Sudan Tribune

June 5, 2016 (JUBA) - British troops have arrived in South Sudan to take part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission, the Defence Ministry confirmed in a statement.

David Cameron

The plan to deploy British troops was announced by the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron at a UN gathering, which took place in September last year.

As such, Britain said it would send around 300 troops to South Sudan, where tens of thousands of people were killed in a bloody civil war which broke out in December 2013.

The British forces in the young nation will reportedly carry out engineering work to strengthen the country's infrastructure.

The UK personnel would reportedly be split into two engineer squadrons to provide "vital engineering work to strengthen infrastructure as well as further advisory support".

"The arrival of British personnel clearly demonstrates our commitment to supporting UN efforts to improve conditions in some of the world's most destabilising conflicts,” said Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.

Britain remains a large financial contributor to UN peacekeeping missions.

(ST)

June 6, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan and South Sudan Sunday signed a series of security agreements, including immediate re-deployment of joint military forces along the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ), and approved a plan to stop supporting and harbouring rebels as well as open the crossings points.

South Sudan's defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk shakes hands with his Sudanese counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Ouf while AUHIP member Abdulsalam Abubakar applauds, after the signing of an agreement to operationalize the buffer zone between the two countries on 14 October 2015 (Courtesy photo by the AUHIP).

The Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC), co-chaired by the defence ministers, held a six-hour meeting in Khartoum to discuss the activation of the security arrangements agreed in September 2012.

On 14 October 2015, South Sudan's defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk and his Sudanese counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Ouf signed an agreement to operationalize the buffer zone between the two countries.

But the JPSC meetings to decide the effective activation were adjourned several times due to the security situation in South Sudan.

In press statements after the meeting, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told reporters that the JPSC agreed to enforce all the concluded agreements on the buffer zone, flexible border and to stop supporting rebel groups.

"With regard to the support of rebel groups, specifics will be enforced by the concerned security services of both countries".

After the signing of the Cooperation Agreement, the two countries had already deployed the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mission (JBVMM). But on 22 November 2013, Juba stopped the operation, fearing that delimitation of the centreline, which passes through contested areas, may be seen as final location of the boundary.

Juuk, who led the South Sudanese delegation, said the meeting ended by agreeing to implement the joint cooperation agreements signed since 27 September 2012.

The two governments, he added, will immediately start enforcing the agreed decisions.

He further stressed the need to reach negotiated solutions to end tensions on the border areas.

"The rebel movements are a reality and their problem must be solved so that peace will prevail between the two countries," said Juuk adding "This problem will be resolved soon.".

South Sudanese officials, on several occasions, proposed to mediate the conflict with their former comrades of the SPLM-North in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, but Khartoum rejected this proposition saying they are party and cannot be a mediator.

Among the signed documents, the parties agreed to send separate reports to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) which will participate in the JBVMM and the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) which brokered the deal.

They also agreed that the border crossing point committee will meet in Juba within the next two week to determine the dates and procedures for the opening of the 10 points. They will also demand the African Union to send the needed technical teams to implement the deal.

They also agreed to establish three consulates on the demilitarised border areas.

The meeting also agreed to task a joint committee headed by the directors of intelligence services with the file of the disputed areas. In addition, with regard to the committee of disputed 14 Mile, it was decided to task the chiefs of general staffs in the two countries with its chairmanship.

It goes without saying that this measure aims to the Dinka Malual and the South Sudanese People Liberation Army (SPLA) Chief of General Staff, Paul Malong Awan who convinced President Salva Kiir in November 2013 to stop the operation on the ground that it would enable Sudan to pretend in the future to the ownership of the disputed areas.

(ST)

June 5, 2016 (YEI) - Civil servants in South Sudan's Yei River state have vowed to lay down their work tools, should government fail to pay their three months salaries.

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

The head of the state workers' union said civil servants were suffering due to high living costs.

“I have received a number of calls from civil servants who all complained about delays in salary payments,” said Scopas Lasuba.

"The government should pay people's salaries to avoid any action that these civil servants are likely to take up as options,” he added.

In December 2015, the Central Bank devalued South Sudanese Pound (SSP) by 84 per cent leading to immediate hikes in the prices of basic commodities and pushing the local currency to an all-time low of 42 to the dollar. In recent weeks, however, the pound has largely been unstable as traders continue speculating.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, is one of poorest countries on the African continent with the worst indicators on development, health and education.

(ST)

June 5, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A weapons cache belonging to the paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) Sunday has caught fire, triggering multiple explosions in West Kordofan's town of Ghibaish.

West Kordofan State (Wikipedia)

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that the loud explosions which rocked Ghibaish were caused by a fire at a weapons cache belonging to the PDF in downtown, saying there were no casualties.

They added that the explosions caused fear and panic among the residents, pointing that the causes of the fire have not been determined yet.

According to the witnesses, the fire fighters managed to put the fire out with the help of the locals in about two hours.

They added that the explosions occurred at 4:00 am (local time) and continued for two hours, saying the exploded ordinance included Kalashnikov rifles, RPG 7 and DShK machine guns bullets.

The same eyewitnesses underscored that the locals were surprised that the weapons are kept inside the house of the PDF coordinator in downtown despite the fact that the PDF premises which lie far away from the locals residences include ordinance depot.

The PDF, a legally constituted branch of Sudan's military, was officially formed in 1989 as a "semi-military" force to be formed from Sudanese citizens.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese government Saturday said that 11 Sudanese detainees managed to escape from Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) prisons in Deim Zubeir Camp in Western Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan after the camp was attacked and fully devastated by South Sudan armed opposition forces.

Some of the former JEM detaines after their arriva to Khartoum 4 June 2016 (Photo SMC)

Senior officials from Sudan National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) welcomed the detainees who arrived on Saturday in Khartoum Airport via South Darfur State's capital, Nyala.

Speaking to media in Khartoum, NISS Director of Operations, Major General Dokhari el-Zaman Omer, said that the detainees were kidnapped by JEM before being transferred into South Sudan.

During the recent fighting between South Sudan's army and opposition forces in Deim Zubeir, JEM camp in the area was burnt to the ground, said Dokhari el-Zaman.

Last month, security and military sources in South Sudan told “Sudan Tribune” that JEM fighters backed by government forces in Western Bahr el Ghazal region, had clashed with armed men allegedly allied to the opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), capturing a military site previously held by the opposition forces in Deim Zubeir area.

However, JEM spokesperson denied involvement in the fighting in Deim Zubeir and affirmed that JEM has no presence in South Sudan.

It is noteworthy that the former rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) faction led by Bakheit Abdallah Dabajo (?JEM-Dabajo) continued to call on South Sudan's government and the international peacekeeping forces in the region to intervene to secure the release of its members being held captive by mainstream JEM inside South Sudanese territory.

The arrival of the former detainees and the celebration of the event took place 24 hours before the arrival of senior South Sudanese officials to discuss the implementation of the security arrangements agreed in September 2012.

Omer further added that the detainees managed to escape through the jungles and crossed into Sudan before being transported to Nyala and later to Khartoum.

He said that NISS was monitoring JEM's activities in South Sudan and its fighting alongside the South Sudanese army against opposition forces, pointing to the movement's involvement in recruiting and kidnapping Sudanese nationals.

“NISS was closely monitoring JEM military operations launched from South Sudan, especially the famous Gouz Dango battle, where the armed forces [Sudanese Armed Forces] crushed JEM fighters” said Omer.

In April 2015, the Sudanese government said its forces routed JEM fighters who carried out a major offensive on South Darfur state from South Sudan's territory for the first time since several years.

Pictures and videos circulated in the social media and forums showing dead bodies, detained rebel fighters, and military vehicles captured from the rebels by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who ambushed the attacking force near the border with South Sudan.

Later, JEM admitted they have lost the Gouz Dango battle against the Sudanese troops but minimised its impact on their determination to defeat the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

The NISS official further said that JEM continued to recruit fighters and build military bases in Deim Zubeir noting that several detainees are unaccounted for.
“South Sudan and JEM are blamed for the fate of the missing detainees,” concluded Omer.

“We have been detained in South Kordofan in 2013 and transferred to Deim Zubeir Camp in South Sudan,” said First Lieutenant, Mohamed el-Asha, one of the detainees who managed to escape.

He further said that JEM lost most of its forces in Gouz Dango battle and started recruiting children to use them in the fight in South Sudan.

Khartoum and Juba regularly trade accusations of support to rebel groups from both sides.

To settle this issue, the two countries committed themselves in the Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 2012 to stop supporting or harbouring rebel groups, and agreed to establish a buffer zone on the border and to form a joint monitoring team to prevent rebel infiltration.

However, the agreement was not implemented as Juba fears that the establishment of a Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ) may irritate the Dinka Malual who believe that the deal leads to concede the disputed 14-Mile Area to Sudan.

(ST)

June 5, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's First Vice President, Riek Machar, will take charge of the file for the implementation of the September 2012 cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan, said the Presidency.

President Omer al-Bashir receives South Sudanese former vice-president and leader of the SPLM-in-Opposition, Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny in Khartoum on 10 August 2014 (ST)

The decision came as a result of the three-man Presidency meeting on Friday at the Presidential Palace in Juba, which involved President Salva Kiir, First Vice President, Machar, and Vice President, James Wani.

Officials in the Office of the First Vice President commended several consensuses reached in the recent presidency meetings, including the need to step up implementation of the cooperation agreements between the two neighbouring countries.

“The consensuses reached by the Presidency are commendable. It means the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement is on the right track,” said James Gatdet Dak, First Vice President's Press Secretary, when asked by Sudan Tribune how the SPLM-IO's leadership felt about the understandings in the Presidency.

“This also includes ensuring that the September 2012 Cooperation Agreements with the neighbouring sisterly country, the Sudan, are implemented,” he added.

Dak also confirmed that Machar would assume responsibility of handling South Sudan government's dossier in the implementation of the September 2012 cooperation agreements with Sudan.

The cooperation agreements include establishment of security patrols along the common borders –expelling rebels from the either country - and resumption of trade between the two countries, among others. Sudan is also the only route through which South Sudan's oil gets to the international market.

The Presidency reaffirmed the need to further normalize the relations with Sudan in the stabilization of security and economy in the two countries.

The peace agreement signed last August, provides to disarm Sudanese rebel groups and prevent them from carrying out hostile activities to the neighbouring Sudan. The inclusion of this clause in the deal is a result of accusations by the SPLM-IO that some of these groups participated in the fight alongside forces loyal to President Kiir.

Machar, as former Vice President, previously headed a high-level executive political committee of the then Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) during the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) from 2005, which led to the breakaway of South Sudan and formation of independent state after a referendum on self-determination in 2011.

SUMMARY OF CONSENSUSES

The South Sudanese Presidency this week unexpectedly reached consensuses on a series of vital issues which were impeding the implementation of the August 2015 peace deal brokered by the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The many issues resolved in their two days of meeting on Wednesday and Friday included the consensus to review the number of states South Sudan should have as well as their boundaries.

An inclusive 15-member committee, 10 from South Sudanese peace partners and 5 from Troika (USA, UK and Norway) and African countries (South Africa and Tanzania) was to be formed.

The 10 members from South Sudan will be divided into SPLM led by President Kiir having 4 representatives; SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Machar will have 3 representatives; Former Detainees (FDs) to have 1 member and other political parties alliances led by Martin Elia and Lam Akol, respectively, to take 1 member each.

They also agreed to stabilize the security situation in the country by establishing cantonment areas for the forces and verify that the security arrangements for the capital, Juba, including withdrawal of former government's forces are confirmed.

The Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) will make a budget for cantonment of SPLA-IO forces across the country.

The state of emergency, which has been imposed on the country for the past two years of war, should also be lifted and prisoners of war on both sides released.

The Presidency also resolved to soon reconstitute and form a new transitional national legislative assembly with membership of all the agreed rival factions in the peace deal. They have not however resolved on mode of electing a speaker for the would-be new transitional parliament.

Additional 9 presidential advisers; 6 to be nominated by the SPLM-IO leadership and 3 to be nominated by the other political parties will be appointed. This will make 19 the total number of the presidential advisers in the national government, as president Kiir previously appointed 10 advisers from his faction.

Members of parliament who left because of the war will be reinstated. Also all the civil servants who were dismissed by the former government because they fled from towns will be reinstated to their previous positions before the December 2013 crisis.

First Vice President, Machar, according to the resolution by the Presidency, will provide the comprehensive list of these civil servants who will be reinstated from the opposition faction of the SPLM-IO.

The presidency also agreed that independent commissions and institutions to be reconstituted or created based on the power sharing ratio of the parties to the agreement. The selection committee of the parties to the agreement shall sit and allocate and select the independent commissions and institutions based on the power sharing ratios.

Also, a national reconciliation and healing initiative to be launched soon and the parties will appeal to the international community for the support.

The Presidency also reiterated its commitment to fully implement the cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan, and put Machar's office in charge of the dossier.

“The good spirit with which the Presidency has reached the consensuses is very encouraging. We hope that with the same spirit and commitment the consensuses will soon be implemented,” Dak added.

The progress or the steps made by the presidency have raised hope among the people of South Sudan that the implementation of the peace deal may go on smoothly.

However, sceptics still say agreeing on a matter in principle is one thing and implementing the agreed matter in letter and spirit is another, citing the international pressure and the need for the new transitional government to quickly get financial support from the international community as allegedly the only driving force for the recent speedy consensuses in the presidency.

While reviewing the number of states may take 30 days to determine the outcome, including reverting to 10 states in case of disagreement over new number, other consensuses can be implemented within few days.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan's armed opposition (SPLM-IO) youth league have welcomed the outcome of Friday's meeting at the presidency, which saw several of the outstanding issues on the peace implementation amicably resolved.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

Puot Kang, the chairman of youth wing told said the meeting attended by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, his first vice president Riek Machar and vice president Wani Igga was an important step towards peace and stability.

The outcome of the meeting, he said, would accelerate operationalisation and resolve the contiguous issues on resolution of conflicts in the world's youngest nation.

Numerous issues, including the transitional national legislative formation, nomination of 19 presidential advisors, the vacant seats in parliament, additional appointments of 10 other MPs by the president, reinstatement of all civil servants, national reconciliation and healing commission, independent commissions and institutions to be reconstituted based on power sharing ratio and the operationalisation of South Sudan and Sudan cooperation Agreement of September 2012, were issued discussed.

The three leaders, Kang said, agreed to resolve the selection of a speaker with invitation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace mediators in the process of speakers' nomination, in accordance to the August 2015 peace agreement.

“The SPLM youth league is encouraging the presidency to continue with the same spirit in order to sustain the lasting peace to the people of south Sudan which they deserve and through addressing other pending issues,” he stressed.

(ST)

June 3, 2016 (BENTIU) -At least 6,935 of the 122,000 internally displaced persons at United Nations protection of civilians' sites in Unity state's Rubkotna county have voluntarily returned to their homes, with the majority from Guit and Rubkotna counties.

A view of the Protection of Civilians (POC) site near Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan, which houses over 40,000 IDPs 25 August 2014 (Photo UN/JC McIlwaine)

Hundreds of people took refuge in the UN camp at the peak of the violent conflict that broke out in the young nation in December 2013.

Around 1,111 civilians, the UN said, made their way last week to their homes, with Rubkotna and Guit counties as their final destinations.

“These counties have been targeted for an increase humanitarian response and support to allow civilians to consider return for farming activities, something very important in a climate of food insecurity,” said the UN in a statement extended to Sudan TribuneFriday.

The UN said 200 civilians in the camp requested land for farming activities in surrounding areas close to the protection of civilians' site.

“UNMISS will support the initiative by providing escort to one or two selected locations for farming. This is an addition to the already ongoing foot patrols UNMISS forces have been conducting on the shortcut road used towards Rubkona. These patrols, conducted two mornings a week and every evening, are especially meant to protect women collecting firewood,” noted the statement.

The UN described as voluntary steps taken by the displaced to return home and a positive development despite the fragility of the situation.

According to the world body, a forward operation base was being built at the heart of Bentiu town as well temporary operating base in Leer, south of Unity state for its forces patrol for the safety of civilians.

“This in turn provides an increased sense of safety at a time when post-conflict and transitional institutions are put in place. Together with humanitarian partners and communities, UNMISS will continue to identify locations to where communities may wish to return”, it said.

A high level delegation led by Francois Grignon for Integrated Operation Team for UN mission in South Sudan at the department of peacekeeping operation in New York, the UN said, also visited Bentiu.

“One of the objectives of the visit was to meet with communities in Bentiu and vicinity also including Leer where the delegation travelled, met with civilians and local authorities as well as UNMISS troops,” stressed the UN statement.

Grignon, it added, visited the world's youngest nation to evaluate progress on the implementation of the peace agreement, adding that he was encouraged by current developments particularly on civilians leaving Protection of Civilians sites as well as local parties dialoguing as was seen in Leer and some parts of Rubkona areas.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Refuge Agency (UNHCR) said it deeply saddened by the tragic death of a refugee and two local South Sudanese who sustained fatal injuries during an incident in Upper Nile's Doro refugee camp on Monday.

Sudanese refugees wait to board a truck heading to Batil refugee camp in South Sudan's Upper Nile state on 15 July 2012 (Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Although the agency said its staff were gathering details on the circumstances of the deaths, initial reports reportedly suggest that members of the host communities and refugees clashed on Monday during a football match organised as part of UNHCR's efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among communities.

South Sudan, according to UNHCR, currently hosts more than 266,000 refugees, mostly from South Kordofan and Blue Nile States in Sudan and that over 134,000 refugees live in four camps in Upper Nile state's Maban county.

Tensions, UNHCR said, have been growing between the two communities for weeks over the alleged theft of pigs and goats. Refugees and locals, it said, have traded accusations over livestock looting but that further investigation was required to confirm the facts.

according to UNHCR, the incident led to further inter-community violence and deterioration of the security situation in Maban, resulting into several injuries while a number of houses were also burnt to the ground on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“This is an act of senseless violence and our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost their loved ones,” said UNHCR Representative Ahmed Warsame.

Meanwhile, UNHCR promised in coordination with South Sudan's Commission for Refugee Affairs continue to engage the local authorities and representatives of both the refugee and host community to help calm down the volatile situation.

Following the incident in Upper Nile state, UN peacekeepers immediately deployed to the scene to support the local authorities in re-establishing order and have established a buffer zone between the Sudanese and South Sudanese populations.

“We are very concerned with reports of the heightened presence of armed groups in Maban camps as well as weapons circulation,” says Warsame.

“Whilst deeply appreciating the hospitality and generosity of South Sudan and its people towards refugees, we strongly appeal to the authorities to provide safety and security to those in need and to ensure the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps. UNHCR will continue to work with communities and partners to enhance social cohesion and to promote redress and reconciliation in Maban," he added.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (BOR) - At least 125 people in South Sudan's Jonglei state have been diagonised with the deadly Hepatitis B, a deadly disease that affects one's liver.

A sick child lies on a bed in a hospital in Jonglei state capital Bor on 15 March 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

People diagnosed with the infection are currently getting advice and mediation at Bor civil hospital where necessary medical support is provided to suppress the disease.

Doctors in Jonglei state hospital have raised concerns about the increasing rate of Hepatitis B from the state capital, Bor.

Yaak Jurkuch, a medical officer at Bor hospital, said patients diagnosed with Hepatitis B are always sent for liver function test to know damages caused by the disease on the liver of a person.

The hospital received 10 patients between April and May, which indicated that maybe many other might be suffering in silence from the virus.

“Let us prevent ourselves from these disease because it is dangerous if you get it”, he said.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government and two rebel factions from Darfur region held recently a series of indirect consultations in the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, to consider ways the latter can join the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), and sign a peace agreement with Khartoum.

Sudan Liberation Movement Justice leader Taher Hajer (L), SLM Unity leader, Abdallah Yahia (C) and Abu Al Gasim Imam leader of SLM- 2edR after the alliance agreement in July, 2014 (ST)

The Chairman of the Sudan Liberation Movement for Justice (SLMJ) Taher Hajer Saturday disclosed to Sudan Tribune that his group and the Sudan Liberation Movement (Second Revolution) SLM-SR chaired by Abul Gasim Imam, held indirect consultations with a Sudanese government delegation led by the head of Darfur Peace Office Amin Hassan Omer.

Hajer said the three-day consultations, facilitated by the Chadian President Idriss Deby, were a continuation to previous encounters after their participation in the National Dialogue Conference to present the position of the two movements on the national issues.

He stressed that they accepted to participate in the dialogue conference last October with the prerequisite that "the dialogue is not a substitute to negotiations on issues related to the war affected areas in Darfur region, and Blue Nile and South Kordofan states".

According to the rebel leader the purpose of the consultation was to to consider the next step after the participation in the National Dialogue Conference on 10 October 2015.

Hajer and Imam had arrived to Khartoum on the plane of the Chadian president who participated in the inaugural session of the conference.

The SLMJ leader said they filed their vision for a negotiated solution to the Chadian government .

"We have emphasized to the Chadian brothers that we are with peace and with a negotiated solution. Peace is a strategic option for us if the other party is serious in dialogue and negotiation."

"The Chadian officials delivered our position-paper to Sudanese government delegation and advised them as DDPD facilitators to go to Qatar to discuss the matters related to Darfur and the security arrangements," he said.

Regarding the two groups, Hajer said they are willing to go to Doha and negotiate a peace agreement brokered by the Joint Chief Mediator Martin Uhomoibhi, and the Qatari Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud.

"But we underlined that the DDPD is the basis and cannot be opened. So we met with the President Deby and we discussed these matters with him. He pledged as President of Chad and Chairperson of the African Union to overcome these obstacles and find a solution for it".

He further reiterated that if the parties reach a compromise on the possibility to negotiate some issues already tackled in the framework agreement, they are ready to hold peace talks with the government in Doha, pointing that Chad will be a facilitator like other signed agreement.

The Justice and Equality Movement - Dabajo reached a peace agreement with the Sudanese government on 6 April 2013 facilitated by the Chadian President Deby.

The group signed the DDPD and negotiated a peace agreement reviewing the implementation of some provisions they wanted to renegotiate. The parties decided to annex the deal to the DDPD.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (EL-FASHER) - An unknown armed group has stormed a police detention centre and freed the prisoners in the locality of Saraf Umra, 258 km west of 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 gunmen on a four-wheel drive vehicle broke into the detention centre and freed several prisoners in various counts.

Commissioner of Saraf Umra Abdalla Hamdan Mohamed Bilal told Sudan Tribune Saturday that a number of people were arrested in a kidnapping case involving a disputed marriage issue and were waiting to be transferred to the family court in El-Fasher.

He added that the attack against the detention centre occurred at 2:00 am. (local time) on Friday, stressing that four out of seven detainees have been freed by the gunmen.
The commissioner pointed that not one among those who fled the detention centre was accused in a murder or a serious case.

Gunmen riding camels last week 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 3, 2016 (YAMBIO) – A man of about 59 years old and his wife were shot dead on Thursday night by unknown gunmen in the outskirt of Yambio town, capital of Western Equatoria state, in Baakiwiri area.

Bicycle riders and two women carrying pots in Yambio town March 28, 2016 (ST)

The information spread on Thursday morning in Yambio town that Rotto Zeni and his wife have been shot dead by unknown gunmen in one of their houses in Baakiwiri where they were cultivating their farm.

Rotto in one of ethnic Azande key literature writers and long serving teacher in Western Equatoria.

One of his sons, Justin Rotto, said his late parents were attacked at midnight by armed people who came to their house while they were sleeping and opened fire, killing both of them on their bed as they were sleeping.
The attackers, he said, who escaped after killing the couple, did not loot any single item in the house.

Justin added that his father was not a politician nor involved himself in criminal activities which could result to his death, and until now, it is unclear as to why his late father was killed without any information of threat from anybody.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune, the commissioner of Yambio county, Grace Apollo, condemned the “barbaric act” of killing the late who he described as a “resourceful person” among the community and in the state in general.

He lamented that many important people have lost their lives during the conflict which erupted last year in Western Equatoria and it was unfortunate that no one has been apprehended as the perpetrators remain unknown gunmen.

Grace stated that the government will launch investigation into the killing of innocent leaders in Yambio county and to bring the criminals to justice. Many people have been killed in cold-blood and others are killed and burnt in their houses and no one has been arrested so far.

Unfortunately, on the same night, an old woman of over 60 years of age was raped to death by a group of people in Yambio town and her body was found in the morning.

Late last year, an old woman of 71 years old was raped by a group of gangs and she died in Yambio Civil Hospital days later.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Saturday has acknowledged that the Sudanese army took over “external points” around the strategic area of Jebel Kilgu in the Blue Nile state.

SPLM-N leader Malik Agar (C) his deputy Abdel Aziz al-Hilu (L) and SG Yasir Arman pose for a picture in undisclosed location in the rebel controlled areas in March 2014 (AFP/Getty Photo)

Since April 2015, the Sudanese army has carried out some 21 attacks to capture the strategic from the SPLM-N.

On Thursday, the Blue Nile Governor Hussein Yassin Abu Sorwal told Ashrooq TV that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) managed to retake control of the rugged area, located at 30 km south of the state capital Ed-Damazin, adding that the armed forces have arrested around one hundred rebels.

However, the SPLM-N denied Abu Sorwal's statements and asserted that the fighting is still taking place in the area.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, SPLM-N leadership said the government army seized control of “external points” around the Jebel Kilgu and burned down a vehicle before its fighters withdrew from the area.

The SPLM-N has vehemently denied Yassen's claims that SAF arrested one hundred of its fighters, accusing the retreating “Janjaweed Militia” of attacking and arresting civilians in two villages located at 5 km south of Ed-Damazin.

The statement was alluding to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen whom the government dispatched last week to reinforce the regular forces.

The SRF militiamen are accused of taking part in the counterinsurgency campaign led by the Sudanese army against Darfur rebel groups. UN agencies estimate that some 300 thousands civilians were killed.

The statement added that “Abu Sorwal is aware of the attacks against the two villages”, pointing that the locals who were arrested by the “Janjaweed force have nothing to do with the SPLM-N”.

The SPLM-N has held Abu Sorwal responsible for the safety of those locals and warned him against compromising their lives.

It is noteworthy that SAF didn't issue a statement about the outcome of the fighting in Kilgu.

The Sudanese government has been fighting the SPLM-N in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011.

(ST)

June 4, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir has directed the country's state governors to welcome members of armed opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of his political rival and first deputy in the coalition government, Riek Machar in the interest of peace and stability.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (Photo: Reuters)

"I want you to go back to the states and tell people that Riek has come. He is now in Juba and the new government of national unity in which he and his members have been appointed has been formed. It is the government that will work for the implementation of peace agreement and tackle the economic matters. So go and tell people to embrace peace and stop unnecessarily fighting and killings”, said President Kiir.

“Also I want you to welcome members of SPLM IO when they go to the states, whether as individuals or group. They will be going to visit their families, their relatives and friends, welcome them”, he added.

Kiir, according to the governor of Ruweng state, also urged them (governors) to sensitize communities on the importance of peaceful of coexistence and to explain the prevailing political situation in the country after the formation of the government national unity.

“We have received directives from his Excellency, the president of the republic, General Salva Kiir Mayardit to sensitize communities to accept each other and live in peace," Governor Mayol Kur explained to Sudan Tribune in an interview on Saturday.

"The creation of states was not to divide people and kill themselves, no the objective as it was explained by the establishment order was to take the government and the services close to them to the people in light with the vision of the SPLM”, he further added.

(ST)

June 3, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, on Friday said it was time the Egyptian government and friends in the Arab world region and countries joined international community to extend hands of support to the transitional government of national unity (TGoNU), which he formed following the return of his main political rival and first deputy in government, Riek Machar.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Photo Reuters)

President Kiir made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with a visiting Egyptian delegation.

“Peace is the vital need of the people and the Government of this country. I welcome you and encourage you to interact with members of my government. I know your arrival this time has a special objective, and that objective is the bilateral agreement, bilateral security agreement at which special arrangements have been established as a result of which, and your arrival has laid the foundation for that and it gives us hope to look at the future,” president Kiir told the visiting delegation.

The head of state, according to the minister in the office of the president, Mayiik Ayii Deng, said the unity government had no opposition and the international community should now provide support.

“The transitional government of national unity has now been formed. It is a unity government which will work as one government. There is no opposition, no SPLM-IO. It is the government of national unity and if there is a support, it should be given to this unity government,” said Kiir who was quoted by the minister in his office.

Headed by the Assistant Foreign Minister, Osama Mahajoub, the delegation held talks with officials from the government and at the secretariat of the camp of the governing Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) allied to president Kiir.

The meeting, according to Bol Makueng, head of information at the secretariat of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-Juba) discussed the importance of the implementation of the peace agreement.

Makueng said the government and the party were encouraged and impressed by the support the Egyptian government has provided to the South Sudanese in Egypt whom he said are allowed by the authorities to work and study freely while Cairo can pay up to about 10% of the expenses of the universities.

On his part, Mahajoub said his country and the leadership looked forward "to continuing to work to help the parties to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for an opportunity for investors to come to the country.

(ST)

June 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's opposition National Umma Party (NUP) Friday said the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki has agreed to meet the “Sudan Call” forces to discuss their reservations on the Roadmap Agreement he brokered between Sudanese parties.

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, 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.

On Thursday, the NUP leader al-Sadiq al-Mahdi met with Mbeki in Johannesburg at his request to discuss the reasons behind the “Sudan Call” forces refusal to sign the deal.

According to a press statement issued by al-Mahdi's office Friday, the NUP leader has laid a package of demands for signing the Roadmap including holding the proposed inclusive pre-dialogue meeting with the participation of the Sudanese government to ensure the implementation of its outcome.

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.

The purpose of the pre-dialogue meeting was to seal a cessation of hostilities agreement, allow humanitarian access to the affected war zones, release political prisoners and detainees ensure press and political freedoms in the country.

However, the Sudanese government rejected the call of the AUSC to hold the pre-dialogue meeting in Addis Ababa, saying he wants the dialogue to be an exclusive Sudanese process.

The statement pointed that al-Mahdi demanded that the proposed dialogue mustn't be considered as mere extension of the internal government-led dialogue, saying the requirements of the national dialogue must be agreed upon in the preparatory meeting.

The internal dialogue conference was inaugurated in Khartoum on October 10th, 2015 amid large boycott from the major political and armed opposition.

The statement added that the NUP leader also demanded the implementation of the confidence-building measures and offering guarantees for the execution of the dialogue recommendations, saying the dialogue conference must be held inside Sudan and its chairmanship must be determined by mutual agreement.

According to the NUP, Mbeke promised to discuss al-Mahdi's proposal within the AUHIP before he replies.

It added that al-Mahdi 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 al-Mahdi's suggestion.

“Accordingly, the NUP leader sent a draft letter to his colleagues [in the Sudan Call forces] and it is hoped that they agree on it so that it could be sent to [Mbeki] as soon as possible because all parties recognize the need to hold the national dialogue to stop the war and achieve the desired democracy and realize the legitimate demands of the Sudanese people” read the statement .

The statement pointed that al-Mahdi told Mbeki that the refusal of the “Sudan Call” force to sign the Roadmap doesn't imply a lack of recognition or appreciation to its objectives and the positive points included in it.

“Al-Mahdi pointed that the absence of a [true] dialogue mechanism would push the Sudanese people to mobilize for a peaceful popular uprising which is considered a proven means [to overthrow the totalitarian regimes] particularly as the momentum is mounting in the political street,” added the statement.

“However, this doesn't mean to dismiss the national dialogue mechanism” al-Mahdi told Mbeki.

Al-Mahdi further mentioned the increasing demands for a new regime, pointing to the recommendations of the internal dialogue body known as 7+7 and the memorandum recently submitted to the presidency by 52 national figures.

For his part, Mbeki said the Roadmap met the most important demands of the “Sudan Call” force including the comprehensive ceasefire and allowing access to humanitarian relief in war areas besides the recognition of the NUP and the Sudan Revolutionary Forces (SRF) as partners in the national dialogue.

“Anyway, the points which haven't been stipulated in the Roadmap could be discussed between you [Sudan Call] and the representatives of the 7+7 committee,” said Mbeki

June 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has disclosed that 3,000 people fleeing the fighting in South Kordofan have arrived in South Sudan in May and said that thousands more are expected in the coming weeks.

Sudanese refugees wait to board a truck heading to Batil refugee camp in South Sudan's Upper Nile state on 15 July 2012 (Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

Since 2011 the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N/) have fought the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and their aligned militia in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The conflict began in South Kordofan in June 2011 and in Blue Nile in September the same year.

In a press conference on Friday in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards said this weekend marks the 5th anniversary of the conflict in South Kordofan, pointing that people continue to flee the region, with most crossing into South Sudan.

He pointed that more than 7,500 refugees have arrived in Yida in South Sudan's northern Unity State since the beginning of this year, saying that nearly 3,000 people arrived in May alone.

“The area is already home to some 70,000 refugees. With the conflict intensifying, thousands more are expected in the coming weeks,” he said.

Edwards added that most of the fleeing people are from Heiban, Um Doreein and Al Boram Counties in the Nuba Mountains, noting they speak of escalating violence in the area including ground attacks and aerial bombings.

In recent months, the SPLM-N continued to say that the Sudanese army intensified aerial bombing on several areas in the Nuba Mountains, pointing to the killing of six children from one family by barrel bombs in Heiban on 1 May.

Also, last week members of Sudan's Troika including the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States condemned the Sudanese government's aerial bombardment of civilians in Kauda and Heiban including the bombing of St. Vincent Elementary School on 25 May.

Edwards added that the recent arrivals cite lack of food and no access to schools for children as reasons for leaving, saying most people are arriving by truck while others come on foot or by bicycle, traveling up to seven days.

According to the spokesperson, the refugees who have arrived this week say the conflict has recently shifted to the north-east part of South Kordofan, with some people trapped in conflict areas and unable to escape.

He pointed that nearly 90% of new arrivals are women and children, saying one child in every ten is alone or without a family member.

Edwards further added that the UNHCR and its partners are providing immediate assistance to the arrivals including a hot meal, water, a measles vaccination, a place to rest and other help at the Yida transit centre.

He pointed the refugees are transported after a few days by bus from Yida to Ajuong Thok, a camp established in 2013 to help ease some of the pressure, saying there they are provided with plastic sheeting and poles to build a temporary home besides cooking pots and pans, mosquito nets, blankets, sleeping mats and food.

Edwards said that 41,000 Sudanese refugees are currently living in Ajuong Thok, pointing the UNHCR and its partners have been expanding camp infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population.

“We have installed six additional water tanks, built hundreds of latrines, opened a new primary school and have begun constructing another one,” he said.

According to him, a new camp is underway at Pamir, some 50 kilometres south of the border, to receive new arrivals and refugees who have been living in Yida for the past five years.

The spokesperson stressed that nearly 250,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to South Sudan, mostly to Unity and Upper Nile since the start of the war in the Nuba Mountains in 2011.

“A solution to the conflict and an end to the suffering are needed more than ever. South Sudan is itself home to some 1.69 million internally displaced people,” he said.

June 3, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese Presidency – President Salva Kiir, First Vice President, Riek Machar, and Vice President, James Wani – said they have scored a number of additional consensuses on Friday, including to appoint 9 presidential advisers from the opposition factions.

This came after a lengthy meeting on Friday between the three leaders as a follow up on their Wednesday's meeting where the presidency earlier agreed to form a 15-member committee to review the number of states and their boundaries and lift the state of emergency as well as release prisoners of war.

In another joint briefing to the press on Friday, 3 June, both First Vice President, Riek Machar, and Vice President, James Wani, told reporters after the presidency meeting at the presidential palace in Juba that 9 additional presidential advisers will soon be appointed by president Kiir.

First Vice President, Machar, who stood side by side with Vice President, Wani, in the joint briefing at the presidential palace explained to the press that the meeting also confirmed the 10 presidential advisers previously appointed by the president.

Machar, who also leads the opposition faction of the SPLM-IO said additional 9 presidential advisers; 6 to be nominated by the SPLM-IO leadership and 3 to be nominated by the other political parties will be appointed.

This will make 19 the total number of the presidential advisers in the national government.

The presidency on Friday also confirmed that their Wednesday's meeting resolved to form a 15-member committee to “review the number of states and their boundaries.”

Their confirmation that the number of states will be reviewed too threw out doubts which were contrarily expressed on Thursday by presidential advisor on Decentralization and Intergovernmental Linkages, Tor Deng Mawien, and President Kiir's press secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny, who argued that the committee would not review the number of states.

The trio also agreed to reconstitute and form the transitional parliament to the total of 400 members as stipulated in the August 2015 peace agreement.

President Kiir appointed 10 national parliamentarians already and now confirmed by the Presidency. The rest of the remaining 6 parliamentarians will be appointed after joint consultation with their constituencies and the Presidency.

Members of parliament who left because of the war will be reinstated immediately.

All the civil servants who left or were dismissed because of the war will be reinstated. First Vice President, Machar, to provide the comprehensive list of these Civil Servants from the SPLM-IO.

Independent Commissions and Institutions to be reconstituted or created based on the power sharing ratio of the parties to the agreement. The selection committee of the parties to the agreement shall sit and allocate and select the Independent Commissions and Institutions based on the power sharing ratios.

Also, National Reconciliation and Healing to be launched soon and the parties will appeal to the international Community for the support, according to the understanding on Friday.

Machar in his briefing further stated that the trio also discussed the importance of operationalization of September 2012 cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan.

Vice President Wani on his part confirmed the statement of Machar in regards to the outcome of the presidency meetings on Wednesday and Friday, which he described as “the absolute truth” of what the presidency agreed.

He added that some minor issues have remained to be tackled in the next meeting, including the mode of electing speaker of the new parliament and replacement of MPs whose positions may fall vacant.

The progress or the steps made by the presidency raise hope among the people of South Sudan that the implementation of the peace deal may go on smoothly.

(ST)

June 2, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Thursday said they have distributed seeds and agricultural tools to over 200,000 refugees and their host communities across South Sudan to help them become more self-sufficient in a country facing a serious food crisis.

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

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the two world organizations said assessments have shown that the food and nutrition security situation is worrying in many parts of the country, including in Upper Nile – a region hosting four refugee camps and South Sudan's largest refugee population of 134,000 Sudanese refugees.

A nutrition survey, conducted in late 2015, the statement revealed, found that Upper Nile's Maban refugee camps registered higher levels of malnutrition compared to 2014. This was particularly the case in Doro camp, where the rates of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) were respectively 15.5 percent and 2.6 percent – above UNHCR standards of 10 percent and 2 percent.

“To quickly respond to high malnutrition rates we are distributing nutritious food for children under five years and all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. We are pleased to announce that these interventions are working well, but we are also looking beyond quick-fix solutions that help refugees become more self-reliant and less dependent on humanitarian assistance in the long run. This is the essence of the UNHCR-FAO partnership,” says Ahmed Warsame, UNHCR Representative.

This year, the two UN agencies have jointly contributed 186 tons of crop seeds, assorted vegetable seeds, hand tools and fishing kits for refugees and local communities in Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria. This donation will enable communities to start planting their cereals and replenish their stocks, in so decreasing food shortages.

“People here lack the resources to buy the things they need to start planting and need support to be able to produce their own food. These distributions have been very timely since the planting season has just started,” says Serge Tissot, FAO Representative.

“It is vital to strengthen the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in the long-term so that they can become more resilient, absorbing shocks and increasing their access to food through their own means.”

While many have received assistance through direct distributions in the past, the statement said in 2016 refugees in Central Equatoria were invited to attend seed fairs for the first time. With this FAO, in partnership with UNHCR, strives to help transform agriculture in South Sudan by facilitating the sale of high quality local seeds instead of imported seeds.

At the fair, it said, vulnerable farmers were issued with vouchers to be exchanged with local traders for seeds which directly injected cash into the local economy.

“Without seed distributions we cannot survive. Not all of us are able to keep seeds for next year, some people do, but because of lack of food, sometimes we are forced to eat the seeds kept for planting,” said Michelle, Sudanese refugee from Blue Nile State.

“We hope for peace so that we can return home, where we can be free,” she added.

UNHCR and FAO, they said, are committed towards increasing refugees' access to livelihood opportunities and reducing dependency on humanitarian aid.

Of late, a joint livelihood strategy for South Sudan was launched looking to address this issue with a clearly defined action plan. The strategy targets both refugees (70 percent) and local communities (30 percent) in refugee-hosting areas across the country.

(ST)