Africa

December 26, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)'s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Emad al-Din Mustafa Adawi Tuesday held discussions with the visiting Qatari and Russian counterparts.

The Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Major-General Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim arrived in Khartoum on Monday on several days visit.

He was received at the airport by Adawi and the Qatari Ambassador to Khartoum Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi besides a number of SAF commanders.

Sudan is among the Arab states that refused to take part in the ongoing crisis between several Gulf and Arab countries and Qatar and declared its support for the Kuwaiti efforts to settle the rift.

Meanwhile, Adawi has praised Russia's roles to achieve international security and peace.

During his meeting with the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, Navy Admiral Alexander Alexovich, Adawi pointed to the steady development of the Sudanese-Russian relations in all fields.

He added “the recent visit of President Omer al-Bashir to Russia has opened prospects for joint cooperation”, saying “we are keen to enhance and develop those ties”.

For his part, Alexovich expressed his country's appreciation for the current level of cooperation with Sudan, stressing readiness to exert joint efforts to promote relations especially regarding training and exchange of experience.

Sudanese were surprised to hear al-Bashir on his first visit to Russia last month asks President Vladimir Putin to support his country against American plans against Sudan.

He noted that Sudan is concerned about the situation in the Red Sea and sees the U.S. as a problem there, adding that “we would like to discuss the issue from the point of view of the use of bases in the Red Sea.”

Al-Bashir further requested Russian fighter jets for the Sudanese army saying SAF may buy S-300 air defence system to replace the old Soviet surface-to-air missiles.

Last October, Washington lifted economic sanctions on Sudan and the two countries engaged discussion on the removal of the east African country from the list of states sponsor of terrorism.

(ST)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the peaceful conduct of the second round of the presidential election in Liberia, and announced he is sending former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo to support the country in the first peaceful transfer of power from one democratically-elected leader to another in more than 70 years.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday welcomed the signing of a ceasefire between the Government of the Republic of the Congo and a group led by Reverend Pastor Ntumi.

by Ambassador Emmanuel Aban Ajawin

On the 16th November 2017, Cairo witnessed the signing of an agreement between two factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, in the government (SPLM- IG) and SPLM Former Detainees (FDs), which became known as the Cairo Declaration. This declaration, unlike previous declarations/agreements inked by the fractured SPLM factions in their quest for elusive unity, presents a significant strategic shift in Egypt's approach towards issues of peace and security pertaining to the Republic of South Sudan and the region. The strategic shift is so not much in the geopolitical position of Egypt within the region and its direct involvement with the SPLM factions, but rather it is based on Egypt's propitious timing in light of the recent statement attributed to President Abdul Fattah El-Sissi on the 8th November 2017 at a news conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. The President stated that ''We view positively the developmental needs of our friends and brothers in Ethiopia and we are capable of protecting our national security and water which to us is a question of national security.'' The same sentiment was repeated on the 18th November after Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia failed to approve a study on the potential effects of the Ethiopia GRED. In televised comment where he attended the inauguration of a fish farm in the Nile Delta province of Kafr el-Sheika, Egypt's President stated that ''water is a matter of life or death and that no one can touch Egypt's share of water.''

Considering these Presidential statements against the recently signed Cairo Declaration in the Headquarters of the Egyptian Intelligent Services (GIS- Mukhabarat) and witnessed by both the Egyptian chief of (Mukhabarat) and his Ugandan's Counter-part, it is abundantly clear that the Horn of Africa and particularly South Sudan, will be witnessing a portentous future dominated by proxy wars. The Egyptians are sending an unequivocal diplomatic statement that they have decided, without any reservations, to support the government of South Sudan and its ruling party the SPLM, under the tyranny of President Kiir and his ethnocentric regime. The unification of the SPLM and preservation of the status quo as the ruling party in South Sudan, has become a matter of great importance for the Egyptian national security strategy. Instead of standing in solidarity with the victims and the oppressed people of South Sudan, Egypt has cast the dice on the wrong side of history. It has decided to align itself with a government that lacks legitimacy and which is responsible for the on-going infernal civil war, commissioning of heinous war crimes, crimes against humanity, displacement of millions and genocide.

The signed Cairo Declaration between the members of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM-IG and Former Detainees (FDs), and which was facilitated and supervised by H.E. Abdul Fattah El-Sissi the President of the Republic of Egypt and
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the President of the Republic of Uganda, unfortunately, is just a pie in the sky and will not achieve durable peace and stability in South Sudan. In fact, the political ills and quagmire that have befallen the nascent Republic rest squarely on the shoulders of the SPLM political and military elites. Since the independence of South Sudan, in July 2011, the SPLM members who signed the Cairo Declaration are the same leaders who failed to articulate and provide a comprehensive political, social and economic roadmap that would have scientifically addressed the prodigious and convoluted issues of state and nation building. They became entangled in webs of corruption, embezzlement of public monies, and money laundering with absolute impunity. Millions of dollars that were received from the international donors and from the oil revenue ended up in the pockets of the SPL M political and military elites leaving the majority of the population destitute, hungry and poor. It is, therefore, unfathomable and of poor judgment to think that salvaging South Sudan from imminent economic collapse, social break down and political disintegration lies in the unification of various SPLM factions. Solutions to social, political, and economic ills in South Sudan are now beyond the confines of the SPLM political and military mafias.

The Arab Republic of Egypt in the distant past has played a positive and commendable role towards South Sudanese by providing academic scholarships to study in its various institutions of higher learning. Currently, Egypt is hosting large numbers of South Sudanese refugees despite the economic constrain the country is facing. South Sudanese will always be grateful for the hospitality and generosity Egypt has rendered. However, since the outbreak of the current civil war in 2013, Egypt has shifted its traditional approach towards South Sudan from humanitarian and educational spheres to the political, diplomatic and military assistance of the oppressive regime in Juba. In December 2016 it has played an instrumental role at the United Nations Security Council in opposing an arms embargo resolution on South Sudan, introduced by the United States of America. Militarily, South Sudanese opposition groups have allegedly accused Egypt of rendering logistical, technical and air support to the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in its brutal war against the people of South Sudan. Why is the Egyptian government spending its resources and tax payer's money on a defunct and corrupt regime in Juba?

In answering the above question, it is imperative to note that Egypt's foreign policy and security strategies towards South Sudan are heavily influenced by its strategy to ensure the uninterrupted flow of the Nile water which she entirely depends on for its existence as a nation. Hence Nile waters have become the most important element of its national security strategy towards the Horn of Africa and South Sudan. The notion that Nile waters could be shared amicably with the upstream countries, is an intolerable reality for Egypt as it perceives such actions to be against its survival and national interest. The first serious attempt by Cairo to implement its water policy vis-a-vis South Sudan was the commissioning of the Jonglei Canal Project. In the 1980s the governments of Sudan and Egypt embarked on an ambitious plan to build a canal that became known as Jonglei Canal Project. The purpose of the hydro-construction project in Upper Nile Province at the time was to ensure the flow of 4.7 billion cubic meters of water annually, to be shared equally between Egypt and Sudan. The problem with the Jonglei Canal was that the two governments didn't consult the people of Southern Sudan extensively, and as a result, it was unpopular, becoming one of the seminal reasons for the South Sudanese to take up arms against the regime of Jaafar Nimeiri in 1983. What is left of the project is the destroyed $50 million gigantic bucket-wheel excavator, an enormous piece of German engineering. Its destruction was a testimony to the people's resistance against imposed projects that didn't take their views and concerns into consideration.

In fact, the striking correlation between the doomed Jonglei Canal Project and the Cairo Declaration is that both were made with political allies that are unpopular, corrupt, undemocratic and dictatorial. Egypt should have learned a valuable lesson from the Jonglei Canal that people and not governments should be its true strategic allies as far as South Sudan is concerned. Supporting the illegitimate and dictatorial government in Juba would have negative ramifications on the future relations between Egypt and the people of South Sudan. The Egyptian government should take a brotherly and catalytic role in bridging the prodigious political apogees between the various political groups in South Sudan, rather than supporting the unpopular SPLM regime.

The hosting of the SPLM reunification meetings in Cairo, and especially the involvement of its Intelligent Services (CIS-Mukhabarat) has created a perception, real or imaginary, that South Sudan could be used by Egypt in its proxy wars in the region if diplomacy fails to resolve the current impasse on the Nile water negotiations. In the past, Egypt has never hesitated to use its military might against countries that it perceived to be a threat to its national security pertaining to Nile waters. Egypt under the leadership of Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1875-76 invaded the northern region of Ethiopia with the objective of controlling the source of the Blue Nile (Abay). Emperor Yohannes IV defeated the invading Egyptian forces at Gundet and Gura respectively.

Although the battles of Gundet and Gura were the last physical confrontations between Egypt and Ethiopia, relations between the two countries for more than one hundred years have been characterized by deep suspicion, paranoia, diplomatic and proxy wars. The Egyptian political gamble of supporting SPLM factions will compel other countries in the region to search for allies within and outside South Sudan. This will undoubtedly compound the already complicated situation in South Sudan. The battleground for the region's water wars would be fought in South Sudan with dire consequences on human lives and properties. South Sudan could slip into a perpetual state of war for many decades to come. In the long term, these wars could lead to the collapse of South Sudan as a state, with its becoming a breeding ground for terrorist organizations including ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliates. Given the strategic geographical location of South Sudan, the regionalization of conflict within its borders will pose a serious threat to the international peace and security. Therefore, it is prudent and incumbent upon the international community, AU, UN and Troika to exert pressure on both Egypt and Uganda to leave the people of South Sudan to resolve their political, social and economic crisis without interference, or the presence of various political forces in the country to fight their proxy wars. Enough is enough! The international community should put an end to unwarranted interventions by some of the regional countries into the affairs of South Sudan. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations should consider punitive actions against countries that are prolonging and profiting from the war in South Sudan, otherwise, if these unwarranted state of affairs are left to continue unchallenged, the envisaged IGAD High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) may end up dead before it even commences.

December 25, 2017 (JUBA) - The Governor of Lot state in South Sudan has issued several gubernatorial orders making changes and appointment of new officials in his administration

Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Governor of Lol state (UN photo)

Governor Rizik Hassan Zachariah, according to orders he issued on Saturday removed Angok Achuol Barjok from the ministry of agriculture. He replaced him with Marko Dau Ruay as the new minister of agriculture. No new assignment was given to the former minister.

Adam Garang Wol Kon, minister of Education was another official removed from his ministerial position without new assignment given to him. He was replaced with Garang Akok Ngor as the new Minister of Education. Peter Dut Akot, Gumjuer county commissioner was removed from his position and appointed as the new minister of Physical Infrastructure. Santino Apath Apath was Minister of Rural Development and Bass shatta Fadul became the Minister of Gender& Social Development.

Another separate order was issued appointing Abal Abal Mou as Ayat West County commissioner and Riny Riny Lual was named Marial Baai county commissioner.

Lino Dut Wol was appointed Gomjuer East County commissioner while Ngong Kuac Mathiang was named the Makem county commissioner and Michael Malual Mawien became Malual North county commissioner.

(ST)

December 25, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Geological Research Authority of Sudan (GRAS), Monday announced that the country gold production for the first time has reached 105 tons.

A local brings his gold for examination at a laboratory in the gold market in Khartoum (Photo: Reuters)

Until recently Sudan currently ranked third in gold production behind South Africa and Ghana. Officials said they hope to land in the first place by 2018 with more than 140 tons. However, the new figure places it only in the second place far behind South Africa.

Gold production is now Sudan's main source of hard currency after the secession of South Sudan where are the two third of its oil reserves before 2011.

Addressing a gathering at the Mineral Minister's Prize for Creativity and Excellence function in Khartoum, the GRAS Director General, Mohamed Abu Fatima disclosed that Sudan's production of gold has risen to 105 tons during the 2017 year.

He went to say that Sudan ranks second place in Africa and ninth in the world, adding that there are in huge reserves of gold available in Aryab area at the Red Sea Mountains in eastern Sudan.

The Sudanese official further said there are some technical problems hampering the geological mapping, geophysical and geochemical exploration programmes adding that it will be overcome soon through training and rehabilitation and importation of new technologies.

In a related development, the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company in a report to the mineral ministry council on Sunday reported that Sudan production of gold amounted to 103 tons and the government income has reached 1.9 trillion pounds.

Reporting to the parliament about gold revenue earlier this month, Sudanese Minerals Minister Hashim Ali Salem said country's production of gold from January to November 2017 amounted to 95.1 tons.

Also, he called to review the law and sanctions on gold smugglers to dissuade them.

The low dollar price set by the Central Bank of Sudan (6.9 pounds)encouraged the traditional miners to smuggle their production to outside the country especially when the mining areas are near a neighbouring country.

However, the Sudanese finance ministry Monday set a new official rate for the U.S. dollar, announcing that it has been increased to 18 pounds for one dollar.

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December 25, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has expressed optimism about the prospect of ending the war in 2018, saying it was now his top priority to restore “peace and unity of the people and all efforts will be expended to realize it".

In a Christmas message released Monday, President Kiir said he knows many families have been separated by the conflict in 2017, resulting in the families not able to spend Christmas together.

“It remains my prayer that you will soon be reunited in your homeland. As we usher in a new year, we are working firmly to ensure peace and economic stability, so that very soon you can return to your villages and homes to continue your lives as once were,” said president through a speech.

“We are all looking forward to peace and prosperity where we can all join hands in the development of our beloved nation," he added.

The South Sudanese leader said it was his sincere hope that 2018 will indeed be the year where genuine and lasting peace is achieved.

"While it may seem that the journey is still long; I can assure you that great progress is being made. As we end one year and begin another, we must recommit ourselves to the course of peace and extend the hand of unity and friendship across all the divides,” he reassured.

The former rebel commander turned politician and became a president commended the resilience with which people despite unsurmountable continue to perseverance during t difficult time in the history.

“We have been faced with a multitude of challenges, including hostile elements –regionally and internationally – that have threatened to throw us into additional chaos,” Kiir said alluding to foreign interventions in the conflict.

Kiir said his government has started working on strategies to end the war. He cited the participation in the peace revitalization forum as a demonstration of commitment by the coalition government to end the war.

“Already in the spirit of peace, our negotiating team has recently been in Addis Ababa taking part in IGAD-led High-Level Revitalization Forum. As a government, we are attending the negotiations in good faith and with the expectations that we shall receive genuine peace. I trust that our partners are also negotiating in the same good faith, for the benefit of all citizens in South Sudan. The sooner we can come to the final and meaningful agreement, the sooner we can re-energize the implementation process, and get South Sudan back on the path of prosperity,” he said.

He said instability has been one of the major obstacles preventing people from returning home their respective areas and expressed hope to address it with the cessation of hostilities which contains provisions that allow protection of civilians and humanitarian access.

Kiir said that this positive first step will allow the government to focus on a final agreement on implementation of the peace agreement.

"Therefore, we can continue to move forward with nation-building, improving the economy, developing infrastructure and overall welfare of our people,” he said.

Observers and security analysts have expressed pessimism about the prospect of lasting peace, pointing to the lack of political will and questioned the ability of the monitoring body to verify, investigate and hold the parties accountable to a violation of the ceasefire.

(ST)

December 25, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The National Liberation and Justice Party (NLJP) led by Tijani al-Sissi on Sunday has called on the African mediation to resume Darfur peace talks.

Former DRA chairman Tijani al-Sissi speaks to the press after the dissolution of the regional body on June 13, 2016 (ST Photo)

The former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), formed by 19 rebel factions, signed the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) on 14 July 2011 with its leader Sissi became the chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA).

In December 2014, internal LJM differences surfaced, when Bahar Idris Abu Garda, LJM Secretary-General, publicly accused Sissi of mismanagement.

Sissi then formed the NLJP while Abu Garda established a new political party, the Liberation and Justice Party. The two parties participated in the 2015 general elections and the internal National Dialogue and they are now part of the National Consensus Government.

In statements to the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) on Monday, the NLJP spokesperson Ahmed Fadl called to take advantage of all initiatives to achieve peace in Darfur, stressing their continued contacts with the rebel movements.

He said the seriousness of the rebel movements to achieve peace wouldn't be tested until a comprehensive peace process be launched, stressing peace is a strategic choice for all Darfur movements.

The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in coordination with the Darfur Joint Chief Mediator (JCM) mediate a two-track process in order to achieve a holistic peace in Darfur, South Korodfan and Blue Nile states and pave the way for constitutional reforms.

Talks between the government and two armed groups in Darfur, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), over a humanitarian cessation of hostilities, are deadlocked since August 2016.

Darfur holdout groups refuse the DDPD saying they want to discuss security and protection of civilians, compensations, land ownership, and justice. They point that the Doha document omitted to address these issues in the right way.

However, Khartoum says the DDPD is now part of the constitution, and it cannot be changed. They say the armed groups have to sign it and renegotiate what they want to improve it.

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003.

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

(ST)

December 25, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Arrangements are underway to implement the disarmament campaign in Khartoum and Gazira States while the Sudanese parliament is awaiting a temporary presidential decree to impose the state of emergency to back up a collection of illicit weapons.

Since August, the Sudanese authorities launched a campaign to collect illegal weapons. The campaign, which would be implemented across the country, began by disarming tribes and civilians in Kordofan and Darfur.

The committee tasked with the collection of illegal weapons in Khartoum State on Monday held a meeting to discuss the framework and detailed plans to start the disarmament campaign across the state in January.

The meeting also discussed awareness strategy to educate the residents about the importance of the collection of illicit weapons as well as setting the dates for the voluntary and forcible phases of the campaign.

Also, the higher committee for the collection of illegal weapons in the Gazira State held a meeting in Al-Managel County to discuss the voluntary phase of the disarmament campaign.

The top prosecutor for Sudan attorney's office in Gazira State Muawiya al-Hagras briefed the meeting on the Weapons and Ammunition Act as the commander of the army's 1st infantry division spoke about the dangers of the proliferation of weapons outside the legal framework.

For his part, the head of the committee said civilians have no justification to hold arms after the government have imposed security across the country.

He added the government would cooperate with all residents to collect the illicit arms during the voluntary phase of the campaign, warning “no one will escape punishment if he insists on acquiring arms”.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

Meanwhile, the Sudanese parliament spokesperson Abdel-Maged Haroun said the council of ministers will lodge a temporary presidential decree to impose the state of emergency in some states to back up collection of illicit weapons

He told reporters the leadership of the parliament discussed measures to establish an ad hoc committee to consider the temporary presidential decree which aims to accommodate the states that have not been included in the disarmament campaign.

However, the parliament spokesperson didn't identify the Sudanese states in which the emergency orders would be declared.

There were reports that the state of emergency will be imposed in some of the central states including the capital, Khartoum not for the purpose of supporting the disarmament campaign but to counter possible protests that could erupt against the tough economic measures included in the 2018 budget that was deposited to the parliament on Sunday.

In September 2013, demonstrations broke out in several Sudanese states following the government's decision to lift fuel subsidies. Rights groups said that at least 200 people were killed but the government put the death toll at 85.

(ST)

December 25, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government army has called to investigate violations of the recently signed cessation of hostilities agreement in South Sudan reiterate accusations against the armed opposition of attacking its positions.

Hours after the signing of the humanitarian cessation of hostilities in Addis Ababa on Thursday 21 December, the SPLA-IO led by Riek Machar and the government forces traded claims of attacks on their respective positions across the country.

On Monday, the SPLA spokesperson Brig Gen Lulu Ruai Koang issued a statement accusing the rebels of carrying out attacks on the government forces in five states: Yei River, Northern Liech, Amadi, Awiel East and Fashoda, in the last 24 to 72 hours.

"The rebels had stepped up offensive operations against SPLA's positions in futile attempts to capture new strategic areas before IGAD peace monitors could embark on field visits," said Koang.

Also, he accused the rebels of disseminating " negative propaganda" in a bid to mislead the public opinion and present themselves as victims of attacks by the government forces.

Therefore, "SPLA calls upon IGAD to immediately send investigation committee and peace monitors to investigate the latest violations as well as establish and verify who has been in control of all locations recently attacked by the rebels," said the army spokesperson.

Further, he called on the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to send monitors to Kansuk, Lokbere and Koch, three areas where the army says the rebels attacked their positions.

"SPLA reiterates its commitment to Cessation of Hostilities Agreement but reserves the inalienable right to fight in self-defence when attacked," he emphasized.

(ST)

The BBC's Sophie Ribstein takes a walk down memory lane to see if a golden harp she came across was used in a little-known concert in South Africa by Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky.

December 24, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim revealed an agreement with Washington to engage in written exchanges between the two countries for Sudan's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Last October, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to revoke economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework agreement for a humanitarian cessation of hostilities in Sudan and Khartoum cooperation with Washington to fight terrorism and address regional conflicts.

"Sudan agreed with the United States to exchange documents to build in the coming weeks a strategy to lift the name of Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and also to agree on other tracks in the second round of talks between Khartoum and Washington," Ghandour said in an interview with the BBC television aired on Sunday evening.

The Sudanese minister didn't develop on the positions of his government on this respect. But U.S. Deputy Secretary of State during a visit to Khartoum last November stressed on the need for reform on human rights and religious freedom.

His call comes in line with a declared American strategy that Sudan lift from the list of terror states should be linked to the issues of freedoms in Sudan and the end of the war.

"In addition, supporting human rights, including religious freedom, has been, and will continue to be, a critical part of the United States' bilateral engagement with Sudan," Sullivan said in a speech delivered during his visit to Khartoum.

Revoking the designation of state sponsors of terrorism list has been a key concern of the Sudanese government because it allows the United States to impose sanctions and penalties on Sudan in the future.

Furthermore, securing debt relief is a crucial step for Sudan to borrow from the IMF and get the needed fund for economic development as its current high arrears and failure to reimburse previous loans cut Sudan's ability to seek funds from the international financial system.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (JUBA)- An alliance of more than seven South Sudanese political leaders has called for an immediate release of the leader of the main rebel group in the country, Riek Machar,

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar addresses a news conference in Uganda's capital Kampala January 26, 2016 (Reuters photo)

The group, in a letter to the Ethiopian prime minister, protested the prolonged detention of the armed opposition leader in South Africa as he was expected to attend and participate in the revitalization forum but could not be permitted.

The letter entitled "Appeal for the immediate release of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, chairman of the SPLM/A-IO," is addressed to Ethiopia's prime minister, who is also the chairman of the regional bloc (IGAD) assembly heads of state and government.

“Your excellency, one key stakeholder, Dr.Machar, who ought to have been here with us in Addis Ababa for the forum, regrettably, he is confined to South Africa against his will for almost one year and a half years without charges”, the letter seen by the Sudan Tribune reads in part.

It argued that the detention of Machar represents violation of fundamental rights and freedoms and expressed belief that such act would set a worrying precedent in Africa.

“Your Excellency, it is our firm belief that the confinement of Dr. Machar is a violation of fundamental rights and freedoms and sets a worrying precedent in Africa, in which any country can simply decide to persecute any opponent for political expediency. We, the undersigned opposition parties, call upon your good office to ensure Dr.Machar is immediately released in accordance with the letter and spirit of the cessation of hostilities agreement which guarantees the release of all political prisoners”, wrote the group.

The letter bears the names and signatures of Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation In Opposition faction under Riek Machar. Kosti Manibe from former detainees signed on behalf of his group. Other leaders include Gabriel Changson Chang of the Federal Democratic Party, Lam Akol Ajawin of National Democratic Movement, Taban Julu Ladimbe Lomuja, representing People's Democratic Movement, General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, representing National Salvation Front,Hussein Abdel bagi Ayii Akol of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement/Army, Denay Chagor, representing South Sudan United Movement and General Bapiny Monytuil of the South Sudan Liberation Movement.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 24, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - The Nuer Youth Union in Ethiopia (NYU) on Sunday congratulated the South Sudanese warring parties for signing the Cessation of Hostilities and Humanitarian Access.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the Union welcomed the goodwill of the warring parties for recommitting themselves to end the war in the world's youngest nation.

"This war has caused a lot of suffering and therefore it should not be the interest of the people of South Sudan to continue to wage war against each other," the Union said.

It said the country has gone through a lot of difficulties, and now it is a time for the people of South Sudan to give peace a chance.

The Union urged all the warring parties to adhere to their commitment to fully observe and implement the Cessation of Hostilities and allow the humanitarian access to the needy people in the country as provided in the document signed by the parties involved in the IGAD-led peace process.

In this connection, the leadership of NYUE commended the relentless effort made by IGAD for the revitalization initiative that has brought all South Sudanese warring parties to the negotiation table.

"This is a good gesture that the region is up to its commitment to bring about solution to the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan"

Moreover, the Union is called upon IGAD to ascertain that all the signatories of the August- 2015 agreement (ARCSS) are included in the processes for an amicable solution to the current conflict in South Sudan.

"In view of the above, we call upon IGAD and the wider international community to unconditionally release Dr Riek Machar Teny, the leader of the SPLM/A (IO) to participate in person in the current HLRF on ARCSS as frequently requested by various parties and South Sudanese to ensure sustainable and lasting peace in the country," it added.

"The Union sees the everlasting peace if the current initiative would be fair and work for the inclusiveness of all. Dr Machar is representing the interest of majority of South Sudanese citizen inside and outside the country"

The Union stressed that with the absence of Dr Machar in the unity government or in the HLRF, the process will not be inclusive and will not help in reuniting South Sudanese.

It further wished IGAD to be nonpartisan and make the processes inclusive for the sake of peace to return back to South Sudan.

"It is a hope of every South Sudanese that the situation of 2016 will not repeat itself," it said.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday have agreed to raise trade exchange between the two countries to $1 billion within one year.

Erdogan, accompanied by a large delegation, has arrived in Khartoum on Sunday on a two-day official visit. He was received by al-Bashir at the airport amid remarkable official attention.

The two presidents on Sunday afternoon presided over the joint session of talks between the two sides in the presence of the relevant ministers at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation as well as issues of common concern.

At the end of the talks, the two sides signed 12 cooperation agreements and agreed to launch a strategic partnership covering agriculture, industry, minerals and health.

They also approved the establishment of a higher political committee headed by the two presidents, saying the committee would annually meet in Khartoum and Ankara alternately.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, al-Bashir described Erdogan's visit as “historic”, saying it shows keenness of the Turkish President to build special relations with Sudan.

He said the visit marks a great leap in relations and a new beginning of strong ties between the two countries, praising Erdogan's stances in support of Jerusalim and the Islamic nation.

For his part, Erdogan announced his country's intention to raise the volume of trade exchange with Sudan to $1 billion within a year to reach $10 billion in the future.

He said the current level of trade exchange which is estimated at $500 million “doesn't commensurate with both countries” especially given the large population in Sudan and Turkey.

The Turkish President hailed Sudan's stance against the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016, saying “we wouldn't forget the solidarity you have shown in this regard”.

He further pledged to encourage the Turkish businessmen to invest in Sudan.

During the visit, the Turkish President, who chairs the Islamic Cooperation Conference, will visit several Ottoman historical sites in eastern Sudan town of Suakin which was an important port for trade for centuries.

Also, he will visit Port Sudan town, the country main port on the Red Sea to attend the signing of a free trade area agreement.

It is noteworthy that the delegation accompanying Erdogan includes Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Agriculture Minister Ahmet Esref Fakibaba, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmus, Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli, Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar besides 150 Turkish businessmen.

In 2014 Sudan and Turkey signed an agricultural partnership which includes the allocation of a plot of 12500 hectares in Abu Gutah area.

According to a report issued by the Sudanese Ministry of Investment, the volume of Turkish investments in Sudan amounted to 2 billion dollars from 2000 to 2017. It further indicates that there are 288 Turkish investment projects in the east African country.

ADDRESSING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

On Sunday evening, Erdogan addressed the Sudanese Parliament where he announced full cooperation with Sudan in the military, energy, health and agriculture domains.

He also vowed to support Sudan in all international forums, pledging to continue support for the Palestinian cause and rejection for the United States decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

Erdogan urged President Donald Trump to reverse his decision saying the voting of 128 nations at the UN General Assembly against the decision underscores the correctness of the Muslims stance.

He expected the countries which have abstained would soon join the nations who voted against the decision, saying the former's stance was driven by temporary fear of the U.S. reaction.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - The government of North Darfur admitted that the disarmament campaign has achieved limited success pointing to the large proliferation of illegal weapons in the state.

In an interview with the local radio, North Darfur governor Abdel-Wahid Youssef said: “very limited amounts of [illegal] weapons have been collected during the previous period compared to the actual quantities of arms in the state”.

He didn't point to the exact numbers of illegal weapons that have been collected so far.

However, previous official reports said 8710 arms have been collected in North Darfur.

Last August, the Sudanese authorities launched a six-month disarmament campaign to eliminate illegal weapons in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan, particularly in Darfur region.

The higher committee for the collection of weapons and unregulated vehicles started the forcible phase of the campaign in all the states of Sudan on 15 October.

The disarmament of armed groups and tribesmen is seen as an important step that will create a suitable atmosphere for security and stability in Sudan's western regions.

MISTARIHA CLASHES

Meanwhile, Youssef said his government is keen not to repeat the deadly clashes which led to the capture of the tribal leader Musa Hilal.

In an expected development, the Rapid Support Forces (SRF) last month stormed Hilal's headquarters in North Darfur area of Mistariha following an ambush by his Border Guards Forces (BGF) for two vehicles of the Sudanese army militia.

The bloody clashes claimed 23 lives and led to the capturing of the tribal leader along with his three sons and a number of his aides.

Youssef denied reports that children and women have been tortured and killed in the wake of Mistariha clashes, saying the RSF has adhered to the highest standards of professionalism.

He pointed out that 172 people were arrested after the clashes Mistariha in accordance with the presidential emergency orders.

“They would be tried according to those orders soon. And we underline the [security] organs would continue the disarmament campaign across the state and we wouldn't back down on it no matter what the cost” he said

According to the governor, the 172 detainees are currently being held at Shala Prison in North Darfur capital, El-Faher under tight security measures.

The capture of Musa Hilal and his commanders is seen as a new victory for the government forces in Darfur. However, while some observers say it would be of great help to restore stability, others believe it may ignite fierce fighting between the clans of Darfur Arab Rizeigat tribe.

The tribal leader was defiant during the past months and threatened to wage war against the government even in Khartoum. He is accused of seeking to foment a new armed rebellion in Darfur region and reaching out to rebel leaders based abroad to work together against the government.

(ST)

December 24, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rival forces have traded accusations of violating a cessation of hostilities brokered by the IGAD mediators three days ago ahead of a revitalization process for the implementation of 2015 peace agreement.

The agreement takes effect from 00:01 hours (local time) on 24 December 2017. Also, all the leaders of warring parties made public statements declaring their commitment to the deal.

However, the spokesperson of the government army claimed on Sunday that rebel forces launched attacks on the SPLA positions across the country in order to control some areas and establish their headquarters.

“Because they have no headquarters, they are carrying out these activities in an attempt to get at least a one they would use as their new headquarters," said the deputy military spokesman of the government, Col. Santo Domic.

"They have been trying this in Maiwut state, particular areas in Jekou, also in Leer, in Raja, in Lasu, overall but they failed," he further said.

Our forces have been acting in self-defence because they have been issued orders to comply with directives and orders from the commander-in-chief to observe the ceasefire and act only in self-defence and pushed them away”,

The mediators and international facilitators have been working since last June to bring the conflicting parties to the negotiation table and put huge pressures on them to ink the truce agreement, hoping it would serve as confidence-building measure paving the way for the implementation of the permanent ceasefire fire which is part of the peace deal.

For his part, the deputy spokesperson of the armed opposition group SPLM-IO, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel blamed the government for attacking their positions in a number of areas in the country.

“This morning 24/12/2017 at about 6:00hrs, the Juba regime's forces based in Koch County Centre of Lich State launched the most aggressive attack against our military position in Bieh Payam of the said County," said Gabriel.

The rebel spokesperson added that they repulsed the attackers and are now pursuing them to Koch Centre, pointing that the fight was continuing when he issued the statement,” said Gabriel in a statement.

Also, he claimed that SPLA Chief of Defence Force Lt Gen James Ajongo on Sunday was in Wau and ordered his forces to attack the SPLA-IO positions in the area, pointing Jebel Rabi along the Bazia road.

Gabriel went further to accuse the government forces of bombarding their positions around Yei County.

These activities, he said, "are all acts against the peace process as strategies to prompt response from armed opposition forces for the resumption of hostilities".

The opposition officer accused the government of causing so many civilians suffering through these attacks and called on the mediators and facilitators to condemn the government.

The SPLA-IO, therefore, calls upon the IGAD, AU, TROIKA and the world to hold the government responsible for these violations committed just hours after the CoH takes effect. The resistance continues,” said Gabriel.

(ST)

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