Sudan Tribune

August 11, 2018 (JUBA) - Talks on the final implementation matrix and the review of several issues in the signed governance agreement will resume on Sunday, said the South Sudanese government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth.

In a meeting held in Khartoum on Friday, the IGAD Council of Ministers adopted a draft matrix on the remaining items for the final document of a revitalized peace agreement. The meeting further decided to extend the talks in Khartoum until the 19 of August.

Several Sudanese officials who are part of the mediation team were busy during the past days with the meetings of the ruling National Congress Party.

In statements he made from Khartoum on Saturday, the information minister said the South Sudanese government delegation for the peace process will resume talks on Sunday with the mediators who will be scheduling between them and the opposition groups.

He added that they ready for the talks and held several meeting to prepare for the discussions with the mediation.

"After the signing of the agreement the government delegation has been working on the outstanding issue which we managed to identify as 6 issues," said Lueth.

He added they will give their contribution on some of these outstanding issues to the mediation and wait for others until the mediators extend their proposals.

"So we have clear positions and waiting for the mediation to sit with us to decide on all these issues," he further stressed.

The South Sudanese Opposition Alliance said they signed the governance deal because the IGDA pledged to review some dispositions of the article (4) of the governance agreement dealing with the number of states.

"The outstanding issues are no longer an issue because we have agreed on all the issues and all what is needed is to harmonize all these documents an come with a final agreement," said the minister.

He further said optimistic that the parties will meet the dateline determined by the IGAD Council of Ministers.

(ST)

August 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir accepted his nomination by the Shura (Consultative) Council of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) for the party candidate for the presidential elections in 2020 even though the country's constitution limits a president to two terms.

"I want to thank the party's leadership and members for placing your confidence in my humble person. This is a great trust and responsibility. It is my honour and privilege to accept this confidence," said al-Bashir in his acceptance speech at the closing session of the Shura Council on Saturday evening.

He further said the Consultative Council's meetings were marked by serious and objective discussions "because our responsibility is great ... we are responsible for the country and its security and welfare".

Al-Bashir, in his acceptance speech, didn't allude to the debate outside or within the ruling party over his nomination for a third term as it requires to amend the Sudanese constitution now after changing the NCP's constitution.

On Thursday, the NCP Shura abolished presidential term limits, paving the way for al-Bashir to stay in power for a third term.

Several voices inside the NCP including Ain Hassan Omer expressed their opposition for the move and called to refrain from endorsing decisions that are against the party statute and the state constitution.

The Sudanese opposition rejected the nomination of the incumbent president for a third term et vowed to participate in the upcoming elections, after signing a peace agreement, if the ruling party nominate another candidate.

The Washington based advocacy group Enough Project denounced the move saying it paves the way for al-Bashir to be a" president-for-life".

Enough Project Director John Prendergast called on the United States and the European Union countries to stand against President's al-Bashir efforts to abolish term limits as they did for the President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For his part, Omer Ismail, Senior Advisor at the Enough Project, underlined that al-Bashir, who has occupied the position since 1989's coup d'état, "is a fugitive of the ICC and wants to remain in power for life to avoid accountability, and to continue his atrocities and feed the violent kleptocracy that supports his regime".

At the end of its meetings, the Shura Council authorized the Leadership Office to make the necessary amendments to the NCP Statute and to review the whole regulations related to the re-election of the President.

Al-Bashir reiterated the government's commitment to continue its efforts to achieve peace in South Kordofan and Blue Nile state.

He pointed out that Darfur has become safe thanks to the collection of weapons and the cooperation of its residents. However, he pointed out that quantities of weapons are still "hidden" and called to hand it over to the army.

(ST)

August 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A leading figure at the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Amin Hassan Omer has renewed criticism for the ongoing attempts to nominate President Omer al-Bashir for the 2020 presidential elections.

Amin Hassan Omer (Photo SUNA)

Al-Bashir's term ends in 2020 and he couldn't run for office again according to the constitution. Also, the NCP statute limits to two terms the nomination of the party candidate for the presidential elections.

However, the Shura (Consultative) Council of the NCP on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal to amend its statute to nominate al-Bashir for the upcoming elections.

“A party statute shouldn't oppose the [country's] constitution and if they want to amend the statute, it will only be amended after the amendment of the constitution,” wrote Omer on his Facebook page

“We must respect our covenants and refrain from making recommendations against the party statute and the state constitution” he added

Omer stressed his criticism for the nomination of al-Bashir doesn't represent a break with the NCP, saying nobody could intimidate him to change his position.

It is noteworthy that Omer is currently holding the position of Sudan's Presidential Envoy for Diplomatic Contact and Negotiation for Darfur.

His critical stance against al-Bashir reelection represents some segments within the ruling party and the entire Sudanese opposition.

Nonetheless, some voices within the NCP and its partners in the Government of National Consensus have recently called for amending the constitution to allow him to run for the presidency again.

Also, a group called the National Initiative of Youth Around the President (NIYAP) last December launched a campaign to nominate al-Bashir for a third term.

Al-Bashir several times said that he would step down by the end of his current term in 2020. Even in November 2017, he went to declare his support for the candidacy of the governor of Gezira state Mohamed Tahir Ayala.

But observers more and more are inclined to believe that al-Bashir who is indicted by the International Criminal Court would run for a new term despite what he says.

(ST)

August 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The German conglomerate, Siemens has completed maintenance work on Garri and Port Sudan power plants, said Sudan's Minister of Water Resources, Electricity and Irrigation Muataz Musa

Last February, Siemens signed a long-term agreement with the Sudanese Thermal Power Generating Company (STPGC) to provide service and maintenance for the power generating assets and related components operating at the 337 MW Port Sudan power plant on the Red Sea coast and 502 MW Garri power plant, North of Khartoum.

Siemens will also provide operation and maintenance advisory services for both plants. A team of experts will provide advisory and technical support for the operations and daily maintenance performed by STPGC technicians

On Wednesday, Musa met with a delegation from Siemens headed by a member of the managing board Lisa Davis, who also leads Siemens' global oil and gas and power generation businesses, in the presence of the German Ambassador to Khartoum.

Musa welcomed the visiting delegation praising Siemens cooperation with Sudan and resumption of the company's activities prior to lifting the U.S. trade sanctions imposed on Sudan.

He also reviewed features of Sudan's electricity strategy until 2030, saying the Garri and Port Sudan power stations project has been completed.

For its part, the visiting delegation expressed readiness to provide the necessary support for the electricity sector in Sudan, saying they are ready to cooperate on all power projects in the country.

It is noteworthy that the Garri and Port Sudan power stations are expected to produce 900 Megawatts.

Sudan has a 40% electricity shortage. During the summer season (from late April to the end of July) every year, there is power cut for nearly eight hours on daily basis.

Over 35% of the Sudanese population have access to electricity. 63% of the urban areas are electrified in the east African country.

Sudan's total production of electricity currently stands at 2400 Megawatts, of which 1250 Megawatts are produced by Merowe dam.

In August 2015, the Sudanese cabinet approved the 2015-2020 framework document for promoting the electricity sector.

The document aims to raise the annual production capacity of the Hydro-electric generation from 1500 to 2000 Gigawatts / Hour.

According to the document, the thermoelectric power generation would increase from 900 to 4,555 Megawatts by the end of 2020.

(ST)

By Duop Chak Wuol

The recently signed Khartoum's power-sharing deal between the incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Former Detainees (FDs), and Other Political Parties (OPP) has flaws that need methodical scrutiny. This seemingly Juba's predetermined pact will not bring about changes demanded by the people of South Sudan. The agreement shows that the SPLM-IO abandons its ambitious reform agenda which it has been fighting for more than four years. This is a serious political blunder and pure embracement for the tyrannical system which the armed opposition countlessly vows to reform. This is an attempt to show that the SPLM-IO's overall peace strategy is seriously flawed; perhaps it is on life-support if it is not dead.

There are many political mistakes that the supposedly reformist SPLM-IO party has committed. These mistakes include expansion of the government, the issue of 32 states, transitional security arrangements, failure to address the root causes of the civil war, among others. But the most important strategic blunder made by the SPLM-IO is probably the legislative one. Since early 2014, the armed opposition has consistently claimed that its main goal is to change the political system in the country. The people of South Sudan embrace the idea because they know the only way to reform the current oppressive system is by having a truly an independent legislative body to pass laws that reflect South Sudanese wishes. But the recent pact clearly failed the people. It is baffling to see the leadership of the SPLM-IO abandoning demands of the people by accepting a deal which embraces Salva Kiir's ruthlessness. If this peace ends the conflict, it will be good for the country. But the irony is that it will still maintain Kiir's tyranny because the SPLM-IO parliamentarians will have no means to limit his grip on power. In any nation, reforms are done through legislative means, not by wild assumptions. It would be a mistake to think that Kiir will support the armed opposition reform agenda in the parliament. The man still fantasizes about his one-man rule. He likes ruling the country through presidential decrees. So, the notion that reforms will be done after the SPLM-IO rejoined the government is a pure fantasy.

Statistically, Kiir has the number to deny any reform agenda he does not like or want. He can do it by instructing his parliamentarians not to vote for any bill that would limit his powers. The signed document, for example, proposes that the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) will have 550 Members of Parliament (MPs). The revitalized text gave the incumbent TGoNU 332 MPs (60.4%), whereas 23.3% (128 MPs) will represent the SPLM-IO, 50 MPs (9.1%) allocated to SSOA, 5.5% (30 MPs to OPP, and 10 MPs (1.8%) are awarded to FDs. In the war of numbers, it is 60.4% vs. 39.6%. Meaning, the government MPs clearly outnumbered all opposition MPs combined. It is strikingly a solemn misjudgment on the SPLM-IO's part. It is worth noting that the government does not have a two-thirds majority in the TNLA — which would have been 366.7 MPs (66.7% to 33.3%) out of the proposed 550 MPs. This calculation has a +1 margin of error. In a logical sense, Kiir parliamentary bloc needs an additional 34.7 MPs to pass any law it wants. Remember, South Sudan is full of briefcase political parties. Most of these parties are not fighting for the people of South Sudan, they are fighting for themselves. For them, it is a war over positions and Kiir could still bribe 34.7 MPs from these self-serving parties to pass any law he wants. These are Mathematical truths. The SPLM-IO can create its own excuses, but I am certain that any opposing view, denying these facts would be indisputably counterintuitive.

The SPLM-IO's central argument is that it signed the deal because it wants South Sudanese refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to have a sense of peace and possibly return to their homes, let alone its reform agenda. This is indisputably a good humanitarian gesture. However, signing an agreement simply because you want IDPs and refugees currently under the protection of the United Nations (UN) peacekeepers to come out and go back to their houses is not a plausible idea. The SPLM-IO cannot force civilians it cannot possibly protect to go back to their homes where they will be vulnerable to Juba's brutality. It would be better for the SPLM-IO to just sign any pact it desires and not allow any provision in any deal that would then force refugees and IDPs to leave UN-run camps for their homes where insecurity is widespread. Calling for innocent civilians to leave their secured places for their homes which are under the control of Juba's oppressive regime reminds me of Salva Kiir who always wants to grand an amnesty to anyone who opposes his regime so that he can prolong his tyranny without a formidable opposition. I suggest the leadership of the SPLM-IO thinks deeply about this issue.

Why would the SPLM-IO sign a peace which embraces Kiir's ruthlessness, forget the victims of the SPLM self-made war, and ignore people demands for change? Did the armed opposition forget what it has been fighting for the last four-and-a-half years? What really happens to SPLM-IO's reform agenda? Is the armed opposition reform agenda dead?

There is no doubt in my mind that the legislative branch will pose a daunting challenge to the SPLM-IO and other opposition parties. However, this challenge could be minimized or even frustrated if all opposition MPs work together as a united bloc in the parliament. If this happens, then the incumbent government could be forced to collaborate or make deals with opposition MPs which would then allow the SPLM-IO and other political parties to enact some laws. Leaving this obvious political risk aside, I honestly believe that political and economic reforms under this deal will not be feasible given the fact that Kiir still cherishes the idea of appointing and removing people through his dictatorial decrees.

As I have already indicated, the agreement has many pro-Kiir provisions. But ending the suffering of South Sudanese who are now living under dire conditions in refugee camps and foreign countries is the number one priority. If the incumbent TGoNU and the SPLM-IO are serious about peace and fully implement it, then they will be thanked by the people of South Sudan for ending the war. However, the fact that the armed opposition lacks the necessary number of MPs to reform the political system in the country is even worse. It would be a wishful thinking for the SPLM-IO to assume that its transformation agenda will be magically done when it knows the number of its MPs is not enough to execute its policies through parliamentary processes. The Khartoum's power-sharing deal will not bring the much-needed political reforms in the country. This agreement is merely a classic case of a new political marriage between the government and SPLM-IO. This pact is also a reminder for the people of South Sudan that reforms championed by the armed opposition could be a thing of the past. It is clear, however, that all factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) seem to be interested in reuniting themselves under the same old dictatorial umbrella. It is good to remind people that Kiir and Machar have already agreed to cantonments of their troops and deployment of the East African and African Union forces to enforce the cessation of hostilities. However, this is not new since the two leaders had previously signed many agreements before and violated them. One of these violations occurred in July 2016, when Kiir colluded with the current First Vice President Taban Deng to hijack the August 2015 compromise deal.

Kiir is not for a lasting peace in the country. His main concern is not to end the war, rather it is to sign any peace that maintains his ruthlessness, lures leaders of the SPLM-IO to Juba in a pretext of the pact and refuses to implement the agreement. Kiir demonstrated his unwillingness to implement the deal on August 8 at Bilpham military headquarters when he told his troops that they should be prepared to receive and integrate the armed opposition soldiers. This is not what the security arrangements stipulate. The security pact specifies that both incumbent government and rebel forces shall be screened and classified based on established military standards and those who pass such a screening will be combined and given proper training during the Pre-transitional period. This provision was included in the proposal to make sure South Sudan has a professional army after the three transitional periods. Kiir is the one who does not want peace to return to the country. He violated many pacts by refusing to release the armed opposition officials he kidnapped as well as Prisoners of Wars (POWs) even though this demand was clearly stipulated in the previous ceasefire agreements. The people of South Sudan are not interested in this elitist agreement. As you can see, Kiir is trying to deceive people before the deal is even finalized — this is how he operates. The man is a cunning oppressor who cannot be trusted when it comes to peace. The armed opposition should not succumb to this dubious accord — an accord which irrefutably castoffs reforms demanded by the people.

Having a defined and well-developed political doctrine is essential for any political party to succeed. The SPLM-IO is theoretically an opposition party. It will, supposedly, if all things go as planned, have its own political and economic agendas that it would want to be passed by the parliament. The armed opposition knows its success in the TNLA may not be feasible given the fact that it lacks numbers to wage a successful legislative fight. Politics is all about strategies, numbers, games, back-stabbing, making closed-door deals, and selling your policies to the people. If the SPLM-IO wants its reform agenda to survive, it must have specific policies in place and these policies must be staunchly championed and defended by the leadership of the SPLM-IO as well as its proposed parliamentarians. If the armed opposition deserts its reform agenda, then it will be a new chapter for Kiir's cruelty to continue and the death for a democratic hope for the country — it would be a chapter that the people of South Sudan would not like to see happening. The SPLM-IO must not allow its democratic vision to die; it must continue to use all necessary means to make sure that those who lost their lives in the war did not die in vain. The leadership of the SPLM-IO must rethink its peace strategy or it risks being an extension of Salva Kiir's tyrannical regime.

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

August 10, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A joint force from the army, police and security services have arrested a number of outlaws and captured large amounts of weapons and unregulated motorcycles in South Darfur State.

Commander of the Sudanese army's 16th Infantry Division Khalaf Allah Abdallah Idris said the move comes within the framework of the ongoing disarmament campaign to maintain security and stability in South Darfur

He expressed determination to eliminate all forms of negative phenomena in the community including the proliferation of illegal weapons and impose the authority of the state.

In August 2017, the Sudanese government launched a six-month disarmament campaign to eliminate illegal weapons in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan, particularly the Darfur region.

The Sudanese authorities say the spread of weapons among the rival tribes in the region is one of the main causes of Darfur's instability.

The Sudanese army has been fighting armed groups 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 10, 2018 (JUBA) - The United Nations Security Council Friday said alarmed by the level of food insecurity in South Sudan and called to allow unfettered humanitarian access to the needy in the troubled country.

The Council was briefed on the humanitarian and security situations in South Sudan by UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, UN secretary-general's special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Nicholas Haysom, and head of the UN mission in South Sudan David Shearer.

Following the meeting British Ambassador Karen Pierce who is also the chair of the Council for August briefed the media on the meeting and pointed that it took place within the context of the resolution 2417 (2018) which demands the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the risk of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access to civilian populations in the armed conflicts.

"The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern about the level of food insecurity in South Sudan, they stressed the ongoing conflict is one of the main and direct causes of the food insecurity crisis in that country," Pierce said.

She reiterated the Council demand to the warring parties to allow "safe and timely and unhindered humanitarian access to the civilians in the conflict zones.

The Troika countries in a statement on Friday took note of the reduced clashes in the country but demanded further significant reduction in violence, and all parties taking measures to allow full humanitarian access.

UN reports estimate that more than seven million people face life-threatening hunger if the security situation continues to deteriorate.

The British diplomat said the Council stick to the ceasefire agreements and to demonstrate their commitment to fully implement and finalize a more inclusive revitalized peace agreement.

Also, the 15-member body welcomed the recent regional efforts to expedite the peace process and to end the conflict and stressed its support to the IGAD role.

The Troika and the Security Council statements come as the IGAD decided to give the parties until the 19 of August before to end the talks on the implementation matrix and some issues related to the governance deal.

(ST)

August 10, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu said four of its officers have deserted the group and dismissed any link between the fugitives and the death of another one it said he committed suicide.

SPLM-N Hilu Secretary areas under government control Amar Amon Daldoum admitted in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday that four officers including Brigadier - Ismail Ahmed Abdallah, Major - Ahmed Abbas Bakheet, Captain - Abdel Rahman Daldom Chalo have fled from the rebel-controlled areas in South Kordofan to the" areas under government control".

"The leadership ordered them to report to the headquarters to find out why they left their jobs and stayed in their homes for a long time," said Daldoum adding they decided to escape the rebel areas after being asked several times.

The defection of the four rebels comes as heated debated are taking place in the social media among the group supporters about the "targeting" of SPLM-N militants from the western area of the Nuba Mountains.

Al-Hilu's detractors further accuse him of killing a rebel commander Abboud Karib Ismail who committed suicide while was in jail recently. They say how he can suicide by his arm while he was confined in prison.

But the secretary general praised the "outstanding achievements" of Colonel Karib and asserted that he was in custody pending investigation when he used his weapon to commit suicide.

In October 2017, al-Hilu was elected as the chairman of the group after a six-month rift within the SPLM-N. As a result, now there are two factions one led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and another led by Malik Agar.

Al-Hilu who controls the Nuba Mountains and parts of the rebel areas in the Blue Nile state rejects to acknowledge the other faction.

He recently operated a series of administrative reforms in the group in order to put an end to the "era non-institutionalization and lawlessness".

(ST)

August 10, 2018 (KHARTOUM)- Sudan's Ministry of Minerals acknowledged the government purchased only10 per cent of the actual amount of gold produced in the first half of 2018.

Gold bullion blocks, brought by local gold workers for examination, are pictured at a gold laboratory counter in the gold market in Khartoum July 15, 2012 (Reuters)

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Minerals said gold production in the first half of this year amounted to 63,3 tons, saying the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) purchased only 10 per cent of the total production.

According to the press release, the government revenues from the gold exports reached $422,5 million, saying the difference between actual gold production and government exports reached 48,8 tons.

However, the Ministry of Minerals didn't elaborate on whether the 48,8 tons have been smuggled or being hidden by traditional miners and mining companies from government reach.

Gold production is now Sudan's main source of hard currency after the secession of South Sudan where are the two third of its oil reserves before 2011.

However, restrictions on hard currency by the CBoS represent a big challenge impeding the development of the mining industry but also encourage traditional miners to smuggle their production to neighbouring countries.

Sudan currently ranks third in gold production behind South Africa and Ghana. Officials said they hope to increase gold production to more than 140 tons and make Sudan the first gold producer in Africa in 2018.

(ST)

August 10, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's inflation rate has risen to 63,94% in July compared to 63, in June, reported the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBoS).

Fruit-seller in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum (Reuters)

In its monthly bulletin issued on Thursday, the CBoS attributed the rise in inflation rate to the continued increase in the price of food and beverages group.

Economic conditions in Sudan have been challenging since the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and the loss of the bulk of oil production and exports.

The withdrawal of South Sudan oil has compounded the difficult external environment, including debt arrears, limited access to external financing, U.S. sanctions, and the withdrawal of correspondent bank relations.

It is noteworthy that the director of the Troubled Currencies Programme at Johns Hopkins University Steve Hanke said Sudan's annual inflation rate measured for 6/13/18, was 111%.

The government seeks to achieve an average inflation rate of 19,5% by the end of the 2018 fiscal year compared to 34,1% in 2017.

The high inflation rate and general increase in price levels coincides with a significant rise in the U.S. dollar price against the Sudanese pound.

Last week, the dollar price hit an all-time high on the black market as the Sudanese pound (SDG) declined to 47,00 per dollar.

Also, the purchase price of the U.S. dollar that is being transferred into accounts abroad particularly in Dubai reached 50 Sudanese pounds.

(ST)

August 10, 2018 (JUBA) - The Troika countries Friday warned the IGAD mediators against the unsustainability of the arrangements recently agreed by the South Sudanese parties to resolve the outstanding governance and security issues.

"We are concerned that the arrangements agreed to date are not realistic or sustainable. Given their past leadership failures, South Sudanese leaders will need to behave differently and demonstrate commitment to peace and good governance," said a joint statement issued by the United States, United Kingdom and Norway.

On 5 August, the South Sudanese government and opposition groups signed an agreement on the outstanding issues on governance and power-sharing providing to establish a government with five vice-presidents, 45 ministers and a parliament composed of 550 members.

The government negotiating team refused the opposition calls for lean government and insisted to keep intact its ministerial team of 30 ministers and the 400 parliamentarians.

President Salva Kiir himself complained from the agreed bloated government saying he has no means to provide the needed accommodations and vehicles for all these people.

However, the Troika praised the engagement of the region in the Khartoum-based negotiations. Also, it acknowledged "the role of Sudan in hosting these negotiations".

The three countries underlined the need for an inclusive process encompassing civil society, religious leaders, ethnic minorities saying it is the best hope for a sustainable peace.

"We urge mediators to ensure the open and free participation of these groups and other participants in the negotiations, to ensure their interests are fully protected".

The facilitators further stressed that during the next stage of the talks, the parties must develop clear plans for the transition period.

This includes how resources will be "used in a transparent and accountable way" and how "security will be provided in Juba during the transition period and how meaningful checks will be placed on executive power"

In a meeting held in Khartoum on Thursday, the IGAd Council of Ministers endorsed an implementation matrix and decided that the Khartoum round of talks will continue until the 19 August.

(ST)

August 6, 2018 (JUBA) - European Union and Troika diplomats in Juba called on the South Sudanese government to free Peter Biar Ajak, a prominent critic who has been arrested without charges at Juba airport since nine days.

“We are deeply troubled by the arrest and ongoing detention by the South Sudanese National Security Service (NSS) of youth activist Peter Biar Ajak on the morning of Saturday 28 July 2018,” says a joint statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.

The statement, which was inked by the head of diplomatic missions in Juba of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, further expressed concern about the harassment and intimidation of civic actors; restrictions on freedom of expression and association; and arbitrary detention in South Sudan.

The western diplomats pointed that all these human rights abuses are in clear violation of the South Sudanese constitution and called the government to release him or to bring him to justice.

"We, therefore, call on the government to either release Peter Biar Ajak or to bring charges against him in a timely manner in accordance with the rule of law and to grant him access to a lawyer," said the joint statement

Ajak family's said he is held at the headquarters of the National Security Service in Jub, adding the agency denied his lawyer to meet him.

BRITISH LAWMAKERS

The UK Parliamentary Group for Sudan and South Sudan on Friday released a strongly worded statement calling on the British Foreign Secretary to do all he can to secure the release of Peter Biar Ajak.

"Peter is a friend of our parliamentary group and a tireless campaigner for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan," said Sir Henry Bellingham, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sudan and South Sudan.

The British parliamentarians also urged South Sudanese government should ensure freedoms and create a conducive environment for "civil society leaders like Peter, not arbitrarily arresting them without charge".

(ST)

August 6, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Ministry of Defence said the 5th round of the joint Sudanese-Egyptian military talks on the level of experts would kick off on Tuesday in Khartoum.

In a statement on Sunday, the Defence Ministry said the Egyptian Army Chief-of-Staff, Lieut.Gen. Mohamed Farid would arrive in Khartoum on Monday evening to take part in the talks.

Head of the Sudanese team to the talks Lieut. Gen. Hisham Abdel-Mutalab Ahmed, pointed to the need to benefit from the accumulated experience of both armies to enhance joint cooperation and exchange of expertise.

For his part, head of the Egyptian side Maj. Gen. Khaled Labib stressed his country's keenness to promote cooperation with Sudan on all domains.

During a visit of Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah 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 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)

August 6, 2018 (ZALINGEI) - Two farmers have been killed and one seriously injured on Sunday in an attack by unknown gunmen against Kambo Di village for voluntary return, 5 kilometres west of Zalingei the capital of Central Darfur State.

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune, IDPs and Refugees Committee in Central Darfur said 6 gunmen at 2:00 am (local time) on Sunday opened fire at Kambo Di residents killing two and injuring one.

It pointed out that the dead persons are identified as Khadiga Adam Salih and Adam Ibrahim Abdel-Karim while Mariam Adam has sustained serious injuries.

An official source told Sudan Tribune the security organs have immediately deployed troops to the incident scene, saying, 5 suspects, have been captured and transferred to Zalingei prison to conduct criminal proceedings.

Meanwhile, hundreds of IDPs have attended the funeral at Hasahesa camp graveyard amid widespread condemnation of the incident.

Several villages of voluntary return have been attacked by gunmen who refuse to allow farmers return to their original areas and use their farmland.

Last June, 8 people were killed and 7 others injured seriously by unidentified gunmen at Higair Tunu village for voluntary return, 29 kilometres south-east of South Darfur capital, Nyala.

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, the displaced complain that the security situation remains the same pointing to the government militia saying they continue to attack them and grab their land.

Last August, the Sudanese government launched a campaign to eliminate illegal weapons in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan.

The Sudanese authorities say the spread of weapons among the rival tribes in the region is one of the main causes of Darfur's instability.

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

(ST)

By Adeeb Yousif

This article is intended to address the topic of mistrust, to enable scholars, practitioners, peace-builders, policy-makers and actors operating in South Sudan to better understand the dilemma, and find the best methods, needs, to deal with mistrust. Moreover, the article aims to draw the attention of the mediation and facilitation teams such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Troika, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) need to play a positive role in trying to build trust and confidence among South Sudanese. This might help South Sudan avoid a continued future of chaos, anarchy and lawlessness. It is the way to stop the ongoing disastrous conflicts and mitigate latent under-the-surface future conflicts. And indeed it is the possible avenue to stop the bloodshed and stop the miseries of innocent civilians in South Sudan.

The mistrust and stereotyping about other ethnic group is an ever green-subject has usually being distributed and disseminated before or during and after conflict. When conflict turns to violence, it goes far beyond human causalities, it destroys interpersonal trust, and erodes confidence among and between groups. In their article Trusting the Enemy: Confidence in the state among ex-combatants, Enzo Nussio and Ben Oppenheim provide insights on the fundamental need for trust between former ‘enemies', they argue that: “Trust is critical for economic development and prosperity, as well as the successful management of political conflict”. The ground reality is more complex and goes far beyond former combatants. The challenges in war-torn societies are often racked with generalized distrust, both among some ethnic groups and between some citizens and the state; even long after the conflict ends.

The fact that lack of trust has never received some attention during the South Sudan peace talks and the resultant agreement was based on it, no clear mechanism on how to overcome this phenomenon was developed despite its importance to these issues. This article suggests how to build and increase trust, confidence, and peacebuilding in South Sudan. The project will be targeting parties to the South Sudanese conflict, the opposition alliance, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), religious actors, high school teachers, local and community leaders, and women and youth leaders. This initiative is aimed at building the capacity of conflict-affected communities to participate in problem-solving rather than leaving them out of remote conflict resolution formalities. Moreover, the initiative is aimed at creating harmonious co-existence, sustainable peace and reconciliation.

There is no greater challenge facing South Sudan today than dealing with the scourge of negative ethnicity and tribalism. I have always wondered how such issues develop and are allowed to escalate, especially where negative tribalism is concerned. How does mutual tolerance, respect and even love transform into deep hatred? How can elites use their power and capacity to change negative ethnicity into a positive one? Every day, it seems that South Sudan is marred deeper into conflicts and tensions; socially and politically things are getting worse. One of the largest conflicts I have witnessed and lived within its environment is an ethnic dispute in South Sudan. A day does not go by where there is not a new development to this conflict. On Wednesday, June 27th 2018, the warring parties in South Sudan signed a permanent ceasefire agreement following the peace talks held in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

Later on Saturday, July 8th 2018 Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni hosted a continuation of the same peace talks at State House, Entebbe in Uganda. The leaders of the parties to the conflict in South Sudan, President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former deputy, Dr Riek Machar, have agreed to form a unity government and signed a framework of power-sharing. On Sunday, August 5 2018, a final power-sharing agreement was signed the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) in neighbouring Sudan. The agreement has been characterized by many including South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) as having no integrity, no accountability, no transparency, no professionalism, no inclusivity and no objectivity, the negotiations had come to an agreement. But, it is difficult, if not impossible, for the Peace Arrangement in its current situation and under the current circumstance, to bring lasting peace to South Sudan, without substantial additional help and effort from the international community to build trust and confidence between South Sudanese political parties and bring the SSOA on board.

Moreover, in order to achieve lasting peace, the conflict-affected civilian population needs to be involved and included at all levels of the peace process and the role of the military must be reduced. In a protracted conflict such as that in South Sudan in which there is little to no trust or confidence among the conflicting parties, the civilian role takes on the utmost importance and is essential to reaching a lasting peace. When the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) engage in peace talks, or when two political opposition groups enter into a negotiation, it is vital to remember that a final agreement marks only the beginning of the peace process. While it is a “final” agreement accompanied by formal handshakes that provides a temporary reduction in violence, it does not, however, in and of itself guarantee peace. Rather, it is the masses of ordinary people and how they engage with one another on a daily basis that determines either the long-term successful implementation of a peace agreement or its demise. This project will be targeted at local communities and key stakeholders in the region.

Over the years there have been many peace agreements that have been signed in South Sudan. Regrettably, not one of these agreements has brought peace, security, stability or development to the newest country on earth. Rather, these unfulfilled agreements have served to increase the level of insecurity in South Sudan and have created numerous fragmentations. As a result, the social fabric of ethnic groups in the conflicted areas is being destroyed. The concerns of displaced populations, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and demobilized soldiers must be addressed if the goal of lasting peace is to be achieved. Refugees, for example, may know no home outside of the camp. With the signing of a peace agreement, they must find new homes and learn new skills. Displaced populations and the broader civilian population alike expect peace to bring increased prosperity and security, but with a poor economy, a broken justice system, and lingering hatreds, factions often come to see the peace process as a failure and resume fighting as it is believed to be their only option for survival.

The risk of Ethno-political agreement: In an ethnopolitical conflict such as South Sudan, power sharing is not the only solution because Ethno-power sharing is like a wound plaster, it won't heal a broken bone. An employing individual of an ethnic group or signing an agreement with another group can not a solve ethnic conflict. The Government of Sudan has long experienced in singing ethno-political peace agreements, particularly in Darfur. The GoS has been signing peace agreements with groups from various ethnic groups that have no presence or legitimacy in Sudan. This allows that actors to continue to ignore the actual needs of the people and what should be involved in peace discussions, including, political reform, constitutional amendment, economic changes, and the development of infrastructure.

In a bloody ethnic conflict such as South Sudan, conflicting parties need to learn from their present and past mistakes. Fragmented group need to develop ideas of living “unity of purpose ” and pursuing the ideal for resolving political violence and managing conflict. Sharing divisiveness, when people are ready to look at their own personal journey of non-violence and peaceful co-existence. Dealing with their past through truth and reconciliation. When people chose to publicly acknowledge what happens rather than dealing and generating with private memory. Then the fragmented group can apply what is known as liberal peace is emphasizes, democracy, human rights, free market economy and individual political liberty. Whatever the causes, these internal dynamics of opposition movements have clear policy implications.

The Need for PEACE in South Sudan: The children of South Sudan only know their homeland as a place of conflict. For some, the conflict means that they have had to leave their home. All of South Sudan's children are suffering the consequences of a war into which they were born, but are ill-equipped to understand. These children have also been born without the burden of hatred and seeing those that are different from them as the “other”. As a result, they live their lives with love, curiosity, and courage. It is critical that the environment in which they live encourages this climate of tolerance and hope and that it is also shared by their parents and communities. Peace education is the best way in which to foster and nurture this type of environment. Education is vital to maintaining a livelihood with dignity. It also serves as the main gateway to development, security, prosperity, understanding, acceptance, respect, and peaceful coexistence. This trust building project is aimed at changing the paradigm in order to promote a culture of peace through the building of personal relationships. People-to-people peace processes need to take place from the bottom up. It suggests that the public must be involved, included, and informed. Moreover, the project would address the fact that peace cannot be achieved alone, in isolation, but rather through cooperation among former opponents, which requires a great deal of assistance.

Dr. Adeeb Yousif is conflict analysis and resolution scholar and practitioner a human rights activist. he can be reached at: aabdela2@gmu.edu

August 6, 2018 (JUBA) - The National Salvation Front (NAS) which is part of the opposition umbrella South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) Monday distanced itself from the agreement on outstanding issues of governance.

Thomas Cirillo Swaka (Photo Reuters)

SSOA leader Gabriel Changson Chang and SPLM-FDs leading member Deng Alor on Sunday signed the governance deal with President Salva Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar after a meeting with the IGAD leaders where they were informed that the talks will continue in Khartoum and they can continue to discuss their concerns with the Sudanese mediation.

NAS is the second opposition group to mark its disapproval of the deal and confirmed the growing rift within the opposition alliance. Already, the People's Democratic Movement (PDM), another SSOA member rejected the agreement on the outstanding issues of governance.

In a statement made public on Monday, the group recalled its position on the governance deal of 2 August and reiterated it NAS has not authorized any individual or any group of individuals to act on its behalf, to represent it in Khartoum or to sign the deal on its behalf.

"The Leadership of NAS is aware that some of its members have been compromised and are under extraordinary pressure to sign the Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance. While NAS' leadership is handling this unfortunate Incidence internally," reads the statement signed by its leader Thomas Cirillo Swaka.

In a statement issued on 2 August, NAS regretted that the initialled governance deal does not meet its aspiration for a strong federal system.

"The current governance proposal prioritizes power-sharing over devolution of powers, strengthens and further entrenches the current rotten system in Juba rather than transforming it and defers the question of federalism to a permanent constitution-making process that the parties cannot guarantee when this will eventually happen," stressed the statement of 2 August.

The opposition group in its statement of 6 August also condemned the intimidation exercised on the opposition groups by the Sudanese mediation to bring them to ink the governance deal on Sunday, without elaborating.

"NAS' leadership is deeply shocked by and condemn in the strongest terms possible the coercive, intimidating and divide-and-conquer, tactics being deployed by the Mediation in this regard".

(ST)

August 6, 2018 (JUBA) - The opposition People's Democratic Movement (PDM) rejected the agreement on the outstanding issues on governance and power-sharing signed by the South Sudanese parties including the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).

In an email sent to Sudan Tribune late on 5 August after the signing ceremony, PDM leader Hakim Dario recalled their position of 18 July on the governance agreement and stressed that the “PDM did not sign the agreement on 5th August 2018”.

In its statement of 18 July, the opposition group stressed they call for a “Federal Governance during the transitional period, based on three (3) autonomous regions with their borders of the three provinces of Upper Nile, Equatoria and Bahr al-Ghazal as they stood on 1st January 1956”.

The PDM further stressed that the power-sharing should allocate 33.33% for each of the three regions and do not allot power to “to political elites and their movements by a stroke of a pen”.

The SSOA which had rejected the deal on the outstanding issues of governance changed its mind and signed the agreement “for the sake of peace” as it was stated by its leaders.

Their main reservations were on the power-sharing at the state and local governance level and the organization of a referendum to resolve the issue of the contested 32 states.

For the SSOA, the reestablishment of the three old regions was one among three options they proposed as an alternative for the referendum.

In addition, the PDM said the SSOA has no authority to sign on behalf of the Movement pointing that every group should sign the deal on their own behalf individually.

“Mr Gabriel Changson Chang has no authority of SSOA to sign the Khartoum Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance on behalf of SSOA,” said the PDM.

August 5, 2018 (JUBA) - The National Salvation Front (NAS) leader Thomas Cirlllo Swaka sacked six leading members of his group after accusing them of "subversive activities" to overthrow him.

Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka, the ex-SPLA deputy chief of general staff for training (youtube photo)

The rebel Equatorian group which is part of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance on 2 August made public its position on the power-sharing deal saying it did not fit with its aspirations on federalism.

Two days after a group of officers led by Maj. Gen. Julius Tabuley said they were disappointed by the decision saying it had been taken without consultation with the movement's leadership. They also relieved Swaka from the chairmanship of the group.

Swaka in return issued on the 5th of August issued a statement relieving the six putschists saying they "undertook dubious activities with third parties intended to undermine the position of NAS and sabotage the search of our people for Just and viable peace".

The split was the first sign of agitation and what would happen in the holdout groups in the event they maintain their rejection of the power-sharing deal and governance issues.

Some analysts went to compare the situation with the holdout Darfur armed groups which experienced a series of divisions after their rejection of the 2006 peace agreement.

Now as the NAS has split into two factions it is not clear if the splinters will continue to oppose the leader who eventually signed the agreement or the two factions will reconcile and end the rift.

SSOA leader Gabriel Changson Chang surprised the public on Sunday when he appended his signature on the power-sharing deal.

(ST)

August 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Darfur Commission for Voluntary Return and Resettlement (CVRR) has briefed the European Union (EU) delegation to Sudan on its ongoing projects, programmes and future plans.

CVRR commissioner, Taj al-din Ibrahim al-Tahir, on Sunday met with the head of political, press and information section at the EU delegation in Khartoum Nadia Lichtenberger.

Al-Tahir told the official news agency SUNA that the meeting discussed voluntary return programmes and how could the EU contribute to the CVRR projects.

He added the meeting also discussed the role of international community in supporting the development projects in Darfur as well as extending the services to host communities and nomads gathering areas.

For her part, Lichtenberger thanked the commissioner and praised the CVRR plans, saying it is in line with the United Nations vision regarding the sustainable solutions for IDPs and refugees.

She also expressed readiness to cooperate with the CVRR to ensure the success of the voluntary return programmes and contribute to sustainable development projects in the voluntary return villages and towns.

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 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman has stressed Sudan's commitment to resolving border issues with Ethiopia through the joint technical committees between the two countries.

A road leading to Ethiopia-Sudan border (Photo Jamminglobal.com)

Abdel-Rahman on Sunday met with Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen who is currently in Sudan to attend the signing ceremony of South Sudan's peace agreement.

State Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdalla Idriss told reporters following the meeting that Abdel-Rahman underlined Sudan's commitment to promoting bilateral relations with Ethiopia and resolve all challenges particularly border issues.

He added the meeting focused on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation as well as coordination on regional and international issues of common concern.

Bloody clashes between Sudanese and Ethiopian farmers on the joint border erupted last June leading to many casualties on both sides.

Ethiopian and Sudanese farmers from two sides of the border dispute the ownership of land in Al-Fashaga area located in the southeastern part of Sudan's eastern state of Gedaref.

In the past years, Sudanese authorities accused Ethiopia of controlling more than a million acres of Sudanese agricultural land in the area of Al-Fashaga, saying the area has been completely isolated from Sudan.

Al-Fashaga covers an area of about 250 square kilometres and it has about 600.000 acres of fertile lands. Also, there are river systems flowing across the area including Atbara, Setait and Baslam rivers.

The current borders between Sudan and Ethiopia were drawn by the British and Italian colonisers in 1908. The two governments have agreed in the past to redraw the borders and to promote joint projects between people from both sides for the benefit of local populations.

The joint Sudanese-Ethiopian High Committee announced in December 2013 that it reached an agreement to end disputes between farmers from two sides of the border over the ownership of agricultural land.

In November 2014, the former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and President Omar al-Bashir instructed their Foreign Ministers to fix a date for resuming the border demarcation. The operation had stopped following the death of Ethiopia's former premier, Meles Zenawi.

MEETING PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT

Meanwhile, Sudan's Presidential Assistant and Deputy Chairman of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Faisal Hassan Ibrahim has met with Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister.

In press statements on Sunday, Ibrahim said the meeting comes within the framework of the continued contacts to promote cooperation on partisan and government levels.

He pointed out that the ruling parties of Sudan and Ethiopia have developed a cooperation memorandum during his recent visit to Addis Ababa saying they would sign it at a later date.

According to Ibrahim, the meeting discussed cooperation between students, women and youth sectors of the two ruling parties.

(ST)