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November 13, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Technical Committee for Border Demarcation (TCBD) has said the Joint Border Commission (JBC) between Sudan and South Sudan would meet next week in Khartoum.

Sudanese military personnel inspect the belongings of South Sudanese on the Sudanese border on 18 April 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) has quoted the TCBD chairman and Co-chair of the JBC Abdalla al-Sadiq as saying the meeting will discuss ways to accelerate border demarcation process between the two countries.

He pointed out that the JBC has made great progress in its work during the previous meetings, saying 80% of the 2,400 kilometres borders between the two countries have been marked on paper.

According to al-Sadiq, the next meeting of the committee will be held in Juba at the end of December.

Claimed and disputed areas of the Sudan and South Sudan border include Abyei, 14-Mile area, Joudat Al-Fakhar, Jebel al-Migainais, Kaka, and Kafia Kingi enclave (Hofrat al-Nahas).

Since South Sudan's independence, the agreed border between the two countries is not yet demarcated (marked on the ground). Also, talks between the two sides continue to delimit the remaining 20% disputed boundary.

In September 2012, both Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others.

In March 2013, the two countries signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements. However, the execution of the agreements didn't go according to the plan.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th, 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern voters chose independence.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence following a series of disputes over a number of issues.

(ST)

November 13, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Finance Minister Mohamed Osman al-Rikabi Monday has denied intentions to float the exchange rate of the Sudanese pound.

A Sudanese man shows freshly-minted notes of the new Sudanese pound in Khartoum on July 24, 2011 (Getty)

A floating exchange rate is a regime where the currency price is set by the forex market based on supply and demand compared with other currencies.

This is in contrast to a fixed exchange rate, in which the government entirely or predominantly determines the rate.

In November 2016, the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) introduced an incentive policy, increasing the exchange rate in commercial banks by 131%. As a result, the U.S. dollar exchange rate went up in banks to 15.8 SDG from the official rate of 6.5 SDG.

However, this measure didn't halt the rise of the dollar against the pound which has reached 24.7 SDG in the black market.

Several economists, including former Finance Minister Abdel-Rahim Hamdi, have recently called on the government to give up the system of managed floating exchange rate and allow the market mechanisms to set the price of the pound.

They say the move would allow drawing foreign capital back to the country, improving Sudan's external competitiveness, supporting exports and attracting foreign investment.

In press statements at the National Assembly Monday, al-Rikabi said the government has no intention to float the price of the Sudanese pound, describing any reports in this regard as mere “rumours”.

He pointed out that his ministry would take a number of measures to strengthen the price of the pound, stressing the value of the pound would stabilize in the few coming days.

The Sudanese pound has lost more than 100% of its value since South Sudan's secession in 2011, pushing inflation rates to record levels given that the East African nation imports most of its food.

The most recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicated that Sudan's foreign reserves cover approximately one and a half months of imports.

November 13, 2017 (JUBA) - Elders and church leaders involved in the negotiations to break the standoff that existed between the government and former military chief of staff, General Paul Malong Awan have praised the decision President Salva Kiir took to allow the former travel out of the country for medical reasons.

Former South Sudanese army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan speaking at a Dinka Malual community meeting in Juba on 1 November, 2012 (ST)

The head of the elders described the decision as an exhibition of leadership.

“This is a very important step to end tension and renewing confidence between of the president of the republic, the command of the army and the general public. It is an exhibition of leadership. It shows what our leaders are capable of doing. The way it has been managed shows that our leaders can amicably resolve issues like this without external intervention”, Deng Macham Angui told Sudan Tribune Monday.

According to the official, withdrawal of the government troops initially stationed around the residence of the ex-army chief and resumption of movement signalled the return to normalcy in the life and tranquillity of the compound.

Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, South Sudan army spokesperson said the decision follows the “peaceful” resolution of misunderstandings between government and Awan.

“Armoured Personnel Carriers and security forces initially deployed around the residence of Gen Paul Malong have been withdrawn,” said Koang.

“[The] Withdrawal came about after Gen. Paul accepted the presidential order on a reduction of his bodyguards”, he added.

Awan, a former elected governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, lost his position of army chief in May, and his movement had to be restricted.

The army spokesperson, however, said the decision to withdraw security forces from the ex-military chief's home came after a security review reportedly showed the latter posed no security threats to the government in particular and citizens in general.

The spokesperson for the presidency, Ateny Wek Ateny said the president's decision to free the former military chief was made on “compassionate grounds and to allow the former chief of staff travel to seek medical attention”.

Last week, attempts by government forces to disarm the former army chief's bodyguards failed, prompting an uprising from some troops loyal to Awan. He warned of bloodshed should government disarm and arrest his guards.

(ST)

November 13, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni Monday have discussed bilateral relations, regional peace and security and the ongoing crisis in South Sudan.

Al-Bashir has arrived in Kampala on Sunday for a three-day visit on the invitation of President Museveni.

Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told reporters following the meeting of al-Bashir and Museveni the two leaders discussed joint cooperation between the two countries, saying they agreed to organize an investment forum in Khartoum.

According to the official news agency SUNA, Ghandour added al-Bashir and Museveni underlined support for peace and security in the Great Lakes region.

He also said the two leaders agreed to support peace efforts in South Sudan according to the agreements mediated by the East African regional bloc (IGAD).

The Sudanese top diplomat pointed out that Museveni has congratulated al-Bashir on the lift of the U.S. economic embargo on Sudan, renewing his firm stance against the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Ghandour added the two leaders agreed on the need to exchange visits and continue meetings of the joint ministerial committee between the two countries.

Following ten years of strained relations, Museveni visited Khartoum in September 2015 where he and al-Bashir agreed to work together to bring stability in South Sudan and the region, and to end tensions between the two countries over the issue of rebel groups.

The Year 2016, witnessed a steady rapprochement between the two countries, accelerated, by the South Sudanese crisis and their joint efforts to end the three crisis in the neighbouring nation.

The visit of President Museveni to Khartoum in October 2016 to take part in the closing conference of the government-led national dialogue is seen as a turning point in the relationship between the two countries.

In September 2016, the Ugandan government facilitated informal talks between the Sudanese government and armed groups in Darfur and Sudan's Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas, in a bid to support the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) efforts to bring peace in the east African country.

CALLS TO ARREST AL-BASHIR

Rights groups on Monday urged Ugandan government to arrest the visiting president of Sudan, who has long been wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes .

"Inviting an international criminal suspect to Uganda not only undermines the fight against impunity which Uganda has for long championed but also betrays the concerns and interests of the victims of the most heinous crimes," six Ugandan rights watchdogs said in a joint statement.

"We, therefore, call upon the government of Uganda to fulfil its obligations under international and domestic laws by arresting and surrendering President Omer al-Bashir," further said the joint statement.

In May 2016, al-Bashir, who was indicted by ICC on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, was one of the dignitaries at Museveni's inauguration in Kampala.

Uganda is a state party to the Rome Statute and has an obligation to arrest the Sudanese president.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese activists have launched a campaign to end the suffering of thousands of people that are denied the Sudanese nationality after the independence of South Sudan particularly those whose mothers are Sudanese.

After South Sudan independence in 2011, Sudanese authorities withdrew the nationality of South Sudanese that are born in Sudan. Also, those who are from a South Sudanese father have been arbitrarily deprived of nationality.

Sudanese activists told Sudan Tribune that the stateless people are not allowed to go to schools, to buy a house, to get married, to get a job or to move inside the country or abroad.

There are now 300 court cases against the Sudanese government on deprivation of nationality, according to Ihsan Abdel Aziz, a Sudanese activist member of the "I'm Sudanese" Initiative which monitors the situation of stateless children from Sudanese mothers.

"This number is not true because there are much more, but the victims of the removal of citizenship (after the 2011 separation) avoid recourse to the judiciary fearing to be harassed by the authorities, especially most of them are working in the private sector in marginal jobs," Abdel Aziz told "Sudan Tribune.

The I'm Sudanese" campaign aims to give Sudanese citizenship to any person from a Sudanese mother and South Sudanese father without condition as it is provided in the nationality law. Also, the group calls to restitute the Sudanese nationality to those who have been denied the nationality after the 2011 secession.

The activists further say they want to prevent the risk of statelessness in Sudan, in line with the international human rights instruments.

Abdel Aziz said the government has appealed to the Supreme Court against the rule of some courts in favour of the stateless people after the South Sudan independence.

The campaigners point that despite the clear provisions of the law guaranteeing the right to acquire Sudanese nationality for the sons of a Sudanese female, the authorities refrain from delivering the ID cards to hundreds of children in the state of Khartoum and other states since the secession of South Sudan five years ago.

They are determined to end the suffering of a large number of families whose children have been deprived of their nationality and citizenship, as a result of which they are treated as foreigners who are required to pay school and university fees in dollars, as well as being deprived of free treatment and discrimination.

(ST)

November 13, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has assured the country's former army chief of safety, reducing panic and tension generated by the deployment of government troops around the latter's home.

S Sudan's President Salva Kiir is received by former Chief of General Staff of the SPLA Paul Malong Awan at the airport in Juba March 6, 2015 (Reuters)

Elders and church leaders involved in negotiations to break the standoff between government and General Paul Malong Awan said the latter was now free to move and live anywhere in the country.

“The discussions we have had with the president have been encouraging. He is a man of peace and he wants the situation to be addressed peacefully. The issue of has now been resolved and Gen Paul Malong will choose where to go. The troops deployed around his residences have been withdrawn as part of the implementation of the outcome of the meeting and for confidence building," Deng Macham Angui”, chairman of traditional leaders told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

The president has given personal assurance of safety to Awan, he stressed.

Meanwhile presidential advisor on security affairs said the government decided to withdraw troops from Awan's home after a review showed no security threat existed.

Tut Kew Gatluak said the withdrawal was done to reduce and eliminate uncertainty created by deployment of security forces around the residence of former army chief.

“There is no problem and there was no problem completely. It was just a misunderstanding. But it has been resolved peacefully. The forces have now withdrawn to build confidence between the Government and General Paul and to ease inconveniences caused to other road users," said Gatluak.

The official spokesperson for the South Sudanese army said the decision follows the “peaceful” resolution of misunderstandings between government and Malong.

“Armoured Personnel Carriers and security forces initially deployed around the residence of Gen Paul Malong have been withdrawn,” said Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.

“Withdrawal came about after Gen. Paul accepted presidential order on reduction of his bodyguards”, he added.

Malong, a former elected state governor, lost his position as army chief of general staff in May and his movement had to be restricted.

The army spokesperson said the decision to withdraw security forces from the ex-military chief's home was taken for after a security review reportedly showed the latter posed no security threats to government in particular and residents in general.

He said government will on Monday officially issue a statement on the peaceful resolution of misunderstandings with the ex-army chief.

Last week, however, attempts by government forces to disarm the former army chief's bodyguards failed, prompting an uprising from some troops loyal to Malong.

But Malong warned of potential bloodshed should government insist on disarming and arresting his guards.

The UN Mission in South Sudan earlier expressed willingness to assist resolve the standoff between the government and the former military chief of staff.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (JUBA) - The number of South Sudanese forced to flee the country could reach the 3 million mark if the war continues by the end of next year, a top United Nations official said.

Sudanese refugees in a refugees camp in Maban, South Sudan (WFP Photo)

This was revealed by Arnauld Akodjenou, the regional coordinator for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) for South Sudan, after he visited four of the six countries which are hosting South Sudanese refugees, including northern Uganda, which is hosting over a million people.

The senior UN official, in his assessment of the humanitarian situation, gave some horrific accounts of what he witnessed during his visit to the various countries that currently host South Sudanese refugees.

Last week, the world body said 1.25 million people are facing starvation as the conflict in the war-torn nation enters its fourth year.

The government and aid groups warned that country could once again plunge into famine in 2018, if the conflict continues unabated.

Famine was early this year declared famine in two counties of South Sudan's Unity State, where about 100,000 people were affected.

Meanwhile, in response to last week's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global alert, the international humanitarian organization, Action Against Hunger issued an urgent call for political leadership to end the conflict-driven hunger crisis in South Sudan.

According to the IPC alert, in the worst-case scenario, famine is possible in 2018 in multiple locations throughout the war-hit nation.

"It is not unusual to see seasonal spikes—or declines—in levels of hunger in different parts of the country," said Guy Halsey, the country director for Action Against Hunger in South Sudan.

"But what we are seeing is devastating. Prevalence of acute malnutrition has exceeded the emergency threshold throughout the country,” he added.

At least 45 percent of the South Sudanese population will face severe food insecurity during this year's harvest season (October to December) when food is usually most plentiful, the government and various humanitarian agencies said in the IPC alert issued last week.

The conflict in South Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million since it broke out in December 2013.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Australian gold mining companies have an interest to invest in Sudan said the Australian non-resident Ambassador to the Sudan and Egypt Neil Hawkins on Sunday.

The Australian diplomat who is based in Cairo made his remarks after a meeting with the Sudanese Minister of Minerals Hashim Ali Salim in Khartoum one week after a visit of a delegation of an Australian mining firm to the east African country as another one is expected next week.

Hawkins said that five of the largest Australian mining companies that want to work in Sudan after the lift of U.S. sanctions adding that Sudan is among the attractive African countries for investors.

Sudan's revenues from gold exports during the first half of 2017 amounted to $1,6 billion. The East African country.

The gold production of the first half of 2017 reached 50.22 tonnes, according to the semi-annual performance report of the ministry of minerals. The share of traditional mining sector reached 42,6 tonnes.

The Sudanese Minister Salim, for his part, expected the arrival of a number of Australian companies to invest in the mining sector in Sudan, especially those working in the field of mining services.

He further pointed to Sudan's need for the expertise of Australian companies in the field of exploration and mining services, as well as the new Australian technology to extract gold without the use of mercury.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government announced it has withdrawn armed personnel initially deployed to guard the home of former military chief of staff, General Paul Malong.

Paul Malong arrives at Juba Airport 13 May 2017 (ST Photo)

A spokesperson for South Sudan army said the decision follows the “peaceful” resolution of misunderstandings between government and Malong.

“Armoured Personnel Carriers and security forces initially deployed around the residence of Gen Paul Malong have been withdrawn,” said Lul Ruai Koang, adding “Withdrawal came about after Gen. Paul accepted presidential order on reduction of his bodyguards”.

The government had earlier dismissed as untrue reports that the powerful former army chief of staff has been freed from house arrest.

Malong, a former elected state governor, lost his position as army chief of general staff in May and his movement had to be restricted.

The army spokesperson said the decision to withdraw security forces from the ex-military chief's home was taken for after a security review reportedly showed the latter posed no security threats to government in particular and residents in general.

He said government will on Monday officially issue a statement on the peaceful resolution of misunderstandings with the ex-army chief.

Last week, however, attempts by government forces to disarm the former army chief's bodyguards failed, prompting an uprising from some troops loyal to Malong.

But Malong warned of potential bloodshed should government insist on disarming and arresting his guards.

The UN Mission in South Sudan earlier expressed willingness to assist resolve the standoff between the government and the former military chief of staff.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (JUBA) - Rwandan peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have introduced voluntary community cleaning exercise to ensure hygiene, sanitation and other human security activities in the internally displaced peoples' camps within the war-torn East African country.

An honour guard of Rwandan peacekeepers welcomes the Secretary-General at the UNMISS Tomping Base, Juba May 6, 2014 (Photo UN)

The Rwandan homegrown initiative, also known as Umuganda, was launched in Protection of Civilian (POC) 3, an IDP camp that accommodates over 33, 000 internally displaced South Sudanese.

POC 3 is currently under the protection of Rwanda police peacekeepers.

The peacekeepers, joined by the camp community leadership and the people on Saturday, cleared bushes, cleaned the streets, water trenches and collected littered waste, including plastic bags.

The contingent commander of the Rwandan peacekeepers in Juba, Bosco Rangira, and the chairman of POC3, Charles Riek Wal, as well as zone leaders in the IDP camp, headed the community exercise.

Rangira said the exercise was conducted in the spirit of community policing, to interact with the people they serve on daily basis, and to uphold national values.

While addressing the people shortly after the official launch of Umuganda, the contingent commander thanked the population for the big turn up and usual cooperation in the security operation.

He stressed that the activity was initiated purposely to “share original Rwandan home-grown initiatives of keeping the camp clean, protect the environment and be solution to the problems.”

Similar activities will be conducted monthly, the event organizers said.

The camp chairperson, Charles Riek Wal, lauded the Rwandan peacekeepers in South Sudan, for the “noble work to keep us safe” and urged the IDPs to equally own it and make it part of their culture.

Wal particularly commended the role Rwandan peacekeepers played in protecting them during the July 2013 crisis, saying that “without your protection possibly most of us here wouldn't be alive.”

He reassured partnership with the Rwandan peacekeepers in ensuring security of the IDPs and other community activities, and urged people to support and own such human security initiatives.

There are about 430 Rwandan police peacekeepers serving in South Sudan, including two 400-strong Formed Police Units. Others serve as individual police pfficers, who mainly act as advisors and mentors.

Rwandan peacekeepers have introduced and conducted similar Umuganda activities in different UN missions across the world, where they have been credited for teaching people values of partnership in security and development.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - A senior French delegation on Sunday has arrived in El Fasher, North Darfur state capital to at the beginning of a tour to inspect the security and humanitarian situation in the restive region.

The delegation, which includes the French Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Stéphane Gruenberg and the French Ambassador to Khartoum Emmanuelle Blatmann, has met with the deputy governor of North Darfur Mohamed Biraima.

Biraima told Sudan Tribune following the meeting he briefed the visiting delegation on the security situation in the state, pointing to reconciliations among the various tribes.

The meeting also discussed the reconfiguration process of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) as well as the progress of the disarmament campaign.

Last June, the African Union and the United Nations decided to draw down the UNAMID by withdrawing the military personnel by 44% and that of the police component by 30%, the closure of 11 team sites in the first phase and the withdrawal of the military component from another seven team sites in the second phase.

But at the same time, the Council decided the opening of a temporary operating base in the Jebel Marra town of Golo.

“The envoy [Gruenberg] stressed that France would confidently support development in Sudan especially in areas of agriculture, animal production, culture and the various fields after Darfur has stabilized,” said Biraima.

He pointed out that the French diplomats have underscored the need to direct support towards development, infrastructure, reconciliation and stability during the coming period.

For her part, Blatmann told Sudan Tribune they would also visit Zalingei, Golo and Nyala, saying they would meet with the UNAMID, non-governmental organizations as well as visiting the University of El Fasher.

She stressed France keenness to achieve stability in Darfur, saying they would join efforts with the international community to resolve the Sudanese crises.

Blatmann pointed to France support for the mediation efforts of the African Union which seek to achieve peace in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile on the bases of the Roadmap Agreement.

“The goal of our visit is to promote bilateral cooperation in all domains especially human, cultural and academic development,” she said.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as “Two Areas” since 2011 and a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

The government and Sudan Call forces (the armed groups and the National Umma Party) signed in March and August 2016 the Roadmap Agreement brokered by the African Union including several steps towards their participation in a national constitutional process inside Sudan.

However, the parties failed to sign a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian agreements that are seen crucial before to move forward in the roadmap implementation process.

(ST)

November 12, 2017 (EL-OBEID) - Local officials in North Kordofan state Sunday said all arrangements have been completed to resume relief operations in South Sudan through a new route connecting the state with the neighbouring country.

The conflict in South Sudan has triggered a humanitarian crisis with 2.3 million people forced from their homes and 4.6 million in need of emergency food (AFP Photo/Tony Karumba)

Three United Nations agencies declared an outbreak of famine in the young nation in February, saying an additional 1 million people were are the brink of starvation.

In July 2014, Juba and Khartoum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to open a humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese through the River Nile or by road. Last January, the agreement was extended for a six month period.

On 30 June, the World Food Programme (WFP) began providing food assistance to South Sudan using a new corridor to transport food items overland from El Obeid in central Sudan to Bentiu in South Sudan's Unity state.

Sudan has so far opened three aid corridors to deliver food assistance to South Sudan. Last month, South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation deputy commissioner said the Sudanese government has agreed to open an additional corridor.

During a meeting on Sunday, the secretary general of North Kordofan government and chairman of the sub-committee tasked with the delivery of humanitarian aid to South Sudan Abdullah al-Tom Imam Sunday laid out the arrangements to resume the relief operations.

According to the official news agency SUNA, Imam said the concerned bodies indicated that all arrangements have been completed to transport 500 metric tonnes of sorghum via 18 trucks.

He added the delivery of the aid underlines the seriousness of the Sudanese government to assist the South Sudanese citizens, demanding the WFP to resume the relief operations through the new corridor.

For his part, the WFP representative in Khartoum, who is also in charge of the logistical support for South Sudan, has pledged to meet all demands of the committee.

He vowed to provide the storage and transportation needs, renewing the WFP commitment to cooperate with the competent authorities.

Also, the deputy commissioner of humanitarian aid in North Kordofan has expressed readiness to deliver food assistance to South Sudan via the new corridor.

South Sudan became the world's newest nation after declaring independence from Sudan in 2011.

However, in 2013 the country was plunged into civil war killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions.

Joseph Warungu marvels at how legal services are offered on Ghana's streets.

November 11, 2017 (JUBA) - The Aweil community have issued a strongly-worded statement demanding the “immediate” release of South Sudan's former army chief, Paul Malong Awan from detention.

South Sudanese army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan speaking at a Dinka Malual community meeting in Juba on 1 Novemer 2012 (ST)

The community, in a 10 November statement, warned that it would hold President Salva Kiir personally responsible should anything happen to Awan while in detention.

“If Gen. Malong dies today in Juba, then we the Aweil community will hold you personally responsible for his blood. We will also hold you responsible for bloods of those other people from Mading Aweil whom we are told are now detained for speaking out in Juba some of whom have already died reportedly beaten to death by the security operatives of Akol Kor”, the statement reads in part.

Simon Henry Angok, who described himself as president of the Aweil community in Australia signed the statement, also initialed by Atileo Deng, president of the Aweil community in Canada, Adim Malek Puot, president of the Aweil community in the United States and Garang Wel Aleu, leader of the Mading Aweil community in Egypt.

“Our community has sensed a systematic targeting of our community figures, which started during the years of struggle, early on with Benjamin Bol Akok, George Kuach and many others all of whom were murdered in cold blood when you were head of the Intelligence of SPLA. The people of Aweil in Australia, Canada, USA and Egypt strongly condemns the incident in which armed militias under the tutelage of Akol Kor, the Director of National Security, were brought to attack the resident of Gen. Paul Malong,” further reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

It added, “This is unjustifiable and clear misuse of power by your government”.
The statement represents the level of frustration and an apparent anger with the manner in which the government was handling the detention of Awan, a former ally of President Kiir-turned opponent.

Observers have warned the current standoff involving Awan could spark another conflict if not handled with care and leadership.

However, the Juba government says it wants the matter concerning the ex-army chief resolved through negotiations instead of using military means, saying it would have been a question of moving in tanks and the whole issue resolved if want to use military option.

“Efforts are underway and talks are going on and because we don't want this thing to be handled militarily, because under the normal circumstances, it would have been the question of moving in tanks and the whole issue is over,” said information minister, Michael Makuei.

“But we don't want that to happen and this is why we are giving rooms for further contacts and intervention and we are optimistic that this issue will be addressed soon”, he further stressed.

A presidential advisor on Friday downplayed reports that circulated about release by the president of the former military chief of staff.

“I have no such information. What I know is that talks are continuing. When they are concluded they will be made public and both sides will speak to the public. What is true is that the president of the Republic has demonstrated critical leadership in this matter and has made it clear that the standoff will be resolved amicably through elders and religious leaders,” Tor Deng Mawien told Sudan Tribune.

Awan, a former ally of the South Sudan leader, has been placed under house arrest since he was sacked by the president in May 2017.

(ST)