Sudan Tribune

November 28, 2016 (BOR) – Jonglei's government dismissed the ex-secretary general's claimed of nepotism and corruption in the state.

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

The ex-secretary general Mawut Achiek, who resigned on 25 November, claimed the state was heavily indebted to 17.9 million pounds, making it difficult to make incentive payments to about 200 of the governor's guards; majority of who belong to the latter's clan.

Achiek said he been forced by some officials, who to include names of people already in public service into the pay roll, or replace some existing staff in higher salary grades, with people from the governor's clan.

But in reaction to statements from the ex-secretary general, the minister of information Akech Deng said government had never had any new appointments since the new Jonglei state was created.

“Since the appointment of Aguer Panyang no single new appointment was made, in all the ministries because we inherited all staff of former Jonglei whom we found operating. If you want, go to finance and check all the staff there name by name, to see if there is any cashier who belongs to the governor”s clan”, he said.

“The governor never authorized any one to appoint cashier”, he added.

About-unpaid incentives for the guards since April, the minister said it was the responsibility of secretary and finance ministry to pay them.

But the secretary general said he was not able to get money to pay.

“It is not the governor to pay his guards, it is the secretary general and finance who do those duties”, Akech added.

Although the information minister declined to disclose the state financial position, whether debts of 17.9 million SSP were untrue, and why it was difficult for the secretary to meet money to pay the guards, he later on highlighted that the state had financial deficit.

“If there is something like debts or deficits, talk to the finance minister,” said Akech.

“There is overstaffing in the state, and the governor has formed a ministerial committee to screen the employees, and order the physically count of the working force to address the issue of deficit and this is to show that the governor has not authorized any new appointment since he was appointment”, he added.

The minister said the government does not belong to a particular clan, and that rules of the land do not allow anyone to threaten people.

“If there is anyone who attempted to do so, then the ex-secretary general should have reported this”, he said.

(ST)

November 28, 2016 (LEER) – The armed opposition forces allied to South Sudan ex-First Vice-President, Riek Machar soldiers allied to Machar's successor, Taban Deng Gai of allegedly killing civilians in Daplual and Male villages, northwest of Mayiandit county headquarters.

People wait to fill up their water containers at a camp for internally displaced people in Unity state capital Bentiu (Photo: Matthew Abbott/AP)

The area opposition spokesperson, James Yoach Bideng, claimed soldier, commanded by Lt-Gen. Dor Majur, combined with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and killed dozens of civilians.

He said over 20 civilians were killed and thousands fled their homes as pro-government forces and troops allied to the first Vice President entered the villages and surrounded areas over the weekend.

“For the last two days the pro-government troops and those allied to Taban Deng have been mopping the population there. It is very sad to hear civilians got killed and with their homes being burned and chopped down,” Yoach told Sudan Tribune Monday.

Last week, the official added, armed groups launched major offensives against Machar forces in the area, with an intention to dislodge and regain more territories within the oil-rich Unity state.

Also, clashes were earlier this month reported between forces allied to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to South Sudan's armed opposition leader in Nhialdiu and Jazeera areas of Rubkotna county.

About 20 aid workers were reportedly caught up in the clashes between rival forces, but later released by the rebels in the area.

In the last two year, however, Daplual and Male villages have hosted thousands of civilians who abandoned their homes in Koch, Rubkuay and Leer areas, as a result of the ongoing skirmishes.

It is believed the area was safer for humanitarian agencies assisting those in need, but thousands fled due to recent attacks between the rival factions.

(ST)

By Amb. Dhano Obongo

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in Eastern Africa Community was formed in1996 succeed the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) which was formed as far back as 1986.

The objective for the formation of IGADD goes back to 1974 and 1984 when droughts, manmade and natural disasters hit the Eastern Africa countries badly, and as a result the leaders of the Eastern Africa nations came up with the idea of formation of IGADD.

IGAD is composed of eight nations in the Horn of Africa namely, Uganda, Sudan , Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia , Djibouti, South Sudan as well as Eritrea. It is worth mentioning here that, IGAD was mutually formed via the United Nations , and in 1986, the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments was held in Djibouti to sign the Accord which formally launched IGADD with main office based in Djibouti capital.

In 1996 in Nairobi, Kenya the Assembly of Heads of States & Governments amended the IGADD Charter & Agreement and changed and gave it a new name the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The official language of IGAD is English and IGAD is headed by the Executive Secretary, Amb. Mahaboub Maalim, a Kenyan national. Amb. Maalim's two terms has come to an end and IGAD is looking for a new candidate from two countries namely Somalia and South Sudan. However, it's likely that the position of the Executive Secretary may be taken by a South Sudanese national. Am sure our leadership is doing its homework diligently and will recommend experienced , competent and seasoned candidates.

IGAD rules and regulations that, IGAD request three candidates to be nominated from a country who wants to contest for the position, then a panel goes through each candidate's CV and eventually they select the suitable candidate. The selected candidate would then be appointed by the Assembly of Heads of states and Governments for a tenure of four years renewable once. Furthermore, IGAD has a Committee of Ambassadors of IGAD composes of IGAD member state's residence Ambassadors accredited to the country of head office. These Ambassadors as frequently as the require advise and guide the Executive Secretary.

The purpose of this article is make our political leadership aware that, it would be significant to recommend three candidates as soon as possible, who are well experienced, competent as well as strong personalities. If I were our leadership I would recommend the following candidates for thier rich CV for the position of the Executive Secretary and they are:-
• Dr. Hon. Barnaba Marial Benjamin
• Amb. Emmanuel Lo-Willa
• Dr. Kuel Maluil Jok
From my point of view these three candidates are experienced and competent to compete for the position without any doubt and they can really represent South Sudan.

The current Executive Secretary was elected and appointed on 14th June 2008. I strongly believe that, it's a time for the South Sudan to play and demonstrate an active role in the regional multilateral diplomacy or in other words the conferences diplomacy. Let us not miss this golden opportunity.

Author can be reached via E-mail: dhano01obongo@gmail.com

November 28, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Monday said he accepted the deployment of the regional protection force because he has received numerous assurances of support and cooperation from the United Nations and regional leaders.

Also, the president disclosed he received assurances from regional leaders that the force would never take unilateral decision.

“Many leaders from the region have been calling and asked me to accept on behalf of the people of South Sudan the deployment of the regional protection force. I told them this is not a personal thing for me to just decide. I said I will consult with the people. And so we did this with the stakeholders," Kiir said.

He added that his first deputy Taban Deng Gai who leads a splinter faction of the SPLM-IO and his team consulted among themselves and they agreed that this should be taken to the cabinet where a formal decision was taken to accept the 4000 strong force on Friday .

The head of state was speaking to some members of the Dinka council of elders who visited him at his residence on Sunday to congratulate him on the acceptance of the deployment of the regional protection force and for a successful foreign trip to Equatorial Guinea for Arab- Africa summit.

President Kiir, according to one of his top aides, also requested the group to help him and to campaign for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation in the country, saying war does not resolve differences. He further declared his personal commitment to end the conflict.

“We have accepted the deployment of the regional protection force because of peace. We need our people to return to their homes and resume their normal lives. If this force will play a positive role, then let them come,” said president Kiir according to one of his top aides.

The South Sudanese government initially rejected the deployment of troops from countries sharing immediate borders with the young nation saying “they have interests in the country.”

But after a visit of the Ethiopian Prime Hailemariam Desalegn, at the end of October 2016, Juba said it accepts the participation of the Ethiopian troops in the regional force and said they signed a security agreement providing to stop hosting armed opposition groups in their respective countries.

(ST)

November 28, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday has seized copies of Al-Ayam and Al-Jareeda newspapers from the printing house without stating reasons.

Sudanese men read sports news in the absence of ten political newspapers in Khartoum on November 18, 2008 (AFP)

Journalists working for Al-Jareeda told Sudan Tribune that the newspaper was likely confiscated for publishing reports on the recent civil disobedience act and trials of protesters.

For their part, some journalists at Al-Ayam said the newspaper was seized because it carried a headline saying “Calm reigns in the capital on the first day of civil disobedience”.

It is noteworthy that Sudanese from different walks of life on Sunday have engaged in a three-day civil disobedience to resist recent government decision to lift fuel, electricity and drug price.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese non-governmental Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) network has denounced the seizure of Al-Ayam and Al-Jareeda, saying the NISS was punishing the two newspapers for covering the news of the civil disobedience.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, JHR said the NISS had also seized copies of the Al-Ayam on Sunday before later allowing its distribution.
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.

On Sunday, Sudanese authorities ordered to close down a TV station on Sunday, as the opposition called for a three day civil disobedience to protest the recent austerity measures and the lack of freedoms.

Also, on 6 November, the NISS confiscated copies of Al-Tayyar, Al-Jareeda and Al-Watan newspapers for publishing news reports criticizing the government decision to raise fuel and electricity price.

(ST)

November 28, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour and the German Envoy to Sudan and the Nile Basin Countries Rolf Welberts Monday have discussed ways to promote bilateral ties between the two nations in the various fields.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah said Ghandour has briefed the German envoy on Sudan's efforts to achieve peace in South Sudan and to implement cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

According to the statement, Ghandour also pointed to the ongoing efforts to implement water agreements among Nile basin countries.

For his part, the German envoy praised Sudan's efforts to achieve security and stability in the region, hailing the role played by the Sudanese government to converge views between Egypt and Ethiopia on Nile waters agreements.

It is worth to mention that Germany had signed a strategic partnership agreement with the AU High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) by the end of 2014 allowing it to work with the Sudanese parties to facilitate a process aiming to bring peace and achieve democratic transformation in the east African country.

Also, Sudan and Germany have forged strategic partnership to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.

Earlier this year, the German government earmarked €12 million for projects aimed at stemming illegal immigration of Africans across Sudan to Europe.

(ST)

November 28, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese authorities Monday barred a team a ceasefire monitoring team from reaching Yei to assess the security situation in the troubled Central Equatoria region .

SPLA soldiers are seen at the airport in Bor January 19, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeaunu)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) said one of its teams was "denied freedom of movement while trying to reach Yei to conduct an assessment of the area and carry out its mandated activities".

The ceasefire monitoring mechanism said they got the green light from all the concerned authorities including the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission since early this month.

"However when the MVT began their journey from Juba this morning they were stopped at a check point on the outskirts of the city and told they would not be allowed pass beyond that point," said the statement.

Since last summer, different reports emerged from the areas speaking about attacks by armed opposition elements in the area who are designed as "terrorists" or ''anti-peace elements'' by the local authorities. Other reports also mention violent counterinsurgency operations by the government army in the area.

On 12 November Adama Dieng, U.N. special adviser on prevention of genocide, called to probe the human rights violations in the state, stressing the gravity of the situation there "merits immediate intervention – a full scale fact-finding investigation and enhanced humanitarian support".

Also, Dieng motioned reports about the expulsion of farmers from their agricultural plots into Yei town. "These farmers have lost their homes and belongings, livestock and land. Property has been looted and villages have been burned," he said.

The ceasefire mechanism called on the Transitional Government of National Unity to intervene in this issue to ensure that its teams can visit Yei.

" The CTSAMM would like to reiterate that it has a legal right to be present in South Sudan as stipulated in Chapter II of the ARCSS, and condemns, in the strongest terms, the denial of freedom of movement for the CTSAMM MVTs," said the statement.

In line with the peace agreement, the CTSAMM tasked with the monitoring of the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA).

(ST)

ATTN: U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan; Ambassador Donald Booth

by Abdul Wahid al-Nur

Sir,
Your calumnious editorial scapegoating me as the primary obstacle to peace in Darfur is so glaringly devoid of truth, morality or fairness that it becomes a caricature of itself, presenting so false a narrative. It does injury to the eye and history to read your slander but it is most of all blood libel to 600,000 dead Darfuris, the vast bulk of them civilians, killed in a deliberate genocide, under a state policy of ethnic cleansing, scorched earth, criminal neglect, death and torture endured by my people.

I therefore must personally condemn and repudiate your tragi-farcical communique in the harshest possible terms not only for its mendacity but ultimately for what verges on criminal incitement in encouraging the Sudanese regime to perpetrate more atrocities. That you issued your missive when incontrovertible evidence has emerged of Sudanese regime use of chemical weapons in Darfur, and you are silent on this point, eviscerates the honest broker persona you portrayed yourself as and leaves you ethically bereft.

Eight years ago, then presidential hopeful Barak Obama at least paid lip service to ending Darfur's suffering and expressed what seemed at the time, heartfelt empathy, just as George Bush Jr., had earlier first correctly decried the slaughter of my people as genocide but in this the new era of President-elect Trump, it seems the concept of “post-truth” also applies to the US State Department and you too Ambassador Booth in your cynical moral flexibility towards Sudan and Darfur in particular.

Never would I have imagined to see a senior US Diplomat publicly playing apologist for a hardline Islamist dictatorship linked to multiple terror groups, led by the sole sitting president on earth, Omar al Bashir, indicted by the International Criminal Court for Crimes Against Humanity. It is a sinister page turning, Washington softly providing Khartoum carte blanche in an active genocide. You have done nothing less than this, de facto exculpated and legitimized ongoing state terrorism by Sudan against it's own population. Will you thus admit to the true purpose of your visible efforts to rehabilitate the regime, to which the fate of the Darfuri people is readily sacrificed, where we are subordinate and judged expendable to your aims?

Your bid to enlist Khartoum as an ally against Salafist extremism, while ignoring its own brutal authoritarianism, criminal conduct, enduring linkages and sponsorship of Islamist extremism is as myopically doomed to failure as US humanitarian policy on Darfur is self-evidently, a hollow and un-kept promise, now only more flagrant a betrayal of the democratic principles you a vow to defend, you've traded for the expedient Realpolitik you're peddling. You've not only conflated the victim with the victimizer, you have placed us in reverse categories, where those under the bombs are cast as villains and those that drop them are reasonable. The Dystopia is not of our making, it is yours.

You present me as the principal obstacle to peace, as though I were inexplicably and irrationally stubborn in rejecting what are ostensibly, sincere, government peace overtures. You paint me further as someone removed from the struggle of his people, as an aloof figure, suggesting subtly that I have somehow also lost the pulse of my people, as if you knew them better and can more readily speak to their aspirations, heartbreak or indignation than I or the Sudan Liberation Movement can? Shall we walk together in one of the Displaced People's camps or clamber to a cliff top position to visit SLM fighters or speak to those sheltering from the bombs in the caves? I will show you then if my people still recognize me but I doubt they will have kind words for you.

I live and breathe only to deliver my people from the hell they daily endure to grant them a brighter, more just future where they may live in peace and security. To do so there is no aspect of my existence that isn't consecrated to this cause. I was born on the soil of Darfur. I bear wounds borne in battle for defending Darfur. My life belongs to Darfur, if needs be, my death too. How dare you attempt to judge me or my people when you do not inhabit our skin or our condition? Yours is the worst possible, faux paternalism and we discard it as a matter of principle for it has the whiff of neo-colonialism. We do not fight because we relish it. We are weary of war and fight only because we are left with no equitable or palatable alternatives. We fight for sheer survival to save ourselves from extermination. We fight alone, largely unheard, unseen, a forgotten, disposable people.

Please elucidate Ambassador Booth how it is possible to enter into a peace dialogue or negotiations in good faith when the relentless brutalization of my people is unceasing? Disingenuously, you admit at the end of your bizarre missive, that I may have cause to distrust the regime for over a decade of genocidal violence against my people. Better to have presented this key truth at the outset of any discourse concerning myself or the SLM's refusal to engage in the travesty of a peace dialogue with Khartoum, which has never shown itself to be sincere. A priori, my actions and those of the SLM are belligerent, precisely because the regime has to date never abandoned the violent subjugation to my people. We find it distinctly difficult to speak when we are routinely, shot, shelled, bombarded, gassed, tortured or raped.

Even as I write you now, government troops, their partner militias and death squads do their worst in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile State. Negotiations by Khartoum are illusory, they serve only to grant the regime greater leverage in seemingly appearing amenable to dialogue, while the guns continue to speak for the regime, its true language. So long as this remains practice, the SLM will not participate and will continue to boycott any such overtures by Khartoum.

We will happily confine our fighters to their base camps and observe a cessation of hostilities, if the regime withdraws its soldiers and paramilitaries from civilian population centers, if it ceases the practice of extra-judicial summary executions, the use of torture, rape en mass and pledges to never make use of chemical weapons again and submits it's chemical weapons stockpiles to international inspection for disposal.

The notion that the SLM impedes joint AU-UN so called peacekeeping force access to investigate government atrocities is as ludicrous a premise as stating that the SLM blocks access to humanitarian supplies, when the SLM has begged the international community to end the crippling embargo on essential supplies, which the regime uses as a tool of war to better enable disease and hunger.

Just as the SLM will continue to call for free and open access to the media and human rights investigators, it will also demand a new international force to more ably carry out its duty in Darfur, where it is long overdue to accept that the combined peacekeeping mission in Darfur is an abject failure. The people of Darfur would be thrilled if the blue helmets would actually protect them, but when the mission is starved of the necessary manpower, resources, lacking in a sorely needed peace enforcement mandate, decisive leadership and repeatedly shown itself willing to be Khartoum's pawn, our hopes are not high.

What truly beggars belief is that you contradict your own experience. Not long ago you met with civil leaders in three IDPs camps, all relaying their omnipresent fears of being attacked, disappeared, tortured or killed by government backed militias, paramilitaries, soldiers or police. You guaranteed their safety for openly meeting with you. All of them were later arrested and their fates as yet remain unknown and are unlikely to have been kind. How has this slipped your memory? We fight for a secular, free and pluralist, democratic Sudan, where sectarian violence and zealotry of every variety, in particular religious, racial or tribal chauvinism and ideological extremism of every stripe will no longer be state policy. We wish for all Sudanese to live in peaceful coexistence, tolerance and equanimity and we do draw partial inspiration from your Civil Rights Movement, your rule of law, democratic process and the unmatched diversity of your civil society.

Ambassador Booth, the people of Darfur will have Abdul Wahid at the negotiating table, when it is just and reasonable for me to occupy such a seat, with the confidence that the human rights, civil rights and dignity of my people and their right to live will not be casually violated as I do so. Self-defence is our God given right as is freedom from wilful stupidity. We will not sacrifice ourselves needlessly when we already die in droves. When the Sudanese regime has shown itself able only to mete out death and destruction, as it duplicitously spoke of peace, your entirely fictive rendition of the reality of Sudan and Darfur will have no bearing on the actions of the SLM. As it is your manipulative, counter-intuitive and cynical reproach, casts serious doubts about your commitment to the well being of the people of Darfur and your truer intentions. As we refuse to become your unwitting pawns, our understanding of our reality will remain lucid, unlike your distorted and utterly false narrative. Americans do not seem to hold answers for Darfur any longer, not that they ever did.
Sincerely;

*Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, is the Chairman of Sudan Liberation Movement. He is reachable at: tibotoum@gmail.com

November 27, 2016 (EL-GENEINA) - Unidentified gunmen Sunday abducted three staff members of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur State.

The three workers, a Sudanese national and two foreigners, were kidnapped near the UNHCR office as they had been returning from a mission outside El Geneina.

"The abductees are two foreigners and a Sudanese, they have been kidnapped and transferred from the UN vehicle they used to a four-wheel-vehicle which headed to an unknown destination," said West Darfur Government Spokesperson, and State Minister of Information, Abdallah Mustafa Jarel-Nabi.

In press statements on Sunday, he said the state government took the necessary security measures to follow up the situation and secure the release of the captives as soon as possible.

He stressed that the state government has the capacity to release them, based on its large experience to deal with similar incidents. He further ruled out political motivations saying the armed gangs seek ransom.

An eyewitness said the kidnapping took place at 05:00 pm near El Geneina Grand Mosque in down town and not far from the police headquarters.

He added that the kidnappers were six men who came from Um Shalaya area where is a camp of Chadian refugees and headed towards Aljebel neighbourhood.

Earlier this month, the recently appointed Governor of West Darfur State, Fadl al-Mula al-Haga, vowed to impose the state authority, rule of law and fight against all forms of crime in the state.

(ST)

November 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese authorities ordered to close down a TV station on Sunday, as the opposition called for a three day civil disobedience to protest the recent austerity measures and the lack of freedoms.

Omdurman TV

In a statement released on Sudan evening the Director General of Omdurman TV, Husseil Khojali said he had received an order from the Director of Sudan's General Authority for Radio and Television Broadcasting to cut its transmission, under the pretext that the private TV didn't yet the administrative authorization to broadcast.

However Khojali denied the explanation of the General Authority saying "This is not true. We got the permission from the former minister of information and another letter from the chief registrar of companies. "

Omdurman TV is a private TV channel that had been broadcasting since six years, its owner Khojali is a known Islamist journalist.

Several journalists from the TV house told Sudan Tribune that the editorial line and the coverage of the news related to the government's decision to lift subsidies on fuel, electricity and drugs.

Khojali said that Omdurman TV would contest the closure's decision and seek resume their activities very soon.

Last Thursday, another new private TV channel Sudaniya 24 was warned by the security services that the content of a political talk show ''exceeded the red line''.

Freedom of the press and expression is very restricted by the security service which censors printed newspapers and confiscates.

(ST)

November 27, 2016 (YIROL) - More than 5,000 people cheered on Thursday as wrestlers representing Yirol and Awerial communities battled during a competition organized to enhance peace efforts.

Friendly wrestling in Yirol West County of Lakes state on Sunday 21 Nov, 2010 (ST)

The event, one of the first of its kind in the area since South Sudan's independence, was organized by Solidarity Ministries Africa for Reconciliation and Development (SMARD) with support from the United Nations Development Programme's Community Security and Small Arms project.

“We are here for promoting peace and peaceful coexistence,” said Gabriel Modol, the Awerial county wrestling committee member and lead referee of the competition, further adding that, “At this event you will see community, you will see love and socialization.”

The contest consisted of 21 matches, each lasting for three minutes.

The first wrestler to force their opponent onto the ground is often declared the winner. If neither wrestler submitted after three minutes the match was a draw. The teams were divided between the “home” community of Awerial and “visitors” from Yirol East and West.

“This event is important as it brings people from Yirol and Awerial together, to meet and interact in a place that allows understanding. Now when [the spectators and wrestlers] return to their homes, they will remember the people they met here. If, say, a member of this group gets in trouble in an opposing community, it doesn't need to turn into a bigger problem. They will know each other. They will have understanding,” said Sibet Jenena, a Yirol wrestling manager.

The security and small arms project, funded by UNDP, supports the wrestling competition as part of its initiatives to encourage social cohesion and strengthen ties between neighboring communities.

“The role that sports can play in bringing communities together and building peace is often underestimated,” said UNDP Country Director Kamil Kamaluddeen.

“This initiative is community-led, supports an area which has seen many challenges in the past few years, and we are pleased to see the competition organized well, providing the community with a reason to celebrate themselves and promoting cooperation and understanding between the groups,” he added.

Events like wrestling tend to encourage positive behavior changes in youth, solidify inter-community cooperation, and provide an attractive alternative to violent or criminal activities in South Sudan.

(ST)

November 27, 2016 (EL-FASHER) - Students at four high schools in El-Fasher, North Darfur capital on Sunday have staged a demonstration to protest against the high cost of living and recent increase in drug price.

A police source told Sudan Tribune under the condition of anonymity that the students of El-Fasher, Darfur, Al-Sharqia and Al-Namozagia high schools demonstrated on Sunday against high price level, saying “the police have dispersed them in order to avoid acts of vandalism”.

Also, an eyewitness told Sudan Tribune that the police used tear gas and fired shots in the air to disperse the demonstrators, pointing to cases of fainting and light injuries among the students.

He added that some of the students were arrested by the police and security services.
For its part, the pro-government North Darfur Students Union (NDSU) said the protesters sought to destabilize the security situation.

In a statement seen by the Sudan Tribune, the NDSU said it developed a plan to address the situation, saying the students have been deceived and given false information in order to create a crisis.

It is noteworthy that the Sudanese capital, Khartoum on Sunday saw the first day of a three-day civil disobedience against the recent government austerity measures that led to a significant increase in general price level especially fuel, electricity and drugs.

(ST)

November 27, 2016 (YAMBIO) – Unknown armed groups attacked Nabiapai, a border market located in South Sudan's Gbudue state on Saturday, looting goods and burning vehicles.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

An eyewitness said the group first surrounded the market, prior to the eruption of sporadic gunfire forcing people to flee to nearby bushes.

“I went to sell my second hand clothes and surprisingly I found many armed group coming to the market and immediately gunshots were heard. Local shops and vehicles were burnt,” said the eyewitness.

Those who carried out the attack reportedly took several minutes before they withdrew from the market after looting motor bikes, bicycles and several items, heading towards neighboring Congo.

Immediate response came from the army who exchanged fire with the group that abducted civilians and looting items from the market.

Although no group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack, residents suspect armed elements loyal to Alfred Futuyo carried out the raid.

Meanwhile, Gbudue state spokesperson, Gibson Bullen Wande condemned the attack, which he blamed on followers of the armed opposition faction led by South Sudan's former First Vice-President, Riek Machar.

Wande urged residents who fled their homes to return, while reiterating government's commitment to protect innocent civilians.

(ST)

November 27, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) - The head of the African Union Commission Sunday welcomed the South Sudanese government's decision to authorize the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) without condition.

On Saturday, the South Sudan's Council of Ministers, "unanimously accepted the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution number 2304," said Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Peter Bandi in statements broadcasted on the official TV SSBC.

"All the discussions that ensued between UNMISS and the technical working groups the government resulted with the full acceptance and immediate deployment of the RPF so that we are able to address some the security challenges that are facing us," he added.

"Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the agreement reached between the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) of South Sudan and the United Nations on all outstanding issues concerning the (RPF) deployment".

Zuma further said the deployment of the 4000 troops will create a conducive political environment for the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCISS) of August 2015.

"In this regard, the Chairperson urges all South Sudanese stakeholders to fully cooperate with the RPF and desist from engaging in activities that may set back the progress made," she said.

Also, she urged the transitional government to ensure the full implementation of the security arrangement, and renewed its support for the African Union envoy for South Sudan Oumar Konare.

Zuma praised the tireless efforts exerted by IIGAD and the international community to bring stability to the young nation.

Last week, US envoy to the United Nations Samantha Power slammed Juba government for delaying the deployment of the regional force. She further called for arm embargo on the country and targeted sanction against the SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei.

(ST)

November 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese from different walks of life on Sunday have started a three-day civil disobedience with varying proportions of response among the residents in the capital Khartoum.

On Thursday, political activists launched social media campaign calling on the Sudanese people to engage in civil obedience from 27 to 29 November to resist recent government decision to lift fuel, electricity and drug price.

Several opposition parties and rebel movements declared support for the civil disobedience and said directives have been issued to their members to join the call.

On the first day of the strike, Sunday, some neighbourhoods in the capital saw limited movement of vehicles and pedestrians which is unusual while normal crowding on public transport in down town Khartoum stayed the same.

On the other hand, universities and schools were largely impacted by the strike as the majority of students stayed at home forcing some schools to cancel the school day.

A teacher at a public school located in southern Khartoum said some parents prevented their kids from coming to school but pointed that 80% of the students attended their classes on Sunday.

Also, a college student at the Sudan University of Science and Technology told Sudan Tribune that rumours of the civil disobedience have circulated outside the university and “that is why the students didn't attend their classes”.

A driver at Khartoum's largest public transportation station said “the streets are empty as if the country is on a holiday”.

“I drove from down town Khartoum to Omdurman [Khartoum's twin capital city] and came back in 10 minutes while it usually takes one hour to go on the same trip,” he added.

It was also evident that the majority of the commercial shops, pharmacies and kiosks in and around down town Khartoum were closed but the majority of groceries and vegetables and fruits stores have been working as normal.

For its part, state TV channels showed live pictures of the streets to prove the failure of the strike and called on the residents to go about their lives as normally as possible.

Earlier this month, the government lifted fuel and drug subsidies and increased electricity price in a bid to stop the surge in inflation and control the fall of Sudanese pound in the black market.

The move stirred a large wave of protests across Sudan. Also, some two hundred private pharmacies in Khartoum went on partial strike and closed their doors from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm last week in protest against the move.

The government decision led to significant increase in the general price level and exacerbated the already dire living conditions.

Sudan's economy was hit hard since the southern part of the country declared independence in July 2011, taking with it about 75% of the country's oil output.

(ST)

November 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – There is a massive influx of South Sudanese refugees into Sudan, with large numbers of them in Sudan's East Darfur state, since late January 2016.

South Sudanese refugees perform a traditional dance as President Omer Hassan al-Bashir addresses a crowd a rally held in Ed Daein, East Darfur, April 5, 2016. April 5, 2016. (Photo Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said the population in the state increased from 164 individuals in December 2015 to over 54,000 refugees in 30 September.

The South Sudanese arrivals, it added, are highly mobile and spread out across East Darfur, living in areas including the newly established Kario camp, Khor Omer, El Ferdous Raja old camp, Abu Jabra, Adila, and Assalaya.

“These areas are underserved and often difficult to access, making the provision of assistance by humanitarian partners challenging,” the agency said in a recent fact-sheet.

Continuing conflict and food insecurity in South Sudan are two of the main drivers of the displacement, with emergency levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition in the states of Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Unity and Warrap.

With the continuing insecurity in South Sudan, said UNHCR, a steady influx of refugees into Sudan is expected to continue.

Meanwhile, Sudan has maintained an open border policy, allowing safe and unrestricted access to its territory for those fleeing the conflict in South Sudan, and has ensured their immediate protection and safety within its borders.

The Four Freedoms Agreement, supported by the President of Sudan, allows South Sudanese to move, reside, work and own property in Sudan.

On 1 September, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNHCR and Sudan's Commissioner of Refugees (COR) as a framework on protection and assistance for South Sudanese refugees, which clarifies their status as refugees and COR's role in coordinating the response on behalf of the government.

UNHCR and partners supported the relocation of South Sudanese refugees living in Khor Omer camp in Ed Daein locality to the new camp in Kario town.

The influx in East Darfur has critically stretched available resources and operational capacity of partners. Additional funds are required in order to meet the needs of the growing refugee population and mobilize a full-scale emergency response across the state, according to UNHCR.

“The influx of South Sudanese refugees that began in late January 2016 continues, driven by deteriorating food security and continuing violence in South Sudan. Between January and September 2016, over 54,000 refugees have arrived in East Darfur,” further stressed the UN agency.

It added, “The majority of them are women and children who have arrived with poor nutritional and health status, with very few opportunities for livelihood and subsistence activities”.

(ST)

November 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) -A Swedish humanitarian group announced this week it would gradually end its activities in the troubled South Kordofan State where they provide nutrition and health assistance to some 200,000 people.

New arrivals wait in line to register with the UNHCR at the Yida refugee camp along the Sudan-South Sudan border on 3 July 2012 (Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Save the Children Sweden (SCS) is operating 20 health centres in South Kordofan in different areas including Dalami (1 centre), Al Goz (1), and Abu Kershola (1), Habila (2) and Kadugli (2), Kalogi (3), Diling (5) and Al Reif Ashargi (5).

With the support of USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), the group provides health and nutrition services for more than 58,000 displaced persons and 142,000 people from the host community.

The SCS " announced that it is phasing out health and nutrition services in 20 centres in South Kordofan State due to funding constraints," reported UNOCHA in its weekly bulletin last Thursday.

The announcement comes as over 27,000 Sudanese refugees have returned to South Kordofan from Yida camp in South Sudan due to the increasing insecurity in the neighbouring country.

The returnees are hosted in the government and SPLM-N controlled areas.

In a separate development, South Kordofan Humanitarian Commissioner Kamal Ahmed Rahama Saturday said the government humanitarian body is ready to receive the civilians who arrive from the rebel held areas and to provide them with humanitarian services.

Rahama further pointed to the good coordination between the state humanitarian authorities, UN agencies and local and international groups on this respect.

The government and the SPLM-N last August failed to reach an agreement over humanitarian access to the civilians in the war affected areas.

The African Union mediators did not yet announce a new round of peace talks as the two parties stick to their positions and refuse to make any concessions.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

November 26, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan opposition group, the People's Democratic Movement (PDM), condemned a recent massacres allegedly carried out by the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU) in Equatoria region under President Salva Kiir's leadership.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) jump off the back of a truck while on patrol in the capital, Juba, following the December 2013 outbreak of violence (Photo: Reuters)

The group in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune said the recent wave of massacres carried out against innocent civilians in Equatoria's Kalipapa village, Pukuka village and the armed clashes in Mogi and Salori areas surrounding Torit town were perpetrated by SPLA soldiers.

“We hold President Salva Kiir responsible for the recent massacres in Equatoria” said Hakim Dario, the PDM chairperson.

Dario said the massacres follow the inflammatory speech of the President against Equatorians, made on the 19th of September 2016 in Juba.

The group urged the international community and the US Government to condemn TGONU, President Kiir and his tribal backers of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE).

“We call on Salva Kiir to resign to allow a more inclusive TGONU to be formed in a more inclusive ARCISS implementation” Dario added.

PDM welcomed the visit and confirmation by the United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng of an eminent genocide in South Sudan. The group supported recommendations Dieng forwarded to the Security Council.

Recommendations include imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan, establishing a hybrid court, strengthen UNMISS capacity to protect, monitor, investigate, document and report incidences against civilians, widen targeted sanctions against South Sudanese individuals inciting ethnic hatred and pressure the TGONU to provide necessary humanitarian access.

It also request the UN panel of experts to report on individuals inciting ethnic violence on social media and use its leverage to stop the international and regional banks facilitating financial incentives that are driving the conflict.

REFUGEE INFLUX

The group further expressed concern over reports of renewed waves of people fleeing Eastern and Central Equatoria to camps in Kenya and Uganda.

UNHCR recent reports recorded 44,000 new refugees in the first two weeks of November 2016 alone.

PDM expressed dismay over reports that internally displaced persons and refugees who have managed to get to relative safety in refugee camps across the border are now facing food shortages, lack of clean water, inadequate shelter and non- food items.

“They are being robbed a second time, of a right to life with dignity,” it said.

Of the USD 649 Million budget for the UNHCR 2016 South Sudan Regional Situation appeal, only 26% has been funded.

It requested urgent donation towards the deficit UNHCR South Sudan Regional situation appeal budget for life saving support to the 1.25 million South Sudanese refugees, and 1.73 million internally displaced persons.

Since South Sudan slide back into conflict in December 2013 tens of thousands have died and over 2.6 million South Sudanese displaced, of which over 1 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries.

Some 1.4 million are internally displaced, and of them 200,000 civilians are taking refuge in UNMISS protection-of-civilian sites (PoC) across the country, including in Juba, the capital city.

Furthermore, a total of 5.1 million people in the country are in need of assistance.

DEPLOYMENT OF JAPANESE TROOPS

PDM said it is encouraged by the response of the Japanese government in strengthening the mandate of their contingency joining the UN peace keepers in South Sudan.

Japan in a prompt response has deployed 130 Japanese troops who arrived Juba on the 21st of November, with the remaining of the 350 to follow soon.

It further called for a speedy deployment of the agreed 4,000 protection force with a strengthened mandate, increased capacity and revised deployment locations, given the increase in ethnically motivated atrocities in Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria.

PDM also urged the SPLA-IG, SPLA-IO and other military groups on the ground to cooperate with the regional protection force in the planning and implementation of a successful cantonment strategy, as part of their contribution to avert genocide.

It appealed for immediate engagement with all heads of military forces on the ground to agree on a cantonment strategy and facilitation of its implementation.

PDM further called on the UNSC, AU, TROIKA, IGAD and the International Community that they ‘can and must' do more than report on and condemn the increasing wave of ethnically incited atrocities in South Sudan that are building up into a genocide.

“We call on all South Sudanese communities inside the country to reject President Kiir and his government's ethnically divisive incitement and atrocities, and join us in calling for their resignation with immediate effect”.

It urged all military groups to cease hostilities and give chance to a political solution that speaks to all people of South Sudan.

The People's Democratic Movement (PDM) says it is a popular grassroots Movement formed by concerned South Sudanese in the country and the Diaspora; in response to the political crisis and fast deteriorating economic, humanitarian and security situation in South Sudan, amid heightened ethnic polarization and devastating conflict in the country, encouraged and abated primarily by President Salva Kiir's divisive Government policy, incompetent, oppressive and corrupt leadership.

(ST)

November 26, 2016 (JUBA) - The Governor of the Central Bank of South Sudan (CBoSS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that the bank was printing new notes with the denominations of 200, 500 and 1,000.

Men from South Sudan display new currency notes outside the Central Bank of South Sudan in Juba July 18, 2011 (Reuters)

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Governor, Kornelio Koriom Mayiik, described these reports as “baseless and misleading”. He urged the public to not take the reports as credible.

He says the bank has no plans to print, replace or change the current banknotes.

“It's therefore unequivocally evident that these rumors are aimed at destabilizing the economy and create unnecessary panic among the population,” he said.

The bank, he explained, is only injecting new notes into the market to replace the damaged ones and those that are worn out.

“The CBoSS is therefore requesting the general public not to get misled by these rumours,” he continued, “as we reiterate our commitment to keep the population informed about any possible changes on banknotes,” he stressed.

Last July, the National Bureau of Statistics said the inflation in the five-year old country reached an annual rate of 661.3 percent.

The fall of oil prices and the armed crisis since three years have ruined the country and stopped development plans.

UN agencies say 4.8 million people in South Sudan are affected by the food insecurity.

(ST)

November 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Saturday has arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a several-day visit to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties between the two nations in the various fields.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir (L) shakes hands with UAE vice-president and prime minister Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum in Abu Dhabi on 22 February 2015 (WAM)

He was received upon his arrival at the presidential airport in Abu Dhabi by the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Nahyan welcomed al-Bashir and his accompanying delegation at the VIP hall and discussed with them importance to enhance bilateral relations to serve the common interests of both countries.

Al-Bashir's accompanying delegation included Minister of the Presidency Fadl Abdullah, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Electricity and Water Resources Muataz Musa, Governor of Khartoum State Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein and Director of the Office of the President Taha osman al-Hussein.

It is noteworthy that al-Bashir's visit to the UAE comes amid popular unrest and calls for civil disobedience following the announcement of several austerity measures that led to significant increase in general price level.

The East African nation managed to achieve a breakthrough in ties with UAE after a long period of strained relations over Khartoum's close ties with Tehran.

UAE is in a long-standing territorial dispute with Iran over the three Gulf islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb.

Iran refuses international arbitration over the dispute and insists that its sovereignty over the islands is non-negotiable.

In 2014 , Sudanese authorities ordered the closure of Iranian cultural centre in the capital Khartoum, and other states in a move which was seen as gesture to the Arab Gulf states.

The estimated size of UAE investments in Sudan is approximately $11 billion of which about $5 billion are projects in progress while the rest are still in pre-execution phase.
In May 2015, Sudan said it offered UAE's companies $59 billion investment opportunities mainly in agricultural projects.