Sudan Tribune

May 22, 2018 (JUBA) – South Sudan's armed opposition movement (SPLA-IO) said it is “disturbed” by the negative propaganda directed against its leader, Riek Machar.

The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) deputy chair, Maj. Gen Majier Deng Kur at the cantonment site (JMEC photo)

The Deputy Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) chairman from the government side, Maj. Gen Majier Deng Kur, in 22 May letter, allegedly claimed Machar ordered the armed opposition forces to launch attacks on to government positions in Leer and Pakur.

Kur's letter was addressed to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM).

“This is utterly ridiculous and an unfounded claim which is, in fact, a violation of the CoHA [Cessation of Hostilities Agreement] in itself,” the opposition said Tuesday.

The rebels, in a statement, accused South Sudan government forces, accompanied by tanks, of attacking Luol payam “where they raided and looted civilians' cattle and properties, destroyed shelters and abducted women and children”.

“Therefore, the letter from Maj. Gen. Majier is not only a downplay of their continuous genocide in Leer, but also a conspiracy of the anti-peace elements to keep Dr Machar in detention,” the statement from the rebel group noted.

The armed opposition faction called upon the CTSAMM to not only investigate the situation in Leer, but also investigate Kur for frustrating the peace process.

On Tuesday, officials from the CTSAMM and the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) submitted reports concerning the repeated and serious violations of the ceasefire agreement, calling for urgent and appropriate action against the perpetrators.

As such, the chairperson of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council decided to convene an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers to consider the punitive measures that should be taken against violators of the ceasefire accord.

(ST)

The attempt of the Sudanese president to engage with rival regional interests in a bid to stay in power might fail.

By Ahmed H Adam

Sudan's political crisis is sliding into a dangerous phase. Its economy is on the verge of collapse. The price of food and other basic commodities is rising by the day, worsening living conditions for ordinary Sudanese and stirring growing discontent in the country.

The economic problems are compounded by a severe fuel crisis that has nearly paralysed the country and which the government is unable to solve. Some high-ranking officials have admitted that Sudan is virtually bankrupt. Many believe that, if the economic crisis continues on such a scale, the country will implode.

Amid this impending disaster, President Omar al-Bashir continues to insist on running again in the 2020presidential elections, worried about his two arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

To ensure the survival of his presidency, he has been playing a complex foreign policy game, balancing between different regional interests and rivalries. There are indications, however, that pressure on him to choose sides is increasing, and his balancing act might fail.

Seeking a US approval, playing the Russia card
In October 2017, the US lifted most of the economic sanctions that had been imposed on Sudan for nearly two decades. Sudan has been designated a state sponsor of "terrorism" since 1997.

Next month, Sudan and the US will start the next phase of the five-track engagement plan that involves negotiations over the removal of Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of "terrorism". Khartoum is hoping to get rid of the remaining US sanctions, including the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006, as a prelude to seeking debt relief and fully normalising relations with the US.

The European Union is also accelerating its rapprochement with the Sudanese regime. Sudan has received millions of euros from the EU to curb migration from Africa to Europe.

Nevertheless, al-Bashir appears to be very suspicious of US intentions. Last year, reports circulated that the US had sent a message to al-Bashir telling him not to run in the 2020 elections - something the Sudanese foreign ministry denied.

Al-Bashir was incensed when then-US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan did not meet him during his visit to Khartoum in mid-November 2017. Al-Bashir suspects that there is a clique within his regime that has reached an understanding with the US regarding his future in power.

Consequently, he has taken steps to dismantle this so-called "US clique" by removing his foreign minister, Ibrahim Ghandour, the director-general of the National Intelligence and Security, Mohamed Atta, and Army Chief of Staff, General Emad al-Din Adawi from their respective roles.

Al-Bashir has also recently replaced many senior officials in the ruling National Congress Party and has just reshuffled his cabinet to further consolidate his power before the 2020 elections.

Hoping to attract some attention in Washington, al-Bashir decided to pay a visit to Russia in December 2017. During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he expressed support for Russia's position in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and denounced “US interference” in the region.

Al-Bashir even asked Putin for protection against US aggression and invited Russia to establish a military base on the Red Sea. His remarks, which came just weeks after the lifting of US sanctions, were widely seen as a message of defiance to Washington.

Playing Gulf games in times of crisis

At the regional level, Bashir is trying to manage a delicate balance in relations with competing regional players. When Turkish President Erdogan visited Sudan in January, he and Bashir signed more than a dozen agreements to boost bilateral economic ties, including a deal to lease the Red Sea island of Suakin to Turkey.

Ankara and Khartoum agreed that Turkish investors would rebuild Suakin's historical sites, develop the island as a tourist attraction and create a transit point for Muslim pilgrims crossing the Red Sea to reach the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

In March, Sudan signed a further $4bn deal with Qatar to develop Suakin as Sudan's second biggest port on the Red Sea. Qatar's investment in Sudan already amounts to more than $2bn and expected to rise in the near future.

These deals have sparked speculation about a potentially significant shift in Sudan's regional alliances. Al-Bashir's moves to bring Qatar and Turkey to the Red Sea are no doubt viewed with concern by the axis of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and others who accuse both Qatar and Turkey of sponsoring the Muslim Brotherhood.

Al-Bashir had previously sought to win over Saudi Arabia and the UAE for financial and diplomatic gains by moving quickly to sever diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 and sending thousands of Sudanese soldiers to fight with the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in Yemen.

When the Gulf crisis broke out last year, Bashir tried to stay neutral, deciding not to back the Saudi-led blockade against Qatar. However, earlier this month, media reports circulated in Sudan that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had presented al-Bashir with a set of tough conditions for continuing their financial and diplomatic support, including severing ties with Turkey and Qatar. The government was quick to deny these rumours, saying that “no party is applying pressure on the government”.

However, there have been other signs of tensions. On May 2, Sudan's defence minister told parliament that the government was re-evaluating its role in the war in Yemen, with a decision on Sudan's continued participation expected soon. There are reports that hundreds of Sudanese soldiers have died and thousands have been wounded in Yemen.

Khartoum's continued participation in the Yemeni war has been questioned by members of the Sudanese parliament, as well as pro-government newspapers and writers. There has also been growing criticism of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for not helping Sudan to resolve its acute fuel shortage.

Comparisons have been drawn with the substantial financial support given to Egypt by the two Gulf countries despite the fact that Egyptian President Abel Fattah el-Sisi has not sent troops to fight in Yemen.

Despite these criticisms, it is possible that the talk of withdrawal from Yemen is not genuine and is meant to pressure Saudi Arabia and the UAE into helping Sudan to resolve its economic crisis. Hence, Sudan is expected to keep its troops in Yemen for the time being to ensure continued leverage.

Whatever the case, it seems that al-Bashir's ability to play rival regional and international actors off against each other is diminishing, as some key players are telling Sudan "you are either with us or against us".

In the end, his tactics of manipulating competing regional and international alliances are actually damaging to Sudan's national interests. They are turning the country into a battlefield for rival powers.

The author is a Research Associate at the School of Law, SOAS University of London

May 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - British Ambassador to Sudan, Irfan Siddiq, Tuesday called to stop the fighting in Jebel Marra area in Central Darfur state between the government forces and rebel fighters of the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW).

UK's Ambassador to Sudan Ifran Siddiq (Photo Foreign Office)

The new British diplomat made his call following the shooting by Sudanese government militiamen on the residents of Khams Dagaig camp in Zalingei the capital of Central Darfur state on Monday. One woman was reportedly killed but the local authorities denied her death.

The incident took place as tensions are growing in Jebel Marra as a result of the resumption of fighting between the government forces and the SLM-AW rebels who are not committed to the ceasefire declaration.

We are "extremely concerned at IDP casualties in Zalingei Central Darfur yesterday during the shooting involving Sudan(ese) government forces," said Siddiq in a twit released on Tuesday.

Also, he added they follow bloody clashes elsewhere in Jebel Marra which displaced thousands of civilians, according to the British envoy.

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We "call for (an) immediate halt to (the) fighting and unhindered humanitarian access," he concluded.

The Minister of State for Defence Ali Mohamed Salim Monday acknowledged that the fighting with the SLM-AW rebels killed 67 people including 51 civilians.

The Sudanese army is committed to a cessation of hostilities with the SLM-Minni Minnawi, SLM-Transitional Council and Justice and Equality Movement. However, it accuses the SLM-AW of robbery and attacks on its troops deployed in Jebel Marra.

(ST)

May 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Tuesday morning prevented four journalists from travelling to Saudi Arabia without stating reasons.

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Information has extended an invitation to the four journalists among a group of Arab journalists to attend a meeting in Jeddah on Thursday.

The NISS agent at Khartoum Airport told the journalists they are banned from travelling without giving reasons, asking them to report to the NISS headquarters in Khartoum.

The banned journalists include Chief-Editors of Al-Tayyar newspaper Osman Merghani, Al-Jareeda newspaper Ashraf Abdel-Aziz, Baj News website Lina Yacoub as well as the Managing-Editor of Al-Ray Al-Aam newspaper Fath al-Rahman Shabarga.

Last week, a number of journalists including the director of the official news agency SUNA, Awad Jadein, were interrogated by the NISS upon their return from a visit to Saudi Arabia.

(ST)

May 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Call forces will hold a four-day meeting in Paris to discuss the ongoing efforts for in the country and internal organizational issues, said Minni Minnawi the Secretary-General of opposition alliance on Tuesday.

In statements to Sudan Tribune, Minnawi said the opposition umbrella will start its meetings on 23 May and will conclude it on 27 May.

He explained that the meetings will discuss the statute of the Sudan Call and other regulations to organize the activities of its institutions.

In a meeting held last March, the alliance formed a presidential council, including the heads of the various blocs, and elected Sadiq al-Mahdi as a chairman and Minni Minnawi as the secretary general.

The heads of the different groups are vice-chairmen and Minnawi should be seconded by two deputies at his office.

The attributions of the vice-chairmen and the appointment of the two deputies secretary generals are expected to be discussed in the meeting.

Minnawi further said the meeting will discuss an alternative political, economic and social program, to get the country out of the current economic crisis and isolation.

"This can be done through various means, including overthrowing the regime by an action in line with to Sudan Call programme," he said.

In a constitutional declaration adopted last March, the opposition alliance which includes rebel groups excluded the armed action and provided explicitly their adherence to peaceful means to achieve in Sudan.

He pointed out that the coalition will develop a plan for a comprehensive and inclusive peace in Sudan. He added this plan deals with different issues, including the Addis Ababa negotiations, the resumption of the existing political process and the African Union roadmap.

Last March, the opposition coalition said ready to meet the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to discuss ways to revitalize the roadmap which was signed in 2016.

However, the mediation didn't meet them. Instead, Darfur armed groups held an informal meeting with the government delegation in Berlin to reach a pre-negotiation agreement.

(ST)

May 22, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese committee for the administration of Abyei area Tuesday said it has received an invitation from the African Union to meet with its South Sudanese counterpart on 30 May in Abyei.

Ownership of Abyei, a disputed border region contested by Sudan and South Sudan, remained contentious after the world's youngest nation split from Sudan in July 2011.

There is no joint administration between Sudan and South Sudan, as the Ngok Dinka refuse the formation of Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC). Instead, they call to hold a referendum without the Sudanese pastoralist Misseriya.

Now, there are two committees one for the Misseriya appointed by the Sudanese government and another for the Ngok Dinka appointed by Juba government.

Head of the committee, Hassan Ali Nimir said the upcoming two-day meeting would be held with the participation of native administrators from Misseriya and Dinka Ngok communities.

He pointed out that his committee informed the AU of its readiness to participate in the meeting at the specific date and time.

Nimir further said his committee has embarked on making arrangements and preparations to take part in the meeting.

He pointed they are mainly interested to discuss the implementation of the 20 June 2011 agreement for the security and administrative arrangement in the region.

On 30 May 2017, after more than two years of suspension, the two Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) parties held an extraordinary session convened by the African Union. The latter urged them to commit to a functioning Joint Oversight Committee as a forum in which contentious issues could be addressed.

Also, the two parties signed an outcome document, in which they agreed that they would resume bimonthly meetings.

On 27 June 2011, the Security Council, by its resolution 1990, responded to the urgent situation in Abyei by establishing the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

UNISFA's establishment came after Sudan's government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) reached an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to demilitarise Abyei and let Ethiopian troops monitor the area.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) provides that the contested territory remains part of the north until the organisation of a referendum determines its fate.

The difference over who will participate in the referendum prevents the two countries from holding the agreed referendum.

However, the Dinka Ngok organised a unilateral referendum from 27 to 29 October 2013 to say they want to join the Republic of South Sudan.

Khartoum, Juba, the African Union and the international community refused to recognise the outcome of the vote.

(ST)

May 22, 2018 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has proposed to the mediation team from the regional bloc (IGAD) that the position of the third vice president be created in an effort aimed at expanding the government size, instead of trimming it down.

S. Sudan cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomoro (Photo KT Press)

The country's cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro said significant progress were made and that issues upon which the parties did not make a consensus were left to the mediation team to make a bridging gap.

“There is a significant progress. Through thematic committees, there have been significant in security sector and we are hoping there will be a significant progress in governance matters. As the government we made a new proposal in an effort to break stalemates. We now proposed a creation of a third vice president position to be filled by those in opposition,” Lomuro told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He added, “We don't know which group and who they will nominate".

But while the cabinet affairs minister talked of some breakthrough, analysts and observers say major outstanding issues relating to governance and security arrangements remain to be resolved among the warring parties.

Key among the unsettled governance issues are the composition of the revitalized transitional government, structure of the revitalized transitional government, responsibility or power sharing in the revitalized transitional government, number of states and size and composition of the revitalized parliament.

The parties failed to reach a consensus on key areas such as the time-frame for reintegration of forces and approach to the formation of one national army, security during the transitional period, demilitarization of civilian centers, cantonment of forces, and security sector reform or establishment of new security arrangements.

Discussions focused on governance and security arrangements. While high-level agreement has been reached on the need for new security arrangements in the country, consensus on its implementation is yet to be reached.

A representative for South Sudan's armed opposition movement, Angelina Teny, however, argued that without adequate transitional security arrangements, the country could witness more violence.

“You need to create a security sector that is subordinate to the civil authority. To us, that is paramount and this would give us a very good start to embark on nation-building,” she said.

However, despite slow progress in the talk over major stick points, citizens and the wider global are optimistic the ongoing peace negotiation remain the best path of ending the war and bring about long lasting peace, security and economic stability in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the regional bloc was expected on Tuesday to present a proposed plan for compromise to all parties, all aimed at achieving lasting peace in the war-hit nation.

(ST)

May 21, 2018 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan former political detainees have dismissed media reports that they withdrew from the membership of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (R) and Pagan Amum attend a meeting at the national palace in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in (Photo credit:AU)

“We would like to state categorically that SPLM [Sudan People's Liberation Movement] (FDs) as an organization is an active and committed member of South Sudan Opposition Alliance,” the group said in a statement.

The FDs said the “false” and “baseless” allegation as well as propaganda was being circulated by “enemies of peace and unity of the opposition”.

“The SPLM-FDs is a founding member of SSOA and played a great role together with the rest in developing its charter,” it further said.

The opposition alliance, the group further observed, is committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable peace in South Sudan, through a true democratic and federal system of governance.

“In this context, SSOA is still committed to its declared positions in both the shuttle diplomacy and the intensive interlinked consultations that were organized by IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] as basis for resolving the current conflict,” the statement noted.

In March, nine South Sudanese opposition groups formed an alliance to expedite efforts to end the country's civil war ahead of the next round of the revitalization of the peace accord. The alliance is an umbrella group composed of the Federal Democratic Party, National Salvation Front, National Democratic Movement, People's Democratic Movement, South Sudan Liberation Movement, South Sudan National Movement for Change, South Sudan Patriotic Movement, South Sudan United Movement and United Democratic Alliance.

The group, in an earlier statement, claimed they were driven by the desire to improve the situation in the war-torn nation and prevent it from disintegrating.

(ST)

May 21, 2018 (ZALINGEI) - One woman was killed and two others injured by the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at Khams Dagaig camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Central Darfur State capital, Zalingei on Monday.

Member of the IDPs and Refugees Association Idris Salih told Sudan Tribune that 5 four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser vehicles carrying RSF fighters attempted to enter the camp but the IDPs prevented them.

He added the RSF fighters opened fire at the IDPs killing a woman named Magbula Hassab al-Nabi and injuring two others, saying the perpetrators then headed towards Zalingei.

Salih called on Central Darfur authorities to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice, saying the IDPs marched towards the headquarters of the government in downtown Zalingei to protest against the attack.

He warned that the situation is still tense in Zalingei.

The Sudanese army recently deployed more troops to the Central Darfur state in a bid to crush the Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) fighters who clashed several times with the government forces in the mountainous area of Jebel Marra.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of Zalingei locality and head of the security committee Khalid Bilal Ahmed said RSF fighters on 6 vehicles coming from South Darfur and heading to El-Geniena, capital of West Darfur State lost their way and entered the Khams Dagaig camp.

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune, Ahmed further said the IDPs intercepted the vehicles which prompted some RSF elements to open fire on them.

He pointed out that an IDP woman named Magbula Hassab al-Nabi sustained serious injuries and has been rushed to El-Geniena Hospital and would be transferred to the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

The official said the acting governor of Central Darfur has contacted the RSF command who issued immediate orders to arrest the force members and form a committee to probe the culprits.

The statement added some of the spoilers sought to take advantage of the incident to wreak havoc in Zalingei leading to a confrontation between the police and the residents, admitting that 9 civilians and 5 residents have been injured in the clashes.

It pointed out that no one has been killed in the incidents as at the time of writing the statement, stressing the security organs are in control of the situation and life has returned to normal in Zalingei.

Central Darfur state had previously witnessed several attacks on Al-Hamedia and Khams Dagaig camps by gunmen who were likely from the RSF militiamen.

The RSF militia, which integrated the notorious janjaweed militiamen accused of war crimes in Darfur, was mobilised by the Sudanese government to in August 2013 quell the Sudan Revolutionary Front forces after attacks in North and South Kordofan states in April 2013.

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

Darfur armed groups have condemned the attack on the IDPs camp. Also, all of them said the displaced woman, Magbula, was killed.

The SLM-AW said the security forces arrested six displaced people, including Abdel Karim Abdallah, 26. All of the detainees have been taken to unknown destination, according to the group.

For its part, the SLM-Minni Minnawi called on the UNAMID to protect civilians from attacks by the government forces.

SLM- MM media secretary Noreldaem Taha further said they are in contact with international bodies and organizations entrusted with the protection of civilians to ensure the necessary protection for the IDPs.

Also, the SLM-Transitional Council condemned the attack and denounced calls for participation in the general elections of 2020 saying this regime is not ready for pluralism and democracy.

The group leader further called to unite the opposition groups stressing unity is the only means to enable us to uproot this "racist regime". He added that any deviation from the armed struggle is a betrayal of the blood of martyrs, their ideas and principles.

(ST)

May 21, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Ministry of Defense Monday acknowledged the outbreak of fighting in Jebel Marra in Darfur with "sleeper cells" of the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) for the first time since the beginning of clashes last March.

"The recent skirmishes of the security forces (in Jebel Marra) were with the sleeper cells of Abdel Wahid al-Nur and the mercenaries who rob the shepherds," said the Minister of State for Defence Ali Mohamed Salim in a closed-door briefing in the parliament according to MP Siham Hassan Hasballa who was speaking to reporters on Monday.

Hasballa further said that the minister of state told them that 67 people have been killed or wounded as a result of the fighting including 51 civilians.

The head of Darfur hybrid peacekeeping mission Jeremiah Mamabolo Sunday said concerned by the recent fighting in central Darfur between the government and SLM-AW and urged both sides to "exercise restraint and consider the impact of renewed fighting on vulnerable civilians".

On his part, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on defence and security al-Hadi Adam reiterated the commitment of the Sudanese armed forces to the cease-fire declared by President Omer al-Bashir adding it has the right to fight in self-defence if attacked.

"(Rebel) dormant cells are hidden among civilians, and they are dangerous because they are waiting for events to exploit them."

Also, he revealed that the security services are working to control dormant cells and bring them to trial.

(ST)

May 18, 2018 (NAIROBI) - Two years ago fighting erupted in Jebel Marra forcing nearly 160,000 people to look for protection. Over 23,000 settled around the small village of Sortoni and clustered together to form an IDP camp. But many are still reluctant to return home despite the difficulties of life in the IDP camps.

Elmounzer Ag Jiddou, MSF´s head of mission in Sudan, has both lived and worked in this part of Darfur and explains the daily challenges of life in this overcrowded camp.

A permanent state of tension still exists in and around Sortoni internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, even if the intensity of violence is far from what it was in the past. In Sortoni, where UNAMID provides some protection, life remains incredibly difficult, but the population chooses to stay as they know the same armed men who attacked them in their old homes in Jebel Marra are still there.

Kidnap, assault and murder, a constant threat

Living in Sortoni is unimaginable for most. It is a bleak, congested place with over 23,000 people living packed together. Food rations provided by the World Food Programme have been reduced to only two staples and the quantity has been slashed. The supply of water is limited.

Violence is never far away, as armed tribal groups live close to the camp and frequently come into conflict with the IDPs over grazing rights. We hear of women and children who have been attacked, beaten, sexually assaulted and sometimes even kidnapped, while searching for grass, wood or water outside the camp. It is not uncommon for men to be captured and killed. We treat the injured in our hospital.

The lack of clean water often forces families to search for alternative sources. The 7.5 litres per day provided to each person is not enough for cooking, cleaning and for their animals. Often they risk going to stagnant pools of contaminated water which can cause sickness like acute diarrhoea or jaundice.

Most people in the camp are women and children. Many of the men died during the years of fighting or are elsewhere trying to scrape together a small income to support their families. In some very difficult situations both parents have died and a young child, sometimes no older than eleven or twelve is given the responsibility to raise his or her siblings. The psychological pressure on them can be immense.

Improvements to healthcare that need to be reinforced

Despite the difficulties of day to day life, I have seen some small improvements in medical terms. Until recently, armed gangs preyed on travellers on the road to Kabkabiya Hospital, the closest referral hospital where surgery is available. Robberies, kidnappings and killings were a regular occurrence.

It is now possible to reach the hospital unmolested in just under two hours, a journey that was previously never guaranteed to be completed. This was unimaginable four years ago when I was last posted to Darfur.

When MSF first arrived in Sortoni, we saw that families were afraid of attacks and built their shelters closely together for protection. We knew that from a public health standpoint such a densely packed environment is the perfect condition for diseases, such as diarrhoea and measles, to spread. Over time, our team has worked closely with the camp elders to build up basic sanitation systems and promote community health and hygiene.

MSF, with the support of the Sudanese Ministry of Health regularly deals with a variety of conditions in its 35-bed hospital which include, upper and lower respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea. In the early days of the 2016 emergency, MSF treated many people wounded in violent attacks. Over time this number fell, but we remain vigilant in case an attack on camp happens again and we need to treat multiple casualties at the same time.

Working with the community

One of our successes has been working with traditional birth attendants. Through dialogue with these respected members of the community, we have been able to develop a culture of cooperation. They understand the importance of bringing a mother to our hospital when complications arise.

Nearly everybody in Sortoni wants to return home to Jebel Marra. But fighting in the area means this dream remains as difficult today as it was two years ago. Until they can return home, the government, humanitarians and international relief agencies need to ensure that the basic rights every IDP deserves are provided for.

(ST)

May 21, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) – Little progress have been made on governance and power sharing at South Sudan's high level peace talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Addis Ababa, religious leaders, opposition and government officials said.

The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) at the African Union Hall, Addis Ababa (Getty)

On Monday, delegates at the peace talks held a plenary session to listen to reports from the security and governance sub-committees.

The two reports were presented by religious leaders to IGAD mediators, regional and international partners overseeing the talks. The two documents contained detailed agreements on outstanding on governance issues and the transitional security arrangements.

Sub-committees on governance and security prepared these reports, which spelt out agreements to the principle of cantonment and a recommitment by the warring parties to the ceasefire accord.

South Sudan government spokesperson, Michael Makuei Leuth said the documents are expected to be signed and initialed on Tuesday.

"On security arrangements, people agreed on the cantonment, they have agreed on Article 2," he told reporters after Monday's session.

Makuei said the warring parties also agreed on the unification of the forces. However, the timeline for the process was not agreed upon.

No progress, according to the minister, has been made on power-sharing ratios and a government structure, which are key in the talks.

The parties also agreed to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in December last year, the official further stressed.

The armed opposition spokesperson, Lam Paul Gabriel gave a slightly different version of what happened at the talks in Addis Abba, insisting the integration of forces was not agreed upon.

“[President] Salva Kiir in 2014 admitted that 70% of the SPLA [Sudan People's Liberation Army] soldiers defected to Dr [Riek] Machar; so if integration is to take place, the balance from their 30% can be integrated to us and not the other way round,” Lam said.

“What was discussed was the unification of all the forces to form a well-balanced National army, not a tribal army?” he added.

The army opposition official, however, acknowledged that the timeframe for the unification was not unanimously agreed upon.

“Our delegates discussed 18 months and also 6 months. Both proposals have been forwarded to leadership for final deliberations,” said Lam.

He further added, “The cantonment was agreed upon but its scope needs more discussion”.

IGAD WARNS PARTIES

The regional bloc, on Saturday, vowed not to tolerate any further violation of the cessation of hostilities accord by the warring parties.

While opening the second high-level revitalization forum on South Sudan in Addis Ababa on Thursday, the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister and the current IGAD Council of Ministers chairperson, Workineh Gebeyehu called on all South Sudanese parties to reach to a consensus and to maintain the ceasefire by eliminating trust deficit to achieve peace and security in the country.

He further indicated that IGAD is ready to take actions against the two sides if they again attempt to violate the ceasefire agreement.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 when internal wrangles within its ruling party (SPLM) turned violent. The conflict, now in its fifth year, has displaced millions of people.

(ST)

May 21, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The government of Central Darfur State has denied reports about a new wave of displacement in Jebel Marra due to recent clashes between government forces and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur describing it as “baseless claims”.

Fighters of the SLM-AW, which does not commit itself to a cessation of hostilities, since last March have clashed with the government forces in several positions of the mountainous area.

The UN Secretary-General in a recent report to the Security Council mentioned some displacement in Jebel Marra following the clashes but it was not able to provide an estimation of the number of civilians affected by the fighting.

Also, following a two-day visit to Jebel Marra on Sunday, the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) chief, Jeremiah Mamabolo, regretted “the new displacements and the burning of villages such as Gobbo, Kawara, Kimingtong in South Darfur as well as other villages in the Rokero locality in Central Darfur”.

On the other hand, the SLM-AW and SLM Transitional Council spoke about new waves of displacement in the mountainous area of Jebel Marra triggered by armed clashes with the government forces.

However, the humanitarian aid commissioner in Central Darfur State Ismail Adam told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) the security situation in the three localities of Jebel Marra in Central Darfur is stable.

He pointed out that the spontaneous and voluntary return of IDPs is flowing heavily, claiming the latest security tensions in Jebel Marra occurred about three months ago in Rokero locality as SLM-AW elements looted and burned some villages.

It is noteworthy that despite the reduction of the UNAMID forces, the Mission has established a new site in Rokero to protect civilians and displaced persons due to relative insecurity in Jebel Marra.

Earlier this month, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that recent inter-communal clashes in Jebel Marra area have displaced some 11, 500 civilians.

“At least 2,280 newly displaced households (about 11,500 people) arrived in Rokero town and nearby Jemeza village after 18 April, following fighting between armed nomads and sedentary farmer tribes,” said OCHA.

Jebel Marra, which spans over three states including North, Central and South Darfur, is located in a water-rich area that is characterised by a mild climate.

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

(ST)

May 20, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia has described as “baseless” accusations that it supports Eritrean rebel movements.

Eritrea, which borders Sudan and Ethiopia, has been dubbed the North Korea of Africa (HRW)

Last week, Eritrea issued a statement accusing neighboring nations, Sudan and Ethiopia, of conspiring to support Eritrean rebel groups.

Asmar also claimed Ethiopia and Sudan allegedly agreed to deploy Eritrean armed opposition groups along the two countries' borders with Eritrea to facilitate hit and run attacks on the Red Sea nation.

But in an interview with Xinhua, the spokesperson of the Ethiopian foreign affairs ministry, Meles Alem said allegations that they are working with Sudan to support Eritrean rebel movements were false.

Eritrea and its southern neighbor Ethiopia fought a blood border war from 1998 to 2000, which killed an estimated 70,000 people. Since then, however, the two nations have had several skirmishes along their common borders.

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May 20, 2018 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government said it could consider a referendum on the new states controversially created through a presidential decree issues in December 2015.

The 10 states of South Sudan

The move, government said in a new position paper, would put to rest the controversy that came with new states established within the young nation.

“The question of the number of states is for the people of South Sudan to decide. Government expresses a strong popular demand for the creation of even more states,” partly read the paper.

The position paper, which was presented by the Juba government to the regional bloc (IGAD), agitates peoples' views on these states.

“Government invites IGAD to consult the people of South Sudan to ascertain their views on the question of states,” it further stressed.

In 2015, the South Sudan's president dissolved the nation's 10 regional states and created 28 new ones, in a move seen as undermining a peace deal signed in August to end the country's two-year civil war.

However, in his a decree establishing the 28 new states, Kiir said he was guided by South Sudan's Transitional Constitution. He also said one purpose of the new states is to decentralize power, placing resources closer to the rural population while at the same time reducing the national government size.

Opposition parties in the country responded by rejecting Kiir's decision and regarded the decree on the new states as "null" and "void".

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May 20, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has criticized the country's police and other law enforcement agencies over what he described as the rampant insecurity in the war-hit nation.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

“It is you the senior officers who are responsible for the escalating insecurity in Juba and in other towns. There is ample evidence that reveal your collusion in these crimes,” he said Thursday last week.

The South Sudanese leader said the actions of these security agents were a setback to the country's efforts to revive the poor economy.

In April, while addressing the country's security forces, President Kiir stressed the need for them to fight against crime in the country with dedication in line with their constitutional mandate.

“The good example was set a few days ago when a pastor was killed together with his wife. And the criminals who did this are men in the disciplined forces. This is a blot on your profession yet you are supposed to be custodians of the law,” said the South Sudan leader.

“To kill civilians and rob whatever they have, other people can decide to run away so that they go and live as refugees if they cannot be protected by their own security agencies,” he further stressed.

The conflict in South Sudan, now in its fifth year, broke out as forces loyal to President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar clashed. Ten of thousands of people have been killed and more than 3 million displaced in the country's worst ever violence since its independence.

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May 20, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Eritrean and Sudanese migrants and refugees were the second and the fourth in number of refugees and migrants arriving in Italy by sea during the first five months of 2018, said the UN migration agency.

In its latest report about the arrival of illegal migrants and refugees into Europe released last Friday, the IOM said 26,026 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea through the first 136 days of 2018. Only 41% of them arrived through Italy.

Among the 10,659 migrants who are registered in Italy, "Tunisians represent the largest nationality group arriving in Italy by sea from North Africa this year, followed by Eritreans, Nigerians, Sudanese, Pakistan, Malians, Guineans and Senegalese," said the IOM.

Based on the figures provided by the Italian interior ministry, the report said the number of Tunisian reached 1910 people, 1810 Eritreans and 536 Sudanese nationals.

The Sudanese government says it has largely contributed to halting the human trafficking of Eritrean and Ethiopian nationals who cross Sudan to Libya before to embark for Europe.

However, if we add the number of Eritrean and Sudanese we realise that Sudan continues to be the first source of migrants to Europe with a total of 2346 persons.

IOM pointed that the arrival by sea to Italy at this point in 2018 is 77% less than the reported last year in the same period. At the time, the number of migrants reached 45,785 irregular migrants.

However, compared to the previous years the reduction results from the decrease of migrants from western African countries and Bangladesh. The latter arrived by plane to Libya and then crossed to Europe.

The report also said that 383 drowning cases "on the Central Mediterranean route linking North Africa to Italy" have been registered this year, making it the deadliest sea crossing road in the Mediterranean compared to Greece or Spain.

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May 20, 2018 (TOKYO) - The Japanese government on Friday announced it had extended the dispatch of four Self-Defense Forces members to the headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until May 31 2019.

Japanese peacekeepers arrive at the Juba airport to participate in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in South Sudan's capital Juba, on November 21, 2016. (Reuters/Jok Solomun Photo)

Japan ended its five-year deployment of Ground Self-Defense Force civil engineering units to the U.N. Mission in South Sudan, or UNMISS, in 2017. But it has kept SDF members stationed at UNMISS headquarters since 2011.

“We believe the current role of the SDF members is very important and is praised internationally,” Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, told Japan Times, adding that Japan will continue to participate actively in international peacekeeping operations.

SDF activities overseas have reportedly been restricted under Japan's war-renouncing Constitution. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has expanded the role of the SDF abroad through security legislation that took effect in 2016, but sending troops to areas where they could get drawn into fighting remains controversial.

Currently, No SDF unit is serving in active UN missions, following the withdrawal of GSDF troops from war-hit South Sudan in May last year.

Japanese peacekeepers were ordered to carry weapons in South Sudan in July 2016 following the outbreak of fierce fighting in the country's capital, Juba where More than 270 people were killed in clashes between South Sudanese government forces and rebels loyal to Riek Machar.

In March this year, it was reported that SDF officers committed suicide after returning home from peacekeeping in South Sudan.

A total of 3,943 SDF officers reportedly participated in the mission form November 2011 and none is said to have died in the operations.

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May 20, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) chief, Jeremiah Mamabolo, has called on the Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur to stop the fighting in Jebel Marra.

On Sunday, Mamabolo concluded a two-day visit to oversee progress on the establishment of UNAMID's temporary operating base in Golo, Jebel Marra.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Sunday, Mamabolo expressed concern over the recent clashes between the government forces and the SLM-AW in Jebel Marra, urging both sides “to exercise restraint and consider the impact of renewed fighting on vulnerable civilians”.

“UNAMID appeals to all parties involved to exercise restraint and resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue and the peace process. A political solution is the best way forward to satisfy the interests of the people of Darfur,” he said

“We particularly regret the new displacements and the burning of villages such as Gobbo, Kawara, Kimingtong in South Darfur as well as other villages in the Rokero locality in Central Darfur,” he added

Mamabolo also “commended the UN Country Team for swiftly responding to and assisting those affected by the ensuing humanitarian situation”.

Fighters of the SLM-AW, which does not commit itself to a cessation of hostilities, since last March have clashed with the government forces in several positions of the mountainous area.

In a statement released last week, the rebel group said they clashed with the government forces in several positions in Jebel Marra area which spans over North, Central and South Darfur states.

Also, the UN secretary general in a recent report to the Security Council spoke about “low intensity” of clashes in Jebel Marra.

The UN report mentioned some displacement in Jebel Marra following the clashes but it was not able to provide an estimation of the number of civilians affected by the fighting.

On 13 May, a Sudanese official told Sudan Tribune that more than 1500 troops including militiamen of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been deployed in Kass locality of South Darfur in order to attack the SLM-AW positions in Jebel Marra.

The sources said additional sources have been massed in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur to take part in the military operations.

In April 2016, the Sudanese army launched a comprehensive offensive on the rebel-held areas in Jebel Marra but stopped its operations under the U.S. pressures and after signing a framework agreement for the lift of economic sanctions.

The UNAMID has established a new temporary base in Golo to enhance the protection of civilians in the Jebel Marra but the new site is not yet fully operating.

Jebel Marra, which spans over three states including North, Central and South Darfur, is located in a water-rich area that is characterised by a mild climate.

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

(ST)

May 20, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The World Bank Group (WBG) Country Manager to Sudan, Adama Coulibaly, said his group would provide the necessary technical assistance to tackle the economic challenges facing the East African nation.

World Bank logo

On Sunday, Finance Minister Mohamed Osman al-Rikabi has briefed the visiting WBG team headed by Coulibaly on the economic reforms implemented in Sudan.

In press statements following the meeting, al-Rikabi said the WBG team is visiting the country to learn about the economic reforms undertaken by the government and the required technical support.

For his part, Coulibaly pointed to the great progress being made in the implementation of the government's anti-poverty strategy.

He said the WBG would increase the number of its staff in Sudan in order to provide the necessary technical assistance to meet the economic challenges facing Sudan.

According to Coulibaly, the technical support would cover a number of areas especially those pertaining to public finance management, financial systems and economic planning.

The meeting also discussed the need to develop the private sector to contribute to the economic recovery as well as the long-term economic growth.

Following the promulgation of the 2018 budget which included a number of austerity measures, peaceful protests erupted in a number of Sudanese states leading to the killing of a high school student and detention of dozens of opposition activists across the country.

Economists 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.

They also point to the need to end the war and direct all the national revenue for infrastructure and economic development.

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.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates in a recent report that Sudan's external debt reached $ 52.4 billion or 111 percent of GDP at end-2016 and, because of the large exchange rate depreciation, rose by 29.5 percent of GDP in 2016.

(ST)