Feed aggregator

September 5, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The chairman of the Reform Now Movement (RNM) Ghazi Salah al-Din al-Attabani warned of a “decisive response” should Sudanese authorities continue imposing restrictions on his party in the wake of arrests targeting RNM members this week.

RNM leader Ghazi Salah Eddin Attabani speaks in a press conference held in Khartoum on 30 August 2015 (Photo ST)

On Saturday, RNM spokesman confirmed the release of their four members but on the condition that they report daily to the security services.

Al-Attabani had called for their release and stressed that they broke no laws adding that they are exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights.

RNM leading figures along with their supporters arrived at the downtown bus station in Khartoum on Thursday carrying anti-government signs and loudspeakers and started making a fiery speech against the government.

Plain clothed security officers quickly stepped in and arrested four RNM members who were named as RNM chairman in Khartoum state Khaled Nouri, his deputy Ja'afar al-Sadiq, politburo member Sami Abdul-Wahab and Nagi Imam who is charge of students and youths sector in the party.

Ghazi said that authorities "arrested four brothers who carried out this symbolic work in order to draw attention to the reality of the crisis when they speak to people in a public place”.

He cautioned that RNM would respond decisively if the government continued to restrict their activities.

The former presidential adviser accused the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of backtracking on earlier pledges related to political freedoms and creating a conducive atmosphere for the national dialogue.

RNM splintered from the NCP in October 2013 after a reform memorandum submitted to the government by prominent leaders in wake of deadly government crackdown on demonstrators protesting lifting of fuel subsidies.

(ST)

September 5, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese national football team defeated Equatorial Guinea by a single goal in its first ever competitive match played Saturday.

South Sudan national football team during a past tournament [©AFP]

A number fans interviewed by Sudan Tribune described the victory as “historic” for a country that has for several years been in conflict.

"The victory for Bright Stars by beating overwhelmingly favorites Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in their AFCON 2017 qualifying match is historic,” said James Okech.

Atak Lual, who plays for Al-Ahli Shendi in Sudan, broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. It was the first competitive match played in South Sudan and the country's first win in a major tournament.

“Fantastic win Bright Stars, you have done your country proud,” said a local media on its social media site, referring to the national team by it official name.

“Bravo brother (goal scorer) Atak Lual. You saved and served the nation and we will always continue to save and serve this nation. It ours and we must keep on giving all what it needs from us. Let's look forward to serve this country in every capacity whenever, wherever and forever,” Noble Arem Riak, an ardent fan posted on facebook.

“I am really happy for being at the stadium to witness how sports can unite us,” said another.

The Bright Stars now have three points and can qualify if they win their remaining fixtures.

According to the latest Federation of International Football Association (FIFA)- Coca-Cola world rankings, South Sudan is placed at 198 while Equatorial Guinea stands at 63.

(ST)

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to European leaders &#8220to be the voice of those in need of protection&#8221 and to quickly find a joint approach to the refugee and migration crisis that shares responsibilities equitably, as Germany and Austria continue to welcome thousands of people fleeing their war-torn homelands.

September 5, 2015 (JUBA) – Civilians who sought protection at the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in the country's capital, Juba have been given 24 hours to leave their premises after missing the deadline set for them to register and be relocated to designated areas, the world body announced on Saturday.

People gather at a makeshift camp for displaced people at a UN compound in South Sudan's capital, Juba, on 22 December 2013 amid fears for further violence (Photo: AFP/Tony Karumba)

Of the 473 foreign nationals at the camp, 241 accepted to relocate from a protection-of-civilians (PoC) site at the mission headquarters since 27 August to locations in Juba Yambio and the Makpandu refugee settlement in the Western Equatoria state. 233 refugees, mostly from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia declined to leave the compound.

"With the change in the security situation in Juba, the majority of the foreign nationals have since left UNMISS POC sites to return to their homes in the communities in Juba,” UNMISS said in a statement it issued on Saturday.

“Most of [them] have remained in the UNMISS site even though there are no longer protection concerns to justify their continued stay in the Mission's camps,” it added.

The outbreak of the conflict in South Sudan in December 2013 triggered an influx of hundreds of local and foreign nationals into UNMISS camps across the country. More than 200,000 South Sudanese are sheltering in six PoC sites established by UNMISS, including in Juba, Bor, Bentiu, Malakal abd Wau.

The UN peacekeepers are mandated to protect civilians under imminent danger in South Sudan.

“The mission wishes to emphasize that the deadline to participate in the relocation process was 1 September and there will be no extension to allow the foreign nationals to stay any longer on UNMISS premises. The PoC site where the remaining 233 foreign nationals are staying will be closed on Monday 7 September,” UNMISS stated.

UNMISS said it provided, in collaboration with other UN agencies, the foreign nationals with alternative places to which they can relocate within South Sudan. The foreign nationals were reportedly given multiple opportunities to obtain asylum-seeking certificates from the Government of the Republic of South Sudan that would enable them to remain legally in the country while their applications for refugee status are reviewed.

Those who refused the offers, it said, have to vacate the premises “immediately and peacefully.”

"Their continued stay beyond the deadline will not be condoned,” it further stressed.

Sudan Tribune was unable to reach any of the foreign nationals asked to leave the premises.

(ST)

September 5, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The Italian government has granted 600,000Euros to fund a food and nutrition project in eastern Sudan which will be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Photo of a Beja tribesman in eastern Sudan (Jeffrey GettlemanThe New York Times)

In a statement released on Thursday 3 September, the Italian Development Cooperation office in Khartoum said the project will address to the food and nutrition needs of rural families in areas affected by natural disasters in Kassala and Red Sea states.

"The Integrated Food Security and Livelihoods Project (IFSLP) will target 7.500 households (45.000 people) from four localities, including Telkok and Rural Aroma in Kassala State, and Sinkat and Derdub in Red Sea State," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

“The rural poor in Eastern Sudan, particularly in Red Sea State, are not among the communities targeted for humanitarian funding under Sudan's Humanitarian Response Plan, despite the protracted crises that they face,” said Abdi Jama, head of FAO office in Sudan.

The project will introduce climate-smart agriculture technologies to transform and reorient agricultural system to support food security in the two states which are affected by the climate change.

"These activities are designed to increase access to local food by boosting agricultural and livestock production, which is an important way to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition for local families and communities" said the statement.

The Italian Development Cooperation has focused its interventions in Eastern Sudan since the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 and implemented several health and rural development projects..

“We are aware of the critical situation in the Kassala and Red Sea States. This is the reason why strengthening the livelihoods of rural communities is a priority for the Italian Development Cooperation. We are happy to deepen the collaboration with FAO to fight food insecurity and malnutrition in Eastern Sudan,” says Italian Ambassador to Sudan, Fabrizio Lobasso.

(ST)

Le président ukrainien s'est montré optimiste, samedi. Selon le chef de l'Etat, le cessez-le-feu est respecté depuis le 1er septembre. Dans le contexte de certaines évolutions dans la République autoproclamée de Donetsk, il y aurait une lueur d'espoir pour que les accords de Minsk soient enfin appliqués.  

Two Italian Typhoon sport an interesting tail color scheme.

Among the several highlights of the Rivolto Spotter Day organized by the Italian Air Force on Sept. 4, ahead of the air show (Sept. 5 and 6) to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori display team, there is also the special colored tails sported by two Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

The aircraft, belonging to the 10° Gruppo (Squadron) of 36° Stormo (Wing), based at Gioia del Colle were given an unusual camouflaged tail with a tricolored rudder and a large black rearing horse on white cloud, symbol of Italy’s top WWI ace Francesco Baracca.

Both aircraft (MM7297 and 7308) took part in the air display at Rivolto performing a flyover along with a replica of the SPAD XIII, the French biplane fighter aircraft flown by Baracca that inspired the new special color scheme (the two jets did not fly in formation with the Spad but made a fast flyby at the end of the biplane’s display).

 

Related articles

• The Italian Air Force has unveiled a new indigenous trainer: the T-344 V.E.S.P.A.
• Royal International Air Tattoo 2014 highlights
• Photo shows a tanker surrounded by five thirsty Eurofighter Typhoons jets at night
• German Typhoon boasts special World Cup 2014 victory markings
• Italian Typhoon jets have started Operational Testing and Evaluation in the air-to-ground role
• Frecce Tricolori MB.339PAN sports brand new livery to celebrate 55th anniversary of the display team
• Italian Eurofighter Typhoons ready to take over lead role in NATO Baltic Air Policy

September 5, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's minister of finance, Badr al-Din Mahmoud, said the visit of president Omer al-Bashir to China has set a solid ground for a new breakthrough in relations between the two countries particularly with regards to the economic aspects.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, September 1, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Parker Song)

Bashir and his accompanying delegation including ministers of foreign affairs, oil and transport among others arrived in China on Monday to participate in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Mahmoud told the official news agency (SUNA) on Saturday that the agreements signed with the Chinese government would contribute positively to the mobilization of the Sudanese economy.

He said that he discussed with his Chinese counterpart ways for trade, economic and financial dealings between the two nations, saying China will offer new preferential loans that would be allocated to increasing production and exports.

The Sudanese minister disclosed they agreed to promote banking cooperation between the two countries and to use the Yuan in settling financial transactions and scheduling Sudan's debts.

He pointed that a joint committee would convene in Khartoum soon to discuss ways for economic cooperation between the two countries.

Mahmoud added that the Chinese leadership is keen to push forward cooperation in gas and oil besides addressing Sudan's debts through increasing production particularly in the oil domain.

He revealed that they agreed to establish a joint maritime line company, saying the foundations of the partnership would be set during the coming few days.

“Also among the gains achieved during the visit [of Bashir] was the agreement to buy new trains [from China] and to maintain the broke trains,” he added.

Mahmoud further stressed they completed the agreement pertaining to financing the rail road linking Port Sudan to Ed Damazin besides linking Sudan to Ethiopia.

China has been Sudan's largest foreign investor particularly in oil and telecommunications after western firms shunned the East African nation due to conflicts and sanctions.

HIRE-PURCHASE OF SHIPS AND PLANES

Meanwhile, the Sudanese minister said they agreed with China to lease seven ships and two aircrafts through the hire-purchase.

“The two planes would remain registered under the name of the Chinese company until the ownership is being transferred to Sudan airways,” he said.

He pointed the ships and the aircrafts will arrive in Sudan within a few days accompanied by technical teams.

Mahmoud added that an agricultural agreement covering areas of agricultural technology and manufacturing has been signed during the visit, stressing it would promote agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
“It [the agreement] would positively impact on increasing production and productivity for some important crops,” he said.

The minister pointed out that the understandings with the Chinese side covered industrial cooperation in the various fields besides the continuation of cooperation in the mining sector and the establishment of a free-trade zone in the Red Sea.

“Security and military industry cooperation would push forward relations between the two nations,” he added.

(ST)

September 5, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - A group from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) affiliated with Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Saturday has blocked the main road linking Khartoum state to the Northern state for several hours and looted passengers' property.

RSF troops in camouflage and draped with ammunition show off the spoils from a major clash with the rebel (JEM), in Nyala 13 May 2015 (Photo AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that RSF on Saturday morning blocked the highway near Al-Gaili oil refinery, 25 kilometres north of Khartoum, adding they forced the vehicles to stop and stole passengers' property.

The same eyewitnesses said that a police patrol unit passed by the incident's scene but was unable to confront the RSF, stressing the heavily armed militiamen continued to disrupt the traffic for several hours without intervention from any government authority.

They added that the angry RSF also attacked restaurants and shops near Al-Gaili area and embarked on looting their property and merchandise without being stopped by any party.

The Sudanese government didn't comment on the incident.

RSF continued to block roads and loot passengers' property whenever the government fails to pay their financial accruals.

Late last year, the militiamen also blocked the same road to protest against the delay in the payment of their monthly salaries.

The RSF, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilized by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur in 2003.

The militia was reactivated and restructured again in August 2013 under the command of NISS to fight the alliance of rebel groups from Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states following joint attacks in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

(ST)

September 5, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan's army chief of staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, on Saturday requested the United Nations and United States of America to monitor the permanent ceasefire till regional countries set up a military observers' team.

In this photo taken Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, a government soldier stands in the oil-rich town of Malakal (Photo AP)

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) said the UN and U.S. can monitor the declared by President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar ten days ago but both sides continue to trade accusations of violations without being verified by independent monitors.

“The SPLA called upon the members of the international community, particularly the UN and the U.S. to provide a joint monitoring and verification mechanism,” the SPLA spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer, told reporters when he read a statement signed by Gen. Malong in Juba on Saturday.

“This interim joint monitoring and verification from the UN and U.S. will help fill the gap created by IGAD compromise peace agreement,” said Aguer.

President Kiir signed the agreement on August 26, nine days after his former vice-president turned rebel leader Machar and former detainees leader Pagan Amum inked the agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

On 27 August President Kiir who was followed by Machar a day later, declared a permanent ceasefire. But both sides continue to accuse each of carrying out attacks.

The SPLA said the rebels attacked military ships travelling to Juba to Malakal this week, denying claims that they carried out attacks on the rebel positions.

“It is worth stating clearly that these ships left Juba before the peace was signed and never attacked any rebel held area along the way,” said Aguer.

“By the time the President signed the agreement, the ship had already covered more than 80% of the journey from Juba to Malakal,” he added.

The SPLA chief described the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediated peace document as “flawed” when it comes to the creation of the ceasefire monitoring and verification team.

“It is therefore important that this gap is closed by having an interim monitoring mechanism in place,” the statement added.

"The existing IGAD MVM shall transition to become the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), responsible for reporting on the progress of the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA); says the peace deal.

It further provides that the CTSAMM shall be chaired by a representative of IGAD, adding that representatives from the warring parties and South Sudanese parties and civil society groups as well as the AU, China, EU, Troika, and UNMISS, shall participate in the monitoring mechanism.

SPOILERS OF PEACE

The SPLA did not blame the SPLM-in-opposition led by Machar but pointed an accusing finger at the splinter rebel commanders that declared defection from the mainstream rebel group.

“There are spoilers of peace and it is a well unknown fact that part of the rebels of Riek Machar publicly said they will not honour the agreement,” said Aguer.

The SPLA calls upon those groups to join the IGAD mediation o address their grievances and give peace a chance,” he added.

(ST)

Ob in München oder Bonn - schillernd und polarisierend prägte er seine CSU, die Landes- sowie die Bundespolitik.

Die Nachricht: Die Schweizer Baukultur ist top. Architektinnen und Architekten sind innovativ, experimentierfreudig und auch im Ausland erfolgreich. Der Kommentar: Die Grundlage für gutes Bauen in der Schweiz stimmt. Die Ausbildung an den beiden ETH und den Fachhochschulen gehört international zum Besten, es gibt Top-Ingenieure, ...

Die Nachricht: Seit Jahren wird in der Schweiz über das elektronische Abstimmen debattiert. Verschiedene Anbieter buhlen um die Vorherrschaft. Doch der Fortschritt bleibt aus. Der Kommentar: Die Schweiz lobt sich gerne für ihre gelebte Demokratie. Viermal im Jahr wird allein auf Bundesebene abgestimmt - und alles funktioniert. Viele Bürger ...

Die junge Schweizer Architektur ist experimentierfreudig und frecher geworden. Diese Tendenz lässt sich aus dem «Architekturführer Schweiz» mit den besten Bauwerken des 21. Jahrhunderts herauslesen. Eine Auflistung von 200 Bauwerken, und keines gleicht dem anderen. Die Vielfalt und Eigenständigkeit von architektonischen Entwürfen quer ...

Die grösste Schweizer Partei dominiert die Medien mehr als nur ihrer Grösse entsprechend. Die Medienresonanz der SVP ist mit 32,4 Prozent deutlich grösser, als dies ihrem Wähleranteil von 26,6 Prozent entspräche. Dies zeigt der «Reputationsmonitor Politik», eine Analyse der medialen Repräsentation der politischen Parteien, die das Forschungsinstitut Öffentlichkeit und Gesellschaft (FOEG) der Universität Zürich durchgeführt hat.

Er ist Volksmusiker, Moderator und HSG-Student: Nicolas Senn (26) spricht vor dem «Eidgenössischen» in Aarau über den Zustand der Schweizer Volksmusik, Appenzellerwitze und seinen Beziehungsstatus.

Die Nachricht: Asylsuchende aus Eritrea stellen mit Abstand die grösste Flüchtlingsgruppe in der Schweiz. Doch anders als die Syrer sind sie keine Kriegsflüchtlinge. Der Kommentar: Die Schweiz hat 2005 mit dem Urteil der Asylrekurskommission die Türe für junge Männer aus Eritrea weit geöffnet. Wir haben die Dienstverweigerer gerufen - und es ...

Der Ostbahnhof von Budapest ist der Knotenpunkt für die Flüchtlinge auf der Balkanroute. Die Reportage

Der Kanton Fribourg hat eine überraschende Vielfalt zu bieten: In der Seeregion, im urbanen Gebiet und hin zu den Voralpen - sowohl kulinarisch wie auch bei den Aktivitäten.

Von Marcel Kuchta und Kristian Kapp Am kommenden Freitag findet die erste Vollrunde der neuen Eishockeysaison statt. Nicht mehr dabei sind dann zwei Spieler, die das Schweizer Eishockey in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten nachhaltig geprägt haben: Reto von Arx (38) und Marcel «Schöggi» Jenni (41). Die «Schweiz am Sonntag» hat die beiden im Sommer zurückgetretenen Charakterköpfe getroffen und mit ihnen auf ihre erfolgreichen Karrieren zurückgeblickt, aber auch einen Blick in die Zukunft geworfen.