Africa

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) has condemned the coordinated suicide bombing attack earlier today at a hotel in Mogadishu for which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility and which reportedly killed dozens of people.

Amid rising tensions in Central African Republic’s Ouaka prefecture and in and around its town of Bambari, a senior UN humanitarian official in the country has appealed for calm and refraining from any act that could further increase the fragility of an already vulnerable population.

Tatah Brika, from Western Sahara, is building more durable homes for refugees by using two plentiful materials, plastic bottles and sand.

January 24, 2017 (YAMBIO) – Authorities in Gbudue, one of South Sudan's new states, have issued an order for the closure of a church it accuses of allegedly involving in a series of irregular activities.

The new directive, issued by the deputy governor, Victor Edward Kpiawandu came over the state-owned Yambio FM on Monday.

Authorities accused the leaders of Gundeti Mbori Catholic Church, Genezareth of prohibiting people infected with HIV/Aids from taking drugs and for falsely being affiliated to Tombura Catholic Diocese.

The church, established in 2012, is also said to be illegally operating.

However, while some of the locals embraced its activities, others have accused the church leaders of preaching “wrong doctrines”.

The deputy governor has assured the population of the state government's commitment to allowing freedom of worship.

Sudan Tribune was unable to get a comment from the Catholic Church officials.

(ST)

January 24, 2017 (NAIROBI/JUBA) - The Enough Project, Human Rights Watch and other international voices have appealed to Kenyan authorities to immediately release of two South Sudanese citizens and political opposition figures, Aggrey Idri and Dong Samuel Luak.

SPLM (IO) deputy chairman for justice and human rights affairs, Samuel Dong Luak, pictured after his return from hospital, Nairobi, October 13, 2015 (ST Photo)

The two activists, according to their lawyer, are being detained by Kenyan authorities in Nairobi and have been subjected to a deportation order.

Their lives and safety are at “immediate” risk, if they are extradited from Nairobi to Juba as ordered, the lawyer told rights bodies.

The Enough Project, in a statement, called on Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Kenyan security authorities to “immediately” release both men and nullify the deportation orders the are facing.

Human Rights Watch also expressed concerns over the arrest of Luak, a South Sudanese lawyer and human rights advocate, saying he was denied access to legal counsel and could be deported.

“Dong Samuel Luak has been a vocal advocate for human rights in South Sudan for many years, and could face serious mistreatment if returned to South Sudan,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

“Kenyan authorities should respect his rights, allow him access to legal counsel and United Nations refugee officials, and immediately halt any deportation proceedings against him,” he added.

Luak fled to Kenya in August 2013, after receiving death threats following his defense of Pagan Amum, the former secretary general of South Sudan's governing party, whom the South Sudanese government had accused of involvement in treason.

Since South Sudan's conflict began in December 2013, Luak has continued publicly to denounce human rights abuses and corruption by South Sudanese government officials. In October 2015, he was brutally attacked at his home in Nairobi by men thought to be linked to South Sudan's security services.

Kenya has, in recent years, unlawfully deported several prominent opposition members from neighboring countries to their countries of origin, despite being recognized as refugees under Kenyan law and protests by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In November last year, Kenya deported James Gatdet Dak, who was South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar's spokesperson. He is currently held, without charge, at South Sudan National Security Services (NSS) headquarters.

There are serious concerns that the same fate, or worse, may await Luak if Kenya forcibly returns him to Juba, Human Rights Watch said.

“Dong Samuel Luak is at serious risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and other abuses if returned to South Sudan,” stressed Lefkow.

“Kenyan authorities need to respect their obligations under international and Kenyan law and ensure he is protected,” he added.

(ST)

January 24, 2017 (JUBA) – The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), the body overseeing the implementation of South Sudan's peace agreement has urged the U.N Security Council to quickly deploy the 4,000 extra troops it authorized late last year.

JMEC Chairman, Festus Mogae, briefs the UN Security Council, on the implementation of the peace agreement on 31 March 2016 (ST Photo)

The JMEC chairman, Festus Mogae told the Security Council in New York on Monday that deploying the protection forces would help government to refocus on restoring law and order outside Juba.

Mogae, in a statement, argued that strengthening the current 12,000 UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMNISS) would “provide a safe, neutral and secure environment in support of the peace process.”

The former Botswana president further said that the Security Council must unite to push the South Sudanese government to accept the deployment of authorized by the world body six months ago.

“Such spirit of determination, coordinated actions and uniform voices are critical for effective intervention in South Sudan,” he said.

The Security Council authorized the deployment of 4,000 troops in South Sudan in August, following renewed violence in Juba, but the government, initially rejected the resolution and has been reluctant to allow the deployment of troops from neighbouring countries.

According to the monitoring body's chairperson, the regional protection forces will boost and assist the Transitional Government of National Unity “redeploy the bulk of the army currently protecting Juba to the other parts of the country to restore law and order.”

Mogae, however, said the national dialogue initiative announced by President Salva Kiir last year be impossible if Juba is not secured to allow rival participants engage in the process without being intimidated.

South Sudan has experience violence since December 2013 when political disagreements between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar saw the country split along ethnic dimensions. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in South Sudan's worst ever violence in its independence.

(ST)

January 24, 2017 (JUBA) - The United Nations Security Council on Monday called for an end to the fighting in South Sudan as well as immediate deployment of regional protection forces in the country.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

Members of the 15-member body, in a statement, also urged South Sudanese authorities to allow easy access for humanitarian aid.

Speaking after the Security Council members held a closed-door meeting with the head of South Sudan's peace monitoring body, Festus Mogae, Britain's ambassador to the U.N, Matthew Rycroft warned that the young nation faces continued violence.

"I think that was a sign that things are very difficult in relation to the political agreement," Rycroft told reporters on Monday.

This comes months after the U.N special envoy on prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng warned of a likely genocide in the country.

South Sudan has experience violence since December 2013 when political disagreements between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar saw the country split along ethnic dimensions.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the country's worst ever violence in its post-independence period.

The Swedish ambassador to the U.N, who is also the Security Council President, Olof Skoog, stressed that members of the 15-member body strongly back an “inclusive” national dialogue in South Sudan.

The Council, he further said, supports efforts by regional countries as well as the African Union to achieve a political solution, while emphasizing the need to establish a hybrid court in the country.

In August last year, the U.N Security Council approved an additional 4,000 peacekeepers after renewed clashes in July within the capital, Juba killed hundreds of people and displaced of thousands.

The force, yet to be deployed, was initially rejected by South Sudanese authorities.

(ST)

January 24, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Tuesday has thwarted an operation to smuggle a group of 64 illegal migrants across the desert to Libya, said North Darfur state official.

In press statements on Tuesday, North Darfur Deputy Governor Mohamed Braima Hasab al-Nabi said the captured migrants are from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Yemen, pointing the group includes 48 men, 10 women and 6 children.

He added they are currently being held in North Darfur, saying they would be handed over to the Ministry of Interior to take the necessary measures.

The Deputy Governor pointed the illegal migrants were heading to Libya, saying the preliminary investigations showed that their final destination was Europe.

He praised the role of the RSF in controlling the borders of the state, stressing their commitment to President Omer al-Bashir directives to combat terrorism and human trafficking.

Hasab al-Nabi added they seek to capture the masterminds of these operations, saying they are determined to eradicate this phenomenon.

For his part, the director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in North Darfur Awad al-Karim al-Ghurashi said the migrants were heading to Europe, pointing the government is exerting huge efforts to help the international community preserve lives of innocent people.

He pointed that this group came from Port Sudan to North Darfur, saying each of the illegal migrants pays large sums of money that could reach $4000 to the human traffickers.

Sudan is considered as a country of origin and transit for the illegal migration and human trafficking. Thousands of people from Eritrea and Ethiopia are monthly crossing the border into the Sudanese territories on their way to Europe through Libya or Egypt.

In June 2016, hundreds of RSF elements have been deployed in the remote desert of the Northern State shortly after complaint by the governor of drug and human trafficking by the criminal networks.

RSF troops in camouflage and draped with ammunition show off the spoils from a major clash with the rebel (JEM), in Nyala 13 May 2015 (Photo AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

Earlier this month, RSF said it has intercepted the smuggling of 1500 illegal migrants on the Sudanese-Libyan border during the last seven months.

Last year, the European Union granted a €100m development package to address the root causes of irregular migration in Sudan. The financial support came after pledge by the Sudanese government to cooperate with Brussels to stop human trafficking to Europe.

In January 2014, the Sudanese parliament approved an anti-human trafficking law which punishes those involved with human trafficking with up to 20 years imprisonment.

The RSF, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilized by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur in 2003.

The militia was reactivated and restructured again in August 2013 under the command of NISS to fight the alliance of rebel groups from Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states following joint attacks in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

On 17 January, the Sudanese parliament passed the RSF Act which integrates the militia in the Sudanese army and provides that its commander be appointed by the President of the Republic.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 24, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - Eleven military officers who originally were loyal to South Sudan opposition group Federal Democratic Party/ South Sudan Armed Forces (FDP/SSAF) switch sides to join SPLM-IO under leadership of the First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Tuesday, the defectors who used to be under Gabrial Changson led faction said they have decided to switch allegiance and loyalty from FDP/SSAF to Taban Deng led SPLM faction after "long and carful deliberation" among themselves.

"We the people behind this declaration paper felt that the four years long war in our country have benefited no one a single coin but the exact opposite" reads part of the statement.

They said peace is the wisest option and urged on south Sudan citizens to work towards Taban Deng.

"Those who backed Taban Deng had been right to choose to remain in peace over those of Riek Machar who chose going back to unwinnable war"

South Sudan erupted into civil war in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy and current rebel leader, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup, an accusation the later denies.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands and forced over 2.6 million people displace from their home.

It has also left an estimated 4.8 million (approximately 40% of the population) to face severe food insecurity.

In August 2015, the two SPLM warring factions signed peace agreement brokered by the regional bloc Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) but the two sides have continued fighting.

The 11 deserters said the IGAd negotiated peace pact maintained by the two principals of SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO holds a better prospect to the immensely suffering people of South Sudan.

"We have come to believe that this maintained peace deal is the window that is to save the bitterly shaken foundation of our country that the war has almost destroyed" they said.

"The continuation of war and its redirect will only take from us more adding to the pile of what it has already claimed in the past four years-mire human live losses and economic hardships" they added.

They called on the people to work for peace in order to save the worlds newest country which is at the verge of collapsing.

Below is list of defectors

1.Col. Pal Bidong Nyoat
2.Col. Changkuoth Ruon JAL
3.Col. Simon Gatluak Tour
4.Lt. Col. Buay Kandong Liem
5.Lt. Col. James Hoth Kun Kong
6.Lt. Col. Hoth Zuor Bol
7.Lt. Col. Mawone Gatluak Rundial
8.Lt. Col. Gattuak Khor Tut
9.Maj. Gatwech Wiw Chiom
10.Maj. Gatreak Luk Thanypiny
11. Capt. Bhan Koang Nguot

(ST)

January 24, 2014 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese presidency has issued a statement denying existence of a diplomatic row with Addis Ababa, following rumours that Juba had accepted an Egyptian request to support and harbour Ethiopian rebels during a recent visit of President Salva Kiir to Cairo.

“The allegations that the Ethiopian Government has expelled our diplomats against the background of the recent President Kiir's visit to Egypt are a pure lie and a very cheap propaganda aimed at driving the wedge between the two sisterly countries. President Kiir's visit to Egypt was purely based on bilateral relations between Egypt and South Sudan. It has nothing to do with anything concerning Ethiopia's relationship with Egypt”, the release notes in part.

The statement penned by the presidential spokesperson says the visit of President Salva Kiir to Egypt was within the framework that permits any sovereign nation to establish diplomatic ties with more than one country at time on bilateral.

Ateny Wek Ateny said South Sudan's relations with Egypt are historical since two countries were once governed by one colonial administration.

“The issue of Ethiopian's rebels and whatever cause they might be fighting against the Ethiopian government has never crossed into President Kiir's agenda with any political leader of any country before, even at the time when the rebel Riek (Machar) was living in Addis Ababa”, he added.

South Sudan, he explained, has very good and cordial relations with Ethiopia and so, it cannot plan, or even think or dream of Ethiopian armed opposition finding its way into South Sudan no matter who is to supply them with arms. “The story is a fake one, and very cheap propaganda to say the least. It is therefore aimed at creating the non-existing fear”.

The construction by the Ethiopian government of the Grand Renaissance Dam raised tensions with Egypt which relies entirely on the Nile water.

Ethiopia says the dam will not disrupt the river's, flow stressing its purpose is only to produce electricity.

However, Addis Ababa also noticed a growing activities of the armed opposition groups in Cairo but the Egyptian government ignored its request to stop them.

Ethiopian officials pointed last year to the Egyptian and Eritrean role in the protests that sparked in Oromia and Amhara regions in November 2016.

Ateny claimed the allegations of support to Ethiopian rebels were created by armed opposition faction under the leadership and command of the former First Vice President, Riek Machar, to buy retaliation and allow them return to Ethiopia and use it as one of their conduit for carrying out military activities.

“It is the rebel of Riek who created the story in futile attempt to buy Ethiopian's retaliation to allow the rebel Riek back to honeymoon in Ethiopia. But, as we commend the Ethiopian's role in preventing Riek from using Ethiopia as his base closer to Pagak where he will cause havoc against our people, we would like to assure the Ethiopian, the government and the people that South Sudanese government does not wish to allow Ethiopian's rebels to enter South Sudan for whatever reason. We are sovereign country and so we adhere to the norms and protocol that governs the relationship between countries,” he said.

(ST)

Digital learning is helping to meet the demand for better education in South Africa.

By Simon Yel Yel

Today the subject of my pen which Western sympathizers may call it vitriol is the inscrutable TROIKA. I have written before about it and I am still continuing until TRIOKA stop all its ill plans against South Sudan.

The self-anointed role that the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom have given themselves as “Masters of our destiny” and the way they had drafted the Compromised Peace Agreement are two reasons among several others that I have trouble in recognizing the TROIKA as a force for good in this ongoing crisis in South Sudan.

In my book, TROIKA is an Unholy Trinity working every second of a minute to topple Salva Kiir's regime under the pretext of bringing peace. There is no other hard evidence to proof it rather than the current an audio clip (in the custody of South Sudan's Military intelligence and others security organs) of TROIKA's recent meeting in Nairobi on 3rd January plotting the assassination strategy on how to kill Gen. Paul Malong.

As usual, the U.S. with its ungoverned mouth has chutzpah to impudently dismiss the existence of the assassination scheme and branded the gathered intelligence evidences as “reckless allegation.”

Indeed it is not a surprise to see United States denying this assassination plot because the fact is that the United States never ever accepted its involvement in all its sponsored assassination plots and coups though it is caught red-handed like in Cuba and Venezuela. The U.SA always has chutzpah to hypocritically dismiss everything and brand concrete evidences as “reckless allegations”

What is surprising so much is how they always crudely try to make everything suit their interest, calling the same thing black today and white tomorrow. They act as they want; here and there, plotting assassinations and overthrowing democratically elected governments and remain unchallenged. It is primitive and misanthropic.

The last time I checked in December 2016, the Washington has expelled thirty five (35) Russian diplomats based on reports of the CIA and other security organs which charged the diplomats of having influenced the election of Donald Trump; this month I checked, the Washington is branding the intelligence evidences gathered by South Sudan security organs on TROIKA's assassination plot to kill Gen. Malong as “reckless allegation.”

However, history is always the best guider of the future. And even any student of history or foreign policy be “C or D” can correctly testify that Washington has carried out many foreign regimes change through sponsored assassinations and coups and there is no doubt that the U.S is in a stern plot to assassinate Gen. Paul Malong and topple Kiir's government given the current auguries.

Understandably, the recent examination result in CIA's laboratory for foreign regimes change on how to topple Kiir has indicated that Gen. Malong is a great stumbling block for Kiir's downfall, and therefore his death is precondition to kiir's downfall. This result indubitably corresponds with the results that the CIA had once obtained when plotting to topple Allende in Chile in 1970.

In Chile, the Chilean Army Chief of General Staff Gen. Rene Schneider was seen as a greater barrier for military officers willing to accept the Washington's plan to overthrow Allende. In their quest to topple Allende's regime, Washington organized his successful assassination and Allende's regime was easily overthrown three years later.

Like Gen. Paul Malong, late Gen. Rene was a staunch constitutionalist. He was known of his doctrine called “Schneider Doctrine.”

In his doctrine, he enunciated that “the armed forces are not a road to political power nor an alternative to that power; they exist to guarantee the regular work of the political system and the use of forces for any purpose than the country's defense constitute high treason”

You can make plenty cheap connections between Gen. Paul Malong and late Gen. Rene Schneider. Both Generals can be defined by their firm constitutionalism stance whose beliefs of power belong to the people and the primary responsibility of the army is to protect the constitution, country and the citizens, suitably fit the demands of their people.

Before the election of Allende, the U.S. President Richard Nixon was worried that he may win the upcoming Presidential election given the position taken by the army to distance itself from politics. Imperially, Secretary Henry Kissinger had audacity to interfere in Chileans' affairs and brazenly say “I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its people. The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves”

To Washington dismay, Chilean voters ignored Washington demonization of Allende and consequences of his election and overwhelmingly voted to elect him on September 4th 1970.

Before Allende could assume office, the United States again approached Gen. Rene to block him from taking office by organizing a military coup against Allende. But Gen. Rene rejected the idea and said “there are no options that would invite the armed forces to undo what the politicians had wrought in Chile; the only limitation is in the case that the state stopped acting within its own legality. In that case the armed forces have a higher loyalty to the people and are free to decide an abnormal situation beyond the framework of the law.”

The innocent Rene didn't know that his refusal to stage a military coup against Allende is an affront to the Washington and the price for it would be his own dear life. Exactly, in less than six months later, CIA and other two Chilean Army Commanders ganged up to plot his assassination and they succeeded in killing him.

As it was expected by the Washington, his successor Gen. Augusto Jose became a cheap simpleton and the Washington easily got ride on him and staged a coup against President Allende three years later.

To relate this case to the alleged assassination plot by TROIKA to kill Gen. Malong, it is incontrovertible truth that Gen. Malong doesn't has a lust for power to be the President through a military coup nor election and that is why the TRIOKA is planning to kill him with expectation that his successor will be like Augusto Jose to oust Kiir because the SPLA-IO (Riek faction) has spectacularly failed to do it.

Comparatively, Gen. Paul Malong shares the same constitutionalism stance with late Gen. Rene as he assured the public several times that he will never misuse SPLA to further his own interest, Washington, or whoever it is.

He is on records uttering that “The responsibility and duty of SPLA is to protect the sovereignty and integrity of South Sudan from external and internal aggression; protect the constitution and more importantly protect the lives and properties of all South Sudanese from harmful groups; Power is in the hands of the people and SPLA is determined to protect the Constitution from any danger and will never allow the transfer of power by bullet but only by ballot.”

In conclusion, the truth is that to anyone willing to think with noggin, this assassination plot by TROIKA is true and it is a last fraught plan for to achieve their desired goal of regime change after the salient failure of an imperialized Compromised Peace Agreement to achieve it. This plan is prompted by unexpected exit of Riek coupled with SPLA-IO maladroitness to overthrow Kiir and miraculous ascendance of Taban Deng uniting all the files and ranks of SPLA-IO under him. Because of these unfolded events, the TRIOKA has realized that their trap is almost missing the targeted catch and hence to salvage the desired goal of regime change from dying, they came up with this plan B of assassinating Gen. Malong with a hope that his successor will be of Gen. Augusto type to cooperate with them and overthrow Salva Kiir's government. Therefore, dismiss it at your own ignorant!

However, with the help of God, Gen. Malong will defy all their ill plans against him like the late Fidel Castro of Cuba and it will be wiser enough if TROIKA can go to Somalia, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen and wait there till Gen. Malong and Kiir die of Typhoid or Malaria.

Simon Yel Yel can be reached via maandeng2017@gmail.com

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) today condemned the attack on its camp in the country’s restive northern region of Kidal, which left one ‘blue helmet’ dead and two others seriously wounded.

January 23, 2017 (KHARTOUM) -The United Arab Emirates has agreed to provide the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) with a $400 million deposit, announced the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) on Monday.

In a statement released on its website the ADFD said the deposit of AED1.47 billion aims to "secure increased liquidity and stimulate economic growth in Sudan"

The agreement was signed by ADFD Director General Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi and CBoS Governor Hazim Abdel-Gadir Ahmed Babiker.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Al-Suwaidi said UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed to offer this deposit "to enhance mutual collaboration and underpin the Sudanese government's efforts to overcome economic challenges."

For his part, Babiker expressed his deepest appreciation for the UAE's wise leadership and praised the people of the UAE for their unwavering support to the Sudanese.

The statement didn't indicate the duration of the deposit.

President Omer al-Bashir paid several visits to Abu Dhabi since last year, following Khartoum's decision to shift away from Teheran, in a bid to improve bilateral relations with oil rich country.

The Emirati deposit comes alongside Qatari and Saudi efforts to support the Sudanese economy hit by the American sanctions during the nearly past 20 years.

(ST)

January 23, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The visiting British Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan Christopher Trott Monday discussed with the Sudanese Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid peace process humanitarian situation in the country.

The visit comes a week after Trott's participation in a meeting with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in Paris with U.S., French and Norwegian envoys in a bid to persuade the rebels to accept an American proposal on the humanitarian access.

In remarks to the press following the meeting, Trott said the meeting discussed the recent developments in the country and way to achieve peace and deliver humanitarian assistance to the civilians in the war affected areas.

He further called for a comprehensive process including all the Sudanese.

"I discussed with Ibrahim Mahmoud the future of the political process, and we discussed on the composition of the new government and the necessity that the peaceful and political process should be inclusive of all Sudanese," he said.

Trott met with the Sudanese Human Rights Commissioner, and reiterated UK" engagement on these issues is a key element of our strategic dialogue".

In his page on Twitter, the British special envoy said during his visit to Sudan he would talk "about our support for AUHIP led Peace process, political dialogue and impact of lifting of sanctions".

Also following a meeting with the Sudanese Investment Minister Osama Faisal he twitted they discussed how to make it easier to do business in Sudan and how UK can help.

As part of its new economic strategy after the Brexit, London seeks to revive its economic relations with its former colonies in Africa and Asia and develop new markets there.

Trott was in Khartoum for the first time last September one month after his appointment.

Earlier this month, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Simon McDonald, paid a three-day visit to Sudan where he held talks with Sudanese officials on bilateral relations and was also in South Darfur state to visit development projects funded by his government.

(ST)

January 23, 2017 (JUBA) - Hundreds of small businesses have closed in South Sudan over the last year due to hyper-inflation and failure by the local population to earn any meaningful income.

Women sell food at Konyo Konyo market in South Sudan (Reuters)

Shops, restaurants, lodges and transport businesses owned by foreigners were affected, citizens say.

One Hassan, a Kenyan-Somali, who owned a shop in Gumbo, a Juba suburb, has a dozen stocks.

"I am planning to close this shop by the end of this month and go back to Kenya," said Hassan.

"There were many shops here ran by Kenyans and other foreigners but they have gone back to their countries because there is no profit here now," he added.

Nearly all markets goods in Juba and other South Sudanese towns are imported from neighboring countries and that requires United States dollars to purchase.

"Right now, the value of SSP [South Sudanese Pound] is not stable. It keeps changing, losing value against the U.S dollar," said James Obari, Ugandan trader dealing in food items imports.

Obari, however, said the Ugandan Shillings had strengthened against the South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), hence frustrating any prospects of exporting from South Sudan's southern bordering country.

"In fact, selling my food items within Uganda is now much better than crossing over to South Sudan. It is waste of time and a financial loss," he added.

Like Kenyans, several Ugandan businessmen left the country and never returned, Obari said.

"I don't want close my shop but I will be left with little choice if the economic situation does not import," he added.

Since exchange rate for dollar was floated against SSP in 2015, the local currency has left 80% of its value and inflation stroke 800% in October. The government promised many items to address the crisis but little has changed.

Last week, President Salva Kiir fired the Central Bank governor and his deputy and made changes in the ministry of finance in an effort, economists said, aimed at making shake up in financial institutions.

Experts, however, called for more action, including independence of the country's Central Bank to ensure none interference from politicians.

"South Sudan needs an institutional reform – independent, accountable and transparent central bank. Otherwise, recent changes in Central Bank can be analogistic," economist Garang Atem wrote last week.

Atem said government should not use the Central bank as a tool for money withdrawn at will, but "as an institution charge to pursue a long term macroeconomic stability, when used in short-term political machination, a result is hyperinflation."

(ST)

January 23, 2017 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese civil society activist has been announced as 2017 winner of the prestigious Civil Rights Defenders award.

South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani (The Niles/File)

Edmund Yakani, the executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) was reportedly recognized for continuously striving for accountability, justice and respect for human rights in a context of conflict, violence and severe human rights violations, despite risks to his own security.

The annual prize is awarded a person who, despite risking his or her own safety, continues working to ensure that other people's civil and political rights are recognised and protected.

“Edmund Yakani has, on a countless number of occasions, demonstrated his commitment in promoting genuine dialogue and efforts among social and political actors. He is active in calling for a greater inclusion of civil society in the peace talks”, Robert Hårdh, the executive director of Civil Rights Defenders, said in a statement.

He added, “His contribution in promoting human rights and its defenders has been of paramount importance, in particular as he is working in the context of weak institutions and ongoing conflict”.

The South Sudanese activist has, on several occasions, demonstrated his commitment to defend and promote human rights, democratic transition and justice in the young nation.

He particularly stands out in his effort to ensure respect for rule of law and justice, and inclusion of civil society in the ongoing peace talks.

“For me, this award symbolises motivation and recognition of the efforts and hard work to protect human rights defenders in South Sudan. This is a call for more efforts to engage in further protection for human rights defenders and their families”, said Yakani.

South Sudan, the youngest country in the world, gained its independence as recent as in July 2011. By many social, economic and political standards, the country is among the poorest in the world. Respect for civil and political rights has never been established to the level its citizens wished for at independence.

The situation for human rights, however, worsened following the outbreak of inter-ethnic and armed conflicts in 2013. Since then, human rights defenders and outspoken critics have been increasingly targeted by the government, security forces and other armed actors and Yakani received several threats due to his work.

“State authorities see human rights work as part of a politically motivated agenda against them, and hence human rights defenders are seen as enemies of the state. In addition, the rule of law is compromised to the level that impunity has become a norm in the South Sudanese society”, explained the South Sudanese activist.

But despite facing these enormous challenges and risks, Yakani stands his ground, continuing to promote and ensure respect for human rights.

Meanwhile last year's recipient of the prize was Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, the Coordinator for the Vietnamese Bloggers Network who is well known for her use of social media to speak out against injustices and human rights abuses in Vietnam.

(ST)

January 23, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir has directed state governors to lead the national dialogue process in their respective areas for the war to end so that people can live normal lives and the allow the nation to rebuild.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

The new directive comes more than a month after the president launched a national dialogue that encompasses all the rival political parties and groups in South Sudan.

The dialogue, according to the president, should be led by eminent statesmen that are "trusted, genuine and credible."

“As you [governors] go to your areas, you have a very important task to do. You need to lead this dialogue process. The national dialogue which we have launched is the only way to stop this suffering,” the South Sudan leader said after the newly-appointed governors were sworn-in.

He added, “We need everybody to participate in this [national dialogue] process and it should be from the lower level. We don't need to start here. This war puts many innocent lives in grave jeopardy”.

The dialogue process, the president stressed, would be inclusive for the world's youngest nation to end its war.

“If we want to get out of the crisis, there should be no exception to any means that could help us. Everybody should be given the opportunity to participate in the process. This is why I made it open for people living outside to be able to participate in the process”, he added.

According to the South Sudanese leader, the committee for the national dialogue will work with independent experts from Juba-based think tanks such as the Ebony Center, Sudd Institute and Centre for Peace and Development.

The dialogue process will reportedly have a bottom-top approach with the first phase being "grass-roots consultation" to map out grievances unique to each community and the region, the second one will converge regional peace conferences while the final phase will lead to convergence in Juba for the national conference.

"The National Conference shall tackle remaining issues that are not addressed in the sub-national processes, which would have direct bearing on national cohesion," Kiir said, in what has been described by experts as his first detailed plans to address issues in a tribally divided, war torn country.

Over the years, Kiir said, experiences had shown that South Sudanese can dialogue, citing his previous disagreement with the late John Garang in 2004, return of Riek Machar to ruling party (SPLM) in 2002, the SPLM convention of 1994 and Dinka and Nuer communities' conference of 1999 as evidences that locally-led peace initiatives work.

President Kiir called for help from the international community and warned citizens against hate speeches targeting Americans and the United Nations.

(ST)

January 23, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir on Monday has discussed with the Saudi King, Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud bilateral relations between the two countries besides latest developments in the region.

Sudan's official news agency SUNA said that Al-Bashir has arrived in Riyadh on Monday in an official visit but didn't specify the duration of his stay, pointing he was received at the airport by Emir of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz.

Following the meeting between President al-Bashir and King Salman, the two sides signed a Saudi grant framework agreement to fund a rural water project in Sudan.

The agreement was signed by the Managing Director of the Saudi Development Fund Youssef bin Ibrahim Al Bassam from the Saudi side and the Minister of State and Director of the Office of the President Taha Osman from the Sudanese side.

Media reports in Saudi Arabia on Sunday said al-Bashir's visit is the tenth of its kind during two years, pointing it comes just days after the U.S. decision to ease economic sanctions imposed on Sudan that was brokered by Saudi Arabia.

Sudan's foreign relations have witnessed a remarkable shift since fall 2015 particularly in its rapprochement with the Arab Gulf states following years of chilly ties.

The east African nation participates with over 850 troops in the Saudi-led "Decisive Storm" against the Iranian-allied Houthi militants in Yemen.

The Sudanese military participation in the military campaign in Yemen and the Islamic alliance reconciled Bashir's regime with the Saudi government, and marked the divorce with Iran.

(ST)

January 23, 2017 (DOHA) - Sudan's government and rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (Second Revolution) SLM-SR chaired by Abul Gasim Imam Monday have signed a peace agreement in the Qatari capital, Doha on the bases of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

Qatar brokered the Darfur peace negotiations which resulted in the signing of the DDPD by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011. However, the major rebel groups didn't join the deal.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Sudanese presidential assistant Musa Mohamed Ahmed, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud and the Joint Special Representative and head of hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo.

Following the signing of the peace agreement, Al Mahmoud said the DDPD has “crowned efforts of all partners keen to achieve interests of the people in the region and laid the necessary foundations to resolve the conflict”.

He added the DDPD has also opened a wide door for implementing reconstruction and development projects, saying the SLM-SR has followed the lead of LJM and the JEM-Bashar by joining the document.

Al Mahomud further pointed the agreement was initialed in N'djamena following efforts made by the Chadian officials, describing the DDPD as general framework for peace.

“As such, the [DDPD] can't be renegotiated because opening it [for negotiations] denies rights of Darfur people, [Sudanese] government and the [armed] movements that joined peace on the bases of the document. The alternative [to the DDPD] is chaos,” he said.

He stressed the importance of creating favorable conditions for the voluntary return of IDPs to their original villages in light of the availability of basic components for a decent life.

“We must continue to implement development projects adopted by the International Donors Conference held in Doha,” he said.

The Qatari official urged donors to meet their pledges, calling for the need to search for new development partners to empower Darfur people who will bear the burden of reconstruction and development in the coming years.

For his part, SLM-SR chairman Abul Gasim Imam has described the signing of the peace agreement as “victory for the will of peace over the war agenda”, pointing to the adverse impact of war on the residents and development efforts.

He said they would join efforts with other signatories of the DDPD to implement the document fully, urging Qatar and donors to continue their efforts to implement development projects in Darfur.

Imam further called on holdout movements to join the peace process.

It is noteworthy that Imam has split from the SLM led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nour in 2007 and signed Abuja peace agreement with the Sudanese government. However, he rejoined the rebellion in 2010 accusing the government of dishonoring the deal.

Three rebel movements including SLM-MM led by Minnawi Minnawi, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim and SLM-AW led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nour didn't join the DDPD.

JEM and SLM-MM, who have engaged in peace talks with the Sudanese government under the auspices of the African Union, call for opening the document for negotiations, saying some issues were ignored or not fairly treated, but Khartoum rejects such request.

SLM-AW, however, is not part of the African Union mediated peace talks. The rebel group rejects negotiating a peace agreement with Khartoum government, unless the government militias are disarmed and displaced civilians return to their original areas.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)