Sudan Tribune

June 17, 2016 (JUBA) – Hilde F. Johnson, former Special Representative in South Sudan for the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, is due to launch a book this week which she has written on South Sudan's political situation and civil war after independence.

The book entitled: ‘South Sudan, The Untold Story From Independence to Civil War' is announced to be launched in London, United Kingdom, on 21 June, 2016, where she will brief an audience about the contents of the book.

Johnson served for three years in South Sudan as head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) which she established in the world's youngest country per a mandate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In 2014, she completed her three-year tenure as UN's special representative and head of UNMISS from 2011 to 2014.

Johnson has vast knowledge about the wars in Sudan and their peace processes which finally culminated in the end of the north-south Sudan's civil war in 2005.

As minister for International Development of Norway for almost seven years from 1997 to 2005, Johnson was in charge of development policies and programmes, as well as humanitarian response in Norway.

During her ministerial tenure, she was a key player in brokering the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) for Sudan in 2005, an experience she has documented in the book “Waging Peace in Sudan” (2011).

However, her current book focuses on the three years of her experience in South Sudan from independence in 2011 to the civil war which erupted in December 2013.

Her book is expected to tell a lot of stories about what transpired in the political arena of the leadership which led to the civil war in the country.

(ST)

June 16, 2016 (EL-FASHER) - Unidentified gunmen have killed a security officer on Thursday and stole his vehicle in North Darfur capital, El-Fasher.

Members of the Indonesian peacekeeping force from the UNAMID stand guard at ZamZam camp for internally displaced people in Al Fasher, northern Darfur April 13, 2010. (Reuters)

Reliable source told Sudan Tribune that armed men shot and killed Musaab Omer, an officer belonging to National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), on Thursday evening in downtown El-Fasher.

He added that the gunmen stole the victim's vehicle before they run off, pointing that they have not yet been arrested.

According to the source which is not authorised to speak to the press, the stolen vehicle was later found at El-Fasher's eastern neighbourhood of Al-Ghaba while the corpse was transferred to the hospital.

Earlier this month, a joint campaign between the NISS and the traffic police in North Darfur has led to the seizure of dozens of vehicles illegally smuggled from the neighbouring countries.

Gunmen commonly use vehicles and motorcycles that don't hold license plates to carry out killing and looting crimes.

Commissioner of El-Fasher locality Al-Tigani Abdallah Salih had earlier said that directives were issued to monitor and stop unlicensed cars, pointing that the vehicles which were seized have contributed to increasing crime rate in the state.

He said that the seized cars would be transferred to the customs department to take the legal measures, pointing that the locality would continue its campaigns to enhance security and stability.

Salih further called on the residents to notify the security authorities of any negative phenomena.

Earlier this month, Gunmen riding camels shot dead a security officer during a pursuit of fleeing cattle raiders outside Tawilla locality, 30 km west of El-Fasher.

Also, last month, gunmen abducted a tribal leader and his two companions and took them to an unknown destination while they were heading from Saraf Umra to the locality of Karnoi, north west of El-Fasher.

(ST)

June 17, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, has defended his commitment to combating corruption in his administration, pushing the blame to global community for failure to support his drive to recover public funds stolen and stashed into foreign accounts by former and current government officials and their business associates before and after independence.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

President Kiir's Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny, said the president attempted to recover the stolen monies but could not get the need support from the international community.

“The people of South Sudan and President Salva Kiir are the victims of corruption. It is the desire of the president to ensure those stolen money are recovered. This was why he wrote letters to 75 officials to return the money they have stolen and even offered to pardon them. This was a clear demonstration of willingness to combating corruption but the international community did not support this important campaign,” said Ateny on Friday.

The presidential aide was reacting to a report by a United States-based policy advocacy group, the Enough Project, which called on president Kiir to exhibit strong leadership and take bold decision if he were serious to combat corruption.

Enough Project also stressed that the call for global support was not formalized, suggesting lack of seriousness on the part of President Kiir.

Ateny however emphasized that his boss would be the last person in the country to entertain corruption.

He pointed to the sentencing to life imprisonment of officials in the President's office believed to have played a role in the scandal in which 14 million US dollars and 30 million South Sudanese pounds, slipped between the fingers through forgery and impersonation of presidential seals.

The officials who stole the money got approvals from the central bank in the name of security matters at the presidency over the past years.

(ST)

June 17, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani would visit Sudan next July upon an invitation from the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir, said foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour.

President Omer al-Bashir received by the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha on 16 June 2016 (QNA Photo)

Al-Bashir on Friday concluded a two-day visit to the Qatari capital of Doha.

Ghandour, who spoke at the airport upon return of al-Bahsir and his accompanying delegation, said the latter has invited Emir Tamim to attend a celebration on completion of the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), noting that the latter has accepted the invitation.

The Doha brokered the Darfur peace negotiations resulted in the signing of the DDPD by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011.

The Sudanese top diplomat said that al-Bashir has discussed with the Qatari Emir ways for promoting and strengthening bilateral ties besides coordination in the regional and international issues.

He pointed that the two leaders also discussed the Qatari investments in Sudan and the convening of the Joint Ministerial Committee and the Joint Political Consultation Committee between the two countries, saying the foreign ministers of the two countries have been instructed to prepare for holding the meetings.

It is noteworthy that the Qatari investments in Sudan amounts to $1,7 billion including agricultural, real estate and banking investments.

Ghandour added that the two sides agreed to hold the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting in November, pointing that the meetings of the delegation with the Qatari ministers have discussed issues of common concern.

Al-Bashir was accompanied by the Minister of the Presidency Fadl Abdallah, the Foreign Minister, Finance Minister Badr al-Din Mahmoud and the director of the president's office Taha Osman.

Ghandour further thanked Qatar on behalf of the Sudanese government and people for the huge efforts that it continued to make and particularly with regard to the peace and development process in Darfur.

(ST)

June 17, 2016 (JUBA) – Spokesperson of the South Sudanese First Vice President and leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar, said their priority is to restore peace and stability in the country and not to return to violence.

James Gatdet Dak, press secretary of the opposition leader, Machar, was responding to the queries about the request allegedly made by the South Sudanese army (SPLA) of President Salva Kiir's faction that the SPLA-IO should help in fighting those who on Wednesday attacked Raja, state capital of the newly created Lol state.

Gunmen, described as “bandits” and “criminals” by the SPLA, captured Raja on Wednesday morning but were repulsed in the evening by a combined forces of South Sudan army and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a Sudanese rebel group from Darfur which has a base near Raja inside South Sudan.

Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson of the SPLA of President Kiir's faction, said they have appealed to the leadership of the SPLM-IO to help fight the gunmen in Western Bahr el Ghazal.

But the spokesperson of the SPLM-IO leader said their army's priority was to consolidate peace and not to join in further violence.

“What we recommend is that the focus should be on restoring peace and stability across the country, but not to mobilize forces to renew violence. The priority is to ensure that forces of all parties are cannoned in accordance with the security arrangements. This should also include bringing on board peacefully other armed groups - be they civilians or soldiers - to stop fighting,” James Gatdet Dak told Sudan Tribune when contacted on Friday.

He said until forces of the rival armies of the SPLA-IO and SPLA are assembled and cantoned in specific cantonment areas across the country, it will be difficult to know or ascertain who is still fighting who and for what reason.

He also said the opposition forces in Bahr el Ghazal region as well as in Equatoria and Upper Nile regions have been strictly following directives from the top command to abide by the permanent ceasefire, pending establishment of their cantonment areas.

Dak added that the SPLA and any other armed groups should do the same by observing the ceasefire.

SPLA on Wednesday said they were attacked by a group of “bandits” in Raja town and called on the SPLA-IO to help fight the gunmen, despite earlier denial that the opposition forces existed in Bahr el Ghazal region.

However, SPLA-IO did not send in forces to fight against the unknown gunmen.

(ST)

By Steve Paterno

In theory, the war in South Sudan ended with the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity. However, the recent deadly skirmishes, particularly in the towns of Kajo-Keji and Raja, will make one think otherwise.

There are several compounding reasons for such sad events, which often result into lost of lives, destruction of properties, and destabilization of the country.

First, Dr. Riek Machar, a militia leader, currently First Vice President, after committing mass murder, hyped his rebellion of two years old by over promising his supporters with most upper positions in government, since he believes he would be automatically the president through his tribal magician prediction of twentieth century.

Unfortunately, amidst the hype, he is being glorified by the international community, praised by his tribal loyalty, and overly misunderstood by the opportunists.

So, when the South Sudanese Compromised peace was signed, the reality began to show. The tribal rebellion of militant Dr. Riek Machar that was centred and was so confined and was on a verge of defeat in the so-called Greater Upper Nile is now popping up in Greater Bahr-el-Ghazel and Greater Equatoria.

Machar never fulfil the pledge he made to his opportunistic supporters. He is accused of being not just tribalistic, but practicing nepotism into the core; in a country that needs unity so much at the moment. In simple words, his opportunistic supporters are saying: he is running the militia outfit as a family affair. His Ex-wife, Angelina Teny, is the top adviser. The one called Gen. Taban Deng Gai, who is Angelina's cousin is top political leader, and he is the overall boss. It must be noted that the trio grew up in the same household of Angelina's father, who was a teacher and undertook Machar under his armed when Machar came from the village for studies.

Since, then, Machar has subjected the people of Nassar and the whole Nuer tribe for senseless war for his ascendancy to power. There is now ongoing serious talks among Nuer intellectuals who recognize the sovereignty of South Sudan to stop Machar antagonism and sense of betrayal.

Another issue that is needed to be underlined is that since Machar declared cantonment of his troops in Greater Bahr-el-Ghazel and Greater Equatoria, the sleeper cells ignited in these regions, but unfortunately for them, they have no positions or they actually lost the positions which Machar once promised them. Now they are continuing with the war, while peace is given a chance.

It is now the responsibility of the government to deal with such outlaw groups, for Machar to contain them, and then for the so proposed hybrid court to note their atrocities; under whose command they are operating, and take actions or there will never be justice and accountability or peace in the country.

South Sudan stability is within grasp of its people, but it is time to identify the spoilers, especially those with long track record and stem them out. And the South Sudanese people, with their determination will fulfil such a long-lived dream of freedom, equality and prosperity.

June 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM)- The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Thursday arrived in unannounced visit to Doha where he held talks on bilateral relations with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani .

Al-Bashir is accompanied in his two-day visit to Doha with a high-level delegation including the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance.

Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told the official news agency SUNA that al-Bashir and Tamim discussed the bilateral relations and regional issues, especially in the Arab region.

Ghandour further said the Sudanese ministers held bilateral meetings with their Qatari counterparts, where they tackled ways to improve bilateral relations.

Head of the Information Department at the Sudanese Presidency Obai Izz-al-Din said the visit of President al-Bashir to Doha during the month of Ramadan reflects the deeply-rooted ties between the two countries.

The visit is also recognition to the continuous Qatari efforts to support the peace process in Sudan, he added.

Qatar supported the peace process to end Darfur conflict and facilitated the two-year process with the armed groups that ended by the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011, and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)-Dabajo in April 2013.

Doha which chairs the International Follow-up Committee for DDPD Implementation continue to facilitate talks with the holdout groups and seeks to bring them to join the framework document.

However, Khartoum still seeks Doha financial support to its economy and hopes to see more Qatari investments in the east African country.

The spokesperson of the Sudanese presidency said the talks will review joint coordination on regional issues, peace process and the development in Sudan.

The Qatari Ambassador to Khartoum Rashid al-Nuaimi said the visit comes in the context of the distinguished relations between Sudan and Qatar.

Al-Nuaimi has referred to the Qatari efforts to support peace in Darfur through the committee of follow-up the implementation of the Doha Peace Document besides the efforts to persuade the non-signatory movements to join the peace process.

Al-Nuaimi has described the Sudanese-Qatari relations as distinguished and witnessing big progress in terms of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields.

On his part, the Sudanese Ambassador to Qatar, Yasir khidir, said the Sudanese-Qatari relations will discuss pushing these ties ahead, promoting the joint cooperation and coordination on all regional and international arenas.

The talks reviewed the significant Qatari investments in Sudan in areas of agriculture, mining and infrastructure, Khidir said, adding that the parties will also review the signed agreements and Qatari investments in Sudan.

Last April, Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid met in Doha with Qatari investors and called to invest in agriculture, mining, oil and tourism sectors.

Also Qatar in the past pledged to invest up to $2 billion in Sudan, including purchase of government bonds issued by the African nation. But it only received one billion.

The Qatari investments in Sudan worth 1.7 billion dollars and include, real estates, agriculture and the banking.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Authorities in South Sudan's Western Lakes state say calm has improved to the region.

Map detail showing South Sudan's Lakes state in red

The local government and law enforcement agency, Benjamin Makuer said local residents are engaged in agriculture and operating local businesses.

Makuer said the recent suspected revenge killing was the only insecurity incident recorded and security agents were instructed to bring the suspected person to face justice.

“The only incident happened on Sunday whereby police officer, Deng Mangar Gurke was killed. I had to search all options to bring the murderer to face justice and all security agents are doing their work to bring that suspected person who killed policeman Deng Mangar Gurke,” he said.

The local government minister, however, congratulated the Western Lakes population for working toward restoring calm.

Meanwhile schools in Wulu county, located south of the Western Lakes capital, Rumbek have finally been reopened.

Inter-communal clashes had forced Rumbek East county residents to flee into Wulu county, occupying the school.

But minister Makuer disclosed that those who fled during inter-communal to Wulu returned to their homes of origin.

The county education director, William Koji, said the school premises sheltered the displaced from Rumbek East county.

He equally admitted that a large number of those displaced started returning to their homes after a peace agreement was signed to bring the communities together.

Earlier this year, however, communities in Rumbek East agreed to peacefully end their deadly conflicts over cattle raids and bride wealth and agreed they would live together.

(ST)

June 16, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan will soon embark on fresh registration aimed at screening foreign national to identity criminals who will be deported, an official disclosed.

Alfred Ladu Gore (Photo from his page on Facebook)

The country's internal affairs minister, Alfred Lado Gore, said neighboring countries that “boasted” of having exported outlaws to the new country should prepare to receive them.

“Very soon we will announce the registration of all aliens in this country because we want to screen them,” said Gore.

“Those with professions will be taken [and allow to remain in South Sudan] but those in the category of criminals, those with records of crimes and those who are called sex workers will all be deported,” he added.

South Sudan borders are open for any foreigner entering the country. Officials say foreign nationals in South Sudan constitute nearly half of the population in the young nation.

He said specific groups of foreigners should prepare to leave.

“We don't want sex workers to come and destroy our future. We want you to continue seeing your future,” he stressed.

The minister said the South Sudanese population lacked jobs because of the large numbers of foreigners in the country.

“In anyway, there is no country where more than half of the people are from outside. I have learnt that there are 3 to 4 million foreigners in South Sudan and they are in every corner of this country. We will reach them and those we don't want shall be shown exit and have to go,” he said.

In 2013, then minister of interior Aleu Ayieny Aleu expelled foreign commercial cyclists, saying they exacerbate crimes. Unfortunately criminal activities are on the increase.

(ST)

June 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The leader of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) travelled Thursday morning to the Ethiopian capital to take part in meetings of the opposition groups and the international envoys for Sudan over the Roadmap Agreement.

Three armed groups including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) ,Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) and the National Umma Party (NUP) last March refused a plan for peace brokered by the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki, saying it would reproduce the regime.

Omer al-Digair (ST Photo)

The international community continues to exert efforts in a bid to bridge the gaps and bring them to ink the Roadmap Agreement, considering it represents a good opportunity to end war in Sudan and to open humanitarian access to the needy in the war affected areas.

The holdout groups say they reject the roadmap because, among others, it excludes their allies in the opposition and because they want an inclusive process. Nonetheless, they accept to continue discussions over the peace plan with the African mediation and the international facilitators.

However, their allies of the left parties, gathered in the National Consensus Forces (NCF) declined to participate in such meetings over the peace negotiations, saying they are not concerned by the dialogue with the regime.

Nonetheless, a NCF member, the SCoP, in the early morning of Thursday released a statement saying that its leader Omer al-Digair has just travelled to Addis Ababa to participate in a consultative meeting of the Sudan Call forces to be held on Thursday evening.

The SCoP Spokesperson, Mohamed Hassan Arabi expressed hope that "the meeting would be an addition to the national struggle against the regime of the National Congress Party (NCP)".

Arabi further called on the opposition groups to rise to the challenges facing the country, and to unify their efforts to resist totalitarianism and defeat it, rather than wasting time on marginal disputes.

He further stressed that the SCoP is keen to develop the Sudan Call alliance, because it is the most comprehensive frame to coordinate the action of the opposition groups and unite it to achieve change, and face the challenges of the transitional period in the post NCP regime.

The SCoP official said the consultations will discuss the Sudan Call's internal issues particularly the implementation of the decisions of Paris meeting and the local and international political developments.

He further stressed that the meeting has nothing to do with the African Union mediation, as it was rumoured that the opposition will sign the Roadmap Agreement.

Last April, the Sudan Call groups met in the French capital Paris where they reiterated their rejection of the roadmap and expressed readiness for a comprehensive political solution that leads to a just peace, and a full democratic transformation in the Sudan.

They also discussed an organizational structure including a presidential coordination council comprised of ten members who equally represent the five components of the alliance.

But the NCF said they want only a coordination committee open for any force that want to join their peaceful struggle for a regime change in Sudan.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 16, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Ethiopian government on Thursday downplayed a claim by Eritrea that the latter has inflicted heavy losses to Ethiopian troops during the weekend clashes along their disputed border.

Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki (Reuters)

In a statement issued today, Eritrea alleged that its Army has killed 200 Ethiopian troops and wounded more than 300 further saying the disclosed figures are conservative estimates.

The statement issued by the Eritrean ministry of information added that Ethiopian forces were “compelled to retreat to locations beyond from where they initially unleashed the attack”

However Ethiopia has immediately downplayed Asmara's claim saying the number of causalities Eritrea alleged to have entailed were only a desperate and cooked up figures aimed to cover the very heavy loss the Eritrean Army suffered.

“This is noting but a belated effort by a shell shocked regime to boost the flailing morale of its few remaining supporters” Ethiopia communication Minister, Getachew Reda, later on Thursday told Sudan Tribune.

“We are not going to be sucked in to a game of numbers because we have achieved our objectives” Getachew said adding “We have no time or interest for morbid excitement”

The Ethiopian Minister has earlier admitted that there would be significant damage on both sides but mainly on the Eritrean side saying the clashes were serious one not just a simple skirmish.

The two rival neighbours on Tuesday traded blame over who first instigated the fresh border fighting that lasted between Sunday and Monday

The fighting took place in Tserona central front, an area about 75 kilometres south of the Eritrean capital, Asmara.

The international community including the United States, the United Nations and the African Union have expressed concern, and called on both sides for maximum restraint as fears swell of a potential an all-out war.

The latest battle is the worst after the 1998-2000 border war which has claimed the lives of an estimated more than 70,000 people.

(ST)

June 16, 2016 (JUBA) - Armed South Sudanese gunmen have killed several officers and soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), an official army of South Sudan, in the attack targeting government officials in Raja town, which is the administrative capital of Lol state on Wednesday.

An SPLA soldier is pictured behind a South Sudan flag as he sits on the back of a pick-up truck in Bentiu, Unity state January 12, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

The attack which occurred on Wednesday morning resulted to the brief capture of the state capital by the gunmen.

Senior government officials, including governor Rizik Zechariah Hassan, fled the town for their safety. However, several officers were killed including those in charge of the governor's bodyguards.

The head of gubernatorial guard force, Captain Deng Akuei Diing, is one of several officers and soldiers who have been killed in the attack.

Several others including one of the drivers of governor Hassan have also sustained injuries as they were trying to flee the town amid heavy gunfire.

At least 9 gubernatorial guards, according to several state government officials, have been confirmed killed in the fighting.

Five guards who sustained injuries have been received at Aweil hospital. Others have been received at Nyamellel and Marialbai where they are getting medical attention at local primary health units.

While others are being treated some are reportedly still on their way to where they would be assisted.

Government officials have reportedly returned to Raja on Thursday following the withdrawal of the gunmen who took control of the capital on Wednesday.

There are conflicting explanations as to the exit of the armed fighters. While some said they withdrew voluntarily and government officials had to return after confirming their withdrawal, others said the Darfuri rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who had a base near the town were asked by the South Sudan army to help in the fight which dislodged the gunmen from the town on Wednesday evening.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault on the state capital and the government could not identify the attackers only to describe them as “bandits.'

(ST)

June 16, 2016 (JUBA) – A United States-based Enough Project has called on South Sudan's President, Salva Kiir, to ensure that the public money which have been stolen over the years by his officials should be returned.

Clooney, South Sudan's Kiir and Prendergast share a light moment, March 11, 2012 (Larco Lomayat)

In a statement released on Thursday, Enough Project's top leaders including John Prendergast and Brian Adeba, said President Kiir's recent comments to recover the assets stolen were encouraging, but cautioned that past promises by the President meant nothing.

“Recently, the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, called for global support to recover assets stolen by South Sudanese elites and deposited into foreign bank accounts or spent on purchasing properties in foreign countries. This is not the first time President Kiir has expressed a desire to tackle elite corruption in his country. In past cases, however, there has been no effective follow through, leaving the situation unchanged and the stolen assets in the hands of those who stole them,” said Enough Project in the statement.

“This time it can, and should, be different,” it added.

The statement suggested that President Kiir could demonstrate his commitment to action by giving real autonomy and support to the domestic agencies that are authorized to counter corruption and by operationalizing collaborative efforts between his government and international agencies.

It added that combating corruption would work only if independent investigators were allowed access to financial information of top officials of the government, right up to the presidency, instead of targeting political opponents in the country.

“If instead anti-corruption efforts become a tool to target political opponents, it will have no impact on good governance and only serve to undermine confidence in future anti-corruption initiatives,” said.

Recent news of convictions in a case involving the reported theft of $14 million from the presidency, the statement said, was encouraging, but added that questions abound as to how such an effort will be followed up and further high-level corruption will be targeted.

In order for President Kiir's call for global support for asset recovery, specific steps including official request for global assistance in asset recovery, specifically to the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Kenya are important.

The president, it added, should also spearhead and fully resource an independent audit of government departments suspected of massive leaks of funds both before and during the conflict, including his own office.

The body also recommended tasking government agencies with implementing mechanisms to enforce banking and procurement transparency.

“In particular, procurement transparency should include requirements for the publication of contract amounts, beneficial ownership information, and other pertinent data, in line with the principles of the Open Contracting Partnership,” the statement added.

“Ensure that civil society and media organizations focused on investigating and reporting on corruption can do so in a safe space without fear of retribution.”

With these steps taken, it added, the United States and other governments should respond by providing tangible assistance to investigations through the Department of Justice's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and, for transactions that appear to have been conducted in U.S. dollars, through investigative tools available to the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

“President Kiir has opened up a critical conversation just as he did in 2012 when he addressed a letter to 75 top officials asking for the return of $4 billion that were stolen and taken out of the country. Since that time, the looting has continued and too often anti-corruption measures have been used as a political tool to target political opponents,” it said.

The Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), it further observed, will need to address serious economic, humanitarian and political challenges so as to win support of the donor community, adding that demonstrating that graft and corruption will no longer be tolerated is an essential element in building back trust.

“In order to set South Sudan on a new path forward, we call on President Kiir to show the South Sudanese people and the international community that he means what he says and that the Transitional Government of National Unity will act on these words in the interest of the people.”

Taking the fight against corruption serious, it said, the era of impunity can be brought to an end, restoring investor and donor confidence as well as laying the groundwork for a lasting peace.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The United States, United Nations and African Union have expressed concern over clashes between Ethiopia and Eritrea in a disputed border.

Rival forces of the two neighboring nations engaged in fighting between Sunday and Monday in the border town of Tsorena, sparking fears of a renewed full scale war.

The two nations have accused one another of provocation.

Ethiopia said Monday that its military took "proportional measures" in response to the Eritrean army's attempted attack and that retaliatory measure taken by its forces “seriously weakened” the Eritrean army.

Eritrea, however, denied the accusations, saying it repulsed the attack with Ethiopian troops sustaining heavy causalities.

The latest clash is larger in scale since the two countries fought war in 1998-2000 over their disputed border area.

The international community is expressing concern over the growing tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The US voiced "grave concern" and called on both sides to exercise restraint and engage in political dialogue.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the US's assistant secretary and department spokesperson, John Kirby urged the two arch rivals to cooperate in promoting stability and sustainable peace in the region.

“As both Ethiopia and Eritrea are party to the 2000 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and there cannot be a military solution, we call for both sides to exercise restraint and engage in political dialogue”, Kirby said in a statement.

Concerned by the latest development, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday met Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Brussels and Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson phoned Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed, urging them to restraint and refrain from any act or statement that could exacerbate the situation, according to a UN statement.

The AU chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, equally expressed deep concern over the fiery weekend clashes.

She urged the two countries to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any statement and action likely to aggravate the situation and further endanger regional stability.

The AU chairperson said both nations could resolve their differences and lay foundation for lasting peace between them only through the recourse of peaceful means.

Although a peace deal signed in 2000 ended a civil war, terms of the accord are yet to be implemented as Addis Ababa demanded further talks on implementation process.

Ethiopia and Eritrea routinely exchange accusations backing rebels trying to topple their respective regimes.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (JUBA) – Violent incidents against aid workers operating in South Sudan increased during the month of May, despite efforts to assist thousands of vulnerable people in the war-torn nation, the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA) said in a recent report.

Non-food items distributing to IDPS by the UNHCR workers in Maridi on 4 March 2016 (ST Photo)

78 humanitarian access incidents, OCHA said, were reported by partners in May, 73% of which involved violence against aid personnel or their properties.

These numbers, it said, was higher than in April, when 48 incidents were reported, and also higher than the monthly average of 63 incidents reported from January to March.

“Road and river travel for humanitarians continues to be hazardous,” partly reads the OCHA report.

It said violent incidents, including shooting, ambushes, assaults, harassment and robberies, increased during May, and included the killing of three humanitarian workers, bringing the reported number of aid workers killed in South Sudan to 55 since the conflict began in December 2013.

Since January, there have reportedly been 29 incidents of vehicles robberies as they travel to assess, deliver and pre-position items in various part of the young nation.

“In Upper Nile, humanitarian partners were shot at while attempting to cross the River Nile to deliver humanitarian assistance between Malakal and Wau Shilluk on 26 and 30 May,” the agency disclosed.

According to OCHA, nearly 4,500 internally displaced people departed the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site in May, bringing the population in the site to about 95,000 at the end of the month. Most of those departing, it said, plan engaging in farming in Rubkona, Guit and Koch counties.

About 103,400 people have been reached with food rations distributed outside the Bentiu Protection of Civilians site, including in Bentiu Town, Ding Ding, Kuach, Nhialdiu, Nimni, Bil, Kadet and Jazeera since February, while seeds and fishing kits have been provided to about 7,400 households in Guit County and 10,000 in Koch County, OCHA revealed.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has revealed the arrest of what it described as the most dangerous gold smuggling network in the country.

A Sudanese merchant weighs gold in al-Shirik, Sudan (AFP)

The Sudanese gold panners and the mining companies reportedly smuggle their production because of restrictive policies implemented by the Bank of Sudan.

The central bank sets the purchase price based on the official exchange rate of the dollars, while the producers prefer to smuggle the gold to get benefit from the higher price of the dollars in the black market.

The Sudanese Medic Center quoted a security source, on Wednesday, as saying that the NISS seized 64 kilograms of gold that were designed for smuggling abroad to a neighbouring country.

The NISS further arrested 7 members of the network, including two foreigners from a neighbouring country it did not identify.

The capture of the gold smugglers took place after monitoring of purchase and storage operations of gold in order to smuggle it broad.

The Sudanese Media Center, which is close to the NISS, reported that the members of the network confessed plans to smuggle the gold through different stages.

Addressing the inauguration of NISS's new facilities in the River Nile state capital, Al-Damar last January, the chief-spy Mohamed Atta said gold smuggling has become a public security issue, stressing that NISS is ready to combat the phenomenon in coordination with other regular forces.

Gen. Atta revealed higher security directives to stop the transportation of gold without prior permission from the concerned authorities.

He further pointed out that the recent amendments of the Criminal Code approved by the parliament aim to curb gold smuggling.

The spy-chief described the gold as a national resource that contributes to supporting the national economy.

The Sudanese minister of minerals, Ahmed Mohammed Sadiq al-Karouri, said in previous statements that the government has almost no control over 90% of the gold produced by independent miners, saying that the lack of adequate gold laboratory services led to the spike in smuggling; but vowed to enforce strict policies to curb it.

In a report to the parliament in June 2014, the Ministry of Minerals said that 75% of the gold production is smuggled abroad.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (BOR) -The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) funded project, Quick Impact Project (QIP), which aimed to improve the fishery sector in Jonglei state, was launched in Bor after its completion on 15 June, 2016.

A fisherman sailing a boat in the White Nile, 17 September 2013 (ST)

Implemented by Humanitarian Development Consortium, QIP created a fish market near the main fish landing site to improve the hygienic conditions associated with fish handling and storage.

Speaking in Bor when the project was handed over to the community, the UNMISS head of field office, Debora Schein outlined the impact the project has achieved.

“I am pleased that this fish market is an UNMISS quick impact project aimed at improving the sanitary conditions of the market, and the hygienic conditions of handling, storing and selling fish which protects your health and that of the entire community”, said Schein.

She said the market was not only a place to buy food, but a place where people socialize, talk to each other and meet friends, which would promote peace among the people, as the function was attended by people living in town and displaced living in the POC in Bor.

“This location, the Bor main docking port is the main entry and exit point for greater Jonglei, and this market should become a hub of activity bringing together people of all ethnic backgrounds. Today, we have with us women and men from the UNMISS Bor protection site. It is my hope to see this as a normal occurrence, with all people moving about freely and safely. People, goods and services moving freely in the port is an affirmation that life is beginning to return to normal and that development and prosperity is coming to Bor. I look forward to seeing a thriving fish market as a symbol of peace and prosperity for the benefit of all of the Community ”, added Schein.

There is alsways high demand of fish in Bor as fish carry relatively cheaper prices.

“In line with our UNMISS mandate of creating the conditions to enable the protection of all civilians, of all communities, the fish market project was designed to assist you, the fishing communities; you, the women; and everyone that enjoys a good fish dinner”, stressed UN official.

James Jok Alier, the deputy director of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) said the project would help the residents and fish dealers in several different ways.

“When we received the Quick Impact Project (QIP), we prioritised the fish market to be implemented.

"We are happy to both UNMISS and HDC, the implementing partner. They have safe our women from sun, from rains and from unhygienic environment, they will be able to sell their fish in a very conducive place”, said Alier.

Filbert Ahmat, the executive director of HDC, said the project aimed at improving and increasing both the quantity and quality of fish in Bor so that it is exported for cash.

With this project in place, Jonglei state has a better chance of feeding the entire population of South Sudan. We have brought this project so that the people of Bor can develop the fishery sector so that they are able to feed the people of South Sudan. It is not an emergency project, it is not a rehabilitation or recovery project, it is a development project. Now that we have developed the skills, you have to take over”, said Ahmat.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan on Wednesday said the leaders of the great Lakes region adopted a proposal it made to form ministerial committee to fight the activities of the negative forces in the region.

The Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), met in Luanda, Angola, on 14th June, 2016 where they discussed the political and security situation in the Region.

Vice President Hassabo Abdel Rahman headed Sudan's delegation to the summit which was held under the theme of “Accelerating the effective implementation of the Pact and its Protocols for a more democratic and stable Great Lakes Region”.

In a press statement after the return of the Sudanese delegation to Khartoum, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Obeid-Allah Mohamed Obeid-Allah said that the meeting adopted a recommendation proposed by the Sudan calling to form a ministerial committee to address the subversive activities of the Negative Movements in the region.

According to the proposal this committee will include the ICGLR ministers of defence, interior and directors of security and intelligence services. Also the Summit recommended the need for a joint coordination between the state members to limit the impact of the rebel movements.

Obeid Allah went further to say that the speech of the vice president in the closed-door session on Sudan's efforts to cooperate and coordinate with the neighbouring countries on security issues was largely appreciated by the ICGLR leaders.

The text of the final communiqué released after the end of the 6th ordinary ICGLR summit seen by Sudan tribune says the meeting "Noted with great concern the growing threat of terrorism and radicalization in the Region and internationally, and called for sustained solidarity in fighting this menace with greater vigour and resolve, including implementation of the earlier ICGLR Summit decision by establishing a Committee of Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence of ICGLR to expeditiously formulate a strategy and practical actions towards addressing this threat against the region".

The Lakes leaders also called on the ICGLR member states " for concerted efforts to neutralize the LRA and the threat posed by this negative force in CAR and the Region".

Sudan recently declined to join an African Union mechanism to fight the LRA rebels saying this group has no presence in its territory but however vowed to cooperate in this respect when ever is needed.

The regional summit also supported Sudan's efforts to lift the U.S. "unilateral and coercive economic sanctions" pointing to the "disproportionate and indiscriminate human cost of these measures on the Sudanese civilian population".

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan government has grudgingly admitted falling short of cash to pay civil servants and for essential services, raising fears that such an open admission may lead to uncertainty and insolvency.

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

Information Minister and government's official spokesperson, Michael Makuei Lueth, announced on Friday in a statement broadcasted by the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) that the government has no money to make prompt payments to the employees, claiming he himself has not been paid for the last three months and “did not complain.”

Lueth argued that people should not demand payments for months which were not paid but rather wait for the months ahead, asserting the government has no money to pay for accumulated and unpaid months.

“There is no money, even myself I have not been paid for the last three months,” said minister Lueth, in a statement broadcasted by the state-owned media.

He was answering a question put to him by a reporter about payment of the civil servants after attending a regular cabinet meeting in which the council resolved to ask the leadership of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of the First Vice President, Riek Machar, to talk to one of his senior commanders, General Johnson Olony, to permit the use of river transport to move grains from Renk to Juba and other parts of the country in order to help the situation.

General Olony is the commander of Sector One in Upper Nile state in the areas under the control of the SPLA-IO. His forces have closed the river Nile route between Renk and Malakal in Upper Nile state.

But minister Lueth's open admission of lack of funds to make payments has received mixed reactions from the general public and from the government, with some officials describing it as “inappropriate statement.”

Others argued that the remarks were part of a political ploy to convince the civil servants to exercise patience as the government is seeking ways out to make payments.

Critics of the government have also interpreted the statement to mean attempt by the government to elicit sympathy and support from the international community.

Many in government, including President Salva Kiir, were persuaded to accept the signing of the peace agreement as a way to receive support to improve the currently struggling economic situation and to avoid sanctions and other measures as incentive for blocking peace efforts.

However, international support has not yet come forth, owing to the lack of political will to implement the peace agreement by the parties.

Among many issues that need to be tackled include the status of the controversial 28 states unilaterally created against the 10 states stipulated in the August 2015 peace deal and cantonment of opposition forces across the country.

International financial experts and institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned of further economic deterioration in South Sudan.

(ST)

June 15, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese police have freed five children from a child trafficking network in the eastern Sudan state of Kassala. Also, the Police arrested suspects in Khartoum in connection with this network, which smuggles children into Libya

Sudan is considered as a country of origin and transit for the illegal migration and human trafficking. Thousands of people from Eritrea and Ethiopia are monthly crossing the border into the Sudanese territories on their way to Europe through Libya or Egypt.

On Wednesday Police in Kassala announced that five children at the age of 15 years were on their way to Libya via Khartoum.

The Family and Child Unit Director, Colonel Amad Ahmed al-Tayeb, and the members of security committee in Kassla State attended the police press conference.

The children were attempting to leave Kassala without informing their families, according to Colonel Amad Ahmed al-Tayeb.

Colonel al-Tayeb added that the police managed to foil their plan after being informed by the Bus Association about the presence of several children seeking to quit the state.

He said interrogation revealed that the traffickers were in contact with a child trafficking network in Khartoum which was arrested as well.

The police official further said that the suspect had previously trafficked children below 18 years old.

Eastern Sudan in particular is believed to be serving as a passage for illegal immigration to Europe for Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali nationals with the help of human smugglers.

Last week, Sudan, Italy and the United Kingdom said they arrested in Khartoum an Eritrean man suspected of controlling one of the world's four largest criminal immigration trafficking organizations.

In January 2014, the Sudanese parliament approved an anti-human trafficking law which punishes those involved with human trafficking with up to 20 years imprisonment.

(ST)