Africa

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)

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)

The United Nations is continuing its efforts to facilitate a dialogue among Burundian stakeholders amid the country’s ongoing political deadlock and a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, a spokesperson for the Organization announced today.

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM)- Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony, Sudan's president Omer al-Bashir vowed to pursue dialogue with the West to normalize relations and announced that the national dialogue would kick off soon.

Surrounded by the speakers of the lower and upper houses Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir (centre) takes part in his swearing in ceremony for another term of five years at the parliament in Khartoum, on June 2, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

Bashir, 71, won re-election with 94% of the vote in an election boycotted by opposition and marred by low voter turnout, extending his nearly three-decade rule for another five years.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several heads of state and government including Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, Chadian president Idris Deby, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn among others.

South Sudan was represented by its Vice-President James Wani, Qatar by the deputy prime minister and minister of state for cabinet affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, and Saudi Arabia by its state minister Mansour Bin Mutaib.

"Sudan will seek, God willing and with an open heart to complete dialogue with Western countries to return relations to normal guided by the recent positive indicators," Bashir said in his speech before the Sudanese legislators.

He further pledged to exert the necessary efforts to attract Arab capital to invest in food security projects in Sudan.

Relations between Sudan and Western countries deteriorated since the military coup d'état that brought Bashir to power in June 1989. But the arrest warrant over Darfur crimes against him dimmed any opportunity to improve relations as the country has been already under US economic sanctions since 1997 for alleged support of terrorism.

However, following the separation of South Sudan and considering the regional instability, the US administration and a number of European countries are reviewing their relations with Khartoum. But Washington still links between the normalization process and peace and democratic reforms.

A US delegation is expected in Khartoum during the upcoming weeks for talks on bilateral relations.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE

Bashir further reiterated his commitment to the national dialogue process that he launched in December 2013 and called to the holdout forces from the opposition and rebel groups to join it.

"I can assure your esteemed Assembly that we finalized the arrangements and identified mechanisms of the comprehensive national dialogue with its political and social tracks for which we called all people last year," he told the lawmakers.

"It will begin its activities, with the benediction of God, in the next few days," he said.

He further renewed his call for the "undecided" or "refusing" opposition parties to join the internal process and directed the same call for the rebel groups that "have chosen the path of violence".

Also, he renewed the offer of full amnesty for rebels who sincerely want to return to participate in the dialogue.

"We welcome them all around the table of dialogue to get out a document acceptable to all the people of Sudan," he stressed.

The Sudanese government said the dialogue process should take place inside the country without any foreign involvement.

However, it accepted that the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) facilitate the process through talks on the security arrangements with the rebel groups including the ceasefire.

But Khartoum refused last March to take part in a preparatory meeting for the national dialogue arguing it will send a wrong message to the Sudanese people and asked for it to be held it after the elections.

The alliance of the opposition and rebel forces wants to create a new process for peace and constitutional reforms involving the international community.

The Sudanese president vowed to work for the welfare of all the Sudanese and to improve the economy of the country.

He also pledged to fight corruption and nepotism announcing that around 8,000 tons of gold reserves have been identified in the country worth $330 billion.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (JUBA) - The disintegrated leadership of South Sudan's ruling party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), will convene a high-level consultative meeting in the third week of June in Juba to discuss reunification process. This will be based on the roadmap agreement signed in Arusha, Tanzania, by three rival factions early this year.

Former cabinet affairs minister and G-10 team leader Deng Alor with former justice minister, John Luk Jok, after their arrival at Juba Airport on 1 June 2015 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

President Salva Kiir's spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, on Tuesday said the meeting will bring together SPLM of former detainees, led by former secretary general, Pagan Amum and SPLM in government under president Kiir.

Ateny said the aim of the summit, which he said will also take place in the country's national capital, Juba, will be to assess progress made in the implementation of the Arusha intra-party agreement.

Scheduled for 26 June, the meeting, he said, is expected to be attended by leaders of Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The president's spokesman did not however say whether representatives of the main armed opposition faction of SPLM led by former vice president, Riek Machar, will also take part or not in the planned summit.

He pointed out that president Kiir on Tuesday met and held talks with an advance preparatory team of the former detainees led by Deng Alor Kuol following their return on Monday from neighbouring Kenya where they lived in exile for the past one year.

The 5-member delegation of the ex-detainees, sometimes referred to as G-10, who returned to Juba on Monday included Deng Alor, former cabinet affairs minister and team leader, John Luk Jok, former justice minister, Kosti Manibe Ngai, former finance minister, Cirino Hiteng, former youth minister and Madut Biar, former postal service minister.

Others who remained behind included Pagan Amum Okiech, former SPLM secretary general, Oyai Deng Ajak, former national security minister, Majak Agoot, former deputy defence minister, Gier Chuang Aluong, former roads minister and Chol Tong Mayai, former governor of Lakes state.

The ex-political detainees fled to exile in 2014 following their release from detention after they were accused of allegedly masterminding a plot in 2013 to topple the government through unconstitutional means; charges they dismissed as false.

But Ateny said the returning officials have expressed readiness to work with president Kiir and members of his administration with the view of putting their acts together and efforts aimed at reunifying the ranks and file of the ruling party.

They also announced that their delegation will equally visit the leadership of the SPLM-IO in Pagak and hold similar talks aimed at unifying the party.

Earlier, spokesperson for the leader of SPLM-IO said they were not sure about intentions of the former detainees who unilaterally decided to travel to Juba to allegedly mediate between Machar's group and the government.

In reaction to the slated meeting in Juba to implement the Arusha agreement in June, SPLM-IO said they would also discuss with the mediation in the intra-party dialogue a way forward.

“As we stated earlier we are committed to the Arusha tripartite intra-party dialogue. Any other new proposed mechanism for the reunification process should seek prior consultation and agreement with our leadership,” said Machar's spokesman, James Gatdet Dak.

On the announced plan by former detainees to visit Pagak to hold talks with Machar, he said the opposition leadership would welcome the visit so as to hear from the former detainees what their new initiative was all about.

He however pointed out that there was still need to finalize negotiations on the Arusha intra-party reunification process, explaining that what was signed was only a ‘roadmap” agreement to guide further dialogue towards reaching a final agreement for the party.

The opposition group further explained that a party agreement would only complement the Addis Ababa comprehensive peace process under the mediation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), saying the issues that need to be resolved have become national beyond the SPLM party.

Representatives of the warring parties are invited by IGAD for a consultative meeting on 8 June before the talks can resume under an expanded mediation mechanism which will include countries and international bodies beyond African continent.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has explained circumstances under which it expelled Toby Lanzer, the United Nations relief coordinator in the country.

South Sudan's presidential spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny (AFP)

The spokesperson for the presidency said the council of ministers reached the decision during its weekly meeting held on Friday last week.

“This [decision] came as a result of council of ministers' resolution against the background of the statement he has made that is not responsible completely,” Ateny told reporters on Tuesday.

He described UN official as an “enemy”, who allegedly predicted that the South Sudanese economy would collapse, a statement in "violation" of his UN mandate.

“And Toby Lanzer's statement was not giving hope to people of South Sudan given that he was predicting the collapse, the total collapse [of the country],” he said at a briefing in the capital, Juba.

On Tuesday, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon condemned the expulsion of the Lanzer, urging South Sudan government to reverse its decision towards the UN envoy.

But Ateny said only president Salva Kiir had the prerogative to reverse the council of ministers' decision, which held at the moment.

“If a country collapses, it will be rule of guns that will prevail and so anybody who makes statements that would not give hope to people of South Sudan is an enemy of South Sudan,” he stressed.

South Sudan's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth accused the former UN relief coordinator of uttering “misleading” statements.

“That guy [Lanzer] has been making untruthful statements,” he said.

EU AND UN CONDEMN EXPULSION

The European Union delegation joined the UN secretary general in condemning South Sudan's decision to expel the senior UN humanitarian official.

"The Heads of Mission join UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon in condemning the decision of the government of South Sudan to expel Mr Toby Lanzer, deputy special representative of the secretary general,” the EU said in a statement issued Tuesday.

Lanzer, the delegation members said in a joint statement, had spared no effort on behalf of the millions of victims of the man-made crisis in world's youngest nation.

“He has echoed the views of many members of the international community who believe it is time the leaders of South Sudan pay heed to the suffering of their people, and make the decisions and compromises that their people and the deepening humanitarian tragedy demand,” added the statement also extended to Sudan Tribune.

They further called for the reinstatement by the South Sudanese government of the expelled UN humanitarian coordinator to enable him complete his term of appointment.

“The heads of mission further call for all those who are working in the humanitarian field, from UN agencies and non-governmental organisations alike, to be accorded full respect and for their vital work to be facilitated by the Government of South Sudan,” it said.

Lanzer, a Briton, was last month appointed for another UN mission in the Sahel region.

(ST)

June 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The fighters of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) killed six Sudanese soldiers in an attack on a Sudanese military convoy in the troubled South Kordofan state.

A SPLM-N fighter stands near Gos village in the rebel-held territory of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan on 1 May 2012 (Photo: Reuters)

Reports from the region say the Sudanese army intensified during the past days attacks on the rebel stronghold town of Kauda, in preparation of a ground operations.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, SPLM-N official spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi the ambush took place on the road between Shamshaka and Teri village in Rashad county.

“Six enemy forces were killed and more than 25 others wounded, two land cruisers completely destroyed and the following equipment captured in good condition, 1- one Doshka MG, 2- six pcs AKM rifles,” Lodi said.

The Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

The Sudanese government and rebel group failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement after a series of talks brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in December 2014.

Since, the fighting between the warring parties resumed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

(ST)

To help mobilize needed resources “in the last mile of the response” against the Ebola outbreak and to start the affected West African countries on the path of early recovery, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced that he will convene an international conference next month.

Somalia must put in place a legal framework that guarantees freedom of expression in the country, as well as a moratorium on capital punishment, a United Nations independent expert recommended today, while commending progress accomplished so far.

June 1, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government on Monday downplayed the prominence of some of the returning ex-political detainees on arrival after spending more than one year in exile, saying they were treated like ordinary citizens with no significance for reception.

South Sudanese information minister Michael Makuei Lueth attends a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 January 2014 (Photo: AP/Elias Asmara)

Information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, told reporters on Monday that the government did not prepare any special reception for the returning members of the group known as ‘former detainees' led by former cabinet affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol, arguing they were returning home with no official status.

“There were no preparations for them because they are returning as ordinary citizens. What the government has done is the provision of security and protection to them,” said minister Lueth.

He was explaining to the press the reason as to why the government did not organize a reception for the return of the exiled officials at the airport.

Lueth, who speaks for the government, said family members and relatives of the ex-detainees were however allowed to receive them in “whatever fits the day” provided that it did not undermine security and public order.

The group sometimes referred to as ‘G-10' is a composition of middle and high ranking members of the governing Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) who were accused and arrested for allegedly masterminding the unrest with the former vice-president, Riek Machar. The group was gradually released following the outpour of intense pressure from Machar's armed opposition group and demand on the government from the inside the country as well as from region and the international community.

The G-10 was released to neighbouring Kenya on the request of the Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and his administration to provide a safe haven for them until such time when political differences were settled.

Although group shared a lot in common with the armed opposition under the leadership of the former vice-president, Machar, they decided after the release to participate in the negotiating table as a third party in the conflict, separate from the government and the armed opposition leadership.

Speaking after arrival at Juba airport, Deng Alor Kuol, head of the team, said the return visit was very important because it would explore ways and means on how the conflict could be arrested using the capability of the SPLM and home-grown approach to removal of the obstacles to bring peace and end the suffering in the country.

“I am confidence and hopeful of the capability of SPLM leadership to come out of this situation. We will be meeting the president and some SPLM members to discuss how best this situation can be arrested so that peace returns and embark on reconciliation and healing process,” said Kuol.

He emphasized that the visit would play a strong role in confidence building among the leadership of the three SPLM factions to implement the reunification agreement reached in the Tanzanian town of Arusha early this year.

Foreign affairs and international cooperation minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the return of the former detainees demonstrated commitment of the government to fully implement the Arusha reunification accord and willingness to end the conflict through peaceful dialogue.

Marial was referring to the clause in the roadmap agreement in Arusha which called for reinstatement of the former party officials to their positions.

Deputy speaker of the council of state, Clement Janda, said the return of the former detainees was a one important step towards peace and confidence building.

“Their coming is a signal of hope and represents a desire to end the conflict through dialogue using home-grown approach to complement the current peace effort,” he said.

The legislator said implementation of the Arusha reunification agreement of the SPLM leadership will provide a solid foundation to resolving difficulties in IGAD led peace talks in Ethiopia.

(ST)

June 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Sunday signed an agreement with the Sudanese Dal Dairy factory to provide locally produced milk to 5000 malnourished primary school children in Red Sea State.

An advertisement by Dal dairy group showing a child drinking milk

The eastern Sudan state of the Red Sea registered the highest rate of malnutrition in the country, according to a nutrition survey conducted in January 2014.

Since 2001, Dal factory has supported Sudan's School Milk Program and provides 17,000 poor students in Khartoum state with daily dose of milk.

“The American people want to address the underlying causes of poverty and marginalization in Sudan, and by partnering with the private sector, we will be far more effective if we can bring our combined skills and resources to the effort,” said USAID Acting Mission Director Lea Swanson.

The US embassy in Khartoum said in a statement released on Monday that the purpose of this partnership with a private company is to improve education and nutrition through dairy distribution.

“The spirit of this partnership project, providing a daily source of critical nutrition to school children, reflects the ongoing support of the American people for the people of Sudan,” said U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Jerry P. Lanier.

Lanier further reiterated his government's commitment to work with Dal and “other like-minded business colleagues to alleviate poverty and support humanitarian activities in Sudan,”

On 26 May, the United States, which is the largest donor of food assistance to Sudan, delivered 47,500 tons of sorghum to the UN World Food Programme to displaced for the displaced population in Darfur and the needy in eastern region.

(ST)

By Steve Paterno

For over the years, South Sudanese politicians have gained notoriety of proverbial 'Prodigal Son,' well explained biblically. The recent arrival into Juba of some of G-10 members, (now the G-5), has just added into the long list of Prodigal Sons—the folks who enjoy the livelihood of defections from one political camp into another.

The return of some members of this group, nevertheless, presents unique challenges, which provides for some interesting scenarios. After accepting and acknowledging their treacherous role in igniting the current conflict, the G-10 signed the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) Reunification Agreement, paving way for intra party dialogue, reunification, and eventual reforms.

The intra party negotiations is initiated as a parallel peace process to augment the ongoing IGAD sponsored peace talks. The negotiations is supported by regional powers. It involved three of the former SPLM splinter factions, which include the SPLM, the armed group, and the G-10.

Nonetheless, the armed opposition led by former Vice President Riek Machar reluctantly participated into the process. After signing a series of agreements under this process, the armed group ultimately abdicated their involvement entirely, leaving only the SPLM and G-10 as active participants. The armed opposition may indeed have good reasons as to why they are hesitant to participate in the intra party negotiations, since the framework guiding the negotiations does not provide platform for the outlandish demands the rebels are vowing for under the IGAD peace process.

This, compounded with other elements makes this agreement rather challenging to implement, both in theory and practice. First, this agreement as a complementary to the whole peace process; is literally pending, awaiting the results and outcomes of IGAD sponsored talks.

The implementation of this agreement is also further complicated by the personalities involved from either sides in the conflict. Actually, the return into Juba of some members of the G-10 in an attempt to implement this agreement offers some glimpse as to what may be laying ahead.

It is important to note that the implementations of this agreement hit a snag from the get go. The President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir had to go out of his way by issuing blanket amnesty in favour of the rebels, in order, to facilitate smooth implementation of this agreement and reach a comprehensive peace.

Now that some members of G-10 gave it a chance in an attempt to implement the intra party agreement, it actually raises the spectre of speculations more than ever. The group that showed up to Juba called itself the "advance team of the G-10," even though G-5 best fits their description, because the group was initially G-11 plus, and since then, their number is on a nose dive, dwindles to only five individuals at the current rate. Some of the questions remain for speculations are such as: what would the G-5 advance in Juba, with their much hyped prodigal son farewell return? What would happen to the rest of G-10 members. who seems to have disappeared behind the scene? And the questions go as we anticipate the farewell return of more prodigal sons...

Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at stevepaterno@yahoo.com

June 1, 2015 (JUBA) - An advance team of five-member delegation from former political detainees arrived in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, on Monday, vowing to reunify the disintegrated ruling party of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) and save the country from “collapse.”

Former South Sudanese political detainees hold a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 13 February 2014 (Photo: IGAD)

The team led by former cabinet affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol, said they came to work with president Salva Kiir and members of his administration to avoid collapse of the country and disintegration of the ruling party.

Speaking at Juba airport upon arrival, Kuol, described the SPLM as a historical party capable of working together to resolve the differences through dialogue to avert further disintegration.

“It is a historical movement, a historical party. It can't be allowed to die. No one can accept it. We in the SPLM Leaders, we feel that SPLM has to be rescued equally in the way that we are trying to rescue South Sudan, because we can't allow this history to go to the dust bin,” Kuol told reporters in Juba.

He said he and his group would not accept the vision they have developed under the leadership of the founding leader, late John Garang, to die because of differences which could be resolved through dialogue.

The official further narrated that he would meet president Kiir to hold talks on the reunification of the SPLM and how to resolve the conflict in order to return the country to peace and stability and avert total collapse.

“The economy is collapsing. This country is collapsing,” he said.

He called on both leaders, president Kiir and former vice-president, Riek Machar, who leads an armed faction of the SPLM to stop fighting and unite the ruling party and restore its vision.

Alor however said both the intra-party dialogue in Arusha, Tanzania, and the national comprehensive peace process for the country in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, should go hand in hand in order to resolve the crisis.

“The two processes of Arusha and IGAD have decided to come together to coordinate their position because objective is one: peace in South Sudan,” he said.

“You need to stop the war because if SPLM is reunited and the war is still ranging on, then I think that will serve a very little purpose to the people of South Sudan.”

He described the South Sudanese war which erupted in mid-December 2013 as the “most difficult time” compared to the 1983 to 2005 Sudanese war between former north and south Sudan.

South African deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who accompanied the former detainees to Juba as mediator in the reunification of SPLM said the aim of the visit was to expedite the Arusha process in reuniting the three factions of the ruling party.

He disclosed that the mission was a preparatory process that will end up with SPLM former detainees (SPLM-FD) returning home to Juba.

“This is a new phase in the peace making process. We are here on a preparatory mission; a mission that will end with the return home of the SPLM leaders who are made up of the former detainees,” Ramaphosa told reporters at Juba airport upon arrival.

“Today is a big day for peace in South Sudan. We have brought five of its outstanding sons back home. We have brought them home as part of the process of making sure we restore peace once again in this country,” he further explained.

However, he said the main armed opposition faction of SPLM-IO led by Machar was missing on the return process mission, but added that the three SPLM factions (SPLM-G, SPLM-IO and SPLM-FD) will meet again soon in Tanzania to continue with joint dialogue on reunification of the party.

Earlier, SPLM-G secretary general, Ann Itto, said the return by members of former detainees was in implementation of Arusha intra-party dialogue which sought to reinstate the exile leaders back into the party at home.

SPLM-IO on Sunday said they were committed to the Arusha intra-party dialogue on reunification process which involves the three factions as a complement to the Addis Ababa comprehensive peace process. They expressed doubt over intentions of former detainees in their decision for unilateral return to Juba to reconcile between SPLM-G and SPLM-IO, saying they were also a party to the internal conflict within SPLM.

Former detainees however announced they would also send their delegation to the SPLM-IO leadership in Pagak to explain their new role in trying to reunite the party.

A date is yet to be fixed for resumption of dialogue in Arusha among the three conflicting factions of the ruling party.

(ST)

Heavy fighting in South Sudan’s Unity and Upper Nile states over the last two months has displaced more than 100,000 people and blocked humanitarian aid deliveries for some 650,000 people as aid organizations have been forced to withdraw, a representative for the United Nations refugee agency has confirmed today.

June 1, 2015 (JUBA) - Ambassador Gabriel Setlhoke shakes his head in apparent horror after touring staff offices at a public school in the South Sudan capital, Juba on Monday.

“When I went to the head teacher's office, I nearly went down on my knees after seeing the terrible conditions within which he works,” Setlhoke, the South African envoy to South Sudan, said, as MTN South Sudan donated an internet-connected computer lab, the second in a public elementary school, as part of the Group's flagship volunteer event, 21 Days of Y'ello Care.

Setlhoke said South African firms operating within South Sudan ought to use the 67 Minutes for Mandela, a minute for every year of Mandela's jail term, to improve infrastructure in the young nation's schools.

“MTN and our companies must use that 67 minutes. I think they can do something to help. I have been talking to the minister of Education, Dr. John Gai Yoh, since the time when he was the representative of the SPLM to South Africa, to find ways and projects that can improve the conditions of learning," he stressed.

Under this year's 21 Days of Y'ello Care, staff will also hold a Digital Expo at Juba University to disseminate knowledge on ICT, engage with girls and tutors in institutions of higher learning and with women in business, and donate modems and computers to participating institutions.

“This year's Y'ello Care is in line with our vision of fostering ICT through education,” Philip Besiimire, Chief Executive of MTN South Sudan, said.

“We believe the young will embrace this technology, which comes with the knowledge economy,” he added.

In South Sudan, this year's initiative follows an aggressive expansion of network coverage and capacity that saw MTN rollout 76 new sites, built by ZTE, and become the largest and fastest 3.75G data network in the country with crystal-clear voice calls and superfast Internet browsing speeds.

(ST).