds (SDG) (about $38,000) financial loss on the newspaper, pointing that Al-Jareeda doesn't receive any paid advertising from the government.

Abdelaziz pointed that the Minister of Information Ahmed Bilal Osman has previously said the “government would give its paid advertising to whoever it wants”, saying Al-Jareeda was confiscated 11 times in December 2016.

In previous statements, Abdel-Aziz said they recently received an “alarming explicit order from the NISS demanding us to stop two of our opinion writer, Osman Shabona and Zuhair Siraj”, stressing they “wouldn't change the editorial line of the newspaper”.

However, publisher and Chief-Editor of Al-Tayyar daily Osman Merghani believes his newspaper was the most affected by the repeated confiscations and suspensions, saying it was suspended the during the entire first half of last year.

He told Sudan Tribune that entire print runs of Al-Tayyar has been confiscated 10 times from the printing house by the NISS without reasons last year, saying the news daily's loss is estimated at one million pounds (SDG) (about $63,000).

Also, on December 27th, 2016, the NCPP suspended Al-Tayyar for three days following a complaint from the judiciary against a column published by the newspaper discussing some court proceedings.

For his part, Chief-Editor of Al-Saiha daily al-Nour Ahmed al-Nour said his newspaper was seized 6 times during 2016, pointing their financial loss is estimated at 400,000 pounds (about $25,000).

The frequency of confiscations varies with the political climate in the country. For example, newspapers were seized 9 times during the first quarter of 2016 while there were 32 confiscations between late November and December after the NISS imposed restrictions on covering news of the recent civil disobediences actions.

NISS's attempts at taming newspapers weren't only confined to repeated confiscations but also include controlling the government paid advertising and printing market.

It is noteworthy that the NISS owns the International Printing Press (IPP) which prints the majority of the news dailies in the countries.

Director of Al-Ashiqa Printing Press Mohamed Wida'a told Sudan Tribune that the IPP has monopoly over printing of 80% of the newspapers in Sudan.

He pointed that despite a presidential decree to privatize 42 companies belonging to the regular forces, the NISS has expanded the IPP and established a second printing press in a clear violation of the decree.

It should be recalled that the NISS also owns two newspapers' distribution and advertisement companies.

Also, in 2013 the NISS acquired the independent daily Al-Sahafa newspaper and bought the majority of shares of Al-Khartoum newspaper before it was sold to its original publisher.

Moreover, the NISS encompassed the prosecution of journalists for their profession and the preclusion of journalists, writers, opinion makers from writing for security reasons.

According to the Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN), the Press and Publications Court has 11 cases against journalists and chief-editors in 2016.

(ST)

January 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Secretary General Yasser Arman has urged Sudanese activists abroad to launch a campaign of collective return to the country to challenge government threats against civil disobedient organizers.

SPLM's Yasir Arman

Social media activists and opposition groups called on the Sudanese to engage in civil disobedience actions on November 27th and December 19th to protest against the recent austerity measures. The call was met with mixed response in the capital, Khartoum the various regions.

Commenting on recent arrest campaign against activists and opposition figures, Sudan's presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid on thursday said they wouldn't allow any activities threatening security of the people, stressing the activists involved in such actions would be detained upon return to the country.

In an interview with radio Afia Darfur, Arman said the Sudanese in exile should challenge Hamid's statements in which he threatened to take legal actions against social media activists and writers living abroad who supported the general strike.

He called on Sudanese nationals who hold foreign passports to initiate a campaign for collective return to Sudan according to an agreed upon timetable to challenge the regime and escalate mass action.

“If the regime took any action against them, it would face both internal and external resistance from countries which the returnees hold its travel documents and passports [because these countries] are required to protect them according to its internal laws … this would cause dual pressure [on the regime],” he said.

WAR IN YEMEN

Meanwhile, the rebel leader condemned participation of the government in the war in Yemen, saying the move would ruin Sudan's relations with the Yemini people.

He described Sudan's participation in the war in Yemen as “cheap mercenarism”, calling on the Gulf State to not support the regime in its domestic wars against the people in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Sudan participates with over 850 troops in the Saudi-led “Decisive Storm” against the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Sudanese military participation in the campaign reconciled President Omer al-Bashir's regime with the Saudi government, and marked the divorce with Iran.
Arman further said the war in the three areas is “racist war”.

The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

(ST)