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BERLIN. A nemzetközi terrorizmus és a globális klímaváltozás elleni küzdelem áll a legfejlettebb iparú országokat összefogó G7 csoport vasárnap kezdődő kétnapos csúcstalálkozójának középpontjában - mondta a soros elnöki tisztséget betöltő Németország kancellárja kedden Berlinben a bajorországi Elmau kastélyszállóban (Schloss Elmau) rendezendő találkozó programját ismertető tájékoztatóján.

Le Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général pour la Libye, Bernardino Leon, a exhorté mercredi les acteurs politiques libyens à parvenir à un accord pour mettre fin à la crise dans leur pays, lors d'une rencontre en Algérie.

Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU s'est déclaré mercredi profondément préoccupé par la situation sécuritaire et humanitaire au Soudan du Sud.

A la lumière des récentes allégations d'abus sexuels contre des enfants en République centrafricaine, qui auraient été commis par des troupes étrangères sous une autorité autre que celle de l'ONU, le Secrétaire général de l'Organisation, Ban Ki-moon, a décidé de procéder à un examen pour déterminer la façon dont le système onusien a donné suite à ces allégations.

By Mahmoud A. Suleiman

This article comes against the backdrop of the preparations and the lavish expenditure of the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) for the Inauguration of the incumbent de facto president Omer al-Bashir as a President for Sudan. This follows the fraudulent April 2015 elections which was shunned by the opposition and boycotted by the Sudanese people through their 'GO' Campaigns of 'GO Omar Bashir', but Bashir entered the elections solo and as expected won alone!

The inauguration of Omar al-Bashir as a president on Tuesday second June 2015 under election boycotted by the Sudanese people is a miserable play on sad day of mourning and marks a repetition for the killing of civilians and burning of villages and mass rape in Darfur.

The Sudanese people who boycotted his election have abandoned Al- Bashir and his entourage in the NCP regime. They also announced the 'Get out' campaign. The people of the free world boycotted his regime and avoided him like a mangy. They did so for the heinous crimes al-Bashir committed for more than a quarter of a century. Moreover, al-Bashir remains fugitive from international justice. His government is now bankrupt through the epidemic of corruption and shamelessly begging the Federation of GCC countries.

The great people of Sudan who boycotted the election of Omer al-Bashir for further Presidential term because of his lack of legitimacy do not expect anything new in what he has to say in his inaugural speech. This is because he who has nothing at hand cannot give, as the popular saying goes. Moreover, Omer al-Bashir is renowned for shallowness of ideas , lack of rhetorical eloquence and his usual public speeches and discourse are usually marred by insults and obscenities of the type of ' insects' to the citizens of South Sudan and 'eccentric anomalous' describing opponents when addressing the gatherings hailed by his supporters.

All that is expected Omer al-Bashir to say is the threat with doom and gloom for the political opposition the threat to the armed movements he always have vowed to liquidate them decisively!

The Sudanese people appeal to the international community represented by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to help release the Sudanese people from the shackles of the regime led by the perpetrator of crimes of genocide Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir and protect them from the terrorist al-Bashir and his oppressive regime.

The real isolation of the regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) centres around the continuing boycott from the people of the Sudan.

The inauguration of Omar al-Bashir is nothing but a fraudulent scam which, tries forging the will of the people of Sudan by his never-ending repulsive absurd dramatic sitcom.

The installation of the war criminal Omar al-Bashir in search for missing legitimacy for the dictator and perpetrator of genocide fugitive from international justice and castaway from the neighbouring countries and the citizens of the free world like a mangy .

The NCP regime media claimed that ruling the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the President of the Republic of Egypt will be attending Forum of the inauguration of the dictator Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir as President of Sudan for another five-year term to be added to his previous twenty five lean years adding up to 30 years of rule by iron fist and fire on the people of Sudan. Political observers indicate that it will be absurd and shameful for the leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia King Salman and the Egyptian President Abdel Aziz Sissy if they attended this very Sad Forum which is condemned and boycotted by all the people Sudan.

Omar al-Bashir's validity and the default age to the rule of Sudan has ended and expired as President. Furthermore, the political make-up plastic surgical operations would not help. The popular adage goes saying that the Arabic Attar - the perfumer the Spice-dealer- cannot repair the damaged that caused forever by longevity. Thus, the regime of Omer al-Bashir and his entourage are not fit for the purpose neither in the past nor at the present or in the future..

And of course we can understand the intersecting political interests of the between the two referred statesmen alleged to be part of the invitees to the inauguration of Omer al-Bashir. The intersecting interests between the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) centered around Iran's influence in the Sudan, in the form of weapon , Iran's Security threat in the Red Sea and the presence of Sudan within the military campaign against Al- Houthis in Yemen under the Operation Decisive Storm. For beleaguered President Sissy of Egypt, Sudan's importance comes to him from three vital angles: first and foremost is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in the Nile basin, the International Political Islam of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement (IMBM) to which al-Bashir's (NCP) is party and its impact on the rule of Sissy and on Egypt in general, let alone the octopus like the fundamental Jihadist Islamic organizations spreading their lethal tentacle to all countries of the Arab and African regions. Of course, the National Islamic Front (NI) from which came the (NCP) is a part and parcel for global political Islam, which resulted in the end of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS)or Da'esh as an acronym in Arabic!.

The NCP regime soon after the forged elections began the ethnic cleansing policy targeting the Darfur students in the Sudanese Universities nationwide using gangs of NCP affiliated student militias who carried out violence using all types of weapons wounding scores burning student residents while the police watching idly. Moreover, the NCP regime's notorious National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) succeeded in creating discord between the tribes of the Rizeigat and Al-Ma'alia to break the social fabric in Darfur, in application of the malicious doctrine of 'Divide, Conquer and Rule

This genocidal criminal of the people of Darfur is still an outcast of the world. The most recent international event he failed to attend was the Non Allied Movement (NAM) countries conference in Indonesia. The NAM represents more than a 100 developing nations whose combined population amounts to more than half the world population. The genocidal criminal al-Bashir remains under siege from all the credible nations of the world , but the Arab countries and is not allowed to attend the UN Assembly and other relevant meetings, partly because he is a persona non grata and more importantly for his fear of getting apprehended and handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague to face the ordeal of his evil deeds and heinous crimes he committed in Darfur, South Kordofan in Nuba Mountains, Ingasana in Blue Nile, Beja people in Eastern Sudan and Sudanese people of Nubia in Amrey and Kajbar in the far North of Sudan.

It is high time for the international community and the human rights organizations and peace loving people of the world to support the efforts of the Sudanese people to bring about groundbreaking change in Sudan. The only option available is ousting the regime of the NCP and replacing it by a true democratic system that treats equally the Sudanese people irrespective of their tribe, colour, creed, gender, age, ethnic origin or regional affiliation.

Moreover, the people of Sudan will wipeout the legacy of the regime and throw it into the dustbin of the history. The elements in the NCP regime will face the predicaments of their evil deeds and results of what they committed of crimes. Transitional Justice and Retribution for the crimes they committed against the peoples of Sudan will confront them. The survivors of the atrocious crimes will be rewarded with full compensation for the losses they incurred under the reign of the criminal Omar al-Bashir. Then the people of the homeland will adopt one and only one identity of Citizenship for all the inhabitants of Sudan, the Sudanese Identity.

"Our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it." President Barack Obama said during his second inaugural address.

Dr. Mahmoud A. Suleiman is an author, columnist and a blogger. His blog is http://thussudan.wordpress.com/

African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies Two South Sudanese Pastors face death penalty for voicing opposition to corruption scandal at Khartoum Bahri Church

(2 June 2015) Two South Sudanese pastors are currently on trial in Khartoum for criminal charges which carry the death penalty under Sudan's 1991 Penal Code after making public remarks criticizing a corruption scandal at a Khartoum Church and the treatment of Christians in Sudan. The two men Yad Michael, (m), 49 years of age, and Peter Yen, (m), 26 years of age, were detained by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on 14 December 2014 and 11 January 2015 respectively, and held incommunicado until their first family visits on 2 March 2015. They were transferred to Kober prison on 1 March after being charged by the Office of the Prosecutor for Crimes against the State. Their first court session was on 19 May, and the second on 31 May. The next court session is scheduled for 15 June 2015.

Mr. Michael and Mr. Yen are both Christian missionaries and South Sudanese nationals visiting Sudan who had been vocal about the controversial sale of land and property belonging to the Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church and the treatment of Christians in Sudan. The sale was made by the Community Council of the Church, a body appointed by the Government of Sudan's Ministry of Endowments and Guidance which reportedly does not have a mandate to sell church land. Sudanese police forces violently raided the Church on 2 December 2014 to break up a sit-in demonstration organized by members of the congregation protesting the sale. 38 people were arrested and 20 convicted of disturbing the public peace and membership of criminal or terrorist organisations.

Mr. Michael, who arrived in the country on 13 December, was arrested by the NISS on 14 December after preaching that day at the Evangelical Church of Khartoum Bahri. During the sermon, he had condemned the sale of the church land and property. Peter Yen, who arrived in Sudan in September 2014, was arrested by the NISS from his home attached to Al Gereif Church in Khartoum on 11 January. Both men and Mr. Yen's wife had their laptops confiscated by the NISS. Mr. Yen had also been vocal about his opposition to the sale of land by the Community Council and voiced concern on the situation facing Christians in Sudan.

Both pastors were initially detained by the NISS in Rayed, Khartoum, before being transferred to Kober Prison on 1 March 2015. On 1 March 2015, the Prosecutor for Crimes against the State, charged them under articles 21 (joint acts in execution of criminal conspiracy), 50 (undermining the constitutional system), 51 (waging war against the state), 53 (espionage against the country), 55 (disclosure and obtaining information and official documents), 64 (promoting hatred amongst or against sects), 69 (disturbance of the public peace), and 125 (insulting religious creeds) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code. Articles 50 and 51 carry the death penalty, while other articles carry flogging sentences. They were held incommunicado by the NISS until 2 March, when they were permitted their first family visits in Kober prison. On 28 and 29 March 2015, Mr. Michael and Mr. Yen launched a hunger strike for two days objecting to their continued detention without trial.

The first court session took place on 19 May, and the second on 31 May. The next court session, scheduled for 15 June 2015, will hear testimony from the complainant in the case, the NISS. The men are being represented by a team of pro-bono lawyers.

ACJPS believes that the serious criminal charges against Mr. Michael and Mr. Yen have been levied solely on the basis of their religious convictions and outspoken criticism of the ruling party, and as such, that their continued detention and criminal proceedings are discriminatory and in violation of constitutional and international law guarantees of equality before the law. There is also speculation that the trial of the two men is intended to send a message to other Christian leaders in Sudan to refrain from criticizing the treatment of Christian minorities in Sudan and the policies of the ruling party.

Sudan's constitution and international human rights commitments guarantee the freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Article 31 of Sudan's Interim National Constitution of 2005 provides that all persons are “equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination, as to race, colour, sex, language, religious creed, political opinion, or ethnic origin, to the equal protection of the law.” Article 38 further provides that “every person shall have the right to the freedom of religious creed and worship”.

This case demonstrates the internal contractions of Sudanese law and its incompatibility with Sudan's diverse population and international commitments. International law strictly prohibits discrimination based on religion. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, interpreting Sudan's obligations under the African Charter, previously found in Amnesty International and Others v. Sudan that Sudan was in breach of its obligations under Article 8 of the Charter owing to legal and other restrictions that inhibit the ability of individuals to freely practice their own religion.

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) condemns the use of the death penalty in all cases, and corporal punishment, such as floggings.

Background

ACJPS has documented increased restrictions since 2013 on religious freedoms, particularly restrictions on members of Christian churches in Sudan. This includes raids on churches and harassment and arrests of church members by members of Sudan's NISS.

On 2 December 2014 the Evangelical Church of Khartoum Bahri was raided by police forces in six cars. They beat a number of peaceful demonstrators with pipes and water sticks and arrested thirty eight members of the church. After the raid, twenty of the people arrested were sentenced to a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds (roughly $40) after being convicted without legal representation under articles 65 (criminal and terrorist organisations) and 69 (disturbance of public peace) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code. The charges were dropped against the remaining eighteen individuals. The sit – in demonstrations were prompted by a corruption scandal, including the sale of church lands to investors. In 2010 the Evangelical Church of Khartoum Bahri elected a Community Council to control the administration, assets, and investments of the Church. The Community Council was plagued by accusations of corruption. The Evangelical Church attempted to resolve the conflict, with the Church's General Assembly electing a new Community Council. The previous Council refused to recognise the new Council and hand over institutional documents. The Government of Sudan's Ministry of Endowments and Guidance intervened on 28 April 2014, and re-appointed several members of the old Community Council. Despite not having an official mandate to sell church properties or engage in investment on behalf of the church, they sold a substantial amount of property.

ACJPS has also documented apostasy charges, which carry the death penalty, levied against Christian women.

On 15 May 2014, Al-Haj Yousef Criminal Court in Khartoum Bahri confirmed the sentence of 100 lashings and the death penalty by hanging against 27-year old Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a Christian woman convicted for adultery and apostasy on 11 May. Meriam gave birth in her prison cell, shackled, before her convictions were overturned on appeal following international outcry. Following her release from detention, she was briefly prevented from leaving Sudan with her husband and children owing to new charges levied against her concerning disputed travel documentation issued by South Sudan. She later left the country.

Earlier in May 2014 the Al Gadarif Criminal Court dropped charges against another woman accused of apostasy after she recanted her Christian faith and converted to Islam to avoid the death penalty. A criminal complaint had been lodged against her by a police officer at the National Identity office in Al Gadarif town after she applied for a national identity card. On the application, she was asked to declare her own faith and that of her father. The criminal complaint was filed when she declared that she was a Christian, married with eight children to a Christian man, and that her father was a Muslim.

ACJPS has also documented restrictions, including forced closures and cancellation of registrations, of political parties and organisations affiliated with reformist visions of Islam. On 1 May 2014 Sudan's Political Parties Affairs Council (PPAC) rejected an application from the Republican Party, founded by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, to register as a political party. Taha was executed days after being convicted of apostasy in 1985 on the basis of his opposition to Sudan's interpretation of Sharia law. The PPAC argued that the Republican Party's political ideology contradicted the constitutional provision that law in Sudan be based on Islamic Sharia law and the conditions for the establishment of political parties in Sudan. The Republican Party proclaims to oppose Islamic fundamentalism and promote secularism. The Mahmoud Mohamed Taha Cultural Centre was raided and forced to close by the NISS on 18 January 2015, the 30th anniversary of Taha's execution, whilst a commemoration of his life was taking place.

Contact:

Katherine Perks, (English), +256 775072136 / info@acjps.org.

Mohamed Badawi, (Arabic), +256 783 693 689 / info@acjps.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN 3 CLEVELAND ROW, ST.JAMES'S LONDON SW1A 1DD PRESS AND INFORMATION RELEASE (3/2015)

President Bashir's Swearing- in Ceremony

Today 2 June 2015, President Omar al Bashir has started a new term of office. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of tens of Heads of State or their representatives.

There are good grounds for optimism in the Sudan in view of many factors:
The economy is now recovering, as the strict reforms worked out with the IMF and economic experts begin to bear fruit. The challenges caused by the shortfall resulting from the loss of oil wells after secession of South Sudan have been managed and overcome.

In his swearing-in speech, President Bashir highlighted the economy and promised to create a conducive atmosphere for stability and prosperity. In this respect, the president underlined the importance of peace and security for all citizens. He expressed appreciation of the role of the army and security services. Their efforts would be complemented with political factors that include reconciliation and strengthening the home front in a country that is wide enough for all its citizens.
In his swearing-in ceremony speech, President Bashir has declared a comprehensive pardon of all those carrying arms against the State. He called upon all opposition factions to return home and take part in national construction.
Reserves in minerals, especially gold are huge. With agriculture they will secure economic well-being and prosperity for all.

The President emphasised the importance of continuing to reform the economy, improve productivity, combat corruption and nepotism and ensure democratic transformation along moderate Islamic principles. He reiterated his pre-election promise to resume the Inclusive National Dialogue which is the peaceful way to probe common grounds and reach a national consensus.

Along these lines, relations with neighbouring countries, African Union members and Arab League would be enhanced. As far as the West is concerned, he referred to “common interests” as basis for engagement and cooperation.

A firm basis is already in place:
The Sudan has been asked officially by the UN to mediate between the warring factions in neighbouring Libya. IGAD has likewise asked the Sudan and its president to help bring peace to the Republic of South Sudan. President Bashir has already succeeded in bridging the gap between Egypt and Ethiopia and hosting a summit last March in which President A. Sisi of Egypt and PM of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn signed a framework agreement that put an end to tensions about the Renaissance Dam.

The ICC's decision to “freeze” its work on Darfur was not surprising, because President Bashir has carried on despite the ICC distractions and achieved a conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with a successful Referendum that resulted in the peaceful birth of the Republic of South Sudan. Those who expected the Sudan to scupper the Referendum, or take the opportunity of the current internecine fighting to seize the Southern oilfields were proven wrong.

The International Crisis Group has, albeit grudgingly, acknowledged that Sudan's relations with the Gulf States have improved and that increased gold exports have relived the “economic pressure”.

The prescient words of the former UK Foreign Minister William Hague (during whose term of office the UK declared that it had no sanctions on the Sudan) ring louder now. He said when he chaired the UN Security Council's meeting on Sudan (16 November 2010): “A stable Sudan will help build security and prosperity in the region…it will help the Sudanese people receive the tangible benefits of peace that have eluded them for so long”.

US sanctions notwithstanding, the Sudan has built an extensive motorway network as well as Dams and Bridges. Universities and secondary schools were established. Women were empowered and the Inclusive National Dialogue that will include leaders of the small pockets of troubles in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states will soon be resumed.

The timing of two other events is not seen as coincidental. On 26 May a US coast guard visited Port Sudan for a 2-day visit. This comes in the wake of partial lifting of some secondary sanctions on Sudan. The second significant event was the speech of the EU ambassador to the Sudan, Tomas Ulicny (13 May 2015) on the occasion of Europe Day and Europe's year of Development. He spelled out what is well known but seldom acknowledged when he said: “In the wake of alarming developments in Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic, we are interested in strengthening of productive cooperation and coordination with regional actors including Sudan and its government…”
The Sudan is key to stability in the whole region. President Bashir's next years as leader will see that consolidated.
One of the main drivers of “alarming developments” is Islamist extremism, especially ISIS and its imitators. General David Petraeus, former CIA head has made an important statement telling the BBC's Jonathan Marcus that “you cannot deal with an industrial-strength extremist problem with just force of arms. You have to have the political component as well.”

He has put his finger on the flaw in the West's (or rather the US's) sanctions policy on the Sudan. To cold shoulder moderate Muslims, like President Bashir, and believe that one can confront Muslim extremism ideologically is a fallacy. Only Muslim moderation can defeat Muslim extremism.

The swearing-in ceremony heralds both a continuation and a new phase. Development and democratic transformation will be reinforced while a new push to reach overall peace in the country is a most promising turning point.

Media Office
London
2 June 2015

June 2, 2015 (RUMBEK) – At least 13 people were killed and dozens more wounded on Monday when rival sections of the Dinka community in the South Sudan's Lakes state clashed in Rumbek counties.

Fighting erupted when residents of Malek-Agok payam of Rumbek East county came under attack in what was believed to be a cycle of revenge killings between communities of Gong and Thuyic, both belonging to Dinka Agaar clan.

According to an eyewitness, Moses Maker, seven people were killed and 18 others sustained gunshot wounds from Gong section while four people were killed and five others were wounded from the side of Thuyic section.

State government minister of information and communication, Dhieu Wal Takping, refused to comment when contacted to verify the information, saying that he was just returning from Juba and did not yet received report about the clashes.

But according to the police's Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, he confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the clashes resulted in loss of many lives. He added that more personnel from the state police were being sent to quell the insecurity in Malek-Agok payam.

In separate clashes between cattle raiders and police forces in Abeer payam, located in western part of Rumbek Central county, 2 policemen were killed by cattle raiders while trying to intervene.

“Suspected cattle raiders arrived in Abeer and surrounded policemen who were walking cows. They started firing at policemen, killing two on spot and shooting in self-defence. Two of the cattle raiders who were injured managed to escape,” Police sergeant Akot Majok told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He described Monday as a bad day that left 13 people killed and 25 wounded in complex clashes in Rumbek East and Rumbek Central counties.

Lakes state has been embroiled in cycles of revenge attacks with many blaming government for allegedly failing to curb insecurity.

The situation recently worsened when a joint force of the police and military withdrew from all hotspots in the state, claiming they had no way to collect information due to community's failure to cooperate.

Data from Lakes state Criminal Investigation Department reported an increase in crime-related incidences within the volatile region.Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of governor Matur Dhuol amid claims he had failed to stem the violence, but president Salva Kiir has overlooked these calls.

Dhuol was appointed in 2013 after president Kiir sacked elected governor Chol Tong Mayay.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (BOR) – 74 people were killed, 108 wounded and 54 children abducted in South Sudan's Jonglei state last year, an annual report to the state assembly showed.

Jonglei's minister for local government Peter Wall Athiu before lawmakers in Jonglei state June 2, 2015 (ST)

The minister for local government and law enforcement, Peter Wall Athiu presented the report, which implicated members of the Murle ethnic tribe.

A total of 1,800 herds of cattle were raided in the state, it said.

According to the minister, of the 54 children abducted, five were from Uror county of the country's largest state.

“In all these insurgencies, Murle have been the cause [of] all damages devastating [Jonglei],” Athiu told lawmakers.

But the minister said enforcement units has 9,648 officers, comprising of police and prisons and wildlife services, but lacked enough arms to protect innocent civilians from such attacks by armed criminals.

“Our problem is not about the lack of man power, we have no weapons to arm these trained officers”, he told state legislators.

Jonglei invested more fund in the security sector when the financial year started, but no improvement has so far been seen on ground.

The gross salaries for law enforcement forces amounted to 12,290, 438 SSP, and over 1.5 million SSP allocate for security maintenance.

The minister said his docket faced financial shortage as collection and remittance of personal income tax levied on all organised forces salaries was not effectively done, hence deficits in the budget.

The tax was projected to be 9,713,000 SSP, but only 454,697 SSP was realised.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese female activist who has gone missing for several days last April has recanted her story on Tuesday after more than a month of controversy.

Undated photo of Sandra Farouk Kadouda

The 31-year old Sandra Farouk Kadouda was reported to have been forcibly taken from her car by a group of unidentified men in Sudan's twin capital city of Omdurman as she was driving to an opposition sit-in at the National Umma Party (NUP) headquarters.

Kadouda's car was found abandoned nearby with the keys still in the ignition and her phone was switched off.

After several days, she was as found badly beaten at a street in Khartoum in a state of extreme fatigue with a dislocation in her right shoulder apparently due to severe beating.

Kadouda never made direct statements on what happened but her family accused the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) of standing behind this incident.

The NISS subsequently filed a complaint against her for defamation after which she was interrogated intensively by state security prosecutor.

Today Kadouda issued a statement apologizing to the Sudanese people and government's security agencies “for what I caused by claiming I was kidnapped” adding that she was not subject to torture as was reported.

A family representative by the name of Abdel-Qadir Ismail said that "a dispute occurred between Sandra and government agencies and it was imperative for the family to intervene after a blaze of publicity because of her disappearance during that period," he said.

"We thought she was detained by the security services, but the family arrived at conclusions contrary to what was believed, therefore this press release came as a reinstatement and to clear the security services which we thought were behind this".

Two newspapers were seized by NISS last April for discussing Kadouda's disappearance.

(ST)

Le Burundi est toujours dans l'incertitude. Officiellement, les élections communales et législatives ont toujours lieu le 5 juin prochain, ce vendredi. Les chefs d'Etat de la Communauté d'Afrique de l'Est ont demandé à leur homologue Pierre Nkurunziza de reporter le scrutin d'un mois et demi. La Commission électorale nationale indépendante, de son côté, assure fonctionner normalement, malgré les démissions de sa vice-présidente et de l'une de ses commissaires. Mais ces départs sont problématiques pour le fonctionnement de la Céni.

The main issues highlighted in the report of IRMA research programme are the role of asylum as primary reason for migration, and the importance of capital as the main parameter of successful migration. The smuggler is the key actor underscoring all discussions, holding multiple roles; from facilitator of mobility, to source of information, or disruptor to the migratory project. The choice of destination and the limited information informants actually have, are discussed, as well as the role of Turkey as a hub for collection of information, but mostly of money to continue the journey. The border crossing for both entry and exit is discussed in relation to policies in Greece and particular border fencing and increased deterrence of entry. Finally, the text highlights the issue of detention, as the key policy in place at the time of writing that appears to have  impacted heavily both the migratory route but also the decision of Afghans to leave Greece, either via transit (where possible) or via return to Afghanistan.

IRMA case study on Afghanistan

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir issued a decree on Tuesday night dissolving the government and relieving his aides in preparation for the formation of the new cabinet following the beginning of his new term today.

Ibrahim Ghandour, top aide to Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir and head of Sudan's negotiating team with the SPLM-N (Photo: AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

The decree did not mandate undersecretaries to run the ministries in the interim which suggested that the announcement of the new cabinet is imminent.

Earlier today, presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour who also holds the position of ruling National Congress Party (NCP) deputy chairman said that the new cabinet will be announced in the next 48 hours.

Ghandour said that there will be no presidential advisers and a maximum of 5 presidential assistants.

He also downplayed announcements by several parties that they will not join the new cabinet saying that “not all parties should be part of the government”.

President Bashir has said earlier this year that only parties which contested in April's general elections will be offered posts in the government.

The Federal Truth party (FTP) has been excluded from the new cabinet while the United Umma Party (UUP) rejected the NCP offer for ministerial posts on the grounds that it is not compatible with their political stature.

Last week, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani announced that it will not join the government for the same reasons spelled out by the UUP.

But the NCP swiftly denied the DUP declaration stressing that consultations between the two sides are ongoing.

It is understood that the NCP offered the DUP the same posts it currently holds in the cabinet which includes three federal ministries, two state ministers and other posts on the state level.

The NCP said it will look into the DUP's request for an additional post without committing to it which aggravated al-Hassan al-Mirghani who is currently running the party as his father is still out of the country.

The DUP was considered the second largest northern opposition party until December 2011 when it left opposition ranks and joined the joined the NCP-dominated “broad-based” government.

(ST)

Le Togo attend toujours la nomination d'un nouveau Premier ministre après la démission de Kwesi Séléagodji Ahoomey-Zunu. Mardi 2 juin, la presse espérait interroger le président Faure Gnassingbé sur la nomination du nouveau chef de gouvernement, à l'occasion d'une conférence de presse consacrée au sommet de l'Union africaine (UA) sur la sécurité maritime. Las, le président n'est pas venu.

Le Sunnmore, région de fjords de la côte ouest norvégienne, est, depuis près de quarante ans, le temple de l’offshore et le siège d’un des clusters maritimes les plus efficaces au monde. Près d’une quinzaine de chantiers navals, parmi lesquels les plus emblématiques comme Vard, Kleven, Ulstein ou Havyard, des centaines d’équipementiers et designers, Rolls-Royce Marine en tête, et une dizaine d’armateurs, dont Havila, Island Offshore ou encore Remoy… le tout représentant des milliers d’emplois dans cette région un peu lointaine à la géographie très contraignante.

• Lire la suite de Offshore : La Norvège fait le dos rond en préparant l'avenir

Russia wants to include Ukraine’s obligations on gas into the agreement that might be signed during the upcoming three-party gas consultations.

Americas

• The Air Force is reportedly working on a new hypersonic test vehicle, with the aim of developing the new vehicle by 2023. The Air Force and DARPA are hoping to build on a previous 2013 test, with the X-51A WaveRider intended to be used as a proof of concept.

• On Tuesday Lockheed Martin was awarded a $104.3 million contract modification for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile Accelerated Acquisition program, which saw a successful test firing in February. The LRASM missile is a joint US Navy/DARPA project aiming to develop next-generation anti-ship missiles capable of overcoming sophisticated defenses and travel longer distances to their targets.This latest modification brings the total contract value to just under $306.9 million. The company was also awarded a $31 million contract Tuesday for Aegis Weapons System integration and testing, up to Advanced Capability Build 12.

• Boeing will likely have to transfer some manufacturing to South Korea if the company wants to bag a $1.2 billion tanker contract. South Korea officials are peeved with the quantity of work allocated to Japanese industry as a result of defense and civilian contracts with the US company and are pushing for better offset arrangements in order to develop the country’s growing industry.

• The Pentagon is expected to relaunch a RFP to industry in October in a new $475 million solicitation for cyber capabilities, following the original solicitation being rescinded on 22 May. The USCYBERCOM RFP was originally intended to develop the Cyber National Mission Force, as part of a concerted effort to bring in private expertise to DoD cyber operations.

• Canada is implementing a third party oversight system for defense contracts valued over C$100 million, with an expert panel convening to provide independent evaluation of procurement decisions. The Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition will be made up of five experts and will also provide advice to the Minister of National Defence on acquisition decisions.

Europe

• The Taranis UCAV will undergo a third set of tests toward the end of this year. The Taranis was unveiled in 2010 and is part of the Anglo-French FCAS program, alongside the nEUROn UAV.

• The Czech Republic is looking to buy 3D radar systems from Israeli firm Elta Systems, with the government in talks with the company regarding a potential $240 million deal. The new radar systems are scheduled to come online in 2017, with 40 percent of the workload set to go to local industry under a workshare agreement between Elta and local partner Retia. A subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta Systems produces a variety of radar systems, including the 3D AD-STAR system, in both medium and extended-range configurations.

• The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a $123 million contract for helicopter training. Royal Navy and RAF crews training to fly Chinooks and Merlin helos will now benefit from Synthetic Training Devices and other training services, care of Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestland.

• France has taken delivery of a third Predator B UAV, following a contract for an additional Predator two months ago. This third UAV will join two already in service, with twelve scheduled for delivery by 2019.

Middle East

• The US has delivered an undisclosed number of BGM-71C TOW missiles to Lebanon, following a similar French delivery in April for Milan Anti-Tank Missiles, funded by Saudi Arabia.

Asia

• South Korea is reportedly looking to develop an indigenous air to ground missile to arm its fleet of light helicopters. With a provisional entry date of 2023, the new missiles are intended to replace the US-manufactured TOW missiles currently in service.

• The Royal Malaysian Air Force is planning to upgrade its fleet of MIG-29N fighters, despite having previously opted to purchase the more advanced SU-30MKM in small numbers. The MIG-29N fleet has been in service for 25 years, with local firm Aerospace Technology Systems Corp. recently offering to provide an upgrade program for the sixteen MIGs.

• The PLA Navy is reportedly developing a lithium-ion battery-powered submarine propulsion system, with the PLAN also recently commissioning three new Type-093G nuclear-powered attack subs.

Today’s Video

• The nEUROn UAV flying in formation with a Rafale and Falcon…

Airbus Defence and Space issued an Accident Information Transmission (AIT) on 2 June effectively confirming that a software issue within the electronic control units (ECUs) of the A400M transport's EuroProp International TP400-D6 powerplants led to the loss of aircraft MSN23. The aircraft crashed

ANALYSIS A little under a year since the outbreak of the 50-day conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Egyptian-mediated truce still holds, but both sides are preparing for renewed hostilities. Hamas fighters are training intensively in the Gaza Strip and detonating