Sudan Tribune

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese main opposition faction in South Sudan has welcomed comments by United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, on the need to deploy a third party force to Juba to secure the capital before any return of the “legitimate” First Vice President, Riek Machar.

John Kerry chairman of Foreign Relations in US Senate meets with Riek Machar GoSS Vice-President Juba on October 23, 2011 (ST)

The opposition faction however criticized the US official, Kerry, for approving an “illegal” action by President Salva Kiir that chased away from Juba an important peace partner, Machar, in order to scrap provisions of the August 2015 peace deal in South Sudan which the US helped in brokering.

Speaking to reporters after meeting five foreign ministers of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Monday, Kerry was quoted in the media to have said a regional force should be deployed and that the replacement of Machar was consistent with the provisions of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS).

“With respect to Machar, it's not up to the United States; it's up to the leaders of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan and the political parties and the political process, and their neighbors, to weigh in on what is best or not best with respect to Machar,” said Kerry when asked by a reporter to comment on the controversial replacement of the armed opposition leader and former South Sudanese First Vice President, Riek Machar.

He said the process leading to Machar's replacement with Gai has not broken any law.

“I think it's quite clear that legally, under the agreement, there is allowance for the replacement in a transition of personnel, and that has been effected with the appointment of a new vice president. And what they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in the context of the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.

Kerry's comments contradicted the IGAD resolutions which called on Gai to step down and Machar to be reinstated as First Vice President. It also contradicted the resolution of the United Nations Security Council which criticized the replacement as “inconsistent” with the peace agreement.

The comments attracted criticism from the SPLM-IO officials under Machar's leadership, with his spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, describing Kerry's comment as an “unfortunate contradiction” to the success of the implementation of the peace deal.

“I hope he [Kerry] was misquoted in the media. Otherwise it was an unfortunate comment of double standard and contradiction to the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement in South Sudan. If he thought it was a good idea to chase away from Juba the important peace partner, Dr. Riek Machar and his officials and army, and to illegally bring in a defector and President Salva Kiir's partner in conspiracy to scrap provisions of the peace deal, then he is wrong. How will the agreement be implemented in such away which clearly violates it?” Dak inquired.

Dak said the article 6.5 of the agreement has been violated by the illegal replacement of Machar. He also dismissed the claim that the replacement was an internal process of the SPLM-IO.

“First, the illegal replacement has clearly violated the Article 6.5 of the peace agreement which deals with the temporary absence of the First Vice President. Second, it was never an internal legal process within the SPLM/SPLA (IO) party. This was a conspiracy between President Kiir and Taban Deng Gai, a defector to Kiir, to remove Machar in order to compromise or scrap vital provisions in the peace deal. How could the replacement process be done by five officials in the absence of more than 20 members of the SPLM-IO's Political Bureau (PB), or in the absence of hundreds of members of the National Liberation Council (NLC) of the party? There was no quorum and Taban Deng was already dismissed from the membership of the SPLM/SPLA (IO). Even in the United States a party leader cannot be removed in such an illegal action,” he said.

He added that either Kerry was misled, or not well informed or simply did not bother to investigate what actually transpired in the illegal procedure or action to replace Machar.

He said the US official should have respected the resolutions of IGAD and the United Nations Security Council who “properly studied the situation” with participation of representatives of the US government.

Dak also said Machar is in full control of the SPLM-IO and its army, adding that Gai had no grass root support in the party.

He said the action by President Kiir to try to divide the SPLM-IO's leadership was a clear indication that he was looking for a way to destroy the peace deal.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - Sudan and South Sudan appear to be on the verge of bringing their relations to a new level following the current visit of First-Vice President Taban Deng Gai to Khartoum which Juba hopes would normalize ties between the two nations particularly as it faces mounting international pressures.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (R) and his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir look on during a photo opportunity at the state house in capital Juba January 6, 2014 (Reuters/James Akena)

On the one side, Gai and his senior economic and military delegation who arrived in the Sudanese capital on Sunday, have discussed outstanding issues between the two countries including security, border and oil issues.

However, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit seems to have sought to gain support of the Sudanese government in the face of the heavy international pressure that he encountered following the escape of his former First Vice-President Riek Machar which exacerbated the humanitarian and security situation in the newborn state.

Kiir had written a special letter to his Sudanese counterpart Omer al-Bashir expressing full commitment to implement all cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in 2012 before asking Khartoum to deal the same way with his government.

He also underscored his personal commitment to work to achieve a homegrown solution to stopping the war that brought his country to the brink of economic collapse.

“Let me be clear my brother, Omer al-Bashir and members of your government that we are not opposed to the regional support. We need support of the region, particularly countries like Sudan but this support should be supplementary. It should be a supplementary to our own so it is not rejected by the people. The region also needs to know that imported solutions aren't the answer. We have many examples where external intervention had been short lived in other countries. Only a domestic solution realised from understanding people's needs and aspirations that can be permanent”, Kiir explained in the special letter addressed to al-Bashir, copy of which Sudan Tribune obtained.

The South Sudanese government has declined to respond to a UN Security Council Resolution 2304 that authorized sending extra 4,000 troops to boost UN peacekeepers in country with a mandate to fight rival forces considering the move a violation to its sovereignty.

Washington is standing behind the resolution to send extra troops to South Sudan, saying it would participate to the protection of civilians in the country.

“It is absolutely indisputable that we need to push for the deployment of the regional force which has been approved by the UN Security Council” said US Secretary of State John Kerry during his meeting with five Foreign Ministers from the regional bloc IGAD on Monday in Nairobi.

“With respect to the protection force, let me make it clear: The protection force is limited by definition, not a response to the overall crisis within the country as a whole, because clearly, there are many people with weapons in many parts of the country, and a protection force of 4,000 people will not have the capacity to cover all those bases,” the top U.S. diplomat said.

“But the hope is that with a transitional government that is now committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement and that has already begun to implement that peace agreement, that a force with a presence in Juba itself, which is where most of the violence took place during the last round, will be able to guarantee access for everybody, and that includes people trying to prevent the violence,” he added.

Earlier this month Sudan declined a proposal by some international partners to conduct a solo mediation between the warring parties in South Sudan and also refused to send troops within the regional force, saying it doesn't want to create any sensitivities with the conflicting parties.

“Sudan is sticking to its role within the IGAD only,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Garib Allah Khidir, told reporters on August 2.

In his special letter, Kiir further projected the future of South Sudan to be brighter, saying the country was now moving forward after the appointment of Gai as his new first deputy in unity government in place of armed opposition leader, his main political rival for top office in the country, Riek Machar.

"We are moving towards a brighter future and the international community should support and not weaken us, the letter adds in part. It further added that South Sudan doesn't need lessons on human rights from the international community. “Respecting human rights is enshrined in our culture, heritage and it is part of our values system. We are more respectful of human rights in terms of commitment and action,” it added.

It was apparent from Kiir's letter that Juba seeks to win the trust of Khartoum by sending clear signals to assure the latter that it intends to open a new chapter in relations.

Also, these signals were sent by Gai when he directly addressed Khartoum's major concern about the security file between the two countries and particularly with regard to Juba's support for the Sudanese rebels saying his country is keen to resolve the outstanding security issues within three weeks.

On Monday, Gai also sent amessage from Khartoum to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) demanding the rebel group to resort to the peaceful settlement with the Sudanese government.

He stressed that his country wouldn't serve as a launching pad for any Sudanese who wants to continue the war against Khartoum, adding “we hope that Sudan wouldn't serve as a launching pad for Machar”.

South Sudan's First Vice President Gai also on Tuesday denied that Darfur movements and SPLM-N are currently present in South Sudan's territory, saying mutual accusations between the two countries “would continue until we agree on a verification mechanism”.

“We would go to Addis Ababa and all places where these [rebel] movements have presence and tell them that appropriate time has come to achieve peace and we would render the necessary support and advise them in a kind manner” he said.

“We advise them [SPLM-N] that wartime is over, and we say to them that your brothers in South Sudan shouldn't suffer because of you, for even if the South didn't support you Sudan is making use of that [pretext]” he added.

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

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence following a series of disputes over a number of issues.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has welcomed remarks attributed to United States' secretary of states, John Kerry, in which he referred to replacement of armed opposition leader and the first vice president in the transitional unity government, Riek Machar as “legal” and in accordance with provisions of the peace deal.

US secretary of state John Kerry (L) meets with South Sudanese president Salva Kiir in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 26 May 2013 (Photo: Reuters)

A presidential source said as long as the replacement came from the opposition faction of the SPLM-IO, there was nothing wrong with it.

“The president made the appointment in accordance with the provision of the resolution of the conflict in the republic of South Sudan which states that the position of the first vice president who is the nominee of the SPLM-IO must be filled in the event of being absent from his duties. And this position must be filled by a nominee of the SPLM-IO. The work of the president is to confirm and approve the nomination. It would be considered to be a violation of peace agreement if the new nominee was from other political forces or stakeholder,” said presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Kew Gatluak,

Gatluak said the government was now committed to the full implementation of the agreement and called on the international community, especially the government of the United States to stand with President Salva Kiir's government in the implementation of the agreement and in provision of basic services to the people.

SPLM-IO however criticized Kerry for his comment, saying it was against Article 6.5 of the agreement as well as against resolutions of IGAD and United Nations Security Council.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese journalists have accused security agents of undermining freedom of press and expression by dictating on the content of the newspapers and removing articles at printing facilities.

A vendor sells newspapers in South Sudanese capital Juba (Photo: Al-Jazeera)

The Association of Media Development in South Sudan (ADMISS) said officers from the country's national security service are deployed at printing facilities in the capital Juba to physical remove news and opinion articles critical of President Salva Kiir's government.

“Removal of articles constitutes censorship and repression of the work of media in South Sudan,” said Alfred Taban, the chairperson of AMDISS in a public statement on Tuesday.

Taban, also the editor of the Juba Monitor, said six articles have been removed from his paper and Nation Mirror in the last thirty days.

“It amounts to undermining freedom of expression and media that have been enshrined in the transitional constitution of South Sudan and the South Sudan Media Act 2013,” he added.

The Nation Mirror said an article on reappearance of former first vice president Riek Machar in DR. Congo was removed last week before publication, forcing the paper to shelved Friday's issue.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government on Tuesday revealed that the former First Vice-President of South Sudan and armed opposition leader Riek Machar is in Khartoum saying Juba was notified that he has been received for pure humanitarian reasons.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit sacked Machar from his post as vice president after a renewal last month of fighting between forces loyal to the long-time rivals that forced tens of thousands of people to flee.

The Kenyan Standard news website on Thursday reported that the Sudanese government had sent an aircraft to evacuate the former first vice president from a hideout in a remote town in the DRC where he crossed into after 40 days in the bushes.

However, an SPLM-IO official told Sudan Tribune that the report published by the Kenyan website was “unfounded.”

In a statement to the official news agency (SUNA) on Tuesday, Sudan's Minister of Information Ahmed Belal Osman said Sudan has recently received Machar for medical treatment, pointing he arrived in a critical health condition and needed immediate care.

However, Osman didn't mention when Machr has arrived in Khartoum.

“Machar's health is stable currently and he will remain in the country under comprehensive healthcare until he leaves to a destination of his choice to complete his treatment," he added.

The United Nations had earlier announced that Machar was received by one of the neighboring countries for the medical reasons.

The Sudanese minister further stressed that South Sudan's government has been notified of Machar's presence in Khartoum for pure humanitarian reasons.Machar's presence in Khartoum coincides with the visit of Taban Deng Gai who replaced him as First Vice President of South Sudan.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 23, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia and neighbouring Sudan have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and cooperation on cross-border animal health and livestock trade programmes.

The cross-border meeting, which was held last week in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, was organised by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD).

Reinforcing Veterinary Governance in Africa" (VETGOV) programme and the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) projects supported the program.

Funded by the European Union and the United States aid arm (USAID), the joint projects are implemented in partnership with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the African Union.

The main aim of the cross-border meeting was to initiate development of binding agreements between Ethiopia, and Sudan on Animal Health to facilitate service delivery along the shared territory.

It also provides a framework for stronger cooperation and collaboration along their bilateral border in order to address disease surveillance, disease control and timely sharing of animal health and trade information.

The MoU develops an agenda that address the common challenges and guides implementation that lays the foundation to facilitate prevention and control of various trans-boundary animal diseases across border.

Participants said widespread disease outbreaks in the region was the major challenge that need a collective prevention measures within the IGAD states to enhance trade.

Speaking on behalf of ICPALD, Joseph Magona said the IGAD region had immense livestock resources that are severely affected by trans-boundary animal diseases.

“ICPALD therefore supports the improvement of livestock health and production especially in pastoral and dry land within the region” Joseph said.

“This necessitates strong cross-border collaboration and cooperation between countries”, he added.

The meeting was attended by 30 participants from Sudan, Ethiopia, IGAD and AU-IBAR.

SMP-AH project aims to stabilise livelihoods of livestock-dependent communities by enhancing capacities of all livestock value chain actors to effectively control trans-boundary animal diseases in a coordinated manner.

The project has supported large numbers of vulnerable livestock-keeping communities across the East African region residing along borders who are vulnerable to drought.

Drought conditions force animals move across borders in search of pasture and water.

It is widely believed that such movement for either pasture or trade facilitates spread of trans-boundary animal diseases and the project thus provides support for communities in cross-border areas to collaborate, coordinate and harmonise diseases control.

VETGOV which also is an implementing partner intends to bring about institution strengthening of veterinary services in Africa towards the establishment of adequate veterinary services at the national and regional level.

The program also seeks to strengthen regional institutions to play their roles of coordination, harmonisation, integration and support to countries with the aim to stimulate a more conducive environment for public and private investments in the livestock sector.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (BOR) - About 280 people were killed in the fighting which occurred in Duk county of South Sudan's Jonglei state last week, an official told Sudan Tribune.

Jonglei state governor, Phillip Aguer speaks during the independence occassion July 9, 2016 (ST)

Among those killed were 10 civilians, 23 government soldiers and 250 rebels, according to official figures released by the office of the state governor, Phillip Aguer.

The incident has reportedly forced hundreds of civilians to flee from Pajut to Poktap towards Twic East county.

“People had been forced to run away and retreated back to Poktap. Second is the looting of their properties by the attackers and the killing of innocent civilians”, said Aguer

“Among the dead, who were killed in Pajut, there are women, there are children and the number in total is 33. 23 are soldiers and 10 are civilians that include business people, include women and that is the bad side of the war”, he added.

The governor said he expects the numbers of rebels killed to rise by the time the search ends.

“The SPLA [Sudan People's Liberation Army] has defeated the attackers, and they [rebels] lost heavily. Unfortunately those who are dying are sons and daughters of South Sudan on both sides. The forces of Riek Machar had left 250 dead, and the number may be more, search has not been completed”, Aguer told Sudan Tribune.

Calm has reportedly returned to the area, despite the fighting that occurred on 19 August, amidst calls by authorities for civilians to return home and resume their normal activities.

Meanwhile, five other people were reportedly killed between Panyagoor and Poktap, by suspected Lou Nuer fighters who allegedly came on a mission to loot cattle on 20 August.

(ST)

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudan First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai said that his country has asked Khartoum to provide technical assistance to restart oil production from oil fields in Unity area.

Unity oil fields have been shut down since 2014 due to the fighting between the government and SPLM-IO troops. The lack of oil revenue affected the fragile economy of the new state as it depends entirely on crude exports.

South Sudan Petroleum Minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth on 18 August discussed the resumption of oil production with the Chinese ambassador in Juba and the return of Chinese oil worker to South Sudan.

Following his meeting with President Omer al-Bashir on Monday; Gai told reporters that the two countries to cooperate together in the oil production and Sudan will provide assistance to increase the production of Upper Nile fields and the resumption of oil production in the Unity region.

The South Sudanese first vice-president announced the outcome of a meeting the South Sudanese Oil Minister Gatkuoth held on Monday with his Sudanese counterpart Mohamed Zayed Awad.

The two ministers discussed the oil agreement between the two countries - as the two countries had previously agreed to review oil transit fees - the increase of oil production in Upper Nile area and the resumption of oil production in Unity area.

In statements after the meeting, Awad announced the commitment of the Sudanese government to support and assist the South Sudan to increase oil production, to resume oil production from Unity wells and to review the oil transit fee agreement.

Following the fall of oil prices, Juba asked for the revision of an agreement reached in September 2012 . The deal provides to pay to Khartoum $9.10 for the oil produced in Upper Nile state and $11 for that of Unity state which produces some 20% of South Sudan's oil.

In January 2016, Sudan gave its agreement in principle to reduce it; but technical teams didn't reach an agreement due to the delay in their works. Also, Khartoum resumed accusation against Juba of support to Sudanese rebel groups.

Minister Gatkuoth said he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, and appreciated Sudan's readiness to cooperate with his country in oil industry and production.

"We are here to open a new page of cooperation and bring a shift in the oil production for the benefit of the two peoples," he said.

August 22, 2016 (WAU) – The governor of Wau state, Andrea Mayar Acho said he has reached an agreement with the South Sudan police service during his recent visit to the police headquarters in Juba to deploy operation personnel in Wau town.

Police officers on parade in Jonglei state capital Bor (ST)

Acho said the move to relocate the operation police from Ater-moj to Wau was a part of maintaining security within Wau town aftermath of 25 June violence which forced out thousands of Wau town residents to take refuge at the United Nations and in churches.

“I have met in Juba at the police headquarter with Director General for operation Akot Deng Akot and agreed that the police operation forces which based at operation training centre in Ater-moj should be relocate to Wau to help the state authority in maintaining the security of the state,” said Acho.

“I have also met the top leadership of minister of interior to discuss the matter related to 250 police personnel that are now waiting for their graduation since they completed their training here in the state, we have discussed about their budget pays because since they started under training last year, they did not receive their pays and all these be been reached,” he added.

The governor said large amounts of medicines were stuck in Juba due to lack of transport to ferry them to Wau as attempts were underway to use cargo flights.

Achor said he also met other oficials, including the ministry for information and discus the issue telecommunication network to link the newly created counties in the state.

“I have been doing these things during my visit to Juba for the sake of the security in our state,” he furrher stressed.

Acho was addressing hundreds of state intellectuals, government officials, state MPs, members of different political parties, and state head of security organs.

Also in attendance were faith-based groups and civil society representatives in Wau state.

(ST).

August 22, 2016 (NAYLA) - British Ambassador to Sudan on Monday expressed optimism that Sudanese government and rebel groups would reach agreement in the coming round of talks on humanitarian truce.

British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron (Reuters Photo)

The armed movements in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states failed recently to reach two agreements on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, seen as important step before to engage in political talks ahead of an inclusive constitutional conference.

The armed movement involved in the process African Union mediated negotiations are Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Sudan Liberation Movement–Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

In statements to media on Monday after his arrival to Nayla, the capital of South Darfur State, the British Ambassador to Sudan, Michael Aron, stressed that solving Darfur crisis is vital to the United Kingdom as it leads to solving all crisis in Sudan.

“The United Kingdom is interested in achieving peace, stability and development in Sudan,” said Aron pointing that he has discussed with South Darfur government development strategies in the state.

The visiting diplomat pointed that the British Department for International Development (DFID) is ready to cooperate with South Darfur State in implementing water projects, stressing that development projects are core for solving Sudan's crisis.
During his three days visit, Aron will meet South Darfur State government, UNAMID and also visit the camps displaced people.

South Darfur State governor, Adam al-Faki, told reporters after meeting the British diplomat that his government is prepared to emerge from war status to stability, peace, social peace and helping displaced civilians to either return to their home village or to settle in the state towns .

“We have handed the British Ambassador a comprehensive and detailed strategy for development in South Darfur state,” further said al-Faki pointing that they have reached agreement on ways to implement the development strategy.

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003. The region is relatively calm but armed militias and gangs continue perpetrate attacks on civilians.

Also, the government forces continue to carry out ground and air attacks on parts of the mountainous area of Jebel Marra against rebel fighters we are still hiding in the region.

The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict. According to the UN Human Rights Council, 400,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (JUBA) – The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said Monday in Nairobi that the appointment of South Sudanese First Vice President Taban Deng Gai to succeed Riek Machar was “legal” under the provisions of the 2015 peace agreement.

President Salva Kiir with US secretary of state John Kerry as they hold a bilateral meeting at the US-Africa Business Forum in Washington on 5 August 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Jim Bourg)

Speaking to reporters after meeting five foreign ministers of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia Kerry said the US backed protection force has limited definition and scope with respect to restoring peace in the country.

“With respect to Machar, it's not up to the United States; it's up to the leaders of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan and the political parties and the political process, and their neighbors, to weigh in on what is best or not best with respect to Machar,” said Kerry when asked by a reporter to comment on the controversial replacement of the armed opposition leader and former South Sudanese First Vice President, Riek Machar.

He said the process leading to Machar's replacement with Gai has not broken any law.

“I think it's quite clear that legally, under the agreement, there is allowance for the replacement in a transition of personnel, and that has been effected with the appointment of a new vice president. And what they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in the context of the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.

Gai was appointed by section of the SPLM IO leaders in Juba in July after Machar fled the South Sudanese capital following four days of fighting between his forces and those loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The United Nations Security Council passed a U.S drafted resolution early this month to send a strong 4,000 protection force to Juba to boast UN peacekeepers in the country with a new mandate to response forcefully to any anti-peace elements in the government or armed opposition.

“With respect to the protection force, let me make it clear: The protection force is limited by definition, not a response to the overall crisis within the country as a whole, because clearly, there are many people with weapons in many parts of the country, and a protection force of 4,000 people will not have the capacity to cover all those bases,” the top U.S. diplomat said.

“But the hope is that with a transitional government that is now committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement and that has already begun to implement that peace agreement, that a force with a presence in Juba itself, which is where most of the violence took place during the last round, will be able to guarantee access for everybody, and that includes people trying to prevent the violence,” he added.

According to the UNSC, the protection force will be deployed in Juba by September 15. South Sudanese government said it has not made a decision to reject or accept the extra force that will increase UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to 17,000 troops.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (BENTIU) - Governor of Northern Liech state, Joseph Nguen Monytuil, has created 11 new counties from the former counties of Koch, Rubkotna, Guit and Mayom, respectively.

Unity State caretaker governor Joseph Monytuil (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

The decree came into effect on 21 August, according to Lam Tunguar Kueinguong, the state minister of information, youth, culture and sports.

However, minister Tunguar has not revealed names of the new counties. Another source from the state told Sudan Tribune the breakdown of the counties saw Guit, the home county of the new First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, split into 2 counties. Koch county also split into 2, Rubkotna, 3 and Mayom into 4.

In the same statement, the state information minister said governor Monytuil met with new SPLA-IO senior officers who defected to President Kiir in Tor-Abith, which include Maj. Gen. Liah Diu, Maj.Gen Dor Manjuor and all under the command of Maj.Gen Makal Kuol.

“We welcome the generals who have switched allegiance to support the President General Salva Kiir Mayardit and first vice president Gen.Taban Deng Gai,” Tunguar said.

He claimed that around 13,000 soldiers defected from the armed opposition allied to Riek Machar and now waiting to be integrated into the SPLA. Opposition officials loyal to Machar however dismissed the claim as false, saying only 80 soldiers defected to Kiir's forces with the generals, who mainly come from Gai's county of Guit.

They also claimed that the pictures of soldiers taken with the three defected SPLA-IO Generals are government forces in the area and not new defectors, adding that it was to deceive the public that the soldiers were new defectors.

The conflicts in South Sudan have claimed tens of thousands of lives following the outbreak of the violence in 2013. A recent violent clash in Juba killed at least 300 people and forced another 60,000 more people to seek safety in the neighbourhood countries.

It was not clear how many more others were killed in the bushes during the more than one month of intensive fighting when government forces were hunting for Machar before his successful escape into DR Congo from Juba on foot.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's newly appointed first vice president, Taban Deng Gai has conditioned stepping down from his position, asserting that his predecessor should first accept to cut down his security details before resuming office.

New South Sudan FVP Taban Deng Gai and his delegation upon arrival in Nairobi, Tuesday, 16 August 2016 (ST Photo)

Taban Deng Gai, a former chief negotiator during peace talks between government of president Kiir and armed opposition, told reporters in Kenya that he has managed to create a better working relationship at the presidency than did his predecessor.

“We are moving forward. If Riek comes and he conditioned that for the country to have peace, that he must return to the palace we shall discuss that, including that Riek if you go back to your office this time, you don't have huge army to move with you. This time you listen to the voices of the people that people of South Sudan will not need crisis any longer”, said Gai.

He reiterated that he would only step down if doing so would bring peace to the country.

“I am also telling you if my stepping down can bring peace to South Sudan I'm ready when time comes. But what I am doing now I am not delaying the implementation of peace waiting for anybody, I am to the task, I am capable of delivery. I managed to create harmony now in the presidency in the government of national unity”, he added.

He claimed that a faction of the SPLM-IO members who could not escape following the fighting that happened in July asked themselves whether to stick to peace or allow the country to return to war.

“I'm glad to inform you that the leadership of the SPLM in Opposition has decided to stick to the position of implementing peace, because the country has no option better than continuing with the implementation of the peace. The country needs peace," said Gai.

The former rebel chief negotiator further explained that the peace agreement is good for the people of South Sudan and can take them out of crisis and move forward in the road of peace and reconciliation and bring about the development of the country. He claimed that what was lacking after formation of unity government was a cohesive leadership in the country, saying the presidency did not have a good working relationship.

"The council of ministers of the transitional government of national unity was also not cohesive. The former chairman of SPLA IO was leading a parallel government in Juba. There was nothing to be called a team, even you members of the press who were in Juba witnessed that the existence of parallel armies is what brought crisis that led to the killing in Juba and the former FVP moving away from Juba”, explained Gai.

He also said he did not follow Machar since the latter opted to fight another civil war.

“I and the leadership of SPLA IO decided to remain in Juba to implement peace”, added Gai.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Saturday has met with the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, just hours ahead of South Sudan's First Vice-President Taban Deng arrival in Khartoum.

In press statements following the meeting, Haysom said he discussed with al-Bashir regional issues particularly the situation in South Sudan as well as the outstanding issues between Juba and Khartoum.

He added they also discussed progress in the national dialogue besides the role played by the East African regional bloc (IGAD) in the region and the continent in general.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir told the official news agency (SUNA) that First Vice-President Gai would arrive in Khartoum on Sunday in a three-day visit.

Former Vice-President Riek Machar left South Sudan over fears for his safety after government forces mounted a military offensive hunting for him after he fled the capital Juba when fighting broke out between 8-11 July.

President Salva Kiir later sacked him as first vice-president and replaced him with Taban Deng Gai, one of his senior officials in his movement before falling out with him after failing appointment of oil ministry.

Khidir added that Gai would be accompanied by a senior delegation including defence and oil ministers besides the director of military intelligence, saying they would discuss with al-Bashir and his First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih the ongoing developments in South Sudan.

“This is an important visit given that Taban Deng had participated in the recent IGAD summit and he visited some member states [of the regional bloc],” he said.

Khidir stressed that Sudan would continue to make efforts to converge views among the warring parties in South Sudan within the framework of IGAD's vision and resolutions in order to achieve peace and stability in the neighbouring nation.

Last Tuesday, Gai briefed the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the efforts to implement the peace agreement in South Sudan particularly with regard to the security arrangements.

He is expected to seek Khartoum support an agreement he reached with President Salva Kiir providing to integrate all the SPLA-Io troops from now on wards before the end of the transitional period.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (JUBA) - More road ambushes along the Torit-Kapoeta road has left two other people dead on Thursday evening, after previous attacks this week that killed several members of the national security traveling on Torit-Kapoeta road.

SPLA soldier on the Torit-Kapoeta road (JB Russell)

The situation has also been blamed on the newly created state governments of Imotong and Namorunyang which have reportedly failed to act swiftly in order to control the frequent attacks by armed men believed to be loyal to the deposed First Vice President, Riek Machar.

An eyewitness who said has been frustrated by the weakness of the state government claimed that the authorities “are merely talking and cannot act.”

The incident followed an earlier attack on Wednesday which authorities said left five people dead.

Ikotos county commissioner, Abdullah Salvatore, said the incident took place in the Camp 15 area – approximately two-hours from Kapoeta town. “There was one of police officers in the county, he was escorting the vehicles going to Namorunyang; an incident happened to them at Camp15 inside of Namorunyang,” he said.

Among the dead, he added, included a hired Ugandan driver who sustained injury and died later in the hospital.

He said they have requested the government of Namorunyang state to provide forces to escort the vehicles on the Torit-Kapoeta road.

Earlier this week, the Drivers Chambers Union in Namorunyang State halted the movement of vehicles along the road because of the ongoing violence.

(ST)

By Beny Gideon Mabor

“Our detractors have already written us off, even before the proclamation of our independence. They say we will slip into civil war as soon as our flag is hoisted. They justify that by arguing that we are incapable of resolving our problems through dialogue. They charge that we are quick to revert to violence. They claim that our concept of democracy and freedom is faulty. It is incumbent upon us to prove them all wrong. President Salva kiir Mayardit on South Sudan Independence Day, 9 July, 2011”.

Following what President Salva Kiir, said on Independence Day of 9 July, 2011 as quoted above, has to some extent answered whether South Sudanese in general and leaders in particular are capable to resolve their problems through dialogue or quick to revert to violence. Did South Sudanese prove their detractors wrong or right when they senselessly fight in mid-December 2013 and again on 8 July 2016 after the peace agreement on the resolution of conflict in South Sudan referred to herein as the peace agreement was signed? Indeed, South Sudanese being currently led by leaders whose personal interests are above public interest seems to have failed the test of wise leadership to resolve problems amicably.

In the book of “Getting Past No: Negotiating Agreement With Difficult People, the author professor William Ury, provided what is called best alternative to a negotiated agreement or BATNA which is always a last resort to be kept in mind in the event the peace agreement fails. In South Sudan peace process, there was no BATNA mechanism, not because such techniques were not known by the negotiators at the time, but the peace agreement was negotiated based on too much assumptions and unrealistic structural functionalities. Instead, the BATNA by default or arrangement has now been a perpetual conflict after another that killed innocent lives and destruction of properties.

Besides this messed up of public affairs in a broad day light, there is no voice to correct the wrongdoings. The fact that majority of citizens are uneducated to know their rights and duties, gave a blank cheque to leaders to hold the whole country ransom for their selfish political gains every time and again. Chief amongst citizenry's rights and duties is a principle of social contract, a covenant that exists between them and their leaders as provided for in the constitution and the laws.

Citizens owe a duty to government to provide taxes and vote them into public offices and in return deserve provisions of security, basic services and development of all forms in an equally distributive manner. These were the core values and national vital interests upon which South Sudanese waged war against successive Sudanese regimes in order to become an independent county.

Two years after independence, South Sudanese leaders who acquired political and economic power at all costs either forget or deliberately compromise the very values and vital national interests that shaped peoples' historical revolution. The happiness for the birth of a new nation and expectations for prosperity were all turned into a nightmare exactly as South Sudanese flag was hoisted. Again, the world newest state did not only appear on all media outlet for corrupt practices worth of billions of US dollars, but acting entirely outside the legal framework. This is evident in the dismissal of elected officials in a manner not warranted by the law. It is a direct threat to principles of constitutionalism if it was there in the first place.

In my honest prediction of a likely failed state in April 2012, I said the achievement of independence alone without launching the process for state and nation building may risk turning the Republic of South Sudan into a failed state at foundational stage. Since July 2011 up to now, South Sudanese leaders and people were not and still not prepared to develop the important components of a functional state including but not limited to: national defence and security, economic development, foreign policy strategy and equitable political settlement. All these elements constitute firm basis for stable government and governance. Yet, they are being forsaken for reasons best know to the political leadership of the belligerent parties. The peace agreement was the only hope to rejuvenate these projects for state and nation building, but to no avail as of now.

The total breakdown of central command and order in the security systems which was apparently brought about in unrealistic security arrangements was seen on 8 July, 2016 when the joint presidential guards fought in the presidential palace. Subsequently, a full scaled war was sponsored by the principal parties to the peace agreement and South Sudanese were returned to square one again. Indeed, citizens are still in square one up to now despite desperate measures taken supposedly intended to save the peace agreement.

However much the international community tried their best now to bring back the belligerents to status quo, as provided by the recent communiqué of the IGAD plus Heads of state and government, yet one must be left with no option but to say it will exacerbate more warlords to form their tribal militias for the protection of the status quo and their bellies. The act of violence has taught South Sudanese leaders that it is only through which you can speak a reasonable position in the business of politic and power.

On the issue of accountability, the SPLM-led government is entrenching on ruling clique basis and kleptocracy. The national army and other law enforcement units together with ruling SPLM party are almost faces of the same coin. So far evidence shows that army officials are as well leaders of ruling SPLM party including the current Chief of Staff of the army Gen Paul Malong who doubled as chairman of SPLM party at sub national level in Northern Bhar el Gazal State. There is no check and balance right from domestic laws to the regional and international legal instruments on social, economic, political and legal accountability to which South Sudan is a member state.

Last but not least, I would briefly remind South Sudanese citizens and the world that 18 July, 2016 mark one year after peace agreement was signed last year and the country is now broiling in yet another civil war. In the implementation matrix, every substantial part of the peace agreement is behind schedule by more than five months.

The following thematic areas have to do with little or not being done at all namely: transitional security arrangements comprise of ceasefire and transitional security arrangements monitoring mechanism, strategic defense and security review, join military ceasefire commission, the establishment of new institutions and subsequent reform agenda in all public sectors and transitional justice mechanisms amongst others . All these slow progresses are caused by total lack of political will to implement the peace deal.

The government should understand the concept of state sovereignty cannot be exercised in the vacuum, but people are the supreme organ of government, and if there are reasons to believe that the government has failed to implement the peace agreement and protect citizens and their properties, the concept of responsibility to protect R2P shift in and this must be understands in the spirit of cooperation.

In light of the above findings, read together with the regional and international community intervention approach as a result of UN Security Council Resolution 2304 (2016) and IGAD plus Heads of State and Government, it must be made loud and clear that South Sudanese are not alone in this crisis and there is no usual business anymore. Let the transitional government in accordance with the recommendations of the regional bodies and desire for peace unconditionally resumes the implementation of the peace agreement in latter and sprit.

Beny Gideon is South Sudanese private lawyer and a member of Strategic Defence and Security Review Board. He was part of the IGAD plus peace process for South Sudan representing civil society organizations. He can be reached via benygmabor@gmail.com

August 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian authorities on Saturday have decided to deport 77 Sudanese nationals who were trying to cross from Egypt into Israel.

A Sudanese refugee child walks past Israeli Border Police officers in the Rose Garden, just outside Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Sunday, July 8, 2007. (AP)

Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said Egyptian authorities have arrested a group of Sudanese migrants while they were trying to sneak into Israel, pointing they were sent to Al-Qanater prison in Cairo.

Khidir told the official news agency (SUNA) that 77 Sudanese were imprisoned in Egyptian jails, saying the Sudanese embassy in Cairo is in constant contacts with the Egyptian security authorities to check on their conditions.

For his part, Sudanese ambassador to Cairo Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim told Sudan Tribune that the Egyptian authorities decided to deport the 77 Sudanese nationals.

“We expressed to the Egyptian authorities our utmost attention about the safety of these [Sudanese nationals] and we work within the embassy to determine the next move” he sid.

He added that the embassy would dispatch a delegation to meet the detainees, saying they will issue travel documents for those who don't have passports before they were deported to Sudan.

Hundreds of Sudanese refugees, many from the war-wracked Darfur region, have crossed the desert border from Egypt into Israel in recent years.

Last November, Egyptian border guards killed six illegal Sudanese migrants and arrested 26 others in Sinai Peninsula near Israel boarders.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 20, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese opposition official on Friday dismissed reports alleging that the Sudanese government had played active role in a mission to transport their leader, Riek Machar, outside South Sudan.

First Vice President Riek Machar greets SPLM-IO officials at Juba airport upon his arrival, April 26, 2016 (ST Photo)

The Kenyan Standard news website on Thursday reported that the Sudanese government had sent an aircraft to evacuate the former first vice president from a hideout in a remote town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where he crossed into after 40 days in the bushes.

However, the SPLM-IO official who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity said the report published by the Kenyan website was “unfounded.”

“Khartoum was not involved in the rescue operation, there was no any Sudanese airplane used as reported,” he said.

The opposition official however declined to comment on who carried out the rescue operation or whose aircraft was used to transfer Machar in to a safe location.

Reports alleged that Machar established contact with the UN peacekeeping force in the DRC for evacuation out of the vast Central African nation after talks with the Congolese military.

Citing an undisclosed official the Kenyan paper alleged that a large transport plane, more likely an Antonov, landed at Isiro with Sudanese military officials and commandos who received Machar from unnamed UN officials at the local airstrip.

Some reports indicated a top official from Khartoum's presidency was on the plane.

Machar was also reportedly sick and wounded in the leg and sought medical assistance. However the SPLM-IO official said the allegations were fabricated.

“”He is not sick or wounded, he is safe and healthy,” the official told Sudan Tribune.

“The allegations that he is sick and wounded are all false” he said adding “the rumours are created by the enemies for political propaganda purpose.”

Other reports said that extraction of Machar was solely a UN operation and Sudan had no role in it.

According to the reports Machar's rescue mission was personally authorized by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon.

Although it is not yet known exactly where in DRC Machar is relocated, opposition officials here in Addis Ababa however told Sudan Tribune that they want him to be relocated to Ethiopia where IGAD still recognizes him as the legitimate first vice-president of South Sudan.

Riek Machar has refused to return to South Sudan's capital Juba unless a regional force is deployed.

“Machar is not going back to Juba. This is the second murder attempt he has survived after the one in December 2013. Maybe they would get lucky the third time if he went back,” said a European official.

Machar fled the capital Juba, over a month ago following fierce fighting with government troops which led to attempts to kill him by forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.

(ST)

August 19, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan has announced it was working to restart oil production in Unity state after more than a year of no operation due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

A Southern Sudanese soldier walks past a crude oil reservoir tank at a field processing facility in Unity State on November 10, 2010. (AFP)

A newly appointed Petroleum Minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said in a statement broadcast by the state owned South Sudan TV on Thursday - after meeting Chinese ambassador to South Sudan - that President Salva Kiir has instructed the resumption of production of oil from unity and other areas in Upper Nile affected by the conflict.

“We have discussed and agreed to resume oil production in unity and other areas in Upper Nile. The president of the republic has given directives. We have also discussed and agreed to review oil contracts with Chinese companies to do exploration and to continue to operate until 2018. The current contracts will be reviewed and extended,” explained minister, a former ally of armed opposition leader and the first vice president, Riek Machar, but who defected because he was not given a national ministry portfolio by Machar.

It was not clear how the oil operations, which was shut down due to conflict, will now resume while the conflict itself has resumed.

The President Salva Kiir removed Machar from his position as first vice president and replaced him with Taban Deng Gai, a move the international community as well as armed opposition leadership, except those loyal to Gai, consider a violation of the peace deal.

Government troops bombarded Machar's residence in Juba and pursued him with his small number of troops as they fled Juba and beyond.

Leading non-armed opposition figures, including Lam Akol, met and held talks in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday with Machar's senior officials, where they described Machar's departure from Juba together with several other ministers as a major setback to the agreement.

They called for immediate deployment of protection force and argued that a delay to address the situation may undermine the main element of the power-sharing agreement between SPLM-Juba and SPLM-IO, the main peace partner in the peace deal.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese former First Vice President, Riek Machar, has thanked the United Nations system and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for relocating him from the border and taking care of him, his wife, Angelina Teny, and other senior officials with him.

Speaking through his official spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, who shared the message on his Facebook page on Friday, Machar also thank President Joseph Kabila of the DR Congo for his government's hospitality.

“The First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO), thanked the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or MONUSCO, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under the leadership of His Excellency President Joseph Kabila, for their hospitality by airlifting him and his officials from the South Sudan-DRC border and for taking good care of him and his officials in the DRC,” Dak posted Machar's message on Facebook page.

Machar, he added, also congratulated the “gallant” opposition forces for courageous fight in self-defence in and around Juba, which successfully evacuated the senior political and military leadership of the armed faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO).

Dak also said his boss is fine, but “exhausted” due to 40 days of walking in the wilderness around Juba and towards the Congolese border.

He added that Machar, whom the SPLM-IO consider as the legitimate First Vice President, is establishing contacts with the leaderships of IGAD, AU and the UN, and will soon tour the IGAD member states.

Machar fled the capital when he was reportedly lured to the presidential palace to get killed, but escaped.

His residence was later on bombed by forces loyal to President Kiir and followed into the bushes around Juba with the aim to capture or kill him.

(ST)