Africa

February 17, 2018 (KHARTOUM) The British Ambassador to Sudan, Michael Aron said the detention of opposition leaders and activists without charges or trial wouldn't resolve the Sudanese crisis.

British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron (Reuters Photo)

The Sudanese authorities have arrested more than 411 opponents during recent protests in Khartoum and a number of states against austerity measures and deteriorating living conditions.

In a farewell letter on the occasion of the end of his term in Sudan seen by Sudan Tribune, Aron said the Sudanese government has implemented “very harsh” but necessary economic reforms.

He added these reforms had adversely impacted the residents forcing some to exercise their right to protest peacefully.

“I have argued strongly at [meetings with] public and private sectors that the detention of political leaders and activists without charge or trial is not the way to deal with this issue, and I very much hope that these detainees will be released very soon,” he said

The British diplomat pointed out that his country's relation with Sudan has entered a new stage, saying “our strategic dialogue is solid, and we are able to engage in constructive discussions on difficult issues, including human rights”.

Aron added that limited progress has been made in Sudan's peace process, pointing the government and the rebel movements are committed to the unilateral cessation of hostilities.

“I hope that 2018 will be the year in which peace agreements are reached in Darfur and the Two Areas' he said

He added the next challenge would be to prepare for holding free and fair elections in 2020 which requires making progress in implementing the Roadmap Agreement signed between the government and the opposition.

The British diplomat expressed confidence that the various Sudanese parties are able to sit together and agree on track leading to restoring democracy in the country.

(ST)

February 17, 2018 (JUBA) – South Sudan President, Salva Kiir on Friday removed the country's police chief as well as two state governors.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

Kiir's directive was announced on the state-owned television (SSBC).

The South Sudanese leader appointed Majak Akech Malok as the country's Inspector General of Police, replacing Saeed Chawul Lom.

Malok was director general of nationality, passport and immigration.

Kiir, in a separate directive, removed Tonj state governor Akech Tong Aleu and his Yei River state counterpart, David Lokonga Moses, replacing replaced them with Anthony Bol Madut and Emanuel Adil respectively.

The president also removed nine ambassadors from service in the ministry of foreign affairs. They included George Francis Nazario, Emanuel Yohanis Yor, Christopher Leonard Jada, Mohamed Ismail Faraj, Jago Arop Yor, Nyawaragak Joshua Dei Weang, Zahra Mohamed Hassan, Kamal John and Isaac Weal Majak.

The South Sudanese leader's directive gave no reasons for the new changes.

(ST)

February 17, 2018 (JUBA) - The diaspora wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of the former first vice president Riek Machar has warned the government against executing the death sentence on James Gadet Dak, former spokesman of the rebel leader, saying it will gravely affect the IGAD-led reconciliation process.

The head of the SPLM-IO in the United States of America said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune that the sentencing of Dak was a wrong move at the wrong time.

Isaac Gang also called on the region and international community to think twice and not treat the matter like the abduction of the two of their colleagues in neighbouring Kenya with significant attention and pressure on the two countries.

“In fact, if the death penalty were to be carried out – God forbids, we would like to inform the world that it will set the clock of reconciliation and healing back by no less than 100 years," said the statement.

The SPLM-IO official said the government, through the death sentence, might intend to deflect the attention from its refusal to sign the Declaration of Principles proposed by the mediators, however, the international community and the region should put the needed pressure on review this sentence.

The Troika in a statement released after the suspension of the second phase of the revitalization process on Friday recalled that the release of political prisoners is part of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

The three countries which include two permanent members of the United National Security Council said ready to impose sanctions against officials deemed violators of the signed deal and encouraged the IGAD and the African Union to designate them and to make a request to the international body.

(ST)

February 17, 2018 (KHARTOUM) Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim has denied involvement in the fighting in South Sudan.

Rebel fighters from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), active in Sudan's western Darfur region (AFP)

A Sudanese daily based in Khartoum on Friday reported that JEM fighters have participated in an attack against an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in South Sudan.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, JEM spokesperson Gibril Adam Bilal said his movement has no knowledge or connection to any battle that took place in the State of Southern Sudan.

“The Movement affirms it isn't a party to the ongoing conflict between the brothers in the state of Southern Sudan, and one of its greatest aspirations is to see the South as a secure, stable and prosperous state because they seceded politically from us [Sudan], but we are and will remain one people” read the press release

Bilal called on the media to check the accuracy of the news and not to mislead the people by disseminating what he described as “black propaganda launched by the security services against opponents of the regime”.

Khartoum and Juba regularly trade accusations of support to rebel groups from both sides.

The Sudanese army clashed in April 2015 with JEM rebels in Gouz Dango area, South Darfur state allegedly coming from neighbouring South Sudan.

In 2014, a United Nations report confirmed the presence of JEM fighters in South Sudan's Unity State, a claim which was later dismissed by both the Darfur-rebel group and South Sudanese government officials.

In a report to the UN Security Council released last month, a panel of five experts said that rebel groups from Darfur region including the JEM “work as mercenaries” with South Sudanese government and the different warring parties in Libya.

According to the experts, JEM which has a limited presence in Libya has recently realised that the situation in the north African country “offers more opportunities than South Sudan” and considers ways to be more involved there.

(ST)

February 17, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Following the resignation of Ethiopian prime minister, Sudan Saturday has postponed a tripartite meeting including Egypt on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which was due to be hosted by Khartoum next week.

Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn (Allafrica)

Last Thursday, Hailemariam Desalegn unexpectedly resigned from his position saying he wanted smooth political reforms in Ethiopia. On Friday, Addis Ababa imposed the state of emergency in the country for six months.

"In response to a request by the Ethiopian side, it was decided to postpone the tripartite meeting on the Renaissance Dam, which was to be hosted by Khartoum at its technical and ministerial levels on February 24 and 25, to a later date to be agreed upon by the three countries," said the foreign ministry spokesperson.

Ambassador Garib-Allah Khidir further said the meeting was decided during a meeting between the Egyptian and Sudanese presidents and the Ethiopian prime minister, held on the sidelines of the African Union summit last month.

The foreign affairs and irrigation ministers and the directors of security and intelligence services of the three countries had to take part in this meeting not only to discuss the stalemated talks on the GERD impact on Egypt and Sudan shares of water but also the recent allegations of Egyptian plot with Eritrea to destabilize the two countries.

"Political developments after the resignation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister and the ongoing arrangements for the appointment of his successor have led the brotherly Republic of Ethiopia to request the postponement of the meetings until the election of a new Prime Minister," said the statement.

The Ethiopian government, which is accused by right groups of clamping down on the opposition parties and restricting freedoms, has released since January over 6,000 political prisoners before to engage in political reforms to be announced in the upcoming weeks.

In a second separate statement, the foreign ministry said the Sudanese government is confident in the "wisdom of the Ethiopian leadership and its ability to achieve a smooth transition" after Desalegn's resignation

It further expressed its support to Addis Ababa to preserve the unity, cohesion and peace among all its components.

(ST)

February 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan have agreed to begin discussions on Sudan removal from the U.S. list of states sponsor of terrorism, said a statement released by the foreign ministry in Khartoum on Friday.

Ghandour and Sullivan held a meeting in Germany on the sidelines of the 54th edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), a major global forum for the discussion of security policy.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Garib Allah Khidir. said the two senior diplomats discussed means of developing relations between the two countries.

"The two sides agreed on the beginning of the second phase of the dialogue, which aims to remove Sudan from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism and address debt and address common concerns," Khidir further said.

Minister Ghandour reiterated Sudan's commitment to continue the implementing the five tracks and called on the US administration to continue its efforts to remove obstacles to money transfers for Sudanese banks, he said.

In October 2017, Washington decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework reached by the countries in December 2016. Khartoum, accordingly, authorized humanitarian access to civilians in Darfur and unilaterally declared a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The two countries agreed to resume talks on the normalization of bilateral talks and the lift of remaining sanctions particularly its designation as a state sponsor of terrorist groups. the measure is crucial to get a debt relief and allow Sudan to get international aid to build its economic infrastructure.

In November 2017, Sullivan was in Khartoum the second phase of the normalization process and pointed to the need for reforms on human rights and religious freedom. Also, the two countries also agreed to engage in written exchanges between the two countries for Sudan's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Different sources say the lawsuits filed against the Sudanese government over the attack on USS Cole may be one of the issues raised in the bilateral talks as the families of the Cole sailors sued Sudan and courts condemned Khartoum to pay over 300 million dollars for them.

(ST)

February 16, 2018 (NYALA) - Head of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) South Sector office Berhanemeskel Nega said security and stability are the top priority of the Mission in Darfur.

On Friday, a meeting including the government of South Darfur, UNAMID and a number of United Nations agencies was held in Nyala to form a joint committee to develop an integrated plan to tackle issues of voluntary return, peace, security and stability.

During the meeting, Nega pointed to the need to coordinate efforts and develop the plan, saying it is a crucial move toward achieving peace and stability in Darfur.

He added the plan would also assist to deliver services to the voluntary return areas before the arrival of the IDPs.

“We would work with the government and the UN within the framework of stability and development and our efforts would focus on developing a practical plan according to specific timings,” he said

Nega said the Mission's focus is now on peacebuilding and stability in Darfur in general and peacekeeping in Jebel Marra, calling to include leaders of the IDPs and native administration in the joint committee.

In June 2017, the UN Security Council extended the UNAMID mandate for another year and redefined its mandate to play a double role.

In Jebel Marra, the force has to continue to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of emergency relief. In the other areas of Darfur, the mission has to focus on stabilising the situation.

For his part, South Darfur's police director Balla Mohamed al-Hussein called to provide the police with temporary caravans until an integrated plan was completed.

On the other hand, the director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF

) called to update South Darfur's 2016 plan with the participation of the aid groups.

The director of the World Food Programme (WFP), for his part, expressed readiness to support the plan in areas of voluntary return, education and livelihood.

(ST)

February 16, 2018 (JUBA) - The Troika countries Friday urged the parties to the IGAD-mediated High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) to do more on the outstanding security and governance arrangements in order to reach a meaningful agreement.

The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) at the African Union Hall, Addis Ababa (Getty)

The Ethiopian-led mediation team decided to suspend the second phase of the revitalization process and pledged to reconvene the discussions within two or three weeks according to the Ethiopian News Agency.

“Our common endeavour in consultations must continue so as to maintain the momentum.” said the Ethiopian state minister of foreign affairs Hirut Zemene who was speaking to reporters on behalf of the chairperson of IGAD council of ministers.

For their part, the Troika welcomed the parties' constructive efforts to conclude a deal but stressed that more concessions are needed to make sustainable progress towards peace

"The Troika calls on all parties to reconvene as soon as possible, without preconditions, to address the important security and governance arrangements that are essential for peace," said a statement released by the three facilitators of the process after the suspension of the talks.

In return, they advised the parties to set as priorities the separation of powers, dispute resolution and reconciliation mechanisms, service delivery, and accountability.

"We call on the parties to develop practical security arrangements that end violence and build confidence, and set out a realistic path to broader security sector reform," stressed the joint statement of issued by the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway.

The South Sudanese government on Thursday rejected a proposal calling to establish a collegial leadership body including four vice-presidents led by President Salva Kiir. Also, the opposition groups called the removal of President Kiir during the transitional period saying he hinders the implementation of the peace agreement.

With the failure of the parties to reach a deal on a permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements, the mediators strongly advised the parties to review their positions and come up with ideas to close the prevailing gaps.

Also, the Troika, which includes two permanent members of the UN Security Council urged the parties to honour their pledge to not resume the fighting and to observe the cessation of hostilities agreement reached last December.

"We take note and support the intention by IGAD and the African Union to identify and impose consequences on those undermining peace as soon as possible and we stand ready to support them in their efforts," they further said.

The peace guarantors further recalled the need to release the political prisoners and prisoners of war saying this measure is part of the signed cessation of hostilities agreement.

"The parties must also allow unfettered access for Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) monitors and for humanitarian assistance and aid workers responding to Africa's worst humanitarian crisis" it added.

(ST)

February 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Popular Congress Party (PCP) has called on President Omer al-Bashir to release 411 protesters who were detained during the recent demonstrations against austerity measures.

Since the release of the 2018 budget last month, peaceful protests erupted in a number of Sudanese states leading to the killing of a high school student in West Darfur State and detention of hundreds of opposition activists across the country.

In a press release seen by Sudan Tribune, PCP political secretary Al-Amin Abdel-Raziq has demanded President al-Bashir to interfere to release all political detainees.

He also appealed to the newly appointed director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Abdallah (aka Gosh) to start his era by emptying the prisons of all detainees.

Abdel-Raziq on Thursday visited the member of the Central Committee of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) Siddig Youssef who was recently released after spending three weeks in detention.

The PCP official demanded Gosh to widen the margin of freedoms and allow political parties to exercise their political, constitutional and legal rights.

He added the PCP agreed with the National Consensus Government, President al-Bashir and the Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Salih to implement the outcome of the national dialogue conference.

Abdel-Razig further said the release of detainees is a political right for them and for all Sudanese according to the constitution and outcome of the national dialogue.

“The PCP renews the call for the release of the remaining 411 detainees particularly the sick and women,” he added

The PCP, founded by the late Islamic leader Hassan al-Turabi, splinted from the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) since 1999 and joined the opposition ranks since that time but it supported the national dialogue process declared by al-Bashir in 2014 and participated in all its forums.

Following a heated internal debate over participation in the National Consensus Government which was formed in August 2017, the PCP took part in the executive and legislative branches of the post-dialogue government.

(ST)

February 16, 2018 (JUBA) - Peace talks between South Sudanese warring parties have been suspended on Friday after 11 days of discussions on the security and constitutional and governance matters without tangible progress.

The opening session of the revitalization forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 18, 2017 (ST)

The parties shall reconvene after a short recess may be within a week as the mediation will prepare a new paper based on the different positions expressed on the different matters discussed during the second round of talks from 5 to 16 February.

In its position paper, the opposition groups demanded exclusion of President Salva Kiir from the transitional government, casting doubts on his commitment to the implementation of the signed agreement.

“President shall not lead the transitional government because of his successive violation of ARCSS (Agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan) and its eventual abrogation” announced the group, according to the position paper seen by Sudan Tribune.

The nine groups announced the demand which remains unclear how the mediation team would handle what government delegation described as a “non-starter”.

Despite all these demands, the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hirut Zemene praised the positive spirit demonstrated during the past 11 days and expressed hope it would continue in the next session.

"A permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangement are needed to find a common ground for the finalization of a comprehensive agreement at the next phase of peace talks," Zemene added.

She pointed that the recess time should be used to overcome the outstanding issues to reach a lasting peace agreement.

However, Juba rejected the demand of opposition groups to evict President Kiir from power in the transitional period.

“They are just wasting their time and resources. That demand is a non-starter. They should not have thought of it if they did not intend to waste time and resources”, a presidential adviser on decentralization affairs and intergovernmental linkage told Sudan Tribune on Friday when reached to comment on the new development from the venue of the peace talks.

Tor Deng Mawien said government delegation went to adds Ababa, Ethiopia to participate in the revitalization of the peace agreement and not a new negotiation to decide on the leadership formation.

“Our delegation went to participate in the revitalization forum which was the agenda. It was not renegotiation. The revitalization does not mean renegotiation. What people are hearing is total nonsense. People are things which have nothing to do with revitalization,” said the angry presidential aide on Friday.

The 2015 peace agreement which the regional bloc is trying to revitalize recognize Salva Kiir the head of the government with Riek Machar as the first vice president but clashes at the presidential palace in July 2016 introduced new arrangement.

Taban Deng Gai, following the clashes which forced Machar to flee Juba, was hurriedly appointed as a new replacement, despite opposition rejection of the process.

The new IGAD proposal suggests the government takes 50% of the transitional government, while the other opposition groups would have 49%. There would be a President with four Vice Presidents overseeing clusters concerning Governance, the Economy, Infrastructure and one Vice President overseeing the Human Development and Social services cluster.

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly would be restructured and reconstituted to a house of 400 members including members from the 2010 southern Sudan, two former detainees while the balance of the members shall comprise of the incumbent representing – 55% and the opposition taking 45%.

The committee has also recommended for establishment of the security sector. The proposal is subject to amendment, changes, acceptance and rejection

(ST)

In his first presidential speech, the former mineworker and businessman vows to tackle corruption.

Cyril Ramaphosa is South Africa's new president. He was an activist as a student and went on to work closely with Nelson Mandela.

Hailemariam Desalegn said he was stepping down in a bid to end unrest and a political crisis.

Fifa names a four-man investigation unit to probe potential match-fixing in a Sierra Leone World Cup qualifier in 2008.

Morocco defender Jawad El Yamiq is relishing his move to Italian Serie A side Genoa from Raja Casablanca.

South Africans share their feelings about Jacob Zuma's presidency and what they hope for the future.

Cameroon's Bertrand Owundi Eko’o says he is delighted to join his compatriot Frantz Prangop at Major League Soccer (MLS) side Minnesota United.

Ramaphosa must reunite a divided country, and ruling party.

Dutch second tier club Fortuna Sittard deny claims by their suspended manager Sunday Oliseh that he was asked to "participate in illegal activities".

The behaviour of aid workers is under intense scrutiny. Are agencies doing enough to prevent abuse?