Sudan Tribune

By Peter Gai Manyuon

Taban Deng Gai has been the First Vice President of South Sudan since 2016 after J1 incident that killed thousands from both Kiir forces and Riek Machar forces. Previously he was the Minister of Mining and the Governor of the Unity State, a position he held before and after South Sudan's independence in 2011 until 2013 when he was sacked by President Kiir.

On the 7th of May 2018, Taban came out with a press statement amalgamating his bodyguards to the Kiir forces claiming the reunification of the Sudan Peace Liberation Movement (SPLM) when in fact his closed allies were not part of the decision and many from his group are currently confused about the unfortunate decision from their boss.

It should be noted, General Taban Deng Gai is done politically in South Sudan and what he (Taban) will enjoy now and beyond is the title former First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, nothing more. You can't tell me, General Taban will be President after President Kiir or whoever will be the President in South Sudan.
Why do I say so? In fact, general Taban has got four groups of enemies in South Sudan as per politics is concerned.

The first enemy is the general population of the Country because many masses have taken him as the only obstacle to peace in the Country after the collapsed of the peace agreement in 2016 July. Taban was taken as an opportunist who only wanted destruction and position, not peace.

The second enemy is Kiir group, because they normally say frankly Taban is the only Nuer man dangerous than Dr Riek Machar in South Sudan politics and therefore, he (Taban) covered himself with the name of SPLM in opposition as the only protector in Juba and in the region but now his position and resources in serious risks. Don't ask me why now but ask me after two months from now so that, I will be able to give you an answer. Furthermore, Micheal Makuei Lueth, General Kuol Manyang and other extremists from Kiir camp will eventually introduce a methodology of finishing Taban politically in SPLM since they looked at him as the person who caused 2013 crisis.

The third enemy is Dr Riek Machar group, where currently I don't see any possibility of Taban assimilating or associating himself in the Nuer-Nation politics is 1% as per now and beyond. Grassroots Nuer population have taken Taban as an obstacle to peace since Khartoum Peace Agreement and the 2015 agreement that Taban claimed the position of First Vice President through deception.

The fourth enemy to Taban are his supporters in Juba mainly Hotels officials, there will be instruction from Kiir soon to evacuates the hotel's accommodations to their various homes in Juba or States. In this case, many will defect from the government and joins any rebel factions in the Country because the aims of many who are with Taban is money, nothing else.

In summary, since Taban and his group denounced being part of the SPLM in opposition, than he should be ready for serious humiliation both physical and political and most likely, he will be sack from being the first Vice President and will not also get any position either deputy chairman of the Party or Secretary General as he wishes. Taban will go home in peace after sacking from the second top official in the country and all his supporters especially those in the hotels and other cities will disintegrate to other political parties in the Country.

Peter Gai Manyuon, is an author, Independent Journalist, and Columnist who has written extensively on Human Rights and Democracy in South Sudan He can be reached at southsudanjournalist@gmail.com or independentjournalistpgm.wordpress.com.

May 7, 2018 (WAU) – Bahr el Ghazal university students in South Sudan have started a peaceful strike over increment in tuition fees, as official registration for the new academic commenced Monday.

Bahr el Ghazal students protesting at the UN main Gate in Wau, March 12, 2014 (ST)

According to majority of the students interviewed, the university administration this year tripled tuition fees without even notifying the students.

“We are not happy with what has taken place, the administration of the University of Bahr el Ghazal has decided to increase all the fees by more than 100%, saying it is because of inflation and since the government is not giving them anything,” one angry student said.

A medical student in Upper Nile University, for instance, pays SSP 3,000, while the University of Bahr el Ghazal reportedly requires someone doing the same course to pay between SSP 22,000-37,000.

Students said the new increment had not been introduced this year.

The University of Bahr el Ghazal acting vice chancellor, Abraham Matoc said the increment decision was reached during a board meeting its administration acknowledged the abnormal increases in operational costs and expensive like services of the university.

“The all rate of tuition fees are not sufficient to meet the course of operation or for the procurement of goods and services, the argument was taken into consideration based on the specific calculation on items such as course of diesel, stationeries and answer sheets for the students,” he told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

In August last year, students held a similar protest and closed down the university's facilities, paralyzing the state-owned institution.

(ST)

By Salah Shuaib

Recently, multiple discussions have emerged in the political scene calling upon the Sudanese opposition parties to participate in the 2020 elections. Prominent experts, politicians, and intellectuals, among them Alsir Sidahmed, Nabil Adeeb, Elnour Hamad, and others, have tried to address the opposition's weakness by linking it to its insistence to boycott previous general elections sponsored by the regime.

Focusing on blaming the opposition for its inability to reinvigorate societal bases for change was the most consumed topic by those seeing the upcoming elections as a way of making a difference in the country's politics.

But, the arguments about the importance of the electoral process have failed to convince the public opinion that the government could be much serious this time to create a free democratic atmosphere, which may contribute to activate political action and encourage the opposition parties to rely on the outcome of the voting process.

Moreover, the writers calling for the participation of the opposition in the 2020 elections seemed to trust the potentiality of the Islamic government to change its Islamist doctrine, ignoring the dominance of the Sudanese Islamic Movement (SIM) over all state institutions, including the extremely influential and powerful institution: The National Intelligence and Security Services organ.

Apparently, they have forgotten that the Sudanese Islamists systematically made a massive effort to destroy the political parties and groups, so they cannot be able to recover their past glory by competing with this unjust regime.

These new intellectual efforts have resulted in a sharp divergence of views among opposition groups concerning the upcoming elections. And in this respect, each party involved in the dialogue has continued to strengthen its arguments to win the public opinion on its side.

In any event, this constructive dialogue of opposition's figures about the 2020 elections does not principally express their vitality in facing the country's traumatic situation. Instead, such a discussion raises awareness versus the opposition's profound tactical differences over the resistance of the regime.

Undoubtedly, the opposition is historically facing critical problems. However, the solutions should not be necessarily through participating in the regime's orchestrated aimless elections. Sudan's crisis goes beyond the idea of being tied only to our political leaders' weak response to the Sudanese Islamists' aggressive state.

Many of us know that the Sudanese crisis, evidenced by the faults of both the opposition and the government, is deeply rooted in the failure of the structural setting of the hierarchical system of the state itself.

It is difficult, therefore, to accept that the solutions to the crisis lie only in resorting to the ballot box that the ideologically conflicting parties compete for. Elections will not change the situation if there is no agreed-upon societal will, which is absent since the time of Sudan's independence.

Now, the government has brought the country to the brink of collapse, while the opposition has no room to act, let alone works for reform freely. In short, resolving the crisis preoccupying the government and the opposition together lies, preferably, in a radical change that brings about a new system of governance with a contemporary standard.

It is illogical to urge the regime to pave the way for the political parties to compete with it through national elections or other means. Inevitably, the nature of the Sudanese Islamic Movement, SIM, wouldn't let other political groups share with it the governance burden.

Since its establishment, the SIM's religious doctrine was based on narrow objectives to controlling the whole state with ideologically legislative, executive and judicial settings. Hence, it's is ironic to encourage opposition parties to participate in the 2020 elections without a free environment for a peaceful and smooth transfer of power.

In fact, there was a lot of examples of how the governing Islamists had rigged their internal elections in the past. There were published reports that the regime's leaders were involved in altering some of the SIM's election results to prevent the undesirable winners from being elected.

Due to the full control, it applied to the state's apparatuses after its military coup in 1989, the NCP has exploited, since then, all governmental resources to help its members win any election. As such, it will become impossible to compete with the ruling party as long as it possesses powerful, political mechanisms alone.

looking at it in retrospect, in the past elections held before the session of South Sudan, the National Congress Party, NCP, rigged the process and thus unlawfully won the presidential, parliamentary and state elections.

Boycotted by the major political parties, due to the lack of electoral transparency, the 2015 elections failed to convince the nation of its worth. “It is the opposite of a great day for democracy. There was general apathy, a sort of fatalism that Bashir and his party were competing with themselves. The boycott was systematic, including even from the membership of the ruling party.”, said Suliman Baldo for the Telegraph.

However, despite the weakness of the argument of the advocates of the idea of competing with the regime through the electoral system, these advocates have succeeded to activate a beneficial dialogue on the Sudanese political dilemma on the one hand and the crisis of both, the opposition and the government, on the other hand.

Perhaps this type of useful debate alerts all Sudanese to the need for a radical change and overthrowing of al-Turabi's state setting whether through elections, a military coup, or a popular revolution. Even though, concerns about overwhelming chaos continue to rise as the expectations of the collapse of the Sudanese state escalate systematically.

The writer is a Sudanese journalist; he can be reached at salshua7@hotmail.com

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry accused Egypt and Sudan of impeding process in the technical talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) after the failure of a recent meeting in Addis Ababa.

The three countries held a technical meeting including irrigation ministers and experts in Addis Ababa on 5 May to discuss their difference over a report by French consulting firms over the GERD impact on the water shares of the downstream countries.

Speaking in a press conference with Sam Kutesa Ugandan foreign minister in Cairo, Shoukry said the meeting failed to reach an agreement over the technical report because Ethiopia and Sudan maintain their rejection of the report,

"The stalemate in the (technical) talks that have been going on for more than a year is due to the continued reservation expressed by Sudan and Ethiopia about the preliminary report of the French firm," he said.

The minister said he looked forward to the two States' acceptance of the report.

He further said the negotiations dealt extensively with many issues. He pointed out that Egypt had put forward several ideas to break the stalemate, including resorting to the World Bank to have its opinion on the outstanding issues.

He stressed the issue not political, but technical and scientific, and therefore should be dealt with at the same level and accept the opinion of experts.

The minister said there will be a new meeting in Ethiopia on May 15 at the level of the ministerial committee on the GERD including foreign affairs and irrigation ministers and heads of security and intelligence services in the three countries.

He asserted Egypt keenness to build confidence and to consider Ethiopian interests and development plans, as provided in the principles agreement signed by the leaders of the three countries in March 2015 in Khartoum.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Saudi Arabia will supply oil to Sudan for the next five years at preferential prices, disclosed a Sudanese minister on Monday.

Sudan's oil minister Abdel Rahman Osman said according to the agreement which will be signed in the upcoming days Saudi Arabia will provide Sudan with 1.8 million tonnes of oil a year.

The deal aims to fill Sudan's fuel consumption gap as the country has experienced an acute fuel shortage during the past weeks due to the lack of hard currency to buy oil from the international market.

The minister who just returned from Riyadh said the agreement will be signed after the completion of the procedures with the Saudi Development Bank which will guarantee the credit.

He just added that the procedures will take "several days" without further details.

The government has been under strong pressure from the opposition parties for its participation in the Saudi-led alliance which wages war against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Khartoum was criticised for the poor financial support provided by the oil-rich Gulf monarchies to the country despite its significant involvement in the Yemeni conflict.

The criticism prompted the Saudi ambassador in Khartoum to hold a press conference to say his country would sign a number of defence and economic cooperation agreements with Sudan very soon.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and SLM- Transitional Council (SLM-TC) extended a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur region for three months.

Undated picture extended to Sudan Tribune on 28 April 2015 by the Justice and Equality Movement showing their fighters during a training exercise

"The Cessation of Hostilities shall enter into force at 11:59 pm (SLT) on the 7th of May 2018 and will extend for 3 months to 11:59 pm (SLT) on 6th of August 2018. The Cessation of Hostilities shall apply throughout the conflict areas of Darfur," said a joint statement on Monday.

JEM and SLM-MM are committed to the truce within the African Union efforts to end the 15-year conflict in Darfur. It was declared for the first time on 17 October 2015 and since the armed groups renewed regularly.

The SLM-TC, which broke away from the SLM-Abdel Wahid, joined the unilateral ceasefire after a joint attack carried with Minnawi's movement in May 2017. The two groups are linked by a military coordination agreement.

The joint statement stressed that the cessation of hostilities is for a humanitarian purpose.

"The objectives of the extended Cessation of Hostilities are to protect civilians, provide unhindered humanitarian access to war-affected populations, and create a conducive environment for peace talks".

However; the three groups condemned the government's "barbaric attacks on civilians in Jebel Marra, which resulted in the further mass displacement of civilians".

Also, they called for an international action to "put an end to the Government of Sudan's policies and acts of violence in Darfur, "condemn the Government's violations of its own cessation of hostilities, and to pursue guarantees for unimpeded humanitarian access to Darfur".

Since last month, the SLM-AW which is not committed to the truce and the SLM-TC reported attacks by the government forces on their positions in the central Darfur state mountainous area of Jebel Marra.

Darfur hybrid mission didn't confirm or deny the alleged attacks. However, the UN Secretary-General is expected to brief the Security Council on the situation on Thursday 10 May.

The government and JEM and SLM-MM failed last month to strike a declaration of principles on the peace negotiations but said ready to resume meetings in the future.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday seized copies of Al-Jareeda newspaper from the printing house without giving reasons.

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

The confiscation of Al-Jareeda comes 24 hours after the NISS seizure of Akhbar Al-Watan, the mouthpiece of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP).

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune on Monday, the Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) said it has received reliable information that the NISS would crackdown on the press during the next period.

The independent media watchdog called on the journalists to make the suitable arrangements to face the security campaign, vowing continued support for the freedom of the press.

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

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

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

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

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

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) The Sudan Liberation Movement (ALM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur and the Sudan Liberation Forces Alliance (SLFA) led by Taher Hagar have agreed to merge their military and political work towards full unification of the two movements.

In a joint statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the two movements said they held lengthy meetings following intensive contacts and consultations between the two sides.

The meetings, which were held in an undisclosed location, discussed a number of issues including the fate and path of the Sudanese state, the IDPs and refugees, war hostages and prisoners besides the political situation and the harsh economic conditions.

According to the statement, the meetings concluded that “the full unification of the two movements is the only option towards achieving aspirations of the Sudanese”.

“The unification of the two movements is the strategic goal and the two sides would press ahead to achieve it under all circumstances” read the statement.

The two sides agreed the basic preamble of the unity would carry the title “Sudan Liberation Movement/Army” and its political programme aims to establish a state of equal citizenship for all Sudanese irrespective of their race, culture, religion or gender.

The two movements agreed to work together in the various fields including the media, diplomacy, political, humanitarian, students, military and popular work.

The agreement was signed by the SLFA secretary of presidential affairs Mubarak Bakhit and SLM-AW Chief of Staff Youssef Ahmed Youssef.

Meanwhile, the head of SLFA, Taher Hagar told Sudan Tribune the agreement was not meant to coordinate efforts but rather to begin the unification process of the two movements.

He stressed the two sides would work together in the abovementioned domains until achieving the full unity.

It is noteworthy that SLFA was established in July 2017 after the merger of three Darfur armed factions including the Sudan Liberation Movement for Justice of Taher Hagar, Sudan Liberation Movement-Unity of Abdallah Yahia and the Justice and Equality Movement led by Abdallah Bashr Gali (aka Gena).

Following its formation, SLFA underscored its commitment to continue the armed struggle against the Sudanese government, saying it wouldn't abide by the unilateral cessation of hostilities announced by President Omer al-Bashir.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

Doha brokered the Darfur peace negotiations which resulted in the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011. Also, a dissident faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) joined the DDPD in April 2013.

JEM led by Gibril Ibrahim and the SLM-MM have engaged in peace talks with the government under the auspices of the African Union.

However, the SLM-AW is not part of the African Union-mediated peace talks. The rebel group rejects negotiating a peace agreement with Khartoum government unless the government militias are disarmed and displaced civilians return to their original areas.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (JUBA) – The faction of South Sudan's armed opposition movement (SPLM-IO) led by First Deputy President Taban Deng Gai announced on Monday that it has officially joined the country's ruling party (SPLM) under the overall leadership of President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan First Vice President Taban Deng Gai addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly (UN Photo)

The decision is line with the Arusha agreement signed between the different factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

"I would therefore like to announce on behalf of the SPLM-IO structures and the entire membership of the party, 'the dissolution of the SPLM-IO organs including Chapters and declare them to be united with the SPLM, the historic liberation party in the Republic of South Sudan," Gai told reporters in the capital, Juba in Monday.

On Friday last week, the SPLM National Liberation Council endorsed the Arsuha reunification agreement to reunify fragmented factions of South Sudan's ruling party.

The first vice president's announcement came ahead of talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), due on 17 May in Ethiopia

In January 2015, delegates from three factions of the SPLM party signed a 12-page agreement in Arusha, Tanzania, laying out key steps toward reunifying the party. Those who signed include the party loyal to President Kiir, the SPLM-in-Opposition led by former vice president Riek Machar, and a third made up of party officials who were detained when the conflict began in mid-December 2013.

"All SPLM-IO members and cadres are directed to strictly observe this reunification process as stated in the Arusha Agreement of 21 January 2015," he further stressed.

Analysts say the move by the South Sudanese first vice president, would strengthen the coalition government headed by President Kiir.

The SPLM, South Sudan's ruling party, was initially founded as the political wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). The party, in the aftermath of the civil war that broke out in the country in mid-December 2013, split into the SPLM-Juba faction headed by Kiir, SPLM-IO led by Machar and that of the ex-political detainees.

The civil war in South Sudan, the United Nations says, has killed tens of thousands of people and forced a quarter of the country's 12 million people from their homes. More than half of the population reportedly need food aid.

(ST)

May 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan's foreign ministry Saturday summoned the Central African Republic (CAR) Ambassador to protest the killing of a Sudanese security agent killed by the local police inside the residence of its ambassador in Bangui.

The security agent was mistakenly killed by the members of the Central Office for the Suppression of Banditry (OCRB), who thought he was a member militia member as the situation remained tense in the CAR capital on Friday after the death of some 24 people on Tuesday in attacks on a church and a mosque.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said they handed over an official protest note to the CAR Ambassador Abdel Rahim Abdallah demanding to arrest the perpetrators of te attack and bring them to justice.

Also, Sudan requested to provide the needed security to protect the mission, the ambassador and its team members.

The AFP on Friday reported the attack on the South Sudanese embassy in Bangui.

The Sudanese foreign ministry said the slain security agent was the guard of the ambassador's residence.

Ambassador Khidir said CAR Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadera paid a visit to the ambassador's residence to offer his condolences and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice.

(ST)

May 5, 2018 (NIRTITI) - The higher committee for the collection of illicit arms would meet with Darfur's states governors in Central Darfur to assess the outcome of the disarmament campaign.

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

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

Speaking at a meeting of the committee in Nirtiti County on Saturday, Sudan's Vice-President and head of the higher committee Hassabo Abdel-Rahman said the meeting with the governors aims to assess the response of the residents to the disarmament campaign.

He said the committee would listen to reports prepared by the security committees in Darfur's five states about the collection of weapons, stressing the disarmament campaign will continue until collecting all illegal arms.

Abdel-Rahman added the proliferation of illegal arms has led to the burning of villages as well as killing and displacement of innocent residents.

He pointed out that the collection of illicit arms has positively impacted on the security situation in Darfur which requires the continuation of the campaign.

Last March, the governor of South Darfur state Adam al-Faki said the disarmament campaign would continue until the year 2025.

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)

Governor El Faki is Determined to in Darfur against All International Conventions.

By Abdullahi Osman El-Tom

A week, or so, ago, Governor of South Darfur, Adam El Faki stunned the IDPs of Darfur in general and those of Kalma camp in particular with his decision to forcibly dismantle all IDP camps in Darfur within the year 2018 and Kalma camp within a fortnight. Kalma camp, 17k east of Nyala houses over 130,000 inhabitants. The IDPs are yearning to go back to their original villages, now occupied by new settlers. As expected, and indeed affirmed by all international conventions on refugees and IDPs, Darfur IDPs maintain legitimate demands. These consist of security arrangements, the removal of Janjaweed and other hostile settlers and, of course, provision of basic services. It is to be noted that public amenities in the area including clinics, wells and schools have been deliberately destroyed by government forces and their Janjaweed allies.

El Faki's decision comes as no surprise to the IDPs and Human Rights activists. That is so because it has been abundantly clear that the Regime is bent to dismantle the IDP camps which remain as a symbol of its atrocious crimes in Darfur. To implement its decision, the regime is determined to use all means, including violence, and in complete disregard to the International Humanitarian Law and the other conventions that protect IDPs and refugees against forced return.

Governor El Faki's history is dotted with massacres, ethnic cleansing and blatant breaching of human rights. Prior to his appearance in South Darfur, he worked as a senior security agent, second only to the Governor, in South Kordofan and was credited with atrocious assaults on Nuba villages, in addition to those who were accused of being sympathetic to the SPLM. His aptitude for brutality comes from his mentor Ahmed Haroun, the previous Governor of South Kordofan. Haroun must have found it easy to mentor his already half-baked, El Faki, for the latter is a graduate of one of the many Wahabi colleges of Saudi Arabia. In the name of Jihadist ideology of the Wahabis, he is attuned to massacring the Christian and Pagan Nuba opponents, and the Muslims of Darfur are not spared either. His mentor, Haroun, is one of four Government personnel who were indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity in Darfur. To this day, he is still at large, a trusted confidant of Al Bashir and retains the post of Governor of North Kordofan.

El Faki endeared himself to Al Bashir by organizing a presidential visit to the State of South Darfur in September 2017. The botched visit was a disaster for Kalma residents who had resolutely refused to welcome Genocidaire Al Bashir at their camp, the very man who had orchestrated their ejection from their lands in the first place. In a punitive mission, El Faki unleashed his notorious forces against Kalma protestors, killing six on the spot, with four dying later, not to mention the additional injury of more than 30 others. UNAMID, located within eye-sight of the attack, released its usual lukewarm “Deeply Concerned” statement shortly afterwards. It shamefully described the assault as a “CLASH”, presumably between two equal parties. It was as though the violence was not one-sided!

The Governor's decision to dismantle Kalma and other IDP camps by force is yet to draw a strong response from UMAMID, Rights groups or other agents of the international community. If these bodies are still duped by previous agreements with the Khartoum government, we urge them loudly to wake up. As we all know, Sudan has concluded an agreement with the UNAMID, the UN and leaders of Kalma IDPs to opt only for voluntary repatriation, without the use of force or disguised pressure. The history of Al Bashir and his government is telling and can hardly escape anyone who is willing to learn and understand. If the Khartoum government is good and consistent in anything at all throughout its close to 30-year history, it is in their utter disregard for any accord or agreement they sign with other parties.

Additionally, El Faki did not mince his words regarding his intent to dismantle Kalma and other IDP camps. His plan is to remove the camps either way, voluntarily or otherwise. He told the IDPs that he has already reserved 300 cells in Sawakin prison in Eastern Sudan for camp leaders who oppose repatriation and the planes have already been commissioned to transport any uncooperative chiefs to their new destination.

As far as safety fears of the IDPs are concerned, Governor El Faki has his answer ready. He gave them a chilling example of his response to an earlier appeal of IDP returnees for protection against Janjaweed atrocities stating:
“A couple of days ago in the morning, returnees from Marla area came to me in Nyala, complaining about someone who had his leg broken. I asked them if they were reporting any death to which they said no. I then told them not to come unless they have a minimum of ten persons killed because the government cannot protect everyone” (Radio Dabanga).

The message is then clear, for the IDPs, UNAMID and the international community. Kalma returnees should be ready to expect, and even sustain, the killing of less than ten people in each village, alongside looting, rape and other forms of oppression, without bothering his Excellency, El Faki. The ceiling for justified complaints is now set at the loss of ten lives or more. That is the minimum security protection the governor can offer Darfur IDP returnees, full stop.

The UN has also assured Kalma IDPs of the government's commitment to provide a stimulant of public services back home, but, a careful examination of El Faki's words indicates otherwise. Focussing on killings of ten or more, before he deems it fit to intervene, El Faki is simply too dumb or perhaps too inhumane to contemplate the more lethal killers such as the lack of health care, potable water and education services. The IDPs simply have to do without such services and at their peril.

The international community must act and do so as fast as it can. Global leaders in the UN, EU, USA, Human Rights and UNAMID must rush to prevent Governor El Faki and the Regime in Khartoum proceeding along with this catastrophic plan. I concede that this is a tall order but it has to be voiced and as loudly as possible. The fate of Darfur IDPs depends on the resolve of such global leaders; their humaneness, civility and the very willingness to protect the weakest among us, such as the IDPs of Darfur.

The author is the Secretary for Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation. He can be reached at : Abdullahi.eltom@mu.ie

May 4, 2018 (NAIROBI) - Delays in peace talks originally scheduled for 26 April, 2018, should not excuse ongoing detentions and inaction on enforced disappearances, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said.

SPLM (IO) deputy chairman for justice and human rights affairs, Samuel Dong Luak, pictured after his return from hospital, Nairobi, October 13, 2015 (ST Photo)

In a statement, the two human right bodies said South Sudan's leaders should act immediately to impartially investigate the enforced disappearances of two men, and release or charge everyone in their custody who has been arbitrarily detained.

“South Sudanese leaders should demonstrate their commitment to basic human rights and take concrete action on enforced disappearances and unlawful detention,” said Jehanne Henry, a team leader in Human Rights Watch's Africa division.

“They should investigate the shocking forced disappearance of two prominent men and make good on their pledges to release wrongfully held political detainees,” he added.

Dong Samuel Luak, one of the forcibly disappeared men, is a human rights lawyer and outspoken critic of the government who had refugee status in Kenya. Aggrey Idri, also a critic, was a member of the armed opposition loyal to the country's former first vice-president, Riek Machar.

The two men were reportedly abducted from the streets of Nairobi, Kenya on January 23 and 24, 2017, respectively.

On January 27, 2017, a Kenyan court ruled against their deportation to South Sudan. However, credible sources told both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International that they had seen Luak and Idri in National Security Service detention in Juba on January 25 and 26.

The men were then removed from the facility on January 27 to an unknown location. Their abduction is widely viewed as the result of collusion between South Sudan and Kenya, but both governments have denied having custody of the men, or knowledge of their whereabouts.

The disappearances of Luak and Idri are part of a larger pattern by the South Sudan government to silence its critics by harassing, intimidating, arbitrarily detaining, and forcibly disappearing them, the two groups said.

Both organizations have continuously documented how government agents arbitrarily arrest and detain perceived opponents in official and unofficial national security and military detention facilities across the country.

“South Sudanese authorities continue to show their total disregard for human life and dignity by appearing to condone or turn a blind eye to unlawful detentions and enforced disappearances,” said Seif Magango, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and Great Lakes.

He added, “They must take concrete steps to promptly, effectively and impartially investigate the disappearances of Dong Luak and Aggrey Idri, and charge, or release all remaining political detainees in line with South Sudan's domestic and international legal obligations.

In November 2016, they said, Kenyan authorities unlawfully deported the former opposition spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, from Nairobi to South Sudan, despite the fact that he had refugee status. He has been sentence to death by the High Court.

(ST)

May 4, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan said it has established a working committee with Uganda to settle ongoing tension between border communities that have involved the military from the two countries.

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers are pictured in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

The spokesperson for South Sudan's foreign affairs ministry, Mawien Makol to resolve misunderstandings between the Acholi people of Magwi county and those who hail from Lamwo district of Uganda.

“It has been communal disagreement among the communities on both sides over land. There was an encroachment on the side of South Sudan,” Mawien was quoted saying.

In August 2015, more than 200 gunmen from Magwi county entered into Uganda and were later driven out by the Ugandan army.

The two countries are yet to resolve the land dispute in the Moyo area of Uganda, bordering KajoKeji area of South Sudan with especially the Gbari area being contested by both the Madi and Kuku ethnic groups.

The outbreak of conflict has compromised South Sudan's security along its porous border points as millions of refugees have fled into neighbouring Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to split within the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), before the conflict took an ethnic dimension.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in South Sudan's worst outbreak of violence since its independence.

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May 4, 2018 (BANGUI) - An aide to South Sudan's ambassador to the Central African Republic (CAR) was shot and killed in the country's capital, Bangui on Friday.

The unnamed official, AFP reported, was shot by men from the Central Office for the Suppression of Banditry (OCRB) who mistook him for a bandit.

The incident reportedly took place after the OCRB men spotted aide with a weapon in his car and pursued him till his residence in Bangui.

The Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera has reportedly apologised for the shooting of the embassy official.

South Sudan's foreign affairs ministry is yet to comment on the incident.

At least 24 people were reportedly killed and about 170 wounded in an attack targeting a church and a mosque in Bangui.

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May 5, 2018 (JUBA) – South Sudan government on Saturday accused the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) forces allied to the country's former first vice president, Riek Machar of attacking Pagak in violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

South Sudanese rebel troops loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar stand on guard in Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 after recapturing the strategic town from government troops (Photo: Reuters)

“Machar's SPLA-IO attacked our position in Pagak through Jekow river and Pagak bridge,” said Col. Dickson Gatluak, a spokesperson for the SPLM-IO faction loyal to first Vice President, Taban Deng Gai.

He added, “Our forces had to strike back heavily in order to end the assaults and repulsed them [rebels] back to where they came from and we rejuvenated back to our barracks at 6:00AM this morning,”.

The Governor of Maiwut state, Bol Ruach Rom confirmed the attack, but details of the casualties involved could not easily be established.

“As the top leadership [of] SPLM [Sudan People's Liberation Movement] in Juba is working for the lasting solution, rebels need to refrain from any harmful act, which will hinder the achievement of everlasting peace in South Sudan,” further said Gatluak.

Last week, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) condemned the increase of violence in the country in violation of the ceasefire agreement signed in December 2017.

The two bodies said fighting had intensified in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria pointing to the devastating impact on thousands of civilians and humanitarian agencies.

JMEC requested the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAMM) to investigate the attack and hold accountable the perpetrators, citing the need to respect the ceasefire deal.

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May 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) – Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan will hold a new round of talks on the Renaissance Dam on Saturday in Addis Ababa at the level of irrigation ministers, amid unconfirmed reports about the participation of French consulting firms n the meeting.

The US$1.5 billion Gibe III project dam is expected to generate 1870 MW of electricity.

Last month the three countries discussed the impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the water share of Egypt and Sudan and agreed on how to resolve the outstanding issues but the meeting wrapped up without an agreement. Egyptian officials refused to include a disposition providing that the 1959 agreement is a bilateral deal between Sudan and Egypt despite their initial agreement that Ethiopia is not a party to the pact.

Sudanese Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation and Electricity Friday said a new round of talks on the Ethiopian dam will begin in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

The press release further said the talks will be at the level of ministers of water resources and the tripartite technical committee, adding that the two French firms would take part in the meeting.

"The consultants are expected to participate in the meeting," said the ministry.

In September 2016, French engineering consultancy Artelia and BRL groups have been selected to undertake the dam impact studies. The U.K.-based law firm Corbett & Co was selected to manage the legal affairs of the tripartite committee.

The consultancy office will study the environmental and ecological, social and economic consequences of the dam.

The multi-billion dollar dam is being constructed on the Blue Nile, about 20 kilometres from the Sudanese border, and has a capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, and is expected to generate electrical power of up to 6,000 megawatts.

Egypt is concerned that the dam could reduce its quota of 55.5 billion cubic meters of the Nile water, while the Ethiopian side maintains that the dam is primarily built to produce electricity and will not harm Sudan and Egypt.

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By Gatdiet Peter

Her Excellency,

I write to your excellency dear Ambassador Nikki Haley, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN and the UN Security Council, with great dismay and too much pain about the ongoing mass killing and displacement of people of my hometown Leer and Mayiandit county in South Sudan – southern Unity state. Dear Ms Ambassador, the mass killing, and displacement in the abovementioned locations are being perpetrated by the government of my country, which by the principles and terms of the constitution should protect the lives and dignity of unarmed civilians by any mean possible.

Your Excellency,

Since April 20, 2018, onward, there are deliberate attacks, targeted killings, gang raping of women and young girls, mass displacements of innocent civilians, and burning down of the villages happening in Leer and Mayendit Counties by troops loyal to president Salva Kiir and armed militias loyal to the First Vice President (FVP), General Taban Deng Gai. There are also thoughtful destructions of civilians' livelihoods, looting of cattle & goats, and properties in Leer and Mayendit. These acts of violent collective action against civilians' amount to crimes against humanity in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law and the universal declaration of human rights – Geneva convention!

Troops loyal to president Salva Kiir and the militiamen allied to Gen. Taban Deng were mobilised purposely to carry out premeditated murderous actions against civilians in Leer and Mayiandit counties, simply because Leer county is the hometown of the opposition leader, Riek Machar. The goal of such actions against civil population encapsulates a punishment to Riek Machar (the elites' main rival), which does not in any way make sense at all corners. This is a dangerous illusion and it must be stopped at all cost!

Your Excellency,

Dear Ms Ambassador, I take the floor of this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms possible the heinous crimes against civilians by the government forces of my country. I also condemn any kind of human rights violations, not only by the government troops but, moreover, by any armed actors in South Sudan soil.

The punishment and political violent-collective action of my country's government that is being perpetrated on innocent civilians qualified in terms war crimes and crimes against humanity and those who committed these crimes must be held accountable and face justice. Dear Ms Ambassador, I call upon your responsible leadership and concern on humanity to persuade members of the UN Security Council to take punitive measures against the perpetrators of crimes in Leer and Mayiandit counties for justice to take its course with immediate effect.

Dear Ambassador, I want to bring it to your attention that the violent actions of my country's government presumed to be counterinsurgency measures are wrongly directed to the wrong targets in Leer and Mayiandit counties. The people, who are going under attacks and mass killings are purely unarmed, helpless, and vulnerable. They are just civilians and have nothing to confer with the political affairs and/ or political system of South Sudan than being plain civilians. They neither support either side of the conflict.

While taking this endeavour on Leer and Mayiandit counties, it is quite acknowledgeable that similar attacks on civilians are taking place across all corners of South Sudan, such as in Yei river state, Wau, Yambio, areas of Lou Nuer (Akobo), Nasir, Pagak, etc. The government and its allied militias are responsible for such attacks and targeted killing of innocent civilians. it is also acknowledgeable that the government of my country deliberately continuously block the humanitarian access to affected communities whereby necessities, such as medicines, food, mosquito nets, blankets, and temporary shelters are desperately needed.

The atrocities by government forces in Leer and Mayiandit came not by surprise because President Kiir in a speech in Billpham military HQs, Juba, has declared war during a ceremonial funeral service of late Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, the former chief of general staff of South Sudan defence. Salva Kiir has given stern directives and ordered his forces and militias to crush armed oppositions, which has now turned into murdering of civilians and burning of their villages. Meanwhile, the governor of Northern Liech state, Joseph Nguen Monytuil addressed the public two days later after government forces and militias attacked innocent civilians in Leer and Mayendit. Mr. Monytuil informed the gathering that the government is crushing the armed opposition in Leer and Mayiandit countries. This means that the atrocities committed on civilians are done with an informed consent from the country's top high-profiles.

Therefore, Ms Ambassador, I call upon your country's right of veto in the UN Security Council to push for a go-ahead measure and take necessary action against the government of the Republic of South Sudan, which failed to protect civilians. One of the well-known responsibilities of the UN is to ensure that all civilians are protected irrespective of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, political opinion, etc. Hence, as a concerned individual, I wish an-all-encompassing accountability for the government of South Sudan to answer all the horrible acts committed on civilians.

Your Excellency,

Dear Ambassador, it is worth noting that during your visit to the South Sudanese Capital Juba in October 2017, it was your humble self who reported to the all-world that ‘‘president Kiir is unfit to rule South Sudan.'' The unfitness of my country's president is nothing but a niche of unwillingness to protect vulnerable civilians and their scarce properties. Here forth, I urge the international community, especially the UNSC to immediately intervene and pressure Salva Kiir to resign as soon as possible and surrender power to those who can protect and provide security to all people of South Sudan.

Call for an arms embargo on South Sudan

Your Excellency,

Dear Ambassador, the continuous free flow of weapons and lethal military equipment to South Sudan, then into the hands of tribal warlords is very worrisome and one of the factors that make peace efforts more complicated thus, I urge your leadership to determinedly push for an arms embargo on South Sudan to save the lives of the remnants of the war. The definition of an arms embargo reflects the status of South Sudan situation so, the scope and terms of arms embargo should be applied on South Sudan.

‘‘The arms embargo, established by paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 1390 (2002) and reiterated in subsequent resolutions, including paragraph 1 (c) of resolution 2161 (2014), obliges Member States to: Prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer, to the individuals, groups, undertakings and entities from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities''. Retrieved from:https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/sites/www.un.org.sc.suborg/files/eot_arms_embargo_english.pdf

Your Excellency,

I believe the imposition of an arms embargo over South Sudan will not only stop the war but will, however, increase life expectancy among South Sudanese people. It is notable that people in my country died before they could be shot dead by the armed men widely known as ‘‘unknown gunmen in South Sudan'' because they always live in fear, panic, and deep depression knowing the presence of lethal military materials in the hands of tribal warlords.

Finally, thank you for your attention!

The author can be reached at gatdietpeter86@outlook.com

May 3, 2018 (KAMPALA) - Members of South Sudan's armed opposition (SPLM-IO) on Thursday held a meeting with Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni in Kampala.

Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni speaks at the national dialogue launch in South Sudan, May 22, 2017 (PPU photo)

The deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO, Henry Odwar, who has been leading the SPLM-IO peace talks group in Ethiopia, led the team that met Museveni.

Angelina Teny, who is part of the group, praised Museveni for warm reception during the Kampala meeting.

“He received us well and we really appreciate his interest to have a stable South Sudan. I don't want to go into details but we had a good meeting with the president,” she said.

In 2016, Museveni and the South Sudanese armed opposition leader, Riek Machar held a meeting to discuss peace in South Sudan, with the Machar assuring the Ugandan leader he was committed to a new chapter of peace.

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May 3, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Recent inter-communal clashes in Jebel Marra area have displaced some 11, 500 civilians, said a UN humanitarian agency in a news bulletin released on Thursday.

“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 the UNOCHA.

According to the monthly humanitarian news bulletin, the local authorities and IDP leaders said that many homes had been burnt, and other villagers have been displaced into the mountains.

The joint assessment team that visited the affected area said the IDPs are in need of emergency shelter, non-food items, food and access to water and sanitation services.

UN chief in a recent report to the Security Council indicates the decrease of IDPs displacement in Darfur region as a result of the improving security situation but pointed that tribal fighting remains a challenge.

Recently, Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdel Wahid (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.

Despite the reduction of its forces deployed in Darfur, the hybrid peacekeeping has established a new site in Rokero to protect civilians and displaced persons due to relative insecurity in Jebel Marra.

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