Sudan Tribune

November 21, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese women protests against drug price hikes have continued for a second straight day on Monday in several cities across the country as trial of protesters begins in the capital Khartoum.

On Sunday, dozens of women staged a demonstration in Khartoum against the government decision to raise fuel, electricity and drug prices before they were dispersed by police and security services.

Women demonstrations on Monday showed signs of widening as protesters took to the streets of several cities across the country including Wad Medani, Kassala, Port Sudan and Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman.

In Omdurman, a group of women staged a demonstration in Al-Arda street holding banners demanding the government to reverse its decision to lift drug subsidy.

Also dozens of women protested in the cities of Kassala and Port Sudan in eastern Sudan holding banners denouncing the significant increase in the prices of medicines.

Similar women protests also occurred in Wad Medani, 188 km south of Khartoum.

On 3 November, Sudanese government lifted fuel 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.

Also, earlier this month, Central Bank of Sudan announced it will no longer provide US dollar for drug importation at rate of 7,5 Sudanese pounds (SDG) forcing pharmaceutical companies to buy the dollar from the black market at 17,5 pounds. As a result, drug prices rose by 100 to 300 percent.

The government decision stirred up small-scale protests in several towns across Sudan. Also, some two hundred private pharmacies in Khartoum went on partial strike and closed their doors from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday in protest against the government's move.

PROTESTERS TRIAL BEGINS IN KHARTOUM

Meanwhile, trial of 11 women and 6 men who were arrested by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) during the protests on Sunday has begun at Khartoum criminal court.

The NISS filed criminal charges against the protesters under articles 69 (disturbance of public peace) and 77 (public nuisance) of the Criminal Code.

On Monday, the court heard the complainants and the judge delayed the trial session to Wednesday.

It is noteworthy that the NISS has also filed similar charges in a separate case against 10 other protesters before the same judge.

The hearing session of the second case has been delayed to Tuesday morning.

Following the government decision to raise fuel and electricity price, the NISS launched a large-scale arrest campaign and detained 20 leading figures from the Sudan Congress Party besides several members of the NUP, Sudanese Communist Party , Arab Ba'ath Party, National Alliance Forces, Reform Now Movement as well as civil society activists and journalists.

Also, the NISS detained twelve and summoned dozens of the Sudanese doctors participating in the strike that has been ongoing since last month.

However, none of the detained doctors and political activists was taken to court.

(ST)

November 21, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Monday appealed on the international community to support his administration to implement the peace agreement, pointing imposition of targeted sanctions and arms embargo “undesirable”.

South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, delivers a speech in the capital, Juba, on 10 June 2013 (Reuters)

“They were saying they cannot provide any assistance because the transitional government of national unity was not formed. But when we formed it after signing the peace, which they themselves designed and we accepted despite our reservations because we want to stop this senseless war and to end the sufferings of our people, they came up again with other conditions,” said Kiir Monday.

"They are now talking of arms embargo and targeted sanctions. So you really don't understand what they want," he further said, alluding to the recent U.S. proposal for arm embargo and to impose individual targeted sanctions.

He explained that only way to end the conflict and the suffering of the people was to help him and his controversially appointed First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, to implement the peace agreement.

“There are people saying the peace has collapsed. How has it collapsed and it is being implemented? There is a First Vice President as it is in the agreement. There is a cabinet in which all the parties are represented according to the agreement. There is a transitional national legislative assembly. We have approved the establishment of cantonment sites and I have directed the Chief of General staff and his team to work together with the First Vice President and his team to ensure that his forces go to these sites. We have done all these because peace is what our people want and we stand with them," President Kiir said.

"To implement this peace, the international community should provide support. This is what is needed now, not sanctions,” he added.

The South Sudanese leader was talking during a meeting with some of his top presidential aides who converged to consult with him about a U.S. draft resolution for additional targeted sanctions the Security Council will discuss this week.

Last Friday The Associated Press reported that an annex to the U.S. resolution calling for an arms embargo and new sanctions proposes to impose travel bans and freeze the assets of rebel leader Riek Machar, SPLA Chief of General staff Gen. Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth.

A presidential aide told Sudan Tribune on Monday the meeting was called by the president himself to solicit ideas of his advisors in the light of a report by a panel of experts urging the UN Security Council to notify East African governments to comply with recent asset freezes imposed on some South Sudanese individuals.

The experts recommended that the Council should urge institutions in the region, to encourage public and commercial banks in Kenya and Uganda to start implementing assets freeze.

(ST)

by Ambassador Donald Booth

Abdul Wahid al Nour, leader of one of Sudan's armed opposition groups, has not set foot in his country in over a decade. He spends most of his time directing his armed group in Darfur from a satellite phone in his Paris apartment. His refusal to negotiate has been a perennial problem for international efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, but it has become especially damaging as other parties to the conflict begin moving toward peace.

On October 31, three of the four most prominent armed groups in Sudan committed to a unilateral, six-month cessation of hostilities following a similar commitment from the Sudanese government. While such declarations are not new to Sudan, it is unusual for parties to make that commitment at the outset of the fighting seasons (the dry season in Darfur). In recent months, we have also seen, with the notable exception of the area of Darfur under Abdul Wahid's control, a reduction in violence and bellicose rhetoric from the negotiating parties.

Yet Abdul Wahid refuses to commit to even a temporary halt in fighting for humanitarian aid to reach the people of Jebel Marra, and he has refused overtures to negotiate with the Government of Sudan or participate in consultations to end the violence. He refused to take part in the Arusha Consultations of August 2007, the Sirte Conference of November 2007, the unification initiative in N'Djamena and Addis Ababa in July-August 2009, and the AU-UN/Qatar Initiative in Doha from 2009-2011.

Abdul Wahid has also boycotted all of the more recent initiatives to end Sudan's conflicts, including an African Union-led process and recent meetings in Kampala overseen by President Museveni. In August, the leaders of some of the largest armed and unarmed opposition groups signed the African Union-drafted roadmap for future political negotiations, which was previously signed by the government. But Abdul Wahid did not attend.

To be fair, Abdul Wahid has valid reasons to be skeptical of the political process and to distrust a government that has bombed and displaced his people for over a decade. Recent arrests of opposition political party officials in Khartoum are a disturbing setback for those trying to engage in peaceful political competition. But Abdul Wahid's exclusively military strategy has not advanced his cause and has enabled continued violence to devastate his homeland. Abdul Wahid's refusal to grant UN peacekeepers permission to address claims of government attacks against civilians in areas that he controls is incomprehensible.

Peace in Sudan must not be held hostage to Abdul Wahid's refusal to engage. What is needed is an inclusive and comprehensive peace process that involves all actors and addresses the political, security, and humanitarian issues at the root of Sudan's conflicts. The people of Sudan, and above all the people of Jebel Mara, need Abdul Wahid at the table.

In my own recent visits to Darfur, I spoke with several groups of displaced Darfuris who all said the same thing. They just want the fighting to stop.

It is time for Abdul Wahid to join other opposition groups by declaring a unilateral ?cessation of hostilities, committing to political negotiations, and engaging in genuine efforts to end years of unspeakable violence.

Donald Booth is the United States Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan

November 21, 2016 (JUBA) – A contingent of Japanese peacekeepers have arrived in the South Sudan's capital, Juba.

UN peacekeepers in South Sudan with one of their helicopters (UNMISS)

Japan's ambassador Masahiko Kiya received the 350 Self-Defense Forces that will replace the previous contingent of its peacekeepers who served in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, but lacked mandate to use force.

The new troops, officials said, will be tasked with engineering and construction work in the South Sudan capital.

These peacekeepers will have the ability to use force to protect civilians, United Nations staff and themselves.

Japan's constitution, drafted under U.S. direction after the war, forbids the use of force in settling international disputes, but the government has reinterpreted the constitution to allow Japanese troops to use force in some situations.

Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe was quoted saying the broader military powers give Japan ability to respond to growing threats that include China's growing military assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Japan has dispatched troops to South Sudan since 2011, but their operation has been limited to construction projects in non-combative areas.

Currently, there are more than 12,000 UN peacekeepers in South Sudan, who have often been criticized for failing to protect civilians.

(ST)

November 21, 2016 (JUBA) –The leader of South Sudan's armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar has been prevented from entering Ethiopia and was forced to return to South Africa, SPLM-IO officials told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

South Sudan's FVP, Riek Machar, departing from Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa to Pretoria, South Africa, 14 February 2016 (SPLM-IO courtesy photo)

A senior rebel officials said Machar was stopped by the Ethiopian authorities upon his arrival from South Africa at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia and forced later to board another flight back to Johannesburg.

The rebel official, who preferred anonymity, said the rebel leader was heading to the SPLM-IO headquarters in Pagak near the Ethiopian border.

Machar was detained at the airport in Addis Ababa for four and half hours and was later advised either to board back to South Africa or risk being deportation to Juba,''.

Last October, the deposed first vice president left Khartoum to South Africa to for medical treatment. He had arrived to Khartoum from the Democratic republic of Congo after clashes in Juba between his troops Juba

The Security Council members are considering a draft resolution to impose an arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions that could be brought to a vote as early as this week. The Associate Press disclosed that the U.S. proposed to impose travel bans on Machar and freeze his assets.

Washington blamed him for issuing a statement on 25 September 2016 declaring war on President Salva Kiir's government following a meeting held in the Sudanese capital.

Several sources from the armed opposition reached by the Sudan Tribune said their leader was safe, but declined to disclose his whereabouts.

Some officials claim Machar crossed into South Sudan, while others said the rebel leader returned safely back to South Africa.

Thomas Magok Chuol, SPLM-IO representative to Uganda confirmed to Sudan Tribune that Machar had indeed returned back to South Africa.

“Yes, it is true Dr. Riek Machar has been told upon his arrival in Ethiopia to return to South Africa. It is not yet known the reason behind the decision,” he said.

(ST)

November 21, 2016 (JUBA) - A senior armed opposition official has refuted rumours surrounding the whereabouts of Riek Machar, clarifying that the latter was in a “confidential diplomatic mission” to restore peace in war-hit South Sudan.

Machar speaks on a mobile phone after an interview with Reuters in Kenya's capital Nairobi July 8, 2015

“We would like to refute this false information made by anti-peace elements. We are calling for all SPLM/SPLA (IO) members to remain calm and not be misled by these propaganda,” Puok Both Baluang, the armed opposition National Director of Information and Public Relations, said in a 20 November statement.

The armed opposition movement, he said, condemns in the strongest terms the recent massacre of Yei allegedly by the Mathiang Angoor militias, where many civilians were hacked with machetes and burned with their arms bound.

“The SPLM/SPLA (IO) is fully committed to the political settlement as the only way to resolve the conflict in South Sudan, advocate for resuscitation of the ARCISS [Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan,” stressed Baluang.

South Sudan president, Salva Kiir said Sunday that the former First Vice-President will not be allowed into the country, unless he denounces violence.

(ST)

November 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan said that 27.500 Sudanese refugees have returned from Yida camp in South Sudan to South Kordofan State.

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)

"An estimated 14,400 Sudanese refugees returned from Yida refugee camp in South Sudan to South Kordofan during August 2016. This brings the number of recent returnees from South Sudan to South Kordofan to over 27,500 people," according to the figures provided by FEWS.net, OCHA weekly bulletin.

The continuation of the armed conflict and food insecurity in South Sudan pushed Sudanese refugees to return to South Kordofan, said the Famine Early Warning System website.

The refugees mainly returned to Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) held areas in western, central, and eastern parts of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan. a limited number of returnees resettled in government-controlled areas, according to the FEWS NET report.

Different sources report the increase of clashes in South Sudan's Unity region where Yida camp is located. Also, armed gangs are reportedly active in the area. This situation complicate the transportation of humanitarian assistance to the camp which is located near the Sudanese border.

The unwillingness of Sudanese refugees to relocate to the new Pamir refugee site is also mentioned by FEW.net as one of the causes that pushed them to return to Sudan. Most returnees return to Sudan after the end of the rainy season to cultivate, but USAID funded agency said they would not be able to do that this year.

The UN agency for refugees (UNHCR) in South Sudan says the number of "registered" Sudanese refugees in Unity region has decreased by about 15,000 people between 1 June to 31 October 2016.

The eruption of armed conflict in South Kordofan between the government and SPLM-N fighters in June 2011 forces Sudanese in the Nuba Mountains to flee to Yida.

Talks for a humanitarian cessation of hostilities brokered by African Union are stalled over the government refusal to allow direct transit of 20% of the humanitarian assistance through the Ethiopian border.

(ST)

November 21, 2016 (JUBA) – An estimated 300,000 children have been vaccinated against polio by South Sudan's health ministry, the World Health Organization (WHO), said.

A medical worker vaccinates a child against polio. (AFP)

The vaccination, officials said, was part of a four day campaign seeking to overcome conflict across the young nation.

“The commitment of health teams to reach as many children as possible in difficult circumstances is really to be commended,” said the WHO Representative to South Sudan, Abdulmumini Usman.

Although the campaign aimed at reaching 3.5 million children aged 0-59 months across the country, WHO said South Sudan's conflict made the process more difficult.

“Delivering polio vaccines in South Sudan has never been harder, however insecurity, ongoing clashes and displacement made the logistical arrangement overwhelming,” partly reads a statement WHO issued Sunday.

“Vaccinators struggled with impossible burdens to find every child of the displaced families scattered in hard-to-reach areas, including besieged locations,” it noted.

Polio is described as a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis.

Initial symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In a small proportion of cases, the disease causes paralysis, which is often permanent.

There is no cure for Polio, it can only be prevented by immunization.

(ST)

November 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Dozens of Sudanese women on Sunday have staged a demonstration in the capital, Khartoum against government's decision to raise fuel, electricity and drug prices before they were dispersed by police and security services.

On 3 November, Sudanese government lifted fuel 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.

Also, earlier this month, Central Bank of Sudan announced it will no longer provide US dollar for drug importation at rate of 7,5 Sudanese pounds (SDG) forcing pharmaceutical companies to buy the dollar from the black market at 17,5 pounds. As a result, drug prices rose by 100 to 300 percent.

On Sunday, dozens of women have staged a demonstration on Africa Street near Khartoum Airport holding banners rejecting the increase in drug price however the police and security services dispersed them by force.

A women activist who spoke to Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity said the call for the demonstration was made via the Facebook, pointing the police beat the demonstrators and used excessive force to disperse them.

She stressed thy will continue to protest in the coming days against price hikes, saying “tomorrow we will stage another demonstration”.

It is noteworthy that the government decision to scrap fuel, electricity and drug subsidy has stirred up small-scale protests in several towns across Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, Atbara, Wad Madani and Nyala.

Also, some two hundred private pharmacies in Khartoum went on partial strike and closed their doors from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday in protest against the government's move.

NUP REJECTS PRICE HIKES

Meanwhile, the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) has described the government's decision as “declaration of war against the Sudanese people”.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, said the regime has succumbed to the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the expense of the poor people.

The NUP expressed its categorical rejection for the unjustified raise in price, calling on the Sudanese to resist the decision by all peaceful means in order to force the government to reverse it.

The statement added that the NUP would stand at the forefront of the mass movement against regime's repression, expressing full solidarity with the detained activists and doctors.

The NUP further underscored its strategic stance to overthrow the regime and establish a new regime that achieves peace, democracy and decent living.

Following the government decision to raise fuel and electricity price, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) launched a large-scale arrest campaign and detained 20 leading figures from the Sudan Congress Party besides several members of the NUP, Sudanese Communist Party , Arab Ba'ath Party, National Alliance Forces, Reform Now Movement as well as civil society activists and journalists.

Also, the NISS detained twelve and summoned dozens of the Sudanese doctors participating in the strike that has been ongoing since last month.

(ST)

November 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A Sudanese court on Sunday has handed one-year prison sentence to an ex-officer from the rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) after being convicted of spying for South Sudan.

The accused was apprehended over a year ago and remained in custody until he was brought to trial a few months ago.

On Sunday, the Khartoum North court judge Osama Ahmed Abdalla convicted the defendant of spying for violating article “53” of the Criminal Code, saying the prosecution presented coherent and strong evidence against the defendant.

He pointed the prosecution witnesses proved that the defendant has conveyed military information about the Sudanese army in El Meiram area, South Kordofan to the ruling SPLA party in South Sudan.

The judge added the defendant also, in collaboration with two others, handed over a government source to the SPLA, saying the source was assassinated by the latter.

For his part, the defence lawyer demanded a reduced sentence, saying the accused has already spent more than a year in jail before he was brought to court.

It is noteworthy that defendant had denied the spying charges, saying he neither passed any information to the SPLA nor has he handed over any government source to South Sudan's government.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

(ST)

November 20, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir said amnesty will not be granted to his political rival-turned rebel leader, Riek Machar, unless he denounces violence.

“My brother Riek Machar thinks the only way for him to become the president of this country is violence, killing innocent people. I told him several times [that] there is no reason to fight. If you [Machar] wants to be the president, wait for elections, but he did not listen”, Kiir said on Sunday.

The South Sudanese leader said a number of people approached him demanding that he pardons the armed opposition leader when he returns.

“They come asking me to pardon him. I tell them I have no problem with him. He is a citizen of this country and he can return anytime, but must denounce violence”, he said.

President Kiir had met Dinka elders who briefed him on their activities after they visited their counterparts from Equatoria and Nuer territories.

REBELS PARDONED

The president had earlier granted amnesty to 750 troops loyal to his main political rival and the country's former First Vice-President.

Those pardoned crossed in to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo when fighting erupted in the capital, Juba in July this year.

Local media reports had quoted the South Sudanese Defence Minister Kuol Manyang saying the Juba regime was ready to welcome the armed opposition forces in refugee camps in Congo.

A team, he said, would be sent to convey the amnesty message to the rebels, whose leader declared armed resistance against Kiir.

Violence broke out in South Sudan's capital in July when the two rival forces clashed, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

Manyang said Machar, who is currently in South Africa, would have to denounce violence before he is allowed to return into South Sudan.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced since conflict erupted between the main rival factions in December 2013.

(ST)

November 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Monday will lead his country's delegation to the 4th Africa-Arab Summit which will convene in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 24 November.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir at the African Union (AU) summit in Johannesburg on Sunday June 14, 2015 (Gianluigi Guercia/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)

Al-Bashir is currently participating in the UN climate change conference (COP22) in Marrakech.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said the summit would be preceded by the meeting of the foreign ministers to prepare topics to be addressed at the summit including issues related to the implementation of the 3rd Africa –Arab Summit held in Kuwait 2013.

The summit will review spheres of Afro-Arab cooperation, relations between the two sides and coordination in regional and international forums on issues of mutual concern.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued two arrest warrants against President al-Bashir in 2009 and 2010 for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Darfur.

However, he has continued to travel freely in Africa, Arab countries and Asia, defying the ICC arrest warrants. Last year he visited India and China.

Equatorial Guinea did not sign the Rome Statute of the ICC and therefore has no obligation to arrest al-Bashir.

(ST)

November 20, 2016 (YAMBIO) – The governor of Gbudue, one of South Sudan's new states, has placed a SSP 1 million reward for anyone who kills Alfred Futuyo, the leader of an armed group operating in the area.

Gbudue state governor Patrick Zamoi speaking to journalists at in Nzara airstrip March 4, 2016 (ST)

Speaking over the state-owned Yambio FM on Sunday, Patrick Raphael Zamoi said the amnesty granted to armed groups expired on 10 November.

“The door for amnesty is over and now the door for fighting all the armed groups is open because they have refused to comply with the amnesty given to them and people continue suffer we will not tolerate that,” said Zamoi.

The governor said he was now moving to the front line until the state attains victory over armed group in Gbudue.

The state, he said, has already deployed the army all over the region and will pursue and fight the armed group led by Futuyo, who is believed to be allied to the armed opposition movement under former First Vice-President, Riek Machar.

He said training of South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM) members who surrendered was still ongoing and will help pursue the armed groups operating in Gbudue once they graduate in the few coming weeks.

The governor also appealed to the community to bring out their weapons to help fight armed group and kill Futuyo.

Heavy gunfire erupted on Saturday in the north east of Yambio town for several hours, an operation which Zamoi said would continue in remote areas of Yambio.

He vowed to end armed rebellion for peace and stability to reign in Gbudue state.

The official, who sounded very angry on radio, condemned acts of looting, raping and killing of innocent people by youth who took up arms claiming it was their right to do so.

He urged calm among citizens, saying government was doing everything possible to ensure security was restored, but warned the population from joining armed groups.

Meanwhile Wilson Peni Rikito, an area paramount chief was allegedly arrested by national security agents on Sunday morning and his whereabouts are unknown.

(ST)

November 19, 2016 (JUBA) - A Senior SPLA-IO spokesperson Saturday confirmed the release of twenty humanitarian workers allegedly had been abducted by the rebels loyal to the former First Vice-President Riek Machar following clashes with government forces last week in Northern Liech State, former Unity State.

South Sudan government soldiers in the town of Koch, Unity state, South Sudan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (Photo AP/Jason Patinkin)

Government officials accused SPLA IO rebels of mounting attacks on Nhaildiu Payam near Bentiu town where the aid workers were abducted last week.

However, SPLA-IO Spokesperson Bri. William Gatjath denied the claims. He said they have handed over 20 aid workers to a UN agency three days the clashes with government forces.

Also, he pointed that the aid workers run to their side for their safety during the clashes, denying their abduction.

“(Juba officials) are lying. We did not abduct the aid workers but they run to our side when the fighting erupted between the two forces and we kept them safer until the day where our commander handed them over to the UN agency according to the directive of our chairman Dr. Machar,” he said from the rebel controlled Pagak area.

Lam Tunguar, Minister of Information in Northern Liech State said on Wednesday that they received 19 aid workers that last week he claimed to have been abducted by rebels loyal to Dr. Riek Machar during Nhialdiu fighting.

He said 17 aid workers are south Sudanese while the two others are Kenyan nationals.

Up to date no statement was issued by the UN agencies to confirm or deny the two versions.

(ST)

November 19, 2016 (JUBA) - A member of South Sudan's armed opposition faction has slammed a United States proposal for sanctions against Riek Machar, describing the move as “inconsistent” to findings of what actually sparked off renewed violence in the South Sudan capital in July.

Machar speaks on a mobile phone after an interview with Reuters in Kenya's capital Nairobi July 8, 2015

The U.S has demanded the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on the leader of the armed opposition (SPLM-IO), South Sudan army chief, and the information minister for hampering South Sudan's peace accord.

An annex of the U.S resolution, the Associated Press reported, called for an arms embargo and new sanctions proposes to impose travel bans and freeze the assets of rebel leader Riek Machar, Gen. Paul Malong Awan and South Sudan's information minister Michael Makuei Lueth.

But David Jany Yak, a rebel appointed governor in Unity state, accused the U.S of failing to find out about groups of people, who instigated continued violence in South Sudan.

Yak said the armed opposition leader was working hard in the interest of peace and stability in war-torn South Sudan.

“We don't see any genuine reasons to include Dr. Riek Machar in the list when he was just running for his life after being forced to flee from Juba. What has he [Riek] done for him to get listed with war criminals like Malong and Makuei,” asked Yak.

He said prior to Machar's return to Juba in April, the armed opposition forces were only permitted to return to Juba with only 1,200 troops, a testimony they were for peace, not war.

According to Yak, the U.S, which played key roles in events that led to South Sudan's independence, has betrayed the young nation and its people by lying to the entire world.

“Dr. Machar and the entire leadership of SPLM/A I.O voluntarily accepted to go to the militarized Juba with as less as 1,200 soldiers early this year simply because of peace. Unless the TROIKA [U.S, Britain and Norway] and the IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] countries had a hidden agenda when they forced the I.O to Juba, they would agree with the U.S,” he stressed.

The armed opposition official is appealing to world leaders to rescue the South Sudan peace process by actively involving Machar, who also signed the August 2015 accord.

The Security Council has already imposed sanctions on six South Sudanese commanders, three from the government and three from the armed opposition movement.

Last year, the U.S. failed to blacklist Malong and top rebel commander, Maj. Gen. Johnson Olony, after Russia, China, Angola and Venezuela opposed it.

(ST)

November 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese national carrier 'Sudan Airways' will receive two Airbus funded by china, the Sudanese Transport Minister Makkawi Mohamed Awad announced on Saturday.

Sudan Airways aeroplane are seen on the tarmac in Khartoum's international airport September 13, 2012 (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Speaking to the semi-official Sudanese Media Centre (SMC), the minister said the two Airbus are part of 14 planes to by funded by a Chinese loan.

Awad did provide the name of the financial institution or the details of the aircrafts. He added that they are finalizing some financial measures before to receive the aircrafts in the coming days.

He said they had to receive the two Airbus earlier this year but some procedures caused the delay.

Chinese and Sudanese officials signed the contract of the two Airbus on 7 September 2015 during a visit of President Omer al-Bashir to Beijing.

Established in 1946, Sudan Airways, one of Africa's oldest airlines however the company has less than 10 aircrafts most if not all were bought second-hand.

Due to the U.S. trade embargo, the European aviation consortium Airbus, does not deal with the Sudan.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

November 19, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – A press freedom campaigner group has accused Ethiopia of intensifying crackdown on media under the recently imposed state of emergency.

Last month, Ethiopia declared a six-month state of emergency after a wave of deadly anti-government demonstrations in Oromia and Amhara regions.

The New York based group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the Horn of Africa's nation has arrested or sentenced at least three journalists and bloggers under a state of emergency since October.

“In recent weeks, Ethiopian authorities have jailed a newspaper editor, as well as two members of the award-winning Zone 9 bloggers' collective, which has faced continuous legal harassment on terrorism and incitement charges” CPJ said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

“A fourth journalist has been missing for a week; his family fear he is in state custody” it added.

The rights group urged the Ethiopian government to immediately release all journalists detained.

CPJ said Ethiopia's Supreme Court on has continued hearing prosecutors' appeal of a lower court's on November 15 after acquittal of four bloggers from the Zone 9 collective on terrorism charges.

Getachew Worku, the editor-in-chief of independent weekly Ethio-Mihidar, was sentenced to a year in jail on Tuesday for "defamation and spreading false information"

According to CPJ Getachew ‘s arrest was in connection with an article he published in the newspaper alleging corruption in a monastery .

Abdi Gada, an unemployed television journalist, has not been seen since November 9.

His family and friends however fear that he might be in state custody.

The two arrested bloggers are Befekadu Hailu a co-founder of the Zone-9 collective, and Natnael Feleke, whose Zone 9 group has written about political repression, corruption and social injustice.

Authorities have not yet announced any new charge against befekadu.

The Africa News Agency quoted Befekadu's friends saying that they believed he may have been arrested following an interview he gave to the U.S.-government-funded broadcaster Voice of America's Amharic service, in which he criticized the government's handling of the protests.

Befekadu was freed from jail in October 2015 after 18 months behind bars accused of "inciting violence" with his anti-government writing. He was rearrested last month.

Feleke was also detained for several days in October, before being released with a caution.

According to right groups the Ethiopian government keeps critical journalists under a tight rein and close control.

“Silencing those who criticize the government's handling of protests will not bring stability," CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela Quintal said from New York.

“The constant pressure on Zone 9 bloggers with repeated arrests and court appearances is clearly designed to intimidate the remaining independent journalists in Ethiopia”

Ethiopia ranked fourth on the CPJ's list of the 10 most censored countries in 2014, and is the third-worst jailer of journalists in Africa, according to the group's "prison census"

Since last year the east African nation has faced an unprecedented wave of violent protests that claimed the lives of over 500 people.

But the country's most recent protests were sparked after a religious festival in Oromia region turned into violet anti-government protests claiming lives of 55 in stampede.

After the protests spread to many parts of the country, Ethiopia imposed a six-month state of emergency to contain the protests which were spreading to many parts of the country.

The protests first erupted over demands for land rights however later turned in to calling for increased political and economic rights.

On November 12, Ethiopia's State of Emergency Inquiry Board - in a televised statement - announced that authorities have arrested 11,607 people after the state emergency decree.

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By Beny Gideon Mabor

This policy brief underlines an overview on the development of a permanent constitution before and after the conflict in South Sudan. It will also discuss pros and cons of modalities agreed to produce the permanent constitution vis-à-vis the concept of people-driven constitution through supreme will of the people. Prior to the emergence of the peace deal in August 2015, which carries some legal superiority over any pre-December 2013 institutions and legal framework including the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, there was an existing institutional mechanism for permanent constitution making which was interrupted by the coming into force of the new political order that specifically proposes institutional reforms including new journey for permanent constitution. The paper will offer emerging realities of the constitutional development contrary to the political or elites perceptions on the constitution making and finally provide policy options necessary to begin political and democratic reconstruction of a post-conflict South Sudan.

The aborted birth of a permanent constitution for South Sudan started under midwifery of the National Constitutional Review Commission NCRC established under article 202 of the Transitional Constitution, 2011. Article 202 subsection (6) and (8) of the transitional constitution mandated the NCRC to “review the Transitional Constitution and collect views and suggestions from all the stakeholders including any changes that may need to be introduced to the current system of governance and conduct a nation-wide public information programme and civic education on constitutional issues”. The end game of these terms of references was to produce zero draft constitutional text.

The second step was to convene a national constitutional conference as provided under article 203 of the constitution. The memberships of the conference was to be drawn from all sectors of South Sudanese society from political forces, to civil society, youth, women groups, faith based institutions, traditional authorities, professional associations and people with special needs amongst other categories to deliberate and approve the constitutional draft text. However, the constitutional text was to be tabled before the then National Legislative Assembly NLA for deliberation and passage after which the same shall be presented to the President for assent and it becomes law. That was pre-December 2013 labor pain for delivery of a constitution but later aborted in the process by choosing to kill each other than embracing the long-awaited birth of a constitution.

Fortunately or unfortunately enough, the above numerated legal processes are no more in existence. The peace agreement came with its own terms and conditions for the making of the permanent constitution in a rather complicated way unlike the former procedure where relative consultations was to be sought. Chapter six article 1 (2) of the peace agreement provide inter alia, that the Transitional Government of National Unity referred to as TGONU, shall initiate and oversee a permanent constitution making process during the transitional period, including but not limited to considering supremacy of the people of South Sudan alongside their contested demand for a federal democratic system of governance that reflects the national character of South Sudan.

The second parameter is that the Transitional National Legislative Assembly TNLA, shall within the first six months of the transitional period enact a legislation to govern constitutional making process, provided that such constitution making is accomplished within 18 months following the establishment of the transitional period in order to guide elections toward the end of the transitional period. In a very positive move, the peace agreement recognizes the work of the previous NCRC and therefore allow its reconstitution on new basis with new competent human and material resources to engineer the process of the constitution making.

It is provided under chapter six, article 1 (5) and (8) of the peace agreement that “the NCRC shall be appointed by the executive after adequate consultation with all keys stakeholders including but not limited to political parties, civil society organizations and faith-based groups for their view to prepare draft constitutional text, however the process of appointment shall be defined in the reviewed and enacted legislation governing the constitution making process.

In a similar term, the zero draft constitution that will be produced by the reconstituted NCRC shall be presented to a national constitutional conference whose memberships this time round shall be elected representatives, in a manner to be determined again by the long awaited legislation. Thereafter, the adopted constitutional text shall be presented by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to the Constituency Assembly for deliberation and adoption. Of course South Sudan has no constituency assembly either. As a result, the parties to the peace agreement agree under the provision of chapter six article 5.5 that the “Transitional National Legislature shall be transformed into a constituency assembly on the first date of the 27 months of the transitional period for the purposes of passing the constitution after which it shall be dissolve preceding elections”. This is now the journey for permanent constitution making. Although the dye is cast, yet the peace agreement or the transitional constitution, 2011 are not carved in stone, but subject to amendment if need arises.

New Realities of Constitutional Development
After this literature review of the two processes of constitution making, South Sudanese are still left in a limbo to know the rightful architecture for constitution making between the pre-December 2013 arrangement and the current one brought about by the peace agreement. From my personal point of view as an individual, I still believe that the pre-December 2013 charter for constitution making was the rightful and inclusive procedure to make a long-lasting flexible constitution. In my view, some principles on the parameters of the permanent constitution under the peace agreement were push down my throat and others during the negotiation, but had to bitterly swallow them that way not only in the interest of peace, but the two major partners-the government of South Sudan and SPLM/A-in-opposition were in agreement. My argument at the negotiating table was just a cry of the poor that no one pay attention.

With this peace agreement, a golden opportunity is avail to answer the above mentioned questions and many more coming in the production of this governing legal instrument. Four years down the line, South Sudanese are still asking question of what type of constitution is really needed in South Sudan. So far, few actors including civil society groups and women networks attempted to highlight these principles of a needed constitution, some of which will appear here in support of continue search for permanent constitution. To get what type of constitution is desirable, it must be noted to know how and why constitution in the first place is made? And the answer is that constitution is made as a result of peoples' decision to make a break from the bad past and lastly constitution is also made when people say enough is enough from the treatment of political and military kleptocrats of a given country.

In South Sudan, both situations have evidently applied as South Sudanese first broke away from the Sudan with a promise to join the community of nations in a legally organized socio-economic and political society. Yet, the dream of good citizenship and enjoyment of freedom in one's own country were turned into nightmare. The second thought can be good reason to say enough is enough after suffering of the citizens and who continue to suffer until date in a dignified silence.

From 2005 up to 2011 alone, the values and principles of good governance in the constitution were compromised on the expenses of attainment of present day South Sudan. This is shown by some losers of 2010 general elections although skirmishes of corrupt electoral processes and voting exercises have shown. Lastly the biggest unifying agenda was referendum on the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan which inspire many citizens and indeed set aside all their wrongdoings and voted by 98.83 % to create a country of their own.

In July 9, 2011, South Sudan was admitted as world newest state. Shortly thereafter, the youngest country stumble on bad foundation as it struggle with both constitutional governance and political leadership crisis. Yet, the answers for all crisis lies with the constitution. As a tradition, constitution establish the basic structures and powers of government, determining their terms of reference, and regulating the relationships between the rulers and the ruled through well stated social contract. In other words, let me keep repeating the quote of Justice Ismail Mahomed, a former Chief Justice of South Africa who said that “the constitution is nothing less than a ‘mirror reflecting the national soul”. If you no longer see yourself in the wall mirror, then such mirror should be thrown into dustbin. By achieving a well mirrored constitution, there are number of governance issues that need serious discussion and consideration in the upcoming constitution making.

First, is lack of space for open conservation on issues of democracy and governance between the citizens and their government in the fulfillment of supreme will of the people. In this case, a good number of civic network proposed that elections as a major determinant of democracy and good governance must be discussed including how positions in the constitutional and support structures are filled; the question of presidential term limit, appointment and termination of service of constitutional office holders and other senior public officials.

Second most important agenda is the limitation of powers. The principle of limitation of powers is central to constitutionalism. And constitutional governance can only be achieved when government institutions and political processes are effectively constrained by constitutional rules. It is often expressed in the form of support for constitutional provisions that achieve the goal of limiting government. The government should be legally limited in its powers – and its authority depends on observing constitutional limitations. These limitations are, for example, in the form of individual or group rights versus government powers such as the rights to free expression, association, equality; and the due process of law. The rules imposing limits upon government power must be entrenched in the constitution and the government must not have the capacity to change those limits as they so desire.

The third issue is the separation of powers. The principle of separation of powers requires that power is distributed to the three arms of the government (Legislature, Executive and Judiciary). This principle implies that there should be no overlap in the powers and functions of the different arms of government; there should be no overlap of personnel in the different arms of government and finally that none of the arms of the government should in any way interfere with the functions and work of the other. As the saying goes, the interdependence of three arms of government is typical of the African pot which has three stones. The pot symbolizes the nation and the three stones symbolize the state or three arms of government. The stones need to be balanced to provide support for the pot.

Contrary to the principle of separation of powers in South Sudan as shown above, the Transitional Constitution, 2011 has provisions in which presidential powers interfere with legislative power and judicial functions respectively. An example is the provision of article 101 (g) of the constitution which provides that the president shall "convene, summon, adjourn or prorogue the National Legislature in consultation with the Speaker". This provision can be subject to misuse. First, “in consultation with the Speaker" does not seem to require a formal agreement of the Speaker. It is not the same as saying “after consultation with the speaker.” So, the President may decide if and when the National Legislature meets or does not meet. This has threaten the independence of the Legislature and the practice of legislative power.

Another provision of interfering with the role of the judiciary is article 133 (2) of the constitution, which provides that “the President has powers to appoint all Justices and Judges Courts (Courts of Appeal, High Courts, County Courts), subject only to recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission whose members in the first instance are appointed by the President. In best governance practice, appointment of judges and justices are often subjected to the scrutiny of the legislative branch and high court justices have security of tenure. This is because of the significant role of the Judiciary and the fact that it is expected to be independent.

Policy Recommendation
After having seen the findings of the two simultaneous processes of constitution making as well as quick updates on some burning issues that need urgent attention of all policy makers at all levels, below are key recommendations.
First, this is a reminder message to the TGONU and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly that you are now pass three months late to initiate both the legislation governing the permanent constitution making process and the law establishing the commission for truth, reconciliation and healing. Therefore, it is high time to come up with these bills in consultation with the relevant state and non-state actors. The coming into force of these pieces of legislation in time has concurrent positive effect as the countrywide civic education in the constitution making is conditional on peace, security and reconciliation of South Sudanese society whose social fabric was almost torn apart by armed conflict;
Second, urge the TGONU at all levels to create platforms for direct exchange of views between the government and the citizens in enjoyment of supremacy of the people. However, this conversation should begin with parameters of the constitution. The fact that relative consultation is provided by the peace agreement may not be acceptable criteria as the current Transitional National Legislature, purported to be transformed into constituency assembly three months before the end of the transitional period was a mixture of peoples' representatives primarily elected and some appointed. Therefore, many options are possible including demands for amendment of the peace agreement or the transitional constitution to allow the citizens directly ratify the constitution in a referendum, or if not some key provisions as those discussed in the new realities on the constitutional development are approved by popular vote.

The last recommendation is the question of leadership vacuum in the National Constitutional Review Commission. The relevant institutions, that is political parties and civil society organizations should immediately propose nominees for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the NCRC in accordance with the provision of article 202 (2) of the Transitional Constitution, 2011 for appointment by the President to help pave the way for preparation of a robust NCRC institution pending enactment of the new law by the TNLA which will subsequently stipulates criteria for appointment of the commissioners at the NCRC.

Beny Gideon is South Sudanese private lawyer and human rights defender. He was part of the IGAD-led peace process for South Sudan representing civil society organizations. His research interest are politics and governance, human rights and social accountability. He can be reached via benygmabor@gmail.com

November 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The opposition Reform Now Movement (RNM) on Saturday said its chairman Ghazi Salah al-Din Attabani has visited families of the movement's detainees pointing to continued contacts to secure their release.

In the wake of the government's decision to lift fuel and electricity subsidies on 3 November, the RNM held an open air address in Khartoum criticising the move.

Subsequently, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) detained four RNM members including its external relations official Diaa al-Din Hussein, youth secretary in Khartoum Awad al-Daw Khalifa, RNM chairman in Khartoum, Khalid Sayed Nouri and Gaafar al-Sadig.

In a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, the RNM said Attabani visited the families of the detainees to check on them, saying the NISS refuses to disclose the detainees' location and prevents their families and party officials from visiting them.

It pointed that the RNM and the opposition alliance Future Forces of Change (FFC) have submitted a memo to the speaker of the national parliament Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, describing the detention as “clear violation of the law”.

The statement also said the RNM and FFC leadership have discussed the issue of the detainees with the representative of the African Union.

“The RNM and the FFC are in the process of submitting a memo to the Constitutional Court within a week and they would make further arrangements if they [detainees] weren't released,” read the statement.

The RNM further said it has submitted a written statement to the foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Khartoum explaining the circumstances surrounding their detention, noting the movement's legal office is also preparing a memo to be handed over to the concerned bodies.

Meanwhile, the Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami (Islamic Liberation Party) said the NISS has detained several party members and filed a suit for malicious prosecution against them for distributing a pamphlet criticizing the rise in fuel and electricity price.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, the Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesperson Ibrahim Osman Abu Khalil said the authorities refused to give his party a permission to hold a political symposium entitled: “Sudan's economy and the way out of the trap”.

Following the government decision to raise fuel and electricity price, the NISS launched a large arrest campaign and detained 20 leading figures from the Sudan Congress Party (SCoP) besides several members of the 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 detained twelve and summoned dozens of the Sudanese doctors participating in the strike that has been ongoing since last month.

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November 19, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Security Council has called for urgent steps to address the increasing hate speech and ethnic violence in South Sudan, advocating for promotion of reconciliation among the people, mainly through justice and accountability process.

Thousands of civilians fleeing violence seek shelter at a UN compound in Jonglei state capital, Bor (Photo: UNMISS/Hailemichael Gebrekrstos)

The call came in the wake of the ethnically targeted killings, hate speech, and incitements of violence in South Sudan.

The Security Council, in a statement, expressed “deep alarm” over the escalation of ethnic violence, reportedly carried out by South Sudan army, the armed opposition forces, as well as militias, and unidentified armed groups.

They called for an inclusive political process, based on the framework provided by the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which allows for all voices to participate in shaping the future of the country.

The Council further called on the parties to immediately agree on implementation of an effective cessation of hostilities in order to avoid escalation of the conflict in the upcoming dry season and reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict.

Renewed violence in the young nation has resulted into the displacement of thousands of people, with aid agencies warning of the dire humanitarian conditions.

The Council, however, expressed its readiness to consider taking additional measures in order to prevent a further escalation of violence and conflict, including potential sanctions it considers appropriate to respond to situations.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned of the “risk of mass atrocities" in South Sudan, should renewed violence in the world's youngest nation continue.

In a report released Wednesday, Ki-moon said the UN peacekeepers must be prepared to protect innocent civilians.

"There is a very real risk of mass atrocities being committed in South Sudan, particularly following the sharp rise in hate speech and ethnic incitement in recent weeks," said Ki-moon.

"It must be clearly understood that United Nations peacekeeping operations do not have the appropriate manpower or capabilities to stop mass atrocities," he added.

The UN recently approved the deployment of regional protection forces in the aftermath of renewed violence that broke out in the country in July between South Sudan's two main rival factions.

An estimated 14,000 soldiers and police are deployed in the UN mission in South Sudan, but recent investigations implicated peacekeepers in the failure to protect civilians during the attack.

South Sudan descended into war in mid-December 2013, leaving tens of thousands dead and more than 2.5 million people displaced.

(ST)