Sudan Tribune

August 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People's Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) Saturday has called on the United States Special Envoy Donald Booth to help to secure the release of detained pastors and activists in Sudan.

Sudanese Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud, (L) shakes hands with U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth at his office in Khartoum on July 29, 2016 (ST Photo)

Last week a Sudanese court began the trial of two Sudanese Christian pastors, a Czech missionary filmmaker and a human rights activist. The four are accused of conducting intelligence activities and providing material support for the rebels in South Kordofan.

Ahead of Booth's visit to Khartoum, SPLM-N Secretary General Yasir Arman disclosed in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune that he requested the U.S. special envoy to advocate for their release.

“SPLM-N Secretary General on Friday phoned the US special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan who is on his way to Khartoum about the attacks on Sudanese Christians especially the trial of Christian pastors from the Nuba Mountains and civil society activists including, Rev. Kuwa Shamal, Rev. Hassan Abdel Rahim, activist Abdel-Moneim and Czech journalist Petr Jasek,” said the statement .

According to the statement, the US diplomat stressed that the American embassy in Khartoum is following this “important issue”.

"The Secretary-General sent the same message to the other international envoys to Sudan" added the statement, underlining that the issue is related to the "right of citizenship without discrimination and to ensure basic human rights".

The SPLM-N and two armed groups in Darfur signed earlier this month a Roadmap Agreement providing to negotiate cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access agreements with the government.

The rebel groups and the government are expected to resume talks within two week to finalize the humanitarian truce before to hold a meeting to discuss other confidence building measures including basic freedoms. These steps are supposed to pave the way for their return to Khartoum to take part in a constitutional conference.

In a related development the SPLM-N formed a 23-member committee to reach the international community and to campaign for the rights of Sudanese Christians .

(ST)

August 27, 2016 (JUBA)- The head of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE), has commended the decision by President Salva Kiir to disown hostile statements from members of his administration towards the United Nations, saying it demonstrated wisdom and responsibility.

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

“The country is in crisis and for this reason there is a need to exercise strong leadership and take decisions and actions which may be protested by others but which are necessary and good for the interest of the country. The world was waiting to hear what he would say in the parliament. So he acted wisely," said Ambrose Riiny Thiik.

"He [Kiir] demonstrated strong leadership and should people appreciate the address and support the speech", he added.

A former chief of justice in the regional administration before South Sudan seceded from Sudan, Thiik said Africa's newest nation was not an island to be isolated from the region.

The JCE is a tribal group largely comprising of relatives to the president and Dinka politicians loyal to him who mainly act as informal advisors to the South Sudanese leader.

“Yes, we are a sovereign state. We are independent country. There is no argument about. But the truth of the matter is that we support from other countries because we are part of a family of the world. Because of this the government decided to accept in principle the deployment of the protection force but this what does this mean? It means that they will not automatically be deployed without the approval of the government," stressed Thiik.

He added, "They government will have to get into discussions with IGAD, with the African Union and the United Nations to discuss the specific details of what they would do. There are things government can do, then that will be agreed and left to the government”.

President Kiir recently said those speaking against the deployment of regional protection forces in the South Sudan capital, Juba do not necessarily reflect his government's position.

(ST)

August 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Ghandour has said differences that existed among Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have completely been settled.

The Grand Renaissance Dam is under construction on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. (Photo AFP/William Lloyd-George)

The Dubai-based Al Bayan newspaper reported on Saturday that Ghandour said relations among the three nations have moved into a new phase, saying they are now considering proposals developed by Egypt in this regard.

Ghandour underscored the three countries have overcome the differences on the GERD, saying the international consultants would achieve solutions pertaining to the technical aspects of the project.

He pointed the three countries are currently developing a strategic cooperation agreement covering political, security and economic issues that serve the interests of their peoples and the region.

The Sudanese top diplomat pointed that leaders of three nations would meet soon to discuss the latest developments pertaining to the GERD, saying they would also discuss ways to enhance tripartite cooperation and to establish a comprehensive development fund.

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

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

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

Last month, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Ati said the final contracts on the impact studies of the GERD would be signed within a few days. However, the three nations are yet to sign the contracts.

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

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

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

(ST)

August 27, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih on Saturday has discussed with the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni bilateral ties between Kampala and Khartoum and the regional developments.

Sudan's President Omer Hassan al-Bashir waits to welcome Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at Khartoum Airport September 15, 2015 (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Nairobi, Kampala.

Sudan's official news agency (SUNA) quoted the Sudanese Foreign Minister as saying that the meeting also discussed the ongoing arrangements for the upcoming visit of the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir to Kampala besides the meeting of the joint security and political committees between the two countries.

Following ten years of strained relations, Museveni visited Khartoum last September where he and al-Bashir agreed to work together to bring stability in South Sudan and the region, and to end tensions between the two countries over the issue of rebel groups.

Last May, al-Bashir, who was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, was one of the dignitaries at President's Yoweri Museveni's inauguration in Kampala.

The two presidents held a short meeting on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony where Museveni invited Bashir to visit Kampala again within the framework of bilateral relations.

Uganda is a state party to the Rome Statute and has an obligation to arrest the Sudanese president.

However, during his inauguration, Museveni described the ICC as a “bunch court” to be ignored by African leaders, downplaying the its case against the Sudanese president.

(ST)

August 27, 2016 (JUBA) - Regional countries that negotiated South Sudanese shaky peace agreement have signalled recognizing controversially appointed new First Vice President Taban Deng Gai according to media reports.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said Gai is "naturally accommodated" by provisions of the Agreement to Resolve Conflict In Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS). The agreement gave position of first Vice President to SPLM in opposition leader Riek Machar. Machar fled was sworn in April but fled Juba in Juba when his bodyguards clashed with thousands of soldiers loyal to President Slava Kiir.

In an email message to the press on Friday, Sharon Kuku, a spokesperson for the IGAD states, said that the decision by Juba to replace Machar has never being rejected by IGAD.

"[This decision] is naturally accommodated by IGAD and IGAD did not stop Gen. Deng from attending the summit nor speaking for the South Sudan government," said Kuku as quoted by Kenyan independent newspaper, Nation.

IGAD statement is the second such utterance after the United States Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Nairobi on Monday that Machar replacement is "legal" under the provisions of the peace accord.

The top U.S diplomat's statement was echoed by State Department spokeswoman on Friday in Washington.

US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudea said that ''the [peace] agreement provides the top leadership of the armed opposition the power to nominate a new first vice president if that position is vacant.''

Machar supporters said the replacement is illegal and insist that Gai is an illegal First Vice President.

But Machar's silence, after exiting South Sudan to Democratic Republic of Congo and being hospitalized in Khartoum, Sudan last week, is fuelling speculations that he is not capable of making his comeback in politics.

Analysts say the diplomatic change of position is attempt to persuade Juba to allow United Nations Security Council-authorized 4,000 troops to be allowed deployment in Juba. The government has rejected the extra troops, claiming it's an attempt to effect regime change. But president Kiir has since softened his stance rejection to the force.

(ST)

August 27, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan president Salva Kiir warned on Saturday that any attempt to impose a return to power his main political rival and the leader of armed opposition, Riek Machar, will prolong the war and increases the suffering of the people.

Riek Machar, left, first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan, and Salva Kiir, the president, at the first meeting of the new transitional coalition government in Juba, South Sudan, in April, 2016 (Jason Patinkin/AP)

Machar was replaced as the country's first vice president when he left the capital, Juba days after his forces clashed with those loyal to Kiir outside the presidential palace.

“What is that they want in South Sudan? If it is peace and end of sufferings, they should wait and see whether comrade Taban and I will do. We know our people are suffering and for this comrade Taban and his group have agreed in principle with me to cooperate to implement this agreement”, he said.

The South Sudanese leader made these remarks after receiving a security briefing from is advisor on security affairs, Tut Kew Gatluak and the security team comprising of the director general for external bureau at the national security service, Thomas Duoth.

Kiir, according to a close aide, opposed diplomatic engagements pushing him to reinstate Machar as first vice president and indicate readiness to work with the latter.

“If they are for peace, they should work with us and the transitional government of national unity to implement this agreement. We do not want more time to be wasted again. If it is because of war is reason they want to send more troops, let them give us and see what we will do and let them talk to Riek to denounce violence and wait elections," stressed the South Sudanese leader.

When time comes for election, nobody will stop him to contest for whichever position he wants but he should not continue to agitate for war to prolong suffering because he is not part of this government”, he added.

(ST)

August 26, 2016 (WAU) - The newly appointed governor of Wau, one of South Sudan's newly created states, Andrea Mayar Acho on Friday relieved the Besselia county commissioner Pasquale Joseph Ayan from his post, appointing him deputy governor.

Mayar, in separate decree, also sacked three of his advisors, including the Wau town mayor, Akol Ajith and his deputy James Nyiyuo. No reasons were given for their removal.

The three advisors, who include Taban John for political affairs, Bibaina Mario for peace and reconciliation and Madut Akuek for security were appointed in February this year.

Ayan replaced Andrea Dominic who is presently in a military jail in the capital, Juba.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudanese government has announced the presence of armed opposition leader and ex-first vice president, Riek Machar, in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, but said it would not affect the relations between the two countries because Sudanese authorities were acting out of humanitarian ground.

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

Presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Kew Gatluak, told reporters on Wednesday after briefing President Salva Kiir on a visit to the Sudanese capital, Juba, with the new first vice president, Taban Deng Gai, that the government has been informed of the presence of Machar in Khartoum.

Gatluak, flanked by the minister in the office of the president Mayiik Ayii Deng, who spoke before him and oil minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said the government has received reports of the presence of Machar in Khartoum by the Sudanese authorities without objection.

“Yes, we have received reports of the presence of Riek Machar in Khartoum. We have been informed about and we know he is there on humanitarian ground. This will not affect our relations. We understand”, said Gatluak in a statement broadcast by South Sudan broadcasting corporation.

The Deputy Minister of Information, Akol Paul Kordit, also announced the same government owned broadcaster that first vice president Taban Deng Gai was informed of the ex-FVP's presence in Khartoum.

He added that the government calls upon Riek to denounce violence and disassociate himself ‘from all the activities that are likely to undermine the implementation of the peace agreement.' Kordit said ‘peace is a collective responsibility for unity government and the IGAD member states.

The official revealed that IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) member countries as well as neigbouring African countries in the region and the entire region have been asked to not give Machar any conducive environment that he would use to undermine the stability of South Sudan and the implementation of the peace agreement.

The armed opposition leader and ex-FVP Riek Machar arrived in Khartoum for medical treatment on 'humanitarian grounds', according to Sudan's Minister of Information, Ahmed Bilal Osman.

In a statement by the Sudan News Agency, Osman announced that Sudan had recently received Riek Machar ''for he needs for urgent medical attention for purely humanitarian reasons.''

The statement adds that Riek's condition is now stable, and he will stay in the country under full medical supervision until he leaves the country for a destination of his choice to complete his medical treatment. South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth claimed in a separate interview that Riek was suffering from a chest infection.

He did not elaborate on his claims. Machar's arrival to Khartoum comes after the United Nations announced last week that he and 10 others were airlifted from South Sudan- Congo border for their safety.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan has claimed it reached a consensus with the US and the region to be given a time, during which it would expedite the implementation of the peace agreement while discussions about the deployment of a regional protection force in the country continues.

South Sudan's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, speaks to reporters in Jonglei state capital Bor on 25 December 2014 (ST)

Information and broadcasting Minister Michael Makuei Lueth, who led the government delegation to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where the US secretary of state had visited recently, announced that the outcome of the recent meeting between a delegation from Juba and the US Secretary of State approved the deployment of the force approved by the UN Security Council after conclusion of discussions.

The government, according to Minister Lueth, who speaks on its behalf, has been given conditions to expedite the implementation process and cease hostilities.

“We would be given time provided that we moved very fast, provided that we silence the guns, provided that we talked to the IDPs so that they move out of the displacement camps so that they go back to their respective homes, and then we continue to negotiate with the region on the idea of the protection force,” said Lueth. He said regional protection force will not be deployed immediately as expected.

“They are not coming soon and we are to negotiate, because there is no way an intervention force or a foreign force can enter any nation without the consent of that country.

But Lueth claimed the forces will not be deployed immediately to the country as expected, US secretary of John Kerry said the deployment of a protection force will guarantee safety of the civilians and enable investors to return to the country.

The US secretary of state confirmed that 4,000 troops from the region would complement efforts of the unity government by providing security to civilians in Juba.

(ST)

August 25, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A new report by the United States-based Enough Project said the severe economic crisis has become the greatest vulnerability for the Sudanese regime and allowed the US government to spearhead efforts to support an inclusive peace deal in the country.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

The report “Khartoum's Economic Achilles ' heel : The intersection of war, profit, and greed”, explains how the economic crisis in Sudan was exacerbated by the sanctions imposed on the country since 1997.

“This economic vulnerability has caused sanctions relief to replace debt relief as the regime's primary preoccupation, giving the U.S. government powerful leverage to support an inclusive peace deal in Sudan that leads to a transition to democracy” said the report

It adds that the understanding of the economic weaknesses of the government would make policymakers better deal with the Sudanese officials who according to the report “orchestrate large-scale atrocity crimes and theft in Sudan”.

“In a situation where grand corruption and mismanagement of mineral resources are among the key drivers of deadly conflicts in Sudan, understanding the Sudanese regime's economic vulnerabilities in greater detail can equip policymakers to better tailor their financial pressure measures to target top Sudanese leaders and their enablers” the report read.

The report mentions how the regime and its supporters dominated the Sudanese economy since they came to power in 1989, saying the country's public corporations and private sector were undercut.

“The regime and its supporters began to dominate and extract wealth for themselves from the economy's key strategic and high-value sectors, including the oil, transportation, communications, and construction industries” it said

“The regime privatized state corporations, giving over the control of these corporations to regime-affiliated businesses and charities—on a non-competitive basis and for low prices. The regime-affiliated economic networks of hundreds of commercial companies, which dominate what might otherwise be a productive and independent private sector, constitute what many Sudanese people call a “gray economy” the report added

The report explains that the Sudanese government became highly vulnerable as a result of the economic practices created and sustained by the regime itself.

“State-enshrined grand corruption, combined with economic mismanagement and short-sighted, opportunistic over- spending of finite public money on unproductive pursuits, have left the regime heavily indebted” read the report

It also explains how the economic sanctions imposed on Iran have affected the Sudanese economy and the government officials.

“Tighter enforcement of sanctions on Iran has prompted global financial institutions to de-risk and stop doing business with risky clients, including Sudan” read the report

According to the report, the Sudanese economic crisis gives Washington and the international community a good opportunity to develop a new strategy aiming at pressing the regime to engage in a comprehensive national process that allows peaceful transition to democracy.

“In particular, the financial pressure that Sudanese leaders feel now can be tightened and eased by U.S. policymakers in strategic ways as part of a system of coercion and incentives that is one part of a broader enhanced comprehensive U.S. strategy with Sudan” the report said

The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, says it seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities.

The organization says it aims to “counter rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes that are fuelled by grand corruption, transnational crime and terror, and the pillaging and trafficking of minerals, ivory, diamonds, and other natural resources.”

It has been conducting field researches in conflict zones, developing and advocating for policy recommendations and support social movements in affected countries as well as mobilize public campaigns.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (LEER) -As fighting intensifies south of Unity state, there is massive displacement of civilians as about 2,000 have reportedly left their homes in the last one week following clashes between the armed opposition forces and government soldiers.

The map of Unity state

James Yaoch Bideng, the spokesperson of armed opposition, told Sudan Tribune government forces attacked their position in villages of Leer and Koch counties.

He said humanitarian agencies on the ground especially south of Unity state were overwhelmed after renewed fighting displaced thousands of people.

“Majority of the population remained in the bush with hundreds of people fleeing every day into the United Nations protection of civilians camp in Bentiu town and others more risk walking to the neighborhood of Payinjiar county for safety,” he said.

Last week, the armed opposition forces clashed with pro-government soldiers in the northern part of Leer, the capital of Southern Liech, one of South Sudan's new states.

Bideng further said most of the people that are trapped in the conflicts went and hid and currently live in swamps and highland areas which have no access to aid agencies.

Koch, Leer and Mayiandit counties remained some of the most insecure territories in the southern part of the oil-rich Unity state since violence erupted in South Sudan in 2013.

The armed opposition official urged international organisations and the United Nations agencies to rescue the civilians on the ground that still lack humanitarian responses.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (JUBA) – A group of armed and unarmed political parties opposed to South Sudan President Salva Kiir's government have resolved to overthrow what they described as the "totalitarian regime” along with supporters, mainly from the Dinka tribe.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (Photo: AP/Sayyid Azim)

The resolution emerged at the end of a consultative meeting attended by former agriculture minister, Lam Akol and ex-education minister Peter Adwok Nyaba in Nairobi from 18-20 August on the theme “Towards National Democratic Revolution.”

“The political situation in South Sudan underlying the current civil war is a contradiction, as well as a struggle, between narrow ethnic sectarianism represented by President Salva Kiir and Jieng [Dinka] Council of Elders (JCE) on the one hand and South Sudan nationalism on the other hand,” partly reads a seven-page dossier from the group.

“The parties to the Consultative Meeting have to cooperate and coordinate efforts in all spheres of the struggle to overthrow the totalitarian regime in Juba,” it added.

While, Nyaba represented the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) loyal to former first vice president Riek Machar, Akol represented National Democratic Movement (NDM) which he formed after resigning from non-violent Democratic Change party last month.

The other politicians who attended the meeting were Clement Juma Mbugoniwia from the People's Revolutionary Movement/Army (PRM/A), Juma Zackaria Deng of Western Bahr El Ghazal Group (WBG Group), Fr Joseph Otto (Eeastern Equatoria Group), Justin Joseph Marona, Pasquale Clement Batali and Dominic Akwai Henry Bahgo.

Describing the meeting's resolution as a “blueprint” towards removing “totalitarian regime in Juba,” the politicians insisted that the peace agreement signed by President Kiir and the armed opposition leader in August last year should remain on course.

“We insist that the resuscitation of ARCISS [Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan] must be contingent on […] the Regional Protection Force under the banner of the UN should be deployed to take charge of the security all over South Sudan to create an environment conducive for free political discourse on the future of the country,” further noted the document.

They group appealed to the people of South Sudan to join them in liberating the country.

“We appeal to our people to lend it their full support and call upon the other political organizations and groups that could not take part in this dialogue to join us in future discussions. We must unify our ranks to save our country from imminent collapse,” stressed the group's paper.

In the document, however, the opposition parties outlined the major economic, political and social reforms that will be taken once President Kiir's government was overthrown.

It still remains unclear as to how the opposition politicians intend to achieve these goals

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour on Wednesday discussed with the United States Secretary of State John Kerry bilateral relations between the two countries and recent developments in Sudan and the region.

John Kerry (R) shakes hands with the Sudan's FM Ibrahim Ghandour as they pose for photos at the Palace Hotel in New York, October 2, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Stephanie Keith)

The meeting, which took place in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, comes two days after the American top diplomat met with the five foreign ministers from the regional bloc IGAD to discuss the situation in South Sudan.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said Ghandour briefed Kerry on the progress of the national dialogue process, pointing to the participation of the political, societal and armed forces in order to reach national consensus that achieves security and stability in the country.

It added the meeting also discussed the outcome of the recent peace talks between the government and the opposition Sudan Call forces in Addis Ababa, pointing to the obstacles that hampered talks on Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

A six-day round of talks from 9 to 14 August between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) on the Two Areas had stalled over humanitarian access.

Also, the Sudanese government, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi failed to sign a cessation of hostilities in Darfur after the parties disagreed on how to determine the sites of the rebel fighters.

According to the press release, Ghandour stressed his government is determined to resume negotiations to reach a cessation of hostilities that paves the road to complete the national dialogue and achieve stability and national consensus.

It pointed that Kerry expressed his country's keenness and support for the national dialogue, mentioning the importance of Sudan's role in addressing regional issues.

On Tuesday, Sudan's Presidential Assistant and head of government negotiating team for the Two Areas talks Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid briefed the acting U.S chargé de Affairs in Khartoum Ambassador Stephen Koutsis on the outcome of the recent round of peace talks

Following the meeting, the U.S diplomat said he discussed with Hamid the bilateral relations, the situation in the Two Areas and Darfur. Also, he reiterated his government readiness to back the African Union-led efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.

“U.S government is ready to help the parties to reach peace agreement,” he said.

It is noteworthy that the US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth has led the international efforts to convince the opposition to sign the Roadmap Agreement and engage in the peace talks with the government.

Washington imposed economic and trade sanctions on Sudan in 1997 in response to its alleged connection to terror networks and human rights abuses. In 2007 it strengthened the embargo, citing abuses in Darfur which it labelled as "genocide".

Also, Sudan has been on the US list of countries supporting terrorism since 1993, for allegedly providing support and safe haven for terrorist groups.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir say they wished their peace partner and ex-First Vice President, Riek Machar does not return to Juba and assume his position in the coalition government.

President Salva kiir(C) FVP; Riek Machar (L), and VP, Marilyn, raise their hands after swearing in ceremony of Machar on April 26, 2016. (Photo Lomayat Moses)

Senior officials allied to President Kiir on Wednesday announced willingness to fully implement the August 2015 peace agreement which the President Kiir signed with the opposition leader, Machar.

Presidential advisor on decentralization and intergovernmental linkages, Tor Deng Mawien, described the implementation of the agreement to be moving at rapid speed with the appointment of Taban Deng Gai as the replacement of Machar after he was unilaterally removed from his capacity as First Vice President by Kiir due to his absence.

“Anybody who has been following the turns of events and the level of movement would appreciate the speed at which the president has demonstrated his commitment to implementing the peace agreement because he has now found a partner. General Taban Deng Gai has demonstrated willingness to working collaboratively with the president to implement the peace agreement so that to move the country forward. This is what is very important. It is not who occupies which position,” Mawien, a relative and a strong political ally of President Kiir, said during an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune.

Mawien said it was now time for the region and the international community at large to extend a helping hand and work together with the current transitional government of national unity as recommended by the outcome of the communique of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

“With such changes taking place within the presidency, where there is now a better working relationship, the region and the international community should take advantage of this new spirit and the working environment of cooperation to come out and extend support to implement the agreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gordon Buay, one of the senior representatives at South Sudanese embassy in the United States, claimed that the world was now accepting the appointment of Gai because they have realised that it was not easy for president Kiir to work together with Machar.

“The entire world is convinced that Riek Machar cannot work together with President Kiir given the incident of July, 8, this year coupled with December, 15, 2013. Therefore, the world accepted Taban Deng Gai to implement the peace [agreement] with President Kiir simply because bringing back Riek Machar to Juba to the Presidential Palace is like lightening a match near kerosene or benzene. The result is fire, fire, fire, fire, fire and fire,” Buay told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday from Washington DC.

He claimed further that the world leaders have reached a logical conclusion that Riek Machar has no place in the transitional government of national unity because he is purportedly “a combustible product that can easily explode and kill people.”

Gai, on the other hand, he described, is like “an air condition that cools the room. He is the right person to work with President Kiir to cool South Sudan.

However, both IGAD communiqué and United Nations Security Council's resolutions criticized the replacement of Machar as “inconsistent” with the peace agreement and called for reinstatement of Machar to his position as First Vice President.

Observers are keen to underline that the speed at which the assembly reconstitution and after the replacement of Machar suggests there was an underground conspiracy to remove him from office and replace him with someone who would not stick to implementation of the key provisions in the deal.

President Kiir himself announced at the opening of the assembly that the delay was due to petty political differences and lack of better working relationship between him and Machar at the time.

He declared he would from the time of opening the assembly work collaboratively with Gai to implement the agreement. Gai declared at the inaugural function of his appointment that there was no need for two armies in the country and president Kiir was the only existing commander in chief in the country.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (JUBA) – A peace conference between rival communities of Dinka Bor and the Murle aimed at ending child abduction, cattle raiding and creating harmony in two regions of South Sudan's Jonglei state is in the offing, an official has disclosed.

The map of Jonglei state in red

The commissioner of Bor county, Isaac Mamer Ruuk said the governor of Jonglei state Philip Aguer and his counterpart for the newly-created state of Boma, Baba Medan Konyi both agreed to bring traditional chiefs and political leaders together in a week's time.

“On August 30, 2016, we are going to have a peace conference either in Gumuruk or Pibor,” he said in reference to main towns inhabited by members of the Murle tribe.

Also expected to attend the conference is the country's deputy minister of defense and veterans affairs David Yau Yau who is popular among the armed cattle wrestlers.

The conference, according to the commissioner, would also involve issues of child abduction and how to stump out crimes between the two neighbouring communities.

“We want the communities to interact amongst themselves through trade and other activities,” he told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

“We have a plan that after peace conference, the traders doing the business between the two states will be escorted by organized from Boma State until the reach safely into Jonglei State and back” he added.

Planned efforts to reconcile the two communities has been welcome by several citizens.

“We can't live as enemies if we want peace and delivery of basic services in our greater Jonglei state,” John Chol posted on the social networking site Facebook.

Currently, there are no business activities between Pibor and Bor. Cattle traders from Pibor travel directly to Juba by-passing Jonglei state. The two communities of Dinka Bor and Murle often trades accusations of cattle raiding, child abduction and deadly attacks on their villages but local officials have not initiated any grassroots peace conference.

However, if the proposed peace initiative commences later this month as planned, it will be the first time the rival communities directly discuss their differences in 15 years.

The first ever peace conference held in 2001 resulted into four years of tranquility in the area.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (WAU) - Shortage of fuel in South Sudan's Wau state has badly affected the supply of water to residents living in town, the urban water manager in the area said.

Tankers line up before water distribution in Juba (MDI photo)

Eng. Olwak Mugo said lack of fuel forced the station halt pumping and supplying water.

“The station consumption is two barrels per day of which the station could not afford such amount of money because at the end of the month, the station could reach 66 barrels which is 1,748,000 SSP of which the station cannot afford it,” said Mugo.

He said the station was being supported by the United Nations children fund (UNICEF), but the funds have reportedly been halted due to the high prices of fuel.

But the station management, he said, was in contact with UNICEF to offer more support.

According to Mugo, the recent violence in Wau town which forced thousands of people out of their homes also affected the station's subscription ccollections used to buy fuel.

Reconstructed in 2011, Wau's water treatment plant was meant to supply over 100,000 households within the town and the construction was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at an estimated cost of about $8 million.

(ST)

August 24, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A reconciliation conference between Darfur's Rizeigat tribe and a clan of the Ma'alia tribe known as Agarba kicked off on Wednesday in West Kordofan's state town of Al-Muglad.

West Kordofan State (Wikipedia)

The conference, being held under the auspices of West Kordofan and East Darfur states, aims to settle the longstanding conflict between Rizeigat and Agarba tribes.

The first session of the conference was held in the presence of the Minister of Federal Government Chamber and representative of the presidency Faisal Hassan Ibrahim.

For his part, head of the Agarba delegation Muslim Saeed said they came to the conference determined to open a new chapter of relations with the Rizeigat.

On the other hand, the representative of the Rizeigat, Mahmoud Khaled Mohamed said it is hightime to settle the prolonged differences between the two tribes.

Ibrahim said that First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih would attend the closing session of the conference on Thursday if the two sides reached an agreement, stressing the government is determined to end the tribal conflicts.

Governors of West Kordofan and East Darfur states praised participation of the two sides in the conference, underscoring the need to achieve reconciliation between the two tribes.

Meanwhile, traditional and youth leaders from the Ma'ala have issued a statement ahead of the conference, describing it as incomprehensive because it only includes one clan within the tribe.

It added that the traditional administration of the Ma'alia is not aware of the conference and has nothing to do with it, saying the tribe refuses to participate in any reconciliation conference that doesn't recognize its unity as a social entity.

Tribal clashes are now seen as the first source of violence in the western Sudan region and displaced thousands of civilians in Darfur five states.

The conflict between the Rezeigat and the Ma'alia tribes in East Darfur state is considered one of the longest and most deadly in the region.

Both the Rizeigat and the Maalia are pastoralist tribes, based in East Darfur. The centre of Rizeigat territory is in El Daein town, while the Maalia centre is in Adila, the second largest town after El-Daein.

Numerous reconciliation conferences and mediation efforts have failed to end the long-standing feud especially after reports that the disputed land contained oil.

Last year, the reconciliation conference between the two tribes, which was held under the auspices of Sudan's first vice-president, Bakri Hassan Salih in the locality of Merowe in the Northern state, stalled over the right of land ownership known as Hakura (traditional land grant).

Tribal clashes are now seen as the first source of violence in the western Sudan region and displaced thousands of civilians in Darfur's five states.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) - Governor of the newly created Yei River state, one of the new controversial 28 states which came into existence through presidential establishment order in 2015, has issued an order appointing new county commissioners.

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

David Moses Lokonga, according to his Tuesday' order, has appointed 13 county commissioners after issuing an order to create more counties in fulfillment of the presidential directives authorizing all the governors of the new states to create counties and appoint new officials in their new territories.

The order named Luka Nyombe as the county commissioner for Kajokeji, Juluis Tabule for Kangapo, Lasu Erasto for Kupera, Augustino Kiri for Lanya, Victor Ware for Liwolo and Toti Jacob for Lujulo

Other officials include Samuel Henry who has been named Marobo county commissioner, Natalino Lasuba for Mugwo, Beneia John for Mukaya, Julius Lokonga for Nyepo, Anthony Ande for Otogo, Martin Dodo for Tore and Bidali Cosmas for Yei River county.

The appointments also came as fighting escalates around Yei River state's capita between rival forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar, as opposition forces control some of the areas in the state.

Yei is located south of the South Sudanese national capital, Juba.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM).The African Union envoy to Sudan on Tuesday welcomed the initiative of the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi to end the deadlock of peace talks between Sudanese government and armed groups over humanitarian truce.

AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki (R) meets opposition NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi on June 2, 2016 (Courtesy photo of NUP)

Last week the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) suspended the two tracks of talks on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access agreements after the failure of six-day meetings to strike a deal over the two matters

The Head of the African Union Office in Khartoum, Mahmoud Kan said the regional body has welcomed the initiative of Sadiq al-Mahdi to end deadlock of peace talks between Sudanese government and rebel groups. He further said that the mediation is in consultation with the Sudanese parties to reach agreements on the cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian access.

“Sadiq al-Mahdi is an important part and can play a vital role in solving the pending issues,” said Kan in statements to the semi-official Sudanese Media Center (SMC) on Tuesday.

On Monday, the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi announced that he would submit an initiative to the AUHIP in a bid to break deadlock of talks, pointing that the initiative would help creating agreement.

However the NUP leader didn't give the elements of his proposals.

Al-Mahdi, who is residing in Cairo since two years ago, cosigned the Roadmap Agreement with the SPLM-N, JEM and SLM-MM. However, would only participate in the process with other opposition groups, after the signing of the agreements on the humanitarian truce.

The talks are expected to resume during the first two weeks of September, but Kan pointed that AUHIP did not yet fix a date for the next round of talks between government and rebels groups yet.

After the failure of the talks the government and armed groups accuse each other of lacking seriousness to reach a peace deal.

In a related development, Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid Tuesday met the acting U.S chargé de Affairs in Khartoum Ambassador Stephen Kontess and briefed him on the outcome of the recent peace talks in Addis Ababa from 9 to 14 August.

In statements to media after the meeting, the U.S diplomat said he discussed with Hamid the bilateral relations, the situation in the Two Areas and Darfur. Also, he reiterated his government readiness to back the African Union-led efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.

“U.S government is ready to help the parties to reach peace agreement,” he said.

Sudanese Vice President, Hasabo Abdel Rhaman, renewed his government's rejection of the SPLM-N's demand to deliver 20% of the humanitarian assistance directly to the rebel controlled areas in the Blue Nile State.

Abdel Rahman stressed that the relief should pass through the regular government procedures.

The government says no aid can reach the rebel areas without being inspected, hinting the SPLM-N could seek to use such channel to deliver weapons to their fighters there.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (NEW YORK) – United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will conduct an independent investigation into the recent violence in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, which also targeted civilians and the response of the United Nations peace keeping forces in the capital, reveals a statement released by the world body in New York on Tuesday.

A woman prepares food as displaced women, men and children gather, in Juba, South Sudan at the UN compound in Tomping area, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 (AP Photo)

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands to lead an independent Special Investigation into the violence in Juba, which occurred in July 2016.

The statement said the investigation will review reports of incidents of attacks on civilians and cases of sexual violence that occurred within or in the vicinity of the UN House Protection of Civilians (POC) sites in Juba.

Dozens of South Sudanese women were raped outside the UNMISS compounds and American female relief workers were also raped by soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir in Terrain Hotel near the UNMISS compound as well. The Mission failed to respond to their pleas despite reported contacts to alert the peacekeepers.

Also a young man working and staying with the American relief workers in the Terrain Hotel was shot dead after being identified to be from the Nuer ethnic group.

The investigation will include the level of response by UNMISS forces in Juba, which have been criticized for non-response during the targeting of civilians despite the Chapter Seven of the UN mandate that authorized them to respond.

“It will also determine the actions of UNMISS and whether the Mission responded appropriately to prevent these incidents and protect civilians within its resources and capabilities at the time. In addition, the investigation will review the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Terrain Hotel and assess the Mission's response,” it said.

It added that the Special Investigation team will undertake a field visit to Juba to interview the relevant interlocutors.

A final report will be presented to the Secretary-General within one month, the findings of which will be made public.

The appointed head of the investigation team, Major General (retired) Cammaert recently led a board of inquiry on the circumstances of the clashes that occurred in the UNMISS Protection of Civilians site in Malakal on 17-18 February 2016.

Cammaert previously had a distinguished military career in both The Netherlands with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the United Nations, including as Force Commander in United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

He also served as Military Advisor to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and as General Officer Commanding the Eastern Division in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

(ST)