Sudan Tribune

January 1, 2018 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) admitted on Monday that associates of General Paul Malong Awan, the former army staff of staff fled the country to neigbouring Sudan.

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

Lieutenant General Santino Deng Wol, commander of the ground forces told Sudan Tribune that the former Aweil North county commissioner and his Madhol county counterpart fled the country.

The two former officials, according to the army officer, were still in active list in the army with ranks of colonel and lieutenant colonels.

“It is true we have received a report from local people that former Madhol county commissioner Manut Yel Lual and former Aweil North county commissioner Kuol Athuai Hal, are not in the area. We are told they fled the country to an area called Merrem in Sudan,” said Wol.

He added, “We don't know the reason. The local authorities are investigating the cause”.

The official did not, however, hint on what the army would do to assure the deserted officers of their safety.

In November last year, a South Sudanese military commander said he had defected with more than 200 soldiers to the country's largest rebel group, amid a showdown between President Salva Kiir and the country's former military chief of general staff.

Lt. Col. Chan Garang, an ally of Awan, said he defected to fight President Kiir's regime.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than two million displaced in South Sudan's worst violence since the young nation seceded from Sudan in July 2011.

(ST)

By Peter Adwok Nyaba

The Republic of South Sudan is in deep social, economic and political crises. There seems no exit out of this situation except by complete destruction and transformation of Kiir's ethnocentric totalitarian regime. The IGAD and international community's attempts to revitalize the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) signed in August 2015 will only raise false hopes in the people. The CoH signed on 21st December is already a dead document consequent to its violation before the ink dried on the paper. The February 2018 resumption is likely to carry no meaningful impact due to competing for respective national security, economic and political interests of these countries, their lack of legal and diplomatic tools to force the regime to implement the agreement or any of its variants, and fragmentation of the political and armed opposition to the regime.

The political and military weakness of the SPLM/A (IO), which inadvertently led to the proliferation of political and armed opposition groups and the resultant collective weakness inherent in their divisions and in-fighting created a political-military situation that allows the regime to perpetuate itself in power in spite of the deepening economic collapse, state failure and collapse of its institutions. The regime is banking on the military defeat of the SPLM/A (IO) and ensnaring the people into believing that peace is around the corner. The people of South Sudan enter the New Year 2018 without hope for peace, social harmony and meaningful change in their economic hardship. The continued government military offensive throughout 2017 preventing the rural population from engaging in agriculture and food production means that famine, already recorded in many places, is bound to force mass displacement and heightened humanitarian catastrophe in South Sudan In fact, millions are already in refugee camps in DR Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. The civil war has raged this long because the regime, the armed opposition and the political opposition stand on the same ideological platform.

The dominance of right-wing idiosyncrasies prevented the evolution and cultivation in the SPLM/A (IO) of scientific knowledge of the contradiction underpinning the civil war, and the emergence of critical and strategic thinking in the conduct of the war and charting the appropriate solutions. This rendered peace with the regime its leadership's overriding preoccupation in order to recapture the lost power position, while Kiir's lack of interest in power-sharing rekindled the fighting and returned the country to war. Power for its sake rather than destruction and transformation of the totalitarian regime drives the divisions within the opposition and absorbs their political energy. This struggle centred on leadership and personal power will therefore soon lead the opposition groups to a dead end. The SPLM/A (IO) now managed from a house arrest in South Africa may not sustain itself without an ideological shift, and as long as some individuals in the membership entertain the falsehood that only Dr Riek Machar can provide leadership notwithstanding his personal failures

The SPLM as a leading political force in South Sudan has outlived its relevance consequent to the CPA 2005 and the independence of South Sudan in 2011, which both terminated the task of war of national liberation. The present situation is a direct product of the SPLM leadership failure and explains why attempts at reunification of the SPLM (IG), SPLM (Taban Deng Gai) and SPLM (FPDs) bordering of a treacherous auction of South Sudan's sovereignty in Cairo and Entebbe, is not making any headway. Although ideological basis exist for the reunification of those factions nevertheless their greed for power and lack of concern for the suffering of the people does not allow them to sacrifice individual positions.

The current political crisis in the country should be viewed in a positive light as the drivers of change and social transformation. The fundamental contradictions remain the centuries-old condition of socio-economic and cultural backwardness of the masses manifested in abject poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and superstition that submerged their consciousness and render them susceptible to manipulation by the political leaders. The ethnocentric totalitarian regime will not succeed to resolve this fundamental contradiction even if it won the civil war as long as it pursues liberal economic policies that link South Sudan, in an asymmetrical relationship, to the global comprador capitalism in the context of extraction and plunder of its natural resources. The essence of national liberation was to completely free the national productive forces from every kind of foreign domination.

South Sudan is living what the Marxist categorize as the stage of the national democratic revolution. The masses of South Sudan are inspired by freedom, justice, fraternity and prosperity. They readily mobilize and engage in armed struggle to realize these ideals. They did this as Anya-nya during the first civil war against the oppressive regime in Khartoum; they did it again as Anya-nya 2 against General Gaafar Mohamed Nimeri; they rose in their tens of thousands in the SPLM/A in the twenty-one year war of national liberation from the minority clique regimes. They are now in arms against Kiir's ethnocentric totalitarian regime. The missing link in their struggle remains the inability of the right-wing leadership to tie up the struggle against Kiir's regime to the issues of social and economic development to transform the oppressive reality that submerges their consciousness. Thus, in the last four years, it was a war for personal power not for transforming the oppressive reality. This is obvious in the areas that the SPLM/A (IO) had controlled since 2013. There is nothing to show for the struggle the people have waged.

It has become imperative to break this vicious cycle. The way to do it is for all the patriotic revolutionary and democratic forces wherever they are whether in the different political and military factions or in the civil society to rise to the task of saving the country from imminent collapse, dismemberment and disappearance into the oblivion. Let us make the year 2018, the year of decisive action against the war for personal power ambition. We can make a difference by mobilizing, organizing and unifying our ranks across ethnic and provincial lines to transform this situation into a revolution; the national democratic revolution and the construction of the national democratic state to address the fundamental contradictions in state and society. This requires us to create discussion groups and fora to educate ourselves and our people about the tasks before us and to build consensus around these issues. Whether a soldier, a civilian; a politician or a laity you have an important role to play in transforming this situation of apathy and helplessness. Let us raise high social awareness and political consciousness.

The time to save our country is now or never!! 2018 is the year of decisive action!!! Soon, unless there is decisive action, life under the regime will equal death!!!!

January 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Minister of Water Resources and Electricity Muataz Musa would appear before the parliament Tuesday to respond to an urgent question about the recent increase in electricity tariff.

National Assembly building in Omdurman

The Sudanese cabinet last week approved electricity price increase for some segments including the residential areas which consumes over 1500 kilowatts per month.

The National Assembly on Tuesday would listen to the response of the minister to an urgent question from the independent MP Mohamed Ali Mohamed Adam on the price increase.

According to the Ministry of Electricity, the government would continue to subsidize the consumption of residential areas up to 1500 kilowatts per month (about 2300 pounds (SDG)).

Also, the Ministry said it would increase electricity tariff for private universities and hospitals, saying the agricultural sector and small-scale producers won't be affected by the price rise.

On the other hand, the electricity tariff increase in the industrial sector wouldn't include the pharmaceutical industry and the refrigeration and ice stores.

It is noteworthy that the government approved the increase in electricity price under the pretext of correcting “distortions” in the tariff.

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

Protests erupted in Sudan's major towns in September 2013 following an announcement by the government that it was reducing subsidies on fuel and other basic commodities, leading to calls for regime change. At least 200 protesters died, 15 of them children and more than 800 others have been detained.

(ST)

January 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) between Sudan and South Sudan will meet in Juba on 8 January, said South Sudan's Ambassador to Khartoum Mayan Dut Waal

South Sudanese Ambassador to Khartoum Mayan Dut Waal

In statements to the official news agency SUNA, Waal said the JPSC would discuss ways to implement the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

He expressed hope that Sudan witnesses security and stability to enhance cooperation between Juba and Khartoum.

The Ambassador further conveyed good wishes of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit to the Sudanese peoples and leadership on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Sudan's independence.

He hoped that Sudan enjoys prosperity and that the anniversary of independence would be an opportunity to achieve development and stability in the country.

In September 2012, both Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others.

The two countries in March 2013 signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements. However, the execution of the agreements didn't go according to the plan.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th, 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern voters chose independence.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence following a series of disputes over a number of issues and accusations of support to rebel groups.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (ZALINGEI) - The governor of Central Darfur Ga'afar Abdel-Hakam said that the national campaign to collect weapons and the unlicensed vehicle has collected more than 6,000 weapons.

In press statements on Sunday, the governor said the total of arms seized within the framework of the forcible weapons collection launched last October has reached 6164 arms including small arms, guns and large quantities of ammunition, as well as.

The authorities also captured 523 motorcycles and 150 four wheel drive vehicles (Land Cruiser).

The governor said the intelligence unit of the weapons collection campaign has information about the hideouts of weapons and ammunition in the state and would attack it at any time.

Also, he said the collected weapons have been seized in three operations conducted in six of the nine districts in the state, adding the fourth operation will be launched in the localities of Jebel Marra in the coming days.

The Central Darfur governor recently threatened to attacks the positions of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid al-Nur in Jebel Marra, when he said the weapons collection campaign include the areas where they are present.

On 20 December 2017, he told the state legislative assembly that the unilateral cessation of hostilities does not include Darfur, stressing that the western Sudan region is free of rebels.

(ST)

January 1, 2018 (KHARTOUM) — President Omer al-Bashir confirmed that the Sudanese army would continue to take part in the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Following the recent visit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sudan, some Saudi newspapers joined the Egyptian media in its verbal attacks on the Sudanese government for the alleged signing of an agreement to build a military base on the Red Sea coast island of Suakin.

In a speech he delivered on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Sudan's Independence, al-Bashir reiterated the participation of the Sudanese troops in support of legitimacy in Yemen and to crash the rebels who also threaten the security of the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia.

Sudan's "participation was imposed by our religious values and our moral heritage in the fight against terrorism and aggression," said the Sudanese president before to add "We will continue this participation until it achieves its noble goals".

He further commended "all those who supported and supported the lifting of the sanctions against Sudan, and mentioned the Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the Arab Maghreb countries, as well as the African countries' stance through their union and bilateral positions, particularly Ethiopia, Chad, South Africa and Rwanda.

Al-Bashir didn't mention the name of Egypt, among the countries he thanked for their efforts to cancel the 20-year economic sanctions on Sudan.

Sudanese officials were annoyed by the association of a Saudi newspaper to the Egyptian media attacks and the Sudanese embassy in Riyadh released a statement to denounce the articles published by the daily.

In a move to close this row, Okaz published in its second page under a large headline the messages of congratulation sent by King Salman and the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to President Omer al-Bashir on Sudan's Independence Day.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir claimed on Sunday war has continued to keep him in the affairs of the country against his will and the family.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

“There are people talking about me all the times and I am tired of all these nonsense. If it were not because of this senseless war, I would be resting already with my family,” said President Kiir.

He was reacting to a question asked by his wife in which she asking him to reconcile with the former army chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan, describing the later as more than a colleague but a brother.

“Kiir, Malong is your brother and if you know people who were with us, Malong Awan is one of them. The government is big and like I heard John Garang once said, the government has so many rooms, why don't you accommodate Malong so that all these talks are stopped,” said Mary Ayen, president Kiir's wife.

The first lady asked the president to lead the country well like he was fighting during the liberation war.

Presidential sources told Sudan Tribune that the former chief of staff has escalated lobbying and use of associates to rebel as a way to draw the attention of the president to his grievances.

“Paul Malong is using all strategies. He is using friends to rebel and talking to people to talk to the president. The family of the president, particularly his wife and his brother in law are the one championing his return to the government campaign,” a presidential aide told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

“Now someone called Manut Awek, or Manut Yel Lual and certain Kuol Athuai Hal have rebelled in Aweil. I understand he was one of the county commissioners when Paul Malong was the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Manut was the tax collector in Warawar. Now there has been this nonsense that Garang Chan and his group are around Juba and they will attack anytime. All are parts of the political propaganda to persuade the president to appoint Malong back into the government so that when he is appointed he will talk to them to return. These are all outdated strategies,” said the source.

The former chief of staff while speaking at the thanksgiving prayer services in Kampala last week denied pursuing war but advocated for dialogue, despite some of his close associates taking to the bush.

Awan was sacked from his position after reports by the intelligence service accusing him of plotting to overthrow Kiir, particularly when Kiir accepted to sign the IGAD-brokered peace agreement in August 2015.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan's President Salva Kiir said on Sunday that ongoing civil war, now in its fifth year, continues to keep him involved the country's affairs against his will and the family.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

“There are people talking about me all the times and I am tired of all these nonsense. If it were not because of this senseless war, I would be resting already with my family”, said the South Sudan leader.

President Kiir's unusual statement was reportedly in response to the first lady's request for him to reconcile with the country's former army chief of staff, whom she described as a brother, not just a colleague.

“Kiir, [Paul Malong Awan] is your brother and if you know people who were with us. Malong is one of them. The government is big and like I heard John Garang once said, the government has so many rooms, why don't you accommodate Malong so that all these talks are stopped”, the first lady, Mary Ayen, reportedly told the president.

The first lady is also quoted to have requested the South Sudanese leader to lead the country well, citing the role he played during the liberation struggle.

Meanwhile sources within the presidential told Sudan Tribune that the ex-chief of staff has stepped up lobbying and the use of associates to rebel in order to draw Kiir's attention to his grievances.

“Paul Malong is using all strategies. He is using friends to rebel and talking to people to talk to the president. The family of the president, particularly his wife and his brother in law are the one championing his return to the government campaign”, a presidential aide said Sunday.

“Now someone called Manut Awek, or Manut Yel Lual and certain Kuol Athuai Hal have rebelled in Aweil. I understand he was one of the county commissioners when Malong was the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Manut was the tax collector in Warawar. Now there has been this nonsense that Garang Chan and his group are around Juba and they will attack anytime. All are parts of the political propaganda to persuade the president to appoint Malong back into the government so that when he is appointed he will talk to them to return. These are outdated strategies”, he added.

However, the former army chief, while speaking at last week's thanksgiving prayer service held in Kampala, Uganda advocated for dialogue, despite some of his close associates taking to the bush.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (JUBA) - At least 22 people were killed in inter-clan clashes that occurred in war-torn South Sudan, an official said.

The map of Jonglei state in red

The fighting, the latest in a series of attacks between rival communities, occurred in Bor South, which is located in Jonglei state.

The Bor South county commissioner, Deng Mabior, said about 18 people was also critically injured during the weekend's clash.

“The situation is currently under control of the army. The army is doing a good job by also talking to them about peace. But the challenge now is on the humanitarian aspect,” Mabior was quoted saying.

The clashes, he added, saw many people displaced from their homes.

Jonglei information minister, Deng Akech, also confirmed the incident and that the military was deployed in area to ease tension.

The regional government said it would investigate the conflict and arrest those found to have instigated the violence.

"What we are trying to do now is to make sure that the situation is contained,” Mabior said.

Rival pastoralists and farming communities in South Sudan have a long and bloody history of tit-for-tat attacks. The fighting has worsened amidst the disintegration of society during the four-year civil war, which began in December 2013.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (JUBA) - An armed opposition governor has been abducted in neighbouring Kenya, sparking concerns about security and the safety of the key opposition figures in the eastern African country. The abduction occurred at the refugee camp in northern Kenya on Friday evening.

Marko Lokidor Lochapio (ST file)

Rebel deputy spokesman Paul Lam Gabriel said in a statement released on Sunday that the opposition appointed the Governor of Kapoeta State Marko Lokidor Lochapio was abducted from Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Gabriel, according to the statement, said the abducted rebel official was driven to Lokichogio the same night and was taken to Nadapal where he was allegedly handed over to South Sudan National Security Service on Saturday.

Multiple sources confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the rebel official was picked up from his home with the knowledge of the Kenyan police authorities who later informed the relatives.

The opposition governor was abducted from home by people who came with two vehicles around 05:00 pm and one of the abductors was seen having a gun by an eyewitness, the sources said.

It is not clear how the gunmen managed to enter another country with weapons without being detected.

Opposition officials find it difficult to live in Kenya. James Dak the spokesperson of the leader of the main rebel group (SPLM-IO) Riek Machar in the country was deported to Juba in November 2016 from Nairobi.

Two other leading opposition figures were abducted and disappeared without a trace in Nairobi. A prominent and an opposition official, Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Idri, disappeared in Kenya and nobody knows what happened to them.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The government negotiating team for the Two Areas talks with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) said the next round of talks would be decisive stressing no new items will be added to the discussions agenda.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the SPLM-N rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011.

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

Talks between the Sudanese government and SPLM-N for a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access are stalled since August 2016.

Sudan's Minister of Animal Resources and member of the government negotiating team Bishara Guma'a Aror told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) Saturday the resumption of talks was delayed due to the internal rift within the SPLM-N.

He added the SPLM-N asked the African mediation to delay the talks until its internal divisions were resolved and an official delegation was appointed, saying “both parties of the Movement claim to have the legitimate right to negotiate in its name”.

Aror pointed out that no new items would be added to the discussions agenda in the next round of talks, saying the African Roadmap have clearly stated the negotiations framework.

In September, Abdel-Rahman Abu Median, member of the government negotiating team, said they wouldn't negotiate with an SPLM-N Agar faction, pointing the group has no ability to implement what will be agreed upon.

The SPLM-N al-Hilu has a similar point of view as they say there is no split within the rebel movement, but only a change of leadership stressing they have the SPLA-N support.

On the other hand, the SPLM-N Agar recognizes the rift and proposes to form a joint delegation. If this proposal is rejected they propose to coordinate with the SPLM-N al-Hilu.

The African mediators met the two factions last August, but they didn't fix a clear position on the matter, while the facilitators from the Troika countries and the European Union also didn't determine a unified position on the matter.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (JUBA)- The commander of the ground forces in South Sudan army has called for a comprehensive disarmament of the civil population across the country, saying the possession of weapons by the unauthorized persons was the cause of rising deadly communal rifts.

The SPLA displaying firearms in Rumbek's Freedom Square from a disarmament campaign in Lakes state. (ST)

Lieutenant General Santino Deng Wol told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that the proliferation of illicit weapons has made it difficult for the army to assert control.

The senior military officer further stressed the importance of enhancing collective disarmament efforts, while offering prescriptions on how to realize and maintain an illicit?weapon?free country.

“As the army, we are not relenting on our efforts. We are working with the authorities and we are always doing our best to ensure communities are provided with the protection they deserve. Police, security and the army work in collaboration in these efforts to ensure safety and peacefulness of the country and the people," Wol said.

"That is why we moved into Gogrial state on the directive of the President and the state leadership to help in the collection of small arms. Now we have collected 3,599 pieces of different weapons. This is an attempt to stop this dangerous situation. Almost everyone in the communities in which we carried out disarmament is having access to weapons,” he added.

The general said the safety of civilians would be assured if the whole country is disarmed and provided the adequate security they deserve by the police, national security services and the army.

During the ongoing exercise, community leaders have been coming to me and say, General Santino, now you have taken our guns, what is the guarantee that this and that community will not attack us, they will not raid our cows, he said.

"These are important questions which I could not answer," he said adding "We will do the best to provide protection to all who have given us weapons. Their lives and properties will be protected. This has been assurance and I take this message to the command,” he said.

He attributed the reasons for which the country is awash with all types of weapons to the war of liberation struggle for independence of the country and the current war over leadership.

(ST)

December 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM/KASSALA) - A joint police force in Sudan's eastern state of Kassala managed to free 95 victims of human trafficking following an exchange of fire with the perpetrators.

The director of criminal police and commander of the force Abdallah Ahmed al-Sayegh said a joint force from Kassala, Halfa Al-Jadida and Khashm Al-Girba police managed to free foreign victims after fire exchange with the human traffickers.

However, Al-Sayegh didn't identify the nationalities of the victims.

He told the official news agency SUNA they received information that a human trafficking gang has kept the victims, hostage at a forest east of Tringa village in Khashm Al-Girba County.

He added the police force encircled the area from all directions to prevent the escape of the perpetrators.

“The hostage rescue operation involved fire exchange but there were no injuries among the police, hostages or the culprits,” he said adding a number of the perpetrators have been captured and would be dealt with according to the law

For his part, the director of Kassala State police and rapporteur of the security committee Yahia al-Hadi Sulieman described the operation as “qualitative” in terms of the number of the victims as well as the police officers and the timing of execution.

Meanwhile, the governor of Kassala State Adam Jam'aa on Saturday visited the freed victims announcing 2018 would witness the end of human trafficking phenomenon in the state.

He said this rescue operation is considered the largest in terms of the numbers of the hostages in 2017, urging the police and security organs to continue their efforts with the same “vigour and determination” in 2018.

The governor further said this operation represents a strong response to all the human rights organizations which claim that Sudan is not cooperating in the fight against human trafficking.

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Saturday issued a decree imposing a six-month state of emergency in North Kordofan and Kassala states

The state presidential minister Al-Rashid Haroun told reporters the state of emergency in the eastern state of Kassala was prompted by security reasons pertaining to the collection of illicit arms as well as combating drugs and human trafficking.

Sudan is considered as a country of origin and transit for the illegal migration and human trafficking. Thousands of people from Eritrea and Ethiopia are monthly crossing the border into the Sudanese territories on their way to Europe through Libya or Egypt.

In its 2017 Trafficking in Persons report, the U.S. Department of State retained Sudan on Tier 3, saying the Sudanese government “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so”.

In January 2014, the Sudanese parliament approved an anti-human trafficking law which punishes those involved with human trafficking with up to 20 years imprisonment.

Also, in 2014, Khartoum hosted a conference on human trafficking in the Horn of Africa, organised by the African Union (AU), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Sudanese government.

The East African nation has also forged a strategic partnership with several European countries and the EU to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.

(ST)

By Duop Chak Wuol

Countries are created in line with international treaties and norms, and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the deciding factor for any organized society that wants to become a nation. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) — the supposedly problem-solving East African regional bloc whose vision statement asserts that it is the premier league for achieving peace, prosperity and regional integration in the East African region—surprisingly contributed to the collapse of the August 2015 peace agreement by knowingly supporting Uganda's strategy to keep Juba's atrocious regime in power. The rationale behind its seemingly absurd decision is yet to be determined. There is no doubt in my mind that the revitalization of the 2015 agreement is the only plausible way to save South Sudan from complete disintegration. One can only hope that IGAD will be impartial in the revitalization process and restore its tainted credibility.

It is a known fact that South Sudan's peace was hijacked in July 2016 by the current First Vice President (FVP) Taban Deng Gai and President Salva Kiir in an attempt to silence the armed opposition under the leadership of Dr Riek Machar. The move came a few months after Taban was denied the position of petroleum minister by Machar. It was clear at the time that peace was destroyed by Taban and Kiir. But what I find even more surprising is the fact that IGAD, African Union (AU), Troika countries (the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom), and the United Nations shamelessly endorsed Kiir's carefully calculated decision to replace Dr Machar with Taban. There were also wild claims soon after Taban assumed the position of FVP that the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) would crumble and that the new FVP would take full control of the movement. It was a pure fantasy and disgraceful mistake. The war continues to this day and the violence only increases.

Reasonable South Sudanese know that the current FVP was motivated by political greed. Taban is known for his raging temper whenever he is not appointed to a senior governmental position, and only likes lucrative positions susceptible to corruption. Taban is not a leader; he is a political mad man who does not like anyone who questions his rather avaricious leadership style.

Will the East African regional bloc maintain impartiality in the peace process? Are South Sudan's main rival leaders ready for the full implementation of a now-defunct August 2015 power-sharing pact? Will the revitalization of peace work? What can be done to make sure the agreement is implemented? Is there a plan B to restore peace in South Sudan in case the revitalization process fails? Will peace give birth to a second Juba one (J1) fighting like what had happened in July 2016, assuming the warring parties agree to its implementation?

These questions are not simple, but are vital to the revitalization of peace and deserve thoughtful answers. The South Sudanese are tired of Kiir's self-made war. If IGAD and the international community want real peace in South Sudan, then they should first answer the above questions. Answering these questions reasonably could help the community of nations force the two warring factions to implement the agreement.

For peace to return to South Sudan, IGAD, AU, Troika, UN, and other key players must avoid the repetition of previous mistakes. The people of South Sudan are not interested in blaming both side strategy — an empty strategy that was once used by former United States President Barack Obama. Obama's seemingly tough-talk policy only contributed to the July 2016 collapse of the agreement. If South Sudanese leaders failed to implement peace, then it is equally important to note that IGAD and the international community also failed to enforce their mandates. All key global peace partners must find a sensible solution to bring an end to suffering for the people of South Sudan. If the revitalization of peace and its implementation are not credible and impartial, then the peace will collapse again. I am certain of one thing: The SPLM/A-IO wants peace while Juba's oppressive regime still prefers killing, raping, kidnapping, and destruction. The atrocious regime in Juba has spilled enough blood. The South Sudanese are tired of this civil war — this more than four-year armed conflict is now a political, economic, and social tragedy. This war must come to an end.

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

December 26, 2017 (KAMPALA) - A group of youth from South Sudan have demanded for release of the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar before the next phase of talks begin in February next year.

South Sudan's opposition leader Riek Machar speaks during a briefing in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa April 9, 2016 (Photo Reuters/ Tiksa Negeri)

The group, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, said Machar's release from confinement in South Africa is a popular demand of the people of South Sudan who want peace in the war-torn nation.

“Dr. Riek Machar was a key stakeholder of the agreement (ARCISS). He must be set free and allowed to participate directly in the revitalization forum in February 2018 when peace talks resume,” the group, Senior Youth of South Sudan (SEYOSS), said in the statement.

“Riek Machar must be present in person on the negotiation table. Unless or until this revitalization forum is inclusive of all stakeholders otherwise it is dead on arrival,” adds the statement.

In their appeal, the group of youth also called upon the nine South Sudanese opposition leaders who earlier demanded for Machar's release to boycott the second phase of the revitalization forum in February 2018 if their calls are ignored by the regional bloc (IGAD).

The group of peace activists says its regrets the suffering four years of civil war has inflicted on the people of South Sudan.

“As year 2017 comes to an end, South Sudanese living conditions have continued to mount from bad to worse and have now reached irreparable state,” the group said.

The group of youth also called on IGAD and peace guarantors to hold accountable those responsible for violation of the agreement on cessation of hostilities, hours after it came into effect on Sunday.

Diplomats were quoted saying the next phase of the negotiations would centre on thrashing out a revised power-sharing arrangement leading up to a new date for polls.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced, aid agencies say, since war broke out in South Sudan over four years ago.

(ST)

December 26, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Some members of the High Committee for the Implementation of the National Dialogue Recommendations (HCINDR) expressed their displeasure at the delay in the formation of 13 committees, the reform of laws restricting freedoms.

A general view shows members of the Sudanese National Assembly holding an emergency meeting in Khartoum, July 2008 (file photo)

On 10 October 2016, the National Dialogue Conference endorsed the National Document which includes a number of principles that should serve as a basis for the future Sudan's permanent constitution. Also, it provides to restore freedoms, exert the needed efforts for a lasting peace and put it at the top of agenda the National Consensus Government has to implement.

Ahmed al-Balal, the information minister but also a spokesperson of the dialogue committee Tuesday explained the delay saying the HCINDR is preparing a comprehensive vision of the 13 committees and the implementation of the remaining recommendations. He added that a meeting would be convened within days to discuss these issues.

However, a member of the implementation committee Member Taj al-Din Banga and a leading figure of the Popular Congress Party said that they have not yet received any call for the HCINDR meeting to enforce the outputs of the dialogue.

Further, Banqa told Sudan Tribune that his party has a reservation over the slowdown in the implementation of the dialogue recommendations.

"Our reservation is that the dialogue ended on 10 October 2016, which is a year ago, and so far there have been no commissions," he said on Tuesday.

"We hope that the meeting will be as soon as possible," he further said.

In April 2017, a ruling party-controlled parliamentary committee tasked with some constitutional reforms including the creation of the prime minister position refused to pass an amendment restricting the repressive power of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

The committee said the articles proposed by the PCP include details and figures that should be put in the law, not the constitution.

Banaga stressed the need to prioritize the restoration of freedoms, establishing 13 commissions and to reshape some existing commissions such as the electoral, human rights and the office of the political parties registrar.

He pointed to the upcoming general elections in 2020 saying that the laws restricting freedoms had not been amended to create a suitable atmosphere.

He added that the commissions of corruption, constitutional reform, judicial reform, media, identity, civil service, land and the Public Service Selection Commission have not yet be formed.

Banaga said the PCP called during the dialogue process to include the commissions in the constitutions but the ruling National Congress Party preferred to announce it in a law, citing a large number of constitutional amendments.

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December 26, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan rebels allied to the country's former first vice-president, Riek Machar have accused government troops of continued violation of the recently signed ceasefire agreement in Kajo-Keji county and in areas east of Torit town.

Signig of South Sudan cessation of hostilities deal in Addis Ababa on 21 December 2017 ST Photo

The armed opposition's deputy spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said their forces repulsed the attackers and drove them back to Kansuk, amid claims that over 20 government troops were also killed.

The official said the rebels also destroyed store that contained ammunition belonging to government troops following the clashes.

Sudan Tribune could not independently verify claims from the rebel official.

Meanwhile, Lam said South Sudan government troops have been on the offensive since 23 December and have particularly carried out several attacks in Bangalo area of Mundri West in Western Equatoria region.

“It should be noted that since the 22/11/2017 when Governor Joseph Ngere and Brig. Korokon decided to order for attacks on our bases in Bari and Kediba, civilians displaced into the bushes with no food, shelters or health facilities; and no humanitarian assistance has been rendered to those suffering civilians by any humanitarian agency,” he said in a statement.

In a related development, Lam said, the governor of Imatong state Tobiolo Oromo allegedly ordered the area division 7 commander Maj. Gen Gildo Oling to attack the armed opposition's base in Pogee near the Uganda border and establish a border post there.

“This planned attack in Pogee is aimed at displacing civilians who have come back home from refugee camps in Uganda to try and settle in the Liberated area under the SPLA-IO”, Lam said Tuesday.

The armed opposition faction has renewed calls to the regional bloc (IGAD), African Union, the Troika nations as well as world leaders to openly condemn the Juba government over the ceasefire violations.

South Sudan's government and rebel groups signed a ceasefire on 21 December in the latest attempt to end a four-year civil war and allow humanitarian groups access to civilians caught in the fighting.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Saturday directed the chief of defence staff to instruct all heads of the state army divisions and units across the country to comply with the ceasefire agreement.

(ST)

December 26, 2017 (N'DJAMENA) - Twelve Sudanese traditional gold prospectors have been killed and seventeen others injured on Monday by gunmen in Chad on the border with Libya.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune Tuesday that Chadian gunmen on 10 four-wheel-drive vehicles attacked Sudanese gold prospectors in gold mines in Karry area in Chad, saying 12 were killed and 17 injured while 8 others went missing.

They added the injured have been transferred to Libya for treatment, saying the missing gold prospectors were likely being taken by the gunmen to an unknown destination.

The native leader from Kutum area, some 60 km north-west of El-Fasher, North Darfur capital Mohamed al-Tahir Issa said more than 6 families received news about their members who have been attacked in the incident.

He added relatives of 3 gold prospectors told their families of the death of their sons while the fate of the rest of the group is unknown due to a poor telecommunication network in the area.

The eyewitnesses pointed out that the incident is the second of its kind during the past three months, saying a similar attack in the same area last September claimed one life and injured two.

In August 2016, Mauritania deported 100 Sudanese miners who had sneaked into its territory illegally.

Sudan's consul in Chad's city of Abeché, Omer al-Farouk Mohamed, in May 2015 said they evacuated 3250 out of 10,000 Sudanese gold prospectors from Chad and Niger in 2014, pointing to the danger posed by the presence of the miners in those countries.

He added the countries in which Sudanese prospectors are working suffer from conflicts and security problems, pointing to the crisis in Libya and the violent attacks of the Islamic group Boko Haram in Niger besides tensions in western Chad.

Gold has become one of Sudan's largest exports which partially compensated for the loss in oil revenues, which accounted for more than 50% of income until 2011 when South Sudan seceded, thus taking with it most of the country's oil reserves.

It is believed that traditional mining employs more than a million Sudanese but it is still difficult to obtain credible data.

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December 26, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said his country's foreign policy doesn't embrace engagement in “alliances” expressing readiness to forge military cooperation with Turkey or any other friendly country.

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by a large delegation, on Sunday paid a two-day visit to Khartoum. He was the first Turkish President to visit Sudan.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday in Khartoum, Ghandour said Sudan is willing to engage in “any military cooperation with friendly and brotherly countries”, pointing out that “military arrangements with Turkey are possible”.

He added Sudan and Turkey have signed an agreement that could result in some kind of military cooperation.

“One of the agreements signed between Sudan and Turkey is on establishment of a port at the Red Sea for maintenance of civilian and military ships,” said Ghandour

“Sudan isn't and won't be a party to any axis and doesn't believe in the policy of alliances,” said Ghandour in his response to a question about Sudan's possible joining of a regional alliance including Qatar, Turkey and Iran.

The Turkish army on Tuesday said its Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar held a tripartite meeting with his Sudanese and Qatari counterparts in Khartoum on the sidelines of Erdogan's visit.

Ghandour added his country attaches great importance to the security of the Red Sea “especially as Sudan's Red Sea shores extend to 750 kilometres”, saying “86% of the world oil trade passes through this important water passage”.

The Sudanese top diplomat lashed out at critical comments emitted by some Egyptian media on rapprochement between Khartoum and Ankara and the visit of Erdogan to Sudan.

“I was surprised by the response of some Egyptian media; however we wouldn't hold the whole Egyptian people responsible for the mistakes of some. Clearly, there are some who don't understand how relations between nations are run,” he said.

For his part, Cavusoglu agreed with Ghandour on his comments regarding the Egyptian media, saying “the majority of the Egyptian people feel happy about this visit”.

He denied the existence of a Turkish, Qatari and Iranian axis, describing such claims as “mere sedition”.

“We currently enjoy very intimate relations with Sudan, so does that mean there is a Turkish-Sudanese axis?” he wondered.

(ST)

December 26, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)'s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Emad al-Din Mustafa Adawi Tuesday held discussions with the visiting Qatari and Russian counterparts.

The Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Major-General Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim arrived in Khartoum on Monday on several days visit.

He was received at the airport by Adawi and the Qatari Ambassador to Khartoum Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi besides a number of SAF commanders.

Sudan is among the Arab states that refused to take part in the ongoing crisis between several Gulf and Arab countries and Qatar and declared its support for the Kuwaiti efforts to settle the rift.

Meanwhile, Adawi has praised Russia's roles to achieve international security and peace.

During his meeting with the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, Navy Admiral Alexander Alexovich, Adawi pointed to the steady development of the Sudanese-Russian relations in all fields.

He added “the recent visit of President Omer al-Bashir to Russia has opened prospects for joint cooperation”, saying “we are keen to enhance and develop those ties”.

For his part, Alexovich expressed his country's appreciation for the current level of cooperation with Sudan, stressing readiness to exert joint efforts to promote relations especially regarding training and exchange of experience.

Sudanese were surprised to hear al-Bashir on his first visit to Russia last month asks President Vladimir Putin to support his country against American plans against Sudan.

He noted that Sudan is concerned about the situation in the Red Sea and sees the U.S. as a problem there, adding that “we would like to discuss the issue from the point of view of the use of bases in the Red Sea.”

Al-Bashir further requested Russian fighter jets for the Sudanese army saying SAF may buy S-300 air defence system to replace the old Soviet surface-to-air missiles.

Last October, Washington lifted economic sanctions on Sudan and the two countries engaged discussion on the removal of the east African country from the list of states sponsor of terrorism.

(ST)