Sudan Tribune

October 3, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Governor of South Darfur State Adam al-Faki on Wednesday visited premises of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) that would be handed over to his government at the end of the year as part of the Mission's exit strategy.

During the visit, al-Faki held a meeting including minister of urban planning Taha Abdallah and the Mission's Head of Office, Sector South, Berhanemeskel Nega and his staff.

He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Mission, pointing to the partnership between the government and the UNAMID on issues of security and peacekeeping, voluntary return and resettlement.

Al-Faki added the Mission's premises would be turned into university colleges in order to provide services and contribute to developing human resources in South Darfur.

For his part, Nega briefed the governor on the strategic plan to hand over the Mission's sites to the government, pointing to the need for coordination between the two sides to protect the voluntary return camps and villages during the next period.

Last year, the UN Security Council decided to reduce the UNAMID, admitting that the security situation has improved in the Darfur region.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in western Sudan's region.

It is the world's second-largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million are displaced.

(ST)

October 3, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - SPLM-IO condemned statements by the South Sudan Presidential spokesman that his government has political prisoners and stressed they will not compromise over the release of James Dak, the spokesperson of the Movement' leader.

On Monday Ateny Wek Ateny denied the existence of political prisoners in South Sudan. He told Radio Tamazuj that "all political detainees had been released. We have prisoners of war and not political detainees".

Also on Wednesday, Juba released twenty political prisoners but James Gatdet Dak, the imprisoned-spokesperson SPLM-IO's leader was not among them.

Manawa Peter Gatkuoth SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Public Relations told Sudan Tribune they learnt that Dak was told that he is not included in the presidential decree for the release of the political prisoners and detainees.

"This is a serious development and we hope that the government of South Sudan will reconsider its position and release him as soon as possible," Manawa said.

He further said that Dak is "the ideal example for the political prisoner" according to the standards enshrined in international law before to stress that claiming he is not covered by the presidential pardon is a clear breach of the revitalized agreement.

"We appeal to the international community to intervene to secure his release because Dak's imprisonment cannot be subjected to political bargaining," he said.

In November 2016, Kenya arrested and deported James Dak to Juba where he remained in jail until his trial in February 2018. He was sentenced to death on charges of treason and incitement against the government.

Already his lawyer said the trial of the SPLM-IO official was a violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement of 21 December 2017.

Manawa also slammed Ateny's statements denying the existence of political prisoners in South Sudan and described it as "irresponsible statements" that fueling political strife at this critical stage in the implementation of the peace agreement.

He added that the international community should condemn such statements since IGAD, the African Union, the United Nations and the Troika are aware of such arrests and abduction of SPLM-IO members inside the country and in Kenya before their deportation to South Sudan where they are detained.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty reported that two vocal government critics, Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Idri, were detained in Kenya in January 2017before the deliver them to the south Sudanese authorities

Also, there is the case of Peter Biar Ajak, a South Sudanese peace activist who was arrested last July.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (JUBA) - President Salva Kiir who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudanese army issued a decree providing to formally change the name of the SPLA into South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF).

President Salva Kiir walks past SPLA reception parade during 6th command council in Juba on July 27, 2017 (ST)

The decision which was announced on Tuesday evening had been adopted on 3 August 2017 by the sixth Command Council Conference of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).

The change meant to mark the effective transformation of the national army from a liberation movement into a professional army.

At the time the conference passed several resolutions in that sense.

The presidential decree read on the official TV station provided that the decision comes in line with the resolutions of the SPLA Command Council Conference.

The SPLA was founded as a guerrilla movement in 1983 and was a key participant of the second Sudanese civil war.

As of 2013, South Sudan military was estimated to have 210,000 soldiers.

The SPLA's change de name intervenes ten days before the start of the implementation of the revitalized security arrangements which include the reunification of the national army before the end of the transitional period.

(ST)

October 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The UN Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Gwi-Yeop Son, Tuesday welcomed the temporary unilateral cessation of hostilities by the Sudan Liberation Army – Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW) to allow humanitarian access to civilians in the rebel-controlled areas in eastern Jebel Marra area.

Heavy rains in Wadi Tuliba and Tagulei villages located in an SLA-AW controlled area killed 16 people died as a result of mudslides last September. Following this natural disaster, the SLM/A AW declared a three-month unilateral ceasefire to allow the delivery of emergency and medical assistance to the affected population.

"The United Nations welcomes the unilateral ceasefire by the SLA-AW that enabled the United Nations to provide emergency assistance to about 380 people," said Ms. Son in a statement released on Tuesday.

The statement further said that UN provided relief assistance to 76 affected families (about 380 people), including tents and plastic sheets for shelter, kitchen sets, jerry cans, blankets and mosquito nets, and treated the injured and ill.

On 20 September, UNAMID said a joint team comprising UNAMID and UN Humanitarian Country Team including six doctors, reached the affected area. The first mission assessed the humanitarian situation and provided medical assistance and non-food items to the affected villagers.

While UNAMID reported that 19 people were killed by the mudslides, the UN Resident Humanitarian said 16 people died in the disaster.

The two affected villages are in a mountainous area where access and logistics are complicated by lack of roads and difficult terrain.

The SLM/A is not part of a unilateral cessation of hostilities by three armed groups in Darfur within the framework of peace talks with the government brokered by the African Union.

(ST)

October 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Good cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan armies is the key for a strong relationship between the two countries, said Sudan defence minister during a meeting with the South Sudanese army chief of joint staff on Tuesday.

The visiting South Sudanese army chief of staff General Gabriel Jok Riak discussed the implementation of the security arrangement with his Sudanese counterpart Kamal Abdel Marouf al-Mahi following a recent agreement to launch the operationalization of the buffer zone between the two countries last September in Addis Ababa.

On Tuesday, Sudanese Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf received General Riak who discussed issues of common interest that serve the security and stability of both countries.

"The Minister of Defense stressed the special relationship between the two countries and pointed out to the importance of communication and exchange visits because the good relationship between the armed forces in the two countries is the entrance to the remaining files of common interest," reads a statement released after the meeting.

Sudan and South Sudan agreed in September 2012 to establish a demilitarized zone on the disputed and non-delimited border to prevent cross-border attacks by rebels groups from both sides. Also, they decided to establish 10 border crossing corridors.

But, its implementation was hampered by the mistrust and rejection of local communities living on the border area such as the 14-Mile Area which is important grazing territory for the Malual Dinka.

According to the statement, General Riak said the Sudanese efforts to narrow the gaps between the South Sudanese parties in the IGAD-led peace process convinced Juba to go ahead in the implementation of the security arrangements and to strengthen relations with Khartoum.

Ibn Ouf and his military aides mediated the talks on the security arrangements during the Khartoum Round of the revitalization forum for peace in South Sudan.

For his part, General al-Mahi said he agreed with his South Sudanese counterpart to implement the recent agreement signed in Addis Ababa before the end of the year in order to pave the way for the deployment of the joint forces on the border.

He added that they discussed cooperation in the fields of joint training and the formation of joint forces.

On Wednesday, General Riak will take part in a meeting of IGAD senior military leaders to discuss the deployment of a joint force to monitor the implementation of the revitalized peace pact.

(ST)

October 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government on Tuesday has renewed its commitment to implement the Roadmap Agreement expecting the Two Areas talks with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) to resume within three months.

Mbeki speaks to participants at the inaugral session of Strategic Consultations Meeting in Addis Ababa on 18 March 2016 (AUHIP Photo)

The government and the opposition Sudan Call alliance including the political forces and the armed movements signed in March and August 2016 the Roadmap agreement brokered by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) including several steps towards their participation in a national constitutional process inside Sudan.

However, the parties failed to sign a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian agreements that are seen crucial before to move forward in the roadmap implementation process.

Following the failure of talks for a ceasefire agreement in August 2016, the government held its national dialogue conference without the opposition groups and formed a national consensus government.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) Tuesday has quoted the Minister of Information and government spokesperson Bishara Guma'a Aror as saying peace has become a reality on the ground in the Two Areas and is lacking only the signing of an agreement between the government and the SPLM-N.

He pointed out that no military clashes have occurred between the government and the SPLM-N during the past two years, saying the two sides have adhered to the unilateral cessation of hostilities.

Aror called on holdout groups to join the peace process, stressing his government's seriousness and commitment to achieve sustainable peace, security and stability in the Two Areas and the country in general.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

The talks with the SPLM-N groups to end the conflict in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states are stalled as the African mediators failed to bring the parties to sign a permanent ceasefire and to engage talks on the political issues.

Following the spilt of the SPLM-N in two factions, the mediation sought to hold peace talks between the group of Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and the government in vain.

For the other faction led by Malik Agar, the mediation deals with it within the framework of the Sudan Call opposition umbrella which includes armed groups from Darfur region and political parties.

Also, this process is impeded by the failure to reach a framework agreement for talks on Darfur conflict and the revitalization of a roadmap struck in August 2016 but no longer fits with the political developments.

(ST)

October 2, 2018 (NEW YORK) - The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock has praised Sudan's decision to allow humanitarian access to rebel-held areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011.

Last week, the Sudanese government said it has accepted a proposal from the UN to deliver humanitarian aid to rebel-held areas in the Two Areas from inside Sudan.

Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Adam Tuesday told Sudan Tribune that he met with Lowcock on Monday in New York.

He pointed out that the UN official described Sudan's decision as a positive move towards improving the humanitarian situation in the Two Areas.

Adam added he briefed Lowcock on the latest political and humanitarian developments in Sudan and the need to make concerted efforts among the government, the UN and other partners in order to promote peace and stability and to move from emergency relief to reconstruction and development.

According to Adam, the UN official expressed his conviction that humanitarian situation has improved and announced his support to government efforts in this regard.

He also urged donors to increase funding in order to contribute to enhancing the stability and resilience of affected communities.

Meanwhile, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Gwi-Yeop Son, has welcomed Sudan's decision to accept her request to facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population in the rebel-held areas.

“The request is purely humanitarian in nature and is based on humanitarian imperatives. The UN's relief operations will adhere to the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality” she wrote in a letter to the Sudanese government

Son stressed the UN would monitor the delivery of humanitarian assistance, calling on all parties to facilitate humanitarian access and the delivery of assistance to the most vulnerable people in the Two Areas.

Talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM-N for a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access are stalled since August 2016.

The SPLM-N demands to deliver 20% of the humanitarian assistance through a humanitarian corridor from Asosa, an Ethiopian border town.

But the government rejects the idea saying it is a breach of the state sovereignty and a manoeuvre from the rebels to bring arms and ammunition to their locked rebel-held areas in the Two Areas.

The SPLM-N, in November 2016 declined an American proposal to transport humanitarian medical assistance directly to the civilians in the rebel-held areas in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Also, during the last round of talks from 1 to 3 February, the Sudanese government and SPLM-N al-Hilu failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement.

The mediation delinked the ceasefire and the humanitarian access and focused at this round only on the cessation of hostilities agreement.

However, differences between the sides emerged when Khartoum proposed that the cessation of hostilities be a step towards a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian access.

(ST)

October 2, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA)'s groups that rejected the revitalized agreement Tuesday broke away from their allies who signed the peace pact and picked Thomas Cirilo Swaka as leader of the new coalition.

Thomas Cirillo Swaka (Photo Reuters)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune the National Salvation Front (NAS) of Gen. Thomas C. Swaka, People's Democratic Movement (PDM) chaired by Hakim Dario, National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Emanuel Aban and the United Democratic Republic Alliance (UDRA) of Gatwech K. Thich and South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) of Vakindi L. Unvu, said they met on Sunday 30 September to restructure the alliance leadership.

"The leaders of the alliance who remained true to SSOA objectives met and resolved to establish an interim SSOA Executive body, tasked with defining the way forward for SSOA post the 12th September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS),".said the statement.

Following what the statement said the new SSOA team is constituted from Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka as the Chairman, Vakindi L. Unvu as Deputy Chairman, Amb. Emmanuel Y. Ajawin as the Secretary-General, Hakim Dario: the Secretary for Foreign Relations and Kwaje M. Lasu will keep his post of the Spokesperson.

In a statement issued on 16 September SSOA leader Gabriel Chang Changson denied accusations of betraying the plight of the South Sudanese.

Further, he called on the holdout groups to reconsider their position from the deal and to rejoin them, stressing on the need for the unity to achieve the shared objectives.

Changson-led SSOA faction includes his group FDP/SSAF, NDM of Lam Akol, SSNMC led by Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro of, SSPM/A of Hussein Abdel Bagi, SSLM/A of Bapiny Montuil Wegjang, SSUM/A of Peter Gadet Yak and a PDM's faction led by Josephine Lagu.

The new SSOA team, however, the African Union, IGAD, EU, UN Security Council, and the TROIKA countries that "we will continue to work hard to attain a genuine, sustainable and lasting peace for the people of South Sudan and to establish the rule of law and justice in our country".

It is not clear if Swaka's faction is planning to make some proposals in order to reopen negotiations with the peace partners or not and under which conditions.

It is agreed that SSOA split sapped the strength of the third political group in South Sudan after the SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO. Observers fear that this development impact negatively their efforts to achieve their goals during the transitional period.

(ST)

September 14, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese presidency postponed for 24 hours the swearing-in ceremony of ministers of the National Reconciliation Government in its second edition, amid reports that some of the appointed ministers declined to accept the posts.

Members of Sudan's new cabinet take their oaths in Khartoum December 10, 2011 (REUTERS)

The Presidency of the Republic announced that the taking oath ceremony of ministers and ministers of state in the new government, which was scheduled at 8 pm on Friday, will be on Saturday.

"The swearing-in ceremony will be on Saturday so as to enable the appointed ministers who are outside the country to take part in the ceremony with their colleagues," said the official news agency SUNA.

The postponement intervened amid unconfirmed reports since the early hours of Friday, that the appointed minister of finance Abdalla Hamdok has declined the important ministerial post.

During the day, other rumours circulated in the social media that the appointed state minister for finance Nagi al-Sharif and the appointed minister of social security and development Samia Abu Kashwa have also refused to take part in the new government.

None of the three has issued a statement or stated publically about his decision on his participation in the lean government.

Hamdok is the only one residing outside the country in Addis Ababa. Currently, he is the Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Last week, al-Bashir dissolved the large government formed as part of the national dialogue process and the new lean cabinet was announced on Thursday as part of the government austerity efforts.

(ST)

By Duop Chak Wuol

Throughout the South Sudanese peace process, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has been faced with serious political issues. These issues make it nearly impossible for the armed opposition to come up with a counterproposal that could force the government to accept a genuine peace. The armed opposition failed the people of South Sudan by accepting a pro-tyrannical peace deal that will only work in favour of Salva Kiir. The recently signed Sudan-mediated revitalized peace agreement is designed to empower Kiir's brutality, keep elites in control, and deny democratic reforms to take shape. This peace agreement is not just wrong; it is a looming disaster for the people of South Sudan.

Why is the Khartoum's power-sharing deal disaster?

There are many critical issues the East African regional peace mediators have ignored. However, the failure to address the root causes of the civil war, expansion of the government, the issue of 32 states, proposed legislative body, and the failure to replace the current National Constitutional Review Commission with an impartial and inclusive body are the main issues that the SPLM-IO should have paid close attention to. It is good to remind people that most of the SPLM-IO's fundamental reform provisions were deliberately rejected by the mediators in late August.

Kiir's regime and its regional allies are working hard to make sure this pro-Juba peace deal is materialized. For instance, during the signing process in Addis Ababa, the government, SPLM-IO, and other political parties were forced to agree that the National Constitutional Review Commission, which is currently being run by Kiir's loyalists, will only be restructured in the fourth month of the transitional period. The new provision stipulates that an internationally renowned constitutional entity will conduct workshops for parties to the conflict and that the parties would then use the outcome of the workshops to draft a new legislation to amend the constitution.

Why would the armed opposition and other parties accept to amend the constitution four months after the transitional period begin?

It is important to remind people that Juba's regime consistently refused to allow the proposed constitutional review committee to study and amend the current tyrannical constitution. There are also logical reasons to believe that four months are enough for Kiir to formulate a strategy that could impede the constitutional review process to carry out its mandates, let alone the fact that the requirement is stipulated in the final pact.

This peace was pre-determined by the incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU). Everything in it was designed by Kiir to make sure he accommodates SPLM-IO's leaders in exchange for his cruelty to continue. What I find baffling is that the armed opposition keeps arguing that it accepts the agreement because it wants to end the suffering of South Sudanese refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The SPLM-IO is categorically wrong on this. Remember, the armed opposition did not cause the ongoing conflict. Its soldiers and supporters are technically living outside Juba and other government-controlled cities. The idea that it wants to end the war by abandoning its reform agenda without giving a reasonable explanation is absurd. The armed opposition fought for almost five years, claiming it worked for reforming the political system. It is now clear that the SPLM-IO is merely looking for ways to rejoin the very tyrannical system it once rejected. This is rather intriguing, to say the least.

There is a newly-found argument within the SPLM-IO that assertively claims that anyone who questions the viability of the peace deal is wrong or is against its doctrine. Even some of the armed opposition supporters went too far, calling on those who questioned SPLM-IO's peace strategy to either go to the bush or shut-up. This is, again, one of the fallacious arguments being disseminated by clueless armed opposition supporters who seem to lack critical thinking. For example, when Juba initially attached reopening of oil fields to Khartoum's peace agreement, every sensible South Sudanese knew that Kiir was not working for real peace; rather, he was looking for ways to have huge financial power before the SPLM-IO and anyone who opposed his leadership to strike a deal with him. He did this to make sure that he maintains an upper-hand, should the war resume in Juba when rebels rejoin his government. This issue was raised by many South Sudanese political analysts—nevertheless, the supposedly democratic movement of SPLM-IO suddenly became hostile to those who questioned its political dogma.

Do you still remember when in August 2015 Kiir signed the agreement with a list of reservations?

The SPLM-IO has been committing serious violations by allowing Juba's repressive regime to get whatever it wants. For instance, the armed opposition released Prisoners of War (POWs) and political detainees and abide by ceasefire agreements while the government keeps prosecuting POWs and political prisoners and keep attacking the armed opposition positions. Kiir also refuses to accept SPLM-IO's peace deal provisions he sees as a threat to his ruthless leadership. This systematic refusal of the armed opposition demands seems to work in Kiir's favour. For example, the most contentious issues in this peace agreement are the issue of 32 states, National Constitutional Review Commission, the consensus in the proposed incumbent government-dominated parliament, root causes of the civil war, security arrangements among others. Kiir is truly a calculating dictator. After he realized in Addis Ababa that the SPLM-IO would refuse to sign the final deal, he then instructed his negotiating team to come up with a smart way to lure the armed opposition and other political leaders to accept the agreement. He did this by downplaying that the issue of 32 states is not a big problem because a body proposed in the pact will be tasked to resolve it or the people of South Sudan will decide through elections. Kiir also traps the SPLM-IO by claiming that constitutional amendments will be conducted four months after the transitional period began. This is a monumental red flag that the armed opposition and other political leaders failed to examine. The armed opposition must tell the people of South Sudan why it puts too much focus on wanting to secure a peace deal while the government is simply working hard to destroy its existence.

Is the recent peace deal really the democratic agenda the armed opposition has been singing for nearly five years?

It is increasingly becoming more evident that the SPLM-IO is prepared to sign-up for any deal if it is given its shares in any proposed transitional government. This decision appears to be politically correct, but it can only be just if the armed opposition is simply fighting for its own viability, not on behalf of the people. For nearly five years, the SPLM-IO vowed to either reform South Sudan's political system or remove Kiir from power by all necessary means. Now the very central idea the armed opposition drove its existence from is surprisingly vanishing. The SPLM-IO did not sign a good deal. The Khartoum peace agreement is not a good deal. What the armed opposition signed is an accommodative pact — this is no different from exchanging your own freedom with an autocratic ring. Kiir is an experienced and cunning tyrant. This peace is not a real peace, but a rather all about awarding positions to the SPLM-IO and other political parties. Kiir wants these parties to abandon their political doctrines and rejoin this infamous Oyee's band. It is shameful and must be confronted by the people of South Sudan. The elites in South Sudan must be told by the people that they are working for their own bellies, not the people.

The SPLM-IO's apparent deal with the government suggests that South Sudan's current tyrannical leadership could probably continue ruling for years. It must be made abundantly clear that the armed opposition has no legislative or constitutional power to amend the constitution. Kiir rules by decree and he loves it. Any attempt to deny him such a one-man rule is doomed to failure because he will have a legislative number to overrule any attempt to democratize the constitution. Constitutional changes are done through parliament or an established legal entity. This peace deal is simply an empowering of the existing Kiir's viciousness because the two important government branches, the National Constitutional Review Commission and the future transitional Parliament, will be controlled by Salva Kiir's fanatics. The SPLM-IO and some of its clueless supporters must stop waging a deceitful campaign to try to push people into believing that Khartoum's power-sharing deal is the real deal. The idea that reforms will be done after the armed opposition rejoined the government is simply a political blunder. This seemingly twisted assumption can only be accepted by uninformed individuals. If the SPLM-IO is fully committed to this questionable deal, then it must prepare for a third political tragedy. This is the 21st-century: the days of political cults are over.

The author can be reached at duop282@gmail.com.

September 14, 2018 (JUBA) - Several groups members of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance voiced their rejection of the revitalized peace agreement saying it only serves Sudan and Uganda interests and pledged to continue their struggle for a sustainable peace.

The media release announcing the rejection was signed by the National Salvation Front (NAS) of Gen. Thomas C. Swaka, Pagan A. Oketch, People's Democratic Movement (PDM) chaired by Hakim Dario, National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Emanuel Aban and the United Democratic Republic Alliance (UDRA) of Gatwech K. Thich.

The NAS and PDM have already rejected the governance agreement pointing it does not respond to their demand for a genuine federal system. Also, Pagan Amum rejected the governance deal as the Chair of the SPLM-FDs but this time he appended his signature without the name of his.

"We, the undersigned leaders and our respective organizations would like to inform our people and the international community that we are not party to the Revitalized Peace Agreement signed on 12th September 2018," reads the statement.

The holdout leaders further vowed to continue the search for a just, inclusive and sustainable peace.

In addition, they called on the United Nations Security Council, the AU, TROIKA, EU and IGAD Plus "to take note of the shortcomings of the signed peace agreement, which now renders it unsustainable and subservient to outside regional interests than to those of the people of South Sudan".

Beside their demand for a strong federal regime, the non-signatories said the agreement failed to address the root causes of the South Sudanese crisis, to bring justice and accountability for war crimes and atrocities.

All these deficiencies make the "Revitalized Peace Agreement unsustainable, and is at a great risk of returning the country to another war as it did in July 2016," they stressed.

The IGAD leaders responded positively to the demands of the SPLM-IO and SSOA in terms of the disputed number of states and tribal boundaries, decision-making process in the meeting of the presidency, cabinet, and the legislative assembly as well as state and local governments. Also, they reviewed the procedures of the permanent constitutional-making process.

However, during the talks, NAS and PDM accused the mediation of brushing aside their demands for a federal system granting sufficient autonomy and adequate resources to the states vis-à-vis the federal government.

Observers say the mediation approach adopted by the IGAD this time was positive because the mediation team when it fails to reach a compromise between the parties used to refer the disputed matter s to the IGAD leadership which play the mediation at another sphere directly at the level of foreign ministers or the heads of state and government.

However, they say what is problematic, it sometimes allows the government to impose its point of view at the higher levels of negotiations when the matters are discussed by the ministers and leaders without giving the opposition the opportunity to advocate its positions.

During the Khartoum round of talks, the opposition reached the Sudanese president who sought to reflect their positions at the meetings of the heads of state and government. Also, Omer al-Bashir used to coordinate with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to press Kiir to make some concessions.

The Troika countries praised the role played by the IGAD in the resolution of the conflict but remained sceptical over Juba full commitment to implement the deal, based on the repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement and attacks on civilians and aid workers.

(ST)

September 14, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - South Darfur government and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) have discussed ways to promote security and health situation in various localities, voluntary return villages and IDPs camps.

On Thursday, governor of South Darfur Adam al-Faki met with a delegation from the Mission headed by Head of the UNAMID in South Darfur, Burhan Mesk Nika.

The meeting also discussed arrangements to hand over the Mission's headquarters and camps in the Graida and Buram localities to the government in the next period.

During the meeting, al-Faki pointed to the stable security situation in South Darfur, saying it has positively impacted on the development and reconstruction projects.

For his part, Nika stressed UNAMID's keenness to support the government programmes particularly the national schools' competition which would take place in South Darfur in November.

He described the schools' competition as a good opportunity to enhance security, peace and peaceful coexistence in South Darfur.

Last year, the UN Security Council decided to reduce the UNAMID, admitting that the security situation has improved in the Darfur region.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in western Sudan's region.

It is the world's second-largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million are displaced.

(ST)

September 14, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The joint committee among Sudan, Chad and the United Nations on Friday has discussed in N'Djamena the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees in Chad.

On 31 May 2017, Sudan, Chad and the UNHCR signed two separate tripartite agreements on the voluntary return of Sudanese refugees from Chad and Chadian refugees from Sudan.

Also, the three parties in January 2018 signed an operational plan for the repatriation of 20,000 Sudanese refugees from Chad to Darfur region during this year.

The Sudanese and Chadian sides were headed by the refugee commissioners Hamad al-Gizouli and Mahmoud Aseel with the participation of UN representatives in Sudan and Chad.

Sudan's Ambassador to N'Djamena Abdel-Aziz Hassan Salih told the official news agency SUNA the meetings aims at developing the detailed plan to repatriate the Sudanese refugees during the next period.

UN reports say the security situation in Darfur has largely improved but stress that the lack of infrastructures and services prevent the return of refugees and displaced persons to their areas of origin.

Chad hosts over 300,000 Sudanese refugees residing in the eastern region of the neighbouring country not far from the border with Chad.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the conflict, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

September 14, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudan ceasefire monitoring body Friday said it launched an investigation into SLM-IO claims of an attack by the South Sudanese government on its position in Yei River State Thursday, as the armed groups reported continued attacks on Friday.

According to the SPLM-IO, the government army on Thursday morning, in less than 24 four after the signing of the revitalized peace agreement, attacked their positions at Kendiri and Mangalatore in Kajo-Keji County of Yei River State. As a result of the fighting 17 SPLA troops were killed.

In a swift reaction to the allegation, the CTSAMM issued a short statement saying they received the complaint and started a probe on the reported attack.

"CTSAMM have received allegations regarding violations of the ceasefire agreement in the Yei area and an investigation into these reports is currently underway," said the ceasefire monitoring body in a rare prompt statement after a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

For his part, UK Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Chris Trott praised the monitoring mechanism for dealing quickly with the first allegation of violation after the signing the revitalized peace agreement a

"Pleased to see a swift response to these reports from CTSAMM. For the peace agreement to succeed swift monitoring, credible reporting (based on immediate access) and robust accountability are essential," Trott said in a message posted on Twitter Friday.

The mechanism further called on the parties to observe the signed agreements and to cease hostilities.

"CTSAMM would like to remind the Parties of their commitment to refrain from any form of hostilities as per the R-ARCSS," said the statement.

FRIDAY ATTACKS

In a statement on Friday, Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLM-IO deputy spokesperson said the "anti-peace" elements continued their attacks on their position in Lainya and Kajo-Keji counties of Yei River State.

The first attack occurred at about 7:15 am on the SPLM-IO positions at Mundu in Lainya county. the second attack was at 9:30 am on the SPLM-IO base of Mangalatore in Kajo-Keji County.

"We urge Juba regime as one of the key partners to the signed Revitalized ARCISS to restrain its forces from violating this agreement signed on 12/09/2018 in Addis Ababa," Gabriel called on the government of President Salva Kiir.
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"We also call upon CTSAAM to keep investigating these broad daylight violations by some elements within the SPLA," he said.

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September 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army led by Minni Minnawi renewed its commitment to not recruit or use of children as part of an action plan released in 2014.

Rebels of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), loyal to leader Minni Minnawi (file photo/AFP)

"The leadership of the SLM/A reiterates its unequivocal obligation to fully adhere to the International norms and standards to protect children against violations, including recruitment, use of child soldier, sexual violations, abduction, killing and maiming," said Minnawi in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

In a command order to the field commanders in Darfur region, the group leader said that all the SLM/A members are prohibited from recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Also, he ordered to disseminate it among the fighters, stressing that any failure to comply with this order will be met with disciplinary measures.

In December 2013, the SLM/A Minnawi issued a command decree to adhere to international norms and standards protecting children and the Sudan Child Act of 2010.

On 6 August 2014, the group released a formal operational mechanism and established an implementation committee to raise awareness about the Movement's prohibition of child soldiers and to work with relevant organizations to reintegrate child soldiers into society.

Since 2009, several armed groups in Darfur region issued command orders prohibiting the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

In December 2008, the UNICEF said that more than 6,000 child soldiers were involved in western Sudan's region.

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September 136, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Thursday announced the members of a new government which includes 20 ministers and 27 state ministers.

Members of Sudan's new cabinet take their oaths in Khartoum December 10, 2011 (REUTERS)

The full list of ministers and state ministers was made public after the dissolution of the large national consensus government which was formed after the National Dialogue Conference in May 2017.

Most of them were members of the former government but changed their positions. Only Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf, Foreign Minister El-Dirdeiry Ahmed, Presidential Affairs Minister Fadul Abdallah Fadul maintained their positions.

Among the new ministers appears the name of Abdalla Hamdok as the finance minister. Currently, he is the Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) which is based in Addis Ababa.

However, it is not clear if he accepted this tough job, while rumours circulating in the social media about his rejection of the position.

President al-Bashir last Sunday removed his second Vice President Hassabo Mohammed Abdel-Rahman and replaced him with North Darfur's ex-governor Osman Yousef Kibir. Also, he separated the positions of the first vice-president and prime minister.

He promoted the minister of Electricity and Water Resources Moatez Mousa to the position of Prime Minister.

Also, the former Minister Information Ahmed al-Balal is now appointed Interior Minister.

The former government included 31 ministers and over 40 state ministers.

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September 13, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government forces in Yei River State have been accused of launching fresh attacks on the SPLM-IO positions in Kajo-Keji County, hours after the signing of the revitalized peace agreement,

Lam Paul Gabriel

"This morning the 13/09/2018 at about 7:00 am, the regime's forces in Agana resumed their attacks on our defensive positions at Kendiri and Mangalatore in Kajo-Keji County of Yei River State," said Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLM-IO deputy spokesperson

The attack comes as the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir pledged to fully implement the agreement particularly to end violence and allow unfettered humanitarian access to civilians in the conflict-affected areas.

Gabriel said their fighters have successfully defended their positions pointing they killed 15 "15 enemy soldiers" and captured 17 AK-47.

"The SPLA IO calls upon the CTSAMM and UNMISS to investigate these continues violations by the regime," he added.

The South Sudanese army was not reachable for comment on these accusations.

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September 13, 2018 (JUBA) - United Nations chief António Guterres Thursday welcomed the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan and called for an international mobilisation to ensure its full implementation.

President Salva Kiir and his main rival Riek Machar, as well as the other opposition groups, appended their signature on the final Revitalized Agreement of Resolution of the Conflict South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in Addis Ababa concluding a difficult process that mobilized the IGAD leaders for nearly two years.

In a statement released by his, Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, the Secretary-General welcomed the peace agreement saying it is a positive and a significant development. he further applauded the regional and international efforts for the success of the process.

Further, he called for an international mobilization to ensure the full enforcement of the peace pact and called to immediately cease hostilities in the restive nation.

"The road ahead remains challenging and the international community must remain seized of the situation in South Sudan throughout the implementation of the RARCSS," he said

He further expressed the United Nations readiness, in close coordination with the IGAD and the African Union, to assist the parties in implementing the peace agreement.

Guterres seems opted for a different approach from the Troika countries which chose to keep the pressure on the South Sudanese government during the upcoming 30-month transitional period until the full implementation of the peace agreement.

President Kiir who is accused of continued attacks on the armed groups despite the signing of a cessation of hostilities in December 2017 repeatedly asserted his willingness to embrace peace and to fully implement it.

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September 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - China has agreed to write off a portion of Sudan's debt that was incurred through 2015, its envoy here said today.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum on Thursday, the Chinese ambassador Li Lianhe disclosed that this deal was reached as part of recent cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

Earlier this month, the Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping in which the latter pledged to assist Sudan in alleviating its economic distress by granting loans of up to 600 million yuan (88 million dollars).

Bashir implored upon Jingping to direct financial institutions dealing with Sudan to take into account the country's dire financial position by cancelling some of the outstanding debt and offering flexible repayment plan on the remaining balance.

The Chinese official said he expects his country to forgive all of the loans extended to Sudan in line with Jingping's pledge made at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing in early September in which he announced $60 billion in debt relief and financing package to African nations.

Sudan owes China more than $2 billion and has failed to honour a previous agreement that delayed debt payments for five years.

The Chinese envoy also announced the formation of a joint committee to enhance cooperation with Khartoum in all fields and to address problems that hinder joint cooperation.

He pointed out that China extended grants and interest-free loans to Sudan in order to contribute to its economic development and signed a number of agreements in the fields of agriculture, industry and customs to support bilateral relations.

Lianhe also affirmed his country's interest in promoting cooperation between the two countries in the field of oil.

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September 13, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) - Before his return to Juba, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir was received by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is also the IGAD Chair to discuss the implementation of the just signed peace pact.

President Kiir, SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar, SSOA Chair Gabriel Chang Changson, and FDs leading member Deng Alor signed the revitalized peace agreement which was the subject of disagreement until the last moment.

"Prime Minister Abiy held a discussion with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the ways of effectively implement the newly signed peace deal," said the official Ethiopian News Agency on Thursday after the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, he further stated that Ethiopia will continue its effort to the peace and stability of South Sudan adding that peace agreement would benefit his country also because it would stop the flow of refugees

"Efforts have been carried out over the past years to end the conflict in the country but now, constructive diplomatic approach make the peace deal fruitful as all neighbouring counties took their share in resolving the conflict," he added.

In his opening statement during the 33rd extraordinary assembly of IGAD leaders, Abiy congratulated the parties and lauded their commitment to peace, stability and development of South Sudan.

He pointed to the reconciliation processes that are taking place between the Horn of Africa countries and stressing that South Sudan parties have to implement the revitalized agreement in good faith in order to achieve a lasting peace in South Sudan.

He emphasized that South Sudan stability will consolidate the IGAD regional economic integration agenda.

For his part, Kiir praised the instrumental role played by the Ethiopian government to ensure peace in South Sudan.

"I ask him (Abiy Ahmed ) to push and help us in the implementation of peace agreement so that we implement it in proper way,” he said.

The role and involvement of the IGAD countries under the leadership of the Ethiopian government in the revitalization process has been unanimously applauded by the region and the international community.

The IGAD said determined to continue to supervise and monitor closely the implementation process. Also, countries like Sudan and Uganda who were suspected or rejected in South Sudan by a party or another are now fully involved in the 30 month peace implementation process.

(ST)