Sudan Tribune

August 2, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Head of the African Union Office in Khartoum, Mahmoud Kan, revealed that the African mediation will meet with the opposition umbrella Sudan Call in Addis Ababa next week saying peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebel groups on Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile would be resumed subsequently.

Mbeki speaks to participants at the inaugral session of Strategic Consultations Meeting in Addis Ababa on 18 March 2016 (AUHIP Photo)

On Tuesday, Kan officially conveyed to Sudan's Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdel-Ghani al-Naem acceptance of the Sudan Call leaders to sign the Roadmap on August 8th and to participate in the peace talks on Darfur and the Two Areas.

In press statements following the meeting, Kan said the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) chief Thabo Mbeki has extended an invitation to the Sudanese government and the Sudan Call forces to participate in the Addis Ababa meeting from 8 to 11 August.

He pointed that the AUHIP would meet with the Sudan Call forces on August 8th to sign the Roadmap Agreement, saying talks on the cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian assistance would take place from 9 to 11 August.

Last March, the AUHIP proposed a Roadmap Agreement to the Sudanese government and some Sudan Call groups including the National Umma Party (NUP), Sudan People's Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM).

However, only Khartoum government signed the text while the four groups declined the text saying it would reproduce the regime. They later proposed a supplemental text to the peace plan including their demands.

For his part, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said that Kan has briefed al-Naem of the outcome of the AUHIP chief contacts with the Sudan Call leaders, saying the latter have agreed to come to Addis Ababa to sign the Roadmap and then resume peace talks on Darfur and the Two Areas.

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

According to Khidir, Mbeki has expressed optimism on the upcoming developments which would speed up the political settlement in Sudan.

Also, following a meeting of the Leadership Council of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Monday, NCP deputy chairman and presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid told reporters that a government delegation would travel to Addis Ababa from 9 to 10 August upon an invitation from the AUHIP.

He pointed to what he described as “positive signals” that the opposition would sign the Roadmap, saying the AUHIP would meet with the Sudan Call leaders on August 8th.

On Saturday, leader of the NUP) al-Sadiq al-Mahdi said Mbeki will meet the Sudan call forces on the 7th of August in Addis Ababa to discuss the Roadmap.

From 18 to 22 July, the Sudan Call forces tasked al-Mahdi to write a letter to Mbeki demanding to meet him in order to discuss their reservations on the Roadmap Agreement before its eventual signing.

According to the opposition umbrella, the chief mediator in a letter he sent on 23 June had explained that their demands for an inclusive national dialogue preparatory meeting and additional confidence building measures will be taken into account.

(ST)

August 2, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Authorities in Eastern Lakes said they started rehabilitating the 83-miles road linking Greater Yirol to Terekeka in Central Equatoria state.

Rumbek to Yirol road during rainy season (sosanews)

Rehabilitation involves installation of culverts and leveling potholes.

The state minister for physical infrastructure, Agok Manyiel said work on the road linking greater Bhar El Ghzal region to Central Equatoria state was agreed upon during the sixth governor's forum in Rumbek.

“During the sixth governors meeting in Rumbek, Yirol was given 100 miles of road to maintain starting from Yirol to inside Terekeka state. Now we have completed 83 miles and about 17 miles is remaining and will be completed within seven days to come,” said Agok.

About 300 heavy trucks loaded with several items are reportedly stranded between Kalthok and Tombek due to terrible road connection linking the two areas to Terekeka.

Meanwhile, work on the western part of Yirol to Rumbek reportedly started at a slow pace, with several traders complaining about swamps and potholes, which make it inaccessible by big trucks.

Last month, The governor of South Sudan's Tonj state, Akec Tong Aleu started the construction of the 110 kilometers roads which links Gok and Wau town.

Inaccessible roads hinder the delivery of basic goods and services to the people of Greater Bhar El Ghazal region and surrounding places of the disputed Abyei area.

(ST)

August 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese presidency on Monday welcomed the readiness of the opposition Sudan Call groups to sign the African Union brokered Roadmap Agreement saying it is a "wise and rational decision"

Sudan's first vice president Bakri Hassan Salih (Photo SUNA)

In a recent meeting held in Paris, the opposition Sudan Call groups agreed to meet the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki to discuss their reservations from the Roadmap Agreement before eventually signing it.

In a speech delivered in Kadugli capital of the troubled South Kordofan Monday, the First Vice President, Bakri Hassan Salih, praised the opposition decision, saying the opposition intention to sign the Roadmap Agreement would pave the way for Sudanese people to meet together and solve their country's issues.

"We have tried war and we are now in need of tolerance and reconciliation;" he said in a speech to mark the inauguration of Peace, Tourism and Investment Festival in Kadugli.

He further stressed that the national dialogue process would continue "until it reaches goals" and called on rebel groups to join peace process.

The Sudanese opposition groups are expected to meet the chief negotiator within two weeks. After what there would be an inclusive meeting in Addis Ababa to discuss the ceasefire and measures enabling the opposition and rebel leaders to arrive in Khartoum to discuss constitutional reforms including the demands of armed groups.

In a statement released Tuesday, SPLM-N Negotiating Team Spokesperson Mubarak Ardol reiterated that the Sudan Call forces are not concerned by the government controlled national dialogue which will convene a meeting next Saturday

"We are only concerned with the success of Addis Ababa meetings, which should establish an equal dialogue paving the way for a just peace," he said.

Ardol stressed on the need to adhere to a timetable to avoid endless discussions and attempts to manipulate the process by the Sudanese government.

The Vice President stressed that organizing the festival in Kadugli is a clear indicator for the prevailing peace and security after the operations military of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and government militias to restore security in the state.

He further said the government unilateral cessation of hostilities was not a result of weakness but a sign to show its strong political will to achieve peace.

“In the past when we visited South Kordofan Dshk machine guns where behind and in front of us, shells were falling in the town to force people to flee their homes, but today I see rainbow colours, celebrations and carnivals thanks to what the Sudanese Armed Forces do,” he said.

On a separate development, the newly appointed state minister for Defence, General Ali Mohamed Salim, has sworn in before President al-Bashir.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Salim said that SAF is keen to enhance security in Sudan, pointing that the army works with other security forces to protect the country's unity and achievements.

Concerning cessation of hostilities, Salim called on rebel groups to join dialogue to stop the bloodshed and achieve stability in the country.

Salim is the former head of SAF military intelligence.

(ST)

August 1, 2016 (GUIT) - Two senior South Sudan armed opposition (SPLM-IO) generals say they are in contact with Riek Machar, who was recently dropped from government.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar addresses a news conference in his office in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, August 31, 2015. (Photo REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri)

Machar was replaced by the SPLM-IO's former chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai last week, a move the armed opposition leader described as “illegal”.

But Maj. Gen Liah Diu, a senior military officer with the armed opposition, told Sudan Tribune he still remains loyal to Machar.

“I have never gone anywhere. I'm still in contact with my commander in chief Dr. Riek Machar. Those who wish me to defect to Taban Deng are great enemies of the movement,” he said.

Forces allied to two senior opposition generals reportedly clashed after one side declared allegiance to Gai at Neemni village.

Diu, however, confirmed he and Lt. Gen Dor Manjuor conducted a meeting with local chiefs in the area on the replacement of Machar by South Sudan President Salva Kiir.

He claimed most people in the area disagreed with the appointment of Gai, which they alleged was a tactical move by President Salva Kiir to divide the armed opposition faction.

South Sudan's newly-appointed vice-president reportedly dispatched Maj. Gen Carlo Kuol from Juba to the area to discuss and mobilize the community to support his new position.

But Diu insists some people were simply misled into backing Gai, stressing the Machar was still the legitimate leader of the armed opposition movement.

“It is not true the statement you received from commissioner and press secretary of Unity State governor. We were in the meeting yesterday as Guit county community on ground, but our position has been misunderstood by members of our comrades,” he explained.

Diu said they communicated the SPLM-IO leader on Monday and that the latter assured them of his support to the movement and the struggle to fight for a better South Sudan.

(ST)

August 2, 2016 (JUBA) – Spokesperson of the leadership of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), said forces loyal to President Salva Kiir have been defeated in all fronts around Juba and that the SPLA-IO troops are waiting for an order from their commander-in-chief to move on Juba.

SPLA soldiers drive past military tanks that were destroyed and abandoned in the recent fighting in the Jabel area of Juba, on July 16, 2016 (Reuters Photo)

Reached by Sudan Tribune on Tuesday morning, James Gatdet Dak has said that “Several hundreds of soldiers” belonging to President Kiir have been killed in the forests in the south, west and northwest of the national capital, Juba, as they tried to hunt for Machar, former first vice president who fled the town three weeks ago.

Machar left Juba with his “small number of troops” after battling President Kiir's forces for four days in the capital. The former first vice president said he left to save his life, de-escalate the situation in the capital and would return after a third party force is deployed in Juba.

Dak said over 10,000 of the SPLA forces have been defeated in the frontlines with some having now reported to have fled to United Nations protection of civilians cites in Juba, including three military Generals who have taken refuge and refused to go back to the front lines.

But he said only air raids using helicopter gunships is what the government is dwelling on.

“Our forces have defeated President Kiir's troops in all their frontlines. They have been dispersed in disarray. The government is not telling the truth about what is happening in the forests. Several hundreds of their troops have been killed and dozens of their military vehicles and other logistics captured,” said Dak.

“SPLA-IO forces are in upper hand as we speak and are only waiting for the right time and order from their commander-in-chief to take control of Juba. This will happen soon unless a third party force is deployed in Juba,” he further added.

The South Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable for comment on these claims.

Asked about SPLM-IO leader, Dak said their, Machar, is safe protected by his forces, saying that all the battles occurred in locations far from where he is situated. Also, he said that the opposition forces have received reinforcements from different locations in the country who have "besieged Juba without the government knowing".

Dak further claimed that Juba-Yei road and Juba-Mundri road have been closed by their forces, as well as taking control of northwest of Juba in Katigiri.

The spokesperson who said he has been in contact with his boss also announced that Machar has appointed Lt. General John Jok Gai, as Sector Commander for Central Equatoria, where he is deployed to coordinate the operations of the army divisions which are commanded by his junior officers including Major General John Kenyi, Major General Mabie Gaar, among other Major Generals in charge of different frontline locations in the area.

(ST)

August 1, 2106 (EL-FASHER) - Doctors at the main hospital in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state went on strike since July 28th to protest against government refusal to respond to their demands for improving working environment.

IDPs wait to be seen at an MSF health post in North Darfur state in 2010 (File Photo/MSF)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, general practitioners and intern doctors at El-Fasher Teaching Hospital said they launched the strike due to delay of their financial entitlements, deteriorating work environment and poor housing conditions.

“Our continued discussions with the hospital administration and the ministry [of health] didn't yield any results due to the administration's intransigence” read the statement

Last week, the director general of the Ministry of Health in North Darfur has sacked directors of several departments including the therapeutic medicine, basic health care, health planning and development, training and human resources development besides directors of thirty sub-departments.

The health sector in North Darfur suffers from administrative and financial problems besides the lack of qualified health professionals, medical equipments and the inappropriate doctors' housing.

(ST)

Eric Reeves August 1, 2016

It is telling that a visit to Khartoum by the U.S. Special Envoy for the Sudans, Donald Booth, generated not a single bit of international news coverage, even as his schedule was known to include a “fact-finding” trip to Darfur. According to one highly reliable Sudanese news source, the Khartoum regime didn't have to bother with requests from journalists asking to accompany Booth during his visit to Darfur: there weren't any. Among other things, this encourages Khartoum in its already strongly held belief that the world has forgotten about Darfur, and that it can simply wait for the final stages of “genocide by attrition” to accomplish themselves.

To be sure, the lack of non-Sudanese journalists is perhaps understandable, given the tight control by Military Intelligence and the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) over every moment Booth was in Darfur, every location to which he would travel—something that could easily have been foreseen on the basis of previous highly controlled “fact-finding” missions.

But at least Booth went to the right places: North Darfur and what is now called “Central Darfur” (formerly part of West Darfur). The latter is where the Jebel Marra massif is located, site of the particularly savage military assault by Khartoum's regular and militia forces beginning in January of this year. We still have no fully reliable figures for how many were displaced during the campaign on the ground and from the air; 200,000 seems a reasonable estimate based on UN figures and reports from Radio Dabanga and Sudan Tribune, although it may well be higher. We certainly have no data that can establish mortality totals, but the reports from these two Sudanese news sources, as well as a range of other sources, makes clear that the death toll has been very high, as have the number of rapes, assaults on villages, and instances of large-scale looting and destruction.

North Darfur is the location of what is somewhat loosely referred to as “East Jebel Marra,” the region east of the massif itself and heavily populated, primarily by people of the African Fur tribe. Over the past four years this region in North Darfur has seen the worst violence in all of Darfur, rivaling in intensity and brutality the early years of the genocide (see my January 2016 report on the mass rape of girls and women and “Changing the Demography”: Violent Expropriation and Destruction of Farmlands in Darfur, November 2014 – November 2015" [November 2015]).

Booth has become notorious for not making statements, according to a Sudanese journalist colleague, even when meeting with opposition groups in Paris or Addis Ababa. And true to form, Booth has so far made no statement during his current (and presumably now concluding) trip to Sudan. He did meet with some of those who have witnessed the horrors of recent years, and some apparently spoke honestly, acts of extraordinary courage. Booth was in Nierteti (Central Darfur) and Tawila (“East Jebel Marra” in North Darfur), scenes of some of the very worst human rights abuses and violent destruction. He reportedly also met with civil society representatives in el-Fasher, capital of North Darfur.

For their honesty, outspoken displaced persons and civil society representatives will pay a heavy price, as Radio Dabanga reported yesterday:

Agents of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) detained five men in Nierteti in Central Darfur today. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, multiple sources reported that Adam Siddig, of the Northern Nierteti camp for the displaced, and Abdelkarim Adam Abdelkarim, of the Southern Nierteti camp were held at the town's bus station this morning. Nasreldin Yousef and Adam Mohamed, the owner of a welding workshop, were detained in the market of Nierteti. Ahmed El Tijani Abdeljabar Yousef was taken from a house in the Dar El Naeem district. The sources said that the NISS officers seem to be still searching for others. Last week, the US special envoy for Sudan, Donald Booth, paid a visit to Darfur. In Nierteti, he reportedly spoke with a number of displaced (July 31, 2016).

Reporting today (August 1, 2016) Sudan Tribune offered a fuller account of events in Nierteti:

Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday has arrested at least 21 leaders of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the locality of Nirtiti, Central Darfur state following a meeting with the United States Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, said IDPs official. On July 26, the American envoy started a visit to Darfur states to assess the security and humanitarian situation on the ground particularly in Jebel Marra area. Deputy Chairman of IDPs and Refugees Association Adam Abdalla Idris told Sudan Tribune that the NISS is now making intensive efforts to arrest dozens of IDPs leaders after it accused them of providing Booth with misleading information pertaining to the security and humanitarian situation in the region particularly in areas of east Jebel Marra. He added that several IDPs leaders have disappeared from sight for fear of being arrested by the NISS, pointing the latter has a list including names of all IDPs who met with the American envoy.

According to Idris, a security source disguised as an IDP has attended the meeting with Booth and submitted a report including details of the meeting to the NISS. Idris pointed that the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), human rights groups operating in the area and the IDPs have provided identical reports to the American envoy including numbers of those killed in the recent clashes in Jebel Marra besides numbers of the newly displaced persons and the rape incidents. “The humanitarian situation is at its worst particularly after food and drug supply have stopped besides the lack of blankets and other basic necessities” he said. He added that the American envoy will likely delay his visit to South Darfur state in fear of subjecting dozens of IDPs to harassment and detention by the NISS.

[These reports are partially confirmed by another Darfuri source on the ground near Nierteti—ER]

Despite his reluctance to issues statements, it would seem incumbent upon Ambassador Booth to demand publicly that Khartoum provide assurances that his fact-finding mission did not result in the large-scale arrests of displaced persons, and that he be provided evidence of the safety of those with whom he spoke.

Not to speak out is to allow diplomatic tactical calculations to outweigh the clear risks to those who dared to speak with Booth, at his request, in order to provide what the U.S. surely already knows from the many reports that have appeared in the last year: from UN OCHA, from other UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, from Human Rights Watch (two important reports in 2015, focusing on the mass rape of girls and women at Tabit, East Jebel Marra, by Khartoum's regular army forces, and the ghastly predations of recent years by Khartoum's current militia force of choice, the Rapid Support Forces). The Special Envoy's office is also in possession of a great deal of research—including first-hand interviews of victims—that reveals the scope of human devastation from this year's campaign against the people of Jebel Marra.

Silence from Ambassador Booth at this critical moment in the lives of courageous Darfuris will be acquiescence in their fate, a fate his visit to their ravaged lands has worked to define.

Eric Reeves, Senior Fellow at Harvard University's François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights. To read more articles, please go to his blog www.sudanreeves.org

August 1, 2016 (JUBA) - Alfred Taban, a prominent journalist and chief editor of the daily English newspaper, Juba Monitor, has been released on bail but still faces charges.

Alfred Taban (Time-UA Photo)

Taban was arrested two weeks ago and detained by security personnel but was transferred from the National Security Service (NSS) headquarters on 22 July to police custody in Juba town.

He has been charged with ‘publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to South Sudan' and ‘undermining the authority of or insulting president Salva Kiir.

The veteran journalist prior to his arrest wrote an article which called for resignation of both President Kiir and his former first deputy, Riek Machar, for returning the country to war on 8 July.

He was released on bail in response to his request so that he could receive medical treatment for a previously existing health condition.

It is not clear whether or not he will be dragged to court to answer for the charges against the president.

(ST)

August 1, 2016 (ZALINGEI) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday has arrested at least 21leaders of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the locality of Nirtiti, Central Darfur state following a meeting with the United States Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, said IDPs official

On July 26, the American envoy started a visit to Darfur states to assess the security and humanitarian situation on the ground particularly in Jebel Marra area.

Deputy Chairman of IDPs and Refugees Association Adam Abdalla Idris told Sudan Tribune that the NISS is now making intensive efforts to arrest dozens of IDPs leaders after it accused them of providing Booth with misleading information pertaining to the security and humanitarian situation in the region particularly in areas of east Jebel Marra.

He added that several IDPs leaders have disappeared from sight for fear of being arrested by the NISS, pointing the latter has a list including names of all IDPs who met with the American envoy.

According to Idris, a security source disguised as an IDP has attended the meeting with Booth and submitted a report including details of the meeting to the NISS.

Idris pointed that the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), human rights groups operating in the area and the IDPs have provided identical reports to the American envoy including numbers of those killed in the recent clashes in Jebel Marra besides numbers of the newly displaced persons and the rape incidents.

“The humanitarian situation is at its worst particularly after food and drug supply have stopped besides the lack of blankets and other basic necessities” he said

He added that the American envoy will likely delay his visit to South Darfur state in fear of subjecting dozens of IDPs to harassment and detention by the NISS.

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.

JEM CONDEMNS IDPs DETENTION

Meanwhile, the rebel Justice and NEW Equality Movement (NJEM) has denounced the detention of the IDPs in Central Darfur state, demanding the international community and the UNAMID to defend the civilians against what it called “the brutality of the Sudanese security authorities”.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, NJEM spokesperson Adam Abdel-Rahman Yahia said that five IDPs leaders have been detained by the NISS from Jadid market in the locality of Nirtiti following their meeting with Booth.

“The IDPs and the families of the detainees are in a state of acute anxiety and horror in fear of the continued pursuit [by the NISS] against the IDPs leaders and some individuals inside the IDPs camps” the statement read

NJEM warned against the dire humanitarian situation in light of the absence of the humanitarian aid groups, calling on the U.S. government, Amnesty International and all rights group to immediately interfere to locate the detained IDPs and ensure their safety.

It described NISS's move as a dangerous sign that affirms the continued government violations in Darfur, pointing to the suspicious silence of the international community.

The statement further held the UNAMID responsible for the ongoing events in Darfur, accusing the mission of failing to protect civilians.

(ST)

August 1, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations has expressed concerns over the renewed clashes between South Sudan's warring factions in the Equatorian and parts of Upper Nile areas, saying these continued actions are in violation of the peace agreement, which the country's main rivals and other parties signed in August last year.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) jump off the back of a truck while on patrol in the capital, Juba, following the December 2013 outbreak of violence (Photo: Reuters)

“The UNMISS [UN mission in South Sudan] calls on all parties to return to their bases and allow the movement of humanitarian aid to affected areas,” it said in a statement.

According to the world body, tensions persisted in the capital, Juba, but no firearms were found in a search operation conducted at its protection of civilian site over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the United States has warned those taking actions threatening the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan, and those responsible for attacks on civilians or United Nations premises, saying they may be subjected to sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 2206 (2015).

The US, in a statement issued Saturday, also condemned in the “strongest” terms the continued fighting in Equatorian region and other areas of South Sudan in recent days.

“We call for an immediate halt to combat operations and full compliance with the ceasefire declared on July 11 and in the peace agreement,” said Mark Toner, the deputy spokesperson of the Department of State.

The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the African Union issued similar concerns on the matter.

According to the U.S, the “short-sighted” actions of South Sudan's leaders in recent weeks have exacerbated an already intolerable humanitarian crisis as large portions of the country are facing emergency levels of food insecurity.

“The people of South Sudan should have the opportunity to build their country and pursue their aspirations in peace,” said Toner, further adding, “Instead they are facing the further untold suffering of continued conflict”.

A recent report from the UN gave horrific accounts of civilian killings and a rise in the number of government soldiers in uniform raping and gang raping women and girls who have taken refuge in UN protection of civilian sites.

The world body, for instance, documented about120 cases of sexual violence in South Sudan in the last two weeks.

“Those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of international humanitarian law - including those who order or incite violence, or encourage or contribute to the commission of crimes - will be held accountable,” said Toner.

Washington, in a statement, also reminded all parties that the peace agreement provides that the Hybrid Court for South Sudan will have jurisdiction over violations of international law committed during the transitional period, including those committed during the ongoing violence.

Last month, skirmishes between force loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar in the capital, Juba left over 270 soldiers dead.

The recent wave of violence, the UN says, has displaced over 40,000 civilians.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (YAMBIO) – The governor of Gbudue, one of South Sudan's new states has reappointed the former commissioner of Tombura county, months after his sacking.

Gbudue state governor Patrick Zamoi speaking to journalists at in Nzara airstrip March 4, 2016 (ST)

Patrick Raphael Zamoi's decree re-appointing Charles Babiro Gbamisi as the new county commissioner was read on the state-owned Yambio Fm over the weekend.

Babiro was appointed by former governor, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro after the 2010 general elections, serving as commissioner of Tombura county for five years before his removal by the current governor in January this year to the dismay of the masses,

Simon Gbiafuko, a youth from Tombura, lauded Babiro's re-appointment, describing the latter as developmental-oriented.

According to Gbiafuko, Babiro did a lot of developmental activities more than any other previous commissioners of Tombura county during his term which includes water network supplying the residential, local electricity using generators to light the town and above all he cooperated and worked together with the community.

“I am very happy to hear the breaking news that our commissioner Charles Babiro has been reappointed to assume his office again because people of Tombura county were not happy for his removal,” he told Sudan Tribune over phone from Tombura.

The re-appointment Babiro, sources say, did not come as a surprise the people owing to his record on effective service delivery in the community, while others claimed the community declined to propose names for the post and wanted Babiro re-appointed.

(ST)

Lam Akol, chairman of South Sudan's main opposition party (AFP/Samir Bol Photo)

August 1, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Leader of the South Sudan's National Alliance parties and chairman of the Democratic Party (DC), Lam Akol Ajawin, said he has resigned from all his party and government positions to protest government's lack of commitment to the peace agreement.

Akol said the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) is “dead” and will, from now on, join with the “like-minded” to “broaden” an opposition “outside Juba” to tackle the ongoing situation in the country.

“This is to inform the public that I have on the 28th of July tendered my resignation to the National Alliance as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TgoNU) and also as their representative in the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC),” said Ajawin in a press statement he issued on Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

He was nominated to the positions by the alliance of 17 political parties in the country.

“These positions were necessitated by the implementation of the Agreement for Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan signed in August 2015. There is no more a peace agreement to implement in Juba. President Salva Kiir has dealt it a final blow with his actions since the first week of jolly culminating in the military attack on the first vice president, dislodging him from Juba and invoking his absence to fill his position with a person of his choice in the name of SPLM-IO. One cannot with a clear conscience serve under such a regime,” he said.

He said he could no longer work with the party of president Kiir in the unity government, charging that President Kiir and his acolytes did not hide their rejections of peace agreement.

“He has been putting obstacle after obstacle on the way of its implementation and violating it with impunity. He cited creation of 28 states, refusing to implement security arrangements, stalling reconstitution of the transitional legislative assembly, preventing the ceasefire and transitional security arrangement monitoring mechanism from carrying out its duty to observe and report on ceasefire violation,” he added.

The opposition leader accused President Salva Kiir of abrogating the August 2015 peace deal, adding that appointing Taban Deng Gai to replace Riek Machar, leader of the armed oppositon faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), was meant to destroy the peace accord.

“The violent events that took place in Juba in the first week of July were pre-meditated and well planned. The SPLM-IO's small force was provoked into an uneven confrontation,” he said.

“While Kiir's forces hunt for Dr. Riek Machar to get him “dead or alive” they should be reminded that that will not be the end of the story. The genie is out of the bottle and the last laugh will not be theirs. The people of South Sudan will not stand more of a callous, totalitarian and ethno-centric regime that seems to thrive on the suffering of its people,” he added, with the statement he signed as “former” chairman of the DC party.

It is not clear whether or not the leader of the country's largest non-armed opposition party will forge an opposition alliance with the Machar against President Kiir.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (JUBA) – The United States has warned those taking actions threatening the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan, and those responsible for attacks on civilians or United Nations premises, saying they may be subjected to sanctions under the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 2206 (2015).

US president Barack Obama meets with South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit in New York on 21 September 2011 (Photo: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The U.S., in a statement, condemned in the “strongest” terms the continued fighting in Equatoria region and other areas of South Sudan in recent days.

“We call for an immediate halt to combat operations and full compliance with the ceasefire declared on July 11 and in the peace agreement,” said Mark Toner, the deputy spokesperson of the Department of State said in a 30 July statement.

The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the African Union issued similar concerns over the fighting, which has continued, despite a declared ceasefire.

According to the U.S, the “short-sighted” actions of South Sudan's leaders in recent weeks have exacerbated an already intolerable humanitarian crisis as large portions of the country are facing emergency levels of food insecurity.

“The people of South Sudan should have the opportunity to build their country and pursue their aspirations in peace,” said Toner, further adding, “Instead they are facing the further untold suffering of continued conflict”.

A recent report from the UN gave horrific accounts of civilian killings and a rise in the number of government soldiers in uniform raping and gang raping women and girls who have taken refuge in UN protection of civilian sites. The world body documented at least 120 cases of sexual violence in South Sudan in the last two weeks.

“Those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of international humanitarian law - including those who order or incite violence, or encourage or contribute to the commission of crimes - will be held accountable,” stressed the US official.

The US reminded all parties that the peace agreement provides that the Hybrid Court for South Sudan will have jurisdiction over violations of international law committed during the transitional period, including those committed during the ongoing violence.

Last month, skirmishes between force loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar in the capital, Juba left over 270 soldiers dead. The recent outbreak of violence, the UN says, has displaced more than 40,000 civilians.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) on Sunday has kicked off its sixth convention renewing its rejection for the ongoing government-led national dialogue and the political settlement.

The sixth convention is being held amid sharp divisions within the SCP following the recent decision of the party's Central Committee to suspend and dismiss 27 leading figures.

In his address during the opening session, SCP Political Secretary Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khatib appeared to have deliberately avoided mentioning the internal differences and the reasons for the dismissal of prominent figures.

He stressed that the SCP sticks to the popular uprising as means to overthrow the regime, saying they would “continue to engage in the common struggle to restore democracy, stop the war, achieve just peace and balanced development, pay reparations and return IDPs and refugees to their original villages”.

Al-Khatib underlined that his party seeks to establish the rules of good governance and apply the principle of non-impunity, saying they would hold accountable all those who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity and bring the corrupt before justice.

He added that the SCP also seeks to hold a national constitutional conference during the four-year interim period which would follow the removal of the regime, underscoring his party's rejection for the military coups as means to gain power.

The SCP political secretary further stressed that his party struggles to consolidate the peaceful transfer of power, accusing some political parties, which he didn't name, of seeking hinder the popular uprising.

He pointed to several schemes for resolving the Sudanese crisis including the government-led national dialogue and the “soft landing” plan advocated by the international community.

“We absolutely reject the imperialistic settlement through soft landing because it threatens Sudan's unity,” he said

Al-Khatib said the international community and the African Union seek to push the opposition to sign the Roadmap Agreement and join the national dialogue without giving any guarantees to meet and implement the dialogue's requirements.

Last March, the Sudanese government signed a Roadmap Agreement for peace and dialogue proposed by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

Some political parties and armed groups from the opposition umbrella “Sudan Call” and the opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) said they will likely sign the peace roadmap after a meeting that would be held with the chief African mediator Thabo Mbeki in Addis Ababa on August 7th.

However, some NCF parties including the SCP, Arab Ba'ath Party (ABP), the Unified Democratic Unionist Party and the Nasserite Socialist Party refuse to endorse the peace plan, saying it wouldn't make a real change in the structure of the regime.

Al-Khatib further called on SCP leaders and cadres to work among the Sudanese people to reach the desired change and establish the national democratic state, vowing to achieve the social justice and enable the effective participation of citizens in the decision-making.

It is noteworthy that representatives from the French Communist Party, Iraqi Communist Party and South Sudanese Communist Party have attended the opening session.

Also, representatives from the Sudanese opposition parties including the National Umma Party (NUP), Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) and the Nasserite Socialist Party (NSP) have attended the opening session while the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) didn't participate in the session.

The sixth convention is expected to elect a Politburo and Central Committee besides naming a new political secretary.

The SCP was established in 1946 under the name of the “Anti Colonialism Front” and it was later known as the “Sudanese Movement for National Liberation” before its final name was adopted in 1956.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - In a meeting held in the Sudanese capital on Sunday, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Partners Group has called on the South Sudanese parties to stop hostilities around Juba and to put the peace process back on track.

The JMEC partners held their third meeting on the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), discussed the current situation in the country and what can be done to convince the warring parties to re-commit themselves to stop hostilities.

Co-chaired by Sudan and China, the meeting was attended by JMEC chairperson Festus Mogae, UN secretary general representative in South Sudan, U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth and a number of representatives of Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Chad, Norway, the United Kingdom, the African Union Commission, the European Union, the IGAD Partners Forum and the United Nations.

In a statement released after the meeting, the group said they received from the ceasefire monitoring mechanism reports about renewed clashes in the areas around Juba, the Equatoria states and other parts of southern Sudan.

The JMEC partners added that the resumption of hostilities represents a violation of the peace agreement, and expressed deep concern about the situation saying it might deteriorate further.

The Group "condemns in the strongest terms the recent armed clashes that have erupted between the parties. It believes that operations targeting opposition leaders expose the country to unprecedented levels of violence and must be stopped immediately," stressed the text of the statement received by Sudan Tribune in Arabic.

In press statements, Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour who co-chaired the meeting the Chinese Special Envoy Zhong Jianhua pointed that the meeting came amid critical conditions after the recent renewal of fighting in Juba

Ghandour said the meeting was briefed by Mogae and the head of UNMISS Ellen Margrethe Loj who agreed on the need to put the implementation of the peace agreement back on track, and to stop hunting Machar and his forces in the conflict areas particularly, Western and Central Equatoria and to join the negotiating table.

The Sudanese foreign minister said his country is deeply concerned about the renewal of fighting in Juba, and attempts to foil regional and international efforts to achieve peace between warring parties.

He stressed the need to abide by the decisions of IGAD meeting in Nairobi and the African Union summit in Kigali.

The Sudanese top diplomat said the participants agreed on the need for more efforts from the ARCSS sponsors to end the fighting between the warring factions.

Regarding the appointment of Taban Deng Gai as First Vice President, Ghandour said the meeting called on president Salva Kiir to stick to the peace agreement as the main reference in the peace implementation.

JMEC statement said deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in the South Sudan and called on the government to allow and facilitate unfettered humanitarian access throughout the country.

It further condemned in the strongest terms the continued restrictions hindering the movement of the ceasefire monitoring teams and UNMISS personnel, and called on the South Sudanese government to take the necessary measures to clear these hindrances.

Also meeting pointed to the killing of UNMISS personnel and called for a thorough investigation and to hold accountable those involved in ceasefire violations and recent abuses.

(ST)

Related Article:

Heavy fighting reported around Juba, as SPLA-IO claims closing in

July 30, 2016 (BOR) – The government of South Sudan's Jonglei state has been urged to support orphans and widows of those who died in the struggle for independence and subsequent wars that followed.

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

Speaking on behalf of the widows and orphans in Jonglei state, Sahara Achuei Lem, said orphans and widows desperately need government support in their lives, calling for immediate assistance.

“I think about what we have done so far to honor the dead who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country. What support are you giving orphans and widows? War disabled are not only those who were amputated or suffered gunfire. All people in South Sudan are either disabled mentally or physically and need support through delivery of better services”, she said.

Achuei lost her father and husband in 1991 and 1994 respectively.

The governor of Jonglei state, Philip Aguer vowed to act on requests and demands from the public to support the people of South Sudan.

“For us not be cursed by our martyrs, let us commit and devote ourselves for the public and future interest of our nation building, disregard selfishness and narrow interest”, said Aguer on Saturday.

Diing Akol Diing, the advisor to the state governor, equally admitted that various lives lost helped South Sudan raise its flag on 9 July 2011, urging the government to open up opportunities that would benefit orphans and the disabled people in the country.

Adoor Mabior, a member of parliament in Bor, said there was need for peace and reconciliation if the young nation is to remain stable.

“If we need change in our societies, let there be peace, let there be love and forgiveness”, said Adoor.

Peter Wall Athiu, said struggles for total freedom was still ongoing, citing the hundreds of people in the recent fighting that started in Juba on 8 July, as another phase of struggle for total freedom.

Meanwhile, Gen. Malual Majok, who spoke on behalf of the army, assured people that the military would protect them in case of any attack, warning them not to be driven away by street rumors.

“Despite the fighting in J1[presidential palace], the government is still committed to peace. We observed and respect the ceasefire. We will only act in self-defense if attacked”, said Malual.

Over the last few weeks, people in Jonglei have been living in fear, of possible attacks that might come from Lou Nuer, but Majok said the army would fully protect civilians.

“We are prepared and ready to face them. If they come, they will get us, and if they don't come, we will not go to them. So do not be driven away by rumors”, he stressed.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (BENTIU) – At least 30 soldiers and three army generals of the SPLA-IO have defected to the government controlled Bentiu town, in support of the newly appointed First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai. The officers defected from Riek Machar's faction.

Two generals who defected come from Guit area, the home county of Taban Deng, the First Vice President, following a closed-door meeting on Friday at a remote village of Neemni, a suburb located southwest of Guit county.

The generals include Lt. Gen Dor Monyju,r a former militia's commander during Sudanese civil war and Maj. Gen Liah Diu, all from Jikany-Nuer of Unity state, who were Gai's former allies to during a time he was a governor of the state.

Another general who joined is Maj. Gen Makal Kuol Deng and Lt. Col Gatyoai Chidong all from Bul-Nuer and are believed to have escaped on Sunday night according to report.

Major Weirial Puok Baluang, spokesperson for the Machar's appointed opposition governor of Unity state, has confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Sunday that two generals allied to Gai have disserted the SPLA-IO with few bodyguards and have reported themselves to the government led by President Salva Kiir.

“We would like to inform our people that, Gen. Makal Kuol Deng and Lt. Col Gatnyoai Chidong along with 12 guards deserted sector two at 3:00am night. We believe the intention of the two comrades is to join Taban Deng who is desperately in need of soldiers,” he said.

The opposition appointed commissioner, Maj. General, Hoth Chuol, told Sudan Tribune that his forces clashed with bodyguards of Lt. General Dor Monyjur and Liah Diu, claiming they went away with 30 body guards and heading toward Bentiu town to join President Kiir's forces.

General Monyjur reportedly left Juba few days ago on the mission Gai sent him to in his home county of Guit to try to woe soldiers on his side in the area, but was reportedly resisted and decided to flee towards Bentiu.

However, a bodyguard of the newly appointed First Vice President, Gai, told Sudan Tribune that there are many generals on the ground who may support his boss, adding “it is just a matter of time, things will turn around.”

He said they are expecting massive defections from the rebel leader Riek Machar's camp to join them in the peace implementation with President Salva Kiir.

Most people had feared the new first vice president may use the money to bribe the generals and soldiers who were desperately fighting for the last two years and a half without money.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (KAMPALA) - A Canadian company sold over 170 armoured vehicles to South Sudan army during the country's brutal civil war, a United Nations report shows.

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

According to The Globe and Mail, the armoured vehicles sold to South Sudan were manufactured by Canadian-owned Streit Group at a factory in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UN panel said the armoured vehicles from Streit Group belonged to the South Sudanese army, but were imported and maintained by Crown Automobiles, a company owned by Obac William Olawo, a South Sudan businessman allegedly with close connections to President Salva Kiir.

Founded in Ontario in the 1990s and owned by Canadian businessman Guerman Goutorov, Streit Group is “the world's leading manufacturer of armoured vehicles.”

Some of the vehicles, it said, were observed in heavy combat zones, citing a report from arms-control advocacy entity.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in South Sudan's worst-ever outbreak of violence since it seceded from neighbouring Sudan in July 2011.

Since 2014, however, human-rights observers, including UN experts, have documented how South Sudan's army has allegedly engaged in massacres, rapes, looting, arbitrary arrests and killing of civilians since war erupted in the nation.

The UN Secretary General, early this month, urged the 15-member Security Council to impose an immediate arms embargo, enact additional targeted sanctions on leaders and commanders blocking implementation of the peace deal after renewed fighting between the country's rival factions left over 270 soldiers dead in the capital, Juba.

China and Russia have often stood in the way of the Security Council's approval of an arms embargo on South Sudan.

Arms exports to South Sudan is considered a violation of the international Arms Trade Treaty, approved by the UN General Assembly in 2013 and has since then been ratified by 133 nations.

In April, a UN panel reportedly accused Streit Group of violating an international arms embargo on Libya in 2012 by selling armoured vehicles to the country without obtaining advance approval from a UN sanctions committee.

A spokesman for Canada's Global Affairs department reportedly said this week that the federal government “takes seriously” the issue of arms exports, but he described Streit's sale of armoured vehicles to the world's youngest nation as a transaction between that country and the UAE, since the vehicles were manufactured in a UAE factory.

However, when arms equipment is manufactured outside Canada, even if the company is Canadian-owned, the federal government reportedly considers those sales to be outside the jurisdiction of Canada's export controls.

Meanwhile, a separate report, by the US-based advocacy group, Control Arms, reportedly described how the SPLA used 50 Cougar and Typhoon armoured personnel carriers that it obtained from Streit Group's UAE factory between 2012 and 2014 for $9-million.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front led by Malik Agar (SRF-Agar) Sunday said it wouldn't take part in any dialogue that preserves the current regime and doesn't meet aspiration of the Sudanese people to establish a state based on equal citizenship rights for all Sudanese.

Members of the sudanese opposition groups meet outside the French capital Paris on November 12, 2015 (ST Photo)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, the SRF-Agar said its political committee has received a report from the umbrella's delegate to the Sudan Call meetings, Yasir Arman.

From 18 to 22 July, the opposition groups of the Sudan Call umbrella held crucial discussions in Paris on the African Union Roadmap Agreement and political structures of the opposition umbrella.

They tasked the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) al-Sadiq al-Mahdi to write a letter to the chief African mediator Thabo Mbeki demanding to meet him in order to discuss their reservations on the Roadmap Agreement before its eventual signing.

On Saturday, al-Mahdi announced that Mbeki will meet the Sudan Call forces on the 7th of August in Addis Ababa.

Last March, the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) proposed a Roadmap Agreement to the Sudanese government and some Sudan Call groups including the NUP, Sudan People's Liberation Movement North, Justice and Equality Movement, and Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi.

However, only Khartoum government signed the text while the four groups declined the text saying it would reproduce the regime. They later proposed a supplemental text to the peace plan including their demands.

The political committee of the SRF-Agar pointed to positive developments contained in the letter that Mbeki sent to al-Mahdi, saying the chief mediator promised to take into account the Sudan Call reservations on some items of the Roadmap Agreement.

It stressed that the SRF-Agar would work alongside the Sudan Call forces to engage in an equal dialogue to be preceded by implementing measures to create the conducive climate including stopping the war, delivering humanitarian assistance to the needy population in the war areas, allowing freedoms and releasing political detainees.

The rebel alliance vowed not to participate in a dialogue that keeps in place “the state of corruption and tyranny”, saying it wouldn't be part of a dialogue that doesn't meet aspiration of the Sudanese people to establish the state of equal citizenship.

“There is no power in the world that could force us to do something that is not acceptable by our people and their revolutionary vanguard” the statement read

The statement pointed the political committee meeting has reviewed the details of the correspondence between the Sudan Call leadership and the AUHIP, saying it included proper and transparent procedures.

The SRF-Agar added that it would develop a strategic view to participate in the upcoming meeting with Mbeki to achieve the objectives agreed upon, saying it endorsed the structure of the Sudan Call which was approved in the Paris meeting.

It is noteworthy that the Paris meeting has approved the structures of the executive bodies and leadership of the Sudan Call.

The Leadership Council which is made up of 20 members representing the five blocks will take the major decisions of opposition umbrella. Its president will be selected by consensus.

The Executive Council will be tasked with the mass mobilization besides, political and diplomatic activities inside and outside Sudan. It will be headed by a chairperson and his deputy, and consists of eight sectors.

(ST)

July 31, 2016 (JUBA) – Heavy fighting has continued in the bushes around the South Sudanese national capital, Juba, with opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) claiming to be closing in on the capital with the aim to take it over.

The fighting is reported to have been taking place inside deep forests in different locations on Juba-Yei road, Juba-Mundri road and in the northwest of the capital between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition forces loyal to the relieved First Vice President, Riek Machar.

“Heavy fighting has been going on for the past three days. President Salva Kiir's forces have been on offensive against our forces. They are hunting for the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, with the aim to eliminate him. However, our forces have been fighting back in self-defence,” said James Gatdet Dak, Machar's spokesperson.

He said their forces have been repulsing the attacks and have inflicted heavy losses on the forces loyal to President Kiir with “several hundreds of them killed in the forests” and a number of areas captured in Lanya county and Katigiri.

He also claimed that the opposition forces have captured up to 21 military trucks and logistics, including bull dozers, urols [big trucks] and small pickup trucks, in addition to different types of rifles.

Dak added that the opposition forces have besieged Juba from different directions and will be forced to move on to the capital to take control of it and restore law and order.

“My leadership has been calling for prompt deployment of a third party force to separate the two forces so that the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, can return to Juba and continue with the implementation of the peace agreement without threats of return to violence in the capital. But if this does not happen and President Kiir's forces continue to attack our forces with the aim to eliminate Dr. Machar, our forces will be forced to capture Juba,” he said.

He further said that their forces have closed both the Juba-Yei road and Juba-Mundri roads and are closing in on Juba.

Dak said taking control of Juba by the opposition forces would put to an end the ongoing attacks on their forces and restore peace and security in the capital and beyond.

Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the level of casualties involved in the ongoing fighting in the thick forests as it is difficult to know what is happening and no official statement has been made by the government.

A military official loyal to President Kiir told Sudan Tribune that he believed there have been “heavy losses” on both sides, more than the losses incurred at J1 and Jebel Kujur's two days of fighting.

South Sudan's government on Friday in a cabinet meeting chaired by President Kiir resolved not to allow a third party force to deploy in Juba, saying the current 12,000 peacekeepers of the United Nations are enough and only their mandate can be negotiated and reviewed.

However, on Sunday, there were unconfirmed reports that the government's security officials held a security meeting with the aim to review the Friday's decision in the wake of the threats by the opposition forces to take over Juba.

Meanwhile, civilians have continued to flee from the capital in fear of imminent fighting in Juba, with dozens of government troops fleeing into the United Nations camps in the outskirt of the capital.

(ST)