Sudan Tribune

May 5, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan security agents on Thursday broke into the office of prominent lawyer and rights activist Nabeel Adib Abdallah and arrested several university students.

Anti-riot police uses water cannon to disperse student protesting outside Khartoum university on April 26, 2016 (ST Photo)

On Tuesday, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Khartoum (UofK) decided to shut down the university indefinitely and ordered dismissal of 17 students for involvement in recent demonstrations.

Some of the students went to Abdallah's office to hire him to challenge the dismissal decision.

Abdallah told Sudan Tribune that 15 armed men in civilian clothes broke into his office on Thursday afternoon and identified themselves as National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) agents.

He pointed that the armed men ordered the students to sit on the ground and started beating them before they took 11 of them and two office employees to an unknown location, saying the two employees were later released.

Abdallah described the incident as “a serious precedent and a flagrant attempt against the legal profession and the defendants' rights for just trial”, saying he immediately informed the president of the bar association of what had occurred.

Massive demonstrations erupted at the UofK since two weeks ago following press statements made by the Minister of Tourism Mohamed Abu Zaid in which he indicated government intention to transfer the university from its location and to lease out its former premises for tourism purposes.

Dozens of students were arrested and others wounded in the protests following the intervention of the police with tear gas and rubber bullets several times.

(ST)

May 5, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has on Wednesday evening unexpectedly issued a republican order announcing unilateral appointment of high profile ten-member presidential advisory team without consulting with the opposition factions, sparking denunciations and questions about motives behind the appointments.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

According to the presidential decree broadcast by the state owned South Sudan Television (SSTV), President Kiir appointed former deputy speaker of the national legislative assembly, Daniel Awet Akot, as advisor for military affairs.

The decree appointed all the 10 advisers from President Kiir's group and none was from the other opposition factions such as the SPLM-IO led by the First Vice-President, Riek Machar, former detainees and other political parties.

Akot, who will be advising on military issues is a senior member of the SPLM and has served in various high profile assignments, including having been a minister of internal affairs and a state governor in the past.

The same decree also appointed former Central Equatoria state governor, Clement Wani Konga, as a presidential advisor for special affairs. It is unclear what his specific duties will entail.

Former deputy secretary general of the SPLM, Anne Itto, was also named as an advisor for agriculture and food security.

The secretary general of the Islamic council in the country, Tahir Bior, was named as an advisor for religious affairs.

The former government's chief mediator during peace talks with the armed opposition, Nhial Deng Nhial, was appointed as a senior advisor and presidential envoy.

Tor Deng Mawien, a relative of the president and long-time political ally, was reappointed as an advisor for decentralization and intergovernmental linkages while Tut Kew Gatluak was reappointed as an advisor for security affairs.

Former minister of education, John Gai Yoh was named as an advisor for educational affairs,

Other presidential aides who were reappointed into their previous portfolios include Aggrey Tisa Sabuni as an economic affairs advisor and Lawrence Korbandy as the legal affairs advisor.

Observers are keen to point out that the latest developments represent an attempt by the president to preempt demands to share advisory team and to frustrate efforts to implement the peace agreement which he signed with armed opposition under the overall leadership of the First Vice-President, Riek Machar.

Others stress that the development depicts the intention of the president to assemble another shadow cabinet with whom he would be working instead of the ministers of the transitional government of national unity, given the nature of the assignment of the new presidential advisory team.

The peace agreement also makes no mention of advisers. Article 4.1 of Chapter I states the “Executive of the Transitional Government of National Unity shall comprise the President, the First Vice President, the Vice President, the Council of Ministers and the Deputy Ministers.”

Critics now say the appointments are therefore a clear violation of the peace agreement, describing the development as political ploy designed to make the work of the cabinet ministers from other parties more difficult.

Determining the number and appointment of advisers is one of the contentious issues the parties were yet to agree on.

(ST)

May 5, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan first vice president, Riek Machar, has called on the former warring parties, but now peace partners to release prisoners of war (PoWs) from prisons across the country.

Riek Machar answers questions during a press conference in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on July 9, 2014 (Photo AFP/Zacharias Abubeker)

Speaking at an induction workshop organized on Thursday in Juba by the ministry of cabinet affairs and attended by the newly sworn in ministers, Machar said it was time to free them.

“The release is a roadmap to stability and peace to everyone in South Sudan because the war has ended,” Machar made the remark on Thursday in capital Juba while addressing the induction on new cabinet's conduct of business.

The vice president made his remark on Thursday in capital Juba at the opening of parliament affairs ministry induction workshop for the ministers of the Transitional Government of National Unity.

“Am sure and aware that there are many prisoners, politicians and other people who were detained in connection to the conflict and are still under military detention facilities across the country, they must be set free,” said Machar.

“There are serious issues in the agreement that JMEC may not resolve or the CTSAMM may not resolve it. It will be the cabinet that will resolve it and if we all work together, we will definitely resolve all these issues.”

While the former leadership continue rejecting the cantonments of the SPLA-IO in some regions including former Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria, Machar reiterated that if there are forces in any area in the Country, there should be a consideration funding them during the transitional period before they could be reintegrated into national army.

He also called on the parties to fully implement the peace agreement, saying cooperation among the parties is essential.

(ST)

May 5, 2016 (RUMBEK) – Lawmakers from South Sudan's Western Lakes state legislative assembly have developed a three-year plan for proper execution of their duties.

MP Marik Nanga Marik (ST/File)

The assembly speaker, Marik Nanga Marik, said top priority with to protect rights of vulnerable groups, transparency and accountability in the various institutions.

While presenting the assembly's work plan (2016-2018), Nanga stressed the need to promote good governance.

“This is a work plan that will cover 2016 to 2018, it is only a three year work plan that would guide state parliament to the next level of decision in 2018,” said the speaker.

He said the existence of rampant corruption was mainly attributed institutional weaknesses and poor leadership.

“Focus should be on promotion of good governance and service delivery,” said Nanga.

This is the first time the Lakes state government has developed a work plan.

(ST)

May 5, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura is due in South Sudan from 5-9 May, having been invited by the South Sudanese government.

The United Nations Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Bangura (UN Photo)

Bangura, the UN said in a statement, will participate in activities that will culminate in the validation and launching of the implementation plan of the joint communiqué that she co-signed with President Salva Kiir in October 2014.

“Special Representative Bangura will seize the opportunity of her presence in Juba to consult with senior United Nations colleagues, meet with relevant national authorities, civil society organisations and women's groups and the diplomatic community,” partly reads the statement.

Women in South Sudan have suffered unprecedented levels of sexual violence inform of rape, abduction and forced marriages in the past two years of the country's conflict.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (BOR) - Two people were injured in attack carried out by suspected Murle men Tuesday night at Dong Boma in Twic East county of South Sudan's Jonglei state.

Twic East county commissioner Dau Akoi speaks in Panyagoor town on July 9, 2012 (ST/File)

The attackers, officials said, also abducted a two-year old child.

“The uncles to the child were injured by gunfire, in the same family in which the child was abducted. We brought the victims to Panyagoor hospital and are now under treatment”, said county commissioner, Dau Akoi Jurkuch.

At least seven children have since January been abducted, by suspected Murle criminals, said Akoi, who urged Pibor authorities to collaborate with Twic East county authorities to trace the two children and return them to their families.

“We are sure that all the children abducted from us had gone to either Gumuruk or Likuangole in Pibor,”said Akoi.

“We urge the government of Boma state to return them, because this will show that the leaders in Murle have sense of humanity in them”, he further explained.

A security report shows over 200 goats and 500 heads of cattle had been stolen in Twic East by suspected Murle raiders from January to May, with seven people killed.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (JUBA) – The Governor of South Sudan's Wau state, Elias Waya Nyipuoc has, through a gubernatorial order, appointed seven new county commissioners.

Wednesday's decree saw the removal of the Wau county commissioner, Fada Anthony Taban and his Jur River county counterpart, Karlo Manyuon Majak who were transferred to Bagari and Roc Roc Dong counties respectively.

The newly appointed commissioners include, Barjuok Ucu Kuic (Kwajiena county), James Akuar Agau (Udic county), James Mabuong Marial Bai (county), Michael Ricardo Ugali (Kpalie county) while Pasquale Joseph Ayan will oversee Besilia county.

Governor Waya has, however, not yet appointed the Kangi county commissioner.

Last month, South Sudan President Salva Kiir approved eight counties in Wau state.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has provided $ 10 million to the government of Sudan in support to the Syrian refugees who fled war in their country to Sudan.

Sudanese and Syrian protesters demonstrate against the continued violence in Syria outside Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Khartoum November 23, 2011. (Reuters)

On Wednesday, UNHCR Representative in Sudan, Mohamed Adar, met senior officials at the Ministry of Interior and Sudanese Commission of Refugees. After the meeting he stated he handed over the international support for the over 100,000 Syrian refugees.

Last April, an international team from UNHCR visited Sudan and explored with government officials ways to assist the Syrian refugees in Sudan.

Senior Sudanese officials expect that the number of Syrian refugees may rise as the conflict is escalating in their country.

Last March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Ghandour, briefed an international conference, held in Geneva, for supporting Syrian refugees, on the situation of Syrian refugees in Sudan.

“Sudan is hosting over 2 million refugees form the neighbouring countries and freely provide them with health and education services,” Ghandour told the senior donors meeting in Geneva in March.

“I have discussed with the Sudanese officials mechanisms for supporting Syrian refugees and ways to support refugees living in Sudanese towns,” UNHCR Representative in Sudan, Mohamed Adar told the press in Khartoum, adding that a high level meeting will be held within two days to discuss refugees programme for the rest of the year.

The interior ministry and Sudanese refugees body, on their part, urged UNHCR to increase the assistance extended to refugees from the neighbouring countries and making basic services available in refugee camps.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's finance minister, David Deng Athorbei has urged ministry's staffs to embark on efforts to address the country's current economic crisis.

South Sudan's minister of finance and economic planning David Deng Athorbei (Middle East Online)

Speaking during a reception party at the ministry headquarters Tuesday, Deng vowed to ride on his past experience to uplift the finance ministry.

“I am not new in the ministry. I am old here but I have to tell you that this time is time of work. We have to work very hard. If we are committed, our performance will change and South Sudan's economy will improve,” he said.

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

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

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

Deng said the current economic crisis demands extra efforts from the finance ministry.

“If the ministry of finance and economic planning has to change, every employee will need to change and if we do not do well, all South Sudanese will be angry with us. Let us concentrate so that our country goes ahead,” he said without further details.

In June 2014, oil prices dropped from $112 to $30 per barrel. South Sudan currently produces 160,000 barrels of crude oil from 350,000 per day before war broke out.

Analysts are optimistic that donor nations like the United States, Japan and China will aid the economy. Such assistance, however, will require that South Sudan to initiate economic reforms, fight corruption and improving its human-right records.

Last week, the U.S. government announced more than $86 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help conflict-affected people in South Sudan and refugees in the region. The fund will reportedly provide much-needed safe drinking water, emergency health care, nutrition services, shelter, improved sanitation facilities, agricultural training, seeds and tools for the most vulnerable families and communities.

South Sudan's largest single donor of humanitarian assistance, the US has reportedly donated nearly $1.6 billion since the start of conflict in the country in December 2013.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (JUBA) - The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) on Wednesday said it does not recognize the legitimacy of the controversial 28 states which President Salva Kiir created in violation of peace agreement and the country's constitution.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir prepares to give his speech during the India Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 (Photo AP/Bernat Armangue)

A senior official of the peace monitoring body said they stood by the January communiqué by the East African regional bloc, IGAD, that the parties discuss how many states to create or revert to the 10 states upon which the peace deal was signed.

JMEC warned that failure to suspend the 28 states by the transitional unity government would amount to non-implementation of the peace agreement.

“The JMEC doesn't recognize the 28 states as having been described in the peace agreement and that the position of IGAD and the communique is essentially the position of JMEC and that it is a matter of no further implementation of the 28 state,” said JMEC's Military and Security Advisor, Bill Harmon.

Also, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said the decision be suspended until the parties to the agreement reach a consensus to either return to the 10 states or agree to expand the number of states in a manner that would not cause ethnic frictions between local communities in the country.

“On the 28 states, as you all know, the IGAD Heads of State in a communique adopted on the 31st of January urged the transitional government immediately after its establishment to solve the issue of the 28 states, and if they couldn't, to establish a boundary commission,” said Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative and head of UNMISS.

“Now the transitional government has been established and we expect the transitional government urgently to address the issue of the 28 states,” she added.

Løj, who spoke at her first official news conference at which she officially welcomed the formation of unity government following the return to the national capital, Juba, of armed opposition leader, Riek Machar, to take up his new position as the first vice president in accordance with peace agreement, however said there are challenges.

“It is very clear that there are challenges around the country in relation to how the borders have been drawn in the 28 states proposal, and that has led to ethnic tensions in many parts of the country.”

The top UN official in the country referred to the situation around Malakal as particularly sensitive because of the ethnic composition of the population in that area on the east and west bank of the river and in the city of Malakal.

“So we expect the transitional government to urgently address the issue of 28 states, and in the meantime we are not formally recognizing the 28 states, but we are of course dealing with the officials on the ground which we have to do on a daily basis,” she pointed out.

She further said the UN system was waiting for the outcome of the transitional government's deliberation on the states, adding this should also be done in a way that will lessen tensions in various areas.

The warning parties of former government of President Kiir and his rival, Riek Machar, in August last year signed a peace agreement on the basis of the existing 10 states.

During the peace negotiations, the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by Machar proposed 21 federal states to be based on former colonial districts in the country.

President Kiir's government at the time rejected the proposal, arguing that the matter would be decided by the people. The government further cited lack of resources to establish more states.

However, over a month later the former government unilaterally decreed into being 28 states, a matter which has been rejected by some communities due to conflicts over boundaries.

The transitional government of national unity is expected to discuss the matter and form state governments.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

May 4, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia said it will be investing billons of Dollars to execute various Climate Resilient Green Economy projects across the country.

The US$1.5 billion Gibe III project dam is expected to generate 1870 MW of electricity.

The state minister for environment, Kare Chawicha, said the Horn of Africa nation would invest $150billion to implement projects in the next two decades.

The projects are expected to transform the country's economy to a green one and make them resilient to the effects of global warming.

The new target, the minister said, seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emission, advance economic growth as well as create job opportunities for women and youth.

According to the minister, $ 50billion of the total budget will be allocated to the construction of low-carbon emission and green infrastructures.

Citing to a study conducted on the country, she said Ethiopia annually needs $7.5 billion for the implementation and transformation of its climate-resilient green economy.

Financial sources will be secured from the government and Ethiopian people, investors, financial partners and from revenues collected from trades in the carbon market.

After mobilising a range of financial sources to cover funding needs for the appropriate bodies to carry on the Climate resilient Green economy activities, it will then be run fully and independently by the Ethiopian government.

Ethiopia is one of the many nations most exposed to the effects of global warming.

Due to its vulnerability, Ethiopia is among some African countries currently hit by severe food insecurity caused by El Nino-induced drought.

The drought which is worst in decades led to sharp deterioration in food security and massive drop in agricultural and pastoral production forcing over 10 million Ethiopians to depend on food Aid.

Last month Ethiopia was among the 170 world nation which signed the historic Paris climate deal at UN Headquarters.

Ethiopia has been spearheading Africa's common position on climate change to make sure the continent speaks with one voice in global climate change negotiations.

Climate change generates various kinds of risks and opportunity for Ethiopia that would affect all sectors in the country.

Preliminary projections suggest that climate change can have a sizeable impact in Ethiopia's economy amounting 7-8% of GDP loss per year, with stronger impacts in later decades and on the poor.

Being a low emission country both at aggregate value and per capita Ethiopia's economy has generally low carbon intensity.

However, if the growth trajectory continues on a same pace, UNDP says Ethiopia's greenhouse gas emissions will increase from the current 155 Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) to almost 400 Mt CO2e in 2030 – an increase of more than 150% and roughly the amount of green house gas South Africa emits today.

Under a low carbon growth trajectory, however, studies show that Ethiopia could offset in the order of 250 Metric Tonne (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum. At the modest carbon price, this has the potential to generate around 2.5 billion per annum, which is twice as much as Ethiopia's export revenue of coffee today.

Ethiopia intends to become a middle income, carbon neutral and climate resilient economy by 2025.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has renewed his country's keenness to cooperate and coordinate with Saudi Arabia in all domains and in particular the economic field to achieve the joint interests of both nations.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir (L) walking with Saudi Arabia's King Salman Bin Abdel Aziz in Riyadh on 25 March 2015 (SPA)

Bashir, who met the Saudi minister of petroleum and mineral resources, Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi in the presence of Sudan's minerals minister, Mohamed Sadiq al-Karouri Wednesday, announced readiness to open the doors to receive the Saudi investments particularly with regard to mineral wealth.

Following the meeting, Al-Naimi told reporters that he conveyed greetings of the Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz and his Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Nayef to Bashir, saying he also briefed him on the Kingdom's new economic vision aiming at diversifying the sources of income.

Last month, the oil-dependent Kingdom revealed a long-term plan to transform itself into a diversified economy, with non-oil government revenues projected to increase six-fold by 2030.

According to the official news agency (SUNA), Al-Naimi expressed his country's desire to invest in mineral wealth in Sudan and to utilize the economic resources in both nations through joint cooperation.

For his part, Al-Karouri said that Sudan is ready to provide the necessary incentives and remove all obstacles facing Saudi investments in order to achieve the joint interests.

He announced that the two countries agreed to revive the Atlantis II project on the basis of new understandings, saying the project is on the top agenda of the Saudi minister visit to Sudan.

In February 2012, Khartoum and Riyadh signed an agreement known as Atlantis II on exploring minerals in the joint territorial water in the Red Sea.

The project goes back to 1970s, when Sudanese government had plans to exploit the Red Sea bed with Preussag AG, a German mining company but it was abandoned due to the lack of suitable exploration technologies at the time.

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

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

Sudan's foreign relations have witnessed a remarkable shift since last fall particularly in its rapprochement with the Arab Gulf states following years of chilly ties.

The east African nation participates with over 850 troops in the Saudi-led "Decisive Storm" against the Iranian-allied Houthi militants in Yemen.

The Sudanese military participation in the military campaign in Yemen and the Islamic alliance reconciled Bashir's regime with the Saudi government, and marked the divorce with Iran.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (JUBA) – It is important for the parties to the August 2015 peace agreement to cooperate in the implementation of the peace deal which ended the 21 months of conflict in South Sudan, says opposition's official.

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)

Media official of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) told Sudan Tribune that a meeting of the political bureau encouraged that the parties implemented the peace agreement in good faith and in cooperation.

“The leadership of the SPLM-IO encourages cooperation and good faith among the parties in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan,” said James Gatdet Dak, press secretary of the newly sworn in first vice-president, Riek Machar.

He said the SPLM-IO political bureau met on Wednesday in Juba and highlighted the importance of implementing the deal in restoring stability in the country.

The meeting chaired by Machar and attended by senior members of the party, many of whom were recently appointed as national ministers, discussed progress made in the implementation of the accord as well as pending issues.

A transitional government of national unity was formed on Wednesday last week in which members of the four factions in the agreement formed the coalition.

The other factions include President Salva Kiir's appointed members to the cabinet, members of former political detainees as well as members of other political parties.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (ED-DAEIN) - A federal commission of inquiry into the recent deadly incident between Rizeigat and Maalia tribes in East Darfur state has completed its work and would submit its report to the minister of justice soon, said reliable sources

Women carry their belongings in El Sireif, North Darfur on 14 January 2013. A UNAMID assessment team visited the village to determine the needs of those displaced in recent tribal clashes in Jebel Amir (Photo: Sojoud El Garrai/UNAMID)

On 17 April, twelve people were killed in clashes between the Rezeigat Savanna Militia and gunmen belonging to their arch-rival Maalia tribe over stolen camels in Khor Taan area in Yassin county,East Darfur.

Following the incident, suspected Rizeigat gunmen killed three guards and burned down the house of East Darfur governor Anas Omer in Ed Daein accusing the latter of siding with the Maalia.

A well-informed source told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that an investigation committee comprising of the ministries of justice and interior besides the security services has interrogated the deputy governor of East Darfur Mohamed al-Hassan and the commander of the military force separating between Rizeigat and Maalia.

Also, the commission of inquiry has interrogated commanders of Muhajiria and Khor Taan military garrisons as well as Maalia tribesmen who witnessed the incident.

According to the source the investigation commission would submit its findings to the minister of justice to take the legal measures.

He pointed that governor Omer has formed a second commission to probe the attack on his house, saying the committee has yet to finish its work.

Following the attack on his house, the governor declared a curfew from 7pm to 7am in the capital Ed-Daien vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The same source said that the deputy governor issued a decree preventing any tribe from going after their stolen cattle and putting the burden of retrieving the looted animals on the military force responsible for separating between the two tribes.

East Darfur state is witnessing one of the longest and most deadly clashes in the region between the Rezeigat and the Ma'alia tribes since 1966. The conflict between the two tribes is triggered by disputes over land ownership.

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

May 4, 2016 (JUBA/KHARTOUM) - South Sudanese outgoing oil minister has criticized the government of neighbouring Sudan for allegedly backtracking from its initial positive gesture to renegotiate the charges for using its territory to export crude oil from South Sudan to the international markets.

Workers from the Sudanese oil pipeline in the disputed Abyei area reconstruct the line on June 14, 2013 following an explosion the previous day. (Getty)

“There has not been any significant progress in the negotiation, even though the starting was a positive gesture,” said Stephen Dhieu Dau, South Sudanese outgoing oil minister.

Dau revealed that Sudan has notified his ministry of its decision to confiscate crude to pay itself of the entitlements which his country owes Sudan in payment for use of its territory.

“They have notified us that they will pay themselves in kind if they are not paid their dues. I took this matter to the council of ministers and it was agreed that we should initiate contacts with our regional partners, the African Union and the stakeholders to help us address this issue,” he said.

Following the huge fall of oil prices in the international markets and upon a request from his South Sudanese counterpart, the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir last January directed to review oil transit agreement signed in September 2012.

Speaking to the press after a meeting of the national board of oil affairs on Monday, Sudanese petroleum minister Mohamed Zayed Awad said the negotiations with the South Sudan on the review of oil fees are still continuing at the level of committees established in implementation of the directives of President al-Bashir.

Awad further said the South Sudanese oil continues to flow through the pipeline for the exportation as usual, adding that the formation of the transitional government in Juba would contribute to increase oil production in the landlocked country.

According to the Cooperation Agreement, South Sudan pays Khartoum up to $25 per barrel for its crude oil transported through the Sudanese territory.

In January 2016, Juba requested the Sudanese Petroleum and Mining Ministry to reconsider its transit fees in the wake of changes in global oil prices.

The price of crude oil is currently at $29 dollars per barrel in the international markets.

South Sudan is producing oil at 160,000 barrels per day, despite a decline in its oil production due to the violent conflict that engulfed the young nation, killing thousand and displacing nearly two million people.

Dau encouraged his successor to “press the button” of negotiation with Sudan.

The official said he would be more than willing to continue to help his colleague, the newly appointed minister for petroleum, Dak Duop Bichiok, to push on with negotiation.

“We will press the button of negotiation harder but we will continue to ask them and I think they will also understand because it is the interest of the two countries to benefit from the flow of the oil,” he added.

The international community should also use their contacts with Sudan to reciprocate the goodwill of the government to negotiate in good faith and make rational charges.

A month ago, Sudan reconsidered a series of decisions aimed to normalize bilateral relations announced in January and February. Further, Khartoum said Juba continue to support rebel groups despite its goodwill and efforts to end the inter South Sudanese crisis.

Analysts in Khartoum believe that the Sudanese government wants to push Juba to implement a clause in the IGAD brokered peace agreement providing to disarm Sudanese rebels and to prevent their presence in South Sudan.

The two countries agreed in September 2012 on a particular fixed changes when the oil prices were higher.

However, after the global drop in oil prices, South Sudan could no longer benefit a lot due to the charges which continued to take away most of the revenue.

(ST)

May 03, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The University of Khartoum has partially suspended lectures and closed eight colleges in its old building along the Nile Avenue.

Anti-riot police uses water cannon to disperse student protesting outside Khartoum university on April 26, 2016 (ST Photo)

On Tuesday, University of Khartoum Deans Council suspended classes after renewed clashes between students and police turning streets around the university to what looked like a military barracks after a heavy deployment of police and other security forces.

The council blamed students for the “dangerous developments” that threatened the stability of the university.

Eyewitnesses said that heavy police forces were deployed around the university and security forces extensively used tears gas to disperse rioters. Activists posted photos on social media for students claimed to be injured in clashes with police.

In a communiqué issued on Tuesday the University's Deans Council blamed students for the escalating violence and suspended indefinitely lectures in eight college located in the university buildings in central Khartoum.

The partial closure of University of Khartoum is the third of its kind among Sudanese universities in the past four weeks.

University of Kordofan was closed on April 19 after the killing of one student and injuring 20 others. Last week, Ahlia University, in Omdurman, was closed after clashes between students supporting opposition parties and others loyal to the government. One student was killed and others were injured.

University of Khartoum Deans Council statement said that the eight colleges were closed to safeguard students, staff and properties. “University of Khartoum will implement regulations against the violence culprits, against those involved in attacking teaching staff, those incited violence or damaged the university assets,” reads the statement.

In addition, the statement criticized some students' behaviour towards its teaching staff and for hurting some security guards who sustained injurers.

University of Khartoum former Chancellor was attacked by some students when he blamed them for forcing their colleagues to leave a lecture room. “Breaking gates and forcing students to leave lecture rooms is shameful and students' regulations will be enforced,” said that statement.

The decision to suspend university classes is seen as a bid to curb the outbreak of demonstrations against the deteriorating economic situation in the country, which coincided with the call of opposition forces to topple the ruling regime.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (JUBA/MOGADISHU) – A team of the British army soldiers has arrived in Somalia as part of the UK's plans to deploy hundreds of troops in several African countries, following a pledge by Prime Minister, David Cameron.

David Cameron

An advance party of 10 soldiers will support the African Union peacekeeping efforts against the al-Shabab militant group in Somalia, Presstv reported.

The UK Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon said the deployment of the troops was “another demonstration of the flexibility and global reach of our armed forces.”

The group is expected to be joined by additional 60 soldiers who will handle medical, logistical and engineering duties.

The AU mission has deployed about 22,000 peacekeepers from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia to help Somali government forces stabilise the country.

Meanwhile, the UK is planning to send around 300 troops to South Sudan, where thousands of people have been killed as a result of a bloody civil war since December 2013.

The British forces in the young nation will reportedly carry out engineering work to strengthen the country's infrastructure.

A plan to deploy troops was announced by the British prime minister at a United Nations event in September last year.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – In a rare meeting, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Deputy Chairman, Ibrahim Mahmoud, met in Khartoum with the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) leading figure , Mubark al Fadil on Tuesday. The ruling party said that the meeting is a beginning for cooperation with all the leading Sudanese politicians.

NUP figure Mubarak al-Fadil (L) received by NCP deputy chairman and presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid on May 3, 2016 (ST Photo)

In 2002, Mubarak al-Fadil had split from the National Umma Party (NUP) chaired by his cousin Sadiq al-Mahdi and formed his own party the Reform and Renovation. Up to 2005, he participated in the NCP-led government as he was appointed a presidential aide. In 2011, however dissolved his party and rejoined the NUP. But his relations with al-Mahdi remained strained

In a meeting at the Sudanese presidency in Khartoum , the two figures agreed that the “Roadmap Agreement”, brokered by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) last March, is the best way to achieve peace and political consensus in Sudan.

During the meeting, al Fadil, proposed to form a national mechanism to contact the holdout opposition groups in a bid to end their rejection of the roadmap.

Previously, al-Fadil announced his support to the “Roadmap Agreement” and criticized the opposition parties that refused to sign the peace plan.

“I have discussed with the ruling party ways to push a head the “Roadmap” and supporting peace process in Sudan,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He further said that the regional and international conditions are favourable to support Sudan to emerge out of its crisis and to achieve peace.

“AUHIP Roadmap” has provided all the needed guarantees and laid clear bases for the discussion of key issues, rather than insisting on preconditions,” al-Fadil said.

Commenting on the student protests in several universities, the NUP figure said that violence jeopardizes stability in the universities and communities. He added they have agreed to revive “the code of honour” among students to not resort to violence and arms in universities.

Further he said it was agreed to form a panel of educators and retired senior police officers to the Student violence in universities and to find out the right measures to stop it.

On his part, NCP Political Secretary, Hamid Mumtaz, stated that the meeting has agreed on AUHIP roadmap as a base for achieving peace in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“NCP and NUP discussed ways to improve Sudan's relation with international community and especially with European Union and Unites States,” said Mumtaz stressing that NCP will cooperate with various Sudanese politicians to achieve the national goals and supporting political stability.

Observers in Khartoum say the ruling party sought in vain during the past months to convince NUP leader to return to Sudan and join the national dialogue and now seeks to take advantage of the internal divisions among the largest opposition party.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (RUMBEK) – At least 20 youth who were engaged in cattle raids were arrested and 400 heads of cattle recovered by authorities in South Sudan's Tonj state.

A cattle camp in Lakes state (AP)

The acting state governor, Manhiem Bol Malek, said those arrested would be arraigned in court to answer charges related to cattle theft and murder.

“We have about 400 herds of cattle that we have retrieved and they are now in Wathalel waiting to be identified by those who claim to have been raided”, said Manhiem.

“All the cows are been assembled in Wathalel at the headquarters of the payam awaiting screening and identification for rightful owners will take place,” he added.

Manhiem said security operatives cracked down on suspected pastoralists and managed to apprehend 20 youth.

All detained youth are currently being held at Tonj town prison with maximum security.

The arrest comes in the wake of the recent passing of a law sanctioned by the state parliament, which considers criminal cattle raider in possession of illegal firearms.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Authorities in South Sudan's Western Lakes state have called on citizens to prioritise food production, reconciliation, peace and security in the region.

Map detail showing South Sudan's Lakes state in red

Local government minister, Benjamin Mabor, said the situation was normal as people went about their businesses.

The region was a scene of inter-clan clashes, until recently when the state government deployed different units of the security forces to control the situation after various clashes.

“We are normal, everything will be well – our security forces are controlling town security very well. The clashes that happened last week in grassland are over and everyone is going about his/her normal businesses”, said Mabor.

Meanwhile, the deputy state governors, Agum Reuben Macier urged residents to build trust within the community.

She advised youth to sensitize their respective communities, with the intention of achieving lasting peace in the state.

“Let us work for the common goal called peace, it is the duty of everyone, neither youth nor intellectuals to work for peace as our common goal in this state,” said Macier.

She urged communities to mainly concentrate on food production.

NEW PORT UNVEILED

In a related development, a new port at Mingkaman in Eastern Lakes state was opened Tuesday, courtesy of a $4.1m donation extended by Japanese aid arm (JICA).

The state minister for roads and bridges, Kuong Daniel inaugurated the newly opened port in Eastern Lakes state.

He remarked, “The port will ease shipping of goods for the purposes of humanitarian assistance and fish production.”

Local government minister, David Mayom said the port will ease public transport demand, urging investors and stakeholders to assist Eastern Lakes state in all capacities.

The Japanese envoy to Juba, Kiya Masahiko urged South Sudanese to work for the country's development.

(ST)