Sudan Tribune

December 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Friday has seized print runs of the independent daily Al-Jareeda for the sixth time within twelve days from the printing house without giving reasons.

Journalists working for Al-Jareeda told Sudan Tribune that the NISS seeks to put pressure on the newspaper to mitigate the harsh criticism of the government contained in the Op-ed articles and in particular by columnists Osman Shabona and Mohamed Wida'aa.

NISS has recently intensified crackdown on newspapers for publishing news reports and articles on the nationwide civil disobedience act which took place between 27 and 29 November. During the last couple of weeks, it seized copies of various dailies 22 times.

Al-Jareeda has been one of the most newspapers in Sudan subject to suspension and confiscation. Last May, the NISS had confiscated copies of the newspaper four times during five days.

The NISS routinely confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively on previous issues.

It uses seizures of print copies of newspapers, not only to censor the media but also to weaken them economically.

The state-run Sudanese National Council for Press and Publications (NCPP) rarely interferes to stop the security punishments although it is the official body responsible for running the work of newspapers in the Sudan.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 9, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Chairperson of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Friday urged Kenyan Government to reverse its decision to withdraw its troops from war torn South Sudan.

IGAD chair, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn made the calls at the 29th IGAD extraordinary summit of heads of state and government opened today in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

“South Sudan still remains on critical juncture and the economy stays in sever progress and humanitarian situation also calls for serious attention” Hailemariam said in his opening remark.

He said peace in South Sudan is equally crucial for peace and security in the volatile east African region.

He noted Kenya is an anchor for peace and security in South Sudan and at the region at large.

“I therefore appeal up on the Kenyan government to reconsider its decision to withdraw its forces from South Sudan and to consider its participation”

Last month Kenyan government ordered an immediate withdrawal of its troops deployed in South Sudan, and discontinues plans to contribute to the Regional Protection Force.

A week later Kenya withdrew a first batch of around 100 troops.

Kenya's decision to withdraw its troops who had served in a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan was in response to the sacking of Kenyan commander of the UNMISS force.

UN has accused UNMISS of failing to respond to an attack on a Juba hotel during fighting in July leading to killing of civilians.

In response, UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon's fired UNMISS force Commander Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani.

Here at the IGAD summit, the Ethiopian premier lauded South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, for allowing deployment of regional protection force in to the youngest nation.

He stressed a need for the rival parties to unconditionally cease fire and refrain from hostilities if the world's youngest nation is to secure durable peace and security and to achieve sustainable development.

Hailemariam further said emerging demand by some parties for the reversion of the peace deal is unacceptable.

He added peace agreement is the only roadmap for sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Discussion and consultations on the current situation in South Sudan and Somalia are top on agenda.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has expressed disappointment to the threat of targeted sanctions and arms embargo proposed by the United States at the United Nations Security Council.

In a letter seen by Sudan Tribune the government states that the proposals seriously undermine the sovereignty and internal processes to consolidate peace in the war ravaged nation.

“The government of South Sudan holds the view that the threat of sanctions against government officials are aimed at derailing the entire peace process, perpetuating a state of crisis in South Sudan and to justify International action in the country, so the government rejects the U.S. proposal entirely,” reads the letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council on 6 December.

The Minister in the Office of the President, Mayiik Ayii Deng, who signed the letter, highlighted progress made in the implementation of the peace agreement signed in August 2015. Also, he pointed that to the measures being undertaken by the government in order to rebuild a consensus on the peace agreement through national dialogue.

“The threat of sanctions against prominent government officials has been seen as an act of bad faith intended to weaken the government by creating divisions and raises the suspicion for a regime change agenda”, he stressed.

Last November, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power proposed to impose sanctions on former First Vice President Riek Machar, SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth.

The proposed sanctions include also an arms embargo.

But Washington abandoned the idea after opposition by the veto-power Russia and several other members.

The government argued that taking away the coercive power of the state weakens it from being able to maintain law and order and exacerbates uncontrollable anarchy in the country.

The letter further denies claims that South Sudan is on the verge of Genocide and described it as a tool of objective propaganda for those who want to take over South Sudan as a colony.

It objects to the arms embargo and argued that attempts to deny the government access to weapons could presumably be used to carry out genocide as devoid of merit, saying genocide could be committed with crude inexpensive weapons.

The letter highlights improvement in foreign relations between South Sudan and its neighbours in the interest of peace internally and across the region.

The government implores the members of the Security Council to reject any such proposals, saying it needs now political, financial and moral support to consolidate peace, promote reconciliation and to end violence in the country.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan needs the Security Council as a partner for peace, not as a party to the conflict and such proposals that punish peacemakers go contrary to the partnership and controvert efforts to ensure international peace”, the letter concludes.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Friday said it wouldn't participate in the opposition forces' workshop organized by the Carter Center in Nairobi to discuss peace in Sudan.

SPLM-N leader Malik Agar (C) his deputy Abdel Aziz al-Hilu (L) and SG Yasir Arman pose for a picture in undisclosed location in the rebel controlled areas in March 2014 (AFP/Getty Photo)

The Carter Center, on Wednesday, said a delegation of experts would conduct meetings to explore ways to bring peace in Sudan, pointing the meetings “are not part of the official mediation that the African Union is conducting, but rather supplemental, exploratory gatherings designed to begin to identify points of common ground among all key Sudanese parties”.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Friday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said they apologized for not attending the Carter Center workshop for the opposition forces in Nairobi, pointing they thanked them for extending the invitation.

“There are several reasons why we apologized for not attending the workshop including the government's continued use of food as weapon and refusal to open humanitarian corridors besides targeting of the Two Areas residents on racial bases and the ongoing aerial and artillery bombing of civilians,” read the statement .

“Also, SPLM-N leadership has decided to stop all political contacts with the regime and to give humanitarian issues priority over political issues,” it added.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile states, also known as the “Two Areas” have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

The African Union 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.

Ardol further added that among the reasons why they apologized for not attending the proposed workshop is their demand to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use by the Sudanese army in Darfur, saying there are signs that it might have also been used in the Two Areas.

Last September, Amnesty International reported that over 200 people had been killed in Darfur Jebel Marra area by banned chemical weapons since January 2016. But the government denied the claims.

Ardol also pointed to the mass detentions of political leaders and activists and recent crackdown on press freedoms, saying this “atmosphere is not conducive for dialogue”.
He underscored SPLM-N's support for the December 19th civil disobedience call and urged opposition forces to play an active role in the event.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan Salva Kiir has on Friday left the national capita, Juba, for the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to take part in a meeting of the head of states and governments of the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

South Sudan President Salva Kiir waits for the arrival of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, in Juba on May 23, 2013. (Photo Reuters)

The IGAD summit will discuss the going economic, political and security situation in South Sudan, Somalia and other challenges facing the region.

President Kiir, according to a statement from his office, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the IGAD head of States on areas of common interest.

He is accompanied by several high level government ministers and security officials.

The trip to Ethiopia is the third foreign visit after Equatorial Guinea and South Africa after his troops loyal to him and his main political rival and former First Vice President turned rebel leader, Riek Machar, clashed at the presidential palace in July, returning to the country to war after it first descended in violence conflict in 2013.

(ST)

December 7, 2016 (JUBA) - Rebel forces loyal to the former First Vice President Riek Machar said they had taken control of a new area in River Yei State, South Sudan's Central Equatoria.

Last weekend the armed group claims they overrun Lasu and Lobongo villages outside of Yei town, a common border between South Sudan and DRC.

John Sunday Martin, a commander of the SPLA-IO forces in the area said they captured Ombachi in Otogo Payam on Wednesday at around 4:00pm local time.

He further said they killed dozens of the government forces and "captured 4 RPGs, 6 PKM and 15 AK47 with rounds of ammunitions including 1 armed vehicle".

The rebel commander went further to say that their fighters are " advancing toward Yei from all directions" and called on civilians and aid workers to evacuate from Yei twon.

The government army didn't deny the rebel claims, also the SPLA spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The International Criminal Court will hold a hearing on the cooperation of the South African government with the war crimes court next April, said a statement on Thursday.

International Criminal Court Judges at the Hague (Reuters)

The decision to hold a public hearing was taken after Pretoria refusal to arrest Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir while he was on its territory between 13 and 15 June 2015 for the meeting of the African Union summit in Johannesburg.

On 8 December 2016, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (the “ICC” or “Court”) issued a decision convening a public hearing on 7 April 2017, for the purposes of a determination, under article 87(7) of the Rome Statute, on the compliance by the Republic of South Africa with the Court's request for arrest and surrender of Mr Omer al Bashir to the Court.

In line with the article 87(7), of Rome Statute, any State Party failing to comply with a request to cooperate by the Court is actually considered as preventing the Court from exercising its functions.

The ICC in such a case can decide to "refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties or, where the Security Council referred the matter to the Court, to the Security Council,” provides the article.

The case of Darfur war crimes was referred to the Court by the UN Security Council as the Sudan is not a State Party to Rome Statute.

The ICC had already urged the Security Council to take action over Chad and Djibouti failure to arrest the Sudanese president who is charged with criminal responsibility on 10 counts , including genocide, torture and rape.

Last June ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda blamed the UN Security Council for inaction to enforce two arrest warrants against President al-Bashir saying its position damaged the credibility of both the Council and the International Criminal Court.

"The council's failure to act in response to 11 findings of non-compliance issued by ICC judges has equally emboldened states ... not only to facilitate Mr. al-Bashir's travels to their territories but to invite and host him," Bensouda said.

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) Friday welcomed a statement by the European Union and Troika countries denouncing the arrest of Sudanese opposition leaders and called for more pressures on the government.

SLM-MM leader Minni Minnawi (AP Photo)

The SLM-MM "welcomes and vehemently support this call" said Minnawi in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

This "arbitrary arrest does not only does not only violate rights of Sudanese people, but it also clearly shows and confirms the fact that the government is never serious on any genuine National Dialogue. Leave alone the fact that it has already concluded its unilateral dialogue."

The rebel leader further accused Khartoum government of bombarding civilians in Darfur and the Two Areas while its militiamen are committing further atrocities and war crimes.

Following calls to protest against the increase of fuel and electricity prices last November the security service arrested more than 40 opposition figures from the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), National Umma Party (NUP), Sudanese Communist Party (SCP), Arab Ba'ath Party, National Alliance Forces (NAF) as well as civil society activists and journalists.

On Friday, Amnesty announced the detention of human rights defender Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, and expressed fears for his safety saying he is at grave risk of torture.

Minnawi called on the EU and Troika countries to "to put more stronger and effective pressure" on the government to ensure the release of opponents and activists.

He also reiterated his support to the non-violent action of the opposition groups and called on the supporters of his movement to join the general strike announced for 19 December.

The SLM-MM leader further called on the "international community and human rights organizations to closely monitor and report all atrocities against the peaceful civilians".

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (JUBA) - The Governor of South Sudan's Yei River state has assembled a team comprising of religious and prominent community leaders to negotiate with armed dissidents in the area.

Governor David Lokonga Moses speaks to the press in Yei May 31, 2016 (ST)

David Moses Lonkonga announced this on the state-owned SSBC that the team will comprise of representatives of different faith based groups, academic community and from non-governmental organizations with contacts with the parties involved in the conflict.

“The core negotiating team will partake in creating a negotiating position, and report to the government on the negotiation process with the armed dissident groups in the area,” the statement reads in part.

Lokonga, also claimed the state was relatively calm in recent days because of security measures his leadership put in place for peace.

Some of the measures taken in the area, he said, included arresting and punishing those members of the security forces found to be looting or harassing civilians and government has formed a para-military force comprising of military and civil police, the fire brigade unit as well as the wildlife unit to help patrol the streets of Yei town.

“Soldiers in plain clothes roaming the town with firearms are more criminal than those in military uniforms,” further stressed the governor.

The official made these remarks during a visit to Yei by teams representing the United Nations and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) respectively.

According to Jacob Aligo, Yei's minister of physical infrastructure, residents of the newly-created state are yearning for peace, which would allow the displaced people to safely return to their homes.

“Thousands of civilians are trapped in the bushes without food, shelter and medical care,” he said.

Muki Batali Buli, an advisor to Yei River state governor, said that the major challenge in bringing lasting peace is the inability of relevant stakeholders to make contact with leaders of the armed groups.

Buli said that continued dialogue would help chat a new page, de-escalate tensions and build confidence and trust in the community.

“We also have to talk to our own soldiers to stop harming civilians, so that the soldiers will help restore hope to the people and reduce the soaring mistrust between them,” he said.

Dan Lizzul, a member of CTSAMM, said all armed forces in the country must respect international humanitarian and human rights laws during combat.

“Professional armies fight only other professional armies. They do not attack, rape or harass civilians,” he stressed.

The armed opposition's earlier claims of being in control of Yei River state was dismissed by pro-government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.

(ST).

December 8, 2016 (JUBA) – There was "incompetence" and "unfairness" of the judge in the case in which $500 million was allegedly stolen from South Sudan president's office, research Legal Watch Associate conducted, shows.

A trial session of suspects allegedly involved in corrution at the presidency (File Photo)

The findings details "unfairness" in the process of administration of justice from the time suspects were arrested, detained, investigated, tried and convicted.

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

Findings from a research, which was conducted for over a one year period, have indicated that the whole process was marred with shortcomings, most of which are outlined in the 18-page dossier.

The research was conducted using the methodology of collecting information from various sources including court sessions, one on one interview with the institutions involved and phone interviews and a comprehensive report was made.

The case, according to Legal Watch Associate, started as a rumor that $500 million had been stolen from the office of the president and transferred to the account of John Agou in Nairobi, Kenya in favor of Mayen Wol Jong, the Chief Administrator and Yel Luol Koor, the Executive Director.

“The alleged sum of $500 million was not found during the investigation despite the fact that the intelligence report misled the president to suspend the two senior officials from their positions," partly reads the report Sudan Tribune obtained Monday.

After the investigation was done, it further added, the committee allegedly failed to find the alleged sum of $500 million said to have been stolen, the committee shifted to auditing the executive office of the president without the normal procedures of auditing a classified institution.

The report thus says the long arrest and detention of accused persons for over a year is “illegal” and “unlawful”.

“The suspects were not accorded their rights as per the constitution neither were they arraigned in court to be remanded by competent court,” observed the report.

“The searches that were conducted at the accused persons' houses were illegal and unlawful as there was no due process of the law followed. The break in and storming of Click Technologies Ltd without court search warrant was a direct threat to right of personal property,” it adds.

Research reportedly found that the auditing that became the new base of the investigation and the case after the failure to find the $500 million as alleged in the intelligence report was not independent, impartial or fair.

“It did not meet international standards that required that auditors must work without influence from the institution being audited. The auditors were working at the same premises with the investigation
committee and the complainant,” further notes the report.

“The seal and signature of the president that is alleged to have been used in the forgery was a mere gimmick by the investigation committee to incriminate the accused people and to make the case stronger in the public domain. There was no single document found bearing the seal and the signature of H.E. the president requesting money from the ministry of finance or central bank," it added.

One of the accused, Athorbei Gaddaffy was not charged in absentia neither was his money amounting to USD $8.6 million and SSP 711,500 were drop from the case and instead were made part of the case by the investigation committee and the prosecution team.

“The goods that the prosecution presented to the court as having not been delivered are still being used in the office of the president up to this hour. The donation from H.E. the president to Greater Lakes States women parliamentarian are denied to have been delivered despite the fact that the contractor Mr. Simon Lupai of Lupain Motors confirming to the court as having delivered the cars and having received his money," says the report, unveiled on the heels of the country's hard economic crisis.

INTIMIDATION OF JUDGE

The report further points out that the trial judge was allegedly heavily intimidated and influenced by the prosecution to “blindly rule in their favor”.

“The trial did not meet the constitutional threshold of fair trial. The accused people were not given fair hearing to defend themselves before the law. Defense witnesses were denied access to enter the court room and some were threatened and made to withdraw from testifying. Lawyers were threatened at gun point,” the report notes.

“The trial judge did not administer justice in a fair, independent and impartial manner. He unified the charges during the pre-trial without distinction between the first accused to the last accused persons”, it stressed.

During the research, the trial judge allegedly confessed to one of the researchers that he was under innermost pressure to sentence the accused persons without exception and with the most severe conviction in the law.

“The complainant, General Paul Nang Majok categorically stated during his cross examination in court that he does not know some of the accused people as he did not open any case against them. He said that he was only ordered to arrest only five people among the 16 accused persons in court and the rest, he did not open any case against them,” the report observes.

JUSTICE DENIED

The entity, Legal Watch Associates South Sudan notes that the case is a complete miscarriage of justice and has negatively tainted the image of the country and the office of the president.

“The same rumors like the one that this case of the 16 people was built is like the recent news article on Sudantribune.com that claims that $280 million has been stolen from the office of the president. Such propaganda does not advance positive interest of the country. People who circulate such rumours must be tracked down, investigated and prosecuted and sent to prison for the rest of their lives,” it said.

“For justice to prevail, we call upon the appeal panel that is reviewing the case to expedite the case and release these people from prison without delay,” it further said.

Sudan Tribune was unable to get a response from the presidency on findings of the report.

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Sudanese human rights defender, Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, in Khartoum and taken him to undisclosed location, said Amnesty International on Thursday.

Chairman of the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) Mudawi Ibrahim Adam (www.democracyandsecurity.org)

Adam was arrested on Wednesday 7 December at the Khartoum University, where he works as an engineering professor.

The human rights group said his arrest is "further proof of the government's intolerance of independent voices".

Sudanese authorities recently arrested over 40 opposition figures and activists following the increase of fuel, electricity and drugs.

Adam's arrest comes among calls by the opposition groups for a second general strike on 19 December. A first strike took place between 27 to 29 November.

“Mudawi's arbitrary arrest underscores the government's desperate attempts to extinguish the last embers of dissent in the country. This wanton repression and disregard for human rights must come to an end,” said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

The Troika countries, European Union and Canada Wednesday expressed concern about “the detention, apparently without charge, of a number of political leaders either in anticipation of protests or having protested government economic moves”.

From December 2003 to January 2005, Mudawi had been arrested, during several months in connection with his work with the Sudan Social Development Organization (SUDO) in Darfur.

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Thursday arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to take part in a meeting of the head of states and governments de the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

On Thursday morning al-Bashir left Khartoum to Harar city the capital of Harari regional state, to attend the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Day (NNPD) annual festival together with Ethiopian prime minister and Djiboutian president.

The IGAD summit will discuss on Friday the situation in South Sudan and Somalia. Bashir also is expected to hold bilateral meeting with the IGAD leaders to discuss bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

The president is accompanied by a delegation including Presidential Affaire Minister Fadel Abdallah Fadel, and Director of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Mohamed Atta. Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour will join them in Addis Ababa Friday for the IGAD meeting.

Speaking at the 11th NNP Day festival in Harari regional state, Al-Bashir pointed to the deep rooted relations between the people in Ethiopia and Sudan, adding that the people to people relations positivity impacted all the other aspects between the two countries.

"The joint committees of the two nations are helping in advancing the economic collaboration," he said.

Cultural shows and dances of the various nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia were the key features of the annual festival, said the Ethiopian News Agency.

(ST)

December 8, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Salva Kiir has ordered for the deployment of additional troops to the oil producing region, saying it would ensure no armed elements disturb operations of the oil workers.

South Sudanese soldiers guard an oil refining facility (AFP)

“We are working to stabilize the situation and improve the economic situation. Now I have instructed the chief of general staff to work with his team to send more troops to Bentiu and other oil areas to ensure there is adequate security for oil workers and the community," the South Sudanese leader told the state-owned SSBC.

"They will ensure those who want to cut the pipeline do not get access to disturb security of oil companies. This is one of the priorities and will be done”, he added.

While meeting the Jikany community leaders on Thursday, Kiir urged all armed forces to do everything they can to distinguish between civilians and combatants and thus avoid unnecessary suffering of the people and prevent collateral damage to property.

He admitted the economic situation was not encouraging due the nation's ongoing war.

Conflict in South Sudan cut oil output by a third to about 160,000 barrels per day. The country is currently only pumping oil in Upper Nile state after production in Unity state stalled in 2014.

However, in May this year, the country's Petroleum and Mining Ministry said oil production was quickly declining and future production would not reach even half of what the country used to realize five years ago.

South Sudan's Transitional Government of National Unity now faces an uphill task of reviving an economy largely dependent on oil resources to support its budget.

The oil sector, which accounts for over 90% of government revenues, has been badly affected the recent war, in addition to the decline in oil prices on world markets

Commodity prices also shot up due to the devaluation of the local currency, South Sudanese pound, which has gravely impacted on the transport sector in the country.

The most affected are importers of food items and general household goods who have to deal with sharply increased prices to bring in goods from neighbouring Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Many investors have left local and regional businesses collapse, while unemployment has increased.

South Sudan is one of poorest countries in the world with the worst indicators on development, health and education.

The conflict, which broke out in 2013, has negatively impacted on the nation's citizens, including pushing the country to the brink of famine with over 3 million people, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, aid agencies warned.

Observers say despite being oil-rich, South Sudan is likely to record negative gross domestic product growth in 2016 after growing by 30.7 percent two years ago, largely due its conflict, decline in oil production and global fall in oil prices.

(ST)

December 7, 2016 (NAIROBI) -South Sudanese authorities should immediately reverse the expulsion of Associated Press reporter Justin Lynch and also cease interfering with journalists' ability to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ), said.

Lynch was on Tuesday arrested by South Sudanese security officers and put on a flight to Uganda, the AP reported.

"The expulsion of Justin Lynch is yet another illustration of how much President Salva Kiir's government fears independent media coverage," said Murithi Mutiga, CPJ's East Africa representative.

"South Sudan needs independent journalism now more than ever. The government should reverse this decision and allow journalists to do their job without harassment," he added.

According to the journalist, the officers offered no official explanation for their action.

"Yesterday I was arrested and deported by members of South Sudan's National Security Service. The officers did not officially present me with a reason for my arrest and deportation, but repeatedly said that my reporting was too critical of the government. This is a violation of press freedom," the journalist wrote on Twitter.

South Sudan's Director-General of Information Paul Jacob Kumbo did not immediately return CPJ's calls requesting comment on the decision, CPJ said in its statement.

In the last year, South Sudanese authorities have shuttered media outlets and have beaten, threatened, and arrested journalists, CPJ research shows.

(ST)

December 7, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese and Russian governments Wednesday agreed to negotiate an agreement on the use of nuclear energy in the East African country .

The protocol was signed at the end of the fourth meeting of Russian-Sudanese inter-governmental commission for trade and economic cooperation in Moscow.

"The Russian State Corporation for Atomic Energy (Rosatom) along with Sudan's Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity of the Republic are working on a draft memorandum of understanding for the peaceful use of nuclear energy that may be signed in 2017," the protocol said.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, the memo "also noted that Rosatom was planning to hold an expert seminar in Sudan next year to discuss the prospects for bilateral cooperation".

Since several years, Sudan announced it had plans to build a four- reactor nuclear power plant to fill the gap in power generation by 2030.

In May 2016, Sudan and China have signed a framework agreement to build a 600-megawatt atomic reactor.

Last Tuesday, Sudan's Minister of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity told Sudanese lawmakers that Sudan will start preparing for building a 1200 Megawatts nuclear power plant in 2017.

The meeting of the Russian-Sudanese inter-governmental commission for trade and economic cooperation was chaired by Sergey Donskoy, Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and Sudan's Minister of Minerals, Sadig al-Karori.

At the end of the joint Russian –Sudanese meetings, the two ministers have signed agreements on minerals, agriculture, energy, health, education, oil and gas.

Russia is working to increase the commercial exchange with Sudan to reach $ 20 billion in the coming six years, Donskoy told reporters at the end of the joint Russia- Sudan meetings.

On his part, Minister al-Karori pointed that cooperation between Russia and Sudan could further increase to serve the interest of the two nations, saying that the two countries have set up a joint council to develop the economic relation between the two countries.

“Sudan is keen to involve Russia in Atlantis-II Project, which aims to jointly exploit Red Sea natural resources with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

In 2010, the Canadian Diamond Fields International and Saudi Manafa International Ltd. were licensed by the Saudi Sudanese Committee to conduct exploration activities in Red Sea rift valley.

In a feasibility study conducted in 2012, Diamond Fields International expected that Saudi Arabia and Sudan will make big profits from the extraction of copper, silver and zinc from Red Sea bed. At the time, it expected to start production in 2014 once technical studies are completed.

(ST)

December 7, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Carter Center Wednesday announced that a delegation of experts has started meetings in Khartoum with the Sudanese stakeholders to explore ways to bring peace in Sudan.

The African Union with the support of German government and Troika countries seeks since several years to end the armed conflicts in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. However since last August the peace talks are deadlocked over cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals.

"The meetings are not part of the official mediation that the African Union is conducting, but rather supplemental, exploratory gatherings designed to begin to identify points of common ground among all key Sudanese parties," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The five-member delegation of experts met on Wednesday with several government officials at the Sudanese presidency, , the National Assembly, the Sudan Armed Forces, the National Intelligence Service, the National Dialogue, and others, the statement said.

On Thursday and Friday, the visiting team will meet with "representatives of Sudanese groups advocating for the interests of women, youth, traditional communities, and the poor. It will also meet with armed and political opposition actors".

"The Center is prepared to meet with all Sudanese stakeholders," further stressed the statement.

The delegation of experts includes Roelf Petrus Meyer former South African minister who negotiated the end of Apartheid regime with the National Congress Party, Monica McWilliams an Irish politician and a delegate to Ireland's Multi-Party Peace Negotiations, Amine Ghali of Tunisia, former member of a national body on transitional justice after the Tunisian revolution, Miriam Coronel Ferrer of the Philippines, former government chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Karim Thabetn, a former UN development programme in his country the Yemen.

The independent American center, which had long presence in Sudan and contributed to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, is one the rare Western non-governmental organization that the Sudanese government was keen to work with and its founder former U.S. President Jimmy Carter had been received at different times by President Omer al-Bashir.

“The Carter Center has a long history in Sudan and is invested in its success,” said Jordan Ryan, vice president of the Center's peace programs and a participant in the meetings. “We want to do whatever we can to help bring peace to its people, and we think facilitating meetings like this is a small way we can contribute to the peace process."

"This week's meetings are exploratory, but we hope they will be the first in a series,” he pointed.

(ST)

December 6, 2016 (JUBA) – A physical confrontation occurred between two senior staff at South Sudan's president office, an eyewitness told Sudan Tribune Monday.

The incident happened between the acting chief administrator, Ambassador Bol Wek Agoth and one Thiik Thiik Machar, a nephew to the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.

The two officials are said to have bitterly argued over an outstanding payment that was meant for Thiik, with the latter accusing the acting chief administrator of "sleeping on his job and having run down the president's office into bankruptcy"

Thiik further accused Agoth of having vacated his office at the general administration block of the office of the president and always hanged around the president for unnecessary attention, neglecting his responsibilities, a source told Sudan Tribune.

In the ensuing confusion, however, the acting chief administrator reportedly responded by accusing Thiik of demanding to be paid from what was not budgeted.

The two officials were reportedly restrained by other colleagues and Thiik was asked to immediately vacate the presidential palace compound.

An aide to President Kiir, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed outrage over the matter, but did, however, admit that staff morale was of late very low within the presidency.

The president's office was recently in the spotlight after it emerged that about $280 million went missing from a safe. An official within the presidency, however, denied the alleged theft incident.

(ST)

December 7, 2016 (JUBA) – The Governor of Northern Liech, one of South Sudan's newly-created states has dismissed reports that he switched allegiance from government in fear that he would be removed from his position in the upcoming gubernatorial reshuffle.

Northern Liech state governor Joseph Monytuil (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

Joseph Nguen Monytuil is in his area in response to the president's directive asking all governors to be at their headquarters to be close to the people they govern and to help in the dissemination of the peace agreement, which the government with armed and non-armed opposition signed in August 2015.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Northern Liech state information minister, Lam Tungwar said the governor, himself and the entire state administration were surprised by what he described “as unfounded and baseless lies by anti-peace elements in the state”.

“I went to the office of the president and met with the minister in the office of the president to clear the air about these allegations. It is not true the government has defected. He is still with the government and is now in the state for the mission assigned to him by the president”, Tungwar exclusively said on Wednesday.

He said the state government would lodge a legal pursuit of those behind the allegations, which he described as defamatory in nature.

In October, South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir threatened to dismiss state governors who use public resources to pay luxury hotels instead of remaining with their respective constituencies in the states.

President Kiir expanded the country's 10 states to 28 a year ago – a move criticized as violation of the August 2015 peace agreement, which was signed based on the 10 states and the economic challenges.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 7, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) –South Sudan Students union on Wednesday urged all South Sudanese residing in Ethiopia to immediately cease all activities concerning election process due to the current state of emergency declared by the Ethiopian government.

Many students attended the electoral processes that last nearly ten hours at South Sudan Embassy in Kampala on Saturday Nov. 19, 2011 (ST)

In October, Addis Ababa has declared a six-month state of emergency after waves of violet anti-government protests claimed lives of hundreds of people.

The office of the Electoral committee here in Addis Ababa called on all students in Ethiopia to rather focus on their study until the decree is lifted.

The students' election was scheduled to take place by 20th of December 2016 in order to usher in a new leadership but has been postponed and will be held once the state of emergency is lifted.

“The election is now being call off because the electoral committee sees the importance of respecting the law and order of this country,” James Yuot chairman of the Union told Sudan Tribune.

He urged the candidates to bear with the emergency situation until the situation is normalized.

“The office of the electoral committee will immediately issue a statement once the state of emergency is lifted,” Yout added.

The union further urged all students to abide by the constitution of the country with regard to carrying out campaign related issues and mobilization of students for new leadership.

It advised candidates from announcing anything different to the subject matter.

The Union's electoral body which was formed a year ago has the mandate to carry out the election so that the students can have a new leadership in order to continue with the agenda of peace building and peacemaking among the south Sudanese students living in Ethiopia.

South Sudanese Students Union in Ethiopia (SSSUE) was founded more than 7 years ago.

The Union has members' more than 3,000 students across the Ethiopia including those under government sponsorship and private students.

The Union has been here in Addis Ababa has objectives of uniting the South Sudanese students living in Ethiopia and promoting peace.

It further raises funds to provide support for the needy and encourages harmony among exiled South Sudanese.

(ST)

December 7, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Western nations have expressed concern over detention of Sudanese opposition leaders and recent crackdown on press saying government actions would hinder efforts for holding an inclusive national dialogue.

SCoP leader Omer al-Digair (ST Photo)

Following the government decision to raise fuel and electricity price on November 3rd, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) launched a large arrest campaign and detained more than 40 opposition figures from the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) , National Umma Party (NUP), Sudanese Communist Party (SCP), Arab Ba'ath Party, National Alliance Forces (NAF) as well as civil society activists and journalists.

Also, the NISS carried out mass seizure campaign against newspapers during the last couple of weeks and confiscated various Khartoum dailies more than 21 times.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, Sudan's Troika, European Union and Canada expressed concern about “the detention, apparently without charge, of a number of political leaders either in anticipation of protests or having protested government economic moves”.

“We are also aware of Sudanese authorities seizing newspapers and engaging in other forms of censorship, allegedly for reporting on expression of political views” read the statement.

The western nations further said “the arrest of political leaders for non-violent dissent risks hindering efforts for an inclusive National Dialogue that involves all the relevant political forces in Sudan in line with the African Union Roadmap, which we all support”.

“We call on the Sudanese authorities to allow the people to exercise their right to freedom of expression. At the same time, we urge those exercising their fundamental rights to express their opinions peacefully,” added the statement.

However, Sudanese foreign ministry denounced the Troika statement terming it as "unacceptable attempt to interfere in Sudan's internal affairs" .

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Garib Allah al-Khidir further said the statement is "unjustified interference", adding it lacks information and credibility, according to the official SUNA.

Last month, the government lifted fuel, electricity and drug subsidy. The government decision led to significant increase in the general price level and exacerbated the already dire living conditions.

The government move stirred a large wave of protests across Sudan and prompted large segments of the Sudanese people to engage in a three-day civil disobedience from 27 to 29 November.

(ST)