Africa

June 22, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan and Sudan have extended for one year a memorandum of understanding allowing river and land transit of international humanitarian assistance for the South Sudanese civilians.

“My colleague, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan has agreed to extend our cooperation on humanitarian delivery for one more year to enable the World Food Programme (WFP) to transport relief from Sudan to South Sudan,” said Paul Dhel Gum, the Deputy Commissioner of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC).

Mohamed Elsinari Mustafa and Paul Dhel Gum signed a commitment that was witnessed by representatives of the United Nations WFP in both South Sudan and Sudan. Tito Nikodimos, along with Peter Schaller represented the WFP Sudan.

The memorandum of understanding will come into effect from 1 July 2017- 30 June 2018. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the UN WFP will submit a corridor operation projections to Sudan to deliver up to 900,000 metric tonnes of food assistance from July 2017 to June 2018.

The government of Sudan will authorise air delivery from El-Obeid as an alternative mode of delivery to areas where it is needed in South Sudan. The transport from Kosti will also be used in coordination with the knowledge and in coordination with the government of South Sudan.

Last April, Sudan accepted to open an Airbridge to deliver food assistance to South Sudan during the rainy season.

In July 2014, the two countries signed a MoU to open a humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese through the Nile river or by road.

The cross-border operation allows the World Foord Programmes (WFP) to reduce the costly airlift or airdrop operations in a time where the international agency faces serious financial challenges.

(ST)

How a 61-year-old farmer embodies Uganda's welcoming attitude to South Sudanese refugees.

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 22, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - An Army General along with a group of 9 officers from the opposition faction of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former Vice President, Riek Machar defect to join the faction of First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

In a telephone conversation with Sudan Tribune, SPLM-IO Taban faction Army spokesperson, Dickson Gatluak said Brigadier General, Okot David Awai and the 9 officers arrived in the capital, Juba, Thursday afternoon from Kampala when an Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane they boarded on touched down at Juba Airport around 11 pm local time.

Upon arrival, the group of defectors were welcomed by Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Minister of Petroleum and top Army officials.

Their defection, Gatluak said was in response to country's call for peace.

The 10 defectors are mainly from the Acholli tribe.

The group of defectors will tomorrow meet FVP Deng in his office.

The latest defection comes as the youngest African nation struggles to bring about lasting peace and reconstitute the government and Taban faction armies under one unified command.

"Their return home demonstrates the level of commitment FVP Taban Deng attaches to the implementation of the compromised peace agreement" Said Gatluak.

FVP Taban Deng says his faction as a movement has duty and responsibility to bring back home all military officers and cadres who left the country following the civil war that erupted over 3 years ago.

"We urge all military commanders who took up arms against the government to return home and join the peace process," said Gatkuak.

He said the return of the deserters is a major step forward for the nation to rejoice for peace and stability to prevail in war-torn South Sudan.

"It further boosts the morale of forces and will bring the Army of SPLM-IO and the entire Army in South Sudan"

General Okot is one of the well-known Generals within Machar faction's Army.

Okot was a commander in charge of Magwi Brigade 9th in Anyanya division in Eastern Equatoria.

He was demoted and dismissed by Machar over allegations that the General had links with Juba.

Since South Sudan has fallen back into a bloody civil war in December 2013, some 1.8 million civilians fled to neighbouring countries.

UN chief, Antonio Guterres, Thursday urged South Sudanese leaders to end the war.

"South Sudan leaders haven't deserved the people they have," said Guterres after paying a visit to a refugee camp in northern Uganda.

He will participate in a UN-backed summit aimed at raising global awareness of South Sudan crisis in Kampala on Friday.

Uganda currently shelters around 900,000 South Sudan refugees most women and children who most arrived in the past year.

The UN said it needs USD 8 billion to help refugees and host communities over next four years.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on peaceful uses of atomic energy Thursday was signed by the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and Technology, Afework Kassu Gizaw, and Russian Deputy Director General of ROSATOM Nikolai Spasskiy.

The first deal of its kind between the two countries was signed within the framework of IX International Forum ATOMEXPO 2017

“It envisages a bilateral cooperation in a wide range of spheres, i.e. development of nuclear infrastructure in Ethiopia, programs for raising public awareness of nuclear technologies and its application, radioisotopes and radio technologies' application in industrial, medical, agricultural sectors,” said Ethiopian Foreign Ministry.

The agreement embraces collaboration in nuclear, radiological and physical security, fundamental and applied researches, HR training, nuclear research centres based on multi-functional research reactors.

The joint working group of Russia and Ethiopia will define the scope of work for implementation of the initiatives mentioned above.

The parties agreed to cooperate in the feasibility of implementing common projects referred to the development of collaboration in peaceful uses of atomic energy was agreed to be developed under the Memorandum.

Among others, atomic energy could be used in the areas of power generation, healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, industry and research.

The State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM is a Russian publicly-owned corporation, which is the leader in the global nuclear technologies market.

It brings together nuclear power and power engineering assets, as well as NPP design and construction. ROSATOM is the largest electricity generating company in Russia, producing 196.37 billion kWh of electricity in 2016 (or 18.3% of the country's total generation of electricity).

ROSATOM holds first place for the largest portfolio of foreign construction projects (34 NPPs in 12 countries). ROSATOM produces annually approximately 3,000 tonnes of uranium domestically, and some 5,000 tonnes in other countries.

ROSATOM with its 1/3 world market share takes the lead in global uranium enrichment services and covers 17.7% of the global nuclear fuel market

ROSATOM brings together over 300 enterprises and organisations, including the world's only nuclear icebreaker fleet. ROSATOM is tasked with implementing the uniform state policy on the uses of atomic energy as well as fulfilling the Russian Federation's international obligations on the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

(ST)

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this week.

June 22, 2017 (JUBA) - Bad governance, corruption and lack of accountability in public institutions was the major cause of divisions and the ongoing war in South Sudan, a senior minister said on Thursday.

S. Sudan cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomoro (Photo KT Press)

The cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro made these remarks while speaking at a consultative symposium on good governance and democracy organised by the parliamentary affairs ministry.

He said the conflict, bad governance, corruption and nepotism caused the conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions.

“I know all sorts of malpractices in the government have contributed negatively to the perception of the citizens and the challenges of infancy of any young country. And addressing these issues now require political will to adopt and embrace practices aimed at encouraging democratic governance to make sure all government institutions are functioning according to rules and processes”, said Lomuro.

According to the minister, all the people of South Sudan, including the church and the existing mosques, should all rise against corruption instead of pointing accusing fingers and passing the buck.

Fighting corruption, he said, was not a popular agenda, but an apparent realisation of the negative impact of corruption has promoted the fight against graft as a measure of good governance.

“We must take away the proceeds of illicit enrichment and remove negative role models in our society. I know that each arm of government has its responsibility and we must respect the separation of powers under our constitution,” said Lomuro.

“At the same time, we must have an acute and common perception of our problem and do all that is necessary to mitigate the impact of corruption in our society”, he added.

Lomuro said fighting corruption was to correct certain wrong doings.

“The aim of fighting corruption is most importantly, to remedy the dark sides of bad governance, such as poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease, as well as improving the well-being of the citizens, hence, we must pay equal attention to the economy which is the bedrock of all-round development,” stressed the minister.

“The beginning of getting leadership right is to make the electoral system transparent and credible to ensure that only the choices of the people are actually elected into electable political offices,” he added.

Meanwhile the parliamentary affairs minister, Peter Bashir Gbandi challenged public institutions to come up with clear actions plans and strategies capable of helping to resolve the leadership challenge in the country to usher in the desired development.

He, however, called on government officials and lawmakers to lead the way through effective leadership for a solid footing for the country's citizens to see.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Agar called on the American administration under President Donald Trump to invite Sudanese opposition forces to Washington to discuss peace in Sudan.

The call comes after reports about a consultations meeting that the Cater Center plans to hold next July in Atlanta, Georgia between the warring parties in Sudan to explore ways to support the stalled African Union efforts for peace in Sudan.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday, the SPLM-N Agar spokesperson, Mubarak Ardol, warned against the use of Cater meeting to cover the lift on the economic embargo.

"If the opposition is invited to Washington why it is not invited by the (American) Administration as the former administration has been inviting the regime? And this should be apart from any meetings with the government," said Ardol.

He further said that such a meeting will provide the opportunity for the opposition to present its point of view, in particular, there is a new administration with which they would like to raise the opposition's view on Sudan's current situation.

Last Sunday, Gibril Ibrahim the leader of Justice and Equality Movement, confirmed to Sudan Tribune they had been approached by the Carter Center for the meeting but he stressed they do not expect the meeting takes place soon, adding they have not yet received an official invitation until now.

Ardol said they didn't receive an invitation from the Cater Center for the consultations.

But he added they had been reached by international circles to explore our views on the initiative of Carter Center to gather the government and the opposition to meet in Atlanta, Georgia, "and asked questions from the Carter Center about how to represent the SPLM-N".

In December 2016, the SPLM-N declined an invitation by the Carter Center for a workshop in Nairobi to discuss how to bring peace in Sudan gathering the opposition forces.

The African Union High-Level Implementation Pane (AUHIP)has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However, since last August, the peace talks are deadlocked over the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals.

Already, Germany and Uganda had organised unofficial consultations meetings between the government and armed opposition groups in order to narrow the gaps between the warring parties without tangible progress.

(ST)

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June 21, 2017(BOR) - The Rome-based Vatican has announced a $500,000 donation from Pope Francis to support South Sudan crisis.

Pope Francis recieves the flag of South Sudan from Choul Laam (Vatican photo)

The donation, according to a statement, would be channelled through Caritas along with other two Catholic groups working in South Sudan to support education, health and agriculture projects in the country.

Caritas International made this announcement on 21 June.

South Sudan, the United Nations say, has nearly 2 million people are on the brink of starvation and that an estimated 6 million people were likely to experience severe food insecurity in the coming weeks.

“The Holy Father does not forget the unheard and silent victims of this bloody and in human conflict, and he does not forget all those people who are forced to flee their native country as a result of abuse, injustice and war,” partly reads Caritas's statement.

Caritas International's Secretary General, Michel Roy said the Pope wants much more to be done to end the suffering in South Sudan.

“The world needs to follow the example of Pope Francis and not abandon South Sudan,” said Roy.

He called for an increase in humanitarian support for South Sudan.

The donation from the Pontiff will reportedly cover three projects, including supporting two hospitals run by the Comboni sisters in Wau and Tombura in Gbudue states. Others are for the purchase of seeds and tools in Tombura, Yei, Torit, Malakai and Juba for 2,250 families.

Also earmarked to benefit from the fund are teachers, nurses, midwives, agriculturalists and the community leaders in Yambio.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (RUMBEK) – At least 35 people have been killed in revenge attacks that occurred in South Sudan's Western Lakes state between Rup and Pakam communities of Rumbek Central county.

Map detail showing South Sudan's Lakes state in red

The clashes, local officials told Sudan Tribune, erupted when a pastoralist was reportedly shot dead by a suspected armed youth.

Up to 40 people were reportedly wounded during the same attack.

A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer in Rumbek County described it as the ever fight that ended without state intervention.

Meanwhile the Commissioner of Alor County, Stephen Mathiang Deng denied allegations that security forces failed to intervene.

He urged the national government to seek a quick solution to end cycles of revenge attacks in Western Lakes state capital, Rumbek.

Cycles of revenge attacks become rampant in the region in the aftermath of Matur Chut Dhuol's re-appointment as governor by President Salva Kiir early this year. Dhuol replaced Abraham Makoi Bol.

(ST)

With Uganda hosting almost one million South Sudanese refugees &#8220as sisters and brothers and sharing with them their land and everything they have,&#8221 United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today urged the international community to show solidarity with those that had fled their homes, as well as with the Ugandan Government and people.

June 21, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, Steven Koutsis Wednesday reiterated the support of his country for a stable Sudan, adding that the African Union roadmap remains the only way for a peaceful solution.

Koutsis made his remarks at the end of a three-day visit to North, Central and East Darfur states that he described as "fruitful".

He said the visit enabled him to see the consequences of war and the positives effects of humanitarian assistance to the civilians in the war-affected areas.

"I reiterated the United States' support for a peaceful and stable Sudan. I have also made it very clear ?that negotiations for a lasting peace based on the African Union roadmap is the only way to settle differences. Returning to war is not an option," he said in a written statement posted on the embassy's page on Facebook.

He further called on all the warring parties to sign a humanitarian cessation of hostilities and to join the negotiating table to achieve peace and stability.

The government and armed groups failed in August 2017 to ink a cessation of hostilities and a humanitarian agreement to reach the needy in the war-affected zones. Washington has made some proposals to encourage the parties but in vain.

For the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, a recent rift in the group is delaying the resumption of talks as the SPLM-N has suspended its participation in the peace process until the settlement of the internal crisis.

For Darfur, the divergence over the framework of the political process prevented any progress. The mediation and facilitators are struggling to find a common group between Khartoum and the armed groups.

"I hope to return soon to Darfur to see the progress the government and people have made in securing peace," Koutsis said.

The American diplomat concluded on Wednesday was in East Darfur State to visit South Sudanese refugees who fled violence and hunger in South Sudan. He celebrated World Refugee Day in El-Nimir camp in Ed Daein.

He discussed with representatives ?of East Darfur Humanitarian Aid Commission and Commission for Refugees the ongoing aid operation to South Sudanese refugees

"We commended them on the work they have done to respond to the refugee crisis and their efforts in facilitating NGO and UN agencies' access to all areas of East Darfur," he said.

(ST)

By Salman M.A. Salman

A summit of the head of states of the Nile Basin countries is planned for June 22, 2017, in Entebbe, Uganda, to discuss the impasse over the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). The summit is to be preceded by a meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the Nile countries on June 20 – 21, 2017. The purpose of this Note is to clarify the differences over the CFA, and to propose a roadmap for resolving these differences.

The CFA and the Differences Thereon

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) was born on February 22, 1999, in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania, following the signing of the minutes of the meeting by nine of the Nile ministers of water resources in attendance. The NBI was facilitated by a number of donors led by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The NBI was established as a transitional arrangement to foster cooperation and sustainable development of the Nile River for the benefit of the inhabitants of those countries. The NBI is guided by a shared vision “to achieve sustainable socio-economic development through equitable utilisation of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources.”

Work started immediately on the CFA, and lasted ten years. However, by 2009, major differences over some basic issues erupted, and could not be resolved, neither at the technical, nor at the political levels, leading to the impasse on the CFA. These major differences persisted as a result of the resurfacing and hardening of the respective positions of the Nile riparians over the colonial treaties, as well as the Egyptian and Sudanese claims to what they see as their acquired uses and rights of the Nile waters, and the rejection of these claims by the upper riparians.

The first difference related to water security. Article 14 of the CFA required the Basin states to work together to ensure that all states achieve and sustain water security. However, this paragraph did not satisfy Egypt and Sudan who wanted to ensure, through an additional clause, that their existing uses and rights are fully protected under the CFA. Consequently, Egypt and Sudan demanded and insisted that Article 14 of the CFA should include a specific provision, to be added at the end of the Article, that would oblige the Basin states “not to adversely affect the water security and current uses and rights of any other Nile Basin State.” This demand was rejected by the upper riparians who saw it as a denial of the basic principle of equitable and reasonable utilisation, and a breach of the vision of the NBI itself.

The second major difference related to the concept of notification, demanded by Egypt and Sudan and rejected by the upper riparians. The upper riparians saw it as a means for Egypt and Sudan to invoke the colonial treaties and their claim of veto power.

While the impasse persisted, on May 14, 2010, four of the Nile riparians (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda) signed the CFA in Entebbe, Uganda. They were joined five days later by Kenya, and by Burundi on February 28, 2011. The CFA has thus far been ratified by Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda. It needs a total of six instruments of ratification/accession to enter into force. Egypt and Sudan continue to vehemently reject the CFA.

Developments Since Conclusion of the CFA

The upper riparians continued with their projects on the Nile notwithstanding the impasse over the CFA, and the erosion of the NBI. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which commenced in 2011, has proven a major challenge to, and a source of a bitter dispute between Ethiopia on the one hand, and Egypt and Sudan on the other. However, by December 2013, Sudan broke ranks with Egypt and declared its full support of the GERD.

Egypt followed, albeit reluctantly, fifteen months later. Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia concluded in March 2015, through their head of states the Agreement on Declaration of Principles on the GERD (DoP). Egypt and Sudan basically accepted, through the DoP, the GERD and declared for the first time ever “the significance of the River Nile as a source of livelihood and the significant resource to the development of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.” The three countries agreed further “to cooperate based on common understanding, mutual benefit, good faith, win-win, and the principles of international law, (as well as) in understanding upstream and downstream needs in its various aspects.” The DoP went on to state explicitly that “the purpose of the GERD is for power generation to contribute to economic development, promotion of transboundary cooperation and regional integration…”

The DoP included other provisions on equitable and reasonable utilisation, the obligation not to cause significant harm, as well as a peaceful settlement of disputes. It also contained explicit provisions on the GERD, including cooperation on filling its reservoir, as well as its safety. The DoP was confirmed nine months later through the signature by the three countries of the Khartoum Document in December 2015 at their 4th tripartite meeting.

Breaking the Impasse

These developments clearly annulled Egypt and Sudan previously held a position of securing all the Nile waters for their exclusive use through existing uses and rights and the veto power over other Nile countries' projects. Equality of all the riparians, as pronounced by the Permanent Court of International Justice in the 1929 River Oder case, and reconfirmed by the International Court of Justice in the 1997 Gab?íkovo-Nagymaros Project case, is now fully accepted by Egypt and Sudan. Similarly, Egypt and Sudan have confirmed their acceptance of the basic and cardinal principle of international water law of equitable and reasonable utilisation.

The consequent and logical step for Egypt and Sudan is to drop their demand for recognition of their existing uses and rights as a part of the water security paragraph of the CFA. Indeed, the whole section of the CFA on water security is no longer needed, given that the CFA includes the same provisions of the United Nations Watercourses Convention (UNWC) on equitable and reasonable utilisation, as well as on the obligation not to cause significant harm. It is worth mentioning that the UNWC includes no provisions on water security, as this is not a legal concept – merely a political pronouncement.

The quid pro quo for Egypt and Sudan agreeing to drop their demand for recognition of their existing uses and rights is to include provisions in the CFA similar to those of the UNWC on the notification. This should cause no alarm to the upper riparians as the basis of Egypt and Sudan of their veto power in case of notification – the colonial treaties – is no longer on the table since the two countries have accepted the principle of equality of all the riparians. Besides, a notification could take place through the Commission to be established under the CFA, or through the ministerial council of the Nile Basin States as happened in the latter years of the NBI before the differences erupted over the CFA.

This compromise would address the concerns of both Egypt and Sudan on the one hand and those of the upper riparians on the other. Its details can be successfully worked out through good faith negotiations if the political will among the Nile riparians exist. Indeed, this political will is urgently needed to resolve the differences over the CFA and conclude an agreement that is inclusive of all the Nile riparians, so as to pull the 250 million inhabitants of the Nile Basin out of their poverty, underdevelopment, hunger and darkness.The first difference related to water security. Article 14 of the CFA required the Basin states to work together to ensure that all states achieve and sustain water security. However, this paragraph did not satisfy Egypt and Sudan who wanted to ensure, through an additional clause, that their existing uses and rights are fully protected under the CFA. Consequently, Egypt and Sudan demanded and insisted that Article 14 of the CFA should include a specific provision, to be added at the end of the Article, that would oblige the Basin states “not to adversely affect the water security and current uses and rights of any other Nile Basin State.” This demand was rejected by the upper riparians who saw it as a denial of the basic principle of equitable and reasonable utilisation, and a breach of the vision of the NBI itself.

The second major difference related to the concept of notification, demanded by Egypt and Sudan and rejected by the upper riparians. The upper riparians saw it as a means for Egypt and Sudan to invoke the colonial treaties and their claim of veto power.

While the impasse persisted, on May 14, 2010, four of the Nile riparians (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda) signed the CFA in Entebbe, Uganda. They were joined five days later by Kenya, and by Burundi on February 28, 2011. The CFA has thus far been ratified by Ethiopia, Tanzania and Rwanda. It needs a total of six instruments of ratification/accession to enter into force. Egypt and Sudan continue to vehemently reject the CFA.

Developments Since Conclusion of the CFA

The upper riparians continued with their projects on the Nile notwithstanding the impasse over the CFA, and the erosion of the NBI. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which commenced in 2011, has proven a major challenge to, and a source of a bitter dispute between Ethiopia on the one hand, and Egypt and Sudan on the other. However, by December 2013, Sudan broke ranks with Egypt and declared its full support of the GERD.

Egypt followed, albeit reluctantly, fifteen months later. Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia concluded in March 2015, through their head of states the Agreement on Declaration of Principles on the GERD (DoP). Egypt and Sudan basically accepted, through the DoP, the GERD and declared for the first time ever “the significance of the River Nile as a source of livelihood and the significant resource to the development of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.” The three countries agreed further “to cooperate based on common understanding, mutual benefit, good faith, win-win, and the principles of international law, (as well as) in understanding upstream and downstream needs in its various aspects.” The DoP went on to state explicitly that “the purpose of the GERD is for power generation to contribute to economic development, promotion of transboundary cooperation and regional integration…”

The DoP included other provisions on equitable and reasonable utilisation, the obligation not to cause significant harm, as well as a peaceful settlement of disputes. It also contained explicit provisions on the GERD, including cooperation on filling its reservoir, as well as its safety. The DoP was confirmed nine months later through the signature by the three countries of the Khartoum Document in December 2015 at their 4th tripartite meeting.

Breaking the Impasse

These developments clearly annulled Egypt and Sudan previously held a position of securing all the Nile waters for their exclusive use through existing uses and rights and the veto power over other Nile countries' projects. Equality of all the riparians, as pronounced by the Permanent Court of International Justice in the 1929 River Oder case, and reconfirmed by the International Court of Justice in the 1997 Gab?íkovo-Nagymaros Project case, is now fully accepted by Egypt and Sudan. Similarly, Egypt and Sudan have confirmed their acceptance of the basic and cardinal principle of international water law of equitable and reasonable utilisation.

The consequent and logical step for Egypt and Sudan is to drop their demand for recognition of their existing uses and rights as a part of the water security paragraph of the CFA. Indeed, the whole section of the CFA on water security is no longer needed, given that the CFA includes the same provisions of the United Nations Watercourses Convention (UNWC) on equitable and reasonable utilisation, as well as on the obligation not to cause significant harm. It is worth mentioning that the UNWC includes no provisions on water security, as this is not a legal concept – merely a political pronouncement.

The quid pro quo for Egypt and Sudan agreeing to drop their demand for recognition of their existing uses and rights is to include provisions in the CFA similar to those of the UNWC on the notification. This should cause no alarm to the upper riparians as the basis of Egypt and Sudan of their veto power in case of notification – the colonial treaties – is no longer on the table since the two countries have accepted the principle of equality of all the riparians. Besides, the notification could take place through the Commission to be established under the CFA, or through the ministerial council of the Nile Basin States as happened in the latter years of the NBI before the differences erupted over the CFA.

This compromise would address the concerns of both Egypt and Sudan on the one hand and those of the upper riparians on the other. Its details can be successfully worked out through good faith negotiations if the political will among the Nile riparians exist. Indeed, this political will is urgently needed to resolve the differences over the CFA and conclude an agreement that is inclusive of all the Nile riparians, so as to pull the 250 million inhabitants of the Nile Basin out of their poverty, underdevelopment, hunger and darkness.

Dr. Salman M.A. Salman, an academic researcher and consultant on water law and policy and Editor-in-Chief of Brill Research Perspectives, International Water Law. Until 2009, he served as Lead Counsel and Water Law Adviser for the World Bank. He can be reached at SalmanMASalman@gmail.com.

June 21, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A Sudanese military plane crashed on Wednesday in the Northern State, killing all four crew members on board, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) said.

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune Wednesday, SAF spokesperson Ahmed Khalifa al-Shami said the “Mi-17 helicopter crashed after taking off on an official mission from Dongola Airport to El-Daba town”.

He blamed “bad weather conditions” for the incident, saying all four crew have been killed without disclosing the identities of the victims.

Sudan's air force fleet of Russian-made planes and helicopters has suffered a number of losses in recent years, with the military frequently blaming technical problems.

Last October, a Bo 360 helicopter crashed in Um Hani area, White Nile State, 105 kilometres south of Khartoum killing the pilot and injuring two crew members.

In April 2016, an Antonov 26 fighter jet crashed while landing at the airport in El Obied, the capital of North Kordofan state, killing all five crew members on board.

Also, 32 people were killed in August 2012 when their Antonov AN-26 crashed in Talodi, South Kordofan's third-largest town.

In October 2012, an Antonov plane crashed in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman killing 12 people.

Two air force crew died in June 2013 when their helicopter crashed in war-torn Blue Nile state, just a week after one went down in South Kordofan.

(ST)

June 21, 2017 (NYALA) - Heavy rains and severe flooding have completely destroyed 1100 houses at Kalma camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), some 18 kilometres south-east of Nyala, South Darfur state capital.

A group of women build a shelter in Kalma camp for internally displaced people in South Darfur on 9 March 2014 (Photo: UNAMID/Albert Gonzalez Farran)

The Deputy Chairman of IDPs and Refugees Association Adam Abdallah told Sudan Tribune heavy rains on Tuesday have caused flash floods destroying 110 homes, saying thousands of IDPs are now living in the open under very dire humanitarian conditions.

He added there is an urgent need to provide the IDPs with food and shelter as well as developing health precautions to respond to any emergencies, calling on the national and foreign aid groups and the government to act immediately to avoid further deterioration in the humanitarian situation.

Abdallah pointed out that most of those affected are women, children and the elderly, saying they are incapable of encountering the damage on their own.

Kalma, which is the home of some 100,000 residents, is considered the largest IDPs camp in Darfur.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the conflict, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

June 21, 2017 (NEW YORK) – The government and the armed opposition bear the responsibility for South Sudan humanitarian tragedy and political instability, said the head of UN Peacekeeping Department on Wednesday.

"We must not lose sight of the fact that this tragedy is man-made" (...) It is the result of deliberate decisions by the SPLA-in Government, the SPLA-in-Opposition and various other entities, to prosecute and sustain armed conflict to achieve political goals," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix in a briefing on the situation in South Sudan to the UN Security Council.

The French diplomat told the 15-member body that the government forces, despite the unilateral ceasefire announced earlier by President Salva Kiir, dislodged the opposition SPLA-IO forces from their strongholds on the west bank of the Nile River. In the east, it has taken towns in northern Greater Jonglei.

"In the west, clashes between Government and Opposition forces around Wau led to 22,000 people taking refuge with the mission. And fighting in the south has left towns in the Equatorias with as little as 10% of their previous populations," he added.
However, Lacroix stressed that the United Nations continues to make every effort to implement its commitment to the country, adding that“only a truly inclusive political process and the genuine political will” of the key protagonists to end the conflict and implement agreements they reached will bring peace to the war-torn country.

The over three-year conflict has left more than half of South Sudan's population in need of food aid. Furthermore, a third of its population is displaced and half of those displaced have sought refuge in neighbouring Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.

The IGAD leaders recently decided to hold a forum to revitalise the implementation of a peace agreement it brokered between the warring parties, but the resumption of hostilities in July 2017 broke the enforcement of the deal and was followed by the resumption of hostilities.

The head of UN peacekeeping department informed the Security Council that in the midst of the fighting, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is “doing its utmost” to protect civilians.

“Our peacekeepers are persistent in getting through checkpoints to reach vulnerable populations, even when the patrols are threatened and, at times, shot at […], giving the populations confidence that we are there to protect them enables us to report human rights abuses and helps us to support our humanitarian partners in ensuring that assistance goes to those who need it most.”

He further pointed that some issues concerning the plot of land provided by the Government to the Rapid Protection Force (RPF), to establish its northern basing site, are behind the delay in its deployment. The RPF is tasked with the security in and around capital Juba.

Concerning the pledge made by President Kiir to release political prisoners, Lacroix told the Council that while one UN staff member was released recently, two others have been held for two years without charge, and another has recently been detained in Rumbek.

“We must judge the President's commitments by his actions, not his words,” he said.

Lacroix, also calling for full freedom of movement for the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to monitor and verify ceasefire violations as well as UNMISS, “which have faced far too many obstructions to their movements, making their work extremely challenging, and in some cases, impossible.”

In his remarks before the Security Council, the Chargé d'Affaires of South Sudanese mission to the UN, Ambassador Joseph Mourn Malok, said the situation in the country is relatively calm since Kiir's declaration of a unilateral ceasefire.

"In order for the unilateral ceasefire to hold, we call upon the Security Council and the International Community to call on the other stakeholders to respect the ceasefire so as to allow the humanitarian actors to pass," he said.

The Council members may issue a press statement after a consultations meeting but they remain divided on the way forward, as some members support an arms embargo and more targeted sanctions, measures that reject some others describing it "counterproductive".

(ST)

June 21, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government welcomed and commended, on Wednesday, the joint national and international efforts collaboratively exerted to avert famine from occurring in the east African country.

These efforts were the result of the immediate and sustained multi-sector humanitarian assistance delivered to the population in the conflict-affected areas where the government is fighting opposition armed groups since over three years.

“This encouraging result clearly reflects the commitment the government has made to provide unfettered access to the humanitarian organisations to all parts of the country,” said Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

"It is through these concerted efforts that the famine has been averted and as the government, we would like to commend and appreciate the work of the humanitarian organisation and reaffirm our commitment to working together to improve the situation," he added.

Minister Lomuro, who is also the head of the South Sudanese task force responsible for monitoring and coordinating administrative efforts to remove blockages and provide access to humanitarian agencies, said the government would continue to exert more efforts in this respect.

He was reacting to the reports that were released on Wednesday by South Sudan's National Bureau of Statistics and the UN's updated food and security analysis which showed famine was no longer taking place. The report, however, warned that the situation remains desperate as the number of people at risk of starvation increased during May.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report shows 1.7 million people are still facing emergency levels of hunger, one step below famine.

In February, South Sudan declared two counties in Unity State as famine-hit areas.

The IPC report says the current situation in the areas has improved, however, there are certain areas still in critical condition. Though early detection and a rapid response succeeded in pulling them out of famine and grouped them under a Phase 5 classification, according to the World Food Program analysis.

The UN had warned of a worsening humanitarian situation and emphasised that downgrading the level of existing famine in the region does not mean the situation has completely improved. An estimated 45,000 people are still facing starvation in Leer, Koch and Mayendit Counties, with additional areas across the country having deteriorated as well.

The report shows former Jonglei State which had one of the lowest levels of acute malnutrition with roughly 20,000 people currently experiencing catastrophic food insecurity.

Yei, Lainya, Morobo, Kajo-Keji and Magwi, which were areas in Equatoria region classified as greenbelt areas are facing crisis and emergency levels of acute food insecurity. The conflict in the country is an attributing cause that has driven people out of their homes, resulting and subsequently leading to severe effects on agricultural activities and markets.

The Western Upper Nile region is equally experiencing food insecurity, especially in Manyo, Panyikang, and Fashoda where large displacements have occurred due to the ongoing armed conflict. Through a situational analysis, it has been found that former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State is facing severe food insecurity caused by high food prices and diminished household purchasing power.

While Western Bahr el Ghazal State saw a rise in armed conflict in the counties of Wau and Raga, the disruption of trade, displaced of populations, and livelihoods have been destroyed.

(ST)

June 21, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government on Wednesday denied media reports that the decision to ban the Egyptian agricultural products has been reversed.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) has quoted the state minister of commerce Al-Sadiq Mohamed Ali as saying “the measures that have been taken to ban some Egyptian products are still in force”.

He stressing there was nothing new on this matter, saying the reasons which led to banning the Egyptian products still exist.

Last September, Sudanese government temporarily suspended all imports of vegetables, fruit and fish from Egypt following U.S. reports about cases of strawberries from Egypt causing chronic hepatitis and other diseases.

Also, seven countries including Kuwait, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Japan have taken strict measures banning imports of Egyptian agricultural products.

Last month, Sudan's Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh issued a decision to continue the ban on Egyptian farming products and to stop the importation of any seeds or seedlings from the neighbouring country.

The Sudanese authorities in March expanded the list of banned Egyptian farming products by adding agricultural goods and products, canned fish and manufactured goods, following reports that these products were rotten.

Tensions between Khartoum and Cairo have escalated following the former's decision to restrict imports of Egyptian farming products which was reciprocated by Cairo's decision to raise residency fees for Sudanese living in Egypt.

The deterioration of bilateral relations between the two countries goes back to the attempt to assassinate President Hosni Mubarak in June 1995 followed by the deployment of Egyptian troops in the disputed area of Halayeb triangle.

(ST)