Africa

January 17, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has urged the new Central Bank governor to help improve the deteriorating economic situation in the young nation.

“I want to repeat that don't disappoint your people, because I followed the news in the evening, and your people had been writing a lot, congratulating you and thanking me for appointing all of you,” said Kiir after overseeing the swearing-in of the new officials.

“Now if they hear tomorrow that you went into a different corner, they will be very much disappointed, we don't want this thing to happen. We are hopeful that you will change the situation" added the president in reference to loss in the value of the local currency.

Meanwhile, the country's finance minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau commended the South Sudanese president for accepting his recommendations for the new Central Bank team.

He said the Central Bank governor and his deputy have lots of experiences in banking.

“We will do our best to revert the situation the country is in," further stresed the minister.

The new Central Bank governor, Othom Rago Ajak thanked the president Kiir for appointing him and pledged to work hard to improve the economy and reduce inflation.

He vowed to exert efforts to make economic reforms within 100 days of taking office.

“We are grateful to the president for selecting us and putting his confidence that we can run the bank. However, with the experience, we shall try our best with what is happening in our economy,” said Ajak.

“Of course the problem with the people of South Sudan is the inflation and instable and unstable exchange rate. We shall be working to address these issues and hopefully, we shall do something about it,” he added.

Ajak pledged to put in place regulatory systems to improve the economy.

(ST)

January 17, 2017 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) warned armed opposition of inciting the public against the peacekeeping body and accusing the peacekeepers of providing support to the government army.

A statement released by the SPLM IO spokesperson Col. William Gatjiath on Monday claimed that an Indian battalion facilitated the operations of the government at the UNMISS base in Nassir, eastern Upper Nile, .

The rebel official said they allowed government security agents unlimited access to UNMISS facilities including internet, telescope and other surveillance and communication equipment.

The press statement called for an investigation into the conduct of UNMISS soldiers and condemned it alleged behaviors for allowing the enemy to use UN resources.

However UNMISS denied the accusation, describing them as “false and misleading.”

“These photos depict a CTSAMM monitoring and verification team meeting with SPLA liaison officers in the context of their mandated work under the peace agreement in investigating violations of the ceasefire,” UNMISS said in a strongly worded statement released late on Monday.

There are 12 thousand strong UN soldiers in UNMISS providing protection to civilians across the country including Nasir, a town controlled by the government soldiers. UNMISS is mandated by UN Security Council to provide logistical support to CTSAMM.

“UNMISS is bound by strict codes of impartiality in the exercise of its duties in South Sudan. These standards stipulate that UNMISS operate without favor or bias towards any one group, fairly, transparently, and impartially, with the sole aim of achieving much-needed peace for all the people of South Sudan, regardless of affiliation,” UNMISS said.

The Mission reminds all sides that the UN is not a party to the conflict, and is in South Sudan to support the achievement of peace, noting that dangerous statements of this nature, not founded in fact, have the potential to incite backlash against the UN, while also discrediting the sacrifices of peacekeepers in South Sudan.

The world body had been accused in the past by warring South Sudanese parties but they failed to prove its implication in a side or another

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January 17, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has issued several republican orders, sacking four state governors and appointing eight others.

President Salva Kiir speaks during the inauguration of the new SPLM premises in Juba on 15 November 2013 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

The order, announced on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), saw Ruweng state governor Mayol Kur Akuei removed and Theje D'Aduot Deng appointed.

Chol Thon Balok, governor of the defunct Eastern Nile state, Patrick Zamoi, governor of the former Gbudwe State and William Akan Othon (Fashoda State) were also removed.

Meanwhile the newly appointed officials include, Gabriel Gai Riam Weituor (Akobo state), Colonel Majok Gatluak Thoah (Bieh state), James Tor Monybuny ( Central Upper Nile state), Daniel Rambasi (Gbudwe state), Peter Gatkuoth Khor (Latjor state), Bol Ruai Rom (Maiwut state), Deng Akuei Kak (Northern Upper Nile state) and Patrick Raphael Zamoi (Tumbura state).

(ST)

January 17, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has declined a request by a number of international envoys to accept an American proposal paving the way towards the signing of a humanitarian agreement with the Sudanese government.

Washington since last November has proposed to the warring parties in the Blue Nile and the South Kordofan states that the USAID delivers medicines and some humanitarian relief to the civilians in the war affected areas directly after its inspection by the Sudanese authorities.

Khartoum accepted the proposal but the SPLM-N stuck to its request that 20% of humanitarian aid be delivered to the civilians in the rebel controlled areas in the Blue Nile State through Asosa in Ethiopia.

In a bid to convince the rebel group to accept the American humanitarian proposal, the US envoy for the two Sudans, and his British, French and Norwegian counterparts met on Monday with the SPLM-N delegation to discuss the matter.

"The SPLM-N demanded that the Khartoum regime agrees to an external crossing point, as the SPLM-N requests to open Asosa crossing point and the idea has gained acceptance and support from President (Thabo) Mbeki and the AUHIP and the international community," said Mubarak Ardol the spokesperson of the SPLM-N negotiating team.

"Khartoum must not be allowed to control the humanitarian operation as it did in Darfur where it violated the international humanitarian law, and continued war crimes," Ardol added in a statement issued about the meeting on Tuesday.

The envoys encouraged the SPLM-N to accept the American proposal as its implementation will be during the six-month period determined by Washington to reassess the partial lift of sanctions on Sudan, adding that it represents the best guarantee for its full implementation.

The meeting took place in the sidelines of the Sudan Call alliance meetings in Paris. The opposition armed and political groups are expected to end their meeting on Friday.

In a press conference to brief the local media about the decision of President Obama to ease sanctions on Sudan at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, USAID Sudan Mission Director, Jefferey Ashley, told reporters that the SPLM-N still rejects the proposition.

The Sudanese government refuses to authorise the transportation of humanitarian aid from Ethiopia to the SPLM-N controlled areas to prevent any attempt to deliver weapons to the rebel fighters. While the SPLM-N refuses the delivery of relief materials particularly the drugs from the government areas fearing that it may never reach the civilians, Ashley said.

In line with the Roadmap Agreement, the signing of a humanitarian access agreement and a cessation of hostilities agreements will be followed by a meeting to discuss the creation of suitable atmosphere for an inclusive constitutional conference with the participation of the Sudan Call forces.

(ST)

As President Obama's presidency comes to an end, BBC Africa looks back at his most significant visits to the continent.

Paramilitary forces open fire in several cities after mutinous soldiers are paid the money they had sought.

January 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese parliament Monday passed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Act which integrates the notorious militia in the Sudanese army and provides that its commander be appointed by the President of the Republic.

The paramilitary force was formed in August 2013 mainly from militiamen accused of war crimes against civilians during the counterinsurgency campaign in Darfur region. However, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) defended their creation saying they have the same mobility as the rebel groups and can defeat them by using the same military tactics.

The RSF bill was filled to the parliament as one of the urgent changes that should be achieved before the start of the transitional period and the formation of the National Consensus Government agreed in the national dialogue conference.

The 30,000 militiamen in the past operated with the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur and the Two Areas but remained under the NISS command. The army which had complained about their indiscipline and adventurism, backed the reform hoping to control them as they are now part of the military system.

In statements at the parliament, Defence Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf welcomed the RSF Act, pointing that "The development of fighting styles and types of crime besides the use of technology and the high skills of gangs and criminals, all these elements necessitate a change in the combat mindset".

The minister went further to say that the country is facing several threats and there is a need for a mobile force that can move easily from a theater of war to another.

From his part, the RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) said in accordance with this act they "have become a semi-autonomous force", pointing to the possible extension of his force in the future to include air and naval forces.

The RSF Act provides that the President of the Republic who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armies appoints the commander of the militia.

Some MPs expressed fears about "the ambiguity" of the RSF Act on this regard, saying it does not clearly provides that they are under the command of the Sudan Armed Forces or the defence minister.

The defence minister, however, replied that the "RSF subordination to the commander-in-chief of the armies is not unusual because these forces are operating under the (same) military hierarchy".

Before the adoption of the bill, it was reported that Hametti protested the integration of his forces in the Sudanese army, as he would lose his autonomy and financial advantages.

Speaking to the press after the endorsement of the act, Hametti said their movement "from an area to another in the past required different meetings (between the NISS, SAF) but now we can reach the border with Libya within 24 hours."

"We are the soldiers of the people, and the law enables us to fulfil our duty as fully as possible," he said.

The armed movements that fight the government in Darfur and the Two Areasn demand to dissolve the RSF militia, saying its elements should be accountable of war crimes in Darfur.

On a different register, Hametti also refuted the statements of the interior minister about the presence of foreign militias in Jebel Amir areas of North Darfur.

"The Jebel is secure and stable. There is nothing there, even if it is said by the interior minister or anyone else".

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January 16, 2016 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan armed opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO) have condemned the decision by President Salva Kiir's to add seven new states to the controversial 28.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

“This is part of a sustained campaign by the regime in Juba to derail the peace process beyond salvation,” the armed opposition said.

The South Sudanese leader, in a decree issued over the weekend, created seven additional states, raising the number of the states in the young nation to 32.

The order creating new states, which was announced over the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Saturday, saw Eastern Nile states divided into Northern Upper Nile state with Renk as its capital.

Others are Central Upper Nile state with Malakal as capital, Maiwut and Tumbura states. Also split was Latjor into Maiwut state with Maiwut as its capital.

The state comprises of Koma, Longuchuk, and Maiwut counties. It further divided Gbudwe state into Tumbura state with Tumbura as its capital. It comprises of Tumbura and Nagero counties.

However, in their statement, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) called on the people of South Sudan to be vigilant as President Kiir is “only trying to kill federalism by giving the impression that he is for federalism”.

“The regime in Juba has failed over ten (10) years to take towns to people within the context of ten (10) states and have failed more miserably within the context of the contentious and divisive 28 States, it logically follows that the addition of seven (7) new states is not the solution,” further reads the statement signed by Mabior Garang.

It added, “This establishment of weak states, without the participation of the civil population in demarcation of local borders and the appointment of their leaders by decree is not federalism, but centralization of the state in disguise and is reminiscent of Nimeri politics in the old Sudan, it can only lead to more border disputes at the county and payam levels”.

According to the armed opposition faction, the ‘system of governance debate' in South Sudan should be held within the context of a constitutional making process and guaranteed in a political settlement that would first bring an to end the current civil war.

The SPLM/SPLA (IO) says it has been advocating for and are committed to dialogue as the only way to resolve the internal contradictions of South Sudan and would continue to be committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the civil war in the young nation.

“The SPLM/SPLA (IO) has demonstrated this commitment on several occasions, including going to Juba under regional pressure, despite security provisions of the ARCISS being circumvented by the guarantors,” further noted the armed opposition faction's statement.

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Faced with a &#39slight but steady&#39 increase in the number of people in need, the humanitarian community in Somalia launched today an $864 million to reach 3.9 million people with urgent life-saving assistance, the United Nations relief wing reported.

On the heels of failed rains and a calamitous El Niño in Ethiopia, the country&#39s Government today launched an appeal for $948 million to urgently address food and non-food needs, while the United Nations agriculture agency warned that a new drought may put the East African nation&#39s hard fought gains at risk.

Sudan’s government has committed mass killings, forced millions from their homes, and used rape as a weapon of war. It has bombed children and schools, starved civilians as a counterinsurgency strategy, gunned down scores of protesters in Khartoum, its capital, and tortured peaceful activists. It’s done this repeatedly over more than 20 years, with no credible efforts to stop or hold perpetrators accountable.

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Sudan's President Omar Al Bashir arrives to address the nation during the country's 61st independence day, at the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan December 31, 2016.

© 2016 Reuters

Yet on January 13, the Obama administration announced a change to decades-old US policy, stating that it is “easing” sanctions on Sudan – even though the country’s president, Omar al-Bashir, is being sought by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Lifting certain sanctions — like those on the import of medical supplies and life-saving equipment – would be welcome on humanitarian grounds, as the Sudanese people would benefit. But the US Treasury Department’s announcement apparently lifts most of the sanctions, including on the oil industry, pending a review in six months.

The Treasury Department asserts that Sudan’s government has shown “sustained progress …  on several fronts, including a marked reduction in offensive military activity, a pledge to maintain a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan, [and] steps toward improving humanitarian access throughout Sudan.”

This statement is inexplicable. Many Sudanese, and those, like me, who have followed Sudan’s developments the past two decades, will ask, “What sustained progress?” Sudanese government forces are waging brutal offensives targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states. The government has broken innumerable promises over the years, so why not wait to lift sanctions until after there is real progress? What monitoring has been put in place to ensure these promises are kept?

The Treasury Department listed another reason for lifting sanctions, namely Sudan’s “cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism and addressing regional conflicts.” This may be the key. However, many of Sudan’s security and intelligence officials are responsible for crimes committed by their troops and subordinates.

Additionally, over the past two years Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations have documented new, horrifying patterns of mass rape and other attacks by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force deployed in Darfur and other conflict zones since 2013. Amnesty International recently alleged that the government has repeatedly used chemical weapons against Darfur’s rebel-held areas.

Moreover, Sudan has long obstructed United Nations and other humanitarian agencies from helping displaced civilians in need. In the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, for instance, the government has blocked basic assistance into areas where hundreds of thousands of civilians have been battered by years of bombing, deprivation, and disease. Children have died from measles for lack of vaccinations. A Human Rights Watch team visiting in December 2016 documented new attacks and serious shortages of food and other humanitarian needs.

It’s impossible to match Sudan’s reality with the Obama administration’s claims of “sustained progress.” Lifting most sanctions sends an appalling message to Sudan – and other repressive governments – that whatever crimes you commit, however many of your citizens you kill, rape, and torture, all will be forgiven as long as you cooperate on counterterrorism. 

January 15, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Chairman of Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) Omer al-Digair Sunday said the travel ban against him and other opponents confirms the government determination to maintain its repressive policy, and reflects the continuation of human rights crisis in the country.

SCoP leader Omer al-Digair (ST Photo)

Sudanese authorities on Saturday morning prevented a number of opposition leaders from travelling to Paris, among them al-Digair, Kamal Ismail of the National Alliance Party and Yahia Hussein of the Sudanese Ba'ath Party. In the evening of the same day, faced the same fate a three-member delegation from the National Umma Party (NUP) including deputy chairman Mohamed Abdalla al-Doma, deputy chairman Merriam al-Mahdi and secretary general Sarah Nougdallah.

In statements to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, the SCoP leader condemned the travel ban imposed on the opposition leaders, pointing that the lack of freedoms will only exacerbate the political crisis in Sudan.

"The travel ban shows the continuing human rights and political crisis in the country . Also, it expresses the absence of freedom of speech and the regime's determination to keep alive tyrannic approach which would only exacerbate the comprehensive crisis".

"The current actions of the Sudanese government leaves no other choice than to unite the ranks of the opposition in order to emerge from the quagmire of the crisis, to create a better reality and to put the country on the path of progress and development, all together," he added.

The Sudan Call forces, a coalition of the political and armed groups, are part of a process for peace and democratic transition in Sudan mediated by the African Union. However; the political operation is stalled and the government preferred to move with its reforms saying they can join it when they want, refusing to concede to their demands.

The opposition, on the other hand, applauded calls by activists for civil disobedience in November and December of last year and decided to back them.

Al-Digair, his deputy and the former SCoP chairman had been arrested and were accused of being behind the peaceful protests. The ruling party and the security service used to describe the opposition groups allied with the armed opposition as the "fifth column" inside the country.

The leader of the left party said they were heading to Paris to participate in the meeting of Sudan Call Leadership Council. According to him, The meeting will discuss the recent political developments in the country and will take the needed decisions on it. Also the participants will discuss organisational issues of the alliance.

The travel ban came 24 hours after a decision by U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday to suspend sanctions against Sudan enabling trade and investment transactions to resume with the east African nation. The move comes in recognition of Sudan's collaboration to curtail terrorism, and its efforts to improve humanitarian access.

Asked whether Washington would intervene and demands Khartoum to allow them to travel, al-Digair said they would not complain to the American administration.

He further called on the international community to support the legitimate demands of the Sudanese people for peace, freedom and justice and not to limit their relations with Khartoum to the security cooperation.

The opposition leader expressed hopes that the partial lift of American sanctions on Sudan would benefit to the Sudanese people and contribute to alleviate it suffering

"However, based on our knowledge of this regime, this hope remains surrounded by doubts," he said.

He explained that the lifting of sanctions is not "a magic wand to end the deepening economic crisis". Adding, "it may provide opportunities for loans, deposits and grants, but will not address the root of the economic crisis due to the lack of productive sectors".

"The policies of the regime lack to the minimum of planning, strategy, and scientific induction as well as comprehensive vision, " he said.

All the policies of the regime are based on how to ensure they remain in power," he concluded.

The American decision to ease sanctions on Sudan was welcomed by the different opposition leaders due to its harsh impact on the ordinary people.

(ST)

Hundreds of people were killed in South Sudan during an outbreak of violence last July and more than 200 people were raped, according to a United Nations report today released which emphasizes the need for accountability and justice for those human rights violations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16th January 2015

Legal Watch Associates South Sudan has learned with shock and dismay the abduction of Mr Gama Thomas, an aide to the Chief Justice, Chan Reech Madut.

Gama Thomas was abducted at gunpoint on 15 January at Juba International Airport by rogue elements from the National Security Service's General Intelligence Bureau Department. The victim met his fate as he traveled to Kampala, Uganda for the burial and funeral of his late brother who passed away this week after long illness.

This is the second time he has been kidnapped by National Security Service operatives. The first incident happened after a heavily armed security personnel stormed the Office of the Chief Justice to arrest the accused without due process of the law. The Chief Justice intervened then by calling the Minister of Justice, Minister for National Security Services in the Office of the President, the two Director Generals of the National Security Service.

The officers that were searching the office were ordered to leave the office immediately as they were found to have acted without directives from the Director General of the General Intelligence Bureau Gen. Thomas Duoth Guet.

Legal Watch Associates take this opportunity to condemn the incident in the strongest terms possible. The continuous action of the General Intelligence Bureau officers without regards to civil rights and liberties is a violation of the citizens' constitution rights as enshrined in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011.

These actions further disrespect the sanctity and independence of the Judiciary as an important arm of the Government.

Legal Watch Associates further notes with dismay that Napoleon Adok Gai, who is the Director of Cyber Security Division of the General Intelligence Bureau and the Office of the President and also doubling up as the head of phone National Security Service phone monitoring headquarters (Aquilla Center) together with his staff continue to wiretap and monitor phones conversations of the families of the 16 persons convicted to life imprisonment in June 2016 because of alleged corruption in the Office of the President, their lawyers and the panel of judges of the Appeal Court reviewing the case. Staff of the judiciary with immediate access to the judges and the Chief Justice are also under surveillance in a complete disregard and violation of article 22 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 which protect the right of individual's to privacy of correspondences.

We are calling on the National Security Service to respect the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South 2011 and conduct it's activities within the bounds of the Supreme law of the land as the National Security Service Act 2014 does not give explicit powers to NSS to illegally monitor private phones conversations of citizens unless such monitoring is sanctioned by a competent court of law and only in circumstances that can qualify as threats to the National Security of the country.

The mock use of phone communications evidence as seen in the case of one Kur Ayuen Kou, one of the 16 accused who was sentenced to life imprisonment because of talking on the phone with his cousin John Agou while the latter was in detention at the General Intelligence Bureau headquarters is not a license that it is now legal to use this information in court as an evidence. Such evidence are not admissible in court since there is no law authorizing the use of illegally obtained telephone communications.

In the light of the above, we are calling for immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Gama Thomas to his family and to carry on with his normal duties as a citizen of this country with all the rights in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. We will hold the General Intelligence Bureau and its Director General and in particular Napoleon Adok Gai personally and criminally responsible should anything happens to Mr. Gama Thomas during his illegal detention at the premises of GIB.

We also called on the Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut who is the head of Judiciary to personally intervene and guarantee first and foremost, the safety of Mr. Gama Thomas as an employee working in his office and other junior employees of the Judiciary as well as judges and advocates (lawyers) working very hard to promote the rule of law in South Sudan.

Legal Watch Associates urges the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and in particular the Committee of Information, Communication and Culture to investigate this wanton and flagrant violations of the Constitution by the National Security Service and take immediate action against people abusing the fundamental rights and freedoms that the resilient people of South Sudan struggle to achieve for more than two decades.

Legal Watch Associates South Sudan is a Human Rights Organization that advocates for human rights of people of South Sudan across the globe.

Email us at: legalwatch2015@gmail.com

January 15, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan president Salva Kiir has created for additional states, raising the number of the states in the world's youngest nation to 32.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

The order creating new states, which was announced over the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Saturday, saw Eastern Nile states divided into Northern Upper Nile state with Renk as its capital.

Others are Central Upper Nile state with Malakal as capital, Maiwut and Tumbura states.

Also split, according to the decree, was Latjor into Maiwut state with Maiwut as its capital.

The state comprises of Koma, Longuchuk, and Maiwut counties. It further divided Gbudwe state into Tumbura state with Tumbura as its capital. It comprises of Tumbura and Nagero counties.

No reasons were cited for president Kiir's decision to create the new states.

(ST)

January 15, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has fired the country's Central Bank governor, amidst the worsening economic situation in the young nation.

Kornelio Koryom Mayiik (Getty)

President Kiir dismissed governor, Kornelio Koryom Mayik and his deputy John Dor through a decree announced on South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).

In a separate decree, the South Sudanese leader appointed Othom Rago Ajak and Dier Tong Ngor as the new governor and deputy governor respectively.

Both the new governor and his deputy were serving in the Central Bank as directors.

In a separate decree announced by President Kiir on Saturday, the deputy minister of finance, Mary Javes Yak and ministry's undersecretary Salvatore Garang were sacked.

The president appointed Mou Ambrose Ring Thik as the new deputy finance minister.

South Sudan is experiencing tough economic crisis with the local currency (SSP) losing 80% its value after it was floated against the United States dollar nearly 12 months ago.

Prices of the items have also surged in markets as government struggles to pay its staff.

The president did not, however, indicate why he made changes in these two institutions.

(ST)

January 15, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The U.S. dollar price has swung lower on the black market in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum following the U.S. decision to ease the economic sanctions imposed on the east African nations for two decades.

A worker counts US dollar bills inside a money changer in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum (Photo: Reuters)

On Friday, the outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order to ease sanctions against Khartoum enabling trade and investment transactions to resume with Sudan.

Last November, 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.

Following the CBoS decision, the dollar price went up and settled at 19,4 pounds on the black market.

Traders in Khartoum on Sunday told Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity that the dollar price ranged from 14 to 17 Sudanese pounds (SDG), saying they refrained from buying the dollar in fear of a further decline in its price.

According to the traders, the U.S. decision caused uncertainty and the dollar price fluctuated from 14 to 17 pounds.

It is noteworthy that Sudan's Finance Minister Badr al-Din Mahmoud on Saturday announced they are developing a comprehensive plan to review the foreign exchange policy in light of Washington's decision to ease sanctions.

Sudan has been under American economic and trade sanctions since 1997 for its alleged connection to terror networks and remains on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror. The first batch of sanctions restricts U.S. trade and investment with Sudan and block government's assets of the Sudanese government.

Additional sanctions in relations with the conflict in Darfur region were introduced by two Executive Orders in 2006.

(ST)

January 15, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Council of Ministers on Sunday has decided to extend the unilateral cessation of hostilities in war zones for six months.

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.

In June 2016, President Omer al-Bashir declared a unilateral four-month cessation of hostilities. In December, he extended the ceasefire for one month following a two-month extension declared in October.

According to the official news agency SUNA, the Sudanese cabinet held an extraordinary session on Sunday headed by al-Bashir and decided to extend the ceasefire for six months.

The government decision appears to be part of a roadmap agreement between Khartoum and Washington that prompted the latter to ease the economic sanctions imposed on Sudan since 1997.

On Friday, the outgoing US President Barack Obama signed an executive order to ease sanctions against Sudan enabling trade and investment transactions to resume with the east African nation.

He said the move intends to acknowledge Sudan's efforts to reduce internal conflicts, improve humanitarian access to people in need and curtail terrorism.

It is noteworthy that the SPLM-N, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in October extended for six months the unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur, Blue Nile and south Kordofan they declared in October 2015 and April of this year.

Following six days of talks in Addis Ababa last August, the armed movements and the government failed to conclude a deal on the security arrangements and humanitarian access in Darfur and the Two Areas prompting the African Union mediation to suspend the talks indefinitely.

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Owning a car for many Ethiopians - even those with ready cash to spend in one of the world's fastest-growing economies - remains a pipe dream, writes Emmanuel Igunza.

Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez scores a brace as Algeria leave it late to earn a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations.