Africa

December 25, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government army has called to investigate violations of the recently signed cessation of hostilities agreement in South Sudan reiterate accusations against the armed opposition of attacking its positions.

Hours after the signing of the humanitarian cessation of hostilities in Addis Ababa on Thursday 21 December, the SPLA-IO led by Riek Machar and the government forces traded claims of attacks on their respective positions across the country.

On Monday, the SPLA spokesperson Brig Gen Lulu Ruai Koang issued a statement accusing the rebels of carrying out attacks on the government forces in five states: Yei River, Northern Liech, Amadi, Awiel East and Fashoda, in the last 24 to 72 hours.

"The rebels had stepped up offensive operations against SPLA's positions in futile attempts to capture new strategic areas before IGAD peace monitors could embark on field visits," said Koang.

Also, he accused the rebels of disseminating " negative propaganda" in a bid to mislead the public opinion and present themselves as victims of attacks by the government forces.

Therefore, "SPLA calls upon IGAD to immediately send investigation committee and peace monitors to investigate the latest violations as well as establish and verify who has been in control of all locations recently attacked by the rebels," said the army spokesperson.

Further, he called on the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to send monitors to Kansuk, Lokbere and Koch, three areas where the army says the rebels attacked their positions.

"SPLA reiterates its commitment to Cessation of Hostilities Agreement but reserves the inalienable right to fight in self-defence when attacked," he emphasized.

(ST)

The BBC's Sophie Ribstein takes a walk down memory lane to see if a golden harp she came across was used in a little-known concert in South Africa by Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky.

December 24, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim revealed an agreement with Washington to engage in written exchanges between the two countries for Sudan's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Last October, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to revoke economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework agreement for a humanitarian cessation of hostilities in Sudan and Khartoum cooperation with Washington to fight terrorism and address regional conflicts.

"Sudan agreed with the United States to exchange documents to build in the coming weeks a strategy to lift the name of Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and also to agree on other tracks in the second round of talks between Khartoum and Washington," Ghandour said in an interview with the BBC television aired on Sunday evening.

The Sudanese minister didn't develop on the positions of his government on this respect. But U.S. Deputy Secretary of State during a visit to Khartoum last November stressed on the need for reform on human rights and religious freedom.

His call comes in line with a declared American strategy that Sudan lift from the list of terror states should be linked to the issues of freedoms in Sudan and the end of the war.

"In addition, supporting human rights, including religious freedom, has been, and will continue to be, a critical part of the United States' bilateral engagement with Sudan," Sullivan said in a speech delivered during his visit to Khartoum.

Revoking the designation of state sponsors of terrorism list has been a key concern of the Sudanese government because it allows the United States to impose sanctions and penalties on Sudan in the future.

Furthermore, securing debt relief is a crucial step for Sudan to borrow from the IMF and get the needed fund for economic development as its current high arrears and failure to reimburse previous loans cut Sudan's ability to seek funds from the international financial system.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (JUBA)- An alliance of more than seven South Sudanese political leaders has called for an immediate release of the leader of the main rebel group in the country, Riek Machar,

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar addresses a news conference in Uganda's capital Kampala January 26, 2016 (Reuters photo)

The group, in a letter to the Ethiopian prime minister, protested the prolonged detention of the armed opposition leader in South Africa as he was expected to attend and participate in the revitalization forum but could not be permitted.

The letter entitled "Appeal for the immediate release of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, chairman of the SPLM/A-IO," is addressed to Ethiopia's prime minister, who is also the chairman of the regional bloc (IGAD) assembly heads of state and government.

“Your excellency, one key stakeholder, Dr.Machar, who ought to have been here with us in Addis Ababa for the forum, regrettably, he is confined to South Africa against his will for almost one year and a half years without charges”, the letter seen by the Sudan Tribune reads in part.

It argued that the detention of Machar represents violation of fundamental rights and freedoms and expressed belief that such act would set a worrying precedent in Africa.

“Your Excellency, it is our firm belief that the confinement of Dr. Machar is a violation of fundamental rights and freedoms and sets a worrying precedent in Africa, in which any country can simply decide to persecute any opponent for political expediency. We, the undersigned opposition parties, call upon your good office to ensure Dr.Machar is immediately released in accordance with the letter and spirit of the cessation of hostilities agreement which guarantees the release of all political prisoners”, wrote the group.

The letter bears the names and signatures of Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation In Opposition faction under Riek Machar. Kosti Manibe from former detainees signed on behalf of his group. Other leaders include Gabriel Changson Chang of the Federal Democratic Party, Lam Akol Ajawin of National Democratic Movement, Taban Julu Ladimbe Lomuja, representing People's Democratic Movement, General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, representing National Salvation Front,Hussein Abdel bagi Ayii Akol of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement/Army, Denay Chagor, representing South Sudan United Movement and General Bapiny Monytuil of the South Sudan Liberation Movement.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 24, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The Nuer Youth Union in Ethiopia (NYU) on Sunday congratulated the South Sudanese warring parties for signing the Cessation of Hostilities and Humanitarian Access.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the Union welcomed the goodwill of the warring parties for recommitting themselves to end the war in the world's youngest nation.

"This war has caused a lot of suffering and therefore it should not be the interest of the people of South Sudan to continue to wage war against each other," the Union said.

It said the country has gone through a lot of difficulties, and now it is a time for the people of South Sudan to give peace a chance.

The Union urged all the warring parties to adhere to their commitment to fully observe and implement the Cessation of Hostilities and allow the humanitarian access to the needy people in the country as provided in the document signed by the parties involved in the IGAD-led peace process.

In this connection, the leadership of NYUE commended the relentless effort made by IGAD for the revitalization initiative that has brought all South Sudanese warring parties to the negotiation table.

"This is a good gesture that the region is up to its commitment to bring about solution to the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan"

Moreover, the Union is called upon IGAD to ascertain that all the signatories of the August- 2015 agreement (ARCSS) are included in the processes for an amicable solution to the current conflict in South Sudan.

"In view of the above, we call upon IGAD and the wider international community to unconditionally release Dr Riek Machar Teny, the leader of the SPLM/A (IO) to participate in person in the current HLRF on ARCSS as frequently requested by various parties and South Sudanese to ensure sustainable and lasting peace in the country," it added.

"The Union sees the everlasting peace if the current initiative would be fair and work for the inclusiveness of all. Dr Machar is representing the interest of majority of South Sudanese citizen inside and outside the country"

The Union stressed that with the absence of Dr Machar in the unity government or in the HLRF, the process will not be inclusive and will not help in reuniting South Sudanese.

It further wished IGAD to be nonpartisan and make the processes inclusive for the sake of peace to return back to South Sudan.

"It is a hope of every South Sudanese that the situation of 2016 will not repeat itself," it said.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday have agreed to raise trade exchange between the two countries to $1 billion within one year.

Erdogan, accompanied by a large delegation, has arrived in Khartoum on Sunday on a two-day official visit. He was received by al-Bashir at the airport amid remarkable official attention.

The two presidents on Sunday afternoon presided over the joint session of talks between the two sides in the presence of the relevant ministers at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation as well as issues of common concern.

At the end of the talks, the two sides signed 12 cooperation agreements and agreed to launch a strategic partnership covering agriculture, industry, minerals and health.

They also approved the establishment of a higher political committee headed by the two presidents, saying the committee would annually meet in Khartoum and Ankara alternately.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, al-Bashir described Erdogan's visit as “historic”, saying it shows keenness of the Turkish President to build special relations with Sudan.

He said the visit marks a great leap in relations and a new beginning of strong ties between the two countries, praising Erdogan's stances in support of Jerusalim and the Islamic nation.

For his part, Erdogan announced his country's intention to raise the volume of trade exchange with Sudan to $1 billion within a year to reach $10 billion in the future.

He said the current level of trade exchange which is estimated at $500 million “doesn't commensurate with both countries” especially given the large population in Sudan and Turkey.

The Turkish President hailed Sudan's stance against the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016, saying “we wouldn't forget the solidarity you have shown in this regard”.

He further pledged to encourage the Turkish businessmen to invest in Sudan.

During the visit, the Turkish President, who chairs the Islamic Cooperation Conference, will visit several Ottoman historical sites in eastern Sudan town of Suakin which was an important port for trade for centuries.

Also, he will visit Port Sudan town, the country main port on the Red Sea to attend the signing of a free trade area agreement.

It is noteworthy that the delegation accompanying Erdogan includes Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Agriculture Minister Ahmet Esref Fakibaba, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmus, Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli, Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar besides 150 Turkish businessmen.

In 2014 Sudan and Turkey signed an agricultural partnership which includes the allocation of a plot of 12500 hectares in Abu Gutah area.

According to a report issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Investment, the volume of Turkish investments in Sudan amounted to 2 billion dollars from 2000 to 2017. It further indicates that there are 288 Turkish investment projects in the east African country.

ADDRESSING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

On Sunday evening, Erdogan addressed the Sudanese Parliament where he announced full cooperation with Sudan in the military, energy, health and agriculture domains.

He also vowed to support Sudan in all international forums, pledging to continue support for the Palestinian cause and rejection for the United States decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

Erdogan urged President Donald Trump to reverse his decision saying the voting of 128 nations at the UN General Assembly against the decision underscores the correctness of the Muslims stance.

He expected the countries which have abstained would soon join the nations who voted against the decision, saying the former's stance was driven by temporary fear of the U.S. reaction.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - The government of North Darfur admitted that the disarmament campaign has achieved limited success pointing to the large proliferation of illegal weapons in the state.

In an interview with the local radio, North Darfur governor Abdel-Wahid Youssef said: “very limited amounts of [illegal] weapons have been collected during the previous period compared to the actual quantities of arms in the state”.

He didn't point to the exact numbers of illegal weapons that have been collected so far.

However, previous official reports said 8710 arms have been collected in North Darfur.

Last August, the Sudanese authorities launched a six-month disarmament campaign to eliminate illegal weapons in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan, particularly in Darfur region.

The higher committee for the collection of weapons and unregulated vehicles started the forcible phase of the campaign in all the states of Sudan on 15 October.

The disarmament of armed groups and tribesmen is seen as an important step that will create a suitable atmosphere for security and stability in Sudan's western regions.

MISTARIHA CLASHES

Meanwhile, Youssef said his government is keen not to repeat the deadly clashes which led to the capture of the tribal leader Musa Hilal.

In an expected development, the Rapid Support Forces (SRF) last month stormed Hilal's headquarters in North Darfur area of Mistariha following an ambush by his Border Guards Forces (BGF) for two vehicles of the Sudanese army militia.

The bloody clashes claimed 23 lives and led to the capturing of the tribal leader along with his three sons and a number of his aides.

Youssef denied reports that children and women have been tortured and killed in the wake of Mistariha clashes, saying the RSF has adhered to the highest standards of professionalism.

He pointed out that 172 people were arrested after the clashes Mistariha in accordance with the presidential emergency orders.

“They would be tried according to those orders soon. And we underline the [security] organs would continue the disarmament campaign across the state and we wouldn't back down on it no matter what the cost” he said

According to the governor, the 172 detainees are currently being held at Shala Prison in North Darfur capital, El-Faher under tight security measures.

The capture of Musa Hilal and his commanders is seen as a new victory for the government forces in Darfur. However, while some observers say it would be of great help to restore stability, others believe it may ignite fierce fighting between the clans of Darfur Arab Rizeigat tribe.

The tribal leader was defiant during the past months and threatened to wage war against the government even in Khartoum. He is accused of seeking to foment a new armed rebellion in Darfur region and reaching out to rebel leaders based abroad to work together against the government.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rival forces have traded accusations of violating a cessation of hostilities brokered by the IGAD mediators three days ago ahead of a revitalization process for the implementation of 2015 peace agreement.

The agreement takes effect from 00:01 hours (local time) on 24 December 2017. Also, all the leaders of warring parties made public statements declaring their commitment to the deal.

However, the spokesperson of the government army claimed on Sunday that rebel forces launched attacks on the SPLA positions across the country in order to control some areas and establish their headquarters.

“Because they have no headquarters, they are carrying out these activities in an attempt to get at least a one they would use as their new headquarters," said the deputy military spokesman of the government, Col. Santo Domic.

"They have been trying this in Maiwut state, particular areas in Jekou, also in Leer, in Raja, in Lasu, overall but they failed," he further said.

Our forces have been acting in self-defence because they have been issued orders to comply with directives and orders from the commander-in-chief to observe the ceasefire and act only in self-defence and pushed them away”,

The mediators and international facilitators have been working since last June to bring the conflicting parties to the negotiation table and put huge pressures on them to ink the truce agreement, hoping it would serve as confidence-building measure paving the way for the implementation of the permanent ceasefire fire which is part of the peace deal.

For his part, the deputy spokesperson of the armed opposition group SPLM-IO, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel blamed the government for attacking their positions in a number of areas in the country.

“This morning 24/12/2017 at about 6:00hrs, the Juba regime's forces based in Koch County Centre of Lich State launched the most aggressive attack against our military position in Bieh Payam of the said County," said Gabriel.

The rebel spokesperson added that they repulsed the attackers and are now pursuing them to Koch Centre, pointing that the fight was continuing when he issued the statement,” said Gabriel in a statement.

Also, he claimed that SPLA Chief of Defence Force Lt Gen James Ajongo on Sunday was in Wau and ordered his forces to attack the SPLA-IO positions in the area, pointing Jebel Rabi along the Bazia road.

Gabriel went further to accuse the government forces of bombarding their positions around Yei County.

These activities, he said, "are all acts against the peace process as strategies to prompt response from armed opposition forces for the resumption of hostilities".

The opposition officer accused the government of causing so many civilians suffering through these attacks and called on the mediators and facilitators to condemn the government.

The SPLA-IO, therefore, calls upon the IGAD, AU, TROIKA and the world to hold the government responsible for these violations committed just hours after the CoH takes effect. The resistance continues,” said Gabriel.

(ST)

African photographers select their favourite images of 2017 and explain their power.

The move comes after Tunisian women reported being stopped from boarding flights to the Gulf nation.

Senegal international Pape Diop takes to social media to pay tribute to Spanish club Espanyol after sealing a move to rivals Eibar.

DR Congo winger Yannick Bolasie says the reception from Everton fans has inspired him to 'push even harder' as he continues his comeback from injury.

Former Sierra Leone Under-17 World Cup player Emerson Samba's career looks to be over after suffering paralysis at the age of 30.

A five-month long cholera outbreak in Nigeria&#39s conflict-affected Borno state has been successfully contained, the United Nations health agency has announced.

Joshua used to receive gifts from the Santa's Shoe Box charity, but now he helps out as a volunteer.

Constantino Chiwenga led the military takeover that culminated in Robert Mugabe's removal.

Fresh violence in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) forced over 2,650 refugees to cross over into neighbouring Uganda this week, five times the usual number of arrivals, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Liberians are due to go to the polls on 26 December.

How hand-made candles from Swaziland are competing with mass-produced rivals from China.

If Cyril Ramaphosa, the new leader of the ANC becomes South Africa's president, he will need a robust economic strategy.