Africa

(Dakar, le 4 septembre 2015) – Le procès de l'ancien dictateur tchadien Hissène Habré, poursuivi pour crimes contre l'humanité, crimes de guerre et torture va reprendre pour de bon le 7 septembre 2015.

Expand Share Les deux premières journées mouvementées du procès de l'ex-dictateur du Tchad Hissène Habré, à Dakar, avant son ajournement jusqu'au 7 septembre.

Lorsque le procès historique devant les Chambres africaines extraordinaires au sein des juridictions sénégalaises s'est officiellement ouvert le 20 juillet, Habré a dû être sorti du tribunal après avoir déclenché des échauffourées. Ses avocats ont ensuite refusé de venir à l’audience et le procès a été ajourné pour donner aux nouveaux avocats commis d’office le temps de prendre connaissance du dossier.

 « Après une lutte de 25 ans et après avoir patiemment attendu 45 jours, les survivants vont enfin pouvoir se faire entendre devant un tribunal », a déclaré Reed Brody, conseiller juridique à Human Rights Watch, qui travaille avec les victimes depuis 1999. « Hissène Habré peut toujours essayer de provoquer d’autres perturbations, il ne dispose pas d’un veto sur l'opportunité de son jugement ou sur le droit des victimes à obtenir justice. »

Habré a refusé de communiquer avec les avocats commis d'office et il est presque certain qu’il essaiera de les récuser. Le président de la Cour, Gberdao Gustave Kam, a cependant clairement indiqué que conformément au droit sénégalais et à la pratique internationale, les avocats sont nécessaires à la sauvegarde des droits de l’accusé et au bon déroulement de la procédure.

Habré est accusé de dizaines de milliers d’assassinats politiques et de torture systématique sous son régime entre 1982 et 1990. Avec le procès de Hissène Habré, pour la première fois, les tribunaux d’un État jugent l’ancien dirigeant d’un autre État pour des supposées violations de droits humains.

Habré est jugé par les Chambres africaines extraordinaires au sein des juridictions sénégalaises pour crimes contre l’humanité, torture et crimes de guerre. Ces Chambres ont été inaugurées par le Sénégal et l’Union africaine en février 2013 afin de poursuivre « le ou les principaux responsables » des crimes internationaux commis au Tchad entre 1982 et 1990, quand Hissène Habré était au pouvoir. Le président Kam, du Burkina Faso, siégera aux cotés de deux juges sénégalais expérimentés.

Le procès devrait durer deux mois, au cours desquels environ 100 témoins et victimes sont attendus à la barre.

« Si on me donne la possibilité de regarder Hissène Habré dans les yeux, je le ferai, et je n’aurai pas peur », a déclaré Fatimé Sakine, une secrétaire âgée de 53 ans qui a été torturée par électrochocs et battue pendant les 15 mois qu’elle a passés en détention de 1984 à 1986. « Je veux savoir pourquoi on nous a laissé pourrir en prison, pourquoi mes amis ont été torturés et tués. »

« Cette affaire est un tournant dans la lutte pour que les auteurs d’atrocités rendent compte de leurs crimes, en Afrique et dans le monde », a déclaré Reed Brody. « Après des années de campagne et de péripéties, un groupe de survivants tenaces a montré qu’il était possible de traduire un dictateur en justice. »

Topic

• International Justice
• Torture

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The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission after the disease had resurfaced in June, and as the country enters a 90-day period of heightened surveillance, the number of cases in the rest of West Africa remained stable at three for the fifth consecutive week.

United Nations staff in the Central African Republic (CAR) learned on 30 August that a girl was allegedly sexually abused around a year ago by a member of the French military force there, known as Sangaris, according to the world body’s human rights chief.

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Residents at the Kakuma refugee camp in north-western Kenya will soon be able to buy charcoal produced in an environmentally-friendly way by local farmers as part of an innovative new alliance between the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and MasterCard to support small farmers and poor families.

The United Nations Security Council today renewed an arms embargo on non-State actors in Liberia for nine months while terminating other sanctions on the country, including a travel ban and asset freeze on those deemed a danger to its stability.

“Tangible” results have been achieved for a political deal in Libya, but concrete solutions to the conflict will only be reached when all parties agree on a final draft, the United Nations envoy facilitating efforts to restore peace in the North African country said today.

September 01, 2015 (WASHINGTON/JUBA) - The United States has condemned the recent fighting in parts of South Sudan's Jonglei and Upper Nile states, warning that any of the parties violating the recently signed peace agreement would “face consequences”.

South Sudanese soldiers patrol the streets of Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 (Photo: Simon Maina/AFP)

Both the government and the armed opposition faction have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, days after declaring a permanent ceasefire after last week's signing of the peace accord.

Mark Toner, the deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, said Monday that the recent ceasefire declarations by the government of South Sudan and the opposition, ordering all forces to cease military operations on 29 August, were welcomed as a step toward implementation of the agreement that now binds South Sudan's two warring parties.

“However, recent fighting by forces on both sides runs contrary to those orders and the terms of the peace agreement,” said Toner.

“We call on all parties to immediately cease provocative action and hostile engagement, and to further develop security arrangements at the planned security workshop starting September 5,” he stressed.

The US government, Toner further said, would work with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) partners to pursue, as needed, sanctions as authorised by UNSC resolution 2206. He, however, added that Washington would continue to stand with those who choose peace and are committed to faithful implementation of the agreement.

TRADING ACCUSATIONS

The South Sudanese military spokesman, Colonel Philip Aguer, told reporters on Monday that government forces were attacked by the armed opposition fighters in parts of Unity and Upper Nile states.

But the newly-appointed military spokesperson for the rebels, Col. William Gatjiath Deng, said the opposition forces came under separate attacks from government forces in Upper Nile and Unity states.

“The government troops attacked our forces in Tonga county [Upper Nile state] this late afternoon [Monday]. One of the government's barges has been burned by our forces and the fighting is still going on now,” Deng said in a statement on Monday.

Deng accused army of carrying out military offensives, despite a peace deal.

“We want to inform the people of South Sudan that government is sabotaging the implementation of the peace deal,” he stressed.

The rebel spokesperson called on the IGAD-Plus, African Union and the international community to investigate the continued violation of the ceasefire by government forces.

(ST)

September 01, 2015 (JUBA) – The governor of South Eastern Equatoria state, Louis Lobong has called on citizens to fully support the recently-signed peace deal between government and the armed opposition faction led by former vice president Riek Machar.

Eastern Equatoria state Governor Louis Lobong speaks at an event in Torit, March 2, 2012 (ST/Ijjo Bosco)

Speaking during a public rally held in the state capital, Torit on Tuesday, Lobong equally urged the population to welcome members of the armed opposition faction and forgive them for mistakes committed.

Lobong said the recently-signed compromise peace deal apportions 15% of state government positions to opposition parties.

We are waiting for the implementation of the democratic reforms in the signed peace deal to benefit all parties in the country, he said.

The governor, however, revealed that state political parties have been excluded from the power sharing agreement at state levels, but would be involved at the national level.

Lobong, also the ruling party chairperson in the state, further disclosed a meeting would soon be convened under his leadership to discuss so as to ensure other political parties are also represented.

“We shall not only want those who have taken arms and have chosen undemocratic means to be rewarded, but also those parties that have remained within the country and are sorting democratic channel, not to be punished,” he told the rally in the capital, Torit.

According to the governor, those who choose violence to attain power cannot be rewarded at the expense of agitators for peace.

William Odingila, the representative of political parties in the state, said they were ready to offer better alternatives of the government.

He urged the citizens to prepare for elections due in three year and ensure they voted wisely for those who will deliver services to them.

“We have given the SPLM [Sudan People's Liberation Movement] a length of time and it's only the SPLM that is fighting for leadership. This time, may one of the political parties also try to lead this country and we see if there is going to be a wrangle”, said Odingila.

Hundreds of Eastern Equatoria state community members, including, cabinet members, lawmakers, women and school children graced the rally at the Freedom Square in Torit.

(ST)

September 01, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its refugee agency (UNHCR) have agreed with the Sudanese government on an initiative to enhance self-reliance of refugees and asylum-seekers in Eastern Sudan through skills-building and sustainable rural livelihood strategies.

A Sudanese farmer harvests sorghum produced from seeds donated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the "Improving Seeds" project. 11 December 2006 (UN Photo/Fred Noy )

The joint pilot project is reportedly designed to improve access to food and income opportunities for low-income households in refugee camps in the region.

A joint statement issued on Tuesday said the project will enable low-income households meet local market needs by providing skills development in sustainable agriculture and livestock production.

Through the project, hands-on training will reportedly be provided to refugees and asylum seekers in land preparation, production and harvesting processes for sorghum, sesame, horticulture, fodder and poultry, production, packaging as well as marketing best practices.

“This project comes at a critical time. Eastern Sudan is facing a protracted refugee situation that is characterised by limited humanitarian aid resources, a lack of livelihood supports and chronic poverty in the refugee camps there,” said the FAO representative on Sudan, Abdi Jama.

“The project is an important component of FAO and UNHCR's joint efforts on a renewed Self-Reliance Strategy to address the situation by enhancing economic self-reliance in order to reduce refugee aid dependency and promote a sustainable co-existence between the refugees and host communities in Eastern Sudan,” he added.

The eastern part of Sudan remains one of the most protracted refugee situations worldwide, but reportedly witnesses an ongoing influx of new arrivals with an average of 1,100 individuals per month being registered at the border entry points in Sudan so far in 2015.

Since the 1960s, however, the semi-arid region has generously hosted more than 1.5 million refugees, while also being one of the poorest in Sudan according to a 2009 national poverty assessment.

Currently, the UN says, there are more than 90,000 refugees living in the region's nine active refugee camps and urban areas in Kassala, El Gezira and Gedaref states. The majority of refugees who are from a protracted caseload have lived in the region for up to 40 years, with close to 60% of the camp population having been born in Sudan.

Nearly 50% of refugees and asylum-seekers in Eastern Sudan are estimated to live in chronic poverty, the UN said in its joint statement.

“Refugees are often seen as passive recipients of aid, and an economic burden to the host communities, but in reality, the refugee population is not homogeneous. Although in extreme poverty, some are ready to build on their livelihood assets. Through this project, UNHCR will look at each refugee carefully, and assure that the right assistance reaches the right persons, based on not only their vulnerabilities but also on the capabilities of each refugee,” said the UNHCR's representative in Sudan, Mohammed Adar.

There have also been concerns, over the lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities in Eastern Sudan, which has reportedly contributed in pushing new arrivals to engage in onward movement.

“FAO is well-placed to address the livelihood challenges that refugees and asylum seekers in the region face,” said FAO's Jama.

“By providing people with the skills and tools they need to increase agricultural and livestock production, this project will benefit entire households and will help pave a way out of chronic poverty and steer these communities toward a more sustainable and healthful future,” he stressed.

FOOD SECURITY PROVISION

Since 2006, the UN food agency has reportedly provided food security and livelihood supports to refugees and asylum-seekers in Sudan, with projects currently underway in White Nile and South Kordofan states to support South Sudanese arrivals.

The project, in its pilot phase from August to December 2015, will reportedly target refugees and asylum-seekers living in the Fau 5, Kilo 26 and Um Gargour camps. Upon successful implementation of the pilot, should additional resource be available, the project can be replicated to other camps, as well as to the host communities, with a particular focus on local value chain development and partnership with private sectors.

“With increasingly limited resources available, a strong collaboration and partnership among all the concerned parties towards a common objective will be more and more important in the East”, said Adar.

“The pilot project is an important investment to show that the humanitarian assistance to the refugees, if provided correctly in good partnership with the Government and the right development partners, can positively contribute to the socioeconomic development in the region,” he added.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The two groups signatory of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) reiterated their demand to remove the chairman of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) Tjani al-Sissi from his position till its reshuffle and casted doubts over the political neutrality of the state minister chairing the peace implementation follow-up office.

FILE PHOTO - DRA's chairman and NLJP leader Al-Tijani Al-Sissi (L) with the head of Darfur peace follow-un office Amin Hassan Omer

The Liberation and Justice Party (LJP) of Bahar Idriss Abu Garda and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) of Bakheit Dabajo on Tuesday signed a joint memorandum increasing political pressure on the federal government requesting a performance audit for the DRA during the past four years and to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against it.

In a press conference held on Tuesday, LJP leading member Tadjadine Bechir Niam, told reporters "the joint memo demands al-Sissi's dismissal and the appointment of a governor at the chairmanship of the authority till the end of reshuffle process".

Niam further stressed on the need to consult all the peace partners before the appointment of new DRA chairman.

The two groups announced last week the suspension of their participation in the meeting of the regional authority after a brawl between the supporters of Abu Garda and Sissi in Khartoum.

JEM-Dabajo political secretary, Nahar Osman Nahar called on the Sudanese government to reshuffle the regional authority before a meeting of the international follow-up committee for the DDPD implementation, on 8 September in Doha.

Nahar who was speaking in the press conference with Niam, said the Sudanese presidency stands at an equal distance from all the DDPD parties, adding that the head of the national follow-up office for the DDPD implementation state minister Amin Hassan Omer is not neutral in his positions and tend to support al-Sissi.

He further warned against ignoring their joint reservations adding that will make difficult the continuation of their participation in the DRA.

"We made our observations on the DRA's performances. Unless it's corrected, it will be very difficult to continue. Everything is expected," Nahar said.

"We have reservations on the Authority and the organs tasked with the coordination because they are not neutral," he added.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The newly appointed spokesperson for the military wing of the armed opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, claimed their forces have destroyed one military barge and five gunboats which have been attacking their bases along the River Nile in Unity and Jonglei states as the government troops were moving towards Malakal, capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state.

Rebel fighters greet one another at a rebel camp in South Sudan's Jonglei state on 1 February 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

“To our dismay, in the course of restoring peace and stability, our forces came under attacks at several locations in Jonglei by forces that could not have acted alone if [President Sava Kiir] Mayardit sincerely consented to bringing peace to South Sudan in collaboration with SPLM/A-IO. Government convoy which comprise of barges and gunboats attacked our forces at Wathkech, Nyiew and Tonga county yesterday [Monday] evening and the fierce battle ended at 5am this morning [Tuesday],” said rebels military spokesperson, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He said the opposition forces fought back in self-defense and in those battles destroyed one government's big barge and five gunboats carrying troops and heavy weapons, all burnt and sunk in the River Nile.
He also claimed that they captured in good condition another big barge loaded with heavy weapons.

“The other barge was captured in good condition with all military hardware after the protection unit which guarded it surrendered themselves. Our mighty forces captured the following from the government. One tank, two Zuu 23 and six 12.7 machines guns as well as different motor shields,” he said.

Colonel Deng further explained that only one barge and two gunboats survived the Tuesday fierce battles on the Nile and the government's remnant forces retreated back towards Unity state and to Juba from where they launched the military convoy.

The retreating barge and two gunboats will also be moving in reverse through rebels controlled territories in Unity state, fearing further clashes before they could reach Bor in Jonglei state.

South Sudanese rebels earlier accused the government of launching these three military barges and seven gunboats which they said were moving aggressively through territories controlled by the rebels along the River Nile, shelling the rebels bases as they moved northwards towards Malakal.

But the rebel spokesman said the river offensive had now been neutralized as most of the boats have been destroyed and sunk in the river with the forces and weapons they carried.

Government military's spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, on Monday confirmed that their forces with barges were moving from Juba to Malakal through rebels controlled territories along the Nile even before the peace agreement was signed on 26 August to resupply government forces in the oil-rich Upper Nile state and warned to fight back in self-defence should the rebels attack them on the way.

Last month, government announced closure of river transportation between Juba and Malakal, saying rebels had been attacking boats. It was not clear if the military convoy was attempting to forcefully open the Nile corridor.

Rebels claimed they were provoked when the government forces attacked Tayar Port and Adok Port which they control in Unity state, sparking their response to fight back, saying the “divided' government was trying to derail the implementation of the peace agreement.

“We should not be distracted by our political stand in regard to Compromise Peace Agreement since we all know that Juba is bent to dishonour it using unnecessary excuses,” Deng said.

He said the opposition forces had remained calm in full implementation of the ceasefire but will fight back if attacked.

The rebels called on IGAD Plus and the international community at large to monitor and verify the ceasefire violations and to urge the government to respect the peace deal.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Tuesday amid criticism by the United States which noted his status as an individual wanted on charges of war crimes and genocide.

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir (C) pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 1, 2015 (AFP Photo/Parker Song)

Jinping described the Sudanese president as an "old friend" declaring his country's welcome to Bashir and his delegation which included the ministers of foreign affairs, oil and transport among others.

"China and Sudan are like two brothers that are also good friends and partners. Mr Bashir coming to China shows our partnership is strong" Jinping told Bashir according to Chinese media.

In contrast, the United States expressed its displeasure over the visit saying that Bashir should not be welcomed by countries but should rather face justice.

“As you know, he's been charged with – by the ICC, International Criminal Court, with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and warrants for his arrest remain outstanding. And we strongly support the ICC's efforts to hold accountable those responsible for those acts. Our position is clear: We oppose invitations, facilitation, or support for travel by persons subject to outstanding ICC warrants,” US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters on Monday.

He stressed that "the International Criminal Court request to arrest al-Bashir still stands," and stressed that "the United States strongly supports the efforts of the international tribunal to hold accountable those responsible for such acts."

“[W]e've called on all countries to join the international community in its call for Sudan obviously to fully cooperate with the ICC, and requested that governments, including China's, not invite or facilitate or frankly support travel by President Bashir. And we have a longstanding policy of urging other nations to refrain from lending political or financial support to persons subject to ICC arrest warrants in Darfur. So it's a serious cause for concern that he remains at large,” he added.

“[W] e believe China, like any nation, as you say, as a member of the Security Council, should weigh its concern – or weigh the world's concerns about President Bashir and the fact that, as I said, he's got an active warrant out for his arrests for war crimes.

However, the spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hula Chunying said that people were “over thinking” the issue of Bashir's attendance at the commemoration of world war II event where war crimes were committed

"The people of Africa, including Sudan, made an important contribution in the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. China's invite to President Bashir to the commemoration activities is reasonable and fair. While he is in China we will give him the treatment he should get," Chunying told reporters.

“As China is not a member of the ICC, relevant issues will be handled "on the basis of the basic principles of international law," she added.

Bashir is wanted by the Hague tribunal for alleged war crimes committed in Darfur. China is not an ICC member and had made it clear in the past that it does not approve of the warrant even though it chose not to veto the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2005 resolution empowering the Hague-based court to investigate crimes in Sudan's western region.

China's non-veto on that resolution has angered Sudanese officials who expressed shock that despite their close relationship with Beijing, the latter did not stand up at the UNSC to defend Khartoum at that instance.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (KAMPALA/NAIROBI) – A South Sudanese human rights entity has urged the country's two main rival factions to respect the recently-signed peace deal and immediately cease the continued military hostilities.

SPLA soldiers sit at the back of a pick-up truck in Malakal, Upper Nile state January 12, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

Biel Boutros Biel, the executive director for South Sudan Human Right Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA), said it was important for the warring factions to adhere to the agreement signed on 26 August.

He condemned what he described as renewed violations of the ceasefire allegedly by government following attacks on the armed opposition strongholds in Fangak, Payinjiar, Leer, Koch and Malakal areas.

“This is waste of South Sudanese human resources on both sides. President Salva Kiir should reign on his warlike generals. The SPLA/IO generals should also never behave like their counterpart in Juba. We urge all warlords to desist from belligerent attitudes,” said Biel.

The renowned human right advocate called on the mediators and Troika countries to ensure president Kiir withdrew his forces allegedly stationed along the River Nile to avoid further clashes with the rebels.

“War must stop and South Sudanese must now stand together for peace,” he said in a strongly-worded statement issued Tuesday.

CALLS FOR STABILITY

Meanwhile, a group of South Sudanese living in Kenya have urged the country's two rival factions to quickly resolve their difference to that peace and stability can be restored in the war-ravaged nation.

Dak Buoth, a South Sudanese in Kenya, said they fully supported the recently signed compromise peace agreement to end the conflict.

“We expressed our happiness and appreciation to the signatories of peace deal inked by the two rival leaders on 17 and 26 that dedicated positive hope to South Sudanese for a better solution to ongoing political turmoil,” Buoth told Sudan Tribune from Nairobi.

David Atem Mayuel urged president Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar to prioritise peace to save thousands of those suffering.

Lino Madit, on the other hand, urged the country's two rival leaders to commit to the recently signed peace deal demanded by citizens.

According to Kujiek Ruot Kuajien, South Sudanese citizens are already tired of the war that has killed thousands and forced nearly two million people into displaced camps in neighboring countries.

“The world is competing toward technological advancement while we are shading more blood to ourselves,” said Kuajien.

He advised the country's leaders to focus eradicating extreme poverty, reduce illiteracy rates and steer economic development.

The group further called on the African Union Commission of Inquiry into South Sudan crimes to publicise their findings on atrocities committed in the young nation during its months of violent conflict.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The national dialogue coordination committee (7+7) on Tuesday formed an ad hoc committee to mull over a decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) in favour of holding a pre-dialogue meeting outside the country.

At the same time, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) renewed its rejection for this preparatory meeting and accused AUPSC's diplomats of lacking neutrality by holding a meeting with the holdout opposition parties.

Speaking after a meeting of the dialogue mechanism on Tuesday, the head NCP political sector Mustafa Osman Ismail told reporters that the 7+7 committee formed a panel to study the recent activities of peace and security body and its decision backing the opposition demand for the pre-dialogue meeting.

Ismail further said they demanded the ad hoc team to submit its findings within 48 hours pointing that its report will be deliberated in a meeting to held on Sunday.

President Omer al-Bashir, since last Sunday, has categorically rejected the AUPSC's decision supporting the organization of a meeting at the African Union headquarters to discuss matters related to the internal political process.

Before to take this decision, the 15-member body organized a hearing for the opposition "Sudan Call" forces on 24 August 2015. In Khartoum; the government immediately condemned this "outrageous" initiative by the inter governmental regional organization and declared its refusal for any foreign involvement in the process.

Initially in September 2014, the NCP accepted to take part in the meeting which will be brokered by the AU High Level Implementation Panel of chaired by Thabo Mbeki. In March 2015 the government refused participate in the meeting, insisting it was not appropriate to hold it two week before the general elections.

Only the opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) of Hassan al-Turabi declined the invitation for the pore-dialogue meeting when they received it last March.

PCP political secretary and its representative at the dialogue boy, in statements to the press after the meeting reiterated their rejection for Addis Ababa's meeting saying "the transfer of dialogue out of Sudan is next to impossible".

"The dialogue is an inter-Sudanese process. We will not accept moving it to outside the country and we do not accept the any tutelage from anybody. We are ready to accept all people and to hear all views," added Kamal Omer.

In separate statements after a meeting of the national unity government parties on Tuesday, Ismail directed his criticism to "some ambassadors" of the peace and security body and accused them of partiality and taking the side of the opposition.

The (Sudanese) people will not accept that three parties impose to hold the dialogue outside the Sudan," he added.

NCP political secretary Hamid Mumtaz who attended the meeting went to say all the political forces inside the country agree in their rejection of the transfer of the political process to outside the country.

"It is not necessary that the armed groups and holdout parties trust the government. The government extended them an invitation, decided a ceasefire and provided guarantees," he said.

Mumtaz was referring to the topics that the parties should discuss at the pre-dialogue meeting.

The National Umma Party (NUP) and the SPLM-N recently said they are willing to join the dialogue process inside the country but stressed on the need to hold a two-day meeting to agree on "procedural matters relating to the Dialogue".

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Saudi authorities have arrested the administrator of a Sudanese opposition website and continues to hold him without charges, a media watchdog said in a statement today.

Al-Rakoba website logo

The Sudanese non-governmental Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) network said that Walid Hussein al-Dood was taken by security agents on July 23rd from his home in the city of al-Khobar and was transferred to the city of Dammam.

JHR strongly warned of the consequences of his possible extradition to Khartoum on charges of running al-Rakoba website.

The statement by JHR said that al-Dood's wife visited him three times with the most recent one being on Monday.

Al-Dood told his family that he is being well-treated and that his immigration status is not in question.

However, the statement did not say why he is being held and if he was formally notified of a pending extradition request by Khartoum.

Al-Rakoba started off in 2005 as a discussion forum but has eventually transformed into a news website that carries stories and op-eds that are fiercely critical of the Sudanese government.

The website has attracted wide readership even inside Sudan despite intermittent government moves to block it.

In statements attributed to al-Dood before his arrest he asserted that al-Rakoba maintains “clear positions against dictatorship and corruption .. and has attracted the finest readers and columnists who value human freedom, human rights and equality”.

JHR said it is concerned that al-Dood would be subject to torture should he be extradited to Sudan and vowed to launch a campaign to prevent this.

Relations between Riyadh and Khartoum have improved dramatically this year after the latter shifted its alliance from the Iranian axis.

Sudan is also a member of the Saudi-led military coalition against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

But it remains to be seen whether al-Dood's detention is politically motivated and whether Riyadh could actually send him back to his home country.

In 2005, the interior ministers of Saudi Arabia and Sudan signed a security pact in Khartoum which included clauses related to preventing any activities by residents or citizens on their territories that are hostile to the government of the other side.

Saudi Arabia is generally very sensitive to any foreign political activities on its territory.

In 2011, the Saudi government issued a decree banning any events of political nature without prior permission and warned of consequences to foreign nationals for violating this order which included deportation.

A Saudi foreign ministry cable released by Wikileaks website last June revealed that Riyadh summoned Sudanese opposition figures and embassy officials alike to caution them against non-sanctioned political activities in the country unless an official permit is received.

Al-Rakoba is a US registered website however and has no physical offices in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in the world.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, his defense minister and members of the government negotiating team have briefed country's top military officers about the peace agreement recently signed with the armed opposition faction.

President Salva Kiir and defence minister Koul Manyang Juuk addressing the press on Monday morning (Photo: GOSS/Thomas Keneth)

The meeting, officials said, took place on Tuesday in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

According to the army spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer three officers from the country's two main rival faction are due to take part in a will participate in a military workshop due in Addis Ababa this week.

“Today the commanders of the army in all the sector divisions and specialist units were ordered to come for briefing and the briefing was all about the peace agreement and the implementation particularly the issue of ceasefire,” Auger told reporters in Juba.

The defense minister, in a statement on the state-owned SSTV, urged the military to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement. This notion was echoed by information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth.

“These consultations with the military should have been the first thing to do before signing the peace agreement, but the IGAD [Intergovernment Authority on Development said no,” said Lueth.

On security arrangements, the peace agreement stipulates that thevcapital, Juba, be declared demilitarised zone, with a radius of 25kms. Foreign troops, particularly from the IGAD countries and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will take charge of Juba for 30 months of the transition period until elections are conducted.

The two rival armies, according to the peace agreement, will also maintain separate commands for a period of transition with president Kiir being the commander-in-chief of the South Sudan army (SPLA) and rebel leader Machar also as the commander-in-chief of his forces until a unification process is completed as per the recently signed accord.

(ST)

Following the first executions in Chad since 2003, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today deeply regretted the resumption of the death penalty in that country and called for an official moratorium on its use.

The top UN official in Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has strongly condemned today’s attack by Al Shabaab militants on an African Union Mission (AMISOM) base at Janaale, Lower Shabelle Region manned by troops from the Ugandan contingent.