Sudan Tribune

September 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) – Malik Agar, the head of one of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) factions, warned that the re-nomination of President Omer Hassan al-Bashir for a new term would mean abandoning the idea of participating in the 2020 presidential elections and working instead to escalate the resistance.

President of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) Sadiq al-mahdi (L) shake hands with the chairman of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) on 8 August 2014 (ST)

Agar had proposed taking part in the upcoming polls and running against the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) provided that Bashir not be a candidate, the abolition of laws restricting freedoms, reaching a peace agreement to stop the war and taking into account the special nature of the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile states) to allow the participation of all in free and fair elections.

In a statement published in the first edition of a new bimonthly magazine by the name of Madarat Jadidah (New Orbits) on Sunday, Agar said that there is a strong possibility their demands will be rejected by Khartoum particularly after the NCP announced its intention to nominate Bashir for a new term.

"The Movement and the Sudan Call will have no choice but to escalate the resistance, coordination and cooperation with political parties and groups to impose [regime] change through available means," Agar said.

He pointed out that Sudan Call forces were of the same view during their latest meeting in mid-August, adding that this requires hard work among all components of the Sudanese opposition and agreement on a political program as a minimum.

Agar revealed that SPLM-N is close to finalizing preparations for the general convention following the split of the group into two factions: his group and the other headed by Abdulaziz al-Hilu last year.

He added they formed the transitional leadership council, reorganized the army and appointed a new chief of staff and overhauled the executive and political apparatus.

Al-Hilu resigned from SPLM-N in March 2017 after which the SPLM-N's Liberation Council in the Nuba Mountains withdrew its confidence from Yasir Arman as Secretary-General. The council further rejected the resignation of al-Hilu as the deputy head of SPLM-N and made him the top authority on political negotiations.

The rebel regional parliament also adopted self-determination as one of the pillars of its agenda.

Following what, the internal dispute has escalated leading to the dismissal of Agar and a new general conference was held in the Nuba Mountains where al-Hilu was elected as chairman.

For his part, Agar called the move illegitimate and announced the reorganization of the movement on new grounds.

Attempts by the opposition forces to reunite the rebel movement have failed so far. Also, the al-Hilu faction has refused to participate in the Sudan Call meetings unless the name of Agar faction is changed.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The South Sudanese parties Sunday resumed discussions on the final matrix for the implementation of the revitalized agreement for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.

On Saturday the mediation divided the parties into three committees and gave them the draft of the implementation matrix.

The first committee will deal with the chapters 1, 3 and 5 while the second panel will discuss the chapters 4, 6, 8 and the third committee was dedicated to the security arrangements and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the government spokesperson Michael Makuei expressed optimism to conclude quickly the discussions on these documents.

"We are optimistic that we will be in a position to finish the work between today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday) so that we will initial these documents," said Makuei.

He said the IGAD foreign ministers will meet after their return from the China-Africa summit which is expected to conclude its works on Tuesday.

The IGAD Council of Ministers will "adopt the agreement and the implementation matrix and thereafter the documents will be presented to the IGAD summit for approval" and the intervenes the final signing of the peace agreement.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of IGAD Assembly of heads of State and Government will discuss the concerns of the opposition parties and seek to address it with President Salva Kiir directly.

The opposition SSOA and SPLM-IO said they would not take part in the final signing ceremony unless these issues are resolved.

(ST)

August 2, 2018 (JUBA/ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia and South Sudan have agreed to form a joint border security force to halt the flow of arms between the two nations.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) and President Salva Kiir shake hands in Addis Ababa on 30 May 2018 (Photo ENA)

The agreement between the two countries was signed at the end of a border security meeting in Ethiopia's Gambella town last week.

The Governor of South Sudan's Boma state, David Yau Yau, signed on behalf of the young nation while the President of the Gambella region, Gatluak Tut Khot signed on behalf of Ethiopia.

“There should be a joint security force in the common border between the two states to clear or dismantle the anti-peace elements and illegal business moving around the border areas,” partly reads the signed joint border security document.

The agreement gives Ethiopia the freedom to open a liaison office in Boma State to foster cooperation between the Murle of South Sudan and the Anyuak of Ethiopia, who reside on the common border.

The liaison office would help mitigate the cross-border raids by both sides, according to the agreement the two countries committed to.

Last year, a deadly cross-border raid conducted in Gambella by armed Murle men from South Sudan resulted in the death of over 200 people while more than 100 children were reportedly abducted.

However while some children were returned, others are still missing.

“The government of Boma State in South Sudan should exert more efforts to recover abducted children and cattle that remained at large and return them to Gambella regional state as soon as possible,” further reads the document.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Governor of Central Darfur State Mohamed Ahmed Jad al-Sid said the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) would cut its presence in the state in October.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) has quoted Jad al-Sid as saying Central Darfur is witnessing full stability in all of its localities.

He said the UNAMID representative in Central Darfur has vowed to cut presence of the Mission in Nirtiti and Mukjar localities in October, pointing the pledge came during a recent meeting between the government of Central Darfur and the Mission.

Last July, the United Nations Security Council unanimously decided to extend for one year the mandate the UNAMID and also to reduce the number of its troops in line with an exit strategy aiming to close the hybrid operation in two years.

However, the 15-member body stressed the drawdown of the mission should be based on progress against related indicators and benchmarks.

The resolution 2429 (2018), which was passed on Friday 13 July, provides to cut the troop strength of the Mission from the current 8,735 to 4,050 personnel and to maintain its police strength at the current level of 2,500 personnel.

According to the terms of the resolution, the mission will shut down its 14 sites in Darfur, except for 13 sites in the Greater Jebel Marra area and transfer its headquarters to Golo.

The decision was based on a joint report by the African Union and the United Nations recommending to close the UNAMID on 30 June 2020 and the total full withdrawal of its troops by December of the same year.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to support Sudan to overcome its economic woes announcing his country would provide a 400 mln Yuan grant and a 200 mln Yuan interest-free loan to the East African nation.

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has arrived in Beijing on Saturday to participate in the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC). During his meeting with al-Bashir on Sunday, Xi Jinping said his country appreciates the harsh economic conditions that Sudan continued to suffer since the secession of South Sudan.

“China would cooperate with Sudan to overcome these difficulties and challenges,” said Xi Jinping according to the official news agency SUNA He pointed out that they would consider extending the grace period on China's debt to Sudan, saying his government is keen to remove obstacles and create favourable conditions for cooperation between the two countries.

Beijing has complained recently over Sudan's debt arrears that resulted from Khartoum's purchase of China's share of oil produced to cover domestic consumption.

The Chinese President said oil constitutes the backbone for cooperation between the two countries, stressing keenness to promote bilateral relations with Sudan.

China has been Sudan's largest foreign investor, particularly in oil and telecommunications after western firms shunned the East African nation due to conflicts and sanctions.

It has invested more than $20 billion in Sudan mostly in the oil sector during the past two decades. Beijing provides low-interest loans and weapons transfers in return for oil.

Sudan hopes to attract new Chinese investments after Beijing had refrained from implementing a number of projects agreed with Khartoum following the latter's failure to settle its debts.

Sudan's total debt to China is estimated at $10 billion, accounting for about one-fifth of Sudan's estimated $53 billion foreign debt.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi have agreed to develop an implementation matrix for the joint projects agreed between the two countries.

In a meeting held on the sidelines of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) in Beijing Sunday, Al-Bashir and al-Sisi said the implementation matrix would be approved in the Egyptian-Sudanese Higher Committee (ESHC) meeting in Khartoum in October.

The two leaders discussed the ongoing work of the joint committees between the two countries, expressing determination to develop and enhance bilateral relations.

They also agreed to implement the joint projects on the various domains including meat production, transformative industries river transport, railways and the joint agricultural area, pointing to the positive impact of these projects on the two peoples.

The two leaders also reviewed the recent regional developments, stressing the need to continue coordination between the two countries on all fields.

During a visit of al-Sisi to Khartoum last month, the two countries agreed to coordinate efforts to enhance the security of the Red Sea and promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The tumultuous relations between Sudan and Egypt experienced last December a new crisis over media attacks against al-Bashir after a visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sudan. Also, Sudan accused Egypt and Eritrea of supporting rebel groups to attack the Kassala state on the eastern border.

However, the two countries recently developed a joint security cooperation against the opposition groups from both sides.

The main differences between the two neighbours remain the dispute over the border triangle area of Halayeb and the construction of Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam that Sudan backs.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (JUBA) - The rebel National Salvation Front (NAS) of General Thomas Cirillio once again denounced the final text of the revitalized agreement for peace in South Sudan and accused the guarantors of prioritizing their own economic and security interests.

Thomas Cirillo Swaka (Photo Reuters)

In a previous statement, the group has already rejected the final peace document and distanced itself from its initialling by the South Sudan Opposition alliance (SSOA) of which NAS is a member. Like the People's Democratic Movement and the SPLM-FDs, it reiterated its demand for a genuine federal system protecting the tribal border and establishing regional autonomy.

But in a second statement dated on the 1st September, General Cirillio who is currently in the United States attacked directly the guarantors and accused them of considering their own security and economic interests rather than achieving a lasting peace in South Sudan.

"The preoccupation of some of the countries undertaking the mediation is not with how best to secure just and sustainable peace in South Sudan but rather with arrangements that best protect the various and conflicting interests of some IGAD member states in South Sudan".

The Sudan and Uganda are the guarantors of the Khartoum Round of the revitalization process. Also, Khartoum has secured the resumption of oil production in South Sudan and begun pumping it for exportation through Port Sudan.

Kampala is also seen as the other beneficiary of the peace agreement because South Sudan has been the main destination of Ugandan products. The According to Uganda Export Promotion Board and Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) estimates, Uganda's exports lose some Shs3.5 billion ($930.000.00) every day, since the eruption of the South Sudan civil war on 15 December 2013.

Also, in several articles dedicated to the armed groups in Sudan, the peace agreement bans the presence and support to the rebels who fight the Sudanese government in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states as well as in Darfur region. These groups are accused of fighting along the South Sudanese government army.

Cirillio also criticized the method adopted by the mediators in Khartoum saying the "Agreement is not an outcome of a dialogue between the parties". he added that during the negotiating on the governance agreement "the parties spoke to paper and to proposals as deem fit by the mediation"

Also, he said the mediation the "excluded meaningful participation by key stakeholders - civil society, women, youth and the international community".

The government and the Other Political Parties opposition coalition (OPP) initialled the deal on 28 August while the SPLM-IO chaired by Riek Machar and the SSOA signed it on 30 August after receiving reassurance from the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir that their concerns will be addressed by the IGAD leaders.

However, the two groups said they would not sign the final text of the revitalized agreement if the IGAD head of states didn't address their four concerns including the number of the contested states, the quorum of the cabinet and parliament meetings, and the constitution-making process. Also, they asked that Ethiopia and Kenya join Sudan and Uganda as guarantors and deploy their forces within the UNMISS.

The SPLM-FDs signed the deal on 28 August but its leader Pagan Amum denounced the initialling of the final document by the head of their delegation Pagan Amum saying "prematurely" signed the deal.

(ST)

August 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Russia's Ambassador to Khartoum, Vladimir Zheltov, said the joint economic committee between Sudan and Russia would hold its 6th meeting in Moscow next month.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) ha quoted Zheltov as saying the meeting would discuss a number of economic and political issues particularly on the domain of minerals.

He pointed out that the Russian embassy and the Sudanese government are currently working to determine the agenda of the meeting.

Zheltov added the Russian side would be headed by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment while the Sudanese side is headed by the Minister of Minerals.

Politically, Russia is seen as a major ally of the government of al-Bashir that faces isolation from the West. However, economic cooperation between the two countries has remained very low, with a trade balance that does not exceed $400 million.

In December 2015, Sudan and Russia signed 14 cooperation agreements in different domains, including oil, minerals and banks.

The agreements also include a concession contract between Sudan and the Russian Rus Geology to prospect for oil in Sudan's Bloc E57 and another accord for the geological mapping of the Jebel Moya area, North Kordofan State.

(ST)

August 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it has arrested twenty-eight illegal migrants the on border triangle among Libya, Sudan and Egypt on Monday.

Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year-rule in 2011, Libya has slid into chaos and has become the most important transit country for illegal migrants to Europe.

In press statements on Tuesday, Director of Guidance and Services Department at the RSF Murtada Osman Abu al-Gasim said the 28 illegal migrants are Sudanese nationals, pointing out that they were heading towards the Libyan territory.

He added human trafficking gangs attempted to sneak the 28 illegal migrants into Libya, saying these are the same gangs that had recently kidnapped Egyptian troops.

Last month, Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) freed five Egyptian troops abducted by Libyan gunmen on the border triangle between Libya, Sudan and Egypt.

Abu al-Gasim also said the RSF continued to carry out its duties in protecting the national borders, stressing their keenness to maintain border security and stability.

He further said the RSF have been deployed on Sudan's various borders to fight against negative phenomena including arms and illegal drugs smuggling and human trafficking.

In June 2016, hundreds of RSF elements have been deployed in the remote desert of the Northern State shortly after a complaint by the governor of drug and human trafficking by the criminal networks.

The RSF militia, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur in 2003.

The militia was activated and restructured again in August 2013 under the command of the NISS to fight rebel groups in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states following joint attacks by Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebels in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

Last year, the Sudanese parliament passed the RSF Act which integrates the
notorious militia in the Sudanese army and provides that its commander
is appointed by the President of the Republic.

Sudan is considered as a country of origin and transit for the illegal migration and human trafficking. Thousands of people from Eritrea and Ethiopia are monthly crossing the border into the Sudanese territories on their way to Europe through Libya or Egypt.

In January 2014, the Sudanese parliament approved an anti-human trafficking law which punishes those involved with human trafficking with up to 20 years imprisonment.

Also, in 2014, Khartoum hosted a conference on human trafficking in the Horn of Africa, organised by the African Union (AU), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Sudanese government.

The East African nation has also forged a strategic partnership with several European countries and the EU to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.

(ST)

August 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar has accepted to initial the final document of the revitalized peace agreement, announced the Sudanese foreign ministry in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

After intensive negotiations held with the Sudanese foreign minister and chief negotiator El-Dirdeiry Ahmed Machar has agreed to initial the final document on Thursday 30 August, said the statement.

"In return, the Sudanese mediation pledged to fill the points that Dr Riek Machar requested to examine it to the IGAD Summit for a mandate to be discussed," stressed the short statement.

On Tuesday morning, Machar's group refused to initial the final document asking to review the quorum for the cabinet meeting or the legislative assembly etc.. has not been changed after the increase of the cabinet members to 55 ministers. So he demanded to review this point.

Further, In a joint statement with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), his group has reiterated it that the permanent constitution-making process should be through the National Constitutional Assembly not the government-controlled National Constitutional Review Commission.

The Sudanese chief mediator in a previous statement on Tuesday said the issues raised by the SPLM-IO are not part of the mandate of Khartoum Round of talks, stressing that they cannot open a discussion on these topics unless all the parties agree.

Juba refused to discuss the matter.

Also, the South Sudanese negotiating delegation refused a compromise providing to ask South Sudanese to choose between the 32 or the 10 states. The mediators thought this can be a solution to settle the disagreement on the number of states and boundaries but they had to withdraw it after Juba veto.

The SSOA and the SPLM-IO deplored the position of the mediation in this respect saying it "will not reflect well on the impartiality of the Mediators and will throw doubts into the whole process".

But the Sudanese foreign ministry said this issue will be referred to the IGAD heads of state and government who decided to include the 32 states to the Khartoum Round.

The final document was initialled by the South Sudanese government, the SPLM-FDs, Other Political Parties (OPP) and the civil society representatives.

It is not clear if the SSOA will reconsider its position on the document, but the group leader Gabriel Chang Changson in his joint statement with the SPLM-IO they "shall remain on the negotiating table".

The final document has to be approved by the IGAD leaders before to be formally signed by the parties.

The parties have to discuss the implementation matrix until from the Wednesday 29 August to 2 September.

(ST)

August 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) -The Sudanese foreign minister and IGAD chief mediator Tuesday said the SPLM-IO of Riek Machar and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance have refused to initial the final document of the revitalized peace agreement.

“The main opposition party, led by Machar, as well as another group, refused to sign, demanding guarantees over their reservations” El-Dirdeiry Ahmed.

The two groups have underscored their concerns on two different issues.

The SPLM-IO objected to the constitution-making process saying the permanent constitution have to elaborate through the National Constitutional Conference and not by the government-controlled National Constitutional Review Commission as provided in the draft agreement.

For the opposition alliance, their concerns were mainly focused on the referendum which is set by the mediation as the default solution to fix the disagreement over the number of the 32 states unilaterally established President Kiir. So, they call to re-establish the old 10 states as the default option.

On Monday evening, El-Dirdeiry and South Sudan information minister already announced the rejection to sign the deal by one of the two parties, adding that the other failed to meet the deadline and said the signing will be on Tuesday morning.

For the issue of the states, the mediators maintained the referendum as the default option but added two new elements. The first is to review the current boundaries of states and to ensure their conformity to the 1.1.1956 tribal border. The second that people would be asked if they want the 10 states system or the 32 states regime.

For the concern of the SPLM-IO, it is unclear what the mediators have proposed to the main opposition group.

The call for democratic reforms and was the reason that led to the eruption of the five-year civil war in South Sudan.

The Sudanese mediators are expected to reach the two parties to break the deadlock.

President Salva Kiir has already arrived in Beijing where he will meet Chinese leaders ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is scheduled for 3-4 September.

(ST)

August 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A group of Sudanese activists has called to protest against the rising food prices in the country and accused the government of failing the address the economic crisis.

Since January 2018, bread prices have doubled and recently country experienced fuel and bread crises.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Sudan Revolution Command Initiative has called on the Sudanese to take to the street in Khartoum to overthrow the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

The activists said they have already started the protests in different parts of the capital saying they can no more patience and "time has come to remove this tyranny".

Small groups were seen during the evening in Khartoum chanting anti-government slogans since few days.

The group further called on the Sudanese people to support the protests and to form the "leadership of the revolution" in order to continue this popular uprising by peaceful means until the collapse of the regime.

For its part, the U.S. embassy in Khartoum issued a demonstration alert advising the American nationals to avoid Khartoum neighbourhood of Al Sajjana and Al Hilla Al Jadida.

The embassy said demonstrations would begin on Tuesday at 6:00 am, adding that "Protestors plan to block major roads".

(ST)

August 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The head of the Sudanese intelligence and security services Salah Gosh is visiting Mogadishu for talks with his Somali counterpart

Salah Gosh, former chief of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), smiles at his home after his release, in Khartoum July 10, 2013 (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Different Somali media reported Gosh's arrival in the Somali capital on Monday in a short visit for the horn of Africa country.

In Khartoum, the Sudanese authorities or official media didn't announce the visit.

The different Somali media outlets that reported the visit said the Sudanese official would discuss the Qatari funded training of Somali security and intelligence agents.

The Somali government was formed after a long UN-backed process to end the war, reunify and rebuild the centralized authority which had collapsed in 1991.

The Somali government is also fighting the Islamic extremist rebels Al-Shabaab who continue to carry out attacks across the country in a bid to weaken the state regular forces.

(ST)

August 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The initialling of the final document of revitalized South Sudan peace agreement has been adjourned to Tuesday as some parties failed to hand over their observation or simply rejected it.

In line with the agenda of the talks, the parties to the negotiations had to initial the final document after concluding the three-day discussions on bracketed issues before to discuss the implementation matrix.

The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) rejects the referendum as a default solution to settle the disagreement over the number of states, while the SPLM-IO expressed strong reservation to the constitution-making process proposed by the mediation.

Sudanese Foreign Minister and Chief Mediator El- Dirdeiry Ahmed and South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei on Monday evening told reporters about the adjournment of the signing saying some failed to give their observations and other others reject the text.

Minister El Dirdeiri announced that the signing was delayed to Tuesday morning.

For his part, Makuei explained that the parties finished the text on Monday morning and were given the semi-final draft at about 05:00 pm, adding they handed it back to the mediation at 07:00 pm

He regretted that the rejection of the document by those who were party to the formulation and discussion of this same text.

Further, he went to claim that some of "these groups which are obstructing today" rejected the document because "there are some hidden hands some hidden groups behind all those".

He called on the opposition groups to join them and co-sign the document on Tuesday morning at 8:30 am.

"So that we take peace to our people in South Sudan, he stressed.

El-Dirdeiry stressed that the signing will take place on Tuesday pointing out that some are still preparing their observations.

"The document is accepted by all the parties and I do not think that there is a reason for any party to not sign it," he said.

(ST)

For more details please read
IGAD mediators propose to ask South Sudanese to choose between 32 or 10 states
SPLM-IO says drafting of permanent constitution should be "people-driven process

August 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday seized copies of Al-Jareeda and Al-Saiha newspapers from the printing house without stating reasons.

A Sudanese man reads a newspaper as he waits to pay at a kiosk in the capital Khartoum (AFP)

Journalists working for the two newspapers told Sudan Tribune the confiscation comes in continuation of previous confiscations which began prior to Eid al-Adha holiday.

They pointed out that the NISS director Salah Gosh, in a recent meeting with Chief-Editors of the newspapers, has stated redlines that mustn't be crossed including the president of the republic.

Gosh also warned the Chief-Editors against covering news of the armed movements in Darfur, and the Two Areas.

It is noteworthy that Al-Saiha columnist Abdel-Bagi Al-Zafer has recently published 'the behind-the-scenes report' on the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) decision to amend its constitution to re-nominate al-Bashir for a third term in 2020 elections.

Also, reliable sources told Sudan Tribune that the NISS has targeted Al-Jareeda because of its continued reporting on the opposition alliance “Sudan Call” which includes armed groups from Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

Al-Jareeda has been one of the most newspapers in Sudan subject to suspension and confiscation. In May 2016, the NISS confiscated copies of the newspaper four times during five days.

The Sudanese security usually issues verbal directives to the Chief-Editors banning them from publishing particular news especially those pertaining to the protests and armed movements or other issues which the security sees sensitive.

It routinely confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively for breaching unwritten red lines inflicting financial and moral losses on these media houses.

On January 7, the NISS confiscated 6 newspapers for publishing reports about the popular protests against the harsh economic conditions.

Also, in February 2015, it seized entire print runs of 14 newspapers in one day without stating the reasons for its decision.

(ST)

August 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM/ELGENEINA) A delegation from the United States embassy in Khartoum on Monday visited West Darfur State to check on the security and humanitarian situation reported the official news agency SUNA

According to the news agency, the US embassy delegation led by the head of political and economic section Robert Wong met with West Darfur governor Hussein Yassen Hamad and the security committee.

“This visit comes within the framework of America's interest in developing bilateral relations between the two countries,” said Wong

During the meeting, the two sides discussed security and humanitarian situation as well as voluntary return programme of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.

The meeting also discussed official efforts to clear unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other explosive remnants of war.

For his part, Hamad briefed the U.S. delegation on the situation in Darfur, stressing the war has ended and the region is now moving from humanitarian to development assistance.

He underlined the security and humanitarian situation is stable, pointing to the efforts of the regular forces besides the initiatives launched by the official and civil organs to maintain peace and stability.

He also pointed to the positive impact of the disarmament campaign as well as the implementation of the National Document and outcome of the national dialogue.

The governor further said West Darfur is witnessing a large voluntary return of refugees from eastern Chad and IDPs due to the stable security situation.

Last year, the UN Security Council decided to reduce the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), admitting that the security situation has improved.

However, it decided to reinforce its presence in Jebel Marra because there is no cessation of hostilities as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur refuses to declare it unilaterally or to engage in peace negotiations.

Last June, Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Adam stated that the government has no plan to forcibly evicting the IDPs camps, but has set a number of options for IDPs, including resettlement in the area where they are, or in another area according to their desire.

Since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2011, the government constructed several villages and vowed to support IDPs who return to their home areas.

However, IDPs representatives in several camps say they refuse to return to their areas before the disarmament of the armed militias and the evacuation of their land from the newcomers.

In a report released on 5 February, UNOCHA estimates there are about 386,000 returnees in Sudan conflict areas including Darfur and the Two Areas.

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)

August 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - The IGAD mediation team has proposed to hold a referendum asking South Sudanese to choose between the 32,10 states or any other alternative set by the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC).

The disagreement on the number of states remains one of the issues that the South Sudanese parties continue to discuss without reaching a deal on it.

On Sunday, the mediation handed over a proposition providing to make it clear from now that if the parties fail to reach a consensus on the number of states, the referendum, which is maintained as the default option, should give people the possibility to choose between different choices including the current number 32 or 10 states demanded by the opposition.

According to the text of the proposal seen by Sudan Tribune, the referendum commission (RCNBS) will ask the South Sudanese to choose between the following option:

"The IBC (Independent Boundaries Commission) proposal for rectifying the boundaries of the 32 states, the 32 states, the 21 states, the 10 states (or) any other number of states agreed by the IBC to be offered as an alternative".

The opposition alliance (SSOA) reject the "unilaterally imposed" 32 states and calls to keep the old 10 state as the default solution - not the referendum - if the parties fail to strike a deal within the framework of the IBC.

Aware that local communities in different states reject the 32-states system because it gives their land or a disputed land to another community, the mediation said the Technical Boundary Committee (TBC) will settle this issue first through drawing a map of "tribal boundaries of 1.1.1956 that were violated by the 32 states".

Once the mapping is done, the IBC will propose rectifications for the boundaries of the 32 states found as violating tribal boundaries of 1.1.1956.

Also, "the IBC shall agree by consensus, and on the basis of its already set guidelines, on number and boundaries of states (...)," further stressed the new proposal.

The South Sudanese parties had to conclude on Monday Morning the discussions of the bracketed issues and initial the final document in the afternoon.

But as late as Monday evening, the mediation did not make any statement about the progress made in the talks.

It worth mentioning that the SPLM-IO, also, expressed concern about the permanent constitution-making mechanism and objected that the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) be tasked with the drafting of the new constitution.

The organization of the National Constitutional Conference "should be handled as a people-driven process that reflects the aspirations and the will of the people of South Sudan, rather than be a government-driven process," said the SPLM-IO on Sunday.

(ST)

August 26, 2018 (JUBA) - The SPLM-IO Sunday rejected tasking the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) with the drafting of the permanent constitution saying it is different a people-driven process.

The parameters and procedures of the Permanent Constitution-Making are one of the bracketed issues discussed currently in Khartoum before to initial a final document on Monday 27.

In a statement released on Sunday from the venue of the peace talks in Khartoum, Henry Odwar Deputy Chairman of SPLM (IO), and head of negotiating team said they disagree with the procedures proposed in the draft for the permanent constitution-making.

He disclosed that the draft proposed by the mediation mandates the NCRC to draft the text for the permanent constitution outside the forum of the National Constitutional Conference.

"The SPLM/A (IO) maintains that permanent constitution-making is a popular exercise in which the people of South Sudan must exercise their right to deliberate on matters of governing their country," he said.

He further stressed that the organization of the National Constitutional Conference "should be handled as a people-driven process that reflects the aspirations and the will of the people of South Sudan, rather than be a government-driven process".

The talks on the remaining bracketed issues have been dominated by the disagreement on the number of states and the mediation said it proposed a compromise for the parties but didn't disclose it.

With the difference now there are two issues that the mediators have to be settled before to engage in talks about the implementation matrix.

(ST)

August 26, 2018 (JUBA) - The relieved labour minister Sunday renewed his support and loyalty to President Salva Kiir and vowed to him in his efforts to achieve peace and stability in South Sudan.

Former Labour Minster Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang (file photo)

General Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang was dismissed from his position as labour minister on 24 August after calling the Nasir youth to support him in his conflict with the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

The two Nuer dignitaries are in an influence battle to win the support of their tribesmen in the Greater Upper Nile region and Latjor state particularly.

In a letter of appreciation sent to President Kiir on 26 August, Hothnyang and on behalf of "my community and people of Latjor state" thanked President Kiir for giving him the opportunity to serve under his leadership as the minister of labour.

"I would like to pledge my unwavering support to your leadership and the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) in ensuring your ideologies and vision of our beloved country are implemented to the latter," he wrote in his letter seen by Sudan Tribune.

First Vice President Taban Deng and former Minister Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang were both parts of the rebel SPLM-IO led by Riek Machar but split separately and established their own groups.

Hothnyang broke away in July 2015 he broke away and formed his own group the Federal Democratic Party/ South Sudan Armed Forces (FDP/SSAF).

The sacked general stressed he would continue to mobilize his community of Latjor state to back Salva Kiir's "able leadership".

Kiir replaced Hothnyang by General James Hoth former SPLA chief of staff who is also a Nuer but remained loyal to Salva Kiir personally and didn't join the rebellion of December 2013.

(ST)

August 26, 2018 (JUBA) - The family of the imprisoned SPLM-IO leader spokesperson Sunday renewed calls for his release from jail saying he developed a variety of health problem.

Last Monday, the South Sudanese government announced the release of 21 political prisoners "as a sign of peace" but their identities were not disclosed. The move came after the signing of an agreement on the outstanding issues of governance in Khartoum on 5 August.

The government and opposition groups on 27 June 2018, signed the Khartoum Declaration of Agreement, where they committed themselves to a permanent ceasefire, including, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and release of prisoners of war and political detainees.

James Gatdet Dak's family said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune that he was not among the freed political prisoners and called on President Salva Kiir to release him.

"We appeal to the President to follow through his promise in releasing James and as good gesture for peace," said his wife Mary Nyahok Chuol in a statement she sent from a European country where she is in exile with their children.

"My husband needs serious medical attention as his health deteriorates by the day," Chuol further added.

on 12 February 2018, a special court in Juba sentenced James to death by hanging, but his lawyers described the verdict as a political decision.

Chuol said they had great hope that President Kiir orders his release soon especially as the parties are now finalizing the implementation matrix of the revitalized peace agreement.

"We have been waiting all this time hoping to see you taking practical steps for the release of James Gatdet Dak," she pointed out.

The spokesperson of the former first vice president was arrested in Nairobi and deported by the Kenyan authorities to Juba on 3 November 2016 because he praised a UN report blaming a Kenyan general who was the UNMISS former force commander for his failure to protect civilians in Juba during the bloody clashes of July 2016.

(ST)