Sudan Tribune

July 17, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government on Sunday said it has evacuated 1473 of its nationals from South Sudan following the recent bloody clashes in the newborn state.

The committee tasked with following up on the conditions of the Sudanese citizens in conflict areas revealed that 1473 out of 3000 persons who expressed desire to return to Sudan from South Sudan have been evacuated so far.

An official at the operation room set up by the Sudanese Working Abroad Authority (SWAA) to follow up on the evacuation procedures said that 376 people have arrived at Khartoum airport from Juba on Sunday.

He told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that they are continuing to register Sudanese nationals who wish to voluntarily return to the country, pointing to the continued coordination with the Sudanese embassy in Juba to monitor the situation of the Sudanese in the various parts of South Sudan.

Head of communities and migration department at the SWAA, Al-Rahid Abd al-Latif , on Friday said that the number of the Sudanese nationals in South Sudan is around 50.000 persons, among them 3000 facing difficult situations and willing to return home.

On July 7th, fighting erupted in South Sudan's capital Juba between followers of President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, the former rebel leader who became vice president under a deal to end a two-year civil war.

The violence, which has killed hundreds of people, broke out as the world's newest nation prepared to mark five years of independence from Sudan on July 9.

In response to the mounting pressure from the international community, the rival leaders have unilaterally declared cessation of hostilities to stop the fighting.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese opposition umbrella of the Sudan Call forces would hold a meeting in Paris from 18 to 23 July to discuss its structures besides the Roadmap Agreement and coordination with other opposition forces.

Leaders of the opposition "Sudan Call" sign an agreement on the alliance's structures in Paris on 22 April 2016 (ST Photo)

The “Sudan Call”, which was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, includes the National Umma Party (NUP) and rebel umbrella of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), the National Consensus Forces and the Civil Society Initiative (CSI).

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) said it wouldn't participate in the Paris meeting, pointing that the NCF has not taken a collective decision regarding the participation of the alliance in the meeting.

However, the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), which is also a member of the NCF, said its chairman Omer Youssef al-Digair has travelled to Paris on Sunday to take part in the Sudan Call meeting.

Also, the NCF leader Farouk Abu Issa is expected to participate in the Paris meeting.

The NCF, which consists of SCP, SCoP, a faction of the Democratic Unionist Party, some national Arab groups says the regime is not credible and points that the popular uprising is the best way to achieve regime change.

Meanwhile, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, the NUP hoped that Paris meeting would complete the organizational structures of the alliance to achieve its goals, stressing its commitment to engage in an equal dialogue.

The NUP also underscored its keenness to maintain the joint stance of the Sudan Call forces, stressing that it wouldn't sign the Roadmap unilaterally.

It pointed to the popular uprising as an effective means to overthrow the authoritarian regimes, saying the regime continued to violate all agreements in order to hold on to power.

Earlier this month, the NUP leader said the Sudan Call will likely sign the Roadmap after Paris meeting.

Sudan Call forces had earlier disclosed that international parties including the United States (US) are making efforts to convince them to endorse the Roadmap.

Last March, the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) proposed a roadmap agreement to the Sudanese government and four opposition groups from the Sudan Call forces.

However, only Khartoum government signed the framework text while the four groups declined the text, saying the Roadmap would reproduce the regime.

The opposition groups handed over a supplemental document to Mbeki and vowed to reconsider their rejection of the Roadmap if he accepts it to ensure that the Roadmap becomes a gateway to an equal, serious and fruitful dialogue.

The Sudanese government declined to accept the opposition supplemental document on the Roadmap, saying the peace plan is definitive and cannot be modified.

Khartoum has received widespread international and regional support for the signing of the Roadmap. The UN chief, African Union chairperson, the United Kingdom and the United States have also urged the opposition groups to join the peace plan.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has given his first deputy, Riek Machar, ultimatum to return to the national capital, Juba, and resume his duties or risk being replaced with someone from his faction, an official told Sudan Tribune on Sunday

Riek Machar, left, first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan, and Salva Kiir, the president, at the first meeting of the new transitional coalition government in Juba, South Sudan, in April, 2016 (Jason Patinkin/AP)

Machar fled from Juba on Monday, 11 July, following a deadly armed confrontation at the presidential palace, resulting to the death of more than 300 rival soldiers and civilians, with 37 soldiers reportedly from Machar's side.

President Kiir, according to a presidential source, said he started consultations with some of his confidants and some officials from Machar's faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in unity government about the matter.

"The transitional government of national unity cannot be held hostage because of Riek. If he does not want to come out from his hiding despite all the assurances of protection, even with the president coming [out] himself to declare to chairman of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and special envoy of the African Union that he will stay together with him if he feels unsafe staying alone, then the president has the right to appoint anyone from SPLM-IO to replace him," a presidential source told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

The official said there were several senior members of Machar's armed opposition faction from which a nominee could be found to replace him to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement as well as rendering services to the people instead of waiting for other negotiations.

"There are many members of the SPLM-IO here in Juba. The minister of Mining, Taban Deng Gai, who was chief negotiator during the peace talks can be appointed," he revealed.

Also, Bol Makueng, Secretary of Information in the SPLM faction of President Salva Kiir on Sunday revealed in a statement over the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) that if Machar did not return within a given time, he will be replaced with alternative leader.

He said this was resolved in the SPLM political bureau meeting under the leadership of President Kiir.

Sources said Taban Deng Gai and Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth are leading a campaign to replace Machar, but other SPLM-IO officials have reportedly refused.

Taban Deng has been a controversial figure in the SPLM-IO, with allegations since last year suggesting that he was recommended to President Kiir by the Jieng [Dinka] Council of Elders (JCE) to replace Machar.

But others said Deng has no popularity among the Nuer and his ascending to the senior government position may drive away President Kiir's Bul-Nuer allies who disliked him.

The South Sudanese president this week dismissed the deputy minister of foreign affairs and regional cooperation, Cirino Hiteng. The official is from the former detainees and the decision to remove him was seen as a violation of the peace agreement.

In the agreement, President Kiir has no power to replace an official from another partner in the transitional government of national unity unless recommended to him by the top leader of that particular party.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 ((EL-FASHER) - The governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef announced on Saturday the return of a Border Guards militia officer Musab al-Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud, who defected in October 2013, with his troops and weapons.

The defected group members were discharged from the service upon their movement to Mellit area during an attack by the rebels in October 2013.

First Lieutenant Mahmoud who defected with his 700 militiamen, is now integrated in the Rabid Support Forces (RSF).

Addressing the RSF in El Kuma area of North Darfur, the governor pledged to put an end to any injustice against the government forces, in accordance with the military disciplines.

The governor has welcomed the return of the first lieutenant Mahmoud, urging everybody to show respect to their leadership and to the body to which they belong.

The commander of the sixth infantry division Major General Ashraf Al-Rifa'ai has meanwhile announced the end of differences with the renegade group, and praised them for their cooperation.

Al-Rifa'ai also appreciated the role of the mediators who managed to solve the crisis, saying that “it is easy to defect, but it is difficult to join peace”.

He further affirmed that Mahmoud has become safe after his return, stating that “we welcome him inside the army”.

“We would like to tell Ziyadia and Berti that Mahmoud is not keener than us to protect you”, he added.

Mahmoud and his soldiers deserted their military unit in South Kordofan and returned to Mallit to protect the tribes of Berti and Ziyadia after rebel attacks on the area.

To punish their bad conduct, the military command ordered the formation of a court-martial. But the lieutenant defected with his troops.

In his speech, Mahmoud extended his apology to the armed forces and the citizens for whatever he did.

“This is a new page and a break with the past. The country cannot afford conflict anymore”, he added.

He announced that the vehicles and the military equipment in their possession are now at the disposal of the military command, and called on the rebels to join peace.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) Security Authorities in South Sudan have on Saturday issued a directive shutting down an independent English newspaper, hours before arresting its founding editor.

Alfred Taban (Time-UA Photo)

Alfred Taban, the Editor in Chief of the Juba Monitor, was arrested after having received several telephone calls from security service to report their headquarters in Jebel.

"I am now on the way to them. They called the associate editor and also my number but I could not hear because I had placed the telephone on silence, when I was in the prayer services in the church. They called Ann Nimiriano and they told her they were looking for her and me," Taban told Sudan Tribune when reached to know why the security services were looking for him.

The Associate Editor ,Ann Nimiriano Nunu, confirmed in a separate interview when reached on Saturday on the same matter that she received several calls from the security looking for Alfred and herself.

"I went with him (Alfred) to the headquarters of the security because they asked us to go, so we went. they called several times when Alfred was in the church", Nunu told Sudan Tribune on Saturday .

"He was arrested in my presence", she added.

Nunu said security services were reacting to Taban's call for resignation of President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President, Riek Machar in his "Let Us Speak Out" column, published on Friday's edition about the situation in the country.

Alfred, said he, is convinced that Kiir and Machar would never work together in uniting the country.

"They have ordered the closure of the paper", she added.

"So we are not coming out tomorrow and we don't know when they will allow us to operate again," she said.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (NYALA) - Unidentified gunmen have stormed a house in Al-Salam neighbourhood in South Darfur state capital, Nyala killing one woman and severely wounding her son.

Internally displaced women carry food to their shelter at Alsalam camp - ElFasher 7 Nov 2010 (Reuters)

A family relative of the victims by the name of Salih Nyam told Sudan Tribune that 3 masked men broke into the victims' home in the early morning hours on Saturday and opened fire on the family members who attempted to resist them.

He pointed that a woman died immediately and her son sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Nyala Teaching Hospital, saying the perpetrators fled toward the north-eastern part of the town.

According to Nyam, the security organs failed to arrest the culprits despite its readiness and wide presence across the town.

He further said that hundreds of residents have attended the funeral at A-Salam cemetery and expressed anger that perpetrators have evaded justice.

In a separate incident, 3 gunmen have stormed the house of Al-Fadil Issa, an employee working for the locality of Nyala, in Al-Khartoum Bellail neighbourhood at 3:00 am (local time) on Saturday and stole his property at gunpoint before fleeing to an unknown destination.

Nyala residents have recently expressed concern over the return of the lawlessness situation which prevailed in Nyala before imposing the emergency situation.

Following several looting and killing incidents last month, South Darfur state deployed large military reinforcements to enhance security and curb looting crimes in Nyala.

Since July 2014, the governor of South Darfur Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared an indefinite emergency situation in the state, including a curfew from 07:00 pm to 07:00 am (local time) in Nyala.

The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without license plates, and wearing a kadamool (a turban which covers the face).

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (NAIROBI) – World leaders should uphold to commitments made during the 2012 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in Doha.

Panelists at the civil society forum in Nairobi, Kenya July 15, 2016 (Photo credit:TJN-A))

The call from civil society organisations came as the UNCTAD Secretary General, Mukhisa Kituyi opened a forum in Nairobi, Kenya on 15 July.

He challenged civil society entities to maintain the momentum in making their demands.

“There must be greater efforts made towards inclusion of all stakeholders, especially women and youth, if at all we are to achieve the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals]”, said Kituyi.

“There can be no Sustainable Development Goals without Least Developed Countries".

In the recent past, western member states of UNCTAD have reportedly come under intense criticism for their sluggishness in supporting the agency's initiatives and expanding its roles to cover other areas crucial for the advancement of developing nations.

Concerns have also been raised on the role UNCTAD will play in influencing global trade and development in the future as it is gradually relegated to an implementation mechanism for trade agreements.

“As negotiations begin, we are calling for a mandate that addresses specific constraints of developing countries, adoption of gender-sensitive policies on trade and development, institution of measures that curb the illicit transfer of economic resources from developing countries,” said Tax Justice Network-Africa's executive director, Alvin Mosioma,

This year, civil society organizations have attended two hearings at the UNCTAD headquarters in Geneva, making contributions into the negotiating text of the conference.

Over 7,000 delegates are expected at the forum on the theme, From Decisions to Actions.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) - As African and world leaders met at African Union summit in Kigali, Rwanda, South Sudan's recent conflict dominated the continental gathering.

A view of the 22nd African Union summit in Addis Ababa on January 31, 2014 (AFP Photo/Solan Gemechu)

South Sudan witnessed violent clashes last week when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar fought in Juba, leaving hundreds dead.

At a mini-summit held in Nairobi Monday, regional leaders discussed how South Sudan's ongoing power struggle could be resolved and how the two factions can be reined in, to end the hostilities which has reportedly displaced more than 40,000 civilians.

The UN warned of tension and the possibility of fresh fighting in the country's Juba, where a shaky ceasefire has held since late Monday.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon appreciated Rwanda's contribution to the world body's peacekeeping, including in the Central African Republic, Darfur, Sudan and South Sudan.

He met with Rwandan President, Paul Kagame at ongoing African Union's extraordinary summit, which is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.

Both leaders, the UN said in a statement, expressed deep concern at the recent escalation of violence in South Sudan, its impact on the civilian population and consequences for the peace process. They urged South Sudanese leaders to demonstrate the commitment required to bring to an end the tragedy unfolding in their country and fulfill their people's aspirations to peace, security and reconciliation.

“The Secretary-General and the President agreed on the need and urgency of renewed international engagement to advance the quest for peace in South Sudan,” it stated.

According to the world body, the role of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union, including within the framework of the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on South Sudan, of which Rwanda is a member, was stressed.

“The Secretary-General seized the opportunity to recall the recommendations he made to the Security Council, including an arms embargo, targeted sanctions, and strengthening the capacity of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS),” it further noted.

Also discussed during the meeting in Kigali was the volatile situation in Burundi, where Rwanda was also applauded for hosting thousands of Burundian refugees.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government has imposed restrictions on the movement of its nationals, denying them access to their families in neigbouring nations in violation of their constitutional and basic rights to freedom of movement.

The arrivals of Juba International Airport (File Photo)

It is still unclear as to who issued the directive and for what purpose.

The director of Juba international airport, Kur Kuol confirmed receiving directives from the authorities that no government official should be allowed out of the country without permission.

Even ordinary citizens are said to be affected as they have been turned away at the airport and denied possession of their passports.

A South Sudanese national studying in Uganda could not return for exams as Friday, the day he intended to travel, witnessed deadly clashes the presidential palace said his passport was confiscated.

He was later asked to see security officials for clearance to his destination country, only to be told on arrival that they were not permitting people to travel out of the country at the time of war.

"If you go out, who will fight, who will fight this war, just go home", narrated the student, whose passport was still with state operatives.

"I do not know what to do now. I was supposed to sit exams on Tuesday 12 July, and that was why I wanted to travel on Friday 10th, but there was no seat in the flight. I wanted to use the next available flight was on Sunday 10, but fighting erupted on Friday evening and carried on for four days. When it stopped on Monday 11, I had hoped I would fly normally, [but] unfortunately I was denied travel and my passport was seized", he added.

But Kuol said no official letter from government denied ordinary citizens from traveling out of the country, except for its officials.

"There is no official letter preventing South Sudanese from traveling to various destinations but what I know is that any official from the government who wants to travel has to get permission from his place of work", Kuol told reporters, but did not elaborate further.

The undersecretary in the ministry of transport, Captain Martin declined to comment on the behaviour of the government operatives, when asked in a separate interview.

Amnesty International also said it had received reports from two charter companies that National Security Service officers have ordered them not to carry South Sudanese nationals, particularly men. It has also been told by an entity that one of its South Sudanese staff was prevented from boarding a flight to Uganda.

“This arbitrary conduct by South Sudanese security forces is totally unacceptable. South Sudan must respect people's right to freedom of movement, including the right to leave their own country,” said Elizabeth Deng, the organisation's South Sudan researcher.

“It is absolutely critical that both parties to the conflict do not obstruct safe passage of civilians fleeing to places of refuge both inside and outside the country,” she added.

Thousands of South Sudanese have reportedly gathered at the country's southern border seeking to enter into Uganda, but they are being prevented from crossing over.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has arrived in the Rwandan capital, Kigali on Saturday to attend the 27th African Union Summit.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir salutes his supporters as he disembarks from the plane, after attending an African Union conference in Johannesburg South Africa, at the airport in the capital Khartoum, Sudan June 15, 2015 (REUTERS)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants against al-Bashir in 2009 and 2010 for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Darfur.

Al-Bashir is the first sitting head of state charged by the Hague based court since its inception in 2002.

On Saturday, al-Bashir travelled to Kigali accompanied by senior delegation including the Minister of the Presidency Fadl Abdalla, Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Mashair Al-Dawalab and State Minister and Director of the President's Office Taha Osman.

Last week, Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced that his country will not arrest Al- Bashir during his visit to Kigali to participate in the AU summit.

“President Al Bashir is welcome in Kigali at any time. He will be free in his second home country. We will not respond to the ICC calls to arrest him. We will not take any action of such type against him,” he said.

Also on Thursday, Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said “Bashir will be granted his safety and security as a head of state, ICC issues will be addressed by those who are concerned and I don't think they expect him to be arrested in Rwanda”.

Rwanda is not a state party to the tribunal of war crimes but has the obligation as a member of the United Nations to cooperate with the court. However like many other African capitals, Kigali is critical to ICC and to its focus on Africa.

Last year al-Bashir attended the 26 th AU summit in Johannesburg. His recent trip to South Africa drew international attention after he flew out of the country defying a High court order which order the government to ban his departure until an application calling for his arrest had been heard.

Several African governments and the AU have voiced concerns over the ICC's fairness, and accused it of targeting African leaders.

They further to say that war crimes court has violated its founding treaty the Rome Statute, when it prosecutes cases investigate by the national jurisdiction.

Since the issuance of the two arrest warrants, Bashir limited his trips abroad to ICC non-party states but he also traveled to five signatory states including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Malawi, Djibouti and South Africa.

In May this year, Al-Bashir visited Uganda and Djibouti, which are ICC state members of Rome Statute.

Last week, the ICC said it had referred Djibouti and Uganda to the United Nation Security Council for failing to arrest al-Bashir while he was on their territory.

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) – Germany has, in the wake of the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, "temporarily" closed its embassy and evacuated its nationals from the country.

“There was street to street fighting directly in front of the homes of many employees and aid workers, after four days of heavy fighting, which we had to witness up close, there remained no other option but to evacuate," Johannes Lehne, the German envoy told Radio Tamazuj

Germany evacuated all it staffs and nationals from South Sudan after clashes between the country's rival forces killed hundreds.

Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Uganda and Sudan also evacuated their citizens from South Sudan, but their embassies are still operating.

On Friday, however, the German Air Force airlifted about 200 of its national and some from other countries to Entebbe, Uganda.

"Germany has also closed its embassy in South Sudan ‘temporarily' owing to violent conflict in the capital," Radio Tamajuz reported Saturday.

US TROOPS IN JUBA

The United States President Barrack Obama on Thursday said 47 American soldiers have been deployed in South Sudan to protect the American embassy and the staff.

"In response to the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, I have ordered the deployment of additional U.S. Armed Forces personnel to South Sudan to support the security of U.S. personnel, and our embassy in Juba.," the White House said in a letter to the Speaker for House of Representatives and Senate President.

The first of these additional personnel, approximately 47 individuals, reportedly arrived in the South Sudanese capital, Juba on 12 July, 2016, supported by military aircraft.

Although equipped for combat, these additional personnel are deployed for the purpose of protecting U.S. citizens and property," the letter reads in part.

The US embassy in Juba evacuated non-essential staffers out of South Sudan, while South Sudanese working in the embassy were asked to stay away from the premises.

Fighting erupted between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar last week, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Both sides declared a ceasefire on Monday after President Kiir's forces overran Machar's base.

Obama said the American soldiers will remain in the country until the security situation improve but added that more troops might be sent to the country if needed.

"Additional U.S. Armed Forces, including approximately 130 military personnel currently pre-positioned in Djibouti, are prepared to provide support, as necessary, for the security of U.S. citizens and property, including our embassy in South Sudan," it stressed.

The US sent troops to Juba the onset of conflict in December 2013 to guard its embassy.

(ST)

July 12, 2016 (JUBA) - At least 42,000 civilians have been displaced in the recent fighting that occurred in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, a United Nations official said.

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission, Herve Ladsous speaking in Juba (UNMISS photo)

The UN peacekeeping chief, Hervé Ladsous told the Security Council that 7,000 of those displaced were accounted for at the two UN compounds and the remaining about 35,000 were sheltering between the World Food Programme (WFP) compound, other non-governmental organisations and churches in the city.

He expressed concerns over potentials for the resumption of violence and spill over into others parts of the young nation.

On Wednesday, according to Ladsous, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was been able to conduct limited patrolling again to assess the security situation, the safety and security of personnel and assets at UN compounds.

The senior UN official, however, noted that securing freedom of movement remains an uphill battle as security forces limit the mission's movement every step of the way.
He urged the South Sudanese government to allow UNMISS and humanitarian actors' freedom of movement and access to provide vital assistance to the civilian population.

ARMS EMBARGO

Ladsous accused South Sudan's warring parties of “deliberately” attempting to stall the implementation of the peace agreement, and echoed the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon's call for reconsideration of an arms embargo, as well as additional targeted sanctions on leaders and commanders blocking implementation of the peace deal.

We can no longer afford to sit idle as South Sudanese bear the brunt of the intransigence of their leaders, he stressed.

Meanwhile, the UN Children Fund (UNICEF) said it was, together with its partners, providing urgent life-saving assistance to thousands displaced by the fighting in Juba.

"Four trucks of supplies were dispatched from UNICEF warehouses and taken to a UN displacement site in Juba as soon as movement became possible in the city earlier today [Wednesday]. These include supplies for the treatment of malnutrition as well as sanitation items [such] as water containers and soap. Primary health care kits as well as recreational items for children will be distributed tomorrow," the UN said in a statement.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's leader, Salva Kiir has called for direct talks with first vice-president, Riek Machar, saying he detests further bloodshed in the young nation.

President Salva Kiir greets First Vice President Riek Machar before to start a meeting at the South Sudanese presidency in Juba on 3 June 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

President Kiir said he and the opposition leader should talk to salvage peace.

The South Sudanese leader has now dispatched Nhial Deng Nhial, his special envoy and an adviser on foreign affairs to the African Union summit in Rwanda, with an assurance to regional and global leaders about his commitment to talks with his rival.

"I don't want any more bloodshed in South Sudan," stated Kiir.

"I have been ready to resume talks on the issues we were discussing before this thing [violence] erupted. We were left with few things to conclude the discussions so that we begin with the implementation [the August 2015 peace agreement]", he added.

The president was speaking for the first time since his forces clashed at the presidential palace with those loyal to Machar last week, leaving more than 270 soldiers from the two sides dead, officials have confirmed.

The head of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), Festus Mogae and the African Union special envoy, Alpha Oumar Konare stood alongside President Kiir.

President Kiir also vowed he would provide protection to Machar and his forces, citing the amnesty he had issued after declaring ceasefire as a guarantee for the security of his deputy and his forces.

"Nobody is hunting for him and his forces. If he comes, I will protect him. He will stay with me if feels he is not safe staying alone", he said.

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT??

Meanwhile, Machar claimed the fighting that erupted between his bodyguards and Kiir's forces in the capital was calculated to kill him.

The ex-rebel leader told BBC Focus on Africa on Friday after abandoning his base in the outskirts of Juba, that he is “around Juba” but would neither disclose his location nor return to town to meet the president until the security issues were addressed.

Machar was responding to the call by President Kiir to meet him.

The country's first vice-president, however, said he feared for the lives of his officials and for himself after the incident, adding he was also worried about the safety of his ministers currently inside Juba.

“We have a pending meeting, he as president and me as vice president. And also if it were a normal situation, we would meet, but the incident that took place on the 8th [July] in the State House is a very despicable incident, where there was a shootout, and a dog fight, when we were in a meeting,” Machar told the London-based station.

“To me that was a calculated plan to kill me,” he added.

Machar, who also leads an opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, said he was willing to return back to Juba, but after a third force is deployed the South Sudanese capital to take charge and ensure safety and no return to violent confrontations.

He said he could not trust Kiir's assurance to protect him and his officials.

“That is why the IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] Council of Ministers decided that there should be an intervention force, third force, that be deployed in Juba and Juba be demilitarized,” he said.

Machar said he was now waiting for the outcome of a proposed meeting in Juba of the chiefs of defence forces from the region on how to tackle security in Africa's newest nation.

(ST)

July 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM). Sudan People's Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N) on Friday accused Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of violating the unilateral cessation of hostilities announced by President al- Bashir last June.

SPLA-N fighters stand in front of a grenade launcher captured from Sudan's Armed Forces (SAF) near Gos village in the rebel-held territory of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, May 1, 2012. (Reuters)

The four-month unilateral truce initially was for the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states where SAF and its allied militias are fighting the SPLA-North fighters since June 2011.

SPLM-N Spokesperson Arnu Ngulutu Lodi said that the government forces launched several attacks against their position in South Kordofan .The most recent attack was on Lima area west of Kadugli town on Thursday.

In a statement he extended to Sudan Tribune, Lodi said they repelled the assailants who came from Kelak area, adding they "suffered losses in lives and equipment" that have not yet been counted".

Also he said that the government forces based Kelak had attacked the farmers in Lima area on 11 July killing a lady, Fatima Ibrahim, and wounded her husband.

The rebel spokesperson reported a third attack that occurred on 10 July, saying SAF "artillery unit from inside Al-dandor garrison fired several long-range shells on Oma and Um-Dravy areas west Heiban town resulting in the destruction of many farms and caused horror and fear among the civilian".

He stressed that these attacks prove that the announced unilateral cessation of hostilities "is nothing but cheap smokescreen media propaganda",.

Lodi pointed that peace slogans raised by the ruling National Congress Party are "lies" that aims to distract attention and prolong the regime's stay in power.

He went further to say that government forces attacked farms to prevent civilians from earning their living while it deprives them from accessing humanitarian aid since 2011.

SAF spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

The fighting between the SPLM-N and the government forces has been taking place in different fronts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, where the government has been in war with the rebels of the SPLM-N since June 2011.

The two parties failed to strike a peace deal despite the five-year peace process brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel led by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) – An expert writer on Sudan and South Sudan, Professor Eric Reeves, has apologized for posting a message which predicted that a coup was to be staged in Juba on Monday, 11 July 2016.

Eric Reeves. (Photo: sudanreeves.org)

Reeves, a US citizen, on 10 July posted and tweeted a message, saying that he had sufficient evidence that South Sudan's First Vice President, Riek Machar, was going to lead a coup on Monday, 11 July, 2016, to overthrow President Salva Kiir's government.

The message immediately attracted fierce criticism from Machar's spokesperson who accuszed him of trying on false allegation to incite further violence which already erupted on Friday, 8 July, at the Presidential Palace in Juba.

In his response on Thursday, 14 July, on a post on his website, titled, “A Retraction: Concerning Riek Machar and a possible coup in Juba,” Professor Reeves said he apologized for his “irresponsible” message.

“I am herewith retracting my brief Web posting of July 10, 2016, specifically the claim that there was sufficient evidence in my possession to characterize the situation in Juba and elsewhere in Sudan reflecting an incipient coup, led by Riek Machar. The evidence as I had and have it is insufficient to justify such a characterization, and I deeply regret posting without fuller evidence in hand,” Reeves further wrote on Thursday.

“It was irresponsible, and I accept that characterization,” he added.

Reeves however said a lot of information he had based his prediction on were coming from Juba.

“A great deal of what I referred to was information coming from sources on the ground in Juba, particularly the nature and specifics of the violence that engulfed the city,” he said.

(ST)

July 15, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, has called on the South Sudanese warring parties and peace partners to demilitarize the national capital, Juba, as one of the measures in ensuring protection of their leadership and to avoid return to violence in the capital.

In a meeting in Kigale, Rwanda, on Friday, with South Sudanese government officials, Ban Ki Moon, also called on the leadership of the new country not to further escalate fighting across the country.

In a statement released by his office on Friday, Ki Moon, also called on the government to stop targeting United Nations personnel and premises or their properties.

He also threatened further sanctions targeting individuals seen to be obstructing implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar.

The UN chief said the new sanctions would include arms embargo to be imposed on South Sudan, adding that he had already recommended this action to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

He made the comments while meeting President Kiir's Special Envoy, Nhial Deng Nhial, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol, where he urged the leaders to promote dialogue rather than violence.

“The Secretary-General voiced his deep concern and disappointment over the recent fighting in Juba and in other locations, further aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation and compromising the implementation of the agreement for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan. He expressed outrage at the untold suffering inflicted upon the people of South Sudan,” said the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

“The Secretary-General urged President Salva Kiir and 1st Vice-President Riek Machar to show true leadership and to live up to the aspirations of their people to peace and security,” it said.

He underlined the need for the parties to uphold the cessation of hostilities and to resume dialogue as the only way to sustainably address the crisis in their country.

"The Secretary-General called on the South Sudanese stakeholders to agree on practical steps to demilitarize Juba,” the statement said.

He strongly condemned the impediments to the freedom of movement and attacks against United Nations staff, assets and premises. He called on South Sudan to provide full security and access to the United Nations and to its Peacekeeping Mission.

He also emphasized the gravity of the situation and expressed the hope that the leaders would bear greater responsibility for their people.

“He asked the Special Envoy to relay his messages to the South Sudanese President.”

(ST)

July 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM)- The Sudanese government Friday revealed the postponement of a visit by the African Union Mediator Thabo Mbeki to Khartoum for consolations on peace in the Sudan

AUHIP's Thabo Mbeki talks to reporters after a meeting with Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir on national dialogue in Khartoum on 10 September 2014 (SUNA)

Sudanese Government Spokesperson and Information Minister, Ahmed Bilal Osman, didn't elaborate on the reason behind the adjournment but said the postponement is due to internal conditions related to the government.

Osman expected that Mbeki would visit the country within two weeks to discuss the African Union brokered Roadmap Agreement, and the talks peace between the government and the armed movements.

Last March, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and the Sudanese government signed a framework agreement calling to stop war in Blue Nile, South Kordofan states, Darfur region, and to engage in the national dialogue process.

However, the opposition groups invited sign the peace plan - Justice and Equality Movement, National Umma Party, Sudan People's Liberation Movement -North and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi -refused to sign the roadmap, saying it acknowledges the government controlled dialogue conference and would lead to reproduce the regime.

Osman said that Mbeki would also meet with Sudan's Higher Coordination Committee of the National Dialogue known as (7+7) , besides the ongoing efforts to persuade the opposition forces to sign the African Union-brokered road map for peace in Sudan.

Earlier this year, Mbeki who seeks a holistic solution in Sudan encouraged the Future Forces of Change (FFC) a new coalition mainly formed of Islamic opposition groups to negotiate with the government in order to joint process.

However the alliance of Left groups which is member of the opposition Sudan Call umbrella refuses to negotiate with Khartoum, unless it accepts their conditions.

QATARI AND GERMAN EFFORTS

In the meantime, the Popular Congress Party (PCP) Political Secretary Kamal Omer disclosed that the African mediation, Germany and Qatar have made intensive contacts with chairman of the National Umma Party Sadiq al-Mahdi and the three armed groups in the past few days to persuade them to join the road map.

Omer told Ashorooq TV Friday that all the holdout groups are invited to participate in the process to reach a national consensus on the national issues.

The leader of the National Umma Party Sadiq al-Mahdi recently said he expects that the “Sudan Call” forces would respond positively to the Roadmap after Eid Al Fitr holidays, a matter that could pave the way for them to sign it.

The Sudan Call groups are expected to meet next week in the French capital, Paris.

(ST)

July 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The first batch of Sudanese evacuees from South Sudan has arrived in Khartoum on Friday, said minister.

Sudanese women and children disembark a plane after arriving at the airport in Khartoum from Juba on July 15, 2016 (AFP Ashraf Shazly Photo)

Last week, fighting erupted in South Sudan's capital Juba between followers of President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, the former rebel leader who became vice president under a deal to end a two-year civil war.

The violence, which has killed hundreds of people, broke out as the world's newest nation prepared to mark five years of independence from Sudan on July 9.

In response to the mounting pressure from the international community, the rival leaders have unilaterally declared cessation of hostilities to stop the fighting.

An airplane carrying 76 people including women, children and elderly among 400 Sudanese stuck in Juba has landed in Khartoum airport at noon on Friday.

State Minister of Cabinet Affairs Jamal Mahmoud told reporters at the airport that the first flight was assigned to the families and the elderly people, pointing that four other flights would respectively arrive on Friday night and Saturday.

He added that Sudan would run three to four flights daily to evacuate its nationals from South Sudan, pointing to the continued efforts of the Sudanese embassy in Juba and the ad hoc committees to secure and evacuate all Sudanese citizens.

Mahmoud pointed that South Sudan's government has shown considerable cooperation in this regard, denying that any Sudanese was injured during the bloody clashes.

He further said that the number of Sudanese nationals who registered for evacuation in Juba and the rest of cities has exceeded 3,000 people, pointing the evacuation process was carried out in coordination among police, security organs, expatriates body and the Sudanese embassy in Juba.

The Sudanese minister revealed that some governments have asked Sudan to allow them evacuate their nationals in South Sudan via Khartoum airport.

(ST)

July 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government on Friday said it would conduct the sixth population census in April, 2018.

A Sudanese girl holds the guide of Sudan's 5th Population and Housing Census outside her home in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on April 22, 2008 (AFP)

The fifth Sudan Population and Housing Census was held in April 2008. Its results showed the population at 39.15 million, with 21% (8.26 million) living in the South Sudan before the independence.

The director general of Sudan's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Yassin Abdin, said the exercise would cost $50 million, pointing that 40,000 census officials and enumerators would be mobilised to carry out the exercise across the country.

Abdin, who made the announcement on Friday, urged civil society organisations, government officials and citizens to effectively participate in the process in order to achieve more accurate and comprehensive results.

According to Abdin, the sixth population census would include Sudanese and non-Sudanese people residing in the country besides all demographic groups regardless of gender, age, tribe, ethnicity or political and social status.

“The population census would be based upon the bases of equal rights and duties and it will cover all people residing in Sudan without distinction,” he said .

He added the population would also include Sudanese people who are temporarily absent from the country provided they have no other families abroad, saying that expatriates could also be covered showing reasons for their migration and countries where they reside.

Last year, President Omer al-Bashir issued a decision providing to conduct the sixth population census in April 2018.

According to the decision, the process will be supervised by the Higher Census Council headed by the first vice-president who will be seconded by the cabinet minister and the director general of the CBS.

In line with the presidential decision, regional census committees would be formed at the state-level. They will be headed by the governors while CBS regional directors are appointed as rapporteurs.

The fifth population census was held in April 2008. Its results showed the population at 39.15 million, with 21% (8.26 million) living in South Sudan before its independence.

The first census in Sudan was conducted in 1955 and followed by three others in 1965, 1983 and 1993.

Sudan's current population is estimated at 34 million people.

July 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A higher committee for following- up the situations of the Sudanese nationals in Juba has announced the start of evacuation process as of Friday, citing the deterioration of security concerns in the neighbouring country .

Aid workers from different Non-Governmental Organizations in South Sudan arrive at Wilson airport in Nairobi, Kenya Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from Juba. (AP Photo)

Bloody fighting erupted recently between forces of President Salva Kiir and troops loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar.

Last Monday, a Sudanese technical evacuation committee urged the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir to issue a decision to evacuate the Sudanese nationals from South Sudan.

The committee announced that more than 2000 Sudanese nationals have registered their names in the Sudanese embassy in Juba demanding to return home voluntarily.

The Secretary General of the Sudanese Expatriates Affairs Organ, Haj Magid Siwar, expected the launch of three flights per day to evacuate Sudanese from Juba.

Siwar said that there are thousands of Sudanese nationals in Juba working mainly in the trade business.

The head of communities and migration department at the Sudanese Expatriates Affairs Organ Al-Rahid Abd al-Latif said in a press statement that the first batch consists of 257 people.

Abd al-Latif said that the chargé d'affaires at the Sudanese embassy in Juba Osama Abdel Bari affirmed completion of coordination with all the concerned bodies.

Abd al-Latif quoted the chargé d'affaires as saying that the guarantees necessary for the arrival of the Sudanese nationals in Juba to the airport have been arranged. He added that priority would be given to the families and children and the elderly.

Abd al-Latif has earlier said that the number of the Sudanese nationals in South Sudan is around 50.000 persons, among them 3000 facing difficult situations and willing to return home.

He added that some of the Sudanese nationals in Juba went to the house of the ambassador, seeking protection during the recent clashes.

In the meantime, the political sector of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) held exceptional meeting on Thursday to discuss the developments of the situations in South Sudan.

The meeting gave directives to the NCP organizations secretariat to coordinate the efforts of the national organizations in order to receive the returnees, the refugees and those who flee the fighting in South Sudan and providing with the needed support.

(ST)