Sudan Tribune

August 12, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) said the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has detained on Wednesday a female member of the party and continues to summon three other leading figures on a daily basis.

SCoP secretary general Abdel-Qayoum Awad al-Sid told Sudan Tribune that NISS summons Widad Darwish, Khalid Omer Youssef, and Magdi Okasha from morning till midnight every day.

Last Friday, SCoP said that NISS detained its youth secretary, Magdi Okasha, from his home in Kafuri suburb in Khartoum North.

Two days earlier NISS raided the home of the foreign affairs assistant of the SCoP president Khalid Omar Yusuf in al-Gireif suburb of Khartoum and detained him without charges. They were both released later.

SCoP official pointed that Darwish refused to report to the NISS office on Tuesday, saying that a NISS force came to her home in al-Thawra neighborhood in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman on Wednesday and took her to an unknown destination.

He said that Darwish just returned from a long trip to Cairo where she sought medical treatment, saying NISS officers interrogated her about her stay in Egypt.

Awad al-Sid added that daily summoning of Youssef and Okasha is considered full detention, saying that both party members have suffered from NISS's seizure of their cars.

He demanded the immediate release of the detainees or putting them to trial, asking NISS to stop harassing SCoP cadres.

NISS enjoys wide-ranging powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure under the country's 2010 National Security Act.

COMPLAINT TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Meanwhile, the SCoP official said they filed a complaint with the Political Parties Affairs Council (PPAC) urging them to interfere to preserve rights of the party members.

He said the legal department at the PPAC told them that they would consider the complaint and respond to it in September.

Awad al-Sid criticized the way the PPAC dealt with the complaint which contained serious violations committed by the NISS against their members on a daily basis, describing the dragging procedures as “intentional injustice”.

The SCoP complaint which was extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday said that constitutional and legal rights of its members and leadership have been violated; pointing the party is registered according to the PPAC regulations.

The complaint pointed that the NISS detentions and summoning against the SCoP members was mainly due to public speeches delivered by them, saying those speeches are part of the peaceful expression of the SCoP political vision.

It is worth noting that SCoP continued to hold speeches in public areas such as the markets and gathering places to urge the citizens to resist the government policies.

The complaint said that being a member of the SCoP doesn't constitute a crime but rather an open option for the Sudanese people according to the bill of rights which allows freedom of choice and organization according to the political parties' law.

It further demanded the PPAC to carry out its duties and ensure respect of all organs to the law as well as preventing the NISS from violating the SCoP right of holding peaceful political actions.

(ST)

By Joseph de Tuombuk*

The efforts to return peace in South Sudan have become so convoluted and tortured because there's a concerted effort by the West and its IGAD allies to solve all problems ailing South Sudan in one go. The West wants to completely revamp South Sudan political landscape and introduce hybrid regime change. It sees the IGAD-led peace process as the way to achieve this goal. The IGAD countries have their own well-known interests that they would like to protect. So, the peace process that should have been limited to crafting a political roadmap that would allow parties to compete on a level playing field, has now become so complicated that it will die under its own weight. Meanwhile, South Sudanese are caught in a deadly game with no end in sight. The so-called IGAD-plus ‘compromise document' is another item on a long list of failed efforts to come up with one-size fit all solution. Let's examine how the IGAD-led process has been a spectacular failure. But before delving into how messed up the IGAD-led process is, let's try to diagnose the genesis of the problem.

What transpired on December 15th?

It is known that the genesis of political crisis that led to an abortive effort to take over the power by force, has its roots in the SPLM's unresolved issues. The SPLM, whether many agree or not, is not a homogenous entity. It is a patchwork of political actors who have never really seen eye-to-eye, except when confronted with a single enemy in Khartoum. The SPLM should have been allowed to break up into its constituent parts that can become separate parties and compete against each other in elections. Riek Machar and his allies had an opportunity to form their party and take their case to the people of South Sudan. Even President Salva Kiir suggested as much; that those who disagree with him, ideologically or otherwise, should form their own party. For some unknown reasons, Riek and Co. refused to take a hint and instead started laying down ultimatums. Why was Riek so confident that he would challenge President Kiir? He had something up his sleeves, and tacit backing of the West. He believed that by taunting President Kiir to force his hand, a crisis would start and in the ensuing chaos, security apparatus allied to his faction would quickly gain control of Juba. Had Riek succeeded, he would have simply portrayed the power grab as a self-defense against ‘dictatorial' Kiir. The West was probably waiting to bless the outcome.

But things turned out differently. While Riek appeared to have been winning early skirmishes on the night of December 15, 2013, President Kiir quickly turned the tables and foiled what was turning out to be a well-concerted effort to take power. What happened in South Sudan could be described as a coup-on-the-fly. Coups come in differently flavors and shapes. The most commonly known type of a coup is one where a group of army officers capture critical infrastructure, arrest key government officials, liquidate those resisting, before showing up on some state-own broadcast networks to announce that they have ‘rescued' the country from mismanagement. The governing junta then coopts neutral or pliant political parties into the government. What happened in South Sudan on December 15, 2015 was something slightly different. The fighting within the Presidential Guard unit was intended to act as a catalyst for a far more nefarious action. Had Riek's operatives within the security forces prevailed, it is almost certain that President Kiir would have been killed along with resisting key personalities in his government.

The result would have been explained away as an ‘unfortunate' case where some elements within the Presidential Guard Unit initiated a disarmament of forces based on tribal affiliation, and thereby created a conflict with terrible and ‘unintended' results. The international community would have swooped in, ‘condemn' the tragic situation, and ask the new government to form a committee to investigate the tragic event. The committee would have most likely been headed by personalities from the West and international bodies. The outcome of such an investigation would have laid the blame on the dead guys. Case closed.

The Hapless IGAD Comes In

This brings me to the main theme of this paper. The IGAD-led process has complicated its work with little results to show. Early on, the negotiation parameters should have been set. The mediators should have identified the problems that culminated in the abortive coup. The main issue was lack of political space within the SPLM for those seeking to challenge President Salva Kiir. The mediators should have solved this issue by telling the rebels to form their own political party and take their case to the people of South Sudan. Instead, the mediators essentially allowed Riek's team to bring everything under the sun onto the negotiating table, starting with demanding President Kiir to step down. The government's team bears some blame. They should have told the mediators that some things are redlines and will not be entertained. If the IGAD mediators felt the need to bring everything to the table, that would have been the cue to return to Juba and let Riek come and take power.

The secondary issue was the fear among rebels that the environment is not conducive to allow for a fair political contest. This is where the bulk of the negotiation should have been focused. To solve this issue, the mediators should have come up with specific timetable for elections. The elections would be supervised by IGAD with help from the international community. All parties would be allowed to take part in the election. Each party would formulate its position and what it promises to do for South Sudan, and take its case to the populace. Whichever party wins will then commence the institutional reforms agenda.

Instead, the IGAD process became captive various interests. The West, being the one footing the bill, has seen the IGAD process as its opportunity to institute what can be termed as a ‘hybrid regime' change. We can see this in the so-called ‘compromise' peace document that has been presented to parties and with a date (8/17/15) when the signed document is due. As far as the West is concerned, the ‘compromise' document essentially achieves its goal of ‘saving' South Sudan from itself. Maybe it is time to let South Sudanese make the decision themselves. This can done via elections. If the people choose Riek's party, then that would be end of that. He can then proceed with his so-called reforms without a care in the world. Some items such as federalism would require asking the people of South Sudan if they want federalism. If he losses, he will continue to make a case why people should choose his party. The government would have made a huge compromise by letting a guy who destroyed a third of the country to freely participate in elections without being prosecuted.

The Way Forward

South Sudanese should take charge of their own destiny if their country will ever return to peace. The problem is that the opposition is doing the bidding of the West. It is not that the West like Riek's insurgency; they see it as a way to radically change how South Sudan is governed. For now, Riek is serving as a pressure on the government. The IGAD-plus process and its ‘compromise' document will meet the same fate that has bedeviled all previous mediation efforts because it's a forced document. With the insurgency fragmenting into smaller factions, Riek just did a repeat of 1991. The only difference is that the West sees him as its hope of enacting change in the country. We might as well do a Libya-type deal and see where the chips fall. Tragically, South Sudanese will continue to pay enormous price because our country is caught in ugly machinations of the West. Can the government be reformed without uprooting it? Sure. A clean election with the participation of all parties is necessary and then we can talk about reforming security, economic, and political space.

*The author is a South Sudanese commentator and analyst. He can be reached at joe.tuombuk@gmail.com.

August 11, 2015 (LEER/MAYIANDIT) - South Sudanese rebels in the oil-rich Unity state have accused forces loyal to president Salva Kiir and their Bul-Nuer and Dinka Warrap allied militias of killing over 200 civilians, mainly women and children, last month in Leer and Mayiandit counties.

South Sudanese soldiers patrol the streets of Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 (Photo: Simon Maina/AFP)

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday by press secretary of the rebel appointed governor of Unity state, Ruai Kuol Jal, he accused the pro-government forces of attacking civilians and continuing to loot their properties, in the south of the state capital, Bentiu.

“This is to tell the world that Juba regime and allied militias are continuing with their search for those who have gone to bush for hiding, killing them and abducted girls as sex slaves,” Major Weirial Puok told Sudan Tribune over phone interview.

The official claimed that government forces looted cattle and food stuffs belonging to vulnerable civilians in the area.

Kuong Kuony Dhol, Leer county commissioner for rebels allied to Machar also told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview that government forces were searching for the hideouts of the civilians to kill, torture or abduct them.

He accused the government of committing crimes against humanity following abduction of children and murder of civilians. Dhol claimed their forces were regrouping in several parts of the county to encounter attacks on pro-government offensive.

“We are in preparation for full scale resistance against these gangs whose aim [is] to finish the citizens after they looted their resources. For that matter you will hear different news whereby my station will not be Leer again but Mayom or Tonj,” he said.

He further said that pro-government forces killed 20 civilians in an area called Kumagap, a suburb of Adok Payam with other 80 people murdered in Philieny and Rubchiar between 28 July and 1 August.

In separate development, Mayiandit county commissioner, Mangouth Koang, told Sudan Tribune over satellite phone interview that dropped food items by World Food Programme (WFP) in Boor area were looted by forces allied to president Salva Kiir.

“These militias of Salva Kiir forces have attacked Boor area after WFP dropped food items to hungry civilians, but these food [items] including cows and goats of civilians were all taken by militias from Bul [Nuer] and Warrap [Dinka] with a backup from government forces,” he said.

The commissioner claimed they were also tracking movement of government forces which planned to attack Payinjiar county at the border with Lakes state which has been one of the strongholds of the rebels allied to the former vice president Riek Machar for the past 20 months of the civil war.

The armed opposition commissioner of Payinjiar county however said their forces were closely monitoring the activities of pro-government forces in Lake state to attack the area through water and land, adding they were ready to face them.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid reiterated the readiness of his government to reach a lasting ceasefire agreement with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North to end the four-year conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir (C) meets with AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki on 3 August 2015 (L) while his presidential aide Mahmoud Ibrahim Hamid appears on the left (Photo SUNA)

Hamid was interviewed by several TV stations and the official Radio Omdurman where he lengthily spoke about the commitment of the ruling National Congress Party to hold an inclusive process for peace and reforms in Sudan.

He said they agreed with the head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and chief mediator Thabo Mbeki contact the SPLM-N rebels to prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations in order to end the armed conflict in the Two Areas.

"We reiterated our readiness to resume peace negotiations with the SPLM-N whenever the other party is ready to reach a permanent peace agreement with the government," said the presidential assistant.

The Sudanese official underscored that his government seeks "a permanent ceasefire and not a cessation of hostilities agreement".

During the last round of talks held in Addis Ababa in November last year, the SPLM-N negotiating team insisted on a humanitarian cessation of hostilities enabling aid workers to reach the affected civilians in the war zones.

The Sudanese rebel group rejects the demand saying the government wants a security arrangements agreement including the disarmament of its combatants before to hold a popular consultation on the administrative situation of the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Hamid who seemingly will replace the former presidential aide Ibrahim Ghandour and lead the government delegation for future peace talks said they did not agree with Mbeki on a date for the next round of negotiations.

Also, he clearly rejected any discussions with the rebel groups in Darfur region, saying the Doha Document For Peace in Darfur (DDPD) proposes a set of solution for the conflict.

He added they can only sign a security arrangements agreements with them and then the armed groups can join the national dialogue process to discuss any other issues.

Last December, Mbeki adjourned indefinitely talks between the government and two groups, Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi. The rebels at the time called to open the DDPD and to widen the scope of negotiations.

The presidential aide hailed the efforts of the German government to facilitate peace and national dialogue in Sudan, adding that the American administration does not play any role for a negotiated settlement.

"US administration supports the dialogue within the framework of the Troika countries but Germany pushes strongly (to achieve peace and dialogue in Sudan)," he said when asked about the American involvement in the ongoing efforts for peace in the country.

The chief mediator is expected to meet the rebel groups in Addis Ababa during the upcoming days for a consultations meeting after his recent visit to Khartoum where he held talks with President Omer al-Bashir on 3 August.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid brushed aside the fierce skepticism surrounding the government's recently signed contract with a Russian mining company but acknowledged that the figures announced on gold reserves could well be exaggerated.

Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid

The contract was signed in late July with a company named as ‘Siberian' for mining concessions in the Red Sea and River Nile states. President Omer Hassan al-Bashir reportedly attended the signing ceremony which was not made public.

Sudan's minerals minister Ahmed Sadiq al-Karuri announced at the time that the company discovered 46,000 tonnes of gold reserves in these two sites with a combined market value of $1.70 trillion.

On top of the mammoth figure, skepticism grew deeper after a Sudanese consultant working for the ministry out of Moscow named Mohamed Ahmed Saboon tendered his resignation because of the contract with the company which he described as “unknown”.

Saboon also described the $1.70 trillion figure as “science fiction”.

Hamid, who is also the ruling party vice chairman, asserted in a television interview on Tuesday night that the Russian company is reputable and well known adding that its officials were part of a ministerial delegation that flew from Moscow to Khartoum recently.

However he admitted that the gold reserves figures may have been inflated.

"The figures put forward by the company about gold reserves may be 100% or 50% accurate," Hamid said.

The Sudanese official recalled that there were also skeptics when Sudan announced the discovery of oil in the late 90's.

The chairman of Siberian mining company Vladimir Jakov said in an interview with al-Sudani newspaper on Monday that he personally has a 99% stake in the company along with a Sudanese partner whom he declined to name.

Jakov pointed out that he suffered “irreparable” damage from the skeptical talk about the company in terms of his bank dealings and reputation in Russia and abroad.

He said that there is confusion and mix-up between the parent company which he named as Golden Stone Vasilievsky Rudnik Mine Siberian For Mining Company LTD that is based in Russia.

He said that Siberian is the Sudanese subsidiary of the parent company and officially registered in Sudan adding that they spent about $10 million in geological research.

The pro-government Sudan Vision newspaper said that the group was owned by the Russian government till it was sold to the private sector in 1993 after it tumbled due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

It further said that it was bought by the current investors and Jakov who led the company to become strong again and he was awarded the order of achievement by president Putin in 2004 himself for his role in lifting the company again.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (BOR) - Authorities in Twic East county of South Sudan's Jonglei state have passed a local order directing the two clans of Dacuek and Ayuel, which have been in conflict since 2010, to compensate the 29 lives lost to end conflict in Nyuak payam.

Chief gathered at Wanglei in Twic East county 1, August, 2015 (ST).

The county leadership, supported by the state government, has urged the chiefs from the two sub-clans to speed up the process.

No attack or counter offensives have occurred between the two communities since they signed an agreement in August last year. The accord was to end conflict by compensating lives lost in fighting.

“After the signing of the deal in August 2014, the communities started to again live together, go to the same churches and had shown progress in different aspect of life,” said the Twic East county commissioner, Dau Akoi, adding, “Life seemed back to normalcy”.

However, not all the chiefs in the county seem to respect provisions of the agreement. For instance, Ayuel, one of the largest clans in Twic East has 19 chiefs representing all its sub-clans, yet only 13 of them are reportedly committed to peace. The 13 chiefs of Dacuek pledged commitments to the accord, calling for its implementation.

COMPENSATION FUNDS COLLECTED

Last year, it was agreed that Dacuek contributes SSP 800,000 to compensate 16 lives lost to Ayuel. In return, Ayuel was to contribute a total of SSP650, 000 to compensate for the 13 lives lost in Dacuek.

Ayuel chiefs who are loyal to the agreement have contributed SSP151,200 while Dacuek contributed SSP724,900, totaling to 876,100.

Traditionally, paying 50 heads of cattle would compensate each life lost. But in this particular agreement, the two communities agreed to settle the matter monetarily, earmarking SSP50,000 for each life lost.

Some of the chiefs have, however, expressed concerns over the refusal by their six counterparts to adhere to agreement framework. They argued that compensation not be effected and money returned to their owners, if the chiefs continue to dishonour the deal.

According to Akoi, the conflict in Twic East has affected lives and disrupted studies of youth in South Sudan and neighbouring countries.

“If all is implemented, then we will wait to see who will break it again. We have amnesty to those who killed. The killings were to be handled by the communities, not as individuals, that is why we did not arrest anybody. After this one, if you kill anybody, you will be held accountable for killing as individual”, he told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

Deng Ajak, an intellectual from the Ayuel community, said peace was essential for youngsters to enjoy in schools as well as institutions.

“I have my son who is learning outside South Sudan. He is one of the young men who lived in fear because of this war. Why should we create problems to our own sons when we are not targeting ourselves as elders? Stop this and let the youth enjoy peace”, he said.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (WAU) - 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of a payam administrator in South Sudan's Western Bahr el Ghazal state, an official said.

The commissioner of Wau county, Elia Kamilio Dimo said security personnel made arrests following last week's murder of Natale John and Yona Francis, a policeman.

Also wounded in the attack was Wau county paramount chief, William Kamillio Gwage.

“We have arrested 14 [suspects] and they are being detained pending investigations. We are still tracking anyone we suspect to be behind this killing,” Dimo said on Tuesday.

He further disclosed that all the 14 suspects were arrested from within Bagari county.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan announced that inflation rate dropped to 14.1% in July from 18.3% a month earlier making it likely that the east African nation would meet or even beat projections of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

FILE - Men wait to buy meat at the market in Khartoum, Sudan (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

The 2015 budget has a target inflation rate of 25% while the IMF projected 12.4% by year end. The inflation rate stood at 19.8% in May.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBoS) said that prices of commodities and services rose at varying rates in July with clothing and footwear recording the biggest increase by 3.4% followed by recreation at 3.3% then transport at 1.7% , education at 1.3% and lastly restaurants and hotels at 1.1%

The food and beverages index moved upwards to 519.6 points compared to 515.6 in June.

CBoS said that food and beverages contributed to the rise in the general price level by 2.1 points out of 5.6.

Sudan has been struggling with double-digit inflation since secession of the oil-rich south in 2011 but it has succeeded in bringing it down from a high of 46.8% in July 2014 to 25.6% in November of the same year.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan's ministry of justice has instructed district attorneys to represent the prosecution in all cases pertaining to national security, human trafficking, illegal drugs and state funds.

The state minister of justice, Ahmed Abu Zaid, said the district attorneys should also follow up on the sentences handed down particularly in cases of narcotics, warning against criminalizing people simply on the basis of suspicions.

He emphasized the government intentions to reform the laws and qualify the legal staff in order to impose the rule of law, calling for utilizing the latest technology to help carrying out judicial work.

The minister, who inspected the district attorney's offices in southern Um Bada in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, saying his visit aims to address the shortcomings as well as activating the role of the public attorneys in achieving justices and implementing the government reform program.

Abu Zaid was briefed on the workflow in the attorney's offices and problems they are facing.

He promised to overcome the obstacles facing those offices, instructing the district attorneys to pass down their expertise to their colleagues.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has issued a decree promoting 294 judges in accordance with the recommendation made by the Chief Justice, Haydar Ahmed Dafa'Allah.

According to the decree, 29 judges from the Court of Appeals have been promoted to the Supreme Court, 6 first grade judges were promoted to the general court, 13 second grade judges have been promoted to first grade judges and 189 third grade judges have become second grade judges.

In the same context, the Chief Justices announced opening of two offices for the national Supreme Court in the River Nile and North Darfur states in order to facilitate the litigation procedures.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Tuesday summoned the Libyan military attaché in Khartoum to protest against what it claimed is his government's harboring of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/ Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM).

Sudanese former rebel leader Minni Minawi (AFP)

SAF spokesperson, Colonel al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa'ad, told the official news agency (SUNA) on Tuesday that the participation of SLM-MM fighters in the Libyan conflict alongside the forces of the retired General Khalifa Haftar poses real threat to Sudan's national security particularly in Darfur.

He added that it also undermines regional security on the joint Sudanese-Libyan borders.

“The participation [of the SLM-MM in the Libyan conflict] encourages rebel groups to destabilize security of the citizens through forced recruitment and looting”, he added.

Sa'ad pointed that SAF summoned the Libyan military attaché to protest against his government's move because SLM-MM is considered an armed rebel group that carries out hostile actions inside Sudan's territory.

He underscored that harboring and supporting rebel groups by the Libyan government in Tobruk represents a blatant intervention in Sudan's internal affairs.

Earlier this month SAF announced that Libya has withdrawn its troops from the joint border patrol forces between the two countries which led to deterioration of the security situation along the borders.

Since August 2014, Libya has two governments and parliaments since Tripoli was seized in a coalition of Islamist groups while the internationally recognized government is based in Tobruk. Qatar, Sudan and Turkey are accused of supporting this alliance.

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (NAIROBI) - A group of South Sudanese high ranking rebel commanders who were relieved from their positions in a reshuffle by former vice president and the leader of armed opposition faction, Riek Machar, issued a statement on Tuesday, claiming to have denounced and disowned the latter from the leadership of the rebel movement.

Rebel General Peter Gatdet Yaka gestures as he speaks to South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar (not seen) in a rebel controlled territory in Jonglei February 1, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

“We denounce and disown Dr. Riek Machar as SPLM/A-IO (Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition) chairman and commander in chief,” partly reads the statement signed by Major General Peter Gatdet Yaka and extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday shortly after allegedly holding a press conference in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

The generals, led by Peter Gatdet Yaka and Gathoth Gatkuoth, claimed that their cause of indifference with Machar was intolerance to blames and different views on number of leadership issues.

Other reasons for disowning the armed opposition leader, according to the statement, was to revive the regional led IGAD peace talks to exclude president Salva Kiir and Machar from participating in any transitional government of national unity, allegedly for having divided the nation.

“We reject any peace agreement that includes President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar in the leadership of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU). The two leaders have become symbols of hate and conflict and are obstacles to peace as both leaders wrangle over who should lead”, the commanders said in a statement obtained by Sudan Tribune.

They claimed war has taken long because rivalry over leadership between Kiir and Machar has polarized the country to the extent that it made it difficult from either of the two major communities, Dinka and Nuer, to accept the top leadership of the country held by either side to the conflict.

“Similarly the two communities of Nuer and Dinka have become so polarized and divided to the extent that one community will reject the leadership of the other. Other sons and daughters of South Sudan should be allowed to lead during the transitional period and both President Kiir and Dr. Riek should wait for the next coming elections and contest for the presidency if they so desire,” it added.

The statement from the disgruntled rebel commanders further suggested that if their first suggestion was not acceptable, then a military-led transitional government comprising officers from both parties be formed until next elections are conducted.

They also reject reunification of ruling SPLM party, claiming it confirmed a return to status quo that plunged the country into the current civil war and took the country back to the dictatorial rule of SPLM.

“This means that there will be no political space for other political actors in South Sudan. The SPLM/SPLA-IO is a multi-party resistance movement comprising of political and military forces that are opposed to Juba regime which has turned its guns against innocent citizens,” it said.

The reunification of the SPLM, they said, may compromise democratic transformation, reforms and federal system and would encourage one party dictatorship.

The two senior generals, Gatdet and Gathoth, including their ring leader, Gabriel Changson Chang, have been relieved from their positions in the rebel movement. Observers said their relief might have triggered their public discontent against their former boss.

The defecting generals have not however declared their new organization, nor named their leader to lead their group.

REBELS DOWNPLAY STATEMENT

The opposition faction led by Machar however downplayed the statement of the generals and their claim to have removed Machar.

“We have read their statement which they issued in Khartoum today, Tuesday. I believe they are angry because they have been relieved from their positions. But they should have been patient and wait for redeployment to other capacities. Reshuffles are normal in political or military leaderships,” Machar's spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune when contacted for reaction on Tuesday.

He however said the opposition leadership was intact and the situation was calm and normal, adding that the leadership would make a statement in response to the allegations raised by the “angry” commanders.

Dak also blamed the defecting commanders for not showing up in the recent Pagak leadership meeting last week during which such complaints they raised would have been discussed internally.

He added that the movement was committed to the peace process to end the 20-month long civil war, adding that the leadership would be open for reconciliation with the disgruntled commanders should they accept to dialogue and present their complaints to the leadership of the movement.

DEFECTED GENERAL ACCUSES MACHAR OF BRIBES

In an earlier briefing to members of his community of Jikany-Nuer in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Monday, Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth, who later on declared his defection on Tuesday in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, said he had five reasons for abandoning the movement under the leadership of Machar.

One of the reasons he alleged during a meeting with the youth leadership of the Jikany-Nuer community claimed that the Chinese government gave a hundred million US dollars to the rebel leader, Machar, as a bribe so as to prevent his troops from capturing the oilfields operated by company of the Chinese government.

Gat-hoth continued to say that the son of former vice president was also previously given a sum of 7 million [South Sudanese pounds] by Salva Kiir's government, blaming Machar for allegedly running the party as a family property.

“Machar's defection in 1991 has never benefited Nuer,” he said, adding that opposing ideas of military generals by the rebel leader was another reason for his defection.

Gathoth further revealed that the defectors were in the process of forming an independent movement that will work to unearth both president Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, from power, accusing them of fighting each other for 20 months since 15 December 2013.

He claimed they were soon going to receive military support from unnamed group or country that will oppose reinstatement of Kiir and Machar in IGAD peace proposal.

JIKANY-NUER COMMUNITY DISOWNS GATHOTH

Simon Bachuch, chairman of the Jikany-Nuer community in Kenya told Sudan Tribune that the whole community disagreed with Gatkuoth's position, adding it was creating a “red-line” in an attempt to exclude Machar in the coming transitional government of national unity.

He accused Gathoth of prioritizing his own personal interests instead of the welfare of the community and the South Sudanese in general.

Bangoang Tongyik Lual, a member of Jikany-Nuer community who also attended the meeting with the defected commander, accused him of foiling a fake bribery allegation against Machar, describing Gathoth's claims as “adultery politics.”

“Is there a tangible evident on this document presenting the said transactions, in references of his claims that Chinese and the others bribed Dr. Machar to cease war, suspend combatants to capture Paloich oilfield?” he asked.

They said the community distanced itself from their defected sons, whom they said were “were playing with fire and digging their own graves.”

The community leaders in Kenya said they were in support of the IGAD-Plus peace process to end the war in the country.

(ST)

August 6th, 2015

The Chairperson, the Deputy, and the Secretary General of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-N): Malik Agar, Abdelaziz Al Hilu and Yasir Arman held an important meeting from July 30th to August 5th 2015. The leadership meeting addressed and reached resolutions and recommendations on the following issues: Preparation for the Meeting of the Leadership Council; Announcement of the End and the Defeat of the Summer Offensives of the Government of Sudan; Political and Economic Crisis; Humanitarian Situation; Assessment of the Military Situation; Regional and International Situation; Peace, Reconciliation and Democracy in the Republic of South Sudan; Political Alliances: Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and Sudan Call; The Sudanese Arab Tribes Belt; The Sudanese Islamic Movement; Sudan Army Forces; Sudan People's Liberation Army; Development and Expansion of SPLM-N Structures; Civil Administration, Commissions, Human Rights, and Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency; Training of Cadres and Capacity Building; The SPLM-N Presence in Government-Control Areas; Media and Mass Communication; Finance; Negotiation and Dialogue, Regime Change and a Comprehensive Solution; Refugees; Prisoners of War; and Final status of the Two Areas.

A Minute of Silent Dedicated to the SPLM's Founder, Thinker and Martyr Dr John Garang de Mabior
The meeting began with a minute's silence dedicated to the spirit and memory of the founding leader of the SPLM, the icon of democracy and of the marginalized peoples and the pioneer philosophical and practical mentor of the ‘New Sudan' vision: Dr John Garang de Mabior. This charismatic leader elevated the SPLM flag, leading the movement from Bor town in 1983 from the depth of South Sudan to the Green Square in the heart of Khartoum in 2005, and his great determination and vision that unite tribes and nations until the last moment of his life.
Dr John Garang de Mabior still represents the point of conversion between the North and the South of Sudans, and his vision is still there to enlighten the road to the future of the two Sudans.
The SPLMN leadership called upon Sudanese and Southern Sudanese people to jointly celebrate the memory of Dr John Garang. He remains the symbol of for those who believe in a (Sudanese union) between two independent states. The SPLMN leadership who fought under his command remain loyal, thankful for his inspiring leadership. The meeting confirmed that the flag raised by Dr John Garang is still flying high: the SPLM in Sudan is here remain to stay in the soil of Sudan, and to contribute with others political forces and civil society in building a country of equal citizenship.

(1) Preparation for the Meeting of the Leadership Council and Announcement of the End and the Defeat of the Summer Offensives by the Government of Sudan
The leadership meeting commenced eight months after the SPLM/A North stood against the military campaigns of the government. Despite the regime's plentiful resources, propaganda and use of the militia of the Rapid Support Forces, the SPLMN leadership meeting formally announced the defeat of the regime's summer offensives for the 4th year running since the re-ignition of war against the civilians of Blue Nile and South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains.
The meeting thoroughly discussed preparations for the next meeting of the Leadership Council, to be held in September in the SPLMN liberated areas. A set of recommendations was adopted to be presented, including renewal of, and structural changes, in the organization of the SPLMN in order to ensure the continuation of its vision and mission as a movement for all Sudanese. The meeting also recommended the expansion of the Movement's leadership to include SPLM cadres that have stood strongly against defeatist groups, and who have challenged the multiple regime conspiracies that were aimed at eradication of the Movement inside and outside the country.

(2) Political and Economic Crisis
The SPLM-N Leadership Meeting affirmed that the current economic crisis in Sudan is essentially a political crisis. The economic crisis is linked to the policies of the ruling regime that work against Sudan's poor, and which express the interests of a minority ruling clique, which in turn is dependent on Sudan's resources to consolidate its rule, through financing wars, corruption, and political and security oppression. The economic crisis is also rooted in the failure of the external policies and relations of a regime that is associated with the agenda of political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood movement. These external linkages have led to the isolation of Sudan along with accusations of genocide against its head of the state by the International Criminal Court.
The leadership meeting emphasized that the National Congress Party (NCP) regime had destroyed all key pillars of the national economy, including destruction of public, rural, agriculture and service sectors, and had politicized security and civil services. The meeting made clear that regime change is the only solution to resolve the economic crisis and to begin real development based on production and delivery of health, education, water, housing and electricity services to all Sudanese people.
The meeting concluded that ending the economic crisis will be impossible without stopping the ongoing wars, normalizing foreign relations and restoring democratic governance in a State that has genuine popular support and can fairly distribute its resources through development and services rather than wars and repression.
The leadership meeting called upon the Sudanese masses to direct their efforts to removing the fascist rule of the NCP through popular uprising in order to resolve the ongoing crises of education, health, electricity, clean water and to revive genuine national development schemes.

(3) Humanitarian Situation
On the humanitarian situation in Blue Nile and South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains, the leadership meeting concluded that the deteriorating humanitarian situation cannot be resolved without an end to the continuing aerial bombardment by the government air-force and the opening of humanitarian corridors. The leaders confirmed that any future negotiation with the government of Sudan must first find a solution to the humanitarian crisis, including through a holistic cessation of hostilities in the Two Areas and Darfur.

(4) Assessment of the Military Situation and the expected Summer Offensive by the Regime
The leadership meeting saluted the civilians in South Kordafan/ Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile and Darfur for their resistance to the war crimes and the aerial bombardment of the NCP forces and those of the militia of the Rapid Support Forces, in addition to their courageous long standing resilience in the face of the NCP's destructive policies. The meeting also praised the refusal of the Messeriya, Hawazma and Kenana Arab tribes to participate in the crimes of the NCP, despite the huge pressure and inducements put on them by the regime. Their stance re-confirmed for the SPLM-N leadership the significance of continuing work towards a new Blue Nile and South Kordofan as part of the broader New Sudan.
The leadership meeting thoroughly assessed the military situation in South Kordafan/ Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile and in Darfur, and adopted a new military plan for the coming government offensives and aggression. The leadership also saluted the rank and files the SPLA-N on the different fronts.

(5) Regional (African and Arab) and International Situation
The leadership meeting extensively discussed the situation in the African and Arab regions and the international context in particular in relation to their impact on the SPLM-N and Sudan in general. The assessment focused on the situations in South Sudan, Ethiopia, the IGAD and other neighboring countries in the region, in addition to the impacts of war in Yemen and the visit of the President of the USA to the region.
The meeting determined to engage with all regional and international actors and situations from a perspective that both serves the interests of the people of Sudan in real political change and maintains the core identity of the SPLM-N as a Sudanese national liberation movement with goals that are supporting the struggle of Sudanese's people and their national civic and political forces.

(6) Peace, Reconciliation and Democracy in the Republic of South Sudan

The SPLM in Sudan supports peace, reconciliation, democracy and unification of the ruling party, the SPLM in the republic of South Sudan. This support springs from the unique and special position of South Sudan in the hearts and minds of membership of the SPLM-N; martyrs and alives. The leadership meeting updated its information and analysis about the ongoing attempts of the NCP regime in Khartoum to fragment and create instability in the republic South Sudan. The meeting expressed the hope that all leaders in South Sudan unite and work together to end the war in the country as soon as possible, and to achieve reconciliation, consensus and democratic transformation with participation of all vital stakeholders in the South. The leadership meeting concluded that the Arusha agreement and negotiations in Addis Ababa between southern parties should achieve peace, reconciliation and democracy in the republic of South Sudan. We will always wish the best for the people of South Sudan.

(7) Political Alliances: Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and Sudan Call
The SPLM-N leadership meeting reaffirmed its commitment to the SRF and Sudan Call alliances as unique achievements for Sudanese people that should be honored and supported. The meeting also called upon the leaders of the SRF to courageously face the problems of the alliance and solve them, and to continue working in changeable realities internally and externally, in the interests of marginalized people and Sudanese in general.
The leadership meeting emphasized that Sudan Call constitutes the highest manifestation of unity of the Sudanese opposition. It called upon Sudan Call signatories not allow any erosion of this unity, and to combat all negative trends, whether coming from inside or outside the alliance. The meeting also stressed the importance of developing and presenting Sudan Call as a real political alternative to the Sudanese people and to open the door for its expansion. It urged Sudan Call to reach agreement on a holistic programmatic document, including structuring Sudan Call forces to strengthen all its parties in their march towards regime change, as foreseen in the alliance document, Road to Popular Uprising.

(8) The Sudanese Arab Tribes Belt
The meeting of the SPLM-N leadership confirmed that Arab tribes located from Blue Nile to Um Dafouq in Darfur are organic to the Sudanese national fabric. The NCP's regime has used divide and rule colonial tactics to induce these tribes to confront each other, particularly in Darfur. The leadership meeting called upon national forces to stand against this policy.
The meeting was took serious note on the new political dynamics within these tribes, including their new political aspiration and orientation against the regime, in addition to trends emanating from the impact of exploration of gold, oil and other resources. The SPLM-N leadership meeting asserted that there is need for a new vision and collective efforts from the national forces, especially from SRF, to thoroughly study these new dynamics and to develop political and operational plans for direct engagement with those groups working on, and/or interested in, political and societal change.
Taking in consideration the communication and engagement between some of these Arab tribes and the SPLM-N, the leadership meeting proposed the holding of a conference entitled, ‘Arab Tribes and the Building a State of Equal Citizenship'. The SPLM-N will consult closely with its allies in the SRF and Sudan Call parties for the preparation of this conference.

(9) The Sudanese Islamic Movement and its various Trends
The leadership meeting noted the importance of engaging with the various trends of the Sudanese Islamic movement. The meeting alerted opposition parties not to be confused by the connections and linkages between these different groups, including those in the regime, those who desire only limited change, and the fanatic' trends similar ISIS. Therefore the meeting decided that the position of the SPLM-N's engaging with the Sudanese Islamic movement will as following:
a. The SPLM-N will engage, and is willing to work together, with Islamists who are interested in limited political change, to develop their positions towards creating equal citizenship and a democratic governance.
b. The ruling Islamists should be overthrown unless they agree on a comprehensive peaceful settlement that manifests national consensus, democracy, change, reconciliation and a state created on equal citizenship.
c. SPLM-N will not engage or compromise with fanatics and followers of ISIS: they should be confronted by all national political and civic forces, and Sudanese people as they are representing a serious danger to the Sudanese national fabric. The SPLM-N has been alerting many African leaders about this group and its multiple connections with the ruling Islamists in Sudan, and the danger they pose to the internal unity and cohesion of African societies as the case in Nigeria.

(10) Sudan Army Forces (SAF)
The SPLM-N has a historic position on Sudan Army Forces (SAF), and the long process of politicization that it has undergone for decades. Nevertheless the SPLM-N still believes that there is a stream of nationalist groups inside the army which is interested in political change. Although their voices are silent they are not satisfied with been neglected and marginalized for the sake of national security and the elevation of tribal militias such as rapid support forces. The leadership meeting take notice of SPLM-N has ongoing communication and exchange of messages with these elements and expressed its readiness to work with them in order to end civil wars, halt the suffering of Sudanese people, and prevent the collapse of the Sudanese state.

(11) Development and Expansion of SPLM-N Structures
The leadership meeting agreed on set of recommendations on the development of the Leadership Council of the movement, including: expansion of the Council's membership; establishment of an executive body and formation of a national liberation council. These bodies will be enriched by the promotion of new leaders from amongst the women and men who managed to carry the burden of the last years.

(12) Sudan People's Liberation Army ( SPLA-N)
The leadership meeting decided to appoint comrade Jacod Mekouar Murada as Chief of Staff of the SPLA-N, in addition to his command of the first front. Comrade Jacod Mekouar will replace comrade Commander Abdelaziz Adam Al Hilu who has contributed uncountable service to the SPLA-N and the SPLM-N, and managed with his leadership to consistently defeat the NCP forces and militias for the last four years. The appointment is part of overall plan to promote a new generation to lead on both the SPLA-N and the SPLM-N.
The leadership meeting appointed Commander Abdelaziz Adam Al Hilu as Deputy Commander in Chief of the SPLA in Sudan. As part of preparation for the coming summer offensives of the regime, the leadership meeting also appointed a new staff for the Chief of general Staff.

(13) Civil Administration, Specialized Commissions, Legal Department, Human Rights, and Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency ( SRRA)
The leadership meeting decided to engage in a broad renewal and development of all civil administrative bodies, inside and outside the liberated areas. New and old cadres will lead these institutions, including through reshuffle of appointments. Specific proposals will be presented to the Leadership Council for the development of the SPLM-N's civilian bodies at its next meeting in September.

(14) Training of Cadres and Capacity Building
The leadership meeting was briefed on the training, capacity building and political education that had been conducted and benefited hundreds of cadres in the liberated areas and externally. The meeting assigned the Vice President and General Secretary of the Movement to ensure the establishment of political and professional training body.

(15) The SPLM-N Presence in Government-Control Areas
The leadership meeting reviewed what have been achieved in the government-controlled areas. The student, youth, women and states sectors were thoroughly discussed. The meeting decided to continue these efforts and to connect them with the Movement's other bodies, including ensure the contribution of these sectors in the decision-making processes and in the building of the Movement more broadly. The meeting emphasized that the development of the SPLM-N in the government-controlled areas can only be achieved through members' participation in the daily struggle of Sudanese people, in the cause of popular uprising.

(16) Media and Mass Communication
The leadership meeting assigned comrades Dr Omer Shurikan, Ali Abdelatif, Abdelmoniem Rahama and Nasif Bashir to re-publish MASSARAT JADIDA (New Paths) magazine. The meeting also directed its media cadres to expend greater efforts to develop the Movement's engagement on social media. Directives were also given to continue solving issues that faces the Movement in its search for establishing radio and TV.

(17) Finance
The leadership meeting reviewed the financial situation of the Movement and what had been achieved in terms of resource generation to ensure the independence and effectiveness of the Movement's work. The meeting adopted some resolutions in this regard.

(18) Negotiation and Dialogue
The leadership meeting was briefed on attempts by the NCP security apparatus to portray the SPLM-N as supporting and participating in the so-called “7+7 committee” of the NCP's “national dialogue”. The leadership meeting reiterated the SPLM-N position on negotiation and dialogue as in line with the following:
1. The SPLM-N supports a comprehensive settlement and a national constitutional dialogue that paves the way for genuine structural change in Sudan.
2. The SPLM-N's positions are identical to those of the Sudan Call forces.
3. There should be a new approach to achieve a peaceful comprehensive settlement, and to prevent the NCP government from its usual tactic of ‘buying time'. This new approach should include the following components:
a) Agreement on a comprehensive cessation of hostilities that would stop the war, including ending aerial bombardment and ground attacks in Blue Nile, South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Darfur, in order, as a first step, to address and resolve the humanitarian crisis in those areas.
b) Respect for fundamental freedom and human rights as requirement for a genuine constitutional dialogue.
c) Supervision of the national constitutional dialogue by the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP), including as a first step, the holding of a preparatory meeting at the AU headquarter as stipulated in Resolution ( 456) of the AU Peace and Security Council.
d) The AUHIP should get more support by other partners that to include the IGAD, the republic of South Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa and Nigeria, in addition to the Troika, Germany and France, the European Union and the United Nations. This will enable the AUHIP to inject new needed momentum and dynamics, and to maximize pressure on all parties to achieve peace and transformation in Sudan.
4. The SPLM-N is ready for consultation meetings with the AUHIP, IGAD and the international community at large for the sake of a comprehensive solution. The SPLM-N will attend the meeting between the AUHIP and the Sudan Call forces.

(19) NCP Regime Change and a Comprehensive Solution
The leadership meeting clarified the complementarity nature of the various mechanisms which can be utilized in the struggle to change the NCP regime. The meeting emphasized that changing the regime is the strategic goal to be materialized through popular uprising, supported by the armed struggle. There can be no comprehensive solution without opening the road of popular uprising because the NCP will not accept any peaceful comprehensive settlement unless it feels threaten from mass uprising and eminent change.
The meeting called upon opposition forces and the Sudanese people to: continue their efforts towards regime change; deploy all mechanisms towards this end without generating false contradictions between them; to be ready for a genuine comprehensive peaceful settlement; and to interact and engage with regional and international bodies to demonstrate that it is only the NCP regime which refuses a peaceful comprehensive solution.

(20) Refugees
The leadership meeting thoroughly discussed the condition of refugees in neighboring countries, in particular refugee camps in the republic of South Sudan. The discussion included understanding of the NCP's conspiracies to dismantle these camps, and the humanitarian impact of the war in South Sudan on Sudanese refugees. The meeting decided to continue efforts to mobilize regional and international support for, and solidarity with, the refugees.

(21) Prisoners of War
The leadership meeting reiterated the SPLM-N commitment to release prisoners of war in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other Sudanese and non- Sudanese actors, including the initiative of SAI'HOON, the former Jihadist group. The meeting also decided to release additional numbers of prisoners of war from the NCP's forces and militias.

(22) Final status of the Two Areas (South Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile)
The leadership meeting decided to present the SPLM-N's vision and position of the final status of the Two Areas (South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile) to the national civic and political actors. The meeting re-affirmed the SPLM-N agreement with Imam Alsadeg Al Mahadi and the Umma party to organize a joint workshop on the status of the Two Areas. The SPLM-N also welcomes the participation of other political and civic actors in this consultation about the future of South Kordofan/ Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile.
In conclusion of the meeting, the leadership reiterated the SPLM-N's deep commitment to political and social change through unification of agents of change. The meeting also took the opportunity of the glorious anniversary of September uprising to call upon the people of Sudan to protest again in the streets of the cities and in rural areas and to demonstrate that popular uprising is the road for change.
Finally the leadership meeting sent a special message to the SPLM-N's members and supporters:
‘‘We have managed to defeat the militias and the forces of the NCP regime for four successive years. We have managed, despite divisions in the international arena, to communicate and table our case and cause within regional and international platforms, ultimately leading to the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2046. We have effectively contributed to building national alliances the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), the Paris Declaration and the Sudan Call. We would like to assure the members and supporters of the SPLM-N that we have managed the negotiation processes in a manner that satisfies and serves our people's interests. Steps taken towards the building and development of the SPLM-N have been solid and persistent. Our foreign relations reflect the respect that the Movement has gained''.
The SPLM-N is a reality on the ground and on the Sudanese political arena. Victory will be achieved for our people.

The SPLM-N Leadership
August 6th, 2015

August 10, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's president Omer al-Bashir has called on his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to convince rebel groups to join an inclusive process his government is planning to hold inside the country to discuss issues of peace and democratic reforms.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni attends a session during the 25th extraordinary summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on South Sudan in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on 13 March 2014 (Photo: Reuters//Tiksa Negeri)

Khartoum accuses Kampala of harbouring and supporting rebel groups fighting his government in Darfur region and South Kordofan and Blue Nile states; but the latter denies the accusations.

Foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour on Monday handed over a message to president Museveni briefing him about the ongoing efforts to hold the national dialogue process in Sudan, said Sudanese ambassador to Ugandan Abdel Bagui Kabir .

"The message deals with the invitation of president Bashir to the Sudanese armed groups and the guarantees he announced enabling them to participate in the dialogue inside Sudan," said Kabir in statements to the official news agency SUNA.

He further said that the letter speaks about "the role that president Museveni can play by exhorting those groups to join (the political process), considering that his country hosts some of the Sudanese movements".

Sudanese forces participating in the national dialogue on 5 August agreed to launch the process next October. In a meeting chaired by al-Bashir, it was also decided to intensify efforts to involve the holdout armed groups and opposition parties in the process.

The Sudanese foreign minister represented his country in the meeting of the East African regional bloc, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on South Sudan.

Ambassador Kibir disclosed that Ghandour will visit South Africa and a number of African states to deliver messages from president Bashir on the government's efforts to end war and hold the national dialogue.

(ST)

By Adama Dieng

The forces allied to the two main parties to the conflict in South Sudan, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, continue to inflict pain, suffering and despair on the South Sudanese people as a result of their unwillingness to take the necessary steps to end the civil war. Since fighting started in December 2013, both government and rebel forces have reportedly committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including extrajudicial killings, mass rape, torture, arbitrary detention, pillaging, forced displacement and have reportedly attacked protected personnel and sites, including United Nations personnel and property. In June this year, the United Nations reported vicious attacks against civilians in Unity State by government forces, including the mass rape of women and girls, some of whom were reportedly burnt alive. The brutality and cruelty of these attacks defies imagination. Thousands of civilians have been killed to date, more than one and a half million people have been displaced and some seven hundred thousand have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Given the widespread and systematic nature of attacks against civilians, some may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and those responsible must be held accountable.

While the South Sudanese people continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, their leaders have been engaged in endless rounds of talks, traveling back and forth between South Sudan, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). These talks have so far failed to produce meaningful results or alleviate in any way the suffering of the South Sudanese. Fighting continues unabated, as do violations and abuses by both sides. This, despite the best efforts of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Tanzania's ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and South Africa's ruling African National Congress. We have to ask ourselves whether the lives of the South Sudanese really matter to Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, or to their neighbours, the regional leadership or the rest of the world.

I was among those whose hopes were raised by the establishment on 7 March 2014 of an African Union commission of inquiry on South Sudan, the first such commission to be established since the African Union was founded. The Commission was mandated to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses committed during the conflict, assess the underlying causes and, importantly, to make recommendations on accountability, reconciliation and ways to deter and prevent recurrence of violations in the future. Olusegun Obasanjo, an eminent statesman and former President of Nigeria, was appointed to lead the Commission.

Reaction to the establishment of the Commission was mixed. Some saw it as a way to pre-empt the establishment of a United Nations investigation that might recommend prosecution of those leaders responsible for crimes committed in South Sudan. Personally, I was delighted that for once the African Union had demonstrated willingness to deal with the impunity that has too often accompanied violence on the African continent. I believed that a successful investigation could send a strong message that the regional body would not shield from justice political leaders responsible for crimes committed against their people. In the Op Ed I issued on 9 April 2014 that heralded the African Union's initiative, I also cautioned, however, that the world would be watching to see if the African Union would deliver on its promise.

Almost a year after it completed its work, and six months after the Commission of Inquiry submitted its report to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), there is a deafening silence. The AUPSC has so far avoided discussing the Commission's findings, which have not been made public. No action has been taken to implement its recommendations.

When I met President Kiir and Riek Machar in South Sudan in April 2014, both stated their commitment to accountability, promising that those responsible for atrocities would face justice. They both said that they would support the inclusion of accountability measures in a comprehensive peace agreement. Indeed, in the initial agreement signed in January 2015, they committed to establishing a judicial mechanism to prosecute those who had committed atrocity crimes.

What rationale could there be, then, for holding the Commission of Inquiry report hostage? It would be a mistake to think that sustainable peace, reconciliation and national healing can be achieved in South Sudan without any kind of accountability for the crimes committed. Amnesty is not an option. In addition, those who oppose accountability could be seen to be indirectly abetting the atrocities in South Sudan by protecting the perpetrators.

The mantra of “African solutions for African problems” sounds hollow when it is not backed up by action. Africa must stand up for its people. Leaders who turn against their own and inflict on them the kind of suffering we have witnessed in South Sudan lack the moral integrity that is a requisite for leadership.

I urge the AU Summit, which is due to take place in early August 2015, to do the right thing - make the report of the Commission of Inquiry report public and implement its recommendations. Ignoring the need for justice will not solve the conflict in South Sudan. We need to end the cycle of impunity that is fuelling the conflict. If not, we shall be failing the South Sudanese people, and failing once again in our responsibility to protect our populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Adama Dieng is the Under-Secretary-General/United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

August 10, 2015 (RUMBEK) - Lakes state's military caretaker governor, Major General Matur Chut Dhuol, has warned the newly appointed commissioner of Rumbek North county to work in accordance with the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) party interest in the local area, or risk being dismissed any time.

Lakes state governor Matur Chut Dhuol speaking at the burial of late Isaiah Kulang Mabor, January 7, 2014 (ST)

The governor who last week appointed Madong Muorwel Nyot faced criticism from the SPLM secretariat in the state for appointing as commissioner a person from an opposition political party, the United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF), a party founded by former vice president, Riek Machar, in 1997, when he signed Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) with the Sudanese government.

Governor Dhuol in his comment during the swearing ceremony of the new commissioner said he regretted having already appointed the opposition party figure, but said it would be fine with him if the new commissioner followed the objectives of the SPLM party.

He urged the new commissioner to ensure that activities of the other political parties in the county were frustrated and blocked.

“Comrade, you have to make sure that all my political opponents are kept away from accessing Rumbek North County. Anyone who resists you, please deal with him correctly and bring him to law,” caretaker governor Dhuol told his new official.

“You have to remember that you are placed under observation and any time I may dismiss you if you fail to serve that interest of my party,” he warned.

SPLM secretariat officials in the state distanced themselves from state caretaker governor's office following the last Friday appointment of Nyot as commissioner, causing internal division in the party office.

But on Saturday during the swearing in ceremony the caretaker governor instead told the new commissioner to work hard to restore peace and harmony in Rumbek North county by all means, directing him to relocate the ethnic Dinka clan of Pakam from Rumbek town, the state capital.

“First you are going to do SPLM mission. You have to restore law and order in Rumbek North county. Immediately those [members of] Pakam community residing in Rumbek town must be returned back to their residents in Maper,”said the governor.

He directed the commissioner to apprehend anyone opposing him and to bring him to face justice.

(ST)

August 10, 2015 (JUBA) - The overall commander of the armed forces allied to the former vice president Riek Machar in Bahr el Ghazal region, has downplayed possibility of disintegration of the movement, asserting that clashes of ideas and viewpoints are always part of normal discussions.

SPLA in Opposition generals Gatwech Dual (R), Dau Aturjong (C) and Gabriel Tanginye pictured in Pagak on 8 December 2014 (ST)

General Dau Aturjong Nyuol, deputy chief of general staff for training of the armed opposition forces in reaction to recent claims of division in the rebel camp, argued that diverse views on public matters enhances engagement on critical and fundamental matters.

“There is a saying that two minds are better than one. This means that if you are two or more, you will have to discuss something with different approach, even when the objective is the same. The approach may be different, just like when you are going to a given place which is known to the two or more people. Some will take the short cuts and others may take long. Some will use airplanes, others may use vehicles and some will have to walk but still the destination is the same,” said General Aturjong.

General Aturjong, based in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, but who has not yet posed a significant military impact on the war in his home region, added that the objective of the movement was to transform the country so that it became feasible for anyone to participate in the nation building regardless of the means used to achieve the objective.

He accused president Salva Kiir's government of not availing participation of the country's citizens in the decision making process, further claiming that the government had been since squandering the wealth of the nation in corrupt manner.

“Every [thing] which the government of Salva Kiir and his friends do is cloudy. No one knows what that government does with the advance sale of oil and no one knows what it does with the international loans. Everything is done in the dark on behalf of the people and the country,” Aturjong said.

The top rebel commander said discussion about the means to achieving the objective would not divide the movement, even though it was the “wish of the government and some foreign mercenaries” to cause confusion in the leadership of the movement.

He said the rebel leadership was united and stronger than ever before. “We are all working together with comrade chairman. We want to bring this conflict to come to a speedy end because it is the interest of our people to be in peace but this should [be] the peace they will embrace and own,” he further stressed.

Aturjong pointed out that the peace agreement should address accountability, justice, system of governance, uphold democratic ideals and promote rule of law rather than promoting “rule of man and state of one man.”

He claimed that some elements in president Kiir's government were working to cause division in the movement in order to continue to claim to stay in power through the use of divide and rule tactics.

“Some people in the government are wishing and working hard to see that there is division of the leadership. They are hoping any debate would put the movement in disorder and possibly weaken our position and support of our people,” he said.

“I think this is a little over-optimistic,” he said.

He said the people of South Sudan knew very well that it was president Kiir and his friends in crime who started the war in rejection of democratic political processes in the country, and that they will be held accountable by the people.

Sources emanating from the government earlier alleged that they were monitoring imminent split and defection from Machar's opposition group and would welcome back to Juba those rebel commanders and officials who may decide to abandon the struggle and return to president Kiir's leadership.

However, one of the alleged senior commanders, Major General Gabriel Tanginye refuted the allegations, saying he was still loyal to the former vice president, Machar. Also another senior general, Peter Gatdet Yaka, reportedly refused to travel to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where the group was being organized by Gabriel Changson Chang, former rebel finance chairman, in order to make a declaration.

DEFECTING GENERALS DEPORTED

Reliable sources told Sudan Tribune that the generals who were planning defection in Nairobi under the leadership of Gabriel Changson Chang were deported by Kenyan authorities who denied them activity in the capital, Nairobi.

“Kenyan authorities asked them to leave within 72 hours from Sunday. The defectors planned to hold a press conference to declare their split, but Kenyan security agents stopped them. They were told not to do it in Nairobi,” the source close to the defecting officials revealed on Monday.

He alleged that South Sudan's army chief of general staff, Paul Malong Awan, came to Nairobi over the weekend in order to push for the declaration and return to Juba of the rebel commanders, but the process did not succeed as Kenya opposed further splits in the rebel camp which it saw as anti-peace.

He said the defecting generals including Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth and others left on Monday for the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. There was no declaration made in Nairobi.

Other sources said there was also further divisions within the defecting officers on their next move, with some wanting to reconcile with the rebel leadership, Machar, in order to stop the idea of splitting.

REBEL SPLIT IMMINENT

Meanwhile, one of the officials recently sacked by rebel leader Machar, has hinted on possibilities of forming a new opposition group parrallel to the SPLM-IO faction.

Maj. Gen Peter Gatdet was dismissed from the position of deputy chief of general staff for operations in the armed opposition movement.

When asked iawas still loyal to the armed opposition leader, a seemingly angry Gatdet replied, “Did you not hear that I was removed from my position?”

However, some officials, who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, said the rebel's former deputy chief for operations was sacked after he criticised the proposed power-sharing deal between government and the armed opposition faction.

(ST)

August 10, 2015 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese minister has accused mediators from the East African regional bloc (IGAD) of “bias”, demanding that the venue for peace talks between government and the armed opposition faction be moved Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

South Sudan's rival forces resumed peace talks on 6 August, as international pressure mounts ahead of an August 17 deadline to strike a deal to end 19 months of civil war. (Photo AFP)

Martin Elias Lomoro, the cabinet affairs minister claimed he was together with his delegates blocked by the mediators from participating in the ongoing peace talks.

“The IGAD mediators are bias and they are incapable of bringing peace to South Sudan,” the minister, who also heads the opposition United Democratic Forum (UDF), told Sudan Tribune Monday.

Lomoro said his delegation was asked to leave Ethiopia upon arrival in to the country.

“The IGAD mediation team should be reconstituted so that Seyoum Mesfin is removed. Somebody like Mohamed Ahmed who hails from Sudan, a country that colonised South Sudan does not qualify to be a mediator,” stressed the visibly-angry minister.

Lomoro's UDF party was one of the political groups allied to the government of President Salva Kiir that was allowed to travel to Addis Ababa last week. However, seven members of the alliance of political parties headed by Lam Akol were halted from leaving Juba.

Negotiations between South Sudan government and the armed opposition faction led by ex-vice president Riek Machar resumed last week with a final agreement expected to be reached on 17 August.

Lomoro blames the mediators for the delays in inking a final peace deal.

“So we feel that these people should be replaced and the talks relocated to Rwanda, Tanzania or South Africa,” he observed.

The expanded team of mediators that now includes the United States, Norway, United Kingdom, China, the United Nations and five African nations resumed Monday ahead of the 17 August deadline.

According to the UN, the humanitarian consequences of South Sudan's conflict are grave. At least 4.6 million people are reportedly food insecure, while nearly two million people are displaced inside the county and 600,000 have fled to neighbouring nations.

(ST)

August 10, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) - Ethiopia's prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn is in Uganda to attend the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development summit on South Sudan.

The new chair of the African Union, Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn (World Economic Forum www.weforum.org/Photo Matthew Jordaan matthew.jordaan@inl.co.za)

The summit comes one week before the 17 August deadline set by mediators for South Sudan warring factions to ink a final peace agreement.

Peace talks between South Sudan government and the armed opposition faction aimed at ending its ongoing civil war resumed in Addis Ababa last week under the IGAD-Plus peace initiative.

The IGAD-Plus mediation involves the United Nations, African Union, the Trioka trio of the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway, the European Union (EU), China as well as five African countries.

Analysts say the young nation could be slapped with more sanctions and an arms embargo should the conflicting parties failed to accept a regional peace and power-sharing deal by 17 August, 2015.

The Ethiopian prime minister will meet the Ugandan, Sudanese and Kenyan heads of states to discuss the current situation in South Sudan and developments on the ongoing peace negotiations.

Regional leaders, officials say, will consult on ways how to push the two warring factions reach a final peace agreement to arrest 20-months long running conflict and form a transitional government.

The summit will also discuss a range of regional issues including on the political crisis in Burundi and security situation in Somalia particularly the fight against the Islamic terrorist group, Al Shabaab.

Despite mounting regional and international pressures, the two South Sudanese rivals are yet to reach a comprehensive peace deal.

The conflict, which erupted on December 2013 has killed tens of thousands and displaced over two million people in South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Ethiopia said the number of South Sudanese refugees crossing borders is on the rise.

The agency said fighting in South Sudan has continued to drive more refugees, mostly women and children into neighbouring Ethiopia.

According to the UNHCR, on average, 211 South Sudanese stream across the border into Ethiopia at a daily. Most of them, it said, are entering through the Pagak, Akobo, Burbiey and Raad entry points of Gambella state that borders the world's youngest nation.

Nearly 285,000 South Sudanese have reportedly entered Ethiopia since conflict erupted in the South Sudanese capital, Juba in 2013. These numbers stated do not reportedly include the nearly 65,000 South Sudanese who were in Ethiopia before conflict broke out.

(ST)

August 10, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan's former vice president, Riek Machar, leader of the armed opposition faction of the governing Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), has relieved and appointed more officials of the movement in a series of orders.

South Sudan's rebel leader, Riek Machar, addresses a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 12 May 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)

The opposition leader in an order he issued, dated 6 August, relieved Oyet Nathaniel Pierino from his position as chairman of national committee for political mobilization and orientation, and reappointed him as governor of the newly created Imatong state in Eastern Equatoria, per the rebels proposed 21 federal states in South Sudan.

“Pursuant to April 2014 Nasir Consultation Conference resolutions, I, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, hereby appoint Cde Oyet Nathaniel Pierino as Governor of Imatong State,” reads the order extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.

Machar also relieved Major General Mabor Marier Makoi as governor of Rumbek state and appointed Major General Khamis Abdel Latif Chawaul, replacing Makoi as new governor of Rumbek state. Chawaul was previously in charge of rebel forces in the state.

The opposition leader appointed Major General Wesley Welebe Samson as governor of Mid-West Equatoria state. Samson has been leading an anti-government force in the government's controlled Western Equatoria state.

He also appointed Matata Frank as governor of Yei River state, which is curved from Central Equatoria state in accordance with the proposed new states based on elevation of the old colonial districts in South Sudan.

The rebel leader further relieved Timothy Tot Chol from his position as chairman of national committee for Federal System Development. No replacement was yet named.

The changes also come as the two principal rival leaders, president Salva Kiir and Machar are expected to sign a final peace agreement on 17 August.

The East African regional bloc, IGAD, which mediates between the warring parties has given chance for further negotiations before the deadline.

IGAD-Plus said it would incorporate into its compromise peace proposal document any issue that may be agreed between the two parties in the course of the 10 days of negotiations, but would impose its document to be signed on 17 August in case of no agreement between the parties.

(ST)

August 10, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rival forces have traded accusations in which each side attempted to hold the other responsible for launching a fresh attack on positions held by the other in violation of the non-operational ceasefire deal. The attacks came despite resumption of the peace talks in the neigbouring Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

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

Humanitarian workers and local state officials in Parieng county, Unity state, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that heavy fighting erupted on Saturday between government forces and armed opposition fighters.

The clashes came three days after the resumption of the 4th round of peace talks under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its international mediation partners.

It was not immediately clear which of the warring parties initiated the attack on the other. Military officers from both sides have provided statements depicting the other to have carried out the attack.

Spokesperson of the government forces, Colonel Philip Aguer, in a statement on Sunday claimed that forces loyal to the former government-allied militia commander, turned rebel, Johnson Olony and the fighters allied to the former vice president Riek Machar launched “a coordinated and joint attack” on the positions held by the government forces in the area.

The military officer, however, downplayed the strength of the opposition fighters, asserting that the clash lasted only for a few hours before "the attackers were repulsed.”

“The fighting continued from morning up to mid-day,” said Aguer. “By afternoon, the attackers were repulsed and the SPLA is controlling the area.”

Several of the leading opposition figures also claimed during an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Monday that government troops "launched coordinated attacks" on the positions held by their fighters in Unity state after their forces reportedly came “under sustained heavy shelling" for two days on Thursday and Friday.

“You know, it is always the habit of the government to attack the positions held by our forces when we are in negotiations with them. They instigated these attacks with intention to bolster their negotiating positions at the talks,” Abdullah Kuot, spokesman of the armed opposition fighters under the overall command of General Dau Aturjong in Bahr el Ghazal region told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

“Everybody knows this tactic and it is not a secret that the government is entirely responsible for these unnecessary attacks motivated by its desires and attempts to recapture oil fields under our control, but they will not succeed," he said.

Kuot further claimed that they also received reports from the headquarters of the opposition leader that the government troops attacked opposition-held areas in Leer and Mayendit counties in the oil-rich Unity state during which many lives were reportedly lost on both sides of the conflict.

The two warring parties, president Salva Kiir's government and the opposition under Machar's leadership, are given till 17 August to sign a final peace agreement to end the 20-month long civil war or risk impositions of sanctions on any party that will refuse to sign the peace deal.

(ST)