Sudan Tribune

December 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir accused unnamed groups of exploiting the living hardship to carry out sabotage and vandalism and described them as "agents, mercenaries and traitors".

Many cities across Sudan have been protesting against difficult economic conditions in the country since last week, calling to overthrow the regime of President al-Bashir. Also, demonstrators in some towns have burned the premises of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

Speaking in a public meeting in Wad al-Haddad area of Al-Jazira State on Tuesday, al-Bashir called to cease protests and not give an opportunity to those who commit sabotage.

He said the popular reception he received in the area was a decisive response to the rumour that he had been arrested and imprisoned and threatened to pursue those disseminating the rumours.

The Sudanese admitted that Sudan is facing "economic problems caused by the siege imposed by the West because of its refusal to kneel" as he said, stressing his rejection of foreign pressure.

He added that the war is waged against Sudan for its adherence to its religion and dignity, asserting that it "will not sell it for wheat or the dollar".

The Sudanese Central Committee of Doctors reported that nine people were injured in the protests that broke out Tuesday in the capital, Khartoum, including one critical case.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the doctors pointed to the use of live bullets against the demonstrators.

The union which was among the professional groups that called for the demonstration underscored the high level of popular mobilisation saying that they "passed the point of no return".

President al-Bashir pledged that development projects in the state would be continued and called on the people of Al-Jazira State, whom he described as producers, to not pay attention to traitors and agents.

(ST)

December 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Saturday would travel to Addis Ababa to participate in the Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People's Day celebration amid speculation that the Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki will also be there.

In January 2018, Sudan accused Eritrea of supporting rebel groups and closed the border after the deployment of thousands of troops. Four months later, Asmara accused Sudan, Ethiopia and Qatar of supporting armed opposition groups to overthrow President Isaias Afewerki's government.

But in July, Ethiopia and Eritrea reconciled and normalized relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The participation of President Afwerki in Ethiopia's celebration will be the first of its kind since the two countries resumed formal relations following two decades of rupture.

However, it is not certain that the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, will be able to bring al-Bashir and Afwerki together on the sidelines of the celebration.

It is noteworthy that Ahmed has launched several initiatives to give Asmara a way to come in from the cold as he mediated between Afwerki and leaders of Somalia and Djibouti.

Last September the IGAD Council of Minister said it would discuss the normalization of relations between Djibouti and Eritrea; and between Eritrea and Sudan. However, the east African bloc did not make any mention to the matter in it its statement after the meeting of 12 September.

Ethiopia is the second-most populous nation on the African continent after Nigeria with over 100 million inhabitants who are distributed among 83 nationalities.

It has decided to celebrate Nations, Nationalities and People's Day on 9 December since 2005, to commemorate the day of the ratification of the nations' constitution.

The day serves as an important forum for nations, nationalities and people's to show their culture, know each other and show unity and strong solidarity for peace.

(ST)

December 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A group of Sudanese refugees have organized a sit-in in front of the UN Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) headquarters in the Ghanaian capital, Accra to protest against the latter's refusal to issue their refugee documents.

One of the protesters, Hib al-Din Mohamed said 764 Sudanese refugees including women and children have arrived in Ghana 6 years ago, pointing out that UNHCR refused to issue them refugee identification cards.

“I arrived in Ghana in 2014 after crossing six countries. However, the UNHCR refused to issue me a refugee ID which made me suffer from housing, food and health care problems” he said

He added the Sudanese refugees are facing great suffering, saying some of them have taken refuge at a nearby mosque.

Another refugee, Mohamed Salah, told Sudan Tribune that last week they decided to organize a sit-in in front of the UNHCR premises and submit a memo including their demands, pointing out that the refugees came from the war-affected areas in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

He said the first batch of Sudanese refugees had arrived in Ghana in 2004, pointing out that they were granted the right for resettlement in the U.S. and Canada.

Salah added the resettlement programme has stopped since 2009, saying the UN doesn't currently provide them with any kind of assistance.

Salah also said the UN has rejected the cases of 25 Sudanese refugees six months ago.

“However, when we met with the UNHCR officials, they denied that they turned down the application even though we had shown them the denial letters,” he said

He accused the UNHCR of discriminating against the Sudanese refugees, saying it has granted refugee status to 300 Syrians who arrived from Egypt and other refugee holding Sudanese passports.

Salah added the Syrian refugees were granted refugee status within 6 months and large numbers of them have been resettled in Canada, U.S. and Europe.

“I don't know what is the difference between us and the Syrians and why they differentiate between the refugees in this inhumane manner,” he said

He added that a Sudanese refugee had died since several months due to lack of health care, saying there are large numbers of sick people who don't have money to get medical treatment.

He added the Ghanian authorities treat the Sudanese refugees better than the UNHCR, saying the sit-in has been carried out peacefully.

(ST)

December 6, 2018 (JUBA) - The People's Democratic Movement (PDM) distanced itself from the ongoing rift within the South Sudan Opposition Alliance and denounced fraudulent involvement of its name in this matter.

"PDM would like to condemn the fraudulent use of PDM's good name by both Ms Josephine Lagu Yanga and Mr Anas Richard Zanga, the duo are not members of PDM and are not known to be registered members of PDM," said Hakim Dario the PDM leader in a statement to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

The PDM is one of several groups that rejected the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and split from the SSOA under the leadership of Gabriel Changson.

Now, the former SSOA holdout factions including, the PDM, formed a new umbrella called the South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSNDA).

Dario recalled that Josephine Lagu was expelled from PDM before R-ARCSS was signed on 12th September 2018 while Anas Richard Zanga was never known to be a member of PDM, he said.

"The public should know that these individuals are fraudulent, masquerading as PDM factions, brought on as convenient substitutes by Mr Gabriel Changson and Dr Lam Akol, promising them with R-ARCSS government positions for their support to R-ARCSS of which PDM is not a signatory".

(ST)

Pre-Negotiation Agreement for the Resumption of the Peace Process in Darfur

The Government of Sudan (GoS), Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM/A) and Justice and Equality Movement Sudan (JEM) (the "Parties") reaffirm their commitment to achieving a negotiated resolution and durable peace for Darfur and declare their determination to create the conditions conducive for a sustainable resolution of the conflict, as envisioned in the Roadmap Agreement (signed on 8 August 2016).

Upon signing this agreement, the Parties commit themselves to conduct a credible peace process and to resume comprehensive peace talks on the following conditions:

• The Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) shall be considered the basis of future negotiations, on condition that all the issues that the movements deem instrumental to any sustainable and lasting peace, shall be open for negotiation towards reaching agreement(s), and that all parties agree to establish and create new and independent implementation mechanisms, and to negotiate the modalities of such mechanisms.

• The parties agree to enter into negotiations on substantive issues upon signature of this pre-negotiation agreement. Discussions on substantive issues shall be preceded by a Cessation of Hostilities agreement.

• In the course of the Cessation of Hostilities (COH) negotiations, the parties agree to address outstanding issues relevant to the COH.

• The AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator (as mandated by the UN Security Council and AU Peace and Security Council), and the Government of Qatar (as mandated by the Arab League), and the AUHIP (as mandated by the AU Peace and Security Council and as set forth in the AUHIP Roadmap Agreement) will work together to mediate the Darfur peace process with clearly defined and distinct roles and responsibilities for each.

• The Parties will request international entities - including Germany, the United States of America, United Kingdom, Norway, France, the European Union, the Arab League, and IGAD - to be observers and/or guarantors.

• Upon agreement on the principles set forth above, the Parties commit to resume talks, in Doha, commencing with establishing a framework to structure the process.

• The negotiations will be between GoS and JEM and SLM/A. Any additional parties will be allowed in with the consent of all three parties.

December 6, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The talks for peace in Darfur between the signatories of the pre-negotiations parties will start next month with a cessation of hostilities before to discuss substantive issues.

In line with the pre-negotiation agreement signed in Berlin on Thursday 6 December, the Sudanese government, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) will hold negotiations on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The text of the agreement seen by Sudan Tribune provides that the talks on substantive issues will be preceded by the signing of a Cessation of Hostilities agreement.

"In the course of the Cessation of Hostilities (COH) negotiations, the parties agree to address outstanding issues relevant to the COH," further read the text.

During Addis Ababa talks, On Darfur talks, the AUHIP said the rebel groups refused “balanced options” the mediation proposed on the location sites of fighters and mechanisms for the monitoring of humanitarian assistance.

However, there is no mention for the humanitarian assistance which was one of the difficult issues that the parties failed to address during the African Union-brokered talks in Addis Ababa in August 2016.

The deal further says the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator and the host country in addition to the African Union mediation team, will work together to mediate the Darfur peace process with clearly defined and distinct roles and responsibilities for each.

While joint chief mediator and Qatar will mediate talks on the substantive matters, the role of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel is limited to the talks on COH.

Germany, the United States of America, United Kingdom, Norway, France, the European Union, the Arab League, and IGAD will be observers and/or guarantors of the peace process and the deal that would result from it.

Observers point that this is the first time that France and IGAD are involved in the talks on peace in Darfur.

The deal finally provides that the peace talks will include the signatories of the pre-negotiations agreement, however, it does not close the door for the other groups which should be admitted with the consent of the three parties.

(ST)

December 6, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government and two armed groups in Darfur region signed Thursday a pre-negotiation agreement paving the way for the resumption of peace talks in Qatar next year.

The signing of the declaration of principles with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnwi (SLM-MM) took place in Berlin after two years of informal talks facilitated by the German foreign ministry with the support of the Berghof Foundation.

The signing ceremony was attended by Germany's Deputy Foreign Minister Walter Lindner, Qatari Special Envoy for Combating Terrorism and Conflict Resolution Mutlaq Al Qahtani, Amin Hassan Omer Sudan's Presidential Envoy for Diplomatic Contact and Negotiation for Darfur Amin Hassan Omer.

The Joint Chief Mediator Jeremiah Mamabolo co-signed the deal with the Sudanese government representative Mohamed Mukhtar, Ahmed Tugud JEM Chief Negotiator and Ali Trayo SLM-MM Chief Negotiator.

Were also present at the function, representatives from the U.S.A, France, the United Kingdom, Norway and the European Union.

The agreement provides that the signatories will resume talks on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). However, also would be discussed the issues that the two groups consider crucial for a sustainable peace.

In addition, a new independent implementation mechanism will be set up to enforce the would-be agreement reached by the parties.

The parties agreed to resume peace talks in Doha during the third week of January 2019.

"The Government renews its full readiness to resume the Doha negotiations in the same positive and constructive spirit in order to complete the final and sustainable peace in Darfur," said Amin Hassan Omer who is also the government chief negotiator.

German Deputy Foreign Minister Lindner said they are pleased to bring to a successful conclusion the Berlin Track of Darfur negotiations. He further added that his country's ready to continue promoting sustainable peace in Darfur pointing that Germany will be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2019-2020.

continue the process and become a future non-permanent member of the UN Security Council actively promoting sustainable peace in Darfur and the region.

"The course is set to continue along this path, and I urge all parties to continue to engage constructively in the peace process," he further said.

In a joint statement, JEM and SLM-MM said the signed deal is "is a roadmap for a new negotiating process" pointing to the possibility to add news items on the negotiating agenda and the establishment of a new implementation mechanism.

Noreldaem Taha, SLM-MM Information Secretary told Sudan Tribune this agreement is an important step to reshape the negotiation process and the role of intermediaries.

Taha added they reject partial solutions as they lead to the re-production of other crises in the country.

"Therefore, we reiterate our firm position that demands a comprehensive and genuine peace that addresses all the issues of the country and brings the displaced people back to their homes," he stressed.

JEM was the initiator of the DDPD but pulled out of the peace process as it had contested the representation of the other armed groups.

(ST)

December 6, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir and leader of the ruling party disclosed Thursday that the SPLM-IO faction of his First Vice President has not been yet merged into the SPLM-IG awaiting their formal request.

Speaking during the closing session of SPLM retreat held in Lobonok of Jubek state, President Kiir explained to the conference why Vice-President Taban and other leading members in his faction were not among them during the three-day meeting.

"My colleague Taban and his other comrades, asking me every time when am I appointing them in the SPLM Political Bureau so that they are considered as full members," he said.

He added that he gave his answer on the day before his departure to Lobonok to his oil minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.

"Before I left I told Ezekiel that you did not do your homework in your house because when General Taban declared the dissolution of his SPLM-IO faction, we were expecting that you would sit alone in your Political Bureau to approve the dissolution of your party and declare you are joining the SPLM," said President Kiir.

He went further to add that the procedures provide that following the dissolution of the group they write to the SPLM leader who will submit their request letter for discussion and approval by the SPLM Political Bureau.

"But now you cannot tell me you just issue a decree appointing such a number of your members into the Political Bureau," he told the silent meeting room.

"This is what I told him and I added you talk about it among yourselves and when I come back from you come and raise it in the next meeting," he concluded his speech on this matter.

On 7 May 2018, the SPLM-IO led by Taban Deng Gai announced that it officially joined the country's ruling party (SPLM) under the overall leadership of President Salva Kiir.

"I would, therefore, like to announce on behalf of the SPLM-IO structures and the entire membership of the party, 'the dissolution of the SPLM-IO organs including Chapters and declare them to be united with the SPLM, the historic liberation party in the Republic of South Sudan," announced Taban Deng on that day.

President Kiir and his deputy James Wani Igga stressed during the opening session of the retreat on the need to restructure and rebuild a strong political organisation ahead of the upcoming elections at the end of the transitional period.

They pointed out that the party is very weak and destabilized by the internal divisions.

President Kiir said the party also has to support the return of refugees and displaced civilians to their home areas warning if they fail to support the people they should not take their support for the SPLM for guaranteed.

Vice President James Wani stressed the need to ensure the "effective transformation" of the party saying if they fail to agree on this matter during the retreat they will never transform it again.

(ST)

December 5, 2018 (JUAB) - South Sudan peace monitoring body called on the South Sudanese government to investigate the cases of sexual attacks on over 150 women and girls along roads near Nhialdu and Guit to Bentiu in Northern Liech State between 19 and 29 November 2018.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) said the preliminary investigation by the by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) confirmed the occurrence of the sexual violence.

"While CTSAMVM continues to carry out full investigations, JMEC calls upon the government to conduct a speedy, transparent and timely investigation into the attacks and apprehend the perpetrators, hold them to account and urge that CTSAMVM be given full access and support to complete its investigations," further stressed the statement.

The UNMISS which also investigates the rape said the assaults happened in a government-controlled area and carried out by young men in "civilian clothing or military uniforms".

The JMEC indicated that the attacks occurred south of Bentiu town in the areas between Nhialdiu and Bentiu, Thil and Padai road and Bentiu town to Guit.

Also, the peacekeeping mission announced Wednesday that several UN human rights investigators have arrived in Bentiu to probe the attacks.

JMEC's call to investigate the sexual violence comes after statements by Northern Liech State authorities denying the occurrence of the attacks.

In a related development, the Embassy of Canada to South Sudan said concerned by the attacks and called for "a thorough investigation of the reported crimes, and a commitment to bring those responsible to justice".

"The brutal attacks against women and girls in the Bentiu area not only requires immediate action, it requires immediate reflection on how the issue of sexual and gender-based violence continues to challenge the full promise of South Sudan," stressed the Embassy in a statement to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

(ST)

December 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Federal Democratic Party (FDP) led by Gabriel Changson, Wednesday, sacked four members saying they formed a new faction of the party supporting the election of Peter Gatdet for the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).

Gabriel Changson Chang (file/ST)

In a statement issued late on Wednesday night in Khartoum, Changson said they learnt that Thomas Peter Okacb, Chanjok Neilak Oraj, Simon Otiek Ayul and Zakariya Paulino Oyai conducted "illegal meetings" on 2 and 3 December with Lam Akol, the leader of National Democratic Movement (NCM) to form a new faction of his party, the FDP.

"This is the violation of the party principles and norms," he said.

"Therefore, the Leadership decided to terminate their membership from FDP/SSAF with effect from 04th December 2018," he further stressed.

On Friday 30 November, an SSOA faction announced the election of Peter Gatdet as a new leader of the opposition umbrella replacing Changson who had been elected in February 2018. They pointed that the alliance charter established a rotating presidency with the election of a new chair every six months.

However, on 4 December, Changson and his supporters within the SSOA decided to suspend the Peter Gatdet election and keeping him at the head of the alliance. The other faction rejected the suspension of the election creating two organizations with two leaders.

(ST)

December 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi and the Sudanese Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf on Tuesday have discussed the current security challenges in the region.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Photo Reuters)

Ibn Ouf has arrived in Cairo to participate in the first international exhibition EDEX 2018 (Egypt Defense Expo) which was inaugurated on Monday.

During the meeting, President al-Sisi stressed the importance to continue to support joint military cooperation between Sudan and Egypt and the exchange of expertise between the two armies.

He also underlined keenness to cooperate with the Sudanese army in a number of domains including training, security and intelligence and military industry.

The Egyptian President further pointed to the need to continue joint coordination to meet the current security challenges and maintain the regional peace and stability.

For his part, the Sudanese Defence Minister stressed his country's keenness to promote joint cooperation with Egypt in all areas particularly military and security areas.

During a visit of the Egyptian Defence Minister Mohamed Ahmed Zaki to Khartoum last month, the two sides agreed to establish joint border protection force to combat terrorism and cross-border crimes.

The two countries also agreed to build strategic partnerships on military cooperation and reached understandings to strengthen security and intelligence cooperation.

Relations between Sudan and Egypt experienced in December 2017 a new crisis over media attacks against President Omer al-Bashir after a visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sudan. Also, Sudan accused Egypt and Eritrea of supporting rebel groups to attack Kassala State on the eastern border.

However, the two countries recently developed joint security cooperation against the opposition groups from both sides.

The main differences between the two neighbours remain the dispute over the border triangle area of Halayeb and the construction of Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam that Sudan backs.

(ST)

December 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Commander of the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa James Craig has praised Sudan's efforts to achieve regional security and stability.

Sudanese Army's Chief of General Staff Kamal Abdel-Marouf on Tuesday met with Craig in the presence of the military attaché at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum Adam Cordish.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Sudanese army said the meeting discussed ways to promote joint military cooperation as well as the ongoing dialogue between the two countries.

For his part, Abdel-Marouf renewed Sudan's keenness to promote its relations with the U.S., saying the second phase of dialogue is expected to lead to the removal of Sudan's name from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

He said Sudan looks forward to building a strategic military partnership with the U.S., pointing to his recent visit to Washington.

In April 2017, Sudan participated for the first time in the meeting of the United States Africa Command known as "AFRICOM". At the time, the Sudanese army Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Emad al-Din Mustafa Adawi took part in a meeting of AFRICOM chiefs of general staff in Stuttgart, Germany.

In October 2017, the U.S. Administration permanently lifted 20-year-old economic sanctions against Sudan citing positive actions on humanitarian access and counter-terrorism.

The decision was in line with the "Five Track Engagement Plan", in which Khartoum agreed to a cessation of hostilities with the armed groups, opened unfettered humanitarian access in the conflict-affected areas, agreed to support efforts for peace in South Sudan and developed cooperation with the U.S. to counter terrorism in the region.

However, Washington didn't remove Sudan's name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. In addition, it keeps in place targeted sanctions against individuals with arrest warrants related to atrocities committed during the conflict in Darfur.

Last month, Sudanese foreign minister El-Dirdeiry Ahmed and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan started talks in Washington on the normalization of bilateral relations and the removal of his country from the terror list which is the major obstacle in this respect.

At the time, sources close to the talks told Sudan Tribune that the two sides agreed to develop a new plan labelled the “five-track engagement +1” to say it would include important parts of the previous five-track engagement that led to the lift of the economic sanctions.

The sources further pointed out that the focus in the new plan will be on the human rights and freedoms particularly religious freedom.

“So, this time Washington wants Khartoum to observe the international law and principles on this respects but also to amend its repressive and coercive laws,” the sources said.

(ST)

December 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The political crisis among the groups of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) has worsened as several resist calls to suspend the election of Peter Gatdet as the new chairman.

The election of the South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) leader Peter Gatdet on 30 November triggered a political crisis among the SSOA which was seen as the third political force to append its signature on the revitalized peace agreement on 12 September 2018.

A group led by the ousted leader Gabriel Changson announced on Tuesday that an agreement was reached to suspend the election and vowed to work collectively and amicably towards resolution of all the concerns and within the shortest time possible.

In response, Peter Gatdet's supporters Wednesday maintained that SSUM leader was elected in "a transparent election took place in line with the SSOA Charter and Regulations under elaborate procedures agreed upon unanimously by all."

They further went to point an accusing finger to Juba's meddling in the alliance internal affairs saying that the 4th December meeting that decided the suspension was "chaired by a very senior" South Sudanese government official.

"We, the undersigned declare that the said decision of this group to suspend the election or the Chairman of SSOA is null and void," said the Peter Gatdet's allies in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

The statement further called on the IGAD and the international community to channel all communication connected with SSOA and the implementation of R-ARCSS to the elected Chairman of SSOA, Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak and his team.

This development if not resolved quickly will jeopardize the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and the work of the different pre-transitional period mechanisms.

The statement underscored that two constituent members (Lam Akol and Peter Gatdet) had been excluded from the 4 November meeting.

Wednesday's statement was signed by Thomas Peter Okac (FDP), Gen (PSC, ll8) Henry Oyay (NAS), Lam Akol (NDM), Anas Richard Zanga (PDM), Thomas Ali Bilal (SSSNMC), Gen Jacob NyierGatkuoth (SSLM) and Gen Peter Gadet Yak (SSUM).

On Tuesday the suspension was decided by Gabriel Changson Chang (FDP/SSAF), Khalid Butros Bora (NAS), Josephine Lagu Yanga (PDM), Joseph B. Bakasoro (SSNMC), Hussein Abdelbagi Akol (SSPM), BapinyMonytuilWejang (SSLM).

Observers denote that the FDP, NAS, PDM, SSNMC and SSLM are represented in the two factions of the SSOA by different persons. This development means that the ongoing rift also affects the unity of the alliance's groups.

SSOA's Changson spokesperson Hussein Abdel-Bagui told Sudan Tribune that the signatories of Tuesday's statement are the parties' leaders or representatives accredited at the IGAD except, Lam Akol and Peter Gatdet "who leads the other faction", as he said.

He further stressed their commitment to the unity of the alliance under the leadership of Changson.

(ST)

December 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Minister El-Dirdeiry Ahmed and the United Kingdom's Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Development (DFID) Matthew Rycroft have discussed the British development aid provided to Sudan.

In a press release on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Babiker al-Siddiq said the meeting discussed Darfur development strategy that is being prepared by Sudan, UK and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

He added the meeting also discussed the security threats in the region and the situation in Libya and the Central African Republic as well as the implementation of South Sudan peace agreement.

For his part, Rycroft stressed his country would continue to assume a leading role in providing development assistance to Sudan particularly with regard to macroeconomic reform and the provision of livelihood for poor families within the framework of achieving the UN sustainable development goals.

The British official also praised Sudan's efforts that led to achieving South Sudan's peace agreement.

It is noteworthy that Rycroft has arrived in Khartoum on Monday in a three-day-visit during which he would also travel to the capital of South Darfur State, Nyala to visit some projects funded by the UK.

Since 2015, Sudan and the UK have started a dialogue upon request from Khartoum to push forward bilateral ties.

In March 2016, Sudan and the UK held the first strategic consultations meetings between the two countries in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The meeting was considered the first talks of its kind at the ministerial level in 25 years.

The two countries agreed to exchange visits at the level of senior officials from the two countries along with increasing cooperation in the fields of economy, investment and culture.

The UK Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Chris Trott last year visited Khartoum several times to discuss ways to develop bilateral relations and encourage Khartoum efforts to reduce the illegal immigration from the Horn of African countries towards Europe and Britain especially.

The dialogue also was seen within the framework of the after-Brexit policy aiming to develop trade relations with the former British colonies.

(ST)

December 4, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA has finally suspended the election of Peter Gatdet Yaka as a new leader and decided to work collectively to resolve the concerns and reservations that tainted the operationalization of the leadership council.

On 30 November, the SSOA Leadership Council elected Yaka for six months but failed to elect the remaining other seven office bearers because the outgoing chairman rejected the outcome of the vote and contested the procedures used in the vote.

However, the opposition umbrella Tuesday decided to backtrack on its decision to elect Yaka pointing to the complications that the split of the group would generate and its negative impact on the peace implementation process.

"Following the dispute that emerged during the meeting (of 30 November), SSOA Leadership in a meeting held on 04th December 2018 unanimously agreed to suspend the outcome of the said meeting," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday evening.

"In the meantime, the Interim Leadership will collectively continue to administer the affairs of SSOA and work amicably towards resolution of all the concerns and within the shortest time possible," further said the SSOA in a joint statement signed by five leaders.

The statement was signed by Gabriel Changson Chang (FDP/SSAF), Khalid Butros Bora (NAS), Josephine Lagu Yanga (PDM), Joseph B. Bakasoro (SSNMC), Hussein Abdelbagi Akol (SSPM), BapinyMonytuilWejang (SSLM).

The South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) of Peter Gatdet and Lam Akol, the leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).

SudanTribune failed to reach Lam Akol to get his feedback on this development.

The collective leadership vowed to settle all the concerns that led to creating a rift within the alliance "and that the unity of SSOA and the implementation of the R-ARCSS remain paramount despite the challenging circumstances".

The alliance appealed to all SSOA member organizations, individual members, supporters and well-wishers to be calm, exercise restraint and refrain from provocative and abusive languages.

The SSOA charter provides that the Chairperson is elected by rotation among the Leaders of SSOA's factions and the six-month term was non-renewable.

Gabriel Changson was elected as the interim chairperson of the alliance on 16 February 2018 with the signing of SSOA's Charter. So, Since last August some factions pointed to the need to elect another but due to the peace talks at the times the alliance preferred to wait until a peace deal is reached.

(ST)

December 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese lawmakers representing 33 political parties Tuesday have introduced a bill to amend the constitution to allow President Omer al-Bashir to run for a third term in 2020 elections.

Al-Bashir's term ends in 2020 and he couldn't run for office again according to the constitution. Also, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) statute limits to two terms the nomination of the party candidate for the presidential elections.

However, the NCP Shura (consultative) Council last August amended party statute allowing al-Bashir to stay for a third term as party leader in a move that is largely seen as a prelude to amend the country's constitution to allow him to run for presidency.

The proposed amendments bill was signed by 294 MPs and provides to abolish presidential term limits.

The head of the parliamentary sub-committee on industry Abdallah Masar told reporters that the proposed bill contains 57 amendments pertaining to the presidential term limits.

He described the move as “important national issue”, saying the amendments allow the president to sack the elected governors of states for a number of reasons including violation of “loyalty and obedience” to the president.

Al-Bashir who came to power through a coup d'état in June 1989 will have ruled Sudan for 31 years by the year 2020.

In March 2012, the Sudanese president said he wouldn't seek his re-election in April 2015 but he ran and won in an election that was boycotted by the major opposition parties.

Also, in August 2016, he said “I'm not a dictator and I don't want to cling to power. I won't run for another term, my term will end by 2020 and I won't be able to run again according to the constitution and the constitution won't be amended”

However, last September he openly declared his readiness for the elections after his nomination for the party's candidate by the NCP Shura (Consultative).

(ST)

December 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The results of meetings between South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and armed movements fighting the government in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan will be on the negotiating table next week, a senior Sudanese intelligence and security official said on Tuesday.

NISS deputy head Jalal al-din al-Sheikh

President Salva Kiir recently launched an initiative to narrow the gaps between the government in Khartoum and the armed opposition groups in the country.

Kiir's aides said they will start by the reunification of the SPLM-N factions and then move to bring Darfur armed groups and opposition parties to meet the Sudanese officials in Juba. The purpose of the initiative is to facilitate the African Union mediation for peace in Sudan.

"The outcome of meetings between the armed movements and the government of South Sudan and their visions will be put forward in the peace talks next week," the deputy head of Sudan's security and intelligence service, Jalal al-din al-Sheikh, said in remarks from the Blue Nile state on Tuesday.

He pointed out that all parties are aware of the negative effects of war and its impact and that they will benefit from previous experiences.

However, reports from Juba say the no meeting was held until now between al-Hilu and Agar. So, no progress on this respect.

Also, the Sudanese government negotiating team is expected to meet with the SPLM-N al-Hilu in Addis in the upcoming days within the framework of the informal consultations meeting the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki is organising between the two sides to create a common ground before to launch the talks.

(ST)

December 4, 2018 (ADJUMANI) – South Sudanese refugees living in Nyumanzi, a refugee camp in Uganda's northwestern district of Adjumani have been urged to co-exist peacefully with the host community.

South Sudanese pupils at Nyumanzi refugee settlement camp in Adjumani, Uganda (Getty Image)

About 43,000 South Sudanese refugees live in Nyumanzi, officials say.

Speaking at an essay award giving ceremony for primary school pupils who excelled, Daud Gideon, the Executive Director for Remembering The Ones We Lost, lauded all those who participated in the contest, which attracted 89 pupils drawn from four schools.

“Involving pupils from the different schools enhances unity and togetherness,” said Daud, before he handed prizes to the winners.

The competition, managed by an essay organizing committee, covered various topics, ranging from the causes as well as effects of early marriage practices to the impact of conflict on peoples' lives.

Bior Lual Bior, a primary six pupil of Nyumanzi II primary school emerged winner of the essay contest, followed by Deng Kuir Ariik. Others were Nyantich Abui Diing, Dau Abui Dau and Achol Mading.

All the recognized essay winners got cash prizes that ranged from Shs 200,000 ($55) to Shs 50,000 ($15), story books as well as novels.

Daud appreciated the essay organizing committee members, teachers and camp leaders for allowing the organization carry out its activities in support of the refugees in Nyumanzi settlement camp.

Moses Nyang, the Refugee Welfare Council (RWC) secretary, said the essay writing completion not only enhanced pupils' learning ability, but further consolidated the reading and writing skills in them.

Gabriel Ajak, the chairperson of the essay writing competition, said the exercise promoted harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence.

Meanwhile, the host community defeated refugees in a football tournament Remembering The Ones We Lost organized in Nyumanzi settlement camp.

The winning team won a new trophy, a cash prize and a set of soccer uniform. Prizes also went to the runners up and the third placed team.

After opening in January 2014, Nyumanzi has become the largest refugee settlement in Adjumani district in terms of population size. Despite their relatively recent arrival, residents are already well-established and a strong community has emerged in which refugee households actively collaborate with each other to share resources.

However, although many of the refugees are resilient, gaps in critical sectors, such as education and water, health and santitation, persist and undermine refugees' ability to cope with their displacement.

(ST)

November 12, 2018 (JUBA) - President Salva Kiir received a congratulatory message on the signing of the revitalized peace agreement from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who did not attend peace celebration on 31 October.

South Sudanese government spokesperson and Information Minister Michael Makuei, on 2 November voiced his government disappointment for the unexpected absence of President Kenyatta.

He said they were concerned that the Kenyan president even didn't alert them of his absence or delegated someone to represent him at the event.

The congratulatory message was delivered by the Kenyan foreign minister who was accompanied by Stephen Kalonzo Mosyoka, Kenya former top diplomat, nearly two weeks after the celebration day.

"The Cabinet Secretary, Monica Juma outlined that President Uhuru Kenyatta extends his best wishes and support to President Salva Kiir in implementing the peace agreement," said a statement released by the South Sudanese press service on Monday evening.

Monica further reiterated Kenya's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Kenyatta was also absent at the signing ceremony of the revitalized peace pact on 12 September 2018. he was represented by Juma.

The Kenyan president was very involved in the mediation of the peace agreement of 2015 besides the Ethiopian prime minister.

(ST)

November 12, 2018 (KAMPALA) – The United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo has announced the appointment of Peter Pham as Washington's special envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

U.S special envoy for the Great Lakes region Peter Pham (Getty)

Pham, a statement from the U.S Department of State noted, will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of U.S. policy on the cross-border security, political, and economic issues in the Great Lakes region, with an emphasis on strengthening democratic institutions and civil society, as well as the safe and voluntary return of the region's refugees and internally displaced persons.

Prior to his appointment, however, Pham served as Vice President and Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council.

He reportedly brings to the Department vast Africa experience as the former vice president of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) and editor-in-chief of its quarterly Journal of the Middle East and Africa; an associate professor of Africana studies at James Madison University, where he was director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs; and on the Senior Advisory Group of the U.S. Africa Command.

Pham will, in his new role, assume the work previously undertaken by Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes, Ambassador Larry Wohlers.

The special envoy will reportedly work in close coordination with the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and U.S ambassadors in the region to further the department's work toward lasting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Great Lakes region.

(ST)