Sudan Tribune

May 31, 2016 (YAMBIO) – A high level government delegation from the newly created state of Amadi [Western Equatoria state], visited Yambio on Monday to claim from another newly created successor Gbudue state, government assets allocated for Amadi state.

Bicycle riders and two women carrying pots in Yambio town March 28, 2016 (ST)

During the distribution discussions earlier some assets were not properly handed over to the authority of Amadi state.

Secretary General of Amadi state, Commander Gaius, said the purpose of their coming to Yambio was to claim the remaining assets which were allocated for them by the committee formed to distribute all the government assets which includes vehicles, and office equipment in Western Equatoria.

Gaius stated that there are still a number of vehicles which Gbudue state authorities were supposed to release them but they found it that some government officials are still using them, adding that generators and most of office equipment are yet to be released.

“It is unfortunate that until now Gbudue State continues to keep assets which were supposed to be given to us which includes vehicles, Generators and Office equipment they should release it to us without any problem,” Gaius said.

Meanwhile the acting governor for Gbudue state, Victor Edward Kpiawandu, said he is new in the office and he is not well informed about how the assets were distributed among the three new created states of Western Equatoria.

The acting governor suggested that they should meet with the committee which was formed to assess and distribute the assets equally.

Kpiawandu further asserted that distribution of assets should not create any tension among the people of Western Equatoria but they should peacefully follow the right procedure to claim what belongs to them.

Also speaking to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, one of the government's officials who was among the committee formed for the assessment of the assets and the distributions mentioned that Gbudue state are left with few vehicles which are on good condition and most of them grounded and therefore needed a lot of money to put on road again.

He claimed that other vehicles which were in good condition were allocated to other states and even staff Van for Yambio FM was also taken which could be left to help the only radio in Western Equatoria.

“I have seen the way the vehicles were distributed is not good because only few cars in good condition were given to Gbudue State and most of [them] are grounded and will need big money to put it again on road,” he said.

Few weeks ago one of the top government officials complained over the Yambio fm radio, accusing the people of Gbudue state of allegedly chasing away indigenous people from other states to go back to their state, which he described as discrimination and tribalism.

(ST)

May 31, 2016 (NEW YORK) - The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday voted to renew sanctions on a number of individuals allegedly obstructing a peace deal in South Sudan, weeks after formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

A UN Security Council session in New York (Photo courtesy of the UN)

The Council's resolution, which welcomed the recent formation of a unity government, extended sanctions for a year, saying much was yet to be done to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over two million.

The 15-member body's decision comes after an agreement to pursue the sanctions was reached with Russia on Friday, 27 May, in which the draft resolution followed two technical rollovers (resolution 2280 of 7 April and resolution 2271 of 2 March) that briefly extended the sanctions regime.

The sanction's renewal was delayed due to the return to Juba of the opposition leader and current First Vice President, Riek Machar, and the formation of the transitional government of national unity in late April.

However, some members of the UN Security Council believed that the Council required more time to consider an appropriate approach to sanctions, including a potential arms embargo, while the political situation was in considerable flux and the threat of additional sanctions could affect the calculations of the key decision-makers.

Also members were of the view that the additional time might allow the Council to formulate a more unified strategy, given the divergent views on sanctions. Hence, brief technical rollover resolutions were adopted.

There is general recognition that enormous difficulties still lie ahead in the implementation of South Sudan's peace deal.

These hurdles include, among others the lack of political will by the parties in the country's transitional government of national unity to resolve on the controversial 28 states which the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and UN wanted suspended, but has not done till now.

The Council is also concerned about the ongoing threats in South Sudan to humanitarian organizations and workers as well as non-cooperation with the UN mission in the country. A draft South Sudan's Non-Governmental Organization Bill, now in Parliament, is considered an obstacle to operations of international and national non-governmental entities.

South Sudan's ambassador to the UN, Joseph Malok, however, said he was “disappointed” by the Security Council's resolution, reiterating government's commitment to implement the accord signed with the armed opposition in August last year.

(ST)

May 31, 2016 (WAU) – A South Sudanese army officer, identified as Justin Bakhit Bambur, blew up himself in Wau state on Tuesday, for reasons yet to be established.

The incident occurred at Mad-Mayo vocational training centre at about 5:00pm [local time].

Eyewitnesses said the deceased was seen moving near the centre's fence prior to his death.

“We just heard a bomb sound, but when we reached the site of the blast, we found a dead body lying on the ground while we did not know why the person killed himself,” a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer, who preferred anonymity said Tuesday.

None of the deceased's relatives was willing to be interviewed by Sudan Tribune.

(ST)

May 31, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim said the Sudanese government isn't a party to the ongoing Doha consultations pointing the two-day meeting aims to reach a common vision with the Qatari mediation on the Darfur peace process.

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdalla al-Mahmoud (CL) and the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi meet in Doha with JEM and SLM-MM delegations on 30 May 2016 (QNA Photo)

On Monday, the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdalla al-Mahmoud and the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi started discussions in Doha with the JEM and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) led by Minni Minnawi on ways to join the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

"Talks with the two movements focused on the possibility of joining the peace process on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the views of the two movements in this regard," said a short statement released by the official Qatari News Agency (QNA).

In a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, the chairman of JEM's legislative council El-Tahir al-Faki declined to describe the consultations as “negotiations with the Sudanese government”, saying the aim of their visit to Doha is to explore the Qatari stance on the Darfur peace process and to arrive at a joint view.

He pointed that his movement and the SLM-MM met with al-Mahmoud in Paris last January at the request of the Qatari government to discuss Darfur's peace, saying the two movements presented a joint position paper to the Qatari mediator on ways to achieve peace in Darfur.

Al-Faki said the paper pointed that the two movements are looking forward to finding “a serious partner to achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan and to help the Sudanese people avoid wars and realize stability and development”.

“The DDPD mustn't be considered the reference for the talks whatever and Qatar mustn't stick to the Doha forum and should become part of the African Union [mediation]” the position paper stated.

Last month, JEM leader told Sudan Tribune that they intend to ask Qatar for joining the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) led by Thabo Mbeki in order to have a united framework for negotiating a number of issues on Darfur and the comprehensive peace in Sudan.

However, the Sudanese presidency quickly rejected the armed movements' proposal describing it as “an attempt to circumvent the (AUHIP-proposed) roadmap which was not signed by the two armed movements”.

According to al-Faki, the position paper pointed that Qatar had monopolized the previous talks which led to the signing of the DDPD despite the presence of the former Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Bassolé.

The DDPD was signed on 11 July 2011 between the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) of Tijani al-Sissi and the Justice and Equality Movement splinter faction led by Bakheit Abdel- Karim Dabajo (JEM-Dabajo) joined the deal on 6 April 2013.

He added that the position paper also rejected the participation of movements which have no weight on the ground besides “not allowing the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to make use of the forum”.

“We are advocates of peace and if it wasn't for us, the Doha forum wouldn't have been created. We have offered valuable and precious [sacrifices to achieve peace] including offering of martyrs and on top of them the leader of the movement [Khalil Ibrahim]” he said.

The two groups call to open the DDPD for negotiations saying some issues were ignored or not fairly treated, but Khartoum rejects such request.

The Sudanese government proposes they sign the framework document deal stressing it deals with all their claims. After what, they have to discuss security arrangements agreement and join the national dialogue to discuss any further regional or national demands.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 31, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Sudanese government last month has deported hundreds of Eritreans to their home country where they could suffer severe violations by an extremely repressive regime, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

Eritrean migrants wait aboard a navy ship in the Sicilian harbour of Augusta, March 4, 2015 (Photo Reuters/Antonio Parrinello)

In a new report issued Monday, the rights watchdog said Sudan has deported at least 442 Eritreans, including six registered refugees, to Eritrea in May 2016.

Sudanese authorities have started this month arresting Eritrean refugees residing in the capital, Khartoum, and intercepting hundreds who were travelling towards Libya in a bid to cross to Europe.

According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the Sudanese authorities arrested 377 people on May 6 in the Sudanese border town of Dongola as they tried to cross to Libya.

Among them were the 313 Eritreans, including six who had already registered as refugees in Sudan and were all tried and convicted of “illegal entry” into Sudan.

The Sudanese authorities deported all of them including 4 Eritreans children who were part of this group.

The latest crackdown against Eritrean migrants comes as EU reportedly reached a deal with Khartoum to stem migration towards Europe.

A leaked document obtained by European Medias indicate that Sudan - which has increasingly become a key transit country for migrants from East Africa seeking to illegally travel to Europe via Libya - will be provided with financial aid to tighten its border control and intercept refugees bound to Europe.

Along with Sudan, 7 other African countries will be aided with a total of £40 million over three years to do so.

Following the recent secret deal, Sudan has reportedly rounded up some 900 Eritreans in Khartoum last week.

Those deported were arrested while they were en route to Libya.

Every month, hundreds of young Eritreans flee their country to evade military conscription which is mandatory to all citizens aged 18-50.

Per the authorized law, the national or military service lasts for only 18 months however President Issaias-led repressive regime forces citizens to serve indefinitely leaving them with no option but to escape their home country.

Citizens leaving the country without government's knowledge are perceived to be a deserter.

Escaping military conscription or leaving Eritrea without permission from the government is a criminal offense considered by the regime as treason which is punishable up to death sentence.

Human Rights Watch has expressed grave concern over the deportation of the Eritrean refugees as they face a serious risk of prosecutions and end up locked up behind bars in life-threatening condition.

“Sudan is arresting and forcing Eritreans back into the hands of a repressive government without allowing refugees to seek protection,” said Gerry Simpson, senior refugee researcher and advocate at Human Rights Watch.

“Sudan should be working with the UN refugee agency to protect these people, not send them back to face abuse.”

Eritreans and Ethiopians are denied of chance to claim asylum.

International law forbids countries from deporting asylum seekers without first allowing them to apply for asylum and considering their cases.

“This right applies regardless of how asylum seekers enter a country or how long they have been in a country before claiming asylum,” HRW added.

International law also prohibits the deportation, return, or forced expulsion of anyone to a place where they face a real risk to their life, or of torture or ill-treatment.

Sudanese authorities have allegedly denied access for UNHCR representatives to allow them access to visit the refugees group.

Sudanese authorities are entitled to arrest and question Eritreans and other foreign nationals not registered as asylum seekers or who do not have other legal status in Sudan, Human Rights Watch said.

However, it added Sudan is obliged to allow Eritreans and others to lodge asylum claims in Sudan at any time, even if they have already been in the country for some time, and to fairly review those claims.

As Eritrea is a closed nation, it is impossible for international agencies to monitor the situation and treatment of Eritreans back home after deportation.

Thousands of Eritreans use smugglers every year to travel from Eritrea through Ethiopia and Sudan to Libya and Egypt, from where many then try to reach the European Union by boat.

Human Rights Watch has documented that thousands were kidnapped and tortured for ransom in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula between 2010 and 2013, in some cases with the collusion of Sudanese and Egyptian security officials.

“If Sudan wants to market itself as a refugee-rights-respecting nation, it's going about it the wrong way,” Simpson said. “Eritreans, Ethiopians and others who want protection must be allowed full access to fair asylum procedures.”

In addition, the report says that Sudan has also arrested 64 Ethiopians who risk deportation.

Human Rights watch said Ethiopia's restrictions on political rights have spurred citizens to leave and a crackdown that began November in its Oromia region may have led to “thousands” fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Ethiopian security forces have killed Dozens of ethnic Oromos mainly university students after they staged weeks-long demonstration in protest to government's plan to expand the capital's territory to parts of the Oromia region.

Following the violent and deadly clashes, many Ethiopians are believed to have fled to neighbouring countries, including Sudan.

(ST)

May 31, 2016 (JUBA) – For the first time since formation of the transitional government of national unity on 29 April, South Sudan presidency have met to review the implementation of the August 2015 peace deal.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

In a joint meeting on Tuesday at the presidential palace in Juba, President Salva Kiir, his first deputy, Riek Machar and second deputy, James Wani, were shown on the national television, shaking hands and sitting together in the discussions.

In the brief TV broadcast, it was reported that the three leaders reviewed the implementation of the deal, with emphasis on the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

There were no however more explanation about the details of the discussions or its outcome.

There are many contentious issues in the agreement, including the number of states, cantonment of forces and reconstitution of the national legislative assembly, among others.

Donors have not yet pledged or brought in financial support to the new government, citing lack of commitment to peace by the former warring parties.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (NEW YORK) – United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is scheduled to discuss renewing and even adding more sanctions on South Sudan in the wake of none or slow progress in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) signed by warring parties in August last year.

United Nations Security Council meeting which unanimously adopted resolution 2228 (2015) extending the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) June 29, 2015 (UN Photo)

On Tuesday, 31 May, the Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the South Sudan sanctions regime including assets freezes and travel bans on designated individuals for an additional year and also renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts for 13 months.

This comes after an agreement to pursue the sanctions was reached with Russia on Friday, 27 May, in which the draft resolution followed two technical rollovers (resolution 2280 of 7 April and resolution 2271 of 2 March) that briefly extended the sanctions regime.

The sanction's renewal was delayed due to the return to Juba of the opposition leader and current First Vice President, Riek Machar, and the formation of the transitional government of national unity in late April.

Some members of the UN Security Council believed that the Council required more time to consider an appropriate approach to sanctions, including a potential arms embargo, while the political situation was in considerable flux and the threat of additional sanctions could affect the calculations of the key decision-makers.

Also members were of the view that the additional time might allow the Council to formulate a more unified strategy, given the divergent views on sanctions. Hence, brief technical rollover resolutions were adopted.

The decision now to pursue an extension of the sanctions regime for a full year appears to reflect the view that an important milestone was achieved with the formation of the transitional government, although there is general recognition that enormous difficulties still lie ahead in the implementation of the peace agreement.

These hurdles include lack of political will by the parties in the transitional government of national unity to resolve on the controversial 28 states which IGAD and UN wanted suspended, but not done up to now.

Others include the non-implementation of most part of the security arrangements and cantonment of forces which was supposed to be done since last year in the pre-transitional period of three months before formation of transitional government.

A new transitional parliament has not yet been reconstituted by the parties, leaving the former parliament of President Salva Kiir's faction to illegally continue to operate, among others.

However, based on the negotiations of the current text, it is clear that the Council remains divided on the issue of sanctions. The resolution expected to be adopted on Tuesday does not make fundamental changes to the current sanctions regime.

The US, the penholder on South Sudan, circulated the first draft on 18 May, and the first and only round of negotiations among all 15 members was held the following day. Subsequent negotiations were conducted bilaterally. The initial draft was based on the text the Council was negotiating in late February, before it opted to pursue a short technical rollover.

There were a number of areas of disagreement during the negotiations. One controversial issue was the request for a special report from the Panel of Experts. The initial draft proposed that the report focus strictly on the transfers to South Sudan of arms and related materiel, to enable the Council to evaluate the “appropriateness of additional measures.”

Russia, China and Egypt appeared to be uncomfortable with referring to possible “additional measures”, apparently believing that this would prejudice the outcome of the Council's deliberations in favor of a possible arms embargo.

As a compromise, the US attempted to temper the language in this paragraph; for example, it changed “appropriateness of additional measures” to “appropriate steps.”

However, this formulation was still not acceptable to Russia, one reason why it broke silence. As a compromise, the penholder agreed to delete from the text in blue any reference to follow up, that is ”additional measures” or “appropriate steps” that the Council might take based on the findings of the report.

The Council is also concerned about the ongoing threats in South Sudan to humanitarian organizations and workers as well as non-cooperation with the United Nations Mission in South

Another controversial issue was how to refer to the South Sudan Non-Governmental Organizations Bill, which has been criticised by non-governmental organisations that believe it discriminates against them and inhibits their ability to provide humanitarian assistance to South Sudanese.

The original draft expressed deep concern with this bill, indicating that it could disrupt the operations of international and national non-governmental organisations.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Council members will agree on a measure to take against parties in South Sudan once the deliberations, expected on Tuesday, kick off in New York.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) Monday announced the release within some days of 20 prisoners of war (POWs) and 20 mine workers on the eve of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

SPLM-N negotiating team spokesperson Mubarak Ardol (Courtesy photo of SPLM-N)

SPLM-N Peace Spokesperson, Mubarak Ardol; said the SPLM-N leadership held consultations on the release of the 40 people through the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Addis Ababa.

"The movement's leadership directed to hand over the prisoners and detainees as soon as possible to the Red Cross so that they can perform Ramadan fasting with their families after long time," Ardol added.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is expected to begin this year on Monday 6 June 2016.

Since more than a year, the SPLM-N which fights the Sudanese army in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states agreed to release 20 POWs and 20 mine workers following discussions with the Islamist group of Al-Sa'ihoon.

However, in May 2015 the rebel group said the government refused to give the needed authorizations for the ICRC to collect by plane the 20 PoWs and 20 workers who were in different locations in the two states.

Ardol said that the SPLM-N has an impeccable record of respect for human rights that its historical leader John Garang had contributed to consolidate this tradition.

He pointed the ongoing military campaign by the Sudanese government on their positions hinders the release of the 40 people. But the SPLM-N and the ICRC will make every efforts to enable the prisoners and detainees to join their families.

Also, the rebel official disclosed that some POWs were killed during the government attacks without elaboration.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (JUBA) - The Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) in South Sudan are opposed to any global pressure against last year's presidential decree, which expanded the country's number of states from the constitutionally recognised 10 states to 28.

President Salva Kiir Kiir with members of the Dinka (JIENG) Council of Elders. Its chair Ambrose Riny Thiik apprears to his right (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

The order is said to have contravened the peace deal signed with armed opposition under the leadership of the first vice president Riek Machar based on the 10 states.

“The Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) is alarmed and deeply regrets the recent respect to the status of the 28 States establishment order, (EO 36/2015). The UNMISS (United Nations mission in South Sudan) head said that she does not recognise the 28 states,” party reads the 26 May protest statement, which Sudan Tribune obtained.

It add, “Obviously, there are pockets of political opposition in the country to the creation of 28 states and so for her to take the same position, as the opposition, is an act of partiality and goes counter to the spirit of the agreement and inconsistent with the mandates of the institutions they lead”.

The JCE, comprising largely relatives and political allies of President Salva Kiir, accused the special representative of the secretary general of the UN mission in the country of allegedly siding with the opposition on the issue and must cease doing so.

“The UNMISS leader appears bent on encroaching deliberately into the affairs of a sovereign state,” said JCE.

“It may serve her well to stay out of South Sudanese politics and administrative matters and allow the South Sudanese to chart their course on these matters without prejudice. The council therefore advises the two institutions to adhere strictly to their respective mandates by avoiding unwarranted meddling in the affairs of a sovereign state,” it added.

The JCE reiterated that the establishment was a sovereign decision and should not therefore be reversed; asserting doing so would endanger the unity and social harmony.

South Sudan's sovereignty, JCE said, is vested solely in the people of South Sudan and it is not amenable or subject to debates engendered from within or from without.

“The right of the people of South Sudan to govern themselves within confines of their respective diverse cultures ought to be held sacred and inalienable,” it said, adding the 28 states was in response to popular demand.

The statement had signatures of Ambrose Riny Thiik, chairman of the group and co-chair Joshua Dau Diu. Aldo Deng, another member of the JCE also signed the document.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 30, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Eritrea said the huge exodus of tens of thousands of its citizens was the outcome of an international conspiracy supported by human smugglers.

Migrants from Eritrea sit near tents as they live in a make-shift camp under a metro bridge in Paris, France, May 28, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Benoit Tessier)

The remarks was made by Eritrea's Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, during the recent Ministerial Conference on “Sustainability of Migratory Phenomenon; towards a new Model of Dialogue” held in Rome, Italy.

The Minister denied that right violations were the causes for the increasing number of citizens fleeing the Red Sea nation.

He argued that the migration which he said was not peculiar to Eritrea instead was due search of improved opportunities oversees.

However Eritrean refugees who arrived in Ethiopia this year has told Sudan Tribune that poverty, political repression, different forms of right abuses, imprisonment, joblessness were main causes driving citizens flee their home country.

According to the refuges, military conscription and the indefinite service afterwards is forcing more and more young Eritreans leave their country.

At the conference, Saleh claimed that an international migration conspiracy is being used to tarnish nation's image.

He said "sensationally manipulated statistics and the perceived number of Eritrean migrants frequently quoted by the UNHCR" had also become a tool of political disinformation to tarnish the image of Eritrea.

He alleged illegal migration had become a politically motivated agenda serving as part and parcel of a larger campaign to vilify, isolate and destabilize Eritrea.

“The youth has been the main target of the migratory conspiracy and protracted psychological warfare to lure them away from national defence and development responsibilities by attracting them to a promising heavenly life”

He added false and manipulated asylum cases have been orchestrated and used to project a false image of impending crisis so as to accuse the Eritrean Government.

The minister mentioned a statement by President Barack Obama back in 2012 as corroborating the alleged “conspiracy perpetuated to use Eritrean migration as a political tool”

He also added that “this criminal activity has the involvement of some countries, organizations, surrogate anti- Eritrean groups and pseudo-human right activists”

Eritrea also referred by international right groups as the North Korea of Africa is one among the world's most oppressive nation.

According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), every month at least 5,000 citizens flee the Secretive east African nation.

In Ethiopia alone there are an estimated 100,000 Eritrean refugees sheltered in a number of refugee camps located near the common border.

Last year, Eritreans were recorded as the third largest group of people embarking on the perilous Mediterranean in a bid to cross to Europe.

Every month hundreds of Eritreans bound to Italy attempt to cross the Mediterranean from Libya however many of them end up perished.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed bin Abdalla al-Mahmoud and the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi Monday started discussions in Doha with two Sudanese armed groups on ways to join the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The leaders of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Gibril Ibrahim and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Minni Minnawi seek to include Qatar in the African Union brokered talks for peace in Sudan in order to review some parts of the DDPD that they didn't sign.

"Talks with the two movements focused on the possibility of joining the peace process on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the views of the two movements in this regard," said a short statement released by the official Qatari News Agency (QNA).

The two sides will continue consultations in order to reach common grounds that could pave the way for the movements to join the peace process in Darfur, further said the agency.

During the peace talks in Addis Ababa with the Sudanese governments the two groups demanded to discuss some matters related to landownership, compensations, and protection of civilians. Khartoum refused this demand and asked them to sign the DDPD first.

It was noticed that al-Tom Hajo, deputy chairman of the Sudanese Revolutionary Forces led by Gibril Ibrahim is taking part in the Doha meeting.

A rebel official told Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity that Hajo's participation aims to show their commitment for a comprehensive solution in Sudan.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (BOR) - Boma state, a region cocomprising mainly of pastoralists, is yet to get the 20 tractors promised to each state by the South Sudanese Presdent, Salva Kiir.

Tractors to be sent to Baidit payam in Jonglei state February 27, 2016 (ST)

Plans to increase food production in Boma state, through engaging its redundant youth in agricultural activities had been marred by failure to secure the 20 tractors meant for the state population, according to the Boma state governor, Baba Medan Konyi.

“We did not manage to receive our share of tractors this year from Juba. Majority of the people, whom we wanted to engage on agriculture, especially the youth, are now redundant. Very few have cultivated around their homestead, on less than a fedan. This cannot support them in any way”, he told Sudan Tribune in Pibor on Saturday.

The communities in Pochalla and Anuak are said to have tried best, using their manual hand tools to cultivate reasonable sizes of their farms. He however said the Murle had not done much in farming due to several challenges it's communities had been faced with.

“One of the reasons is that man in Murle don't cultivate, they only go after cattle, while women remain at homes to do the rest of the jobs, including cultivating for the family. Maize is the common crop they plant, but what they plant cannot feed them for even a month”, stressed Medan.

“So there was a need for us to train them on large scale food production and to teach men that farming is not only for women”, he added.

Medan said failure of the tractors to arrive, indicated that the status of food security in the state would still be low next year, urging the humanitarian to step in for help.

In other places, large section of the communities spent the entire year moving from one place to another with their cattle as they searched for green pastures.

“We will target this communities by making them settle, so that they begin to cultivate to have enough food for the rest of the year. This will give their children a chance to access education”, said Medan.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (WAU) – The Muslim fraternity in South Sudan's Wau state on Monday elected Bashir Dor as the Islamic Council's new secretary general.

Wau Islamic Council's secretary general Bashir Dor, May 30, 2016 (ST)

In an interview with Sudan Tribune after he was elected, Bashir said he would work to ensure the council recovers all lost properties of the Muslims.

He, however, vowed to closely work with the state government to ensure success.

Top of council's priority, its secretary general said, would be to unite Muslims in Wau.

“We thank God for bringing me as the secretary general [Islamic] Council of Wau state. This of cause is not by accident, but by the very big work done by my brothers and actually our programs will start from now onwards in order to recognise the Islamic properties in the state and then to unite Islamic groups,” he said.

Bashir further acknowledged the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in the state, but promised to further strengthen these existing ties.

Bashir replaces Sheikh Fuad Hassan who was murdered in Wau county in 2012.

The Muslims, according to a 2012 Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life report, Muslims in South Sudan accounted for about 6.2% of the country's population.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has seized copies of Alwan newspaper on Monday for the second day in a row without stating reasons.

Alwan Newspaper

NISS has recently intensified crackdown on the newspapers and confiscated copies of Al-Taghyeer, Al-Saiha and Akhir Lahza newspapers for two days in a row.

Also, print runs of Al-Gareeda newspaper were seized five times within one week.
On Sunday, NISS confiscated copies of Alwan from the printing house while on Monday the newspaper was seized after it had reached the distribution centers.

The editorial board of Alwan said it is not aware of the reasons for the confiscation and pointed that the NISS didn't contact them to explain the causes of the move.

It added that the newspaper might not publish on Tuesday in fear of a third confiscation.
Some journalists said the confiscation was likely a retaliatory measure agsinst Alwan for publishing an interview with the leader of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Gibril Ibrahim on Sunday.

It is noteworthy that Alwan is owned by the popular Islamic figure Hussein Khogali.

Sudan's constitution guarantees freedom of expression but laws subordinate to the constitution such as the National Security Forces Act of 2010 contains articles that can be potentially used to curtail press freedom and instigate legal proceedings against newspapers and individual journalists.

NISS usually accuses the newspapers of crossing the red lines through publishing reports which adversely impact the national security.

Sudanese journalists work under tight daily censorship controls exercised by the NISS.
They say that NISS uses seizures of print copies of newspapers, not only to censor the media but also to weaken them economically.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (JUBA) – The leadership of the Emmanuel Jieng [Dinka] Parish has released a statement, saying it regretted the violent protest which occurred inside their church in the capital, Juba on Sunday.

Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth

They also said the church leadership had convinced the top priest in charge who announced he was resigning over the embarrassing situation caused by Dinka youth protesters, to reconsider his decision and continue leading the church.

The tribally-named Emmanuel Jieng Parish is a branch of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan with Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul as its overall leader in the country.

On Sunday, several protesters were arrested inside the church by security personnel after staging a protest against the church leadership for inviting the First Vice President, Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer, to the ethnic Dinka church service on 22 May, where he preached the need for peace, reconciliation and forgiveness among the people.

Machar also urged the congregation to support the implementation of the peace agreement he signed with President Salva Kiir to end the 21 months of the civil war.

Since his arrival in Juba on 27 April, Machar visited different churches on Sundays and Saturday with different congregations of different tribes, repeating the same message of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.

However, his appearance on Sunday, 22 May, in the ethnic Dinka church, which is predominantly of Dinka Bor members from Jonglei state, angered some members of the congregation who walked out in protest, accusing the church leadership of inviting an enemy.

On Sunday, 29 May, a week later, protesters, mainly young people, allegedly incited by politicians inside the church, almost interrupted the church service and demanded that the top church priest who invited Machar last week resigned.

The Dinka Bor youth who stormed the church carried banners of pictures and names of their three senior dead army Generals who were killed in action between 2013 and 2014 while commanding government troops against Machar's opposition forces.

The Emmanuel Jieng Parish's top priest, Reverend Joseph Maker Achiek, after witnessing the chaotic situation, decided to resign, which he announced immediately on Sunday.

Also Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, a respected veteran priest who was also in the attendance and witnessed the chaotic scene, was seen crying while conducting a closing prayer in the church.

The statement released by the church on Sunday evening, however said the church's top priest, Pastor Achuek, will continue to lead the Emmanuel Jieng Parish, describing the protesters who demanded his resignation as not members of the church.

“The Parochial Church Council regrets over the row initiated by non-congregants during the church service at Emmanuel on Sunday, the 29/05/2016. The row-group were dressed in black T-shirts holding pictures of Late Generals Abraham Jongroor Deng and Kuol Malith Reech and also indicated the name of Ajak Yen who were killed in the recent war. Their intention was to provoke the church into chaos, which did not happen,” partly reads the press statement signed by Solomon Manyang Jok, the church secretary.

“The group claimed to be disappointed by the visit of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny last Sunday, the 22nd May 2016, accusing the church to have allowed him to pray and addressed the congregation, because they termed the church to be tribal while the church is the body of Christ where everybody has right to exercise his Christian rites,” the statement further reads.

He said the government's law enforcement personnel intervened and apprehended the protesters, but added that the church administration sent a delegation to the security organ to release them later.

“As a result of the row, the Parish Priest, Rev. Joseph Maker Achiek was emotionally moved and uttered his resignation, which the Council termed as slippery of tongue. Based on this, the Church Council called the Parish Priest immediately to withdraw his statement, which he did,” he said.

“We as a church do urge our members and the community at large to remain calm and show away from this barbaric act of this group and click into the spirit of love, harmony and unity as children of God,” the statement added.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (BENTIU) – At least 5,320 Bul Nuer currently living at the United Nations Protection of Civilian (PoC) site at Jebel-Kujur, a suburb of the South Sudan capital, have urged the country's leaders to speed up the ongoing peace implementation process.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

James Tut Wuliny, a Bul Nuer community leader, said the peace deal signed in August last year, between warring parties was the only option to end conflict.

He however said South Sudanese leaders should explain the importance of peace among citizens in the young nation.

Wuliny says both President Salva Kiir and his first deputy, Riek Machar had vital roles to play in efforts to promote peace and unity in the country, despite the two year conflict.

“We are taking this initiative as Bul [Nuer] community leaders that President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy in the formation of transitional government of national unity had a task to stop random killings and looting of properties experienced in this unwanted three years of crisis,” he said.

The official lauded both leaders for their commitments to the ongoing implement of the country's peace accord, but said more need to be done in sensitizing the population.

“This courageous step you have taken shall save the country from economic crises and it will also restore trust between the tribes broken into ashes by the crisis,” he said.

Wuliny said the populations of Mayom, one of the counties in Unity state, fully support the peace deal and that it was time for people to forgive each other for crimes committed.

“We call upon all people in South Sudan to say sorry to one another and accept ourselves as one people serving one nation with a purpose,” further stressed the Bul Nuer leader.

James Gatluak Madiet, a displaced Bul Nuer currently living at the UN protection of civilian base in Juba, said a reconciliation campaign successfully kicked off on Sunday.

“The reconciliation campaign started today in UNMISS [UN Mission in South Sudan] will open doors to all peace lovers countrywide and also in the diaspora because without telling the truth to the affected communities, there will be no peace and the grievances will remain,” said Madiet.

The campaign is the first ever event organised by the Bul Nuer community at a UN protection site, since the conflict broke out in the South Sudan capital in December 2013.

(ST)

May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir would head his country's delegation participating in the upcoming Arab League (AL) summit which will be held in the capital of Mauritania, Nouakchott in July, said Sudan's state foreign minister

Sudanese President Omer HAssan al-Bashir arrives in Khartoum after a flight from Johannesburg on June 15, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ebrahim Hamid)

Bashir is under two International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants since 2008 for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur.

The Sudanese president visited Mauritania two times since the ICC issued the arrest warrants.

Mauritania is not a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, and therefore has no obligations under the statute. However, the ICC chief prosecutor, Fatu Bensouda, had in the past asked Saudi Arabia and Egypt who are also non signatories to the statute to arrest Bashir.

Sudan's State Foreign Minister Obied Allah Mohamed stressed the need to discuss ways for implementing the Arab food security initiative launched by President Bashir during the meetings of the 3rd Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in Riyadh in 2013.

He praised the support rendered by the AL to Sudan particularly with regard to peace and development issues, stressing Sudan's support for the Palestinian cause as the central and pivotal issue for the Arab and Islamic nation.

Obied Allah, who participated in the AL foreign ministers emergency meeting in Cairo on Saturday, expressed hope that the French initiative for Israeli-Palestinian peace could achieve the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to the establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Commenting on the situation in Libya, the Sudanese minister pointed to his country's efforts within the mechanism of the neighbouring countries of Libya to settle the differences among warring factions, stressing Sudan's support to the internationally recognized government headed by Faiz Al-Siraj.

Obied Allah further welcomed the AL resolutions supporting peace and development in Sudan, demanding the regional body to support the exit strategy of the peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) following stability and improved security situation in the region.

He also urged the AL to support Sudan's demands for lifting the unilateral coercive economic sanctions imposed on it by the United States besides removing its name from the U.S. list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

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.

The Sudanese minister praised the support rendered to Sudan by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt and Qatar, expecting the AL summit to urge the UN Security Council to consider the adverse impact of the U.S sanctions on human rights in Sudan.

(ST)

May 29, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan Sunday has criticized a statement by the Troika countries denouncing government aerial bombardment on rebel held areas in South Kordofan state.

Sudan's foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour, addresses the general debate of the General Assembly's seventieth session on 2 October 2015 (Photo UN/Cia Pak)

In a statement released in Washington, the Sudanese Embassy to the United Sates described the joint statement as "biased" and " a repetition to negative positions that do not help to bring peace to the people of South Kordofan and Blue Niles states".

The Torika members, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United, on Saturday condemned the Sudanese government's aerial bombardment of civilians in Kauda and the Heiban areas of South Kordofan.

The three western countries said they "are appalled" by these attacks, which included the bombing of St Vincent Elementary School on 25 May.

The diplomatic mission reiterated that the government stance is to continue the dialogue process and the talks as a path to realize peace in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

"Despite their support to the Roadmap Agreement, signed by the Sudanese government alone in Addis Ababa last March, the Troika countries do not make any strong move to push these (rebel) movements sign the roadmap," the embassy added.

The Troika countries applauded the signing of the Roadmap Agreement by the government and said it represents a step forward towards peace in Sudan.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N), Justice and Equality Movements (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), and the National Umma Party (NUP) have refused to sign peace plan saying it is not inclusive and disregards other conditions to create a conducive environment for a successful dialogue.

(ST)

May 29, 2016 (BOR) - Authorities in the newly created Boma state, one of the controversial 28 states inhabited by South Sudan's Murle, Anyuak and Kachipo ethnic groups, have alarmed sharp increase in number of boys and girls dropping out of schools as they prepare to launch a total back to school campaign in June this year.

Boma State Education Minister, Simon Korton, speaking to Sudan Tribune from his office in Pibor on 24 May 2016 (ST Photo)

The state minister of education, Simon Korton Tulki, cited security as the major cause of the decrease in the pupils populations in schools this year, besides early and forced marriages which heavily accounts for low enrolments of girls in schools as well.

The culture of Murle ethnic community in Boma state, allowed girls to be married off as earlier as the age of 15, which resulted into low girls' enrolment in schools, according to the education minister, Simon Korton Tulki.

“This habit is what we are trying to preach about so that the people abandon it because when the girl is educated, she is better than uneducated girl. Underage marriages also affect the life of the girls because they are exposed to some hardships, which they cannot manage as housewives,” he added.

According to Murle culture, young men in the villages book girls at birth, even when they are days old, by paying some heads of cattle.

A designated traditional beads which is put around the neck of a small girl, indicates which age group the husband to be belongs to. Such girls don't go to school, as they fear of being regarded as ‘spoiled' by these communities which value virginity.

“In schools, you find the girls' up to primary six and then they drop out when they reach the age of 10 and above,” said the minister.

Out of 65 candidates who sat for secondary school exams in Boma state, only one was a girl. A lot more are dropping out before reaching primary seven. Young Murle men have also been busy roaming about in the wilderness looking for cows and kids to steal.

Attempts are being made by the state ministry of education to change this perception in people's minds across the state, but little has been achieved.

“We are trying our best, but it is very hard to be accepted. They had been practising it for centuries and they had never seen or felt the effect of it. Gradually, we will continue to preach it to the communities, and slowly they will accept it. Some individuals who are living near the town have already seen the benefit,” said Korton.

He said South Sudan would be a better place to live in if “we abandon the bad culture of early marriages so that our girls and boys go to schools to learn. Educated people can change the life of this community.”

The state governor, Baba Medan, also believed that only education would change the mindset of the Murle community from child abduction and early marriages to a productive one, free from crimes.

“If you want to build a good community, if you want to have future for this state, we must put our focus on education because education is the key for everything,” said Medan.

He had special message to the parents out there, advising them to put their children to schools.

“If you want to increase the number of your cattle you have, you bring your daughter to school. If a daughter is educated, you will get 200 heads of cattle or more when she gets married. She will also support you with her salaries. But the girls in the villages who are not educated, you only get 50 heads of cattle when she gets married and she cannot support you in any way,” he added.

Boys are also believed to be leaving schools when they are initiated at the age of 16 or above, and become raiders and child abductors, practices which the governor considered to be sinful.

“If young men are educated, they will not abduct other people's children or raid cattle from other communities. This way, peace will come to this place and we will be able to explore our natural resources nicely for the development,” said Medan.

(ST)

May 29, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Sunday have released a number of graduates of the University of Khartoum after nearly two months of detention without charge.

A student throws stones during a confrontation with the police outside the University of Khartoum on Wednesday April 13, 2016

Mohmed Farouk Suleiman, Murtada Habani, Ibrahim Abu Samra and Ahmed Zuhair have been released on Sunday. The four were detained last April after taking part in demonstrations to protest the relocation of the historical university to construct touristism and business buildings.

Amnesty International and Human Right Watch denounced the arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters and called to release them. Different reports said they their families and lawyers had no access, increasing risks of torture.

Dozens of students mostly from the University of Khartoum and activists are still in jail since last April.

Reports say the detainees are held at the NISS office near the Shendi bus station in Khartoum North. However it was also reported that some of them are being held in unrevealed locations.

The Sudanese authorities accuse the protesters of being connected to opposition and rebel groups, saying they seek to mobilise protests to bring down the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

Minister of Justice Awad al Nur al-Hassan Sunday refused to comment on the detention without charge of the student and activists.

Also, Interior Minister Ismat Abdel Rahman distanced himself from the issue; saying they are arrested by the NISS which is directly attached to the Sudanese presidency.

Last Wednesday families of arrested students handed over a memorandum to the minister of higher education and the university's vice chancellor, calling for their immediate release.

The letter which is co-signed by the graduates' association and student lawyers, also called to cancel the dismissal of six students and the two-year suspension of for 11 other students accused to orchestrating the protests against the sale of the university building.

(ST)