Africa

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese foreign ministry said on Tuesday it will represent the interests of Yemen in Qatar after the rupture of diplomatic relations between the two countries earlier this month.

Ibrahim Ghandour (Photo Suna)

"Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has received a message from his Yemeni counterpart (...) including a request that Sudan takes on the role of ‘protecting power', looking after the interests of the Yemen in Qatar," said a short statement issued in Khartoum.

The Minister expressed Sudan's acceptance of the request based on the strong ties between the Sudanese and Yemeni peoples.

Earlier this month, Yemen's internationally recognised government severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of working with its enemies in the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The Yemeni decision to cut ties with Qatar came on 5 June hours after Saudi Arabia and two other Gulf countries had announced the cut of diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar, accusing the wealthy state of funding terrorist groups in the region and developing strong relations Iran.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir met with King Salman on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to discuss its rift with Qatar and to propose his efforts to end the Gulf crisis in support of the Kuwaiti mediation.

The Saudi News Agency reported that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud received President al-Bashir at the royal palace in Makkah, adding they break their fast together in presence of over 20 princes.

However, the official agency didn't elaborate about bilateral talks between the Saudi monarch and the Sudanese president who is on an unofficial visit to the Kingdom.

Nonetheless, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour who is part of the presidential delegation stated that al-Bashir in his meeting with King Salman would discuss the Gulf crisis and support mediation efforts of the Kuwaiti Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Unlike several Arab countries, Khartoum didn't cut diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar and called to ease the tensions between three Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UEA with the tiny Gulf country.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over alleged accusations that Doha was supporting terrorist groups who are threats to the region's peace and security including Hamas. Also, they say that Qatar is siding Iran. But, Doha rejects all these accusations.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (JUBA) – A leading member of the Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders Tuesday said the reunification initiative being facilitated by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, should not only be honoured by the three factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) but also needs to be expanded to governance matters.

“This peace initiative being mediated and sponsored personally by President Museveni must be honoured by the three SPLM factions. Many people feel that the initiative should not be limited to the outcome of the ongoing reconciliation to Arusha's reunification of SPLMs 2014 agreement per se, but the SPLM should widen, transmit and expand on democratic reforms for the coming constitutional, making of the whole nation,” wrote Aldo Ajou Deng Akuey.

President Museveni, he added, should open up a wider door to route through a peaceful resolution of the conflict, based on universal liberties, freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, and not rule by law.

“Such comprehensive democratic reforms will relieve the SPLM from being a government movement or a government party, a system of authoritarian governance the SPLM has possessed from 1983 to date. There are many alternatives to pursue towards sustainable peace by breaking up, at this stage, the present political stalemate,” he added.

Akuey who leads a parliamentary committee for human rights, legal and constitutional affairs at the Council of States in South Sudans' parliament, explained in an opinion article released to the public on Tuesday, that the expansion of the SPLM reforms should include, an inclusive national federal constitution, liberal and free democracy and the rule of law.

The opinion article also mentioned the inclusivity of political and economic institutions and the modern creative destruction for immediate industrialisation, thus avoiding extractive political and economic institutions that promote dictatorship or an authoritarian system of government.

Such a political arrangement is best suitable for the unification of a country and its people.

"By this, the SPLM factions will come out with peace, unity and national construction for the whole country. Thus the partisan competition will open up, embracing the norms and principles of change of government through the elections," added Akuey.

(ST)

Many young Somalis risk everything trying to seek a better life in the Middle East or Europe - often because this is the only way they can afford to get married.

June 20, 2017 (JUBA) – The former South Sudanese army chief of general staff, General Paul Malong Awan said on Tuesday that he was aware all the ill-treatments being given to those loyal to him were a ploy to provoke reactions.

“I know the intentions. They are looking for reactions but let's not do it in their way. If we do so, we will have helped them achieve their objectives,” said Awan during a meeting at his residence in Juba with the family members and friends of the arrested presidential guard officer.

However, he did not cite the names of his supporters who were being mistreated and who was mistreating them.

Last May, South Sudan President Salva Kiir relieved, Awan from his position, among unconfirmed reports that the security service suspects him and his close aides of preparing a coup against Kiir.

Observers in Juba say Malong comments hint to the denied request to return to his area of origin in the Bahr el-Ghazal province and the replacement of all the officers who left with him after his sack. Mor'e recently, the security service arrested a presidential guard officer who is seen as one of his supporters.

Last week, first Lt Lual Akeen Akken Akec was arrested by national security services. The cause of his arrest remains speculative. His whereabouts remains unknown to his relatives since his detention.

Relatives and security sources have been providing conflicting information. Relatives have attributed the cause of his arrest to “a well-designed plan aimed at removing him from the presidency and other key strategic and influential positions in the military office, along with those who have a close connection with Gen Awan.”

Brig Gen Jel Mangok Jel and Yel Deng Nguel, two of the officers who left Juba in May with Gen Awan before to be forced to return to Juba, have reportedly been unable to get permissions to travel home to Aweil or travel abroad to visit their children at school in Uganda, despite having made numerous requests.

Major Gen Akec Adim, who was the overall head of the military police, has been sacked from his position during recent command changes made by the new SPLA chief of general staff, Gen. James Ajonga.

Local politicians previously seen loyal to Gen Awan in the states of what was the former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State - before splitting into two separate administrative units through a 2015 presidential establishment order - have also been removed from their positions.

Aweil State Governor, Ranald Ruay Deng, the Speaker of Aweil East, Akoon Diing Angok, Security Advisor, Bona Makuac Mawien and Political Advisor James Jok Lual, all were in the government of Aweil East State have also been removed from their positions.

Other low-level military officers and officials loyal to Awan also appear affected by the changes.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) Minni Minnawi has recognised Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu as Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N).

SLM-MM leader Minni Minnawi (AP Photo)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, he also called on the conflicting parties within the Movement to overcome their differences so as not to harm the struggle against the ruling regime.

As a result of a rift that started earlier this year and its successive developments, the SPLM-N is now split into two factions one led by Malik Agar and the other by his rival al-Hilu.

Al-Hilu, who gained the support of the Movement's army, has removed Malik Agar from the leadership of the armed group together with the Secretary General Yasser Arman after they rejected his demand for the self-determination.

In a letter addressed to al-Hilu, Agar and Arman Tuesday, Minnawi called on al-Hilu to win back his comrades in order to benefit from their expertise, describing Arman and Agar as “treasures” that should be preserved.

“Particularly, after you gained support and trust of the Movement's institutions and the popular army which imposes the greatest responsibility upon you,” he added.

He also called on al-Hilu to welcome any initiative aiming to rebuild the rebel umbrella Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) or establish any alternative strong alliance among the lively forces in Sudan.

The rebel leader proposed that more realistic efforts should be made to establish new and strong alliances that could avoid the flaws which have weakened the role of the SRF and hindered the strategic goal of toppling the regime and bringing about the desired change.

It is noteworthy that the SRF, since October 2015, split into two factions one headed by Malik Agar and the second by the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Gibril Ibrahim following differences between the SPLM-N and Darfur movements on the chairmanship of the rebel umbrella.

Also before the political split, al-Hilu who was the commander in chief of the SRF forces, dissolved the joint military command and encouraged the rebel commanders from Darfur region to leave with their fighters the SPLM-N controlled areas in South Kordofan.

Minnawi expressed his movement's readiness to provide the necessary support to settle the differences within the SPLM-N in order to achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

He further praised Agar and Arman for calling to maintain the unity of the SPLA-N, urging all parties to work to remove the reasons behind the recent escalation.

He urged them to not seek to establish a new movement, saying such a move would adversely impact on the struggle against the regime.

“Therefore, we call on you to wait a little and listen and give a chance to the institutions of your Movement for the sake of its unity. History requires you to give the necessary appreciation of the comradeship that brought you together all these years for the cause of the homeland,” he said.

The Sudanese army has been fighting SPLM-N rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Tuesday brought home eight children whose parents have joined the Jihadist Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya.

The representative of the Anti-Terrorism Department at the NISS, Brig. Gen. Al- Tigani Ibrahim, told reporters at Khartoum airport upon arrival of the kids they are exerting significant efforts to repatriate the Sudanese who have joined the Islamic group in Libya.

He added that 8 children have been brought back, pointing to ongoing contacts in coordination with the Libyan Red Crescent to bring back 4 others who are currently present in the town of Misrata.

The security official thanked the Libyan Attorney General's Office and the Misrata County as well as the Sudanese Embassy in Tripoli and the Sudanese community, pointing to continued efforts to repatriate mothers of the children from Libya.

For his part, the head of the Sudanese community in Misrata Muataz Mirghani said the Libyan authorities have fully cooperated with them to return the children to Sudan, pointing to ongoing efforts to bring back mothers of those kids who are being detained in Libya.

He added that 6 women who joined ISIS are currently held in Libya, saying fathers of some of the children have been killed while the fate of the rest is unknown to the Libyan authorities.

Mirghani stressed all fathers hold the Sudanese citizenship.

Last February, the NISS brought back a four-month-old baby girl whose parents were killed in Libya while fighting for ISIS.

In 2015, the Ministry of Interior in Khartoum announced that about 70 Sudanese had gone to join the ISIS franchises, both in Libya and Syria.

However, experts on Islamic groups put the total number of the Sudanese fighters within ISIS at 150 Jihadists, saying that 56 of them had travelled to join the extremist organisation from countries other than Sudan.

They say that 35 of them have been killed in Iraq and Syria while 20 others have died in Libya.

(ST)

The most expensive cities around the globe for expats to live in are revealed in an annual survey.

He held the child out of a window in a high-rise building to attract "likes" on Facebook.

Tension has mounted after Qatar withdrew its peacekeepers guarding the disputed border between Eritrea and Djibouti

Mari Malek came to the US as a child refugee. Now she uses her supermodel status to advocate for children affected by war in South Sudan.

Tunisian women are expected to be virgins when they marry, leading some to have hymen surgery.

He fought stigma and violence to become a gospel star in Kenya.

Engy El Shazly started learning ballet at 27 while wearing her Islamic headscarf.

Mariam Staford Bandaba was attacked in Tanzania by a gang of men who chopped off her arms, believing albino body parts had magic properties. She is now able to work as a weaver.

His neighbours, in what is probably the world's most famous slum, stare but he doesn't care.

Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey returns to Sierra Leone for the first time since contracting Ebola there.

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

June 14, 2017 (BENTIU) – A medical officer at Bentiu hospital has admitted the rise in Malaria cases, but dismissed its outbreak.

A WHO free malaria testing and treatment campaign in Juba (WHO)

“There are cases of malaria, which is alarming, but doesn't reach the level of outbreak,” Giel Yoach Thidor told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

Bentiu hospital is currently the only congested health center as members of neighboring countries often seek treatment there.

Malaria is a life-threatening blood disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito.

Most of those affected, officials said, are children and mothers who affected who are suffering from the ongoing war in the country, as the hospital has reportedly run short of medicines and other facilities.

A resident of Bentiu, speaking to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, attributed the catastrophe to poor sanitation in the area.

He urged Nuer community worldwide to help overcome the situation facing children and mothers in Bentiu before it gets out of hand.

Before conflict broke out in December 2013, Bentiu hospital was one of the best equipped hospital in South Sudan with all types of operations and specialized doctors as well as nurses in the world's youngest nation.

(ST)

June 14, 2017 (IMATONG) - South Sudan's armed opposition faction have accused government forces and their allied militias of violating the unilateral ceasefire by attacking civilians in Imatong state.

The map of Eastern Equatoria state in red

The army opposition's deputy spokesperson, Lam Paul said pro-government forces launched coordinated attacks onto their bases.

“Pro-government forces came out in multiple directions of Torit, Palotaka and Magwi with the aim to retake Moti, Iyire and Iholong areas now under our control,” Lam told Sudan Tribune Wednesday.

The rebel official said pro-government forces suffered heavy casualties, claims Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.

The rebel appointed governor of Imatong state, Oyet Nathaniel confirmed the attack, saying large numbers of civilians vacated Lyire and Ifotu payams and moved towards Imatong mountain ranges.

“The government used civilians especially women and children as human shields as they led them towards heavily fortified SPLM-A/IO headquarters in Imatong state. The government has flagrantly violated their ceasefire and reaffirmed their pursuit of military solutions to the conflict in South Sudan,” Oyet told Sudan Tribune.

“This is an act of cowardice and flagrant violation of the so-called unilateral ceasefire. SPLM-A/IO will never accept or adhere to any ceasefire which is not negotiated. Its bait meant to lure weak-hearted,” he added.

The attack, if confirmed, totally violates the unilateral ceasefire announced by President Salva Kiir as he launched the national dialogue initiative last month.

The South Sudanese government on Wednesday renewed accusations that Sudan allegedly supported its armed opposition fighters with ammunition and logistics in the wake of fresh clashes near the Sudanese border this week.

Tens of thousand of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced in South Sudan's worst-ever violence since it seceded from Sudan in 2011.

(ST)