Sudan Tribune

August 16, 2016 (MARIDI) – The police in Maridi county of South Sudan's Western Equatoria state have arrested five youth suspected to have cut down the state flag, which was raised two months ago.

A youth holds the South Sudanese flag as he waits for the start of independence celebrations in the capital, Juba, on 9 July 2011 (AP)

The flag symbolized Maridi, one of South Sudan's controversially created states.

Police in Maridi have reportedly launched an investigation into the matter and have vowed to bring those responsible to face justice.

“The state flag which was raised last two months was cut down on Thursday night by unknown people, but the Police arrested five suspects youth who are under investigation now in police custody,” an eyewitness told Sudan Tribune Wednesday.

The incident came months after the state government raised another flag in the same area, despite the challenges of insecurity.

The eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said citizens in the county were now living in fear and panic for the past one week amid report that security agents were hunting rebels suspected to have links with the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar.

Other sources say the state government has cut off all mobile networks in Maridi making it difficult to contact the state authorities. Unconfirmed reports say government soldiers looted civilians' properties, including food and non-food items in Maridi county.

(ST)

August 17, 2016 (JUBA) – A co-national army in South Sudan, the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), has accused forces loyal to President Salva Kiir of painting white with United Nations (UN) symbol their military vehicles in order to confuse and attack their troops around Juba.

SPLA soldiers, from the 2nd Battalion pose at the SPLA headquarters in Nyang, in the county of Yirol East, on February 15, 2014 (Photo AFP/Fabio Bucciarelli)

The SPLA-IO Sector Commander, Lieutenant General John Jok Gai, who is in charge of coordinating military activities in Central Equatoria state, said government forces have resorted to painting their military vehicles white and attacked their forces unaware who mistook them for UN vehicles.

“We have learned that soldiers of Salva Kiir have resorted to painting white - with UN symbol -their vehicles that have recently attacked our forces on Juba-Yei road and on Juba-Lobonok road. We therefore call on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to ensure that they communicate to us any of their plans to travel on roads outside Juba. This is because the government is using the UN symbol on vehicles that attack our forces,” said Lt. Gen. Gai in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

Also, he claimed their forces were attacked by a helicopter painted white with UN symbol.

The opposition's army commander said the aim of the government was to confuse the opposition forces that control some of the routes and allow them to pass, believing that they belonged to the UN system.

General Gai added that his forces have been attacked twice by government forces in military vehicles painted with the UN symbol.

He further informed that the soldiers attacking them were however identified to be members of the South Sudanese army loyal to President Kiir.

UNMISS, he added, should coordinate with them their movement outside Juba, either by air or land, including identifying the number of vehicles that travel on a particular day so as to avoid the inconveniences.

The SPLA official spokesperson was not available for comment on these accusations.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) – One person was killed and four others injures when unidentified gunmen ambushed a vehicle along Torit-Kapoeta road, officials said Monday.

The map of Eastern Equatoria state in red

The incident reportedly took place at Okuma Mafi in Hiyala payam of Torit county in South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state on Sunday.

The state information minister, Josephine Nakuru said those ambushed were national security personal traveling from Torit to Kapoeta county of Eastern Equatoria state.

“The aim of this people were to make sure they got these boys in hand or get the ammunition and the vehicles that these boys were using,” said Nakuru.

One of the security operative, she added, escaped with injuries and was brought at Kapoeta hospital for treatment.

The minister condemned the attacks that frequently occur along the Torit-Kapoeta road, urging bandits to halt the act. Daniel Jino, a trader in Kapoeta, said security in the area mainly worsened after the state was split into two provinces.

He called on neighbouring communities to put aside their differences and work to improve the insecurity that innocent civilians often face on major roads leading to the capital.

"Security in the state was under full control during [Governor Louis] Lobong's time, but am very worried about what is happening now. Things are now running out of hand", said Jino.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday has seized print runs of Al-Saiha, Al-Mijher Al-Siyasi and Al-Ahram Al-Youm newspapers from the printing house without giving reasons.

A Sudanese man reads a newspaper as he waits to pay at a kiosk in the capital Khartoum (AFP)

The confiscations come one day after the National Council for Press and Publications (NCPP) indefinitely suspended four newspapers including Al-Watan, Awal Al-Nahar, Elaph and Al-Mustaqilla for administrative reasons.

In a press release on Monday, the Sudanese non-governmental Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) network said the NISS imposes both pre-print and after-print censorship on newspapers, pointing it verbally instructed papers not to publish news reports pertaining to rebel groups.

Several newspapers have published interviews with rebel leaders during the recent round of peace talks between the government and armed groups that has ended on Sunday in Addis Ababa.

NISS has recently intensified its crackdown on the newspapers and confiscated copies of Al-Taghyeer, Al-Youm Al-Tali and Al-Saiha newspapers several times.

Last week, Al-Taghyeer newspaper decided to suspend publishing and started to lay off its staff following the large financial loss it incurred due to repeated confiscations.

The NISS routinely confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively on previous issues.

It uses seizures of print copies of newspapers, not only to censor the media but also to weaken them economically.

It accuses the newspapers of crossing the red lines through publishing reports which adversely impact the national security.

Sudan's constitution guarantees freedom of expression but laws subordinate to the constitution such as the National Security Forces Act of 2010 contains articles that can be potentially used to curtail press freedom and instigate legal proceedings against newspapers and individual journalists.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM). Sudanese government on Monday said that armed groups have only signed the Roadmap Agreement to avoid international pressure, claiming they bear the prime responsibility for the collapse of the 12th round of peace talks.

Presidential Assistant, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid (SUNA Photo)

On Sunday, Sudanese government and rebels have failed to reach a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access agreements in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, following what the African Union mediation decided to suspend the talks indefinitely.

In a press conference held at Khartoum airport upon his return from Addis Ababa, the government chief negotiator for the talks on the Two Areas, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, said they went to the negotiations with a strong political will and determined to make progress in the road to peace and national dialogue, citin the government approval of the Roadmap Agreement since five month ago

Hamid reiterated the government's commitment to the unilateral cessation of hostilities announced earlier by President Omer al Bashir, adding that it was willing to translate the declaration into a written agreement, “however the (SPLM-) does not want to have a binding agreement,” he stressed.

He accused SPLM-N of trying to drag out peace talks, saying “the rebel chief negotiator Yasir Arman even before the start of negotiations held a press conference where he charged the government and kept issuing statements before the end of the talks to poison the atmosphere and create unconducive environment”.

The government's top negotiator said the SPLM-N delegation focused on the transportation of the humanitarian assistance from Lokichoggio, in northern Kenya, Juba in South Sudan and Asosa in Western Ethiopia. "These are impossible conditions intended to thwart the negotiations,” he added.

On the other hand, “The government proposed that the humanitarian aid arrives to Kadugli and Damazain airports to be checked by Sudanese authorities before to distribute it to the needy in the war affected areas,” he said. The SPLM-N refused the proposal arguing they “do not trust the government,” he added.

He also said they proposed to form a committee including the United Naions and African Union besides the two parties to ensure unhindered access of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the affected areas. But, the SPLM-N didn't want to discuss the matter and called to postpone the issue to the next round of talks, he said..

Hamid said the SPLM-N's refusal proofs that it has a previous agreement with Darfur groups to sign the Roadmap Agreement without implementing its terms, stressing that SPLM-N raised 13 new points during the 12th round of talks.

"My message to the Sudanese people that they do not want peace, but circumvent the (international) pressure on them by signing the Roadmap," he said.

In a press conference on Sunday in Addis Ababa, SPLM-N Chief negotiator Yasir Arman said the Sudanese government has missed “the greatest opportunity” to achieve peace, holding it responsible for the collapse of this round of talks.

The SPLM-N said the government wanted to prioritize the discussion of the security arrangements at the negotiation table while it had previously agreed to focus on the humanitarian access.

Also, when the discussions came to the humanitarian issue, the parties stuck to their position on from where the humanitarian relief should be transported to the affected areas.

On this respect, Arman said the government didn't make any concessions despite the huge efforts exerted by the Chief Mediator Mbeki.

He pointed that during the past four years the government continued to say that it would only allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid from inside Sudan, while the SPLM-N made some concessions and calls now for mixed tracks.

“SPLM-N delegation conceded and accepted mixed tracks from inside Sudan and abroad, we accepted that 80% of the relief comes through Khartoum and 20% from outside. We also gave another concession by determining [the type of assistance] needed from inside and abroad,” he said.

The parties are supposed to sign a humanitarian truce in the Two Areas and Darfur. The agreement would be followed by strategic meeting between the opposition groups and government ad national dialogue committee to discuss additional confidence building measures before to return to the country for an inclusive constitutional conference.

Also, the peace talks on Darfur region, with the Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi have been suspended. The parties failed to agree on how to determine the sites of the rebel fighters.

Last week, U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth the strategic meeting would be held within three months. But mediation adjourned the talks sine die, and it is not clear when the parties would resume negotiations.

The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since 2011 and the armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (YAMBIO) – The commissioner of Ezo county in South Sudan western Equatoria has refuted allegations that armed youth captured the county headquarters last week after fighting between the army and armed elements.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

Commissioner Arkangelo Bakinde described the ongoing rumour as unfounded lies and that they were in still in control of the area.

“The information going around in Western Equatoria and on social media is a total lie and it has no basis because the people in Ezo county are okay and I am getting information from there daily,” said Bakinde.

He said the road connecting his county was still insecure for those traveling by road and there is no airstrip.

Last week, heavy fighting occurred in Ezo county between government forces and the armed youth groups in the area, after the latter allegedly attacked an army base. Also roads connecting Ezo county was closed by the armed groups by cutting big trees on the roads, laying ambushes on roads, looting and blocking government officials or non-governmental organizations from accessing their area.

A citizen from Ezo, who spoke to Sudan Tribune on anonymity said, soldiers attempted to open the road between Yambio and Ezo, but were blocked by the youth.

Last week, the governor Gbudue, of South Sudan's newly created states was ambushed in his way back from Tombura. Three of the governor's bodyguards were wounded.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) – Former South Sudan's national minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mabior Garang de Mabior, has lashed out at President Salva Kiir's faction, accusing it of the responsibility in the collapse of the August 2015 peace deal the president signed with his former first deputy, Riek Machar.

Mabior John Garang de Mabior (File photo MC Clatchy Newspapers)

In a 9-page long elaborative press statement he issued on Tuesday, Mabior, who is also the chairperson for information and public relations national committee in the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), said the violence which erupted at the palace on 8 July and the replacement of Machar on 24 July was an act of conspiracy to destroy the peace agreement.

“The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA (In Opposition) would like to set the record straight regarding the return to armed conflict in South Sudan. The SPLM/SPLA - In Opposition (IO) is deeply disappointed in the lack of political will exhibited by the SPLM/SPLA (In Government), which has led to the collapse of the peace process and a return to armed conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. This resumption of conflict started on July 8th, 2016; with the Transitional Government of National Unity effectively being overthrown,” Mabior wrote.

He continued with chronology of the events that occurred leading to the return of violence as well as the “illegal” attempt to replace the SPLM-IO's “legitimate” leadership of Machar, also blaming the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for pushing Machar to return to Juba despite President Kiir's lack of implementation of the security arrangements in Juba.

“The SPLM/SPLA (IG) led by President Salva Kiir continued to show this lack of political will during the implementation process. This is why the Mediators had to suggest the provisions of the ARCISS be circumvented; in order to prevent the Agreement from premature collapse. The SPLM (IO) was forced to go to Juba to implement the ARCISS, despite the fact that Juba had not been demilitarized in accordance to the provisions of the Agreement, a central part to the security arrangements. The IG even tried to humiliate the First Vice President (FVP) Dr. Riek Machar by refusing to give him an office…,” he said.

He said the SPLM/SPLA (IO) was forced to go to Juba without its demilitarization, which led to the incidences of harassment at illegal SPLA (IG) check points.

Mabior, who is currently in Nairobi, Kenya, said President Kiir's forces started the shooting at Machar's bodyguards at the J1 palace, adding this was a day after Kiir's soldiers also attempted to arrest Machar's bodyguards on Gudele road, which led to clashes that killed at least 4 soldiers on President Kiir's side.

He said President Kiir wanted to kill Machar and that his chief of general staff has ordered his forces to hunt for him in the bushes where he has been hiding.

“The SPLM/SPLA IO has since been fighting a war of self-defense as the Chief of General Staff of the IG has ordered his militias to hunt down and assassinate the legitimate FVP of the TGONU,” he added.

“The failure of the warring parties to implement the security arrangements, the attack of SPLM/SPLA IO Cantonment areas across the country, culminating on the Juba attack which included the residence of the FVP; has led the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA IO to either flee Juba, or seek refuge in the UNMISS PoC's.”

Mabior accused the newly appointed first vice president, Taban Deng Gai, of planning to assassinate Machar prior to the palace shoot out, saying Machar dismissed him from the party after the conspiracy became clear.

“His [Taban] dismissal came after he proved through the state owned (SSTV) showing that the current plot to topple the TGoNU was his idea as well as conspiring to assassinated Dr. Machar, the FVP so that the whole agreement is abrogated. And that was an adequate ground for a member of the SPLM/SPLA IO to lose his/her membership when he or she is found to be engaged in activities that undermine the objectives and policies of the movement, contrary to this Constitution, Code of Conduct, Internal Rules and Regulations. And as such, he was dismissed from SPLM/SPLA IO on 22/07/2016 before he completed his plot to illegally take over the leadership of SPLM/SPLA IO,” he said.

“Therefore, whatever, he and his anti-peace group have done will remain null and void as long as it is inconsistent with the Peace Agreement. This provision is read together with rule 1.4.7 of the same Internal Rules.”

He also said under Article 6.5 of the peace agreement, it was Machar who “may” delegate someone to act on his behalf in his absence and not an imposed person.

“Under Clause 6.5 of the same Chapter: “In the event of temporary absence of the First Vice President, the First Vice President may delegate a senior South Sudan Armed Opposition Minister to carry out functions and duties as stipulated in this Agreement,” Mabior further argued.

“This temporary absence for example, is like a foreign trip to which the FVP may spend some days, so in that case he has a prerogative or discretion power to delegate his functions and powers to a senior South Sudan Armed Opposition. This situation is not applicable to Gen. Taban Deng Gai - as he was dismissed before being crowned in Crown Hotel in Juba,” he added.

THE WAY FORWARD

Machar said the leadership of the SPLM/SPLA-IO under Machar is calling on the region and international community not to recognize the “coup” against TGoNU.

“The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA IO further urge the region and international community to expedite interventional forces under the UN revised mandate such that Peace Agreement does not derail into a full scale of war in the country,” he said.

“The SPLM/SPLA IO leadership welcomes the decisions of the IGAD, AU and the UNSC (Draft) Resolution 2304; which is in line with the call of the FVP. The FVP will only return to Juba to commence the true implementation of the ARCISS when the conducive security environment is guaranteed. This will also create a conducive security environment that will facilitate the smooth implementation of the Agreement, as the warring parties have failed to implement the security arrangements.”

He further added that the opposition faction believes in the spirit of the ARCISS as the only solution to the conflict in South Sudan.

“The Movement calls on the region and the world, to expedite this process of intervention/protection so that we can rescue the suffering people of South Sudan; who's suffering is compounded by a complete breakdown of law and order all over the country,” he said.

KIIR AGAINST IMPOSED DECISION

Meanwhile South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has warned on Monday that a hasty decision to deploy foreign forces to Juba could result in dire consequences if consultations are ignored.

“The consequences of hasty and imposed decision may be dire, for good intentions are not necessarily always reflected by the decisions made thereon,” warned president Kiir in a speech at the inauguration function of the transitional national legislative assembly.

The head of state affirmed the commitment of himself and his administration to implementing the peace agreement which he signed with his ousted deputy in unity government, Riek Machar.

“We are fully committed to the peace agreement of August 2015 and its continued implementation. We call on all the parties and opposition groups to be part of this most cherished commitment. This is our country. We built it from scratch after prolonged, bloody and heroic struggle. Let us work together to preserve its present and guarantee its future”, said president Kiir.

He said his government welcomed assistance and listens to advices carefully but which should not be imposed to undermine his authority to govern effectively and compromise national sovereignty.

“We welcome assistance. We are attentive to advice. But assistance requires dialogue. It should not be turned in an imposition that becomes intervention in which our sovereignty is compromised and our ability to govern effectively diminishes rather than increases. More and better could and should be achieved through consultation and dialogue,” he said.

He said the government has serious issues about decision made by the IGAD on 5 August and the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), but added he “will discussion details with the leadership of the United Nations.”

“Already there are people who are accusing the transitional government of national unity of refusing and fighting the UN. I want to confirm on this great day that this is not accurate appraisal. If there are voices out there expressing their views on the subject, these are individuals who do not represent the transitional government of national unity and have certainly not been mandated to speak on behalf of the transitional government of national unity,” he added.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (WAU) – Leader of the People's Liberal Party (PLP) in South Sudan, Peter Mayen Majongdit, said the current Transitional National Legislative Assembly cannot guarantee institutional and legislation reforms to enforce democracy in the country, saying its decisions have been influenced negatively by the executive.

People's Liberal Party (PLP) leader Peter Mayen Majongdit (ST)

Majongdit said the parliament will continue as a shadow of the executive branch instead of holding the executive accountable for bad policies and actions.

“This current legislature does not guarantee the needed reforms anymore but it is a continuation of the old systems. If the future of legislature is determined by the executive then how will the legislature hold executive accountable when it is the very one appointing [its members]?” he questioned.

Majongdit added: “democracy is under threat because [there] nothing to grantee the principles of separation of powers.”

He also blamed IGAD members states for allegedly brokering a weak peace deal in August 2015, saying that the strategies designed as peace agreement centered on and invested powers in the interest of individuals leaving common citizens hostage by the leaders which “pay no respect to human rights, democracy and nationalism”.

He said “South Sudanese are more patriotic more than leaders and deserve a better democratic leader.”

The opposition leader was making the comments as President Salva Kiir opened the transitional national legislative assembly on Tuesday.

He was speaking to Sudan Tribune on phone from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he is attending an international conference on “Challenges to Democracy in Africa.”

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has distanced himself from rhetoric rejecting the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing additional 4,000 foreign soldiers to his country saying anyone speaking against does not act on behalf of his government.

President adresses a joint press conference on 9 July 2016 (Reuters Photo)

Speaking at the official opening of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly on Monday, President Kiir said he had reservations on the mandate of the force that will be drawn from regional countries, but required further consultations.

"I am neither against nor for the UNSC resolution on South Sudan. Be patient, after wider consultation with my constituency, I will submit my reservations to the UNSC [United Nations Security Council] resolution on the 4,000 regional forces for South Sudan,” Kiir told the assembly.

In an address to guest at a dinner organized by new First Vice President Taban Deng Gai and broadcast on Sunday by state-owned SSBC TV, President Kiir said the UN decision is meant to satisfy the demands of peace monitors and UN mission in the country who want to “continue receive money” for their presence in South Sudan.

He warned of confronting any troops “interfering” in internal affairs.

“For us [South Sudanese], we don't do anything bad to anybody, but if somebody has interfered into our right, I don't think we will allow them to go without us touching them,” he said in reference to UNSC resolution number (2304).

Kiir, known for changing stance under international pressure, backtracked in a speech he delivered before parliament.

“This is not a rejection of the UNSC resolution, it is simply a call for dialogue and understanding on the better way forward in resolving the conflict in South Sudan,” he said.

“Please bear with me and remember that anyone speaking against the UN, IGAD, and AU etc. is not speaking on behalf of my government," said the South Sudanese leader.

"There are people who are accusing the transitional government of refusing and fighting the U.N. but this is not accurate," he added as ruling party lawmakers cheered.

He said a final decision was not reached on the UNSC decision to send more troops mandate to fight rival faction forces should they dishonor the permanent ceasefire.

"The transitional government has not met to declare its final position. Deliberations will come later on a final position,” said Kiir.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Ministry has ruled out that the joint Sudanese-Libyan troops would carry out evacuation operations for Sudanese nationals who were caught under fire in several areas of the Libyan city of Benghazi particularly in Qunfudah.

Fighters from the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia hold their positions during clashes with forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government near the Wetia military air base, west of the capital Tripoli, on 29 December 2014 (Photo: AFP/Mahmud Turkia)

Last Friday, five Sudanese nationals were killed in Qunfudah during a military operation while the fate of 100 others remained unknown.

In press statements on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said the trapped Sudanese nationals could only be evacuated by the Libyan army and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as well as the civil society organizations and not via any Sudanese aviation.

He pointed that a team from the Sudanese consulate in Benghazi has met with the Libyan Foreign Ministry office in Al-Baida town to urge them to speed up the evacuation operation.

Khidir didn't name capitals through which the Sudanese nationals would be transferred; saying what is crucial now is to evacuate them to safety.

Benghazi has been the focus of fighting between Islamist militias and troops loyal to Libya's government.

Libya has become increasingly divided since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with competing governments and rival militias seeking to gain territory and influence.

The government began an offensive against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Sirte in May and said recently that it had made its largest gains to date.

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has referred the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution that authorized sending extra 4,000 troops to boost UN peacekeepers in country with a mandate to fight rival forces, to its national assembly for further consultations.

South Sudanese MPs stand during a parliamentary session in Juba on 31 August 2011 (AFP)

The decision from the Transitional Government of National Unity was reached during the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir.

The First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, Vice President James Wani Igga plus the cabinet ministers also attended the extraordinary meeting.

“It's clear that this document has some pros and cons,” information minister, Michael Makuei told reporters in Juba.

“And as such, it is decided that this process be taken to the parliament so that it becomes public and a clear stand and decision taken by the whole government of the Republic of South Sudan,” he added.

President Kiir addressed the Transitional National Legislative Assembly on Monday for the first time since it was reconstituted under the terms of the peace agreement.

In his speech to lawmakers, the president criticized the UN resolution, but gave lawmakers opportunity to deliberate.

Makuei said MPs will consult civil society groups, South Sudanese citizens and other political parties on the UNSC Resolution number 2304 (2016), which was adopted Friday.

The South Sudan leader described the Security Council resolution as a prelude of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) chairman, Festus Mogae and UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), head Magrette Leoj during a dinner organized by the First Vice President.

“Of course this has become a business and these people want the kind of work that will enable them to continue to receive money,” Kiir told the state-owned SBBC TV.

It is not clear how long parliament will take to deliberate the resolution, but the UN is keen to avoid further after Juba made its intention to reject the UN resolution public.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) – A number of officials of the newly created Yei River state have been killed with some in critical conditions after sustaining serious gunshot wounded after falling into ambush laid by suspected SPLA-IO troops on Yei-Morobo on Saturday and Sunday.

Governor David Lokonga Moses speaks to the press in Yei May 31, 2016 (ST)

Sources in Yei told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that among the confirmed dead include private secretary of the education minister who died on the spot and the office manager of the Yei town mayor who later died in Yei hospital.

“Many of our state government officials have been wounded when they were attacked on the road between Yei and Morobo by rebels. They are now being treated in the hospital for serious gunshot wounds,” an eye witness in Yei town told Sudan Tribune.

The source added that a number of senior government officials have been seriously wounded and are in critical conditions in Yei Civil Hospital. These seriously wounded state officials include Morobo county commissioner, Jacob Toti, Education minister, Mary Apayi Ayiga and state advisor on political affairs, Jackson Abugo.

The state governor, David Lokonga, was also reported to be missing and was on the run towards Uganda border.

Morobo, south of Yei town, has been captured since last week by the opposition forces loyal to former First Vice President, Riek Machar, who also reportedly control Juba-Yei road, cutting off Yei town from the national capital.

Also gunshots were reported inside Yei town, but it was not clear what sparked the situation amidst fears among the residents for imminent violent clashes in case the opposition forces attack the town.

Meanwhile, opposition forces loyal to Machar said they killed 25 soldiers and destroyed two military trucks between Torit and Kapoeta in Eastern Equatoria on Sunday after clashes with forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The government forces were said to be composed of national security personnel.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The United States has expressed deep concern over Sudan's government continued detention of at least 15 Darfurians including one Sudanese national working for the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth and his team members pose for a picture with Darfur IDPs on 2 August 2016 (Photo US Embassy Khartoum Facebook page)

On July 26, the United States Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, started a visit to Darfur states to assess the security and humanitarian situation on the ground particularly in Jebel Marra area.

Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on August 1st, arrested 15 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) leaders in Nertiti town, Central Darfur following a meeting with Booth.

Director of the office of press relations at the US States Department, Elizabeth Trudeau, in a press release on Friday said the detentions followed a visit by Booth to North and Central Darfur states as well as IDPs camps at Sortoni and Nertiti in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur from July 26-28, 2016.

“Many others who were not detained were nonetheless questioned by security officials about the nature of their contact with the Special Envoy” read the statement.

It pointed that the US immediately expressed its concern about the reported detentions to senior Sudanese officials, calling on the Sudanese government to immediately release all of those detained.

“These actions are particularly unfortunate as they undercut the Government of Sudan initially granting permission for the Special Envoy's fact-finding visit and allowing him to travel to areas and speak with individuals of his choosing” it added.

The statement further urged the Sudanese government “to respect its citizens' rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, including by the press”, saying they are vital elements “for an environment conducive to an inclusive national dialogue for which all continue to work”.

UN agencies estimate that more than 120,000 people have been displaced by the fierce clashes which occurred since last January between the government army and the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abel-Wahid al-Nur.

Jebel Marra, which spans over three states including North, Central and South Darfur, is located at a water-rich area that is characterized by mild climate.
On 12 April, the Sudanese army declared Darfur a region free of rebellion following the capture of Srounq area, the last SLM-AW stronghold in Jebel Marra.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government and rebels have failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile as the African mediation team decided to indefinitely suspend the current round of talks.

Direct talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-N) pertaining to humanitarian and security arrangement in South Kordofan and Blue Nile has been ongoing since last Tuesday in Addis Ababa.

Also, on Wednesday the government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Minnawi kicked off direct negotiations on the Darfur track.

On Sunday, the head of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP), Thabo Mbeki told the negotiating parties that this round of talks was suspended indefinitely amid an exchange of accusations between the government and the rebels.

In a press conference on Sunday night, head of the government delegation for the Two Areas track, Presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid held the SPLM-N responsible for the collapse of talks, saying the rebel group seeks to prolong the war by demanding to transport humanitarian aid from South Sudan.

“SPLM-N doesn't seek to stop the war and bring peace but it sought to hamper the Roadmap” he said

“SPLM-N wants to kill the Roadmap and planned to abort it as it [was forced] to sign it under pressure from the international community” he added

On the other hand, SPLM-N Chief negotiator Yassir Arman said the Sudanese government has missed the greatest opportunity to achieve peace, holding it responsible for the collapse of this round of talks.

In a press conference at the negotiation venue in Addis Ababa on Sunday, he said the government didn't make any concessions despite the huge efforts exerted by the Chief mediator Mbeki.

“This round of talks has failed and Mbeki, for the first time, told us that talks have been delayed indefinitely” he said

Arman pointed that during the past four years the government continued to say that it would only allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid from inside Sudan while the SPLM-N calls for mixed tracks

“SPLM-N delegation conceded and accepted mixed tracks from inside Sudan and abroad, we accepted that 80% of the relief comes through Khartoum and 20% from outside. We also gave another concession by determining [the type of assistance] needed from inside and abroad” he said

Since several years ago the SPLM-N demands the transportation of humanitarian aid from outside the country, saying such procedure would prevent Khartoum from using humanitarian aid as a tool of political pressure. Also, it also refused the participation of Sudanese government relief workers saying they are infiltrated by the security apparatus.

Meanwhile, talks on the Darfur track have also reached a dead end following four days of marathon meetings.

Leader of the SLM-MM Minni Minnawi said the member of the AUHIP Abdel-Salam Abu Bakr told the negotiating teams on Sunday night that this round of talks has been suspended to a later time.

He told reporters following the final session of talks that they were hoping to reach a peace agreement after they gave a number of concessions.

“Among more than 20 items [under discussion] we only asked the government to make concessions on 3 items but unfortunately this evening we received a [conciliatory] paper from the mediation and we found it expressing the government position .. We didn't find even a single letter showing government concession” he said

Minnawi added they informed the mediation of the missing items in its paper, saying however the government delegation refused to make any concessions.

“Unfortunately, it [the government] came to this forum to ship us to Khartoum” he said

For his part, leader of the JEM Gibril Ibrahim attributed the failure of this round of talks to the attempt by the mediation to impose the Doha peace document on them.

He pointed that the mediation told them that it finds it too hard to continue this round of talks and was forced to suspend it until a later time.

On the other hand, head of government delegation for Darfur track, Amin Hassan Omer pointed to the SLM-MM and the JEM lack of seriousness to achieve peace, saying they brought up 15 contentious points instead of the already known 5 points.

In press statement on Sunday night, Omer declined to describe the end of talks as “collapse”, saying the talks have been extended to its fullest possible time.

On Saturday, the government delegation demanded an alleged 13 rebel locations that could be defined by coordinates are disclosed, saying signing cessation of hostilities agreement will be impossible unless rebels disclose their locations.

However the Darfur rebels have entirely rejected the governments' demand.

The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since 2011 and the armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

(ST)

August 14, 2016 (LEER) - 45 people died and dozens were injured when armed youth clashed with government forces in Tharjiathbor county of South Sudan's Unity state, an aid worker said.

The map of Unity state

The incident in Rubkuai area occurred over the weekend.

An aid worker, who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, said youth who attacked government controlled areas came from neighbouring Koch county which is under the administration of Northern Liech state.

He said the numbers of the dead could rise from among those were critically injured.

Due to the deadly fighting in the area, mass displacement of residents is ongoing and there is fear of humanitarian gaps, as most aid workers were evacuated from the scene of the conflict, the official told Sudan Tribune by phone on Sunday.

Some humanitarian workers were reportedly injured in the oil-rich Unity state attack.

It remains unclear why youth from neighboring Koch attacked government positions, with others claiming the attackers supported former First Vice President Riek Machar.

(ST)

August 15, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's rival forces killed and raped civilians, extensively looting their property, including humanitarian goods, during and after clashes that occurred in Juba last month, a New-York based rights body said.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

In many cases, according to Human Rights Watch, government forces appeared to target non-Dinka civilians.

As a result of indiscriminate attacks, including shooting and shelling, shells landed in camps for displaced people inside United Nations bases, and in other densely populated areas in the city, killing and wounding civilians, the rights group said.

Clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar clashed in the capital left over 270 people dead and displaced thousands.

The rights body mainly faulted government soldiers for the multiple crimes committed on civilians in the young nation.

“A year after South Sudan's leaders signed a peace deal, civilians are dying, women are being raped, and millions of people are afraid to go home,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch in a report issued Monday.

“On August 12, the UN decided to send more peacekeepers to Juba but put off a long-overdue arms embargo. The continued supply of arms only helps fuel the abuses on a larger scale,” he added.

The latest violence came barely four months after the formation a coalition government under a peace agreement signed in August 2015. The rival factions agreed to integrate their forces and establish the hybrid court.

Under the deal, however, the African Union Commission was to set up the court, with South Sudanese and other African judges and staff to be completed by October 2016.

This follows the series of documented cases of targeted killings, rapes and gang rapes, beatings, looting, and harassment, often along ethnic lines, said to have been committed several areas of the capital and its outskirts.

“South Sudanese leaders have time and again failed to end abuses against civilians, been unwilling to rein in abusive forces or ensure justice for crimes by those under their command,” said Bekele.

“There is no more excuse for delay: top leaders need to be sanctioned and an arms embargo imposed. The UN has to be more effective in protecting civilians and the AU should move ahead with the hybrid court,” he added.

Officials from the country's two rival factions are yet to comment on the damning report.

Meanwhile, the rights body has appealed to the United Nations and its member countries to impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on those responsible for serious human rights abuses in South Sudan.

The African Union Commission and donors, it added, should proceed without delay with preparations for a hybrid court to investigate and try the most serious crimes committed since the start of South Sudan's new war in 2013, including during the recent fighting.

(ST)

August 14, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese capital, Khartoum will host on Thursday the Arab Forum for Combating Terrorism (Role of the Arab Media in Combating Terrorism) which is jointly organized by the Arab League and Sudan's Information Ministry.

SAF troops march during the concluding ceremony of Northern Thunder in Saudi Arabia on March 12, 2016 (ST Photo)

In a press conference on Sunday, Sudan's Information Minister Ahmed Bilal said the forum was one of the recommendations of the 47th session of Council of Arab Ministers of Information.

He added that the forum would be held in three of the Arab capitals, pointing to Sudan's rich experience in fighting against extremism and terrorism.

Bilal pointed that the forum would be based on the Islamic-Arab strategy to fight against the phenomenon of terrorism, saying that Islam is a religion of peace and respect for human life.

The Sudanese minister further mentioned several reasons behind the emergence of the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism, saying the forum seeks to achieve a unified vision to fight against these phenomena.

He said that Sudan is among the countries with least numbers of youths who joined the extremist groups' camps, saying however the government is not satisfied with the current situation and would continue to protect the youths intellectually via the various means in order not to join these groups.

Last year, Sudan's interior ministry said that about 70 Sudanese, of both sexes have joint the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and Libya.

Bilal underscored completion of all arrangements to hold the forum on Thursday, saying it would discuss three working papers besides holding a symposium.

He added that the opening session will be addressed by the First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih, and the Arab League's Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Islamic thinker Fahmi Huwaidi said he declined to accept an invitation extended to him by the Sudanese embassy in Cairo to attend the forum, expressing resentment over what he called “State Terrorism” which became the basis of actions of undemocratic regimes.

In an article published by the Egyptian-based Al Shorouk newspaper Saturday, he said the Sudanese authorities continued crackdown on press, pointing to mass confiscation of newspapers and attacks against journalists.

“Hence it was not surprising that Sudan ranked 174th out of 180 countries in the 2015 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index” he said.

(ST)

August 14, 2016 (JUBA) – The official spokesperson for the leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), has described as “self-deception” President Salva Kiir's cabinet resolution on Friday which resolved to integrate SPLA-IO forces, saying the “illegal” new First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, has no army to integrate.

“This is a self-deception. The new illegal First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, has no army to integrate, or actually to surrender to his new commander-in-chief, Salva Kiir,” said James Gatdet Dak, official spokesman for the SPLM-IO leader, Riek Machar.

Dak was responding to the resolution passed in Juba in the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Kiir during which it resolved to integrate SPLA-IO forces.

Information and Broadcasting Minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, announced on Friday that the cabinet had agreed to approve the establishment of the cantonment sites and to integrate members of the SPLA-IO forces after getting into the assembling points.

But Dak said SPLA-IO army is with Machar including the top army leadership, saying Gai had only defected to President Kiir's faction with his bodyguards.

He said even another SPLA-IO General which Gai lured to his side in Unity state also defected with only less than 50 soldiers, adding “unless this is the number they wanted to integrate.”

Dak however claimed that the numbers of SPLA-IO forces are in hundreds of thousands and are all loyal to Machar across the country.

“SPLA-IO forces are the ones now besieging Juba, closing all routes from different directions. They are in full control of Juba-Yei road. They are in full control of Juba-Mundri road. They are in control of northwest of Juba city. They have cut off Lobonok, southwest of Juba. They are closing Juba-Bor road. Soon they will also close Juba-Nimule and Juba-Torit roads. And they will soon move on Juba to capture it and restore law and order. These are the members of the SPLA-IO forces under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar, the legitimate First Vice President and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA-IO army,” Dak said.

He said the cabinet should have asked Taban Deng Gai if the SPLA-IO forces who have been fighting President Kiir's forces around Juba and closing all roads are the ones he claimed to be commanding and should be integrated.

Dak also said the peace agreement did not provide for immediate integration of the SPLA-IO forces, but rather gradual “reunification” of the two armies “unit by unit” after implementation of security sector reforms which would take at least two years into the transitional period.

He said Kiir and Gai are violating the peace agreement to avoid reforms, saying Gai was trying to surrender the SPLA-IO army as he has already surrendered the parliamentary leadership to President Kiir.

He also said it will not be surprising if Gai will also surrender and approve the controversial 28 states.

(ST)

August 14, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese civilians whose items were stolen during the fighting in Juba last month have questioned sincerity of the South Sudanese national army, the SPLA, to return the loots.

SPLA spokesman Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang announced on Friday that items including generators, cars and other valuable households have been recovered from soldiers allied to President Salva Kiir. But Koang said owners must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the items are theirs.

"We would like the owner to come forward with engine number, serial number and the power number, the capacity of the generators and cars,” said Lul in a recovered message to state-owned SSBC TV.

He said failure to present those identifiers, anyone claiming ownership may not be allowed to take it.

But South Sudanese whose items were looted from their shops and homes decried the conditions laid down by the military. John Andruga had his shop broken into in Gudelle, a western suburb of Juba that witnessed fierce clashes between the SPLA in Government (SPLA-IG) loyal to President Salva Kiir and those SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO) loyal to former First Vice President, Riek Machar.

"The soldiers took my generator and damaged the shop after looting everything," he said, speaking to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

"So I don't have any document because all items were destroyed or completely taken away by the soldiers," he added.

He said he cannot remember the serial number of his generator.

"If the SPLA is serious about returning the looted items, let them ask the soldiers from whom the item was recovered to tell them where he got it," he added.

Alongside Gudelle, Jebel Market, the second largest shopping center in Juba, was also vandalized. David Madavi, a Ugandan trader, owned a shop in Jebel Market. His items were taken when soldiers broke the door to his shop.

"I am completely frustrated and last thing I can remember about my stolen items is their serial numbers," said Madavi, who has refused to return to Uganda after Kampala evacuated her citizens last month.

Deng, a South Sudanese national who wished to be identified by one name, said his car was robbed by soldiers with all the documents including car logo book and other registration documents.

"Now, if the army is saying we should go to Bilpam [headquartes of the SPLA in Juba], where will I get the identification documents to claim my car?" said Deng.

"I think the SPLA is not sincere. They simply don't want to return the loots items to owners," he added.

Government soldiers, who forced small number of SPLA in opposition forces out of Juba in fierce streets battle for four days in Juba, turned to shops, homes and took civilians items.

The army headquarters in Juba constituted a martial court to try soldiers accused of engaging in looting but the court has not sat yet. SPLA spokesman, Koang, said 19 soldiers have been arrested and will be arraigned in the military court soon.

South Sudan army is struggling to modernize its ranks amidst accusations of abusing their power against civilians. The former rebels became the national army at independence from Sudan in 2011 but the 2013 conflict led to division along tribal lines.

Critics say the current army constituting SPLA under President Kiir and SPLA IO under Machar are tribal armies fighting for political power of their bosses.

(ST)

August 14, 2016 (BOR) - Hundreds of ghost names are expected to be eliminated in the payroll system in the newly created Jonglei state's government institutions. The move is expected to reduce the financial constraints on the budget overstretching.

Jonglei state governor, Aguer Panyang joined by others to light candles in Bor on July 31, 2016 (ST)

To curve down the existence of ghost names, and a huge number of absentees who are still paid, the cabinet resolved that the previous committees that were formed to conduct and oversee payment of salaries in the state, were to be extended to the counties to continue polishing and clean out ghost names in the payrolls.

After the siting on Thursday, the state minister of information, Akech Deng, told Sudan Tribune, that the state had had a lot of financial difficulties as all the state money goes to salaries.

“We have a huge chapter one, employees are more than anything, and even the ghost names are many. There are those who are paid like twice, or three times in the state, it becomes awesome,” the minister explained to Sudan Tribune over the weekend.

“If you have two jobs, you may not do a half of your job, so the government is taking measures to make sure that every civil servant should be in the right work place. Any ghost name should be screened out, so the council has extended the committees of payments until farther notice,” Deng explained on Thursday.

The state government formed payment committees three months ago to screen out ghost names in the ministries' headquarters. These committees were said to have recovered thousands of money in the process, but the concerned officials from the finance ministry failed to tell the exact amount of money recovered, or the number of employees screened out by the committees.

Attempts made by Sudan Tribune to find out about the state grant that normally comes from the central government in Juba had not been successful. Even the total number of employees that existed in the state before this screening exercise, was not communicated either.

“All what we get from Juba goes to chapter one. Every now and then, there is money being recovered for people who don't report to work, or may be from the ghost names,” Deng continued.

This month salaries would be paid through the committees, if possible, in the counties.

“The people in the counties are going to be paid by the committees, to make, if you are not at your work place, the government will not pay you. If you have two names in the government, know that you will only go home with one salary,” he cautioned.

The cabinet also thought of reshuffling the cashiers and account controllers who served in grades 3 to 5, so that this issue of ghost names is completely brought to an end.

“Cashiers and account controllers, from grade three to five will be reshuffled in the ministries, so that there is a change,” Deng noticed.

Among the key ministries under question, education was expected to be the major ministry in which people had either resigned without giving notice to the management, or served in other places, thereby creating doubling of names.

“In education a lot of work needs to be done, because many teachers are not at the work stations. They have resigned without giving their resignation or they are working with NGOs [Non-governmental Organizations],” Deng said.

(ST)