Sudan Tribune

May 31, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Australian gold miner Resolute Mining this week struck a 22.5 million Australian dollar deal with the Canadian Orca Gold, subscribing for 32.4-million of its shares in gold activities in Sudan.

FILE - Smoke rises after a blast in a quarry at the Ariab mine September 28, 2011 (Reuters)

"This strategic investment by Resolute demonstrates and supports a rapidly growing international mining interest in Sudan," said Ocra in a statement released on Monday 28 May.

In line with the deal, Resolute will own 32,364,960 shares of Ocra, representing approximately 15% of its capital.

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.

Sudan hopes to increase gold production to more than 140 tons during this year and make Sudan the first gold producer in Africa by 2018.

The Canadian company said with this deal it is now fully funded to deliver a Feasibility Study on its Block 14 Gold Project in Sudan and to expand its exploration endeavours on this 2,170km2 licence.

Ocra is currently completing a Feasibility Study on its 70%-owned Block 14 Gold Project in Sudan.

Also, it is conducting exploration on its gold properties in Côte d'Ivoire.

The deal also enables Resolute to acquire 1,876,422 shares of the Canadian company in connection with the acquisition of two exploration companies located and operating in Côte d'Ivoire.

(ST)

May 31, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Amnesty International (AI)called on the Sudanese authorities to release a human rights activist deported from Saudi Arabia saying he is at risk of torture.

Hisham Ali (ST Photo)

Hisham Ali was deported from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, and detained upon arrival in Khartoum at the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) headquarters.

"Having been a courageous political and online activist against torture and corruption Husham Ali is at great risk of torture and other ill-treatment while in the hands of the NISS. Pending his release, he must be granted unfettered access to a lawyer of his choice and to his family," said Joan Nyanyuki, AI Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

Hisham was arrested in Jeddah by the Saudi authorities in November 2017 upon the request of Sudanese security apparatus. He contributed to various online forums to expose government corruption and expressed his support for the November and December 2016 civil disobedience in Sudan on his Facebook page.

There are three other Sudanese had been deported to Sudan from Saudi Arabia in July 2017, Elgassim Mohmed Seed Ahmed, 52, Elwaleed Imam Hassan Taha, 44, and Alaa Aldin al-Difana. All of them had been arrested following their participation in an online campaign to support calls for civil disobedience in November and December 2016.

All of them were arrested without charges for a period between one to three months before to be released.

"They told Amnesty International that they had been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment during detention," said the human rights body.

The Sudanese authorities at the time denounced the massive participation of the Sudanese Diaspora in the civil disobedience campaign and vowed to hunt the activists.

(ST)

May 31, 2018 (WASHINGTON) - The Security Council Thursday decided to consider within a month imposing arms embargo or individual sanctions on six South Sudanese including four top government officials in the event of a ceasefire violation or lack of a viable peace agreement.

The resolution also renews for 45 days the sanctions imposed in 2015 on those blocking peace in South Sudan.

The 15-member body in a resolution endorsed by just 9 "yes" votes said the Council would consider applying the sanctions if the parties violate the cessation of hostilities or fail to reach a viable political agreement before 30 June 2018

China, Russia, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Equatorial Guinea, abstained from voting on a draft resolution submitted by the United States. Those who voted for the resolution are Côte d'Ivoire, France, Kuwait, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States.

The final version requests the UN Secretary-General to report on the ceasefire violation or the failure to strike a peace deal in coordination with the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM).

The resolution further decided to renew until 14 August 2018 the mandate of the Panel of Experts overseeing the sanctions imposed on South Sudan, with instructions to provide the Council with an update every month.

In an editorial published on the Washington Post on Wednesday, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the America administration was supportive for the new nation but "we have lost patience with the status quo".

In her speech before the Council, repeated the content of her editorial Haley and called for sanctions on "those who continue to destabilize South Sudan", adding "We must stop making excuses and take real steps to end the conflict".

Speaking before the vote, the Ethiopian Ambassador Tekeda Alemu said the South Sudanese conflict could only be addressed through an inclusive political process. He further said the IGAD efforts are at a “very critical moment” and the sanctions would be detrimental to the peace process.

Alemu further stressed that it would have been sensible for the Council to give IGAD a chance, and that "waiting two months would not have caused the sky to fall".

If the first version of the draft resolution provides the imposition of travel restrictions and an asset freeze with immediate effect, the resolution suspends the implementation for 29 days if the parties fail to sign an agreement or violate the cessation of hostilities.

British Ambassador Jonathan Guy Allen voiced his country support to the IGAD-led peace process adding it was clear that the parties were still not ready to reach agreement on peace as horrific reports of violence and human rights abuses continued.

“This cannot be allowed to continue,” he emphasized before to add that the resolution was an important step towards increasing pressure on the parties to compromise. "Let it be a clear message to the parties and those who wish to prevent peace going forward," Allen said.

The South Sudanese Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal said the resolution imposing sanctions on South Sudanese officials was not helpful for the IGAD brokered efforts to end the conflict.

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel” in the peace revitalization forum, and "the annexe to the resolution was unhelpful in that regard. Nevertheless, the Government of South Sudan would work closely with regional partners to achieve lasting peace," Malwal said.

Juba says the sanctions would encourage the opposition groups to refuse to make needed concessions for peace.

The South Sudanese officials identified in the resolution are Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk, Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuru, Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth, SPLA Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, SPLM-IO Bieh state Gov. Koang Rambang Chol and former army chief Paul Malong Awan.

In June, the Security Council will discuss the security situation in South Sudan after a briefing on the Secretary-General's 90-day report on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), together with his monthly report on violations of the Status of Forces Agreement.

Also in a related development, the SPLM-IO issued a statement denying that Governor Koang Rambang Chuol violated the ceasefire in Bieh State or denied humanitarian access to aid groups. Also, it denied his responsibility in the of two Kenyan pilots last February.

"Therefore, he does not meet the qualifications for travel ban and asset freeze as stated in Annexe 1 to the UN Security Council Zero Draft on Renewal of South Sudan Sanctions on individuals," concluded the rebel statement.

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (JUBA) – South Sudan's army and rebels massacred civilians, burned children alive and gang-raped women, despite a ceasefire agreed upon in December last year, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) said in a new report on the war-torn nation.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

The 14 CTSAMM are yet to be publicly released despite pledges by regional leaders to have those who violated the ceasefire agreement punished.

Both South Sudan government and rebels have dismissed the report.

A group of 200 South Sudanese government soldiers attacked the village of Nyatot in Upper Nile state on 12 February and reportedly shot at random everything and everybody, according to Reuters.

22 civilians were killed and 72 wounded, the monitoring team said.

Gordon Buay, an official at South Sudan's embassy in Washington, said troops had targeted rebels in Nyatot, not civilians as claimed.

“Any civilian killed in that was not intentional. It was crossfire,” he told Reuters.

The reports says an attack on the town of Modit in Jonglei state on 26 February saw government forces raze buildings, loot a Christian charity and kill five people, including four children who were burned.

“Soldiers stood at the door of the (hut) to ensure the children remained inside and they were eventually burnt to death,” it said.

One of the reports also accused the armed opposition forces loyal to the country's former first vice-president, Riek Machar of using child soldiers around the South Sudanese northwestern town of Wau.

Tens of thousands have been killed in South Sudan's war, which began in December 2013 with fighting been soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and Machar, an ethnic Nuer.

More than 3 million people have been displaced due to the civil war, while aid agencies say about 5 million people are food insecure.

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (WASHINGTON) - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Wednesday called for international sanctions on individuals responsible for the continuation of the war in South Sudan and obstructing to humanitarian access affected civilians.

Haley made her call ahead of a vote on Thursday by the Security Council on a draft resolution she has submitted since Thursday imposing individual sanctions on three South Sudanese ministers and an army general, in addition to a rebel commander and the SPLA former chief of staff.

Referring to the four-and-half-year-old conflict in South Sudan, the diplomat recalled that the USA supported the independence of the new nation and invested more than $11 billion there since its independence.

"But we have lost patience with the status quo," she wrote in an article published on the Washington Post, calling for an action to end the armed conflict in the new nation.

"Sanctions on those who continue to destabilize South Sudan represent another critical tool at the Security Council's disposal," she stressed after referring to the arms embargo on South Sudan.

She said the targeted sanctions including ban travel and asset freeze, would ensure that individuals who threaten the peace pay for perpetuating violence in South Sudan.

South Sudanese government tries to get the support of the three non-permanent African countries at the Security Council. Also, Juba sought to reach Kuwait and Kazakhstan in addition to Russia and China which have the possibility to veto the resolution.

In a letter to Juba after an informal meeting on the draft resolution last week, the South Sudanese chargé d'affaires to the United Nations Cecilia Adeng was sceptic on her government capacity to reverse the vote.

"I am not sure if we have the numbers to stop the draft from being passed," said Adeng.

"The international community must come together to do what South Sudan's leaders will not: take action to restore hope to the world's youngest country," said Haley.

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sudan Jean-Michel Dumond has expressed readiness to provide technical assistance for the Sudanese economic sector.

EU's ambassador to Sudan Jean-Michel Dumond (EU Photo)

Sudan's State Foreign Minister Osama Faisal on Tuesday discussed with the EU envoy a number of internal issues as well as regional and international issues of common concern.

Faisal briefed Dumond on the latest political and economic developments in Sudan, pointing out that his government is capable of overcoming the economic crisis as it did in the past.

He said Sudan had previously managed to overcome the economic challenges which resulted from the U.S. sanctions and the secession of South Sudan.

The Sudanese minister called on the EU to encourage the European companies to invest in his country, stressing Sudan's cooperation in the human rights field.

For his part, Dumond said the EU is willing to provide technical support to Sudan in areas of financial reform and expansion of tax umbrella.

He also praised Sudan's role within the regional bloc IGAD to support the peace process in South Sudan.

Since January, the economic conditions have deteriorated significantly as prices reached high levels and the Sudanese pounds hit historic low against the US dollar leading to an unprecedented rise in the cost of living.

Also, the East African nation has suffered a severe shortage of gasoline and cooking gas.

Opposition forces attribute the deteriorating living condition and economic meltdown to corruption, lack of production policies, and lack of economic reform vision following the secession of South Sudan.

Sudan lost 75% of its oil reserves after the southern part of the country became an independent nation in July 2011, denying the north billions of dollars in revenues. Oil revenue constituted more than half of Sudan's revenue and 90% of its exports.

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The United States Chargé d'Affaires in Khartoum, Steven Koutsis has called on the Sudanese government to adopt new mechanisms to achieve sustainable peace in Darfur.

Following his meeting with North Darfur State governor Al-Sharief Mohamed Abad on Wednesday, Koutsis demanded the government to continue the disarmament campaign and meet the holdout groups in order to join the peace process.

He pointed out that the U.S. is exerting serious efforts in coordination with the United Nations to meet humanitarian needs and achieve peace in Darfur.

The U.S. envoy acknowledged the significant improvement in the security situation in North Darfur, saying it would contribute to improving the humanitarian situation.

For his part, Abad briefed Koutsis on the security situation in North Darfur, pointing to the presence of police and prosecution offices across the state.

He stressed the continuation of the disarmament campaign to impose the state's authority, pointing to his government's efforts to promote stability and peaceful coexistence in the state.

Abad added his government is facing a number of challenges including the provision of basic needs, livelihood and services for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who voluntarily returned to their original villages.

He pointed to a government plan to dismantle the IDPs camps, stressing the freedom of movement and access to all camps.

The governor praised the U.S. role in the provision of humanitarian assistance, demanding further support for the development and reconstruction programmes.

It is noteworthy that Koutsis and his accompanying delegation would visit Zam Zam camp for IDPs and meet with the native administrators and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

CENTRAL DARFUR

In a related development, the Political Counsellor at the US embassy in Khartoum Wales Ryan paid a visit to Golo in Central Darfur state to inspect the security and humanitarian situation in the area which hosts IDPs camp and UNAMID new site.

In a press statement released after a meeting with the Governor Mohamed Ahmed Gad Elsid, the Central Darfur state said Ryan pledged to provide humanitarian assistance to the war affected civilians and to support the IDPs voluntary return programme.

Gad Elsid urged the United States to put pressure on the holdout armed groups to join the negotiating table in order to achieve stability and development.

The governor further stressed the keenness of his government to ensure the success of the agricultural season and encourage the IDPs to return to their areas of origin by opening tracks, securing villages and areas of production and take measures to avoid friction between the pastoralists and farmers.

The statement said the U.S. Chargé d'affaires would visit soon the Central Darfur state.

The recent fighting between the government forces and the SLM-AW rebels in Central Darfur pushed thousands of villagers to flee to IDPs caps in the state.

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)

May 30, 2018 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese armed opposition official has joined South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by ex-army chief of staff, General Paul Malong.

South Sudan's former army chief Paul Malong addresses the media after returning to the South Sudan's capital of Juba, on May 13, 2017 (Reuters photo)

“ I want to inform all my comrades, men and women to unite our ranks and files under the SSUF/A leadership so that we overthrow this futile regime under deranged leaders in Juba,” said Major General Acuil Lual Acuil.

He appealed to all opposition groups in the country to join the Malong-led movement to effect change in the war-torn nation.

“It is only the SSUF/A that can and has the ability to bring change in South Sudan,” he said in a 26 May letter signed by 12 senior officers.

Relations between Malong and President Salva Kiir deteriorated after the former was sacked from his post as Army Chief of Staff in May 2017 and placed under house arrest for fear he would foment a rebellion.

Malong was freed in November following mediation led by the Jieng Council of Elders. The agreement refrained him from going to his home-town of Aweil in the former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State, but he was free to travel to any East Africa country.

In April, however, Malong announced the formation SSUF/A, saying it was a through which he would work with compatriots to overthrow the Juba regime.

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (JUBA/ADDIS ABABA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Wednesday was in Addis Ababa to discuss the IGAD brokered peace forum on the implementation of 2015 peace agreement but also the looming UN sanctions on his senior ministers.

The visit comes 24 hours before an extraordinary meeting on the stalled peace forum of the IGAD Council of Ministers chaired by Ethiopia. Also, on Thursday the UN Security Council will deliberate and vote on individual sanctions targeting his top ministers.

Following a meeting with the visiting South Sudanese president, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed the support of his country to the peace forum adding that Addis Abba would continue to work hard for peace and stability in the neighbouring troubled South Sudan.

"We cannot have peace (in Ethiopia) unless there is peace in neighbouring countries," said Abiy, adding that “Ethiopia will work in cooperation with neighbouring countries to achieve development and growth plans".

President Kiir said on his part "Ethiopia is not only a supportive neighbour but our country," reported the official ENA news agency.

Last week, the peace forum suspended its meetings after the failure of the South Sudanese parties to back a draft agreement elaborated by the mediation reinstating the former First Vice President Riek Machar in his position but maintained a controversial regional administration reform establishing 32 states.

During the past months, President Kiir had sought to convince the IGAD leaders and South African to keep Machar far from the peace talks or his return to Juba as first vice-president.

It is not clear if Kiir came to insist on his position on Machar and to request the IGAD Council of Ministers to take it into consideration.

The agenda of the IGAD ministerial meeting, seen by Sudan Tribune, shows that the meeting would discuss two reports on the progress made in the peace process and the ceasefire violations.

The meeting further will discuss the "consideration of the punitive measures that should be taken against violators of CoHA," reads the agenda.

The spokesperson of the South Sudanese presidency Ateny Wek Ateny told reporters at Juba Airport upon Kiir departure that the President would discuss the UN Security Council sanctions on three senior ministers and a military commander.

During an informal meeting of the Security Council on 25 May, Ethiopia which is a non-permanent member at the Security Council contested the draft resolution submitted by the U.S., the penholder on South Sudan, saying the draft had to presented by the IGAD countries.

Juba seeks to convince Russia and China to use their veto against the resolution. But if they abstain, the abstention of three African Unions countries at the Security Council, Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinéa, plus two countries like Kuwait or Kazakhstan can prevent the adoption of the resolution which needs get the vote of 9 members out of the 15 total members.

During the informal meeting of last Thursday, Cote d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinéa said they would vote for the resolution. Ethiopia said it would abstain, the
same for Russia and China.

Juba says the sanctions resolution if passed would embolden the opposition groups and push them to resist regional pressures to make the needed concessions.

However, opposition officials retort by pointing to Juba intransigence in the talks and the repeated violations by its army of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

The draft resolution includes Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk, Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, Deputy Chief of Defence for Logistics in South Sudan's army, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro, and Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth.

(ST)

“Committing mistakes is something human and sometimes inevitable. However, not learning from mistakes may suggest that something is fundamentally amiss because it subjects the individual, group, country or society to perpetually commit the same mistakes” Dr. Peter A. Nyaba

By Bol Khan

What is IGAD's imperative priority on South Sudan's tedious peace revitalization process? Is IGAD aiming to bring about a peace accord that saves the lives of suffering ordinary people of South Sudan or a shaky peace deal that serves only the politicians' interests? The HLRF's Phase II that recently ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, without a signed deal was supposed to be the last round of South Sudan's Peace talks. Ahead of time, the public leaked it that in case the delegates fail to reach a comprehensive deal by themselves until 21th of May 2018, then IGAD would be coming up with a neutral and moderate proposal to narrow the gaps between the parties. This was what in the mind of every South Sudanese citizen. However, unexpectedly, when the IGAD's “Bridging Proposal” was out, circulated everybody was dumfounded including the author. I surprised and bewildered because the proposal squarely appeared as if South Sudanese's politicians drafted it themselves, in their own interests.

The Politicians' interests: Accommodative, large government that proposes benefits

The IGAD “Bridging Proposal” proposed an additional new position of Third Vice President, forty-two (42) ministers, fifteen (15) Deputy Ministers, four hundred and forty (440) members of Parliaments. A transitional poor government with five hundred and one (501) cabinet and parliament members excluding the Advisors, Council of States' members, bureaucrats at the various ministries, heads of commissions and Directors…name them. Just assume the parties have accepted and signed IGAD's Bridging Proposal”, how big would such a government be? Again, the IGAD proposed a six (6) member Transition Facilitation Council (TFC), monetary rewards for all those would be displaced persons from positions both in National and in the States governments. “Where, as a consequence of the allocation of positions under this agreement a post-holder is displaced from a post, the Transitional Government shall make every effort to find an alternative position for that person, including in the reconstituted boards and commissions as appropriate”. The proposal said: “the affected person may include: (a) A member of the Executive, (b) A Governor or other office holder in a State; and a member of TNL” (Transition National Legislature). “In the event that a person cannot be accommodated in a suitable alternative position, the Transitional Government shall endeavour to make an appropriate ex gratia payment or form of compensation to that person”. Generally, looking at the nature of proposed governance and security sectors, the IGAD did not only expose itself as a coalition that aims to create jobs or interests for politicians but also a regional bloc that might be unknowingly putting the lives of suffering ordinary South Sudanese citizens into further risk.

“Benefits and Standing of Former leaders”

Furthermore, the IGAD also proposed that a revitalized Transitional Government would work to give the benefits, incentive and standing of former leaders. “Within 30 days of the signing of this Agreement, Legislation shall be introduced in the TNLA to make adequate provision for the benefits, emoluments and standing of former leaders. Legislation shall provide for benefits of a former leader, including an office staff, protection and allocation of sufficient resource commensurate to their standing as leaders”. This increasingly casts much doubt in IGAD's precedence in South Sudan's peace revitalization process. Yes, it is not a dreadful idea to pay leaders benefits especially in stable countries where leaders serve the nation's interests. However, in reality, what good thing have those leaders done so far and/or in the people of South Sudan's interest than these immense damages they have been causing in South Sudan since 2013? They are not leaders of national stature. Therefore, the benefits IGAD's “Bridging Proposal” proposed are all unnecessary. Instead, the proposed resources should only be used to rebuild the nation and lives of the ordinary citizens who are suffering or to provide them better security, development and peace dividends in the country, South Sudan.

Legitimacy: Who are the elected leaders in the Republic of South Sudan?

Who are the democratically elected and legitimate Leaders in the Republic of South Sudan? In other words, who is a democratically elected President, Parliamentarian or Governor in the Republic of South Sudan today? I think there is none because there were neither Executive nor parliamentarian elections ever conducted in the Republic of South Sudan since 2011! Hence, there is no legitimate leader today in the Republic of South Sudan who could have claimed that he/she is a democratically elected leader. Since 9 July 2011-21 May 2018, South Sudan has been operating under two sequence transitional rules of unelected governments. The first transition, interim and constitutional government (leaders) term in offices (after independent) ended on 21 May 2015. The second transition government provided by August 2015 Compromise Peace Agreement also ended on 17 May 2018. This is the reason why the ordinary people of South Sudan have been calling on IGAD to impose a peace solution that is South Sudanese ordinary citizens' interest.

Conclusion

What is the interest of South Sudanese's ordinary citizens?

The central interest of South Sudanese citizens is to have a better peace deal in South Sudan that addresses the root causes of the conflict. A deal, that holds all perpetrators accountable for atrocities they have committed as stipulated in a revitalizing ARCISS. The interest of the people is a peace agreement that does not reward politicians for atrocities they have had committed instead. A deal, that installs a responsible, balanced and lean (small sized) government to implement peace and security, restore the deteriorated economic situation, a sincere honest government that will unconditionally organize free and fair general elections at the end of the transitional period. The people of South Sudan have interested not in a shaky peace deal that its aim is just to renew the lifespan of politicians in offices at the expense of innocent citizens' lives. The people of South Sudan do not want a precarious peace deal that shall be susceptible to their lives just like August 2015 Agreement.

With all this in mind, IGAD must acknowledge its proven failure in solving South Sudan's crisis because of its complicity in the sufferings the South Sudanese ordinary citizens are facing today in and around the country. Therefore, IGAD needs to choose one of the following, forthwith: (a) Prioritize the interest of sufferings ordinary South Sudanese citizens by bringing peace back to South Sudan within one or two weeks, maximum; (b) Or hand over the South Sudan's peace process to AU or UN, a global body. This is what the people of South Sudan are greatly yearning for. “Committing mistakes is something human and sometimes inevitable. However, not learning from mistakes may suggest that something is fundamentally amiss because it subjects the individual, group, country or society to perpetually commit the same mistakes”. IGAD should learn from the recent past mistakes, for instance, the lack of proper security arrangements, absolute impunity (no punitive measures being taken against peace violators) and imbalanced power that blocked smooth and successful implementation of August 2015 Peace Agreement. Where the transitional period agreed upon in 2015 become wasted three (3) years without stopping the sufferings of South Sudanese ordinary citizens both in the country and in neighbouring countries.

The author, Bol Khan, is a South Sudanese Activist and Freelance Writer. He is reachable on khanrom8@gmail.com or Twitter: @khanrom8

May 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The newly appointed Sudanese Foreign Minister Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed on Tuesday has arrived in Cairo to hold bilateral talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukry.

Sudan's Ambassador to Egypt Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim said the two ministers would discuss ways to promote bilateral relations between the two countries.

He added they would also discuss the work of the committees approved by the leaders of Sudan and Egypt to resolve the outstanding issues.

Abdel-Halim pointed out that the two sides would discuss regional issues particularly the situation in Libya, Yemen and Syria besides promoting coordination between the two countries in the regional and international forums.

According to the Ambassador, the meeting of the top diplomats would fix the date for convening meetings of the quadripartite committee between the two countries in Khartoum.

Following a meeting held on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa in January, President Omer al-Bashir and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed the tensions between the two courtiers and agreed to form a quadripartite committee to develop a roadmap to restore the relationship to the right track.

The quadripartite committee including the foreign ministers and heads of intelligence from both countries met last February in Cairo and agreed on a number of technical measures to diffuse the tensions.

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.

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

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (JUBA)- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir is in neighbouring Ethiopia amid rising regional and global pressure on him and his members of his administration viewed as obstacle to stopping war and bring peace to the country.

President Salva Kiir attends a session during the 25th Extraordinary Summit of the (IGAD) on South Sudan in Addis Ababa March 13, 2014 (Reuters Photo)

President Kiir, accompanied by his chief negotiator who also doubles as his senior adviser, Nhial Deng Nhial and several high-profile cabinet ministers, would meet and hold talks with the Ethiopian prime minister. The South Sudanese leader will also meet officials from the African union and the United Nations

It is not clear what he would discuss with them and the circumstances which persuaded to travel to the country hosting talks to end more than five years' war.

The presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, told reporters that Kiir was due to meet with the new Ethiopian Prime Minister and discuss how his administration intends to end the war and make clarification on the recent peace proposal by the mediation team from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Kiir will meet with the new Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, his spokesperson said.

The abrupt visit came at the time the members of the regional bloc, IGAD and the members of the security council of the united nations are due to hold an ordinary meeting to discuss the fate of South Sudanese talks and how to proceed.

The members of IGAD Council of foreign Ministers is expected to be held on Thursday, the same day the security council of united nations is expected to convene a session at which it would also discuss issues relating to the fate of talks about South Sudan and what would be the way forward since the parties have been unable to reach a consensus and come out a clear road map to end the stalemates.

However, keen observers and analysts have made comments underlining that the two separate meetings in different places and continent would likely discuss and consider unveiling punitive measures against peace violators in the country.

Members of the United Nations Security Council will on Thursday discuss a draft proposal by the United States, which has been seeking a unified position to vote to impose sanctions on top South Sudan government officials.

This is the first trip the South Sudanese leader is making to Ethiopia after the resignation of the former Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn, who was recently quoted saying had, while at the helm, asked Kiir and his political rival, Riek Machar to step aside and allow the country to be led by the new group instead of continuing to remain in the two political camps while the country and the people continue to suffer without prospect of peace and stability returning to the country at earliest.

(ST)

May 30, 2018 (KAMPALA) – Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to protect members of the armed opposition allied to former first vice president Riek Machar, an opposition official has disclosed.

Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta (L), taking walk with the South Sudanese opposition leader, Riek Machar, after a lengthy meeting at the State House, Nairobi, 7 July 2015 (ST photo)

The official said the Kenyan leader made the announcement when an armed opposition delegation headed by Henry Odwar, a deputy chairman of the movement, Angelina Teny and Stephen Par Kuol visited Nairobi early this week.

He said the Kenyan leader, among others, vowed to end the illegal arrest, kidnapping, and deportation of opposition members to Juba.

A number of top Kenyan security officers attended the meeting between Kenyatta and the armed opposition delegation in Nairobi.

During the meeting, Kenyatta reportedly assured the group he would to persuade his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir to release Machar's former spokesperson James Gatdet as well as South Sudan human rights lawyer Dong Samuel and Aggrey Iddri, an activist.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Kenyatta reportedly gave a green light to the armed in opposition in Kenya to conduct a peaceful rally, which they believe will bring stability in South Sudan.

(ST)

May 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese activists have launched a campaign for the release of Hisham Ali who was arrested after his deportation from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Hisham Ali (ST Photo)

Last April Amnesty International called to free Ali indicating he had been arrested in Jeddah on 18 November 2017 in response to a request by the Sudanese security service.

The detainee contributed to various online forums to expose government corruption and expressed his support for the November and December 2016 civil disobedience in Sudan on his Facebook page.

However, the 46-year-old Sudanese activist arrived in Khartoum airport on Tuesday morning, according to Sudanese activists who called for his immediate release.

In their post on the Social media which also extended to Sudan Tribune, the activists called on the national and international rights groups to campaign for his release pointing that the prisoner of conscience faces detention, torture and ill-treatment.

They further called on the Sudanese authorities to allow him to reach his family and lawyer to brief about his detention, as provided in the law.

They further said the security apparatus has to inform him about the reasons for his arrest, to preserve his dignity not be subject him to physical or moral harm.

During the past years, several Sudanese political activists had been detained in Saudi Arabia for their activism hostile to the government of President Omer al-Bashir.

(ST)

May 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The United States ?Chargé d'Affaires in Khartoum, Steven Koutsis, has expressed his country's readiness to continue the dialogue with Sudan, said the official news agency SUNA.

On Monday, Koutsis discussed with the newly appointed Foreign Minister Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed ways to promote bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to the agency, the U.S. envoy expressed hope the normalization talks move to the second phase which involves removal of Sudan's name from the terror list.

On Sunday, Sudan's State Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdallah Idris said they embarked on making arrangements to launch the second phase of dialogue with the U.S. according to the five-track engagement plan.

The meeting also discussed recent developments of the situation in South Sudan.

For his part, Sudan's top diplomat pointed to his country's positive role to achieve peace in South Sudan through the regional bloc IGAD.

He demanded the U.S. to support efforts of IGAD to reach a peaceful settlement to the crisis in South Sudan.

In October 2017, Washington decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework reached by the two 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 Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorist groups. The measure is crucial to get a debt relief and allow Sudan to get international aid to build its economic infrastructure.

In November 2017, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, was in Khartoum to launch the second phase of the normalization process and pointed to the need for reforms on human rights and religious freedom. Also, the two countries agreed to engage in written exchanges for Sudan's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

(ST)

May 29, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Tuesday has rejected the participation in the IGAD mediated peace revitalization process of a rebel faction under the leadership of the former army chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan.

Former South Sudan army chief of staff, General Paul Malong Awan speaks at the presidential palace in Juba, November 16, 2017 (ST)

“I hear Paul Malong want to be part of the revitalization forum. They IGAD Council of Ministers came and asked whether he should be allowed to participate in the talks. I told them Malong does not need peace. He wants war," said Kiir.

"He refused me to sign the peace you are revitalizing himself when he was the chief of general staff," he further underscored in remarks delivered during a meeting with the Dinka Council of Elders.

Before to be relieved in May 2017, Malong was a close ally and friend to President Kiir. It was known in Juba he was hostile to 2015 peace deal and he was accused of being behind the clashes that erupted in Juba and led to the collapse of the peace implementation.

By confirming what had been rumoured in Juba against at the time.

The growing divergence between the two men led the security service to suspect his intentions and loyalty towards the president. However, Malong always brushed aside these accusations and stressed his support to President Kiir.

"So how does the person who did not want the peace to be implemented want to be included in the same agreement he rejected? This was what I asked,” said President Kiir.

Several voices in South Sudan welcomed the inclusion of Malong in the peace process despite his heavy past and involvement in the conflict. But, others said the former chief of staff is responsible for war crimes and they want him to be tried.

Kiir told Dinka Council of Elders that he has accepted the cabinet and the parliament to be expanded instead of reduced.

“The country is today at war because some people think they should not have been removed from their positions. So if we remove those who want to be removed in order to have a small, the lean government they are talking, what will say those who will be affected? The solution is to expand the cabinet and the parliament. Was what I have told Nhial and the delegation,” he said referring to his chief negotiation and presidential adviser on foreign affairs, Nhial Deng Nhial.

(ST)

By Luka Kuol

Global Fellow at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Norway.
Washington, 28th May 2018

The rapid degeneration of the situation in South Sudan on a trajectory towards the Hobbesian state made many circles to call for President Salva to step down for various reasons, but the final decision rests with him. It is apparent now that the various armed groups are militarily too weak to oust Salva. The possibility of popular uprising as a peaceful means for forcing leaders to step down is even unthinkable in a country of unknown gunmen. His impeachment by parliament is inconceivable as he satisfies all conditions for eligibility for the office of the President until that time when elections are held. The option for AU to intervene and overthrow him militarily in the light of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and deteriorating humanitarian situation such as famine and massive forced displacement is unlikely given the politics of the member states of the AU and the UN. The revitalization of the 2018 Peace Agreement will certainly not ask him to step down as shown in the last proposal by IGAD. While the regional and international pressures are, therefore, not so effective by themselves, they may create a conducive environment for encouraging Salva to step down of his own accord. The exit packages that have been proposed are conditional on his voluntarily consent.

So the only option is to convince Salva to step down at his will. This option is a possibility as he confided several times of his readiness to step down immediately after delivering the independence of South Sudan. Salva is one of our few leaders who participated and sacrificed with his own life in the two civil wars but he is also a consensual leader that made his leadership susceptible to influence by people around him as we are currently witnessing. The reason why Salva decided to stick to power after independence is less about his desire to hold power indefinitely but more about the reckless and hasty ways pursued by some SPLM leaders to ascend to the leadership.

Let us assume hypothetically that Salva decides to step down voluntarily, then what will happen? Certainly exiting of Salva will not solve all problems of South Sudan and if it is not managed well it may exacerbate the current appalling conditions. This scenario would require a thorough reflection and preparation, as this will raise the critical question of a successor who will certainly be the choice of Salva. We are aware there is now a lining up for such a successor. While the Dinka ruling elites including Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) will exert pressure on Kiir to pick a successor of their choice, and this may be catastrophic, Salva may need to resort to his political party, the SPLM.

The way of selecting the successor should be subjected to the right institutions and provisions of constitution. While the 2011 Transitional Constitution and 2018 Peace Agreement are clear of how to fill the office of the President if it falls vacant, the selection of a successor will start within the SPLM, as the ruling party. The SPLM Constitution states it very clearly that “In case the office of the Chairperson falls vacant, the most senior Deputy Chairperson shall assume the office of Chairperson and convene an extra-ordinary meeting of the National Liberation Council within sixty (60) days to elect a new chairperson”. One would expect that Salva may use his decision to quit to consolidate the unity of the SPLM by genuinely implementing the Arusha Agreement. One would expect also that Salva may stay inside South Sudan and assist in the reconciliation and healing process, implementation of 2018 Peace Agreement, as well as strengthening SPLM with its new political agenda for winning back the trust of people of South Sudan.

Now most senior cabinet members of Salva are sanctioned, reaching a record level of sanctioned ministers, and such a trend of sanctions is creeping toward the institution of the Presidency if the status quo persists. If the Dinka ruling elites who are around Salva continue with their hegemonic, exclusive and patronage policies similar to those pursued by the Ja'alin northern Sudanese ruling elites in the post-independence Sudan, South Sudan may face the same fate of disintegration now witnessed in Sudan.

Asking Salva to step down voluntarily is a genuine national quest and would be a timely homegrown initiative to help the new nation escaping its imminent demise. This noble initiative can only be achieved by some eminent and reputed personalities in the national dialogue committee and our church leaders who are on higher moral ground and command respect and trust and will be able to ensure nationally supported and dignified exit packages. Beside asking Salva to relinquish power, this eminent group together with the successor of Salva may also initiate a genuine national dialogue and homegrown efforts to revitalize the 2018 Peace Agreement, as the only way of putting our country on the trajectory of peace and stability. One would wish if the Transitional Government of Nation to be drawn from new breed of untainted young leaders.

One hopes such scenario of Salva stepping down voluntarily will happen now rather than later and, if it happens, I am sure that the people of South Sudan will honor Salva not only in delivering independence but also in putting the interests of the people of South Sudan above his personal interest. Hailemariam Desalgn, former Ethiopian Prime Minister, left an unprecedented legacy by setting a good example of voluntarily sacrificing his position to allow a new breed of leadership to put the country on a new path of stability, reconciliation and unity. I am sure that Salva is keen to leave a legacy of a united and peaceful South Sudan that he and his family would be proud of whenever he exits power.

May 28, 2018 (JUBA) – The medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said it concluded a four-week preventive oral vaccination campaign conducted in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

Oral cholera vaccination site in Nuru Baptist Church area, Juba (MSF photo)

Working with the health authorities and partners, the organisation said it vaccinated over 200,000 people against the deadly disease.

The preventive vaccination campaign, MSF said in a statement, was held from 24 April to 22 May 22 12 areas of Juba where people were identified most at risk in previous cholera outbreaks.

During the past four weeks, 201,737 people above the age of 12 months were vaccinated against the disease, the agency noted.

The preventive campaign was reportedly the second round of an earlier campaign MSF conducted in September and October 2017, which reached nearly 200,000 people in the same areas.

“Through the work of MSF's teams, health authorities and partners, over 200,000 women, men and children were vaccinated during this preventive campaign, with over half receiving a second dose of the vaccine. The second dose will provide even better protection against the deadly disease in areas of historically high rates of cholera transmission”, said Will Harper, MSF head of South Sudan mission.

“The campaign has helped to provide protection to a population that most needs it, at a critical time now that the rainy season has started”, he added.

In February, the health authorities in South Sudan declared the end of its longest and most recent cholera epidemic, with 20,000 suspected cases and 436 deaths reported in the war-torn country.

The risks of cholera are increased by the inadequacy of water sources and sanitation facilities. The rainy season will most likely increase these risks, as directly impacting the speed and range of transmission of the disease. Proper hygiene practices are also fundamental as preventive measures.

Millions of people around the world continue to be affected by cholera every year, with up to 140,000 deaths per year, according to the World Health Organization.

In recent years, however, MSF said it has carried out oral cholera vaccinations campaigns, both to prevent and to contain epidemics, supported water and sanitation activities, and treated thousands of cholera patients in multiple areas of South Sudan.

(ST)

May 26, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) - Sanctions imposed on South Sudanese government by the United States are encouraging rebels to stall at peace talks, a South Sudanese official said on Saturday.

A general view of the closing session of the IGAD brokered second phase of the HLRF on 23 May 2018 - (Photo Ethiopian FM)

South Sudan's envoy to Ethiopia and the African Union, James Morgan said the imposed arms embargo and individual sanctions slapped on some government officials have delayed the peace process.

He, however, said South Sudan government was ready to accept peace proposals in line with the country's constitutional process.

Morgan further said the Juba government is prepared to adopt proposals capable of bridging gaps with the rebels, citing the move to reform the army and their representation in the national assembly.

In an interview with the VOA last week, Brian Shukan, a director of the office of the US special envoy for South Sudan said plans are underway to impose sanctions on individuals seen to be blocking the peace process.

"We have taken an approach using sanctions where we want to apply pressure and also to hold people accountable," said Shukan.

On Tuesday, Rival parties in South Sudan peace talks concluded the Second Phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) without striking a deal on the implementation of the governance and security arrangements.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013, after a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Machar, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.

(ST)

May 26, 2018 (KAMPALA) – Police in Uganda have arrested nine South Sudanese refugees for leading riots and damaging equipment of a humanitarian agency in the West Nile district of Arua.

South Sudanese refugees carrying Core Relief Items walk down a road in Bidibidi refugee settlement, Yumbe District, Northern Region, Uganda. (UNHCR/David Azia)

An alleged delay in the supply of food rations caused the riots.

The West Nile regional police spokesperson, Josephine Angucia was quoted saying the South Sudanese refugees broke into the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) stores, stealing food items, wheel barrows, hoes, slashers, three computers, tarpaulin and spray cans.

"When police swung into action, the riots were stopped. Nine suspects were arrested and detained at Yoro base camp police station pending transfer to Arua CPS [Central Police Station]," she told Xinhua.

According to the police, 11 wheelbarrows, 11 hoes, 9 slashes, some electric items and computer accessories have been recovered.

"Refugees are advised to use proper channels of sharing their grievances through their leaders to the concerned authorities instead of taking the law into their hands," said Angucia.

"When some continue to misbehave and not abide by our laws and procedures, they will be arrested and prosecuted according to Ugandan laws," she added.

Last year, WFP announced a food aid cut by 50% to hundreds of thousands of refugees living in Uganda, citing financial constraints.

(ST)