Sudan Tribune

July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Malik Agar welcomed the progress achieved towards a lasting peace in South Sudan and expressed its support for the process brokered by the Sudanese government.

"We welcome the end of war in South Sudan, whether is done in Khartoum or elsewhere, " said Yasir Arman the deputy Chairman of the Sudanese rebel group which was part of the historical SPLM that brought the independence of South Sudan in July 2011.

The war is the worst scenario facing the South Sudanese, and the end of the war enables them to look at the other items on the peace agenda Arman further said, stressing that the continuation of the five-year conflict would lead to the collapse of the South Sudan state.

The SPLM-N Agar deputy leader was reacting to the signing of an agreement on the revitalization of the governance chapter of the 2015 peace agreement between the warring parties in South Sudan. The deal which is still not initialled by some political groups will be signed on 5 August in Khartoum.

The Sudanese mediators continue to discuss the few pending items with the government in Juba, the opposition alliance (SSOA) and the FDs groups. For his part, President Salva Kiir stressed his government keenness to have an inclusive agreement.

Arman further mentioned the SPLM-N's vision for the relations between the Sudanese and South Sudanese people in the future.

"We are for the establishment of a Sudanese confederation between two independent states. Each state maintains its flag and institutions, but the relationship between North and South will be strategic," he further said.

He took the opportunity to praise again the recent reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia saying it creates a positive environment in the Horn of Africa, adding that the cooperation between the Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Eritrea and Ethiopia would consolidate a suitable astrosphere in the region.

He further pointed that the current developments will reduce the manoeuvres of the Sudanese regime, "which continues to intervene in Central Africa and Libya, and constitutes a negative factor in the Congo Basin and Libya," according to leading opposition figure.

"We welcome the end of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea and in South Sudan. We believe that the changes in the issues of peace are in the interest of the peoples of the region".

(ST)

July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Canadian Stamper Oil & Gas Corp has failed to secure an extension to an agreement to operate Block 25 with the Sudan National Petroleum Corporation, Sudapet.

Sudanese oil workers at one of GNPOC fields in South Kordofan (file photo Asawer oil company)

The tiny $16 million company, earlier this year, said the probable reserve of the Al-Rawat field is at around 182 million barrels with significant potential room to grow.

According to the MoU which initially was signed with State Oil Corporation, Stamper may farm-in up to a 50% interest of the Al-Rawat field.

The Oil Review Africa reported on Monday that the chairman of State Oil Corporation, Lutfur Rahman Khan, failed to secure an extension to the MoU with the state-owned oil company, Sudapet.

" As a result of these developments, the board of Stamper has notified State Oil Corporation that the MoU between Stamper and State has been terminated," further said the report.

Sources close to the file in Khartoum told Sudan Tribune that the Sudanese authorities realised that the Canadian oil firms, State Oil Corporation and Stamper which acquired the former, do not have the expertise or financial resources to carry out oil exploration and production works.

The deal with the small Canadian firm "has been a symbol of Sudan oil industry going astray. It also shows "how desperate" the Sudanese officials were, he added.

The fact that Sudan was under the U.S. economic embargo discouraged the big oil firms from working in the east African country.

(ST)

July 30, 2018 (JUBA) - President Salva Kiir Monday received an invitation extended by his Sudanese counterpart Omer al-Bashir to attend the signing ceremony of an agreement on the outstanding issues on governance.

According to a statement released by the South Sudanese presidency, the invitation was handed over by the Sudanese Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf and National Intelligence and Security Services Director Salah Gosh who were in Juba on Monday morning.

"The Minister in the Office of the President, Hon. Mayiik Ayii Deng stated that the Sudanese envoys came to invite President Salva Kiir to attend the signing ceremony that is being organized by the Sudanese government in Khartoum on the 5th of August," said the statement.

Mayiik further stressed the commitment of the Sudanese government to ensure that South Sudan attains sustainable peace and stability.

The signing ceremony is expected to be attended by the IGAD leaders.

Al-Bashir on Sunday encouraged the South Sudanese government to reach a compromise over the outstanding issues on the governance chapter with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance and the FDs.

The two groups reject the deal of 25 July saying it is designed to maintain the controversial 32 states. They contest a referendum to be conducted 5 months before the end of the 30-month transitional period, demanding to give more time for the campaign before the popular vote.

(ST)

July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Chairman of the National Umma Party (NUP) and opposition umbrella “Sudan Call” Sadiq al-Mahdi on Monday said the alliance would hold a meeting in Paris in the third week of August to discuss requirements of the post-regime era.

In a letter titled “Homeland Salvation Message”, al-Mahdi said all security, economic and political indicators point to the imminent collapse of the regime.

He pointed out that the coming change would gain meaning only if specific plans to build the nation were developed.

The veteran leader added change would inevitably occur either through comprehensive dialogue or popular uprising, saying the Sudan Call meeting would produce a charter to build the nation.

Al-Mahdi also said the meeting would discuss the tasks of the next period, saying these tasks would be laid out in details in a statement to be issued in Paris later.

He expressed hope that all Sudanese people not only the Sudan Call forces support demands of peacebuilding, democracy and just development in order to overcome national crises.

The Sudan Call, which was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, includes the NUP, the rebel SRF factions, Sudan Call parties inside Sudan and the Civil Society Initiative (CSI).

In a meeting held in Paris last March, the Sudan Call chose al-Mahdi as chairman and approved a constitutional declaration and a final communiqué calling to adopt peaceful political means to achieve change through peaceful popular uprising or dialogue.

However, the Sudanese authorities filed criminal charges against al-Mahdi accusing him of dealing and coordinating with the armed movements that seek to topple the regime.

(ST)

July 30, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Monday said that his government is still in talks with the non-signatory groups ahead of the formal signing of an agreement on the outstanding issues on governance on 5 August.

On 25 July the government, the SPLM-IO and Other Opposition Parties (OPP) delegations initialled the deal on the power-sharing and governance but the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the Former Political Detainees (FDs), abstained pointing to their small shares and a referendum to settle the issues of the 32 states if the parties fail to reach a compromise through the Independent Boundaries Commission.

In a statement released on the occasion of Martyrs Day seen by Sudan Tribune, President Kiir said the government continue to exert " its considerate efforts" to reach an inclusive agreement with all the opposition groups within the framework of Khartoum Round on the revitalization of the 2018 peace agreement.

"Several clauses constituting the agreement have already been signed and we remain with very few outstanding issues which we will continue to redouble our efforts to bridge a gap and sign the final text of the Revitalized peace Agreement," said Kiir.

"Your government is determined to ensure that peace returns to the people of South Sudan as soon as possible such that our collective nation-building process is reactivated," he further stressed.

President Omer al-Bashir on Sunday received the South Sudanese negotiating team and urged them to resolve the few pending issues on the governance chapter.

Also, Government spokesperson Michael Makuei told reporters after a meeting of the negotiating delegation with President Kiir on Monday that they discussed with the President and his two deputies on the outstanding issues before the final signing of the peace agreement

Minister Makuei further stated that the negotiating team will travel back to Khartoum to prepare for the signing ceremony Sudan on 5 August.

(ST)

July 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday said it has freed an Egyptian force abducted by Libyan gunmen on the border triangle among Libya, Sudan and Egypt.

Director of Information Department at the NISS, Mohamed Hamid Tabidi told reporters at Khartoum Airport that Libyan gunmen have abducted an Egyptian army officer and four soldiers from the border triangle and took them inside the Libyan territory.

Tabidi described the rescue operation as “qualitative operation that took several days”, saying it was carried out in close coordination between the NISS and the Sudanese army military intelligence.

“The force has been handed over to the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate and they are in good health condition,” he said

“This operation indicates the extent of the continued qualitative and close coordination between the intelligence services in both countries,” he added

However, Tabidi didn't elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the Egyptian military troops or the nature of the kidnappers who he described as “outlaws”.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Media Center (SMC), a website close to the NISS, quoted an intelligence source as saying the Egyptian force has been freed in early hours of Monday in a special operation that has been carried out under the direct supervision of the NISS director, Salah Abdalla Mohamed (aka. Gosh).

For its part, the Egyptian army has thanked the Sudanese army for its help in “returning a missing military patrol”.

The Washington-based Al-Hurra TV has quoted an Egyptian security source as saying the Sudanese security services had “freed” Egyptian troops “captured by a Libyan armed group” on the border between Sudan, Egypt and Libya.

The same source pointed out that the Egyptian force includes an officer and four soldiers.

Sudan and Egypt have recently developed joint security cooperation.

On Monday evening, the five military Egyptians arrived to Khartoum airport where they were received by NISS Director Salah Gosh.

Last March, Sudan's Ambassador to Egypt Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim said his country proposed to Egypt to establish a joint force to protect the border between the two countries.

Last year, Egypt deployed large military forces on the borders with Libya and Sudan in Jabal Al-Awinat district in order to deter any terrorists' infiltration.

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.

Also, radical Islamist groups and rebels from Darfur region are active on the border triangle.

(ST)

July 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The United Nations Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Field Support, Atul Khare, said his visit to the disputed area of Abyei meant to build up coordination with the mission ahead of the expected review of the mission mandate.

Last April, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 October 2018 and warned that it would terminate a modification to its mandate decided in 2012 to support a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism agreed by South Sudan and Sudan in line with the Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 2012.

On Friday Khare concluded a two-day visit to Abyei included JBVMM sites in Kadugli South Kordofan to inspect the mission's operational progress, its challenges and plans. In Abyei, he met with local leaders and UNISFA leadership and staff.

In a meeting with the UNISFA leadership on Friday, the senior international official thanked UNISFA leadership for its tireless efforts to carry out the mission's mandate despite political and security challenges. He further praised the Force Commander, General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu, for building a team and running an inclusive administration.

"USG Khare highlighted that his visit aimed to strengthen the coordination and support between Headquarters and the mission and assured Staff members that the current review of UNISFA's composition is aimed at aligning the mission with new realities on the ground," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

The Security Council in its resolution 2412 (2018) said the UNISFA's support for a Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) would be the final until the parties took action leading to progress on border demarcation.

The JBVMM is operating under the UNISFA and has been tasked to monitor, verify and investigate any movement by armed forces and armed civilians in the 2100 km Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ).

Accordingly, the Council decided to maintain UNISFA's authorized troop ceiling of 4,791 until 15 October 2018, and further that, as of that date, the ceiling would decrease to 4,250, unless the Council decided to extend the mandate modification.

Before to visit Abyei, the USG for Field Support spent three days in Darfur region where he discussed areas of cooperation, including support for IDPs and refugees to voluntarily return to their areas of origin, construction of internal road networks and capacity building of state government employees through training.

"UNAMID is going to be here for about two more years and within these years we will try to help as much as possible for the future," Khare said in according to a statement released by Darfur hybrid peacekeeping operation.

Ahead of the UNAMID exit from Darfur in two years, Khare added that discussions would take place with authorities at locality, state and national level to determine the best use of the facilities established by UNAMID to benefit communities. Some of the facilities, such as camps, could be converted to hospitals, colleges or schools and used for social development, among various options, he said.

(ST)

July 29, 2018 'KHARTOUM) - Sudanese state minister for foreign affairs and Chinese ambassador to Khartoum discussed on Sunday the participation of President Omer al-Bashir in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit will take place in Beijing in September 2018.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, September 1, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Parker Song)

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Garib Allah Kidir said Minister Osama Faisal met Chinese diplomat Li Lianhe and discussed preparations for the participation of President Omer al-Bashir at the upcoming summit, as well as arrangements for a bilateral summit to be held with the Chinese President ahead of the forum.

He said the upcoming Sudanese-Sudanese summit will discuss ways of developing cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially economic and trade cooperation.

According to the spokesperson, the minister of state referred to the meetings of the joint working group to develop cooperation in Beijing on August 28, ahead of the president's visit.

China's debt on Sudan is estimated at more $10 billion.

In August 2017, China announced a debt relief for Sudan worth $160 million saying it would provide about $75 million in financial assistance to Khartoum.

In return, Sudan proposed that China develop its oil investments in Sudan.

Also, among the issues to be discussed between the two sides, Sudan's debt arrears towards China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

(ST)

July 29, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese civil society groups called for the release of Peter Bair Ajak a rights defender known for his criticism for the failure of South Sudanese leadership to achieve peace.

Ajak was arrested on Saturday morning at Juba airport as he was heading to Aweil, for a meeting organized by one of his groups, Red Army Foundation.

The International Youth for Africa (IYA) and the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), called in two separate statements extended to Sudan Tribune for an immediate and unconditional release of the prominent South Sudanese activist saying say the arrest was politically motivated.

"To best of my knowledge Peter is innocent and must be released, should anyone have anything against him that let him go to the police and file a case," said Tito Anthony CPJ's Executive Director.

Anthony stressed that the Ajak was arrested without a legal order from the court pointing such arrest is a violation of the South Sudanese constitution which ensures freedoms of speech and movement.

For its part, the IYA said it is time for South Sudanese to search genuine peace not a time for arresting for the people who are advocating for peace in the country.

"Arresting individuals who are working for peace in South Sudan will never help us to solve the ongoing crisis in the country," said the youth group.

Akaj is the founding chairman of South Sudan Young Leaders Forum (SSYLF), Red Army Foundation and NxGeneration of SouthSudan group. He recently twitted and re-twitted several messages hostile to the South Sudanese leadership.

"We must stop thinking that the so-called leaders will bring peace to South Sudan. We, the great people of South Sudan, must organize ourselves to bring about the peace we deserve!," he wrote in a recent Twit.

However, the government didn't issue a statement on his arrest. But sources claiming close to the South Sudanese security apparatus said Ajak is accused of supporting the former army chief of staff Paul Malong who is now a rebel leader.

But his family and friends deny the accusation.

(ST)

July 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The government negotiating team for the Two Areas talks with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) on Sunday has called on African mediation to set a date to resume the talks.

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

Member of government team, Osman Andu, has appealed to the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to invite the two sides for a final round of talks to end the conflict and sign a just and comprehensive peace agreement.

Andu, who also serves as deputy chairman of the ruling National Congress Party in South Kordofan, described President Omer al-Bashir's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire as “advanced positive move”, saying it has created a conducive climate to achieve peace.

He pointed out that the unilateral cessation of hostilities has created a new reality in South Kordofan's peace file allowing contacts between the two sides.

Andu added the SPLM-N has also adhered to the unilateral ceasefire for the last three years, saying large numbers of civilians and rebels have returned to the state after they were convinced of the futility of war.

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and the other led by Malik Agar. The rift emerged last year over the right of self-determination and other organisational issues.

Several sources close to the file say the African Union mediation held recently several meetings with the al-Hilu faction but failed to agree with them on agenda for the talks.

The AU is brokering comprehensive peace talks to end the war and achieve democratic reforms. The two-track process comprises the Sudanese government and opposition forces including the armed groups in Darfur and the Two Areas.

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

Al-Hilu group demands to deliver humanitarian assistance directly from abroad to the rebel-held areas, but Khartoum rejects such request saying all the relief operations should be conducted from the Sudanese territory.

Before the SPLM-N split, the rebel group called to establish a corridor from Asosa on the Ethiopian border to deliver 20 per cent of the humanitarian aid directly to the SPLM-N-controlled areas in the Blue Nile state.

In February talks, the mediation limited the discussions on the cessation of hostilities to the government and the SPLM-N al-Hilu saying Agar faction has no military leverage in the Blue Nile state.

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

(ST)

July 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir received a letter from his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir on the expected resumption of oil production next September.

The letter was handed over by South Sudanese Oil Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth who met al-Bashir on Saturday evening.

After the meeting, the minister told reporters that oil production will resume on 2 September with 45,000 barrels per day from El Toor and Toma South fields. After what will restart the production of other oil fields in Munga and Unity.

"So, by the end of the year, production in the blocks 1,2,4 will be at its maximum capacity," he added.

The meeting, which took place at the Guest House, was attended by Salah Gosh the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Services.

On June 27, South Sudanese parties signed the Khartoum Declaration of Agreement, where they committed themselves to a permanent ceasefire and pledged to finalize a deal on the pending issues in the governance chapter of the 2015 peace agreement.

The declaration provides to resume immediately in collaboration with the Sudanese government the rehabilitation of the damaged oil installations in the Unity region, Blocks 1,2, 4 and 5.

On Saturday, South Sudan's Minister of Petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth and Sudan's Minister of Oil and Gas Azhari Abdel-Gader inspected the rehabilitation work at Toma South oil field.

In press statements following the visit, Abdel-Gader described the completion of the paved road ahead of schedule as “big achievement”, saying he and his South Sudanese counterpart are committed to implementing the agreement on the resumption of oil pumping.

For his part, Gatkuoth said the two sides are committed to resuming oil pumping in early September according to the agreed plan, praising efforts of companies operating in rehabilitating South Sudan oil fields.

He further instructed the companies to finish work at Toma South field as soon as possible and then head to Munga field which is ready for oil pumping.

It is noteworthy that the Khartoum Declaration does not provide for the immediate resumption of oil production because South Sudan's opposition led by Riek Machar rejected this idea saying this step should intervene after the signing of a comprehensive political settlement.

Khartoum proposed to repair and protect the installations in coordination with the South Sudanese government and to resume the production which will intervene within several weeks when the discussions are concluded.

South Sudan heavily relies on oil income to fund up to 98% of its budget. Also, it relies on the Sudanese pipeline to export its oil production through the Red Sea.

Analysts say the resumption of oil production will also benefit Sudan and Uganda.

Khartoum is in dire needs for hard currency from the exportation of South Sudanese oil through its pipelines and ports at the Red Sea, while Kampala wants to resume goods exportation to the South Sudanese market.

The world newest nation says it is producing around 130,000 barrels of oil a day but plans to double it by the end of the year.

(ST)

July 25, 2018 (KAMPALA/JUBA) – A South Sudanese human rights entity has condemned government's decision to give the country's lawmakers about $40,000 as car bonuses, urging the legislators to voluntarily return the money to the state treasury.

South Sudanese MPs stand during a parliamentary session in Juba on August 31, 2011 (AFP)

The bonuses were awarded to the lawmakers, barely a month after the lawmakers extended President Salva Kiir's mandate until 2021.

The executive director for the Center Peace and Justice's (CPJ), Tito Anthony said it a wrong decision at a wrong time, where citizens need the basic service such as hospitals, schools, shelter and food.

“I question the professionality of our MPs and it is clear they are just a rubber stamp of the executive and can encourage corruption if they can be rewarded like what has now been done,” Tito said Thursday.

He said the MPs should have questioned the executive about the source of the money they were each given, considering that the country's civil servant have gone unpaid for more than five months.

“It now clear that both the executive and legislature work only for their own interest, but not [for] the people of South Sudan as they claimed,” further explained Tito.

He added, “The money paid to MPs is a lot and it could have instead been used to rescue the suffering population, many of who have died of treatable diseases such Malaria and Typhoid because of lack of good hospitals and medicine, or they could use it to build schools or purchase relief and distribute to ordinary citizens whose humanitarian situations deteriorate on a daily basis due to inflation”.

Meanwhile CPJ has vowed to take legal action against the lawmakers should they fail to properly account for the state money.

South Sudan lawmakers are among the lowest paid in the region.

(ST)

July 25, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government on Wednesday condemned the attack on humanitarian facilities in Maban county in Northern Upper Nile state as President Kiir directed to investigate the incident.

Angered youth from Maban attacked and burned the offices and residences of aid workers in Bunj area, of Maban on Monday accusing the international organisation of recruiting people from outside Maban and refusing their demand for work.

The attack was discussed in a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by President Salva Kiir. The meeting received reports from the security service, army and the police and also a report from the governor of Northern Upper Nile State.

After the meeting, Interior Minister Michael Chiengjiek said the meeting condemned the attack on the humanitarian facilities.

Chiengjiek further said that the President of the Republic sent a high-level security committee to Maban to investigate into the attack.

In a separate statement, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) issued a statement condemning the attack on humanitarian workers and the destruction of facilities and equipment at the Maban.

"Attacks on aid workers who diligently offer their services to alleviate the suffering of people of South Sudan, are deeply regrettable and indeed a violation of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed in December 2017," said JMEC.

The peace monitoring body called on the South Sudanese authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the attack and to hold those responsible to account.

Maban which is not far from the Sudanese border hosts refugees from the Blue Nile state who are displaced by the armed conflict between the Sudanese government and the rebel SPLM-N.

(ST)

July 25, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the SPLM Leaders (FDs) rejected the agreement on the outstanding issues of governance pointing to their small ratios in the power-sharing, the choice of the referendum to settle the difference over the 32 states.

Former SPLM secretary general Pagan Amum (AFP/Getty)

The South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) of Peter Gatdet Yak was the only faction of the SSOA to initial the agreement.

The two political opposition groups in two separate statements expressed similar concerns on their representation at the national and regional transitional institutions as many of them also claim representing minority ethnic groups even if the SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO include many people from their tribes.

The SSOA spoke about "inconsistency in the responsibility sharing formulae" in the deal while the FDs stressed the "serious lack of consistency in allocating power-sharing ratios at all levels of governance".

Further, the two statements sought extensively to explain that a referendum to settle the issues of the 32 states was not a viable solution and thus it was a trick to legalize what is a violation of the 2015 peace agreement.

According to the FDs, the referendum "is a ploy to entrench the 32 States" because you cannot hold a credible popular consultation within this time frame and a transitional government controlled by President Kiir who imposed this new territorial administration.

For its part, the SSOA in case of disagreement over the state numbers, the solution is to return to the 10 states as it is provided in the decision of the 55th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 30-31 January 2016.

Also, the FDs contested a general disposition in the agreement saying that the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) shall be formed as follows by the President of the Republic of South Sudan within two weeks of signing the Revitalized peace agreement.

For the opposition group, the NPTC should be set up by IGAD in consultation with the parties and its composition shall include IGAD.

The SSOA and the SDs admitted the progress achieved in Khartoum and reiterated their commitment to the process. Also, the Sudanese foreign minister and chief mediator said they would continue their efforts to bring the holdout groups to sign the agreement on 5 August.

The SSOA include the Federal Democratic Party (FDP) led by Gabriel Changsong Chang, the National Salvation Front (NAS), headed by Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka, the National Democratic Movement (NDM) chaired by Lam Akol, the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) headed by Hakim Dario Moi, the SPLM-FDs, the SSLM/A of Bapiny Monytuil, the National Movement for Change (SSNMC) led by Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM) of Costello Garang Ring and South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) of Peter Gatdet Yak and the United Democratic Alliance UDRA.

(ST)

July 26, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan government and the French oil company Total SA (TOT) have ended without agreement negotiations for two blocks in Jonglei region, as the oil minister pledged to attract new investors.

The formerly known as Block B, and held by Total in line with an agreement with the government of Sudan, was split into three parts in 2012.

In 2013, the two parties started discussions on the Block 1 and Block 2. In 2017, the Ministry of Petroleum awarded the third Block 3 to the Nigerian oil company, Oranto Petroleum.

The South Sudanese oil minister said the French oil firm wanted to launch long exploration works before to sign an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) with the government.

"The Ministry of Petroleum of South Sudan has stated its willingness to proceed with the signing of a draft EPSA, but Total has insisted on an extremely long exploration period and on economic terms that are not viable for the government," said Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth

Gatkuoth regretted that Total, after this long period of talks, has been unable to agree on economic terms and a timeline that works for the country

"Without this cornerstone in place, the Ministry of Petroleum cannot continue to negotiate an EPSA with Total. We are keen to discuss the exploration of Blocks B1 and B2 with new parties," he added.

Already in March 2017, Minister Gatkuoth threatened to terminate contracts awarded to Total by the end of April of the same year.

Since its independence, South Sudan relies on oil as the main source of cash. Also, the country seeks to increase its production to have the needed money for development and infrastructure project after the end of a 5-year civil war.

The French company set foot in Sudan in 1980 when it was awarded a permit to explore the vast Block B. Total shot 1,600 kilometres of seismic survey but had to leave the country in 1984 because of the outbreak of violence between the north and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army of the south.

After the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, Total had to struggle for several years to keep its rights in the Block B after the attribution of the same bloc to the U.K. company White Nile Ltd by South Sudanese officials.

(ST)

July 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's State Foreign Minister Osama Faisal and the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Khartoum, Steven Koutsis on Tuesday have discussed ongoing arrangements to resume the second phase of dialogue between the two countries.

During the meeting, Faisal praised the recent U.S. Department of Treasury decision to remove from the code of federal regulations the Sudanese sanctions regulations authorizing transactions related to exports of agricultural commodities, medicines, and medical devices.

He also called on the international community to support peace talks among South Sudan's warring parties, stressing Sudan's readiness to support the talks to achieve a comprehensive peace to enhance regional security and stability.

For his part, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires praised Sudan's efforts to host and support South Sudan's peace talks.

In October 2017, Washington decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework reached by the countries in December 2016. Khartoum, accordingly, authorized humanitarian access to civilians in Darfur and unilaterally declared a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The two countries agreed to resume talks on the normalization of bilateral talks and the lift of remaining sanctions particularly its designation as a state sponsor of terrorist groups.

Sudanese officials insist on the need to remove Sudan from the list of terror states, pointing out that the country cannot benefit from the debt relief and international development aid without this measure.

But Washington insists on the need to improve Human rights, religious freedom and other freedoms in a way to create a conducive environment for the opposition group to take part in the constitutional process after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed groups.

(ST)

July 25, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government has reiterated readiness to resume Darfur peace talks as soon as it receives an invitation from the African mediation.

Sudan's Presidential Envoy for Diplomatic Contact and Negotiation for Darfur Amin Hassan Omer told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) should constitute the basis for any future peace agreement in the region.

He pointed out that he has recently held meetings with the head of African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) chief, Jeremiah Mamabolo, saying the meetings addressed a number of peace files but didn't discuss the resumption of peace talks with Darfur holdout groups.

He stressed that the government is serious about meeting with Darfur movements to reach peaceful solutions to the conflict in the region.

Last April, delegations representing the Government of Sudan, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi ended two-day discussions in Berlin without signing a pre-negotiation agreement.

The two sides say willing for a negotiated settlement but failed to agree on how to proceed. The government put on the negotiating table the DDPD, but the armed groups say they want a new process on new bases, not this framework text signed in July 2011 with other former rebel groups.

The holdout groups including the JEM and SLM-MM refused to sign the DDPD in July 2011 and called to open the framework agreement for talks.

Other groups like the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) have declined to join the process and rejected its outcome.

The AUHIP led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki proposed a holistic process to end the armed conflicts and produce political reforms in Sudan.

During the year 2015-2016, talks between the government and the SLM-MM and JEM failed to reach a tangible result despite international efforts to bring together the opposition groups and to narrow the gaps between them and the government.

Last February, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (PSC) urged the AUHIP to make progress in the resolution of Darfur conflict during the upcoming three months.

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.

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June 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudanese government and SPLM-IO initialled power-sharing and governance agreement on Wednesday while other political opposition groups rejected the deal pointing that it didn't resolve the issue of the 32 states established in violation of the 2015 peace pact.

As the discussions were recently focused on the issue of the states, on Wednesday morning, the Sudanese mediators released a new proposal maintaining the power-sharing at the local government level despite Juba opposition and providing to hold a referendum if the parties fail to reach an agreement over the fate of the 32 states at the level of the Independent Boundaries Commission.

The signing ceremony was attended by the government negotiating delegation including senior ministers, and the Riek Machar who avoided to issue any public statement during the negotiations unlike the other opposition or the government delegations.

Sudanese foreign minister who endorsed the role of chief mediator announced in his speech at the initialling ceremony that final signing ceremony will take place on 5 August 2018 in the presence of the IGAD leaders.

El- Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed further reiterated Sudan's keenness to continue its efforts to bring the holdout groups to join the agreement.

According to the agreement which is the last issue of contention in the peace revitalization process the transitional government, tasked with the implementation of the peace agreement, will be composed of 35 ministers. The incumbent government will get 20 ministers, SPLM-IO 9 ministers, SSOA 3 ministers, FDs 2 ministers and OPP one minister.

Machar will be reinstated as First Vice President, and with him, there will be four other vice-presidents. All of them they will form a collegial presidency with President Salva Kiir to deliver the content of the peace agreement and achieve democratic and institutional reforms during the 30-month transitional period.

The Parliament will consist of 550 parliamentarians with 332 members from Kiir's government, 128 from Machar's group, 50 members from SSOA, 30 members from OPP and 10 members from FDs.

The political opposition groups which rejected the military action during the nearly past five years believe the current percentage of representation will deprive them of playing an important role during the transitional period. It is not clear now which role they can play during the transitional period.

Observers in Juba say SSOA- FDs's rejection may weaken Machar position during the transitional period. But an opposition leader stated to Sudan Tribune under the cover of anonymity that they will be free from any constraints and act as an initial sounding-board to explain their ideas.

ENOUGH WELCOMES THE DEAL

Rights advocacy group Enough Project welcomed the initialling of the power-sharing deal in Khartoum but stressed on the need for an inclusive peace and achieve the needed reform for the sake of peace and democracy in the new nation.

"The narrowing of the gaps between the primary warring parties in the South Sudanese conflict is welcome news. However, an inclusive peace is the only peace that will ever be sustainable," said John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project and Co-Founder of The Sentry.

for his part, Brian Adeba, an Enough Deputy Director of Policy pointed to the need to avoid concentration of power in few hands to avoid a return of war.

"The contentious issue of state borders requires the utmost independence and impartiality in its management to deter political machinations that favour one side" he further added.

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Mindful of our commitment under the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011,as amended (TCRSS), to lay the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law,
Deeply regretting the scale of untold human suffering that had befallen our country and people as a result of disregarding this commitment,
Determined to compensate our people by recommitting ourselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past,
Recognizing the prime significance of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country,
Cognizant that a federal system of government is a popular demand of the people of the Republic of South Sudan and of the need for the Revitalized TGoNU to reflect this demand by way of devolution of more powers and resources to lower levels of government,
Confirming the commitments that we have solemnly undertaken in the ARCSS and the Khartoum Declaration,
We the Parties, comprising of Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan (TGoNU), the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Former Detainees (FDs), Other Political Parties (OPP), collectively referred to as the Parties, confirm our commitment to the agreed part of the Revised Bridging Proposal and do hereby resolve as follows:
1. The Presidency:
1.1. During the Transitional Period:
a. H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit shall continue as President of the Republic of South Sudan.

b. The Chairman of SPLM/A-IO Dr Riek Machar Teny shall assume the position of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.
1.2. During the Transitional Period there shall be four Vice Presidents of the Republic of South Sudan who shall be nominated as follows:
a. Vice President to be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.
b. Vice President to be nominated by SSOA.
c. Vice President to be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.
d. Vice President to be nominated by FDs, who shall be a woman.
1.3. Apart from the First Vice President, there shall be no hierarchy among the Vice Presidents. The ranking in 1.2 above is for protocol purposes only.
1.4. Decision making in the Presidency shall be in a spirit of collegial collaboration. However, the powers and functions of the President, First Vice President, and Vice Presidents shall be delineated along the provisions of the ARCSS 2015.
1.5. The First Vice President and Vice Presidents shall oversee respectively the following Cabinet Clusters:
(a) First Vice President: Governance Cluster.
(b) Vice President: Economic Cluster.
(c) Vice President: Services Delivery Cluster.
(d) Vice President: Infrastructure Cluster.
(e) Vice President: Gender and Youth Cluster.

2. The Revitalized TGoNU:
2.1. The Council of Ministers shall comprise of thirty five (35) Ministers that shall be organized in the abovementioned five (5) Clusters.
2.2. The three Clusters stated in the ARCSS shall continue having due regard to the amendments required as a result of creating new Clusters and new Ministries.
2.3. The Infrastructure Cluster shall include Ministries of Energy and Dams; Transport; Roads and Bridges; and any other appropriate Ministry of the five new Ministries.

2.4. The Gender and Youth Cluster shall include Ministries of Gender, Child and Social Welfare; Culture and Heritage, Youth, and Sports; and any appropriate Ministry of the five new Ministries.
2.5. The additional five Ministries and their clustering shall be agreed by the Parties before or during the Pre-Transitional Period further to a proposal to be drawn by the IGAD. The full list of the thirty five (35) Ministries and their clustering shall be drawn at that time and shall be included in the Revitalized ARCSS.
2.6. The Ministerial positions shall be allocated as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 20 Ministries.
b. SPLM/A-IO: 09Ministries.
c. SSOA: 03 Ministries.
d. FDs: 02 Ministries.
e. OPP: 01Ministry.
2.7. There shall be ten (10) Deputy Ministers in the following Ministries:
a. Cabinet Affairs.
b. Foreign Affairs.
c. Defense.
d. Interior.
e. Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
f. Finance.
g. Agriculture and Food Security.
h. General Education and Instruction.
i. Public Service and Human Resources Development.
j. Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
2.8. Deputy Ministers shall be allocated as follows:
a. TGoNU: five (5) Deputy Ministers.
b. SPLM/A-IO: three (3) Deputy Ministers.
c. SSOA: one (1) Deputy Minister.
d. OPP: one (1) Deputy Minister.
2.9. The Parties shall agree on the assigning of Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial portfolios and nominate their Ministers and Deputy Ministers accordingly.

2.10. No fewer than three (3) of the Deputy Ministers shall be women.
2.11. No Assistant Presidents, any other Ministers or Deputy Ministers shall be appointed during the Transitional Period.
2.12. If more than two Advisers to the President are appointed, the responsibility sharing ratio shall apply to their selection.

3. The Transitional National Legislature:
3.1. The Transitional National Legislature (TNL) shall consist of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States.
3.2. The TNLA shall be expanded to 550 members and reconstituted as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 332 members.
b. SPLM/A-IO: 128 members.
c. SSOA: 50 members.
d. OPP: 30 members.
e. FDs: 10 members.
3.3. The Speaker of the TNLA shall be nominated by the Incumbent TGoNU. One Deputy Speaker shall be nominated by SPLM/A-IO; another, who shall be a woman, shall be nominated by the Incumbent TGoNU; and a third Deputy Speaker to be nominated by OPP.
3.4. Upon issuing the final report of the IBC the Council of States shall be reconstituted as shall be recommended by the IBC. However, if the IBC failed to issue its final report the Council of States shall be reconstituted pursuant to the outcome of the referendum and as stated in the TCRSS.
3.5. The Speaker of the Council of States shall be from SPLM-IO, Deputy Speaker from TGoNU, who shall be a woman, and Deputy Speaker from SSOA. For the purpose of regional inclusivity required in a body representing the States, each of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers shall come from a different region.

4. Number and Boundaries of States:
4.1. Within two weeks of the signing of the Revitalized ARCSS, the IGAD Executive Secretariat, taking into account the decision of the 55th Extra- Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 30-31, 2016, shall appoint an Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) for the Republic of South Sudan.
4.2. The IBC shall consist of fifteen (15) members with the necessary skills and expertise.
4.3. Members of the IBC shall be appointed as follows:
a. Five (5) members to be appointed by TGoNU.
b. Five (5) members to be appointed by opposition groups: two (2) from SPLM/A-IO, one (1) from SSOA, one (1) from FDs, and one (1) from OPP.
c. Five (5) highly experienced members to be appointed by C5 states (South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria and Chad).
4.4. The IBC shall be chaired by one of its non-South Sudanese members who shall be of recognized standing and integrity and who should have had occupied a senior judicial, executive or administrative position in his/her home country.
4.5. The IBC may retain the services of a team of experts from South Sudan, the IGAD region, AU, the Troika, and the international community as required.
4.6. If found appropriate, the IBC shall establish three teams, each consisting of five representatives and relevant experts, to be deployed at locations it will designate.
4.7. The function of the IBC shall be to consider the number of States of the Republic of South Sudan, their boundaries, the composition and restructuring of the Council of States and to make recommendations on the same.
4.8. The IBC shall study all viable alternatives in the light of guidelines that shall be drawn beforehand and right at the beginning of its work. The IBC shall also draw its own internal regulations. Adoption of the guidelines and internal regulations shall be by simple majority of the IBC.
4.9. The IBC shall strive to adopt its final report by consensus. If consensus is not achieved, the IBC shall adopt its final report by a decision taken by two thirds of all its members that shall include at least seven (7) of its South Sudanese members.
4.10. The recommendations of the IBC shall be presented to the IGAD Executive Secretariat and shall be immediately communicated to the Parties.
4.11. The Parties agree to abide by the recommendations of the IBC, and hereby authorize the IGAD Executive Secretariat to enshrine the same in the Revitalized ARCSS as an addendum. The Parties accept to implement the recommendations in full at the beginning of the Transitional Period.
4.12. The IBC shall complete its work within a maximum of ninety (90) days that shall not be extendable.
4.13. In the unlikely event of the IBC failing to make its final report before the end of its term, the IBC shall be automatically transformed on the 90th day of its term into Referendum Commission on Number and Boundaries of States (RCNBS) of the Republic of South Sudan.
4.14. The RCNBS shall work under the direct supervision and support of the African Union and the IGAD, and shall conduct the referendum before the end of the agreed eight (8) months Pre-Transitional Period.
4.15. The referendum shall be conducted on the number and boundaries of States of the Republic of South Sudan; taking account of the positions advanced by Parties. The question or set of questions that shall be posed in the referendum shall be the same for the entire country unless it is decided in the RCNBS that each State shall have different question or set of questions more understandable to the people.

5. States and Local Government
5.1. The Responsibility sharing ratio at State level and local government level shall be as follows:

a. Incumbent TGoNU: 55%
b. SPLM/A-IO: 27%
c. SSOA: 10%
d. OPP: 08%
5.2. At the beginning of the Transitional Period State and local governments shall be dissolved and reconstituted as per the responsibility sharing formula stated above.
5.3. The positions that shall be shared as per the responsibility sharing formula include: Governors, Speakers of State Legislatures, State Councils of Ministers, State Legislatures, County Commissioners, and County Councils.
5.4. In sharing State and local government positions the Parties shall take into account the relative prominence each Party has in the respective State or county.
5.5. The FDs shall have three State Ministers in States of their choice that shall be deducted from the opposition ratio.

6. General Provisions:
6.1. The Parties recognize that during the Pre-Transitional Period, the Incumbent TGoNU shall continue to exercise its powers as per the TCRSS.
6.2. At the beginning of the Pre-Transitional Period, the Parties shall issue a solemn commitment to their people and the international community at large confirming unequivocally that they will not return to war and shall work hand in hand diligently and collectively for the sake of peace and stability of their country. In particular, the Parties shall pledge to use the resources of the country wisely and transparently, for the best interests of the people of the Republic of South Sudan, and to put in place the efficient mechanisms required for achieving this paramount goal. In their solemn commitment the Parties shall also appeal to the international community for support and cooperation at this difficult time of the Republic of South Sudan.

6.3. The activities that shall be undertaken during the agreed eight (8) months Pre–Transitional Period shall include:
a. Dissemination of the Revitalized ARCSS to South Sudanese people inside the country, in different cities and refugee camps in neighboring countries, and in diaspora, so that the people can understand, support and own it.
b. Carrying out the tasks entrusted to the IBC and the RCNBS.
c. A process of national healing and reconciliation that shall be led by the Parties, churches and civil society groups inside and outside of the Republic of South Sudan.
d. The agreed security arrangement activities.
e. Incorporation of the Revitalized ARCSS in the TCRSS.
f. Reviewing and drafting necessary bills as per the Revitalized ARCSS.
g. Any other activities agreed by the Parties.
6.4. Provisions of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan and ARCSS on participation of women (35 %) in the Executive shall be observed. In particular, Incumbent TGoNU shall nominate no fewer than six (6) women to the Council of Ministers, and SPLM-IO shall nominate no fewer than three (3) women to the Council of Ministers.
6.5. Having in mind that more than 70 percent of the population in the Republic of South Sudan is under the age of thirty and that youth are the most affected by the war and represent high percentage of refugees and IDPs, the Parties shall strive to include people of young age in their quotas at different levels. In particular, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports in the Revitalized TGoNU shall be less than forty (40) years old.
6.6. In selecting their nominees Parties shall give due consideration to national diversity, gender and regional representation.
6.7. Without prejudice to Paragraph 6.1. above, a National Pre–Transitional Committee (NPTC) shall be formed as follows by the President of the Republic of South Sudan within two weeks of signing the Revitalized ARCSS:

a. The NPTC shall be formed of ten members representing the Parties as follows: five (5) for Incumbent TGoNU, two (2) for SLPM/A-IO, one (1) for SSOA, one (1) for FDs, and one (1) for OPP. The NPTC shall be chaired by TGoNU representative with two Deputy Chairs to be nominated by SPLM/A-IO and SSOA respectively, and shall adopt its decisions by consensus.
b. The NPTC shall be entrusted with the function of oversight and coordination of the implementation of the activities of the Pre– Transitional Period stated in 6.3 above in collaboration with the Incumbent TGoNU .
c. The NPTC shall draw the road map for implementing the political tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period, prepare a budget for the activities of the Pre–Transitional Period, and address issues of VIP security and preparations for new Ministers, among others.
d. The NPTC shall start its work in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and shall move to Juba sometime during the Pre-Transitional Period. The NPTC shall be dissolved when the Pre-Transitional Period ends.
6.8. There shall be established a fund, to be drawn from oil proceeds and contributions of donors, for the implementation of the activities of the Pre–Transitional Period. The fund shall be deposited by Incumbent TGoNU in an escrow account in a bank agreed to by the NPTC. The NPTC shall manage the fund transparently and report on it monthly to the President of the Republic of South Sudan and to the Parties.
6.9. The IGAD-led mediation shall revitalize and restructure all monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure inclusion of all Parties and to enhance the effectiveness of all mechanisms. Such review and restructuring shall be reflected in the Revitalized ARCSS.
6.10. Within 12 (twelve) months of the beginning of the Transitional Period, the Reconstituted National Constitutional Amendments Committee (NCAC) shall revise relevant laws and draft new legislations pursuant to the Revitalized ARCSS.
6.11. The Parties reaffirm their agreement in the ARCSS that a federal and democratic system of governance that reflects the character of the

Republic of South Sudan and ensures unity in diversity be enacted during the permanent constitution making process.
6.12. The Parties also reaffirm their commitment to the principle of lean government and that the number of members of the future parliament shall be commensurate with the number of the population of the country pursuant to the internationally recognized proportions. The Parties recognize that the high number of members of the Executive and TNLA is agreed herein on exceptional basis for the purposes of the Transitional Period only and that those numbers shall form no precedent or any precursor for the future.
6.13. This Agreement shall prevail on contradictory or incompatible provisions of ARCSS, any other agreement and the Revised Bridging Proposal.

Done in Khartoum, Sudan, this day 25th of July 2018.

For Incumbent TGoNU
…………………………………………………………………………..

For SPLM/A-IO
……………………………………………………………………………

For SSOA
…………………………………………………………………………...

For FDs
……………………………………………………………………………...

For OPP
………………………………………………………………………………

For the Republic of Sudan (Guarantor):
………………………………………………………………………….

For IGAD (Witness):
…………………………………………………………………………..

July 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - The mediators handed over to the South Sudanese negotiating delegations a new draft agreement on the governance chapter that amended the composition of the on the states boundaries mechanism but keeps the power-sharing at the local government level.

The government and the opposition groups alike rejected the draft agreement on the governance chapter issued by the Sudanese mediation ob 18 July citing reservations over some points mainly focused on the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) and the inclusion of the counties level in the power-sharing which was not part of the 2015 peace deal.

In a new version dated on 25 July seen by the Sudan Tribune, the mediation with the same ratio but sought to review the issues of contention between the parties particularly at the state level.

The latest draft maintains the IBC members at 15 but abandoned its rule of one representative for each South Sudanese party. Now, the South Sudanese government gets 5 members at this commission which will determine the fate of 32 states the opposition rejects.

The SPLM IO has two representatives, and the SSOA, FDs and OPP will get one delegate per group. Also, the IGAD, and Troika will lose their vote in the commission as they will be represented only at the expert level. While the African Union remains represented by five members from the C5 countries, (South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria and Chad).

In the previous draft, the IBC mandate is limited to study " the alternatives currently proposed by the Parties and any other viable alternatives" but in the new draft IBC shall "study all viable alternatives in the light of guidelines that shall be drawn beforehand".

Further, the decisional mechanism has been changed in the case the IBC members fail to reach a consensus. In the new draft, the decisions will be taken by "two-thirds of all its members that shall include at least seven (7) of its South Sudanese members", abandoning the rule of the simple majority in the previous draft.

On Tuesday, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) declared their rejection of the power-sharing deal saying they will not "comprise on fundamental issues" referring to the IBC and their involvement in the administration of local governments.

In the draft of 25 July, the mediators have maintained the power-sharing " ratio at State level and local government level" despite Juba's opposition to this extension. Also, the mediation increased the ratio of the SPLM-Io to 27% from the initial 25% and reduced the percentage of the OPP form 10% to 8%. the incumbent government and SSOA kept the percentage 55% and 10% respectively.

Among the other changes brought in the new draft that the SPLM-IO will nominate the deputy speaker of the transitional legislative body. In the proposal of 18 July, the deputy speaker was from the OPP. This one now is the second deputy speaker.

Also, the mediation increased the number of the FDs Members of Parliament at the legislative assembly from 5 to 10 MPs and reduced the MPs of the OP to 30 from 35.

The Sudanese government invited the IGAD leaders to attend the signing ceremony on Thursday 26 July and Juba said willing to sign the agreement pointing they have one item they want to discuss with the mediation at the states level.

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Click here to read the latest draft agreement on governance