Sudan Tribune

June 13, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese presidency comprising President Salva Kiir, First Vice President, Riek Machar, and Vice President, James Wani have not yet directed state governments and army command to establish cantonment sites for forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in the country.

A state governor in Bahr el Ghazal region revealed that the presidency has not yet acted upon their last week's consensus to establish cantonment areas for the opposition forces.

General Elias Waya, governor of the newly created Wau state, said he has not received any official directive from the presidency about the establishment of the cantonment sites for forces of SPLA-IO.

“I have no information about the establishment of the cantonment sites for SPLA-IO forces in the state. There is no official communication. No directives have been given from the presidency,” Governor Waya explained.

“Yes, we heard from the media the decision of the cabinet but this has to be operationalized. It has to be made official in writing,” he said when reached on Monday to comment on the establishment of cantonment sites.

Waya also described security situation in the area as calm and under control.

His comments echoed the explanation from a SPLA-IO's senior commander, General James Koang Chuol, who also said the Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), of which he is a member, has not yet received official directive from the presidency to establish the cantonment sites.

Observers say the delay in the establishment of the cantonment sites for forces of the SPLA-IO in the country, specifically in the two regions of Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria, continues to be a cause of current tensions and clashes between the two rival forces when coming into contacts during reconnaissance.

Others attribute the delay to lack of funds to facilitate movements of the officials who would be involved in identification of the locations and discussion with local communities.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 13, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian and Eritrean forces on Sunday engaged in fresh fighting along their heavily militarised common border, officials in Asmara said.

Eritrea, which borders Sudan and Ethiopia, has been dubbed the North Korea of Africa (HRW)

According to multiple reports, the two rival forces fought in Tserona front, an area situated about 75 kilometers south of the Eritrean capital, Asmara.

An Eritrean opposition website said the clashes took place shortly after midnight on Sunday morning and each side appears to be calling up reinforcement.

Asmara released a short statement accusing neighbouring Ethiopia of launching the attack.

However, the Ethiopian information and communications minister, Getachew Reda couldn't confirm the border clashes, saying he had no knowledge about the report.

Ethiopian forces “has today, Sunday 12 June 2016, unleashed an attack against Eritrea on the Tsorona Central Front” the Eritrean ministry of information said in a statement.

The statement added that the purpose and ramifications of this attack are not clear.

“The Government of Eritrea will issue further statements on the unfolding situation” the short statement concluded.

The latest fighting comes, as Ethiopia in recent months warned Eritrea that it would take a proportional action unless the red Sea nation refrains from continued provocations.

In February, a group of Eritrean armed men cross borders in to Ethiopia and carried out mass kidnappings from a Tigray region in North Ethiopia bordering Eritrea.

However Eritrea freed the abductees after Ethiopia warned it would take military action to recue its citizens.

Last moth, Ethiopia said it has foiled what it described was a plot by Eritrean mercenaries to carryout a terror attack in the country.

Ethiopia has previously carried out military actions against targets inside Eritrea to what Addis Ababa says is a proportional measures to Eritrea's continued aggression.

In 1998, the two neighbors fought a two-year long war over their disputed border which has claimed the lives of at least 70,000.

The row over their border remains unresolved and forces of both sides regularly engage in lower-scale skirmishes.

It is not yet clear on to what has triggered Sunday's clashes but Ethiopia has routinely accused Eritrea of orchestrating a number of cross-border attacks using Ethiopian rebels it harbors, an accusation Asmara denies.

Abraham Belay, a political analyst based in Addis Ababa told Sudan Tribune that the quick statement issued by Eritrea is “nothing more than the usual systematic ways” of the country to divert the people's attention.

“It is meant to deflect the public's attention from the recent UN human rights commission report,” he said.

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea on Wednesday disclosed that the commission found crimes that were committed against humanity.

Mike Smith, the chairman of the commission said crimes of enslavement, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture, persecutions, sexual and gender based violence, discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity and other inhuman crimes were documented.

The latest report said it has found no improvement in the rule of law further citing to the absence of a constitution, an independent judiciary or democratic institutions in Eritrea.

The commission said it has recommended to the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Eritrea to the prosecutor of the Hague-based International Criminal Court.

(ST)

June 13, 2016 (KAMPALA) – Fighting erupted on Sunday evening in Uganda's Gulu district near the border with South Sudan, Ugandan media outlets have reported.

Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni and his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba (Monitor)

The first clashes in the Gulu district area, predominantly inhabited by the Acholi tribe in Uganda, occurred after media reports that a number of army officers have been allegedly arrested in Kampala over an alleged plan to stage military coup against President Yoweri Museveni.

“It is true, Gulu Police barracks was attacked today [Sunday],” Uganda media quoted police spokesperson, Fred Enanga.

“The attackers were repulsed in a fight that lasted about 39 minutes – from around 9:00 pm to 9:30 pm,” he added.

Enanga could not however name the fighters who stormed the police state for security reasons, saying this would be “jeopardizing investigations.”

Shops were closed as the fierce gun battle rocked the town, forcing many to scamper for safety. The police station was reported raided before army reinforcement came in to flash out the gunmen.

The incident also comes against the backdrop of reports that a new rebel movement has begun to operate in the area against President Museveni's government.

Last year, unidentified group of armed men attacked Mubende Police Station to loot the armoury but were repulsed after the army came in and joined the battle.

(ST)

June 13, 2016 (JUBA) – A senior army general in the opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) under the leadership of the First Vice President, Riek Machar, said they have not been officially informed to open the river Nile route.

Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, the chief of staff of the SPLA-IO, talks to the press at a rebel military site in Juba on April 25, 2016 (Photo AFP/Charles Lomodong)

The presidency of South Sudan and the council of ministers have resolved on a number of security issues, but which have not yet been communicated officially to the implementers on the ground.

In the last week's Friday council of ministers meeting, information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, said the SPLM-IO leadership would direct their Sector One commander in Upper Nile state, General Johnson Olony, to allow the river route to open between Renk and Malakal which the opposition controls.

However, the top commander of the SPLA-IO in the Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (JMCC), General James Koang Chuol, said their organization has not been informed to communicate the matter.

JMCC is a body established under the August 2015 peace agreement to monitor the implementation of the security arrangements in the country.

“We have not been informed officially that there is food that is going to be brought from Renk to Juba. If we were informed the joint military committee would do that. But no one had informed the military committee officially,” General Chuol told the media.

He said they have not been informed about the items which the government wanted to ferry along the River Nile.

The river route connecting Renk and Malakal has been blocked since last year by the opposition forces of the SPLA-IO.

General Chuol also earlier said they have not been informed officially in writing to identify the cantonment areas for opposition forces in Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr el Ghazal regions, despite agreement in the presidency to establish the cantonment areas.

No cantonment areas have yet been established in the country.

(ST)

June 13, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese parliament on Monday has ratified a 60 million K.D (about $200 million) loan agreement from Kuwait to finance irrigation projects of Roseires dam in the Blue Nile state following an intense debate on whether or not the loan complies with the Sharia law.

Roseires Dam (ST)

Sudan's foreign relations have witnessed a remarkable shift since last fall particularly in its rapprochement with the Arab Gulf states following years of chilly ties.

Several legislators refused to approve the loan unless a legal opinion from the Sudan Religious Scholar Council (SRSC) underscoring that the loan doesn't include usurious interest was obtained.

However, other MPs stressed the need to approve the loan due to the difficult economic conditions experienced by the country.

Meanwhile, a joint report by the parliamentary subcommittee on legislation, justice and human rights and the subcommittee of finance and economic planning and the subcommittee on agriculture, animal resources and forests has revealed that the loan would be repaid within 19 years with an annual premium of 1,5 million K.D.

MP Mubarak al-Nur said the loan must not be approved unless a legal opinion was received from the SRSC and the Islamic Fiqh Academy (IFA) showing that the loan doesn't include an interest rate.

However, MP Abdel-Rahim Issa said the country is in dire need of the loan particularly under the current economic circumstances.

For his part, MP Mohamed al-Hassan al-Amin pointed to the existence of an independent committee that looks into the compatibility of the loans with the Sharia law, saying the committee belongs to the presidency and includes several religious scholars.

He pointed the committee approved a number of loans in the past and rejected some others.

The head of the subcommittee on agriculture, animal resources and forests Abdallah Masar, for his part, underscored the importance of the loan saying it would help expand the cultivated area.

He added that the loan would change life in the Blue Nile completely and will increase power production and end the conflict in the area.

Sudan's economy was hit hard since the southern part of the country declared independence in July 2011, taking with it about 75% of the country's oil output.

The East African nation also suffers from a two-decade economic embargo imposed upon it by the United States in response to its alleged connection to terror networks and human rights abuses.

(ST)

June 13, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Leaders of the Sudan Call forces have issued conflicting statements regarding a proposed meeting of the alliance to decide whether or not to meet the chief African mediator Thabo Mbeki to discuss the Roadmap Agreement for peace and dialogue in Sudan.

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

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, Darfur, and South Kordofan and to engage in the national dialogue process.

However, the opposition groups, Justice and Equality Movement ((JEM), NUP, Sudan People's Liberation Movement -North (SPLM-N), and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) refused the roadmap saying it acknowledges a government controlled dialogue conference and would lead to reproduce the regime.

Following a meeting held last week to discuss the opposition refusal of the Roadmap Agreement, NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi said he agreed with Mbeki to hold a meeting with the Sudan Call forces to discuss the matter.

The NUP leader pointed that he proposed that the Sudan Call forces participating in the dialogue should send an official letter demanding a meeting with Mbeki to reach an agreement on those issues, saying the latter accepted his suggestion.

In a letter extended to Sudan Tribune Monday, al-Mahdi directed veiled criticism at some parties of the alliance, saying their actions indicate that the Sudan Call is not a coherent entity that seeks to establish a new regime through dialogue or popular uprising as stated in its founding statement.

He pointed to the importance for holding the proposed meeting in Addis Ababa, saying the meeting would basically discuss the completion of the alliance's structures besides exchanging views on the letter that should be sent to Mbeki as soon as possible.

Al-Mahdi warned that the postponement or cancellation of the Sudan Call meeting “would represent a precious gift for the regime and a terrible loss for the legitimate demands of our people”, saying the alliance must keep pace with the rapid developments and use it to advance the national agenda instead of allowing it to serve the interests of the tyrants.

“The dialogue [conference] is criticizing the regime and some founding leaders of the regime are abandoning it and the internal atmosphere is calling for a new regime and the recommendations of the internal dialogue are echoing the views of the opposition,” he said

He said this atmosphere requires the Sudan Call forces to show unity and prove they are serious about establishing a new regime through dialogue or peaceful popular uprising.

“However, actions of some Sudan Call parties implies the opposite of these expected stances … this would frustrate the hopes of the Sudanese people,” he added.

Al-Mahdi further called for increasing the isolation of the regime by backing the African mediation, saying the Sudan Call should express support the positive items of the Roadmap and seek to address its shortcomings on the same basis that he mentioned in his letter to Mbeki.

He said the refusal of some Sudan Call parties to discuss the Roadmap would cast doubts on the opposition seriousness and weaken the position of its international allies while strengthening the stance of the regime's backers and would eventually push Mbeki to criticize the opposition in his report to the African peace body.

For his part, the leader of JEM Gibril Ibrahim told radio Afia Darfur that the United States Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, has extended the invitation to the Sudan Call forces to discuss the Roadmap next Thursday in Addis Ababa.

He added that the rest of the Sudan Call forces and Thabo Mbeki would participate in the talks at a later stage.

Last week, the alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) has distanced itself from any discussions about the roadmap, saying the ongoing talks with Mbeki do not mean anything for it.

The NCF is a member of the Sudan Call coalition but says the regime is not credible and points that the popular uprising is the best way to achieve regime change.

Mbeki form his side, deals in his peace initiative with the forces that signed an agreement with his panel on the national dialogue on 5 September 2014 including the JEM, NUP, SLM-MM and the SPLM-N.

The leading figure at SLM-MM Bishara Manago said the four opposition forces who received the invitation from the American envoy would ask for amending the roadmap and holding a preparatory dialogue meeting abroad.

However, SLM-MM leader Minni Minnawi , in a post at his Facebook page stressed that the proposed Sudan Call meeting has been delayed, saying another meeting with the international envoys under the title “signing the roadmap that has lost its road” would be held instead.

He expected that the meeting with the international envoys would force the opposition forces to join the internal dialogue, pointing to the conflicting goals of the envoys, Mbeki and those who seek to introduce real changes to the roadmap.

In the same context, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol expressed commitment to attend the Sudan Call meeting and to ensure its success, accusing several quarters including the Sudanese government of obfuscating on the meeting.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Monday, Ardol denied existence of any arrangements to meet with the AUHIP or Mbeki or to sign the roadmap, saying the Sudan Call meeting would discuss the latest internal and external developments in order arrive at decisions that promote change and just peace.

June 13, 2016 (JUBA) – A local security guard working at the United States Embassy was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in the South Sudan capital, Juba on Saturday.

The U.S. envoy in Juba, Molly Phee said the deceased was a person who loved his nation.

“The work of the U.S. Embassy and USAID [US Agency for International Development] is made possible each day by the outstanding efforts of 320 South Sudanese members of our team,” said Phee in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.

“They [local staff] love their country and support the U.S. government and the American people as we endeavour to promote peace and development in South Sudan. Today, as we mourn the loss of our dear colleague, we are reminded that too many South Sudanese have lost loved ones due to the recent conflict. We will redouble our efforts to help South Sudan overcome its current challenges,” it added.

The deceased, relatives said, worked as a guard at the American embassy for 10 years.

The statement, which did not name the deceased, said the “Local Guard Force was shot last night around 1:45 am while he was on duty protecting an embassy off-site facility.”

“He was immediately taken to Juba Teaching Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds after unsuccessful emergency treatment,” further added the statement.

This is the first time a diplomatic mission worker has been killed while at a work station.

(ST)

June 13, 2016 (JUBA) - A High Court in South Sudan's national capital, Juba, has sentenced to life imprisonment 16 officials for playing a role in the stealing of more than 14 million US dollars from the office of President Salva Kiir.

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

The High Court judge, Ladu Armenio, delivered the sentences on Monday afternoon. However, the defence lawyers have vowed to appeal the ruling.

John Agou Wuoi, Anyieth Chaat Paul, Yel Luol, Chaat Paul, Mayen Wol, Diing Ajieng, Nhumot Agot, Ana Kalisto, Kur Ayuen, Garang Aguer, Francis Yata, Anyang Majok Ayuen, Anthony Madimo, Anthony Dia, Raphini Jadada and Lisiuma are among the sentenced officials found to have stolen the money in a coordinated process.

President Kiir in June 2015 issued administrative orders suspending the executive director in his office, Mayen Wol and Yel Luol, chief administrator, who were until Monday sentenced to spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

This follows a month after national security officer attached to the Office of the President, John Agou, was arrested over the fraud. The men were accused and suspended on charges related to forging signature of President Kiir. This led to the loss of over $14 million in the name of the president.

The officials were allegedly using the signature of the president to steal 30 million South Sudanese pounds, with the help of 14 officials from the Central Bank and ministry of finance.

“The accused have been accused for abusing their power and misusing their positions and violated financial rules and regulations,” said Deng Achuil, senior legal counsel at the high court.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (JUBA) – The past five weeks have witnessed jubilations at Jebel Kujur, an area about 6 km west of the center of the South Sudanese national capital, Juba, as hundreds or thousands of various community members and leaders have been visiting the First Vice President, Riek Machar, at his makeshift residence to congratulate him on his position to spearhead needed reforms in the country.

Anyuak community leaders giving necktie gift to FVP Riek Machar, and bead gift to his wife, Angelina Teny, at their Jebel Kujur residence, Sunday, 12 June, 2016 (ST photo)

Machar, according to the August 2015 peace agreement, is tasked to initiate reforms in various sectors and coordinate and supervise the implementation of the peace deal to end 21 months of the civil war.

The communities ranging from Mundari, Moro, Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Bor and Nuer, Anyuak, among others have been storming the residence, dancing or meeting the country's second powerful politician.

The latest to visit the First Vice President on Saturday is the Anyuak community of Pochalla county in Jonglei state.

But opposition leader's media official blamed the state-owned media instruments, such as the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), for not broadcasting such important interactions between the country's second powerful leader and the communities.

“There have been positive interactions or peace rallies going on with various South Sudanese communities at Jebel, the residence of the First Vice President. But these have not been broadcasted on the national TV. It seems somebody in authority is not happy about the interactions,” James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

For instance, he said, on Sunday Machar had an interaction with the Anyuak community, which broadcasted, would further add to the confidence among the populations that spirit of peace and reconciliation was in progress.

Dak explained that used to personally take the video clips of the First Vice President to the South Sudan TV in Juba containing the public interactions with different communities who visited him at Jebel Kujur, but these were not played.

However, earlier, an official of the SSBC who declined to be named admitted that they didn't broadcast many of the video clips coming from the office of the First Vice President, arguing that this was because of the “poor quality of the pictures” taken by the cameraman in that office.

He told Eye Radio that it would be “unprofessional” to play such poor quality pictures on the national TV.

When asked about the TV official's argument on poor quality of video clips from Machar's office, James Gatdet Dak responded that it was “strange” that some of the pictures produced by the same camera, particularly on some official meetings were broadcasted on the TV while others on community interactions or in churches were rejected for the alleged poor quality.

He also said “generally” it would be unfair to think that the pictures broadcasted on South Sudan TV carry the same quality with the most TV stations in the region, saying generally poor quality of pictures or TV programs were “obvious” and should be understood due to lack of the right equipment and the needed personnel and their services.

“The management should understand the fact that generally the TV produces poor pictures and programs due to many factors. It shouldn't therefore be used as an excuse to target particular pictures,” he added.

The TV management is supervised by the ministry of information, which is currently headed by Minister Michael Makuei Lueth and deputized by Akol Paul Kordit. The two men are from President Salva Kiir's faction in the new cabinet of the transitional government of national unity (TGoNU).

(ST)

June 11, 2016 (BOR) – An official in South Sudan's Jonglei state has openly opposed the establishment of Bor town municipality as well as the appointment of its mayor, saying the entire process is illegal.

Diing Akol Diing, speaking at a meeting in South Sudan Hotel in Bor, June 11, 2016 (ST)

Diing Akol Diing, a state advisor for economic affairs insists the municipality should not exist since it does not meet the right criteria.

“There are two ways through which the municipality could be created, either the governor issues provisional order creating the municipality if the parliament is not working. This order is then reviewed by the assembly to see if it [municipality] meets the conditions for it to exist. Or the executive proposes it and request the parliament to pass it. If the parliament passes it, good but if the parliament rejects it, then it should not exist,” Akol told a meeting organized in Bor town last Saturday.

Bor town municipality was decreed by the former governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk nearly four years ago. Since then, its status has never been discussed in the assembly and never passed into a legal entity.

“This municipality should be passed by Jonglei state assembly so that it becomes a legal entity which can sue and be sued”, said Akol.

For a place to get municipality status, the advisor said, populations, economic viability and territorial size of land have to be considered.

“According to South Sudan Local Government Act 2009, the municipality should have a population ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 people. It must be able to generate at least 75% of its budget on its own and it must have a size of the land”, he added.

Bor town, according to the 2008 census results, had a population of 61, 224, which is reportedly far below the required population. This time, however, after the formation of the 28 states, many people had gone to various states that were curved out of Jonglei.

Economically, Bor municipality is unable to generate half of its budget.

“Municipality is not about moving in a car that has a flag. Municipality is about generating money to improve services to the people”, said Akol.

Last week, Jonglei state governor appointed Akim Ajieth Buny, as the mayor of Bor town, replacing Nhial Majak Nhial who was sacked some months ago. But Akol insists the mayor's appointment is illegal.

“Mayor should be elected by the people for a four-year two terms if his performances are good. Mayor should be someone who lives in that particular town or municipality, not someone who comes running from other place to contest, no”, he further explained.

Akim has a family in Australia, and currently holds Australian citizenship.

Akol said Bor municipality does not even have legislators who monitor performances of the mayor and the heads of departments.

But Philip Thon Nyok, who represents Bor town in the state assembly, dismissed the economic advisor's criticism of Bor municipality status.

“Someone said the existence of the municipality is not legally corrected. Where were you since it was formed? When this municipality was formed, you were in the government as minister of local government, but failed to mention these to the former governor,” said Thon.

He added, “You [Akol] became advisor to the current governor, but you have never told him all these. You are just making noise for nothing”.

But while many agreed with Akol on the basis that Bor municipality was not economically viable, others felt it was too late to reverse the decree.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Sunday welcomed the "positive efforts" backing the government-signed Roadmap Agreement saying it provides the best way to stop war and achieve peace in the country.

AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki meets opposition NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi on June 2, 2016 (Courtesy photo of NUP)

The statement comes amid unconfirmed reports about a meeting to discuss the opposition reservations over the peace plan in Addis Ababa next Wednesday between the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and the four groups : National Umma Party, Justice and Equality Movement, Sudan Liberation Movement - Minnin Minnawi and Sudan People's Liberation Movement -North.

“We welcome all the positive efforts reiterating that the Roadmap Agreement is the ideal solution for stopping war and achieving peace," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

It further called on all parties that "are still sheltering behind a gun to consider the suffering of civilians and sign the Roadmap to begin phases of peace to stop war and end the suffering of civilians”.

The holdout opposition groups refused last March to sign the peace plan saying it excludes important opposition groups, acknowledges the internal dialogue process and ignores important confidence building measures such as ensuring political freedoms and release of political prisoners and detainees.

The NCP has described the ongoing political and societal dialogue in the country as the wider and comprehensive framework to create permanent and constructive solutions to the country's political crisis.

The statement further said that the African Union brokered Roadmap Agreement remains the best way to stop war and achieve peace.

The NCP has meanwhile commended "the efforts of the facilitators, the African Union, the AUHIP and the chief mediator Thabo Mbeki" for his efforts to achieve peace in the country.

NUP leader agreed recently with AUHIP chairman Thabo Mbeki on the need to meet the armed groups and to discuss the outstanding matters.

It was also reported that the U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth held a series of contacts with the rebel groups to encourage them to ink the peace plan.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Ministry of Minerals has pledged to hand over huge and valuables geological information in its possession to the government of South Sudan.

Gold bullion blocks pictured at a gold refinery in Khartoum on 11 October 2012 (SUNA)

On Sunday, Sudanese and South Sudanese delegations have started joint discussions in Khartoum headed by Sudanese Minster of Minerals, Ahmed Sadig al- Karouri and his South Sudanese counterpart, Taban Deng Gai,

On Saturday, a South Sudanese delegation headed by the Minister Taban Deng arrived in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, in an official visit for several days to hold talks on bilateral cooperation on mineral sector.

The two parties reviewed the previously signed cooperation agreements and South Sudan's interest to obtain some geological information from the Public Authority for Geological Research , which is the technical arm of the Ministry of Minerals.

Minister al- Karouri told reporters after the meeting that Sudan will hand over all the needed geological information to South Sudan; train South Sudan geological and technical cadres and enhance joint cooperation in the field of minerals.

Minister Gai, on his part, told media that South Sudan is keen benefit from Sudan's experience in the exploitation and development of minerals.

"We came to Khartoum to learn from our brothers in Sudan how they managed so quickly to incorporate minerals revenues to the state treasury," Gai said.

He stressed that there is evidence of valuable mineral resources such as gold and diamonds in 44% of South Sudan area.

He added that the purpose of their visit to Khartoum is to get acquainted with South Sudan geological information stored in the north before the secession..

"We came as partners; and one family and not as competitors. Our goal is to develop this important sector to contribute to the economy of the two countries along with the development of all fields, Petroleum and minerals, and internal and external trade in order to contribute and help each other," he said.

The visiting South Sudan delegation paid a visit to Sudan Gold Refinery, which is one of the largest in Africa and the Public Authority for Geological Research.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence in July 2011, following a series of disputes over a number of issues.

However, last week, the Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) between the two countries signed a series of security agreements, including immediate re-deployment of joint military unity along the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ), and agreed to open the 10 crossings points.

(ST)

June 10, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Governors of South Sudan's Greater Bahr el Ghazal region at a meeting held in Lakes state, vowed to prioritise road construction and security issues.

Akec Tong Aleu (ST Photo)

The officials said Ayat, a road construction company will ensure areas are connected by road from Terekeka, Yirol, Rumbek, Cueibet, Tonj and Wau.

The governor of Tonj state, Akec Tong Aleu said the meeting called for the immediate shutdown of all illegal checkpoints along the road linking Bahr el Ghazal region till Abyei.

"The most top priority now for this meeting is the road accessibility because the rain is coming heavily and we want to see the road is good such that we divide it into five category so that everybody can work hard to maintain the road on his side", said Aleu.

Construction of roads will reportedly be supported by Ayat company and each governor will take charge of providing fuel and incentives to drivers and workers on the highway.

“So we agreed with Ayat such that they give us equipments, we get the fuel and incentive for the drivers” said Aleu, adding, “Security in the road and unncessary checkpoints in the area be removed immediately.”

The governors of Terekeka (Jubek state), Yirol (Eastern Lakes), Cueibet (Gok state), Rumbek (Western Lakes state), Wau (Wau state) and Tonj state attended the meeting.

Meanwhile Aleu confirmed that 81 pastoralists were for resisting disarmament in the area. The Disarmament Bill was passed by Tonj state parliament in March this year.

Some of those arrested were accused of committing murder and inter-state cattle raids.

“The state security have managed to arrest 81 people in Tonj East counties, 49 pastoralists youth in Tonj South, with 32 youth being questioned with different crimes such as cattle raid, resistance to disarmament and murder-related cases", said Aleu.

Those apprehended, he added, would be produced in court or face legal consequences.

(ST)

June 11, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's armed opposition under leadership of the first vice president, Riek Machar said they have started a three week training of military officers from the ranks of second lieutenants to general as part of the signed peace agreement.

Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol, in Unity state 25 February, 2013 (ST)

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Lt. Gen James Koang Chuol, the deputy chief of staff for administration and finance, said the training kicked off on Friday.

The officers, he said, are under going training on rule of law, leadership, code of conduct in militarily service training, stressing the need disseminate information on the peace deal.

Chuol, however, admitted they lack a budget and equipments to facilitate the training.

The senior opposition official said training was ongoing despite challenges, adding they are doing what they can to make sure knowledge was passed to all the participants.

Both low and high ranking officials were targetted with plans to also train Police officers. The training will be passed on to low ranking officers at various deployment sites.

The armed opposition signed an accord with the government to end over 20 months of a violent conflict that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over two million.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese minister of general education and instruction, Deng Deng Yai, has described education as the best weapon for liberation from poverty and ignorance.

US embassy chargé ambassador Charles Twining and education minister John Gai attend the BRAC launch (Photo courtesy of USAID)

He said South Sudan would have instilled nationalism and embrace democracy if its populations were educated.

“The best tool and weapon for liberation from poverty, hunger, ignorance in South Sudan is education. As a country and as people, we need to invest more in the development of an educational system that promotes harmony, instil nationalism and promote values of democracy, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and cultural diversity,” Yai said.

“This can be found through education. An educated society prospers,” he further explained when asked to comment on the purpose for organizing annual school competition.

Deng said he would like to leave behind a legacy after retiring from public service as someone who established vibrant educational system by ensuring during his tenure that more teachers, specifically those involved in inspection are trained and empowered to carry out their inspectorate work with relevant knowledge.

He made the remarks in line with the ongoing preparations for inter-school competitions that will involve teams from all the states of the country.

All the schools earmarked to participate in the inter-school competition slated to take place in Juba, will converge in Yambio town, Western Equatoria. Preparations, Yai said, are being undertaken.

A supervisory committee headed by him has been formed and another technical committee comprising the undersecretary at the ministry of general education and the ministry of youth and sports has also been assembled to study and recommend what needs to be done before competitions take place.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's dialogue body known as 7+7 committee has said that the national dialogue's general assembly would be held on August 6th.

Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed al-Balal Osman speaks during a press conference in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on June 9, 2013. ( Photo AFP/ASHRAF SHAZLY)

The announcement came after a meeting between the 7+7 committee and President Omer al-Bashir on Sunday.

Member of the 7+7 committee,Information Minister and Government Spokesperson Ahmed Bilal Osman told reporters following the meeting that the national dialogue “came to an end and we are waiting for the general assembly to approve the recommendations which would pave the way for the great shift in Sudan”.

He added that the period which precedes the general assembly's meeting would witness intensive contacts with those interested in joining the dialogue besides the opposition holdout groups inside Sudan and abroad.

Launched on 10 October 2015 for three months, the dialogue process was initially expected to wind up on 10th January.

The opposition groups refuse to join the process and call on the government to implement a number of confidence building measures aimed to create a suitable atmosphere for dialogue. But the government refuses their claims.

Osman pointed that the 7+7 committee would conduct large contacts with the Sudanese people and the opposition holdout parties to get them acquainted with the recommendations of the dialogue conference.

He added that the meeting discussed the 7+7 committee's final report on the first and second phases of the dialogue which included 900 recommendations on the six issues of the dialogue, saying the conferees have agreed on 97% of these recommendations.

It is noteworthy that the national dialogue conference has discussed six main issues including the national identity, freedoms and rights, national economy, foreign relations, governance and implementation of the outcome of the dialogue.

For his part, member of the 7+7 committee Bishara Gumaa Aror said the national dialogue has accommodated all views of the opposition holdout groups, disclosing ongoing contacts to convince the latter to join the dialogue.

He stressed that no preparatory meeting would take place outside Sudan, saying the 7+7 could hold consultative meetings with the opposition holdout abroad.

In September 2014, the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) endorsed a roadmap aiming to facilitate the national dialogue. It provides to hold a national dialogue preparatory meeting in Addis to agree on issues related to the process.

Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed al-Balal Osman speaks during a press conference in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on June 9, 2013. ( Photo AFP/ASHRAF SHAZLY)

However, the Sudanese government refuses to take part in the pre-dialogue meeting, expressing readiness to meet the rebels to discuss the conditions and guarantees related to their participation in the internal process.

Bashir launched the national dialogue initiative two and a half years ago in which he urged opposition parties and rebels alike to join the dialogue table to discuss all the pressing issues.

But the initiative faced serious setbacks in wake of the government's refusal to create suitable atmosphere in the country leading several major participants to pull out.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (JUBA) – Rival South Sudanese forces clashed on Saturday in Central Equatoria state, situated south of the national capital, Juba.

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

The deadly clashes, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to First Vice President, Riek Machar, left at least 21 soldiers dead and dozen others wounded on both sides, according to military sources.

“SPLA and SPLA-IO forces clashed on Saturday. The fighting occurred in Kansuk payam of Keji Keji county. Our forces were attacked in the area by the SPLA forces,” a senior military officer of the SPLA-IO told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

He blamed the forces loyal to President Kiir for allegedly attacking their military base around Keji Keji in Kansuk area.

The source, who is also a member of the military committee responsible for the security arrangements per the August 2015 peace agreement, also claimed that the SPLA-IO forces defeated the SPLA forces in self-defence.

“We managed to chase them [SPLA forces] back into Keji Keji town,” he said.

He further claimed that at least 20 soldiers from the rival SPLA forces were killed, one tank and a number of military vehicles were either destroyed or captured.

SPLA-IO forces in Equatoria region have not been cantoned and processes to do so have not been implemented.

The latest fighting is the first deadliest clashes in the region after formation of the transitional government of national unity which brought together rival leaders who fought for two years.

Sources in the capital, Juba, said the situation on Sunday was calm, but tense after the Saturday clashes in Keji Keji.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (NYALA) - Unidentified gunmen Saturday have stormed Silik pharmacy in downtown Nyala, capital of South Darfur state and stole cash money before fleeing.

A Sudanese military tank is stationed near a security facility in South Darfur capital Nyala on 4 July 2013 (Photo: Getty Images)

A pharmacist working for Silik pharmacy by the name of Madiha told Sudan Tribune that masked men broke into the pharmacy at 9:30 pm (local time) and threatened the pharmacist at gunpoint after they handcuffed him.

She pointed that the gunmen stole sums of money from the cabinet besides the mobile phone of the pharmacist.

Meanwhile, residents of Hai al-Jebel neighbourhood in the eastern part of Nyala have heard sounds of intense gunshots on Saturday night and there were reports of clashes between the police and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

However, no official statement has been issued on the incident which caused fear and panic among the residents.

A number of residents have expressed concern over the return of the lawlessness situation which prevailed in Nyala before imposing the emergency situation, pointing that the looting of a pharmacy in downtown is a serious indicator that the state could return to the previous situation.

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 7pm to 7am (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)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 10, 2016(ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia's Ministry of Defence on Friday said Ethiopian forces alongside troops from the Somali army have killed 248 Al-shabaab militants in central Somalia.

In this photo taken Thursday Feb.17, 2011 Al-Shabab fighters march with their guns during military exercises on the outskirts of Mogadishu,Somalia (AP)

The militants were killed after attempting an attack on an African Union base in central Somalia where Ethiopian forces are mainly stationed serving under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM.

According to the statement, Ethiopian and Somalian forces jointly have foiled a planned Al-Shabab attack on Ethiopian forces on Thursday in Hiran region's Halgan town, some 300km north of the capital Mogadishu.

Although AMISOM said it has foiled the attack, the Islamist militant group however alleged killing dozens of Ethiopian soldiers.

“Our fighters stormed the Halgan base of AMISOM . We killed 43 AU soldiers from Ethiopia in the fighting” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al-Shabab's military operations spokesperson, told Reuters news agency.

Al-Shebab's claim has not yet been independently confirmed by AMISOM or the Ethiopian government.

According to the statement by the Ethiopian defence ministry, Al-Shabab attempted to carryout the attack in four directions, by using cars equipped with bombs.

“Ethiopian and Somalia forces jointly repulsed the attack and killed 248 Al-Shabab militants including 5 top commanders” it said.

Hundreds of Al Shabab fighters were also captured during the clashes.

The state-run TV, Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) today aired a large cache of weapons it said were captured during Thursday's attack.

Meanwhile the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, condemns in the strongest terms the failed attack.

The Chairperson commended the fast response exhibited by the Ethiopian contingent of AMISOM and the Somali forces in repulsing the attack.

“Attacks such as this further demonstrate the despicable nature of Al Shabaab, whose sole purpose is to spread terror and continue the destabilization of Somalia” She said.

“Our resolve can only be rejuvenated, to fight on until Somalia is freed of all elements of terror. She further stresses that the failed attack demonstrated AMISOM's capability to respond effectively against this terrorist threat”

Dlamini-Zuma reaffirmed AU's continued support the Somali Government and people in their effort to achieve sustainable peace.

Ethiopia is one of the five countries contributing troops to the 22,000-strong AU mission in Somalia.

This the first time for an Ethiopian-run AMISOM base to be attacked by Al-Qaeda allied terrorist group.

Al-Shabab's insurgency aims to topple the western-backed government and turn the nation in to an Islamic state.

(ST)

June 10, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Police Force and UNMAID police on Friday agreed to form a joint coordination mechanism to achieve peace and stability in Darfur.

UNAMID forces from Rwanda patrol in an area for families displaced by the fighting over goldmines between the Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes on the outskirts of El Sereif in North Darfur on 13 May 2013 (Photo: Albert González Farran/UNAMID)

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the western Sudan's region.

Sudanese Police Forces Commander, General Hashim Osman al-Hussein, and UNAMID Police Commander, Brigadier Barsila Makothi discussed, in Khartoum, ways to enhance joint cooperation in Darfur.

Following the meeting, it was announced that that the two parties agreed to create a coordination mechanism to achieve peace and stability in Darfur.

According to a statement issued by Sudan Police Press Office, on Friday, the two parties discussed the security situation in Darfur, the role of Sudanese police in enhancing peace and stability in Darfur and its support to UNAMID police in achieving its mandate in Darfur.

UNAMID Police Commander hailed cooperation with Sudanese police, according to the statement.

“The deployment of UNAMID Police in Darfur is not a substitute for Sudan Police but it aims to enhance joint cooperation , building capacities and sharing experience in training, managing prisons and community police,'' reads the statement.

In February 2015 , A tripartite working group including the Sudanese government, African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) has been set up to develop an exit strategy for the UNAMID from Darfur.

UNAMID currently has 13,809 military personnel, 1,161 police advisers, 1,814 formed police unit officers, 762 international civilian staff, 152 United Nations volunteers, and 2,177 national civilian staff.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1769, in July 2007, authorized the deployment of an appropriate civilian police component consisting of more than 3,500 police officers, with 19 formed police units comprising up to 140 personnel each.

(ST)