Sudan Tribune

December 7, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) announced his support for the speedy appointment of qualified civilian governors and called on the armed movements to end the war and engage in the peace process.

Al-Mahdi made statements during a visit to Aba Island, one of the bastions of his party in the While Nile State 300km south of Khartoum.

His party announced that al-Mahdi intends to mobilize popular support for the transitional government. But observers say he wanted to inspect the party's electoral constituencies and organize the parties sections.

The White Nile military governor last November threatened to arrest protesters who call to resolve water crisis in the state, triggering calls to replace him by a civilian governor.

Speaking to the huge crowd that attended the rally, al-Mahdi said that the would-be appointed civilian governor should be qualified persons, enjoy popular support, and bear responsibility without any favouritism.

He further said that the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) will submit the list of its nominees for governors to Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok to pick the 18 governors.

"Our advice to him is to choose the strong and faithful (governors)," al-Mahdi said.

The NUP leader did not indicate a date for their appointment. However, last month, the FFC agreed with the government negotiating team to delay the appointment of governors until the 31 December.

The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) says opposed to the appointment of governors before the signing of a peace agreement.

He called on the armed groups to stop the war and regain the country to negotiate just peace addressing the root causes of the conflict and give all those who took up arms their rights to decentralization, the power and wealth sharing, and the recognition of cultural diversity.

He added that all the refugees and internally displaced people are all entitled to take part in this peace project.

He added that his party has a majority in term of popular support in the conflict areas in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, before to add that anyone who disputes this fact we will prove it to him" alluding to the general elections that should take place within three years.

(ST)

December 7, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudan government said Friday that the number of states, which has become contentious with the opposition, should be resolved through a referendum vote.

S. Sudan cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomoro (Photo KT Press)

"“The president shared his concern with the members of cabinet and all of whom spoke in favor of 32 states,” Cabinet Affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro told reporters in the capital, Juba.

"Only a referendum can reverse the structures currently in existence to avoid crisis and insecurity that may even jeopardize implementation of the peace agreement," he added.

The minister said the number states, boundaries and the security arrangements were key issues in discussions between the parties.

He, however, disclosed that South Sudan President Salva Kiir was opposed to the suggestion of returning the country back to the original 10 states. South Sudan currently has 32 states.

On Wednesday, parties signatory to the revitalized peace accord failed to agree on the numbers of states South Sudan should have.

Speaking to reporters after a two-day meeting of the parties in Juba, South Africa's special envoy to South Sudan, David Mabuza said the parties were now considering two options on the number of states.

“We are going to finalize the issue of the states and boundaries in the next 10 days,” he said.

The meeting of the parties was attended by Mabuza and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) special envoy to South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais.

Lam Akol, a member of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) said they needed a win-win situation after the parties failed to reach a compromise on the number of states.

“We are likely to see between 10 and 32 states after what transpired during the meeting of the parties,” he remarked.

Early last month, President Salva Kiir and the country's opposition leader Riek Machar agreed to delay key benchmarks in the peace agreement by 100 days.

The delay in forming a national unity government on November 12 came after Machar's group raised concerns that the country's security arrangements are still incomplete.

South Sudan descended into civil war in mid-December 2013 when President Kiir accused his former deputy Machar of plotting a coup, allegations the latter denied.

In September last year, the country's rival factions signed a revitalized peace deal to end the civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

(ST)

December 7, 2019 (JUBA) – A total of 27,145 students will sit this year's South Sudanese secondary exams countrywide, an official disclosed.

A classroom session at a school in South Sudan's Northern Bahr el Ghazal state (Photo courtesy of UNICEF)

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Friday, Simon Nyok Deng, the secretary-general for the national examinations council, said 7,763 girls will sit secondary school leaving exams from December 16-24.

He said secondary school exams will be conducted in 261 centres across the country.

The official, however, downplayed fears of insecurity saying the government has secured all examination centres across the country.

“The national examinations in the Republic of South Sudan are treated as high stake examinations and therefore they are guarded by a well-disciplined team of national security and police,” he said.

The exams, Deng said, will be distributed in various parts of the country with the exception of Latjor and Maiwut States where no student registered following the closure of schools within the region.

“Latjor and Maiwut have not presented their candidates due to the closure of schools during the conflict. They are now reopening the schools and they have no candidates who are prepared for the exams,” he stressed.

South Sudan has one of the world's highest illiteracy rates due to the civil war that has killed nearly 400,000 people and displaced millions since mid-December 2013.

(ST)

December 7, 2019 (JUBA) – Unprecedented rains have caused flooding that has affected an estimated one million people in South Sudan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed.

A heavily flooded area in a remote part of South Sudan (Getty)

The agency, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, said heavy floods have displaced thousands from homes and destroyed livelihoods.

“The level of destruction caused by the floods is unfathomable. People have nowhere to sleep, children are sick, there is no food to eat,” said IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission, Jean-Philippe Chauzy.

“We have rolled up our sleeves and we will continue to do everything we can to help alleviate the misery caused by these floods,” he added.

According to the agency, in Unity region's Mankien and Bentiu towns, it provided shelter and non-food such as blankets, mosquito nets and plastic sheeting for temporary shelters to 3,000 households.

The water, sanitation and hygiene team distributed aqua tabs and filter cloths used to treat the water consumed by 3,000 households, IOM noted, adding that 6,000 households received similar relief items in Upper Nile region's Ulang and Gumruk towns.

“We cannot forget that in crises, vulnerable populations, especially women and children, are more likely to face gender-based-violence and other kinds of abuse,” stressed Chauzy.

“Protection and safeguarding are at the cornerstone of all of our activities and it is important that as we provide immediate emergency relief we also tackle protection issues,” he added.

IOM said it is, in collaboration with partners, ramping up its humanitarian response to affected communities in counties declared to be in a state of emergency.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), more than 908,000 people have been affected by heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, of whom 620,000 needed humanitarian assistance.

In October, the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in the flood-affected areas of the country.

(ST)

December 7, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien told Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdock that his country is keen to remove Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list as soon as possible.

Robert O'Brien (State Dept photo)

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Sudanese foreign ministry said Hamdok was received at the White House by O'Brien on Friday, in the last day of his visit to Washington.

The meeting between Hamdok and O'Brien was attended by Jamal Omer, Sudan's Minister of Defence and Ambassador Omer Siddiq, Permanent Representative of the Sudan Mission to the United Nations.

"The two sides discussed at length Sudan's rescission from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, Mr O'Brien stressed that the United States is keen to address this issue as soon as possible," reads the statement.

The National Security adviser further affirmed the support of President Trump for the transitional government in order to achieve sustainable democratic transformation in Sudan, added the foreign ministry.

Sudanese Prime Minister told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that he discussed the requirements of the SST's removal with the US officials.

"Only two major obstacles remain: settling the cases relating to the terrorist attacks and cooperating with the U.S. on combating terrorism," reported the WSJ.

Hamdok went further to say that Sudan and the US could set up joint counterterrorism operation similar to the support provided to the forces of the Sahel countries that fight Boko Haram and other jihadist groups in the region.

“When it comes to combating terrorism, we would like to benefit from U.S. experience, not only of training but intelligence sharing, gathering, equipment, training,” he told the WSJ.

(ST)

December 7, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The Qatari Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday the conclusion of military exercises with the Sudanese army in Arkweit area of the Red Sea State.

According to a statement by the Qatari Defence, the military exercise was attended by Major General Rashid bin Nasser, Head of Qatar's Authority of Military Institutes and Colleges, and Major General Hafez al-Taj Makki the Red Sea Governor.

Al-Nasser praised the military training of the Qatari officers saying it would enable them to carry out their duties.

However, he did not speak about the duration of the training of the exercises.

The Sudanese army did not issue a statement about this exercise.

On 29 November, the Eritrean government issued a statement accusing Qatar of continuing to provide military support to the opposition groups.

Asmara did not accuse the Sudanese transitional government of taking part in this plot but stressed that Qatar uses Sudan as a springboard for its subversive activities.

The statement said that the Qatari Armed Forces would construct a dialysis centre in the Sinkat area of the Red Sea state.

Qatar which is a member of the Friends of Sudan group has invited the head of the Sovereign Council and the prime minister to visit Doha since last October.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (JUBA) - The peace process in South Sudan remains “precarious”, but progress is being made, David Shearer, the head of the United Nations Mission in the country (UNMISS), said.

David Shearer (UN photo)

Briefing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Shearer said maintaining momentum will depend on the continuing goodwill of all parties as well as the collective and unrelenting focus of its international friends to support formation of a transitional government.

“The formation of the Transitional Government provides an opportunity to lift our gaze from immediate challenges and look over the horizon towards elections, expected at the end of three years of Transition. Elections give the opportunity to resolve differences through democratic rather than violent means,” said the UN envoy.

“And to make a fundamental shift from deals done between elites to a duty to deliver policies by a government elected by the people”, he added.

Shearer, also Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan, said the recent visit of Riek Machar to Juba on President Salva Kiir was a critical step for the 2018 peace agreement.

He said there were positive aspects of the peace deal implementation, citing the ceasefire which largely continues to hold. “Political violence and subsequent displacement have decreased markedly,” stressed Shearer.

According to the senior UN official, opposition members have continued to work in Juba alongside their government counterparts on implementing key elements of the revitalized peace agreement.

He said the more than 130 rapprochements held across the country demonstrate confidence and commitment at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, Shearer said the UN is also providing technical assistance to reform and rebuild the justice system, not just to tackle criminal acts, but more pervasive impunity in the world's youngest nation.

As part of the process, he stressed, mobile courts staffed by South Sudanese judiciary, have expanded beyond Bentiu and Malakal.

“In the next few weeks they will try hundreds of serious cases, including sexual and gender-based violence,” he noted.

South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

In September 2018, the rival factions involved in the conflict signed a peace deal to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2 million people in the country.

(ST)

August 20, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Call forces will hold a meeting in Cairo in the next few days on the democratic transition in the country after a separate meeting of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) to complete its vision on peace.

The meeting of the alliance, which is composed of armed and political groups, comes after the resignation of Sadiq al-Mahdi, from his position as the chair of Sudan Call, as he called for a review of its structure and its alliances with other national forces.

The political components of Sudan Call are part of the transitional government, while the armed groups remain outside the framework of the transitional arrangements.

In a statement to Sudan Tribune from Cairo, Yasir Arman, a Sudan Call leading official, said that the meeting of the Revolutionary Front from one side and the meeting of the forces of Sudan Call on the other side will take place from September 21 and end on September 30 stressing they will discuss the peace process and ways to accomplish the tasks of the democratic change.

"Sudan needs a genuine partnership that must include the forces of revolution and forces of change, on the other hand, it should include the regular forces, and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC)," he said.

Arman underscored that the importance of the Cairo meetings stems from the fact that they are crucial for peace and democratization alike.

Severe disagreements between the SRF and the FFC political components erupted after the overthrow of the al-Bashir's regime last April.

The armed groups complained they had not been consulted in the decision-making process during negotiations with the junta. Further, the disagreement exacerbated after the rejection of the SRF request for seats in the transitional authority.

Regarding the meeting of the Revolutionary Front, Arman said the umbrella will discuss the peace process and negotiation with the Sudanese government as agreed in Juba.

Also, they will consider cooperation with the region's countries to reach a comprehensive peace in Sudan.

Egypt has expressed willingness to host the peace process but finally, the signatories of the Juba Declaration agreed on Juba as the venue of negotiations. In addition, Chad, Ethiopia Qatar and UAE should be associated as facilitators together with the African Union, IGAD and the United Nations.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (NEW DELHI/JUBA) - Five Indian women police officers have been honoured by the United Nations for their commendable roles in their South Sudan mission, officials said Friday.

UNMISS troops from India patrol the perimeters of a compound in South Sudan's capital, Juba (AP)

The officers received the UN medal at a medal parade in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) office in Juba on Tuesday.

The police officers included, Reena Yadav, Gopika Jahagirdar, Bharati Samantray, Ragini Kumari and Kamal Shekhawat.

The women officers were honoured by the UN for upholding the UN mandate of protection of civilians in conflict-ridden South Sudan.

The officers are engaged in community policing, administrative, operational duties and capacity building of local authorities.

India is among the largest troop contributing countries in the world to UN peacekeeping missions. As of March 2019, 2,337 Indian troops were reportedly deployed in South Sudan.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has said the Transitional Government of National Unity must be formed on November 12 as agreed by the parties to the peace deal in May this year.

South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar (L) and President Salva Kiir in Juba on September 8, 2019 (PPU)

Kiir made these remarks during prayers organised by South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) at State House in the capital, Juba on Thursday.

“Through your prayers our wounds people will be healed,” he said.

The South Sudanese leader also appealed to the armed opposition leader Riek Machar to return to Juba ahead of the formation of the new coalition government.

During last week's meetings between Kiir and Machar in Juba, both leaders committed to the timely formation of the new government.

The two rival leaders also agreed to form a committee that would look into the final report of the Independent Boundary Commission (IBC), number of states and their boundaries and come up with findings suitable for both parties and the people of South Sudan.

On his part, however, Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro appealed to the signatories to the peace pact to ensure the accord if fully implemented and new government put in place as agreed.

South Sudan descended into war in mid-December 2013, when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

In September 2018, the rival factions involved in the conflict signed a peace deal to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2 million people in the country.

The power-sharing arrangements under the deal were supposed to take effect in May, but the process was delayed by six months until November as both sides disagreed on security arrangements.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese health authorities reported 124 cholera cases in two states, confirming the spread of outbreak as a result of poor health and water and sewage system structures in the country.

Following the recent floods that hit 16 of 18 states, the cholera epidemic killed six people in the Blue Nile state.

Also, the health ministry identified five states - White Nile, Gedaref, Sennar, Kassala and Khartoum- saying they have the highest risks of a cholera outbreak.

"Blue Nile state recorded five new cases of cholera on Wednesday, bringing the total to 101, while no new deaths have been recorded except for the previous six cases," said Suleiman Abdel Jabar the health ministry undersecretary.

Abdel Jabar in his statement further said that "the total number of cases of cholera amounted to 124 cases, including 101 in the Blue Nile State and 23 in the state of Sennar".

Sudanese authorities under the new regime vowed to be transparent in term of international safety standards and to not repeat the policy of the al-Bashir regime.

After the recent floods, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned against the risk of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases spreading due to the poor hygiene infrastructures in Sudan

The Ministry of Health and WHO are working together to strengthen disease surveillance and provide medical treatment said OCHA Sudan in a statement on Thursday.

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), a UN funding mechanism for humanitarian activities in Sudan, is allocating $7.6 million for the cholera and flood response under its Reserve for Emergencies envelope.

(ST)

September 19, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Sovereign Council Thursday dropped death penalty against eight people of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) which fights the army in Darfur region.

Mohamed al-Faki (ST photo)

The presidential pardon, the Council said, comes within the framework of the government efforts to bring peace in the country and in line with the Juba Declaration signed with the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the SPLM-N led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu.

Sovereign Council's member and spokesman, Mohamed al-Faki told reporters that the collegial presidency in a meeting held on Thursday discussed the progress made in implementing the confidence-building agreements signed with the armed groups in the South Sudanese capital on 14 October

"The Transitional Sovereignty Council decided to drop the death penalty against eight members of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur," al-Faki said.

"Also, it decided to release 18 convicts of various periods of imprisonment belonging to the armed struggle movements," he further added without giving the name of their groups.

The SLM-AW is not a member of the rebel umbrella signatory of the Juba Declaration. Also, in recent statements the group leader said the army and the Forces for Freedom and Change FFC have stolen the revolution and called for a referendum on the constitutional document to prove they have legitimacy.

Last Sunday, SPLM-N led by Malik Agar which an SRF member welcomed the release of 17 its fighters by the Sudanese government.

In line with the Juba agreement, the parties will start a comprehensive peace process on 14 October in the South Sudanese Juba.

Speaking to Alghad TV from Cairo where the SRF will meet on Friday, Yasir Arman welcomed the move and said they expect more steps in the upcoming days.

"We hope that meetings for the cessations of hostilities and humanitarian access to the war-affected areas will take place soon," said the SPLM-N Agar deputy leader.

He added they will send a delegation for the prisoners of war to Khartoum before to launch the peace talks next October.

The confidence-building measures are part of the constitutional document signed in Khartoum on 17 August 2019.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (KAMPALA) - Uganda has commended South Korea for its contribution towards the relative peace in South Sudan.

UNMISS peacekeepers deployed in Jonglei. (UN)

Speaking during South Korea's National Foundation Day occasion in Kampala on Wednesday, Uganda's Veterans Affairs minister, Bright Rwamirama said Korean forces have greatly contributed to peace keeping operations in South Sudan by repairing peace roads which will have significantly impacted on lives as well as on the economy.

This year's celebrations were held at the Sheraton, Kampala Hotel.

In July, a new contingent of South Korean troops was deployed to carry out United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.

The more than 280 troops were the eleventh batch of forces to be sent to South Sudan since South Korea began deployment in 2013.

The South Korean troops will reportedly focus on helping repair the peace road, a 200km expressway linking Bor, Mangala and Pibor to help revive the nation's economy and better support UN operations.

South Sudan attained its independence from neighbouring Sudan in July 2011 after decades of civil war that killed an estimated 2.5 million people.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (NEW YORK) - United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Wednesday joined calls to remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism after the popular revolution that overthrew the regime of Omer al-Bashir.

Guterres made his call in New York at a press conference at the outset of the 74th session of the General Assembly which officially opened on Tuesday 17 September while the high-level General Debate will begin on Tuesday, 24 September 2019.

Responding to a question about the situation in Sudan, the UN chief hailed the political agreement reached last August between the army and the protesters' coalition to form a transitional authority and to work together to bring peace into the country and achieve democratic reforms.

"Sudan is a matter of great hope for us. I believe that what was possible in the dialogue in Sudan demonstrates that all political conflicts can be solved by dialogue (...), and this should be a lesson for everywhere else in the world," he said.

"It is time now for the international community to support Sudan,"

He pointed out that the east African country is experiencing "a very dire economic situation (and) in a very dramatic economic situation".

"I hope that all the restrictions that exist about Sudan, namely, the classification as a country that supports terrorism and sanctions, will be quickly removed," he stressed.

UN officials say a high-level event on Sudan will be held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the General Assembly to mobilize international support for the country.

However, Trump administration says they do not consider to cancel Sudan designation as a terror state for the time being.

But, Guterres warned that the failure of international support to the interim government may hamper its efforts to achieve the transition towards a democratic regime in Sudan

"I hope that there will be a massive mobilisation of resources to support Sudan overcome the extremely difficult economic situation that the country has, because, if that doesn't happen, obviously, we risk that the gains in democracy, human rights, and political solutions that were observed could be put into question".

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Wednesday held bilateral talks with the Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi who arrived in the capital, Juba Monday.

President Salva Kiir with the Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi in Juba, September 18, 2019 (PPU)

The discussions, the Presidential Press Unit state, focused on foreign relations, education and ways of boosting the country's economy.

The First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, minister for the Presidency, Mayiik Ayii Deng and the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng attended the meeting.

The meeting, the deputy Foreign Affairs minister said, also discussed how government plans to ensure South Sudanese students who completed their studies in Zimbabwean universities get their certificates.

He further said President Kiir passed a message to his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa asking him to visit South Sudan.

On his part, however, Mohadi said South Sudan and Zimbabwe share a long historical relation and pledged his government's commitment to continue supporting the young nation in all areas.

69 South Sudanese students have already graduated from various Zimbabwe universities this year alone while 79 are studying on scholarships.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) utility has launched a call for consultants to help define the renewable energy development program in Africa's newest nation.

An energy efficient stove in Warrap State South Sudan, 13 April 2012 (ST)

SSEC, in a statement, said consultants must have relevant professional experience, especially in development of private sector, grid-connected solar projects and associated battery storage.

“The winning bidder will be tasked with defining the tender mechanism for the procurement of clean energy generation capacity,” partly reads SSEC's consultancy tender document.

“Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank's procurement policy framework for bank group funded operations (October 2015),” it added.

Meanwhile South Sudan has asked Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, a multi-donor trust fund administered by the African Development Bank to provide $990,000 for the renewable energy program.

According to Renewable Energy Council of South Sudan (RECOSS), South Sudan is endowed with abundant untapped renewable energy resources such as solar power, biomass, wind power, hydro-power and fossil fuel used for power generation.

Established in 2018, RECOSS is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit making organization founded by renewable energy experts, operators, environmentalists and distinguished energy professionals to promote renewable energy technologies and efficiency in the country.

South Sudan reportedly has the lowest per capita electricity consumption in Africa, 1 to 3 kWh. This situation is mainly attributed to the underdeveloped energy infrastructure in the young nation, severely impacted by decades of civil wars.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reiterated his support to Sudan's stability and vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the neighbouring country when he received Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

Hamdok arrived in Cairo on Wednesday in his second foreign trip after taking office in the transitional government after his two-day trip to Juba.

Hamdok and al-Sisi in Cairo discussed means to support and strengthen cooperation and promote strategic projects between the two countries, Sudan's Foreign Minister Asma Abdallah said on Wednesday after the meeting.

"The two leaders discussed many issues including Sudan's removal from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, writing off the country's foreign debts, besides seeking to achieve comprehensive peace across the country,” SUNA quoted the minister as saying.

Hamdok was received at the Cairo international airport on Wednesday by Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly before to head to the Egyptian presidency.

For his part, Egypt Presidency Spokesman Bassam Rady said that al-Sisi asserted Egypt's support for Sudan's security, stability and its people's choices, adding that Cairo will offer all support to accelerate joint development projects such as the electricity grid and railways.

“The president praised Sudan's success in overcoming this critical phase in its history and voiced hope that the country would begin serious steps toward reaching the aspirations and hopes of the people for development,” Rady said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The president reaffirmed Egypt's full support for the security and stability of Sudan and its support for the will and choices of the Sudanese people in shaping the future of their country," and expressed willingness to provide all means of support to the brothers in Sudan in this regard.

Also, al-Sisi further pledged to ensure the quick implementation of joint development projects, especially the electrical connection and the railway line, Rady said.

For his part, Sudan's Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Badawi said that Egypt has expressed readiness to use its regional and international relations to support Sudanese efforts for its removal from the terror list and to write off its foreign debt.

In addition, he said that Hamdok and Madbouly in a separate meeting at the premises of Egyptian Council of Minister tackled various issues particularly the electricity connection projects.

They further agreed to hold further meetings to discuss agriculture, electricity and reactivation of previous agreements signed between the two countries, besides establishing strategic economic relations, al-Badawi added.

After December revolution's Sudanese and Egyptian officials vowed to bring the relationship between the countries back to the time before al-Bashir's regime.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (KHARTOUM) - The leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi, Wednesday has resigned from the chairmanship of the Sudan Call alliance, calling to review the group's partnership with the other forces.

Also, he called to hold a peace conference inside the country instead of foreign venues.

Following the signing of the "Paris Declaration” in August 2014 with Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), the NUP and the armed groups formed the Sudan Call alliance but they waited until March 2018 to form a leadership council he headed.

The Sudan Call is one of the four main blocks that formed the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in January 2019, however, the alliance's members, including the armed groups, NUP and Sudanese Congress Party have growing dissonances with the National Consensus Forces (NCF) of the leftist groups.

Al-Mahdi said he was keen during the rule of the transitional to preserve the goals of the revolution and avoids the pitfalls until it reached the current transition.

"The current phase requires a review of positions, including Sudan Call structure and our alliances with the other national forces".

"In preparation for the requirements of this phase, I announce my resignation from the Sudan Call and I hope that we will meet as soon as possible to discuss the new structure and the options available now," he stressed.

Recently, the Sudanese Communist Party voiced once again its opposition for the formation of a leadership body for the FFC to enable it to provide the needed support for the transitional government.

Also, the NCF groups showed fierce opposition to any compromise with the armed groups and complicated efforts to seal a peace agreement with them paving the way for an inclusive government with the rebels.

Al-Mahdi said that Sudan Call has become the largest alliance which includes political, civil and armed components.

He further applauded the outcome of the discussions on the confidence-building measures between the transitional government delegation, SRF and Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu.

“The comprehensive peace conference should be an umbrella for all armed forces, the forces that have signed peace agreements previously, the IDPs and refugees, the parties to tribal conflicts, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) and other components involved in the revolution,” al-Mahdi added

Comprehensive Peace Conference

However, al-Mahdi expressed his reservation over the ongoing dealings on the venue of the peace process and the foreign mediations.

"The peace process must avoid selection shortcomings and foreign incubators because the expected approach of the peace process is deeper and broader".

Instead, he called to hold an inclusive peace conference in Khartoum, once the confidence-building measures are fully implemented.

The peace conference must include "all armed resistance forces, (former rebel) forces signatory of peace agreements, displaced people and refugees, parties to tribal conflicts, Forces for Freedom and Change and the other forces involved in the revolution".

Sudan's neighbours, the African Union and the international community should be invited as observers, he further said.

In line with the Juba Declaration, the government and the armed groups agreed that Juba would be the venue of the peace talks.

(ST)

September 17, 2019 (BEIJING/JUBA) - 163 peacekeepers from China left Beijing on Tuesday for war-hit South Sudan on a one year mission.

Chinese peacekeepers patrol around the perimeter of UN House in Juba on 27 January 2016 (UNMISS Photo)

A sapper team of 130 and a medical unit of 33 are reportedly the first group of 331-strong battalion sent by the Asian nation.

The group of Chinese peacekeepers will reportedly handle tasks like maintaining and upgrading supply routes, repair runways at airports, building shelters and providing engineering support in mission areas.

In addition, the medical unit is expected to provide basic healthcare services such as treating common and infectious other diseases.

Last month, Chinese peacekeepers serving in South Sudan were given United Nations Medal of Peace for their service in the region.

331 members of the 9th Chinese peacekeeping medical and engineer detachment in South Sudan received their honors in Wau city, which is located in the northwestern part of the young nation.

Over the years, however, China has stood with the East African country as it struggles to rise from the ashes of a damaging civil war.

In March this year, for instance, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) reached an agreement with South Sudan government to construct at least 26 hospitals across the country.

South Sudan descended into a civil war in mid-December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy-turned rebel leader Riek Machar of an attempted coup.

In September 2018, the rival factions involved in the conflict signed a peace deal to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over 2 million people in the country.

(ST)

September 18, 2019 (JUBA) - South Sudan and neighbouring Kenya have signed an agreement granting citizens from the two countries free visas.

The agreement, an official said, was inked last week.

“It took place last week between the government of Kenya and us. We signed an agreement and the ministry of interior is in charge of immigration. Of course it is not only Kenyans coming here, but South Sudanese going to Kenya will also not be required to pay visa fees,” Mawien Makol, the foreign affairs ministry spokesperson told Eye Radio.

The deal, he added, was signed between the two ministers of interiors in the two countries and will take effect from October.

A visa a conditional authorisation granted by a territory to a foreigner, allowing them to enter, remain within, or to leave that territory. Visas typically may include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits or an individual's right to work in the country in question.

(ST)