Sudan Tribune

February 20, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has issued a statement strongly distancing himself from this week's armed confrontation involving forces allied to his government in the two regions of Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation from the State House on September 15, 2015, in Juba (Photo AFP/Charles Atiki Lomodong)

President Kiir, according to a statement bearing his name, which was extended to Sudan Tribune by his spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, condemned the attack in Wau and Malakal, saying what occurred was without the consent of his office .

“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the recent deadly clashes which occurred in Malakal and Wau between government and Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) forces”, said Kiir

The government and the armed opposition leadership, according to the presidential statement, have committed themselves to cessation of hostilities and no longer at war with each other to carry out offenses to inflict and cause atrocities on the lives of innocent civil population in the country.

“Both the government and SPLM-IO have committed to cessation of hostilities and are no longer in a state of war. All parties are coordinating efforts to restore full peace and stability to South Sudan”, the statement adds in part.

He commended police of the United Nations for alleged quick intervention to restore peace and tranquility in the camp under its responsibility in Malakal.

“I commend the UNMISS police for quickly intervening and restoring calm. UNMISS police is legal authority within its jurisdiction to maintain protection of civilians site and act within their mandate. As partners, the government is ready to cooperate with UNMISS through our local authorities to de-escalate tension and ensure that the perimeter of the compound remains secure”, said Kiir.

The local authorities in Wau, according to the presidential statement, have restored order and are working to identify and investigate true perpetuators.

“In Wau, our local authorities have restored order and are diligently working to investigate the true perpetuators of these attacks and reconcile the feuding communities. My government remains committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement and as such is preparing for the transitional government of national unity as soon as Dr.Riek returns to Juba”, said the South Sudanese leader.

The president called on the citizens to remain peaceful and tolerance during transitional period and called on peace partners, specifically the intergovernmental authority on development partners to support efforts to secure and maintain peace as it is the crucial elements of implementation of the deal which he and armed opposition leader, Riek Machar signed in August 2015.

(ST)

February 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The chairman of the rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Malik Agar has appealed to the international community to put pressure on the Sudanese government to achieve comprehensive peace in the country.

SPLM-N chairman Malik Agar (C) poses for a picture with Abdel Aziz Al Hilu (R) and Yasir Arman (L) (photo SPLM-N)

In a message on the occasion of the United Nations World Day of Social Justice (WDSJ), Agar urged the regional and international community and the concerned bodies to continue to focus on issues of injustice in Sudan.

He demanded the international community to have the courage to confront the injustice exercised by the Sudanese government against its people, asking it to meet its commitment towards the Sudanese communities affected by the injustice.

Agar said the Sudanese youth, women and opposition forces were subjected to various forms of injustice by the regime, urging them to build on those commonalities to reform or change the regime in order to achieve justice and democracy.

He said that change is “inevitable”, pointing the SPLM-N was pushed by the systematic injustice to engage in war with the regime, noting they recognize the dangers of the armed resistance and its negative impact on people's lives and the economy.

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

Last December, negotiations between Khartoum and the SPLM-N stalled after the government delegation insisted that the objective of talks is to settle the conflict in the Two Areas, while the SPLM-N team has called for a holistic approach to resolve ongoing conflicts across Sudan.

Agar added the SPLM-N opted for the comprehensive peaceful settlement approach following 50 years of injustice in Sudan, saying the peaceful solution is crucial to build a society that is based upon social justice, human rights and democratic values.

The SPLM-N leader accused the President Omer al-Bashir of compromising the interests of the Sudanese people to avoid criminal prosecution while on the other hand pretends to fight against terrorism.

It is worth to mention that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants for Bashir in 2009 and 2010 charging him with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

Agar accused unnamed circles in the international community of appeasing Bashir and his regime for his cooperation in the fight against terrorism, describing those circles as “corrupt”.

It is worth to mention that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants for Bashir in 2009 and 2010 charging him with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

Agar further urged the international community to condemn the Sudanese regime, saying Sudan deserves peace, dignity, freedom, human rights, unity in diversity and the good governance.

Agar said that the conflict in Sudan would only be brought to an end by the true comprehensive national dialogue, saying that dialogue begins by ceasing hostilities and allowing access humanitarian access to the war-affected areas.

He said that dialogue can't be held while the government is shelling the same people involved in the dialogue, pointing to human rights abuses, media censorship and political detainees.

Agar added that the agenda of the ongoing internal dialogue was put by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to achieve specific objective, saying it would neither bring the war to an end nor achieve permanent peace.

The SPLM-N leader further pointed the internal dialogue wouldn't improve the deteriorating economy or offer and answer to the question of how Sudan should be governed and hence will never achieve social justice.

The internal dialogue conference was inaugurated in Khartoum on October 10 th, 2015 amid large boycott from the major political and armed opposition.

The political forces members of the opposition alliance National Consensus Forces (NCF) and other parties refuse to take part in the dialogue conference before the creation of a conducive environment and the implementation of specific confidence-building measures provided in a roadmap proposed by the African Union mediation team.

Some significant political parties, such as the National Umma Party, the Reform Now Movement and the Just Peace Forum, that approved the process in the beginning. But later they suspended their participation, criticizing the government refusal to postpone the general elections and the lack of political freedoms.

Also, the major armed movements in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile refrained from participating in the dialogue conference citing similar demands.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (JUBA) — The governor of South Sudan's newly created state of Jonglei, Col. Philip Aguer has appointed his deputy, two ministers and an advisor.

Jonglei State Govornor Philip Aguer (AFP Photo)

Aguer appointed former law enforcement minister, Peter Wal Athiu as his deputy, former parliamentary minster, Susan Lith Aluong as education minister and Col. Ayom Mach as Jonglei's new finance minister.

The former commissioner of Bor county, Agot Alier Leek was appointed state legal advisor. All the officials appointed hail from Bor county in South Sudan's Jonglei state.

Jonglei was divided into Western Bieh, Eastern Bieh and Boma states in a decree , which South Sudan's President Salva Kiir publicly issued in October last year.

The governor did not, however, indicate when he would appoint other ministers, majoritu of whom are expected to hail from Twic and Duk counties. A speaker of the state assembly, currently held by Peter Deng Aguer who comes from Twic East county is to be appointed from Duk county as part of an agreed power sharing deal between counties.

Aguer's attempt to appoint a member of the armed opposition as his deput reportedly met stiff resistance from Bor leaders who dismissed the move as being unnecessary.

According to the peace agreement signed in August 2015 between government of President Kiir and former vice president, Riek Machar, Jonglei was one of the states where the opposition would appoint a deputy governor and 40% of the executives.

MIXED REACTIONS

The new appointments got mixed reactions public, with many questioning why old faces appeared in cabinet, yet it was an opportunity for new ones.

"We did not want to see former ministers coming back again this time [because] they never did anything good in the past", Daniel Deng Bol, a teacher, told Sudan Tribune.

"The ministry of education would not survive this time, we wanted a positive chance, but now that Suzan Lith is brought in, she will not do things that would favour us as teachers of this state", he continued.

Others, however, argued that the new governor should have appointed people who were not members of the state legislative assembly.

Some residents also blamed the governor for appointing Ayom to head the finance ministry, yet the post favoured close allies from Twic East county.

All the new appointees were from Bor county, while the remaining positions, including five other ministerial positions, are to be taken up by qualified and trusted individuals from Duk and Twic East counties.

(ST)

By Steve Paterno

In a most accelerated expediency process to implement an imposed peace pact, Salva Kiir, President of South Sudan Republic appointed Riek Machar as the country's First Vice President—albeit, in absentia and in accordance with the peace accord. The presidential decisive move is applauded by all as a step forward toward the implementations of the peace process. The gesture supposed to witness Riek Machar assuming his newly assigned position followed with the long awaited formation of transitional government.

Such step in actual sense, followed by the phase withdrawals of South Sudanese troops out of the capital Juba as well as other critically important measures of confidence building.

Nevertheless, Riek Machar reactions leaves much in doubt as to how the accord could be implemented without him never ever taking crucial part. In a surprising move, Machar yet again demands for more concessions from the government and international community so as in order for him to assume his assigned position stipulated by the peace agreement.

In a desperate move, Machar screamed victim that his bodyguards must be first transported to Juba before he ever steps foot in that town he so hopelessly wants to rule. In response, the so-called Troika aka international community agreed to help in transporting his bodyguards to Juba.

The most simple, not so fundamental questions about such ambiguous demand about the invisible bodyguards of Riek Machar are: Where are they? What are their level of readiness? How long will it undertake to facilitate their transportation and subsequent deployments? And so on...

Intriguingly, Riek Machar, a chief tribal militiaman is as much confused just like his henchmen, also known as the 'advance team' in Juba—his representatives whom he sent ahead of him in Juba, but seems to have lost touch with one another, because none have objectives anyways.

In his own illusion, Machar further requested more demilitarization of not just Juba, but all the major cities throughout South Sudan, a process that will perpetually held South Sudan in suspense as a hostage for ransoms to Riek Mahar continuous demands, while the country disintegrate, into tribalism. Machar's so-called 'advance team' in Juba, who seems to have already fallen out from him are quickly signaling contradicting messages against him, and such contradictions demands better perspectives, because they are evolving into layers outlined below:

1) Taban Deng Gai Group: Taban Deng Gai is a head of Riek Machar 'advance team' to Juba, but a rather notorious character with a long history of treachery against the struggle of the people of South Sudan. His current position now is to just form transitional government and get over with, a decision, which prompts a fallout with Riek Machar.

2) The Equatorian Group of SPLM-io: This is a group consisted of few desperate individuals from the Greater region of Equatoria who hastily embraced the rebellion of Riek Machar with a hope of gaining higher positions in government. They found it the difficult way. Their recent press conference held in the capital Juba not only implicates Riek Machar, but further highlights the divisions under the people under his control.

3) Troika aka International Community: The international community has as much to praise for as well as to blame for when it comes into the current predicament South Sudanese are facing. The international community projected much hope for a wrong groups, it seems. Answers demanded??
In short, as a way forward, a clear theme is emerging:

1) Festus G. Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), proposes that Riek Machar must report to Juba for the reasons which are not only limited to the bulleted points below:
· His so-called bodyguards are being transported to Juba
· He has already advance team in Juba
· He must assume his duties
· He must show his commitment
· He must not be an obstacle or otherwise
· ETC

2) President Salva Kiir commitments are as follows:
· Welcoming of Riek Machar to Juba by taking extraordinary measures to make such appointment
· Hosting Riek Machar advance team in Juba
· Withdrawing SPLA out of Juba
· Dislodging loyalists from positions of powers to give in to Riek Machar's loyals
For a better perspectives, when Riek Machar orchestrated a coup to overtake Juba, he was under illusion that he had more tribal militias allied to him to overthrow the government overnight. As it turned out, Machar barely escaped the city, saving his neck in the process.

The facts, remain, Juba in particular, and South Sudan in general remains under a full control of a legitimate government of the Republic of South Sudan under President Salva Kiir who rules in accordance with the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011, Amended 2015; ARCISS, and Arusha Agreement to unit SPLM.
In conclusion, South Sudan is seeing the light in the end of the tunnel.

South Sudanese civilians flee fighting in an United Nations base in the northeastern town of Malakal on February 18, 2016, where gunmen opened fire on civilians sheltering inside killing at least five people. (Photo AFP/Justin Lynch)

February 20, 2016 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), European Union (EU) and Troika countries (United States, United Kingdom and Norway) have condemned the recent killing of civilians inside a United Nations camp in Malakal which hosts over 47,000 of internally displaced persons (IDPs). They accused government forces of taking part in the attacks on Shilluk and Nuer communities in the camp.

In a strong-worded statement on Friday, the UN Security Council also accused members of the South Sudanese government's forces for involving in the fighting which initially broke out between members of the Dinka and Shilluk ethnic groups inside the camp.

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the violence committed by elements of the Shilluk and Dinka communities, which erupted in the protection of civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan on February 17 and continued on February 18, resulting in over 18 deaths and 50 injured,” the statement extended to Sudan Tribune said.

“The members of the Security Council were particularly alarmed by credible reports of armed men in SPLA uniforms entering the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) camp and firing on civilians, and the looting and burning of tents,” it said.

It said the Security Council condemned in the “strongest terms all attacks and provocations against civilians and the United Nations by armed actors, including SPLA soldiers,” and reminded all parties, including government security forces, of the civilian character of the protection of civilian sites in South Sudan.

The statement called on the South Sudanese government to “swiftly investigate” this attack, with the assistance of UNMISS, and bring the perpetrators to justice, saying this crime may constitute a war crime.

“The members of the Security Council stressed that attacks against civilians and UN premises may constitute war crimes, and those involved could be potentially subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan,” it further warned.

The Council reiterated their full support for UNMISS, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2252 (2015), and urged all parties to facilitate UNMISS' freedom of movement and access.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of those who were killed as a result of the violence.

EU, TROIKA CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE

Meanwhile the European Union (EU) and Troika countries (US, UK, and Norway) issued separate statements on Friday condemning the violence in Malakal's UNMISS camp.
“The Heads of Mission condemn the outrageous attacks on civilians that occurred starting Wednesday within the United Nations' Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan, carried out by elements that are still to be determined. These attacks killed at least 18 civilians, including two humanitarian workers, wounded ninety and led more than 25000 to flee their shelters to secure areas off the site,” the EU statement partly reads.

The EU also accuses South Sudanese government's forces for involving in the attack against the civilians and called for investigation into the incident.

“The Heads of Mission, while awaiting the outcome of the formal investigation by CTSAMM, call on the Government of South Sudan to investigate and respond to credible reports that its forces were involved in these attacks, which may constitute war crimes,” it said.

EU further urged all forces in the vicinity to exercise restraint and refrain from any activity that could risk escalating the situation.

The EU delegation and heads of mission which signed the statement included Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, The United Kingdom and the Heads of Mission of Canada, Japan and Switzerland.

Troika countries (US, UK, and Norway) also condemned what they said was “credible reports” that government troops took part in the massacre of the civilians inside the UN compound.

“We, the Heads of Mission of the United States, United Kingdom, and Norway (Troika), condemn in the strongest terms the violence that occurred at the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) protection of civilians (PoC) site in Malakal,” Troika statement says..

“We are particularly concerned by credible reports of the role the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) forces stationed outside the UNMISS camp played in escalating and contributing to the violence,” it said.

The statement further called on the government of South Sudan to “immediately conduct an investigation of this violence to identify those responsible, including SPLA forces,” in order to bring perpetrators to justice and prevent similar incidents anywhere in South Sudan.

They also caled for unhindered access for UNMISS and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism to conduct their own independent investigation of the incident.

They also blamed President Kiir's government for unilaterally creating 28 states, which they said impacted on the current violence in the region, and called on President Kiir to suspend the 28 states until further review.

“The tragic events in Malakal demonstrate the destabilizing impact of the issuance of the 28 states decree without local consultation, which has stoked community tensions over fears of a loss of land rights. We call on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to abide by the IGAD Council of Ministers Communique of 31 January 2016 and suspend further implementation of the decree until review by an inclusive, participatory boundary commission,” the Troika statement further reads.

They called on the parties to implement the security arrangements for the national capital, Juba, so as to form a transitional unity government.

“As the Troika continues to engage with South Sudanese parties to implement terms of the August 2015 Peace Agreement, we use this occasion to call for calm and restraint from all parties, including the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, the SPLM-IO forces near Malakal and elsewhere.”

“At this moment, we urge all parties not to fall into the deadly trap of retributive violence, but rather recommit to full and speedy implementation of the August 2015 agreement,” said.

TENS OF THOUSANDS DISPLACED

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says up to 26,000 more people may have been displaced by the Malakal fighting inside the UNMISS camp.

Preliminary information indicates 18 people were killed and more than 90 wounded, but there are fears that the number may increase as members of the Nuer civilians also got killed inside the camp.

A number of civilians remain in very critical conditions. Two clinics, run by the International Organization for Immigration (IOM) and International Medical Corps (IMC), were looted. Some 4,000 displaced Dinka fled to Malakal town, while tens of thousands of Nuer and Shilluk IDPs sought refuge at the UNMISS.

“We have received reports that some 26,000 internally displaced people have fled into the UNMISS base, but we are unable to confirm the number given the fluidity of the situation,” UNHCR report says.

According to government sources, IDPs who fled to Malakal town have found safety in churches and schools. Médecins Sans Frontières confirmed that 18 people have been killed, including two of their staff.

Fire has heavily damaged the POC site, it said, with food, shelter and water being the priority needs currently as children and the elderly are
among the most affected.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (JUBA) – Lawmakers in the South Sudan's national parliament representing Shilluk tribe have accused the United Nations peacekeeping mission of the country of “leaving helpless civilians” to the mercy of attackers on Wednesday and Thursday in Malakal town, capital of the oil rich Upper Nile state.

New internally displaced persons living in big tents in a UN base in Malakal (Photo Beatrice Debut/MSF)

At least 18 civilians died, according to reports by the medical charity, MSF (Medicines Sans Fortier) but the legislators put the death toll at more than 20 and seventy others injured.

Reading a prepared statement to reporters in parliament on Friday, Onyoti Adigo Nyikwac, the leader of minority in parliament said government backed militia group from Dinka Padang carried out the attacks on civilians sheltering in the protection of civilians (POC) sites managed by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

“However, to our dismay, the civilians were left helpless by the UNMISS protection unit who [are] reported to have run away leaving the civilians being killed and wounded inside the UNMISS protection centres and their tents burnt to ashes,” said Adigo.

UNMISS forces are widely being criticized by the people in South Sudan as caring only for their well-being and benefits instead of applying their Chapter Seven mandate to protect the vulnerable displaced civilians including those under their protection in the camps.
There have been many incidents in which civilians within the premises of the UNMISS POCs have been killed by elements of the government forces, such as in Bor and in Juba.

UNMISS said on Thursday that the fighting erupted between Dinka Padang and Shilluk youths, using machetes and small arms. The peacekeepers did not specify what triggered the clashes. The six Members of Parliament (MPs) on Democratic Change (DC) party tickets, the main opposition in the national parliament, said the cause of the clashes are unknown.

“There has been tension recently between the Dinka and Shilluk civilians inside the protection sites in Malakal but we don't know what exactly led to this fighting,” said Andrew Okony Ayomo, DC lawmaker representing Malakal South and Panyikango county when asked at the news briefing in Juba on Friday.

The MPs called for “inclusive investigation” to establish the cause of the fighting.

“We urge the national government and UNMISS to quickly intervene and form an inclusive investigation team to go to Malakal for fact-finding,” said Adigo, adding that the team has to include officials from the government as well as opposition.

Dinka youth on Thursday morning, the second day of the violence, entered the camp with guns allegedly given to them by elements in the government and began shooting at members of Shilluk and Nuer civilians inside the UNMISS camp.

The MPs described the clashes at POC manned by UNMISS as attack on the peace and demand explanation from the government and UN authorities how guns infiltrated the civilians camp.
(ST)

A family stands beside the burnt granary store in Western Equatoria's Tombura County on 19 Feb 2016 (ST Photo)

February 19, 2016 (YAMBIO) - A woman with her three children have been burnt to death and hundreds of houses set ablaze by wildfire set by unknown person in South Sudan's Tombora county of Western Equatoria state.

Commissioner of Tombura county, Abdalla Juma, told Sudan Tribune on Friday that the incident which occurred on the same day was the “worst situation ever” in his county where people have witnessed a woman with her three children dying and hundreds of houses getting burnt down.

“This is the worst and bad situation ever people of Tombura county have experienced from wildfire which four people in a family died instantly and houses burnt.” Juma said.

The commissioner said he visited the man who lost his wife and three children and also some of those who lost their properties during the incident which occurred on the road to Source Yubu. The county has no fire-fighters to put off the fire whenever such incidents occur.

The wildfire erupted at midday which he said, they believed, someone tried to burn the bushes in his/her garden to clear it for cultivation and spread to the area and caused the destruction, saying hundreds of people are left without shelter and food.

Rukoo Abakundo, the man who lost his wife and three children, while speaking to Sudan Tribune on phone from Tombora described it a “disaster” which had befallen his family.

“A disaster has happened to be burning my wife and all my children, all my properties and I don't know how I am going to survive after this,” Abakundo said.

Tombura County is one of the areas with fertile land and thick forests which the citizens cut during dry season as to prepare ground for planting crops during rainy season. In most cases wildfire burn houses and cause destruction every year if the farmer doesn't clean around their garden before burning.

No humanitarian assistance has been given to the victims by the government nor non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies since the wildfire destroyed properties.

Citizens who are government employed have not received their salaries since January due to the allegation that the salaries of the civil servants in the county were looted last month my armed group.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (JUBA) – A senior official of the South Sudan's armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), has accused troops loyal to President Salva Kiir' government of “inflicting maximum sufferings on the civilians” in various parts of the country in violation of the peace agreement signed five months ago.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar, second left, looks across after shaking hands with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, center-right wearing a black hat, after lengthy peace negotiations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Monday, Aug. 17, 2015 (Photo AP/Mulugeta Ayene)

Speaking to reporters in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, on Thursday, Henry Odwar, who leads the SPLM-IO's team for constitutional amendment national committee as part of the advance team in Juba, said government forces are on offensive in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions.

“It is clear that the government forces are bent on inflicting maximum sufferings on the civilian populations in Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal,” Odwar told journalists in a press conference conducted by the SPLM-IO officials in Juba on Thursday.

Odwar, who rebelled from the government and joined the SPLM-IO after he was relieved from parliamentary seat in the national legislative assembly in 2014, currently serves as the chairman of national committee for energy and mining in the opposition faction.

He accused the government of continuing to attack locations of their forces in Wau, Maridi, Mundri, Mvolo, Ezo, Yambio, Wondurba, Lobonok, Northern Bari, Mwagi and Ikotos – counties located in Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria regions.

The opposition's advance team has been in Juba since 21 December, 2015, to try to finalize the demilitarization of Juba and deployment of their joint forces in the capital ahead of arrival of their leader, Machar.

President Salva Kiir appointed his former deputy Machar as first vice president last week. But the opposition leader said he will not return to Juba before the excess government forces are evacuated. Machar also wants his bodyguards of about 3,000 troops to be transported and stationed in Juba.

Odwar said the permanent ceasefire declared in August last year should have halted any further attacks on their locations nationwide.

“We request the government of South Sudan to stop its troops from inflicting unnecessary sufferings on a section of its people,” the press statement seen by Sudan Tribune reads in part.

“We want peace to prevail in South Sudan. We affirm our commitment to the agreement,” Odwar added.

The SPLM-IO further said peace guarantors from the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union (AU), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and Troika countries of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Norway are informed about the continued violation of the ceasefire by the government.

The opposition forces are expected to take at least four weeks before their arrival in Juba and to form a transitional government of national unity.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's presidential aide and the de facto chairman of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Mohamed al-Hassan al-Merghani has sought the ruling of his party leaders and sectors on whether to continue to join or pull out from the government.

Mohamed al-Hassan al-Mirghani

The DUP left opposition ranks and joined the “broad-based” government of the NCP in December 2011, citing the “need to save the country” in the words of the party leader, Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani.

Last week, al-Hassan, who is the son of the DUP leader, threatened to withdraw from the government, saying no real job has been assigned to him since assuming office last year.

Well-informed sources told Sudan Tribune that al-Hassan has distributed a questionnaire among party members in Khartoum, the various states and abroad to learn the predominant opinion towards the participation in the government.

According to the sources, the questionnaire, which was seen by Sudan Tribune, aims to assess the partnership in the government and measure the political readiness to respond to the outcome of the national dialogue in case it contradicts with the party view for the comprehensive national consensus.

The same sources stressed that large party sectors support the idea of using the survey as means to produce decisive policies with the participation of the party leaders and members.

“The party base hope to see true participation in the top decision making circles within the government or to withdraw and lead a fierce opposition”, says the sources.

In an interview with Al-Sudani daily last week, al-Hassan complained about his party's participation in the government, saying he is unable to serve his country because the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) didn't engage him in the major political files.

It is worth to mention that al-Hassan has orchestrated the party's participation in the general elections of last April despite stiff opposition from senior DUP figures.

The decision of one of Sudan's biggest opposition parties to join the government has created a great deal of internal dissent that saw many members quitting in protest.

The party received the post of a presidential assistant and three ministries in the federal cabinet and continues to serve under this allocation.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (JUBA) – Residents in South Sudan's newly created Wau state – curved from Western Bahr el Gahzal state in October last year – have accused their newly appointed governor, Elias Waya, of negligence and failure to protect members of the Fertit ethnic group from a mob of armed Dinka youth in the state.

Governor Elias Waya addressing people in Wau upon his arrival on January 12, 2016 (ST)

“It is unacceptable that there is a government which is to protect the citizens from internal and external threats but not Wau residents who are being targeted by the youth being mobilised by some groups who are even not belonging to Wau state,” Halima Hussen, a resident of Wau town told Sudan Tribune on Friday.

“People do not sleep at night because even government [forces] are involved in looting people's home at gunpoint,” she said.

She said the new governor has failed to protect the citizens of Wau despite his earlier promise that he would take security as a priority in his governorship, adding that houses have been burnt down to ashes and the governor could not do anything.

Multiple sources from Wau town told Sudan Tribune that all businesses and shops within the town, which is the state capital, are closed as people are told to remain indoors by the state government due to the clashes.

Meanwhile the secretary general of the opposition party of the United Democratic Salvation Front – Mainstream party in the state, Zacharia Juma Deng, also said the newly appointed governor, Waya, has not shown his leadership to protect the citizens.

“It is a great challenge to the head of state security man that insecurity intensified within the town without introducing strong measures against the perpetrators. No one could deny this; these are Dinka youth causing the insecurity but in presence of the government. Why is the government not using its powers to protect the innocent civilians,” he said.

“Elias should do something before the situation could run out of hands,” he said.

He said the Dinka armed youth, backed by elements of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) have targeted and killed members of the Fertit, Balanda ethnic groups, particularly in the areas of Bussere, Busalia, Jebel Keer and Bazia Jedid for the past few days.

Sudan Tribune has also confirmed that the SPLA command in Wau has arrested the state deputy governor, Major General Andrea Dominic, on Thursday, who is accused of allegedly having a link with the insecurity the state.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Governors of four Darfur states said the registration rate for the administrative referendum in their states has reached 80% and pointed out that the highest registration rate was amongst women.

Sudanese voters check their names on lists posted outside a polling stations in the country's first multi-party elections in decades in Khartoum on 11 April 2010 (AP)

Next April, the residents of Darfur region are called to determine the administrative status of the region as they have to vote the retention of the status quo of States system or the re-establishment of one region.

The governor of South Darfur Adam al-Faki said in a talk show broadcasted by the public Radio Omdurman on Friday, the referendum is a constitutional right, pointing the Darfurians will decide through the ballot boxes not the gums.

He noted there are signals that voters will likely opt for the retention of the States system, saying the registration is progressing well and the IDP's are participating effectively in the process.

Al-Faki pointed that 600,000 people have registered in his state until Thursday, underlining that the security situation is stable and the registration centres didn't witness any problem.

For his part, the governor of East Darfur state Anas Omer said the preparation for the referendum is going well and quietly, pointing that 38,000 people have registered in his state so far.

The governor of Central Darfur state Ga'afar Abdel-Hakam, for his part, pointed to the large registration turn out, stressing the registration numbers would increase in the next couple of days.

He said the registration process in the locality of Jebel Marra is progressing well, considering it a sign for the stable security situation in the area.

Since mid-January Jebel Marra has been the scene of violent clashes between government army and the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid Mohamed Nur.

Last week, Abdel-Hakam voiced his opposition to the establishment of one region in Darfur saying it would create a new intermediary organ between the state and the presidency.

Meanwhile, the referendum committee in the locality of al-Kouma in the capital of North Darfur state, El-Fasher Friday said the 45,353 people have registered in 12 centres in the various administrative units in the locality.

The governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef, who inspected the workflow in the registration centres in Al-Kouma Friday, said the procedures are progressing well, pointing the people have the right to choose between retaining the current status or re-establishing one region.

The referendum officer in the locality of Al-Kouma, Mohamed Obied al-Zaki said the women turn out has exceeded that of men, pointing that 70% of the 45,000 people who have registered so far are women.

In line with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), Darfurians have to choose between the creation of a Darfur Region composed of the states of Darfur; or the retention of the status quo of states system.

The referendum has the support of former rebel groups signatory of the Doha framework agreement. But it faces some opposition from the dignitaries of the ruling party in the region.

Many in the strongly tribally divided region fear that this creation of the regional body would revive tribal trivialities.

The opposition and rebel groups insist on the timing and the legitimacy of the procedure. They say that referendum would not express the will of Darfurians, pointing to the IDPs and refugees in Chad who will not participate in the vote.

Also, several lawmakers called to delay the referendum saying the exercise will create a new turmoil in Darfur and also noted the huge financial cost of the referendum.

Last week, Darfur's IDPs and refugees association rejected the referendum and considered it a trivial move in light of the continued conflict and displacement in the region.

Also, the opposition "Sudan Call" alliance called on the population of Darfur region to boycott the administrative referendum.

According to the latest census, the inhabitants of Darfur region are estimated at 12 million people including 5 million internal and external migrants.

(ST)

February 19, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has announced that it will delay formation of a transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) which president Salva Kiir had earlier said would be formed by Friday this week.

South Sudanese information minister Michael Makuei Lueth attends a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 January 2014 (Photo: AP/Elias Asmara)

South Sudanese information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, announced on Friday the change of the decision after attending regular cabinet meeting chaired by president Kiir.

Lueth, who is the official spokesman of the government, told reporters on Friday that the cabinet meeting resolved to delay the formation of the transitional unity government until after forces of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) are deployed in Juba to allow the return of their leader, Riek Machar.

“The cabinet today has resolved to postpone the formation of transitional government of national unity. This is to allow the arrival of the SPLM-IO forces before the return of the first vice president, Riek Machar,” Lueth told reporters on Friday.

The decision of the cabinet meeting chaired by president Kiir, according to the minister, was taken in the interest of peace and in compliance with the desire of the peace partners and the citizens.

Earlier, opposition factions and the Joint Monitoring and Evaluations Commission (JMEC) urged President Kiir not to form the new government without participation of all the parties to the peace agreement they signed in August last year.

The other parties and JMEC however called on the relevant authorities to “expeditiously” implement the security arrangements including demilitarization of Juba and transportation of the opposition forces to the capital.

The cabinet, according to the government's spokesperson, also passed a resolution condemning the Wednesday and Thursday attacks on protection of civilians camp housing internally displaced persons under the management of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Malakal town.

“The cabinet condemns in the strongest terms possible and demands explanation from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan what happened. This is because until now we do not have clear information as to what happened,” he said.

He added that the cabinet would want to know whether the UNMISS was operating in conformity to responsibility to protect civilians in camps under its control.

Deadly violence involving Dinka, Shilluk and Nuer ethnic groups erupted on Wednesday and continued on Thursday inside the camp, with elements of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) accused of taking the side of the Dinka ethnic group against the members of Shilluk and Nuer communities.

(ST)

February 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Libya's internationally recognised government based in Tobruk decided to stop air flights with Sudan for security reasons without further details.

An Islamist fighter from the Fajr Libya (Libyan Dawn) coalition flashes the V sign for victory at the entrance of Tripoli international airport on 24 August 2014 (Photo: AFP/Mahmud Turkia)

Sudan is accused by the official government of supporting Libyan Islamists government based in Tripoli, as reports say Jihadist fighters from Sudan and other African countries are joining the Libyan chapter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or Daesh group.

A spokesman for the Libyan Interior Ministry, of Colonel Abdul Hakim al-Obeidi said that the interior minister instructed to stop flights to and from Sudan for security reasons with effect from 28 February 2016.

Al-Obeidi didn't elaborate on the reason behind the decision.

On Tuesday February 2, a senior police officer in Misrata town, told London based The Telegraph that Daesh is recruiting improvised migrants from neighbouring countries such as Sudan, Chad and Mali.

"Illegal immigration is a menace because it brings and encourages foreign fighters to come and fight with ISIS. "Most of the migrants want to go to Europe, but some want to link up with ISIS. Unfortunately, here in Libya we are right in the middle of the migration rat run."

Colonel Ismail Shukri, the head of military intelligence in Misrata, further said that around 70 % of ISIS's army in Sirte was made up of foreign fighters. "The majority - I cannot tell you exactly how many - are Tunisians, while the rest are made up mostly of Sudanese, Egyptians and then people from the Sub-Saharan countries stretching from Chad and Nigeria, along with a few from Algeria and the Gulf," he said.

In September02014, the Libyan government had expelled the Sudanese military attaché after accusing Khartoum of flying weapons to Islamist rebels in Tripoli.

CLASHES WITH DARFUR REBELS

The Sudanese army on Wednesday said they clashed with rebels belonging to the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) without specifying which faction near Libyan town of Al-Kufra which borders Sudan.

Sudanese army spokesperson Ahmed al-Shami told Radio Sawa that Libyan Army killed over 20 SLA fighters. He added the rebels were forced to enter in the Libyan territory after their defeat by the Sudanese army in the far northern border.

On the other hand in statements to Alarabiya.net Wednesday, a Libyan military source confirmed the clashes with the Sudanese rebels.

According to Alarabia, the Libyan army repulsed an attack by the Sudanese rebels who tried to recapture Bouzriq area in the southern part of Al-Kufra town.

The SLA fighters controlled the area for three months before to pull out of the areas as result of an attack by the Libyan army.

Al-Kufra region is under the control of the rival government of the General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli.

The international community still continues its efforts to form a national unity government in Libya including Tobruk and Tripoli governments, one month after the signing of a UN-brokered deal in Morocco.

(ST)

February 04, 2016 (JUBA) – A group of South Sudanese politicians who were detained at the outset of country's conflict in December 2013 and later released to form a third bloc of the ruling party (SPLM) have hinted on returning to the faction of President Salva Kiir.

Former cabinet affairs minister and G-10 team leader Deng Alor with former justice minister, John Luk Jok, after their arrival at Juba Airport on 1 June 2015 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Thursday, the former political detainees welcomed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) communique, calling on parties to conflict to form the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

“It is our hope that all parties to the agreement will take seriously the recommendations contained in the communique and agree to expeditiously establish the transitional government of national unity and to subsequently engage positively on the issue of the twenty-eight states,” said John Luk, the spokesperson for the former detainees.

The former detainees have two ministerial portfolios and a deputy minister. The government of President Kiir will appoint 16 minister and the armed opposition of former vice president Riek Machar, who will serve as first vice president in TGONU, have 10 ministers. Other South Sudanese political parties will appoint two ministers.

The formers detainees called on South Sudanese citizens to support the directives from regional bodies to form the 30-months running TGoNU by forgiving one another.

Former justice minister John Luk added that his SPLM faction, known as SPLM leaders are ready to join President Kiir's SPLM in government.

“Concerning the re-unification of the SPLM, we are satisfies that this has been achieved through the incorporation of the Arusha Agreement in the SPLM Constitution which was finally adopted by the extra-ordinary SPLM national convention,” he said, referring to an extraordinary meeting organized early January.

Luk, who is named as minister of transport in the TGONU, did not say when the SPLM leaders, whose number has continued to reduce after former Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay left them last month, will formally join the SPLM under President Kiir.

The ex-detainee's press statement said the controversy created by President Kiir's decision to create more states will be addressed after forming the unity government.

"We firmly believe that the formation of the Government of National Unity will enhance the building of trust and confidence amongst the parties to the ARCSS and together work to resolve any challenges that may adversely affect the implementation of the agreement and welfare of the people of South Sudan,” further stressed the statement.

(ST)

By James Okuk, PhD

The Auxiliary Bishop Santo Loku Pio (born in 1969) of Juba Archdiocese has been consistent in his stance on faith and reason in the context of South Sudan. We should keep congratulating him for that faithful shepherding of the people of God, especially the downtrodden and the made-to-suffer as Luky Dube used to sing for South Africa. At tough time like the one we are encountering now, the Republic of South Sudan needs nothing less than revolutionary theology even if not a liberation theology similar to that of Latin America.

But the concern of many analysts is Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro. He is unable to get into shoes of Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako who managed to stand tall against the oppressive Islamists regime in Khartoum during the SPLM/A just war of struggle. It was disgusting last month seeing His Lordship Lukudu spraying holy water on 28 states which has been a violation to the signed peace agreement (ARCSS) in August 2015. He did this when he decided to go to the Secretariat of the former Central Equatoria State Government to bless the three illegitimate governors of the so-called Jubek, Terekeka and Yei River states.

Did His Lordship know the evil he was blessing in that building? Why did he accept to do that when he knew that the ‘three-governors-in-one' (as they would like to pretend in their operation) and their states are still pending political problems in making? Is he not ashamed of shifting loyalty from 28 states (he blessed and endorsed for partitioning Central Equatoria State and erasing it from political map) to IGAD's Communiqué which brings back the disintegrated Equatoria?

Now thank God that the Holy Archbishop has turned around to support the IGAD's Communiqué that demands suspension of the proposed 28 states until it is discussed later by the established TGoNU in competition with other proposed states (Twenty One, Five, Three, None, etc). Men of God should always stand where the truth is, like what Auxiliary Bishop Santo has been doing (including his homely of the new year 2016 when he told the faithful that he finds it hard even to pronounce some names of 28 states, e.g. 'Nyamurnyang' which is an insult to women).

It is high time Archbishop Lukudu start repenting and learning from the young truthful Bishop Santo how Catholic Bishops are supposed to conduct themselves when it comes to issues involving dirty politics of treacherous politicians.

We are blessed in Juba to have an articulate and caring Auxiliary Bishop Santo who has, indeed, proven himself time and again that he is unshakable voice of the voiceless like the known liberation theologian, Martin Niemöller (1892 -1984), who became a soldier in German Navy at age of fourteen and was sub-Lieutenant by the time the First World War began in 1914. He also took interest in nationalistic politics and became a supporter of Adolf Hitler and Nazi' regime. Even after he was ordained in 1929 as a Pastor of the Church of Jesus Christ at Dahlem, Rev. Niemöller remained an ardent supporter of Hitler.

However, he got arrested when he started criticizing in his sermons the evils of the Nazis and was sent to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp to be "re-educated" in German patriotism. Pastor Niemöller refused to change his revolutionary views and was later transferred to Dachau Prison. In 1938 Joseph Goebbels urged Hitler to execute him but Alfred Rosenberg opposed the idea as it would provide an opportunity to critics like Bishop George Bell of Chichester of the Church of England to attack fiercely the German Government and mobilize the Christians all over the world against it. Rev. Niemöller was allowed to live.

With his release from prison after the end of World War II, Rev. Niemöller became convinced that the German people had a collective responsibility (i.e., guilt) for the Nazi atrocities. He became a pacifist as he realized that military force is never sustainable for political ends. He joined the World Peace Movement and became an outspoken anti-war activist. On his 90th birthday, Rev. Niemöller confessed that he had started his political career as “an ultra-conservative” and later a “revolutionary”, but if he lived to be a hundred years he may become an “anarchist”.

Rev. Niemöller has remained well known for the following famous poetic quote: “First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Milton Mayer in his book, They Thought They Were Free: The Germans (1955) gave a strong tribute that Niemöller is a great man of God who spoke for thousands of the oppressed masses in all corners of the world: “when the Nazis attacked the Communists, he was a little uneasy, but, after all, he was not a Communist, and so he did nothing; and then they attacked the Socialists, and he was a little uneasier, but, still, he was not a Socialist, and he did nothing; and then the schools, the press, the Jews, and so on, and he was always uneasier, but still he did nothing. And then they attacked the Church, and he was a Churchman, and he did something—but then it was too late.”

Together with Bishop Santo of Juba Archdiocese lets speak out for peace, justice, community development and prosperity in our dear country before it is too late for all of us to have strong voice of the people, amounting to the voice of God.

May the almighty God give more wisdom and courage to all our bishops and other men and women of God so that they don't fear to always remind our astray leaders of the righteous path of peace in the Republic of South Sudan.

Dr. James Okuk is lecturer of politics, reachable at okukjimy@hotmail.com

February 4, 2016 (BOR) – At least seven people were killed and five wounded in Twic East county of South Sudan's Jonglei state last month, an official disclosed Thursday.

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

Commissioner Dau Akoi Jurkuch claimed the criminals were mainly from the Murle ethnic tribe, whose intention was to raid cattle and abduct children.

“When they miss to find cattle and children to abduct, they cannot miss to kill a person who comes across their ways”, said Akoi, citing an18 January incident in which two men were allegedly killed.

Another two, said the commissioner, were killed on 24 January in western Kongor payam.

“These people went for hunting and they fell into an ambush. Two were killed and six managed to run away”, he told Sudan Tribune Thursday.

The six who escaped, according to Akoi, identified their attackers as Murle tribesmen.

Meanwhile the Twic East county commissioner has appealed to the Boma state governor, Baba Medan Konyi, to help them combat existing crimes.

“My appeal to the governor is for him to talk to traditional leaders so that these criminals are brought to book”, stressed the Twic East county commissioner.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

February 4, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – East African countries are due to be linked through a regional power interconnection in a bid to boost their economic development, Ethiopian officials told Sudan Tribune Thursday.

Ethiopia's Tekeze Hydropower project (AP)

According to officials at the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity, the 11th Council of Ministers for the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) endorsed the long-awaited master plan aimed at inter-connecting the region through energy.

All EAPP member states with the exception of Egypt agreed on the forwarded positions that will be taken to effect the implementation of the 25-year master plan.

Cairo opposed the endorsement arguing that it has not been addressed on the details of the planned regional power network, hinting on the need for more time to deal with it.

At a meeting in the Ethiopian capital last week, the Egyptian delegation further argued that it doubts whether sufficient risk analysis and environmental assessments were made over the master plan.

Established in 2005, the EAPP member countries include Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Libya.

South Sudan and Djibouti are also expected to join the regional bloc anytime soon.

Ethiopian officials say the master plan would assist countries to collectively work for the realisation of rapid economic development in the region and further expand their energy resources and improve utilisation.

The EAPP Council's chairperson, also the Burundian Energy and Mines Minister, Come Manirakiza said that the master plan, which was drawn up by a Danish company, Energinet, will ensure an equal utilisation of resources and ensures mutual development among the East Africa countries.

Manirakiza underscored the need for an immediate engagement in infrastructure development and persistent support from member states to realise a quick implementation of the master plan.

EAPP intends to ensure access to electricity to millions of people in the region through the regional power interconnections and improve their livelyhood by tackling power shortage.

(ST)

January 4, 2016 (JUBA) - The Government of Japan has earmarked $1.65 million and delivered three ambulances to health facilities in three conflict-affected locations of South Sudan, where 250,000 women of reproductive age reportedly in need of obstetric services.

Children in South Sudan. (Photo UNMISS/Ilya Medvedev)

The ambulances, according to a statement, were handed over by the ambassador of Japan to South Sudan, Kiya Masahiko, to the national minister of health, Riek Kok Gai, in the presence of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country representative, Ibrahim Sambuli.

The ambulances, according to the statement extended to Sudan Tribune, are part of the $3.22 million that Japan government disbursed in 2015 for the year-long UNFPA project, “Strengthening Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care in Crisis affected areas of South Sudan.”

This project reportedly saw five ambulances, assorted maternal health and gender-based violence response equipment and supplies sent to South Sudan.

“The people of Japan care about the health of mothers who bring new life to South Sudan that has been devastated by long years of conflict,” said Masahiko.

“We believe that the challenge of building a new nation starts with caring for the life of new-born babies and of their families. In that spirit, we hope that enhanced obstetrics and neonatal care services will lay the foundation of a vibrant society where people enjoy full-fledged healthcare services,” he added.

Since 2014, the Japanese government, through UNFPA, has reportedly allocated $ 4.42 million to the provision of reproductive healthcare equipment and infrastructure as well as the enhancement of management of medical aspects of gender-based violence in the conflict-affected Greater Upper Nile from a humanitarian point of view.

The Government of Japan will further extend support to obstetrics and neonatal care with an additional $1.65 million starting next month, it emerged.

“This support from the Government of Japan is very crucial as it facilitates timely referral of mothers with pregnancy-related complications to regional health facilities as well as prompt improvement of their capacity to handle such complications. This would go a long way in preventing unnecessary maternal deaths which are contributing to the high maternal mortality rate in the country”, said the UNFPA country representative.

Meanwhile, UNFPA and its partners estimate there will be 190,000 births in 2016, among which 23,500 are likely to get pregnancy-related complications.

(ST)

February 4, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Thursday said its forces are ready to deploy outside the national capital, Juba, in preparation to receive forces from the armed opposition faction led by former Vice-president, Riek Machar. However, it added the government had no resources to establish military camps 25km from the national capital as provided for in the security arrangements of the August 2015 peace agreement.

SPLA) soldiers sit before the start of celebrations on the 31st anniversary of the SPLA in Juba May 16, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

Lieutenant General Malek Reuben Riak, deputy chief of general staff for logistics revealed on Thursday that preparations to demilitarize Juba and relocate the remaining units of the SPLA allied to the government have been completed and were waiting for directives and assistances to move to their new locations 25km.

“We have been ready from the time we signed the security arrangements matrix and indeed some of our forces have already moved out in compliance with the directives,” General Riak told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

Genera Riak, who is the head of security arrangements committee representing the government, stressed the necessity to first provide essential services to where forces would be deployed outside Juba before they can begin to move out of the capital.

“Obviously you cannot send people to where there is no water, where there are no structures for living, no medical facilities. These are very important things to be taken into consideration,” he said.

He also confirmed that members of the armed opposition faction under the leadership of the former Vice-president, Riek Machar, represented in the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) participated in identification and assessing areas where forces would be redeployed.

CTSAMM is a body set up by the two sides and chaired by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC). It comprises military commanders representing the government, armed opposition leadership and other stakeholders.

The committee started on Tuesday visiting identified sites located along the Nimule-Torit road and Torit-Mangala road as well as proposed assembling points along the Kajokeji-Yei road on Wednesday.

Assessment of military barracks located along the Terekeka-Juba road concluded Thursday. It is not clear who supports the relocation exercise though officials are hoping JMEC, a body tasked to oversee the implementation of peace agreement, would provide support for the establishment of new military barracks outside Juba.

(ST)

February 4, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Leadership of the armed opposition faction led by former Vice-president, Riek Machar, said they wished a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) would have been formed in the first week of February as called for in the recent communiqué of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), but said it was too soon and unrealistic.

SPLM-IO Chief Negotiator, Taban Deng Gai, leader of advance team, with David Deng Athorbei, chairman of national committee, hold a press conference in Juba airport upon arrival on Monday, 21 December 2015 (ST Photo)

“Of course we would have wished that a transitional government of national unity is formed this week, but this has become practically unrealistic,” James Gatdet Dak, opposition leader's spokesman, told Sudan Tribune on Thursday when asked about readiness to form the government by the end of this week.

In a communiqué issued by IGAD on Sunday, 31 January, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the regional bloc called on the South Sudanese parties to the peace deal, signed in August 2015, to form a transitional government of national unity in the first week of February.

The communiqué also called on the parties to implement the first phase of the provisions of the security arrangements, particularly the deployment of joint police and military forces in the capital, Juba, prior to formation of the transitional government.

Dak said the decision to form the transitional unity government in the first week of February was “positive but too soon” as the opposition faction was still looking for assistance to transport its troops from hundreds and thousands of kilometres away to the capital.

“You know we don't have resources to transport our forces on our own. Even our advance team to Juba was transported through external assistance. The leadership has therefore asked for additional assistance from international partners in the peace process to soon transport our troops to the capital,” he said.

He said the arrival of the opposition forces to Juba (1,500 police and 1,410 military force, etc) will depend on how soon facilities for transporting them are availed, adding that it may take about two weeks for the forces to arrive in Juba with their military equipment.

He called on President Salva Kiir's government to join the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in soliciting assistance from the international community to transport the troops so as to soon form a new government.

Juba, he added, was also supposed to be demilitarized by withdrawing government troops to 25km outside the capital in accordance with the security arrangements. Government however said it has no money to establish military camps for the the troops and provide them with basic services such as water, shelter and medical facilities outside the capital.

Dak said as soon as the opposition forces enter Juba, Machar will return to the capital for formation of the transitional unity government with President Kiir after he takes oath of office as First Vice-president.

The top opposition leader will become First Vice-president of the new transitional government in which he will have more powers than he had before when he was Vice-president prior to the 2013 crisis.

In addition to shared executive powers in the presidency, Machar will have 10 national ministers nominated by him, a sizeable number of members of national parliament in Juba as well as govern the oil producing states in the country's Upper Nile region.

He will also continue to command a separate opposition army from that of the government as their commander-in-chief with a military structure headed by a chief of general staff who will be reporting directly to him for at least the coming one and a half years before unification of the two armies.

(ST)