Africa

Millions of dollars worth of cash are discovered in a flat in Lagos, Nigeria.

Maria Borges says it is an honour to be the first African on the front of the magazine in 20 years.

Spaniard Lucas Alcaraz is named as the new national team coach of Algeria just three days after being sacked as coach of Granada.

Many children who live on Lake Bunyiyoni in south-western Uganda have to cross the water every day to get to school.

Esraa was turned away from all but one of Egypt's dental schools but that didn't stop her from becoming the country's first deaf dentist.

Tensions exist between Christians and Muslims in many parts of the Middle East, including Egypt - though less so among the Nubians of the upper Nile.

Zambia's opposition leader has been charged with treason after his convoy refused to pull over for the president's motorcade.

The United Nations envoy for Africa&#39s Great Lakes region encouraged today the countries of the region, and the UN Security Council, to help strengthen the fight against illegal armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighbours, particularly as elements of the former M23 rebel group have resurfaced.

The use of children, particularly girls, by the Boko Haram terrorist group in violent attacks in the Lake Chad region has seen an &#8220alarming&#8221 surge in 2017, the United Nations Children&#39s Fund (UNICEF) has reported.

In our series of letters from African journalists, Nigerian writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani looks into the culture of blind belief in destiny.

Critical investments in agriculture and climate change relief are needed to address the crisis in Africa’s strife-torn Lake Chad Basin, where hunger, poverty and a lack of rural development prevail, the United Nations food security agency said today.

Hundreds of migrants along North African migrant routes are being bought and sold openly in modern day ‘slave markets’ in Libya, survivors have told the United Nations migration agency, which warned that these reports “can be added to a long list of outrages” in the country.

Ms Nyanzi has been taken to court over calling President Yoweri Museveni "a pair of buttocks".

April 10, 2017 (YAMBIO) – The governor of South Sudan's Gbudue state, Daniel Badagbu laid, over the weekend, the foundation for a Very Important Persons (VIP) ward at Saint Teresa hospital in Nzara county.

The map of Western Equatoria in red

The four-room block is being funded by the Equatoria Teak company.

At the launch, Badagbu said the people of Nzara should be proud because they are utilizing local resources like Teak trees, exported though Equatoria Teak company.

According to the governor such a construction is a form of accountability because a lot of money comes to the country, yet facilities like hospitals are never seen.

Badagbu said that the new ward would help the people of Gbudue and of South Sudan at large, adding that an anti-HIV/AIDs campaign will be launched.

"Nzara hospital is one of the best hospitals in the state and this would help the hundreds of people to get their ARVs [Antiretroviral]," he said.

Severina Bati, a woman who publicly declared her HIV status, appreciated the county authorities for the efforts they have made, especially for those living with HIV/Aids.

“I am so happy to see the foundation of another Ward today being laid to help patients in Nzara Hospital, more especially people like us who are living with HIV virus. May God bless those working for Equatoria Teak for having funded this construction,” explained Bati.

The Catholic Bishop of Tombura Yambio Diocese, Barani Edwardo Hiboro, said the dream of establishing a good hospital in Nzara could not be achieved alone. The Bishop gave thanks to the county authority for supporting the hospital and the addition of the new wards.

“This dream is big and we cannot achieve it alone, the commissioner has shown that together we are able to do big thing. In the midst of all the crying in South Sudan, we are talking of building a hospital. This is a great achievement,” Bishop Hiboro said.

The Bishop urged the people of Gbudue state to plant Teak trees, saying it is highly valued in the world market and since Gbudue state is blessed with it, they can export.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of Nzara County, Elia Richard Box said that his plan was to improve the hospital but the lack of funding by the government to deliver services to the community. Box asserted that the new ward will also serve patients from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central Africa Republic (CAR).

Sister Lauro Zeminan, the administrator at the hospital, said when Saint Teresa hospital started, they treated patients with Tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy under trees, adding that expansion of the hospital would enable them serve more patients.

She urged well-wishers to support the hospital as numbers of patients continue to grow while collective effort is needed to properly run the hospital.

(ST)

April 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement -North (SPLM-N) Monday has rejected a call by the African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki for a meeting between the opposition Sudan Call forces and the National Dialogue High Implementation Committee (HIC).

The head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Mechanism (AUHIP) concluded Sunday a three-day visit to Sudan where he proposed that the government-led HIC and the holdout Sudan Call forces meet in Addis Ababa to discuss the Roadmap Agreement implementation.

"The Panel has proposed that HIC and the opposition should meet to discuss the implementation of the dialogue outcomes, including the composition of the committee,". further said the AUHIP in a statement released Monday.

In a statement released several hours, the spokesperson of the SPLM-N negotiation team Mubarak Ardol said they are ready to reach a humanitarian agreement that includes a cessation of hostilities. He, however, warned that they would not concede on their demand for a safe humanitarian corridor through Asosa, in Ethiopia, to deliver 20% of the humanitarian assistance.

"The outcome of the (government led) dialogue are rejected because have nothing to do with the Roadmap (Agreement). The SPLM will not accept any political process based on the outcome of the (internal) dialogue. We will not participate in any meeting with the so-called dialogue implementation committee," said Ardol.

"We were not a party to the dialogue and it makes sense that should have no connection to the implementation of its results," he further stressed.

Following a meeting with Mbeki in Khartoum, the leader of the National Umma Party Sadiq al-Mahdi announced that Mbeki would organise a meeting for the Sudan Call forces to discuss the discuss the proposal and determine a joint position over the meeting with dialogue implementation body.

Al-Mahdi further stressed that the implementation of the Roadmap Agreement would pave the way towards the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access followed by the political process after the implementation of the confidence-building measures.

Ardol said the recent rift within the SPLM-N has no effect on its position towards the peace process. He also asserted that they would not be part of a political process before an agreement on the humanitarian issue.

"We stick to the confidence building measures in order to create a conducive environment, stop the war and to hold an equal dialogue. Otherwise, in its absence, (we propose) to negotiate new transitional arrangements and address the specificities of the armed conflict areas particularly the Two Areas and Darfur".

Following the end of the National Dialogue Conference, the Sudanese government officials said the holdout opposition groups can snow join the implementation process of the outcome of the conference, pointing that its recommendations come in the sense of the opposition demands.

In its statement, the AUHIP said the government stressed the need to stick to the Roadmap Agreement adding that President al-Bashir "reassured the Panel of his commitment to enhancing the inclusivity of the process of implementing the outcomes of the National Dialogue, particularly the adoption of a new Constitution for Sudan".

Also, the statement said he "reassured the Panel of his commitment to enhancing the inclusivity of the process of implementing the outcomes of the National Dialogue, particularly the adoption of a new Constitution for Sudan".

Opposition officials in Khartoum said they were surprised that Mbeki's statement reflects only the position of the government and disregard their call for a dialogue process different from what was held last October.

(ST)

April 10, 2017 (JUBA) – Chiefs from South Sudan's Gorgrial state have disowned a letter allegedly written by 40 chiefs from Aguok, seeking President Salva Kiir's attention to fight what was reportedly influenced by his brother in law, Gregory Vasili.

President Salva Kiir addresses delegates during the swearing-in ceremony of FVP Taban Deng Gai at the Presidential Palace in Juba, July 26, 2016. (Reuters/Jok Solomun)

In series of interview with Sudan Tribune Monday, multiple chiefs and local officials protested claims of the fight between Aguok and Apuk.

“I would like to say on behalf of the chiefs whose names appeared on that letter, neither I nor those whose names have appeared in the letter knew anything about it. It is even surprising that a name of a chief who has died was included. I wonder how he participated, he resurrected from the grave. My name also appeared while I had not knowledge,” Chief Riing Ayok told the Sudan Tribune.

Chief Ayok threatened a legal suite against those who had forged the letter, saying that the document not only meant to cause disharmony between the two communities, but it also intended to tarnish their political images in the communities, along with undermining their working relations with the state government.

“We will not let it go like that because this is beyond politics. It has now reached a point in which we cannot stand aloof with our arms akimbo. We will try to find the masterminds of the letter so that we know their motives and reasons for using our names without our knowledge,” said the chief.

Ariech Mayar Ariech, Information Minister of Gorgrial State denied the involvement of the government in the sectional fight, describing the letter as fake and a work of political rivals in the area.

“First of all that letter is fake. It was forged and the proof of the lack of authenticity of the letter is that the chiefs whose names appeared in the letter know nothing about it. They protested and are now working towards finding who forged their names,” said Ariech.

The chief went on to emphasise that the letter was untrue and meant for malicious intent, excusing the governor from any involvement with the sectional fights.

“The second thing is that all the allegations in the letter are untrue. They are false creation by people who don't like peace and harmony in our state. The governor did not in any way involve himself in this sectional fight. In fact he has been one of the leaders whose efforts in finding a lasting solution have notably been appreciated by both sides. The third is that he is the governor of the state. He is not a tribal leader. So how can a governor, a leader of all the people take sides in sectional fights?" he asked.

Ariech further added that the allegations that the governor was arming and disarming as well as drawing local borders in favour of one section at the expense of the others were also “false and unfounded lies.”

“One should be ashamed that the propagated these allegations. The governor cannot arm one community and disarm the other. What will be his interest? Why would he do that and he is the governor of all the people of the state. He is the governor of Gogrial state, not Apuk and Aguok communities," further explained Ariech.

He added, "This alone tells you that this was just propaganda which cannot be propagated because it is good at nothing than creating disharmony. It is all about lies, unfounded rumours, gossips and promotion of political gimmicks, nothing is credible in all these allegations at all”.

(ST)

April 10, 2017 (JUBA) - The governor of South Sudan's Wau state, Andrea Mayar Achor has downplayed the intensity of fighting that took place between ethic lines on Monday.

Wau state governor Andrea Mayar Acho (ST Photo)

After a briefing with President Salva Kiir at the State House in Juba, the governor told reporters that fighting with rebels started over the weekend.

“The fighting happening in Wau is a result of unknown gunmen who ambushed soldiers from division five and killed six soldiers yesterday [Sunday],” said Achor.

The governor said local leaders were “working very hard to maintain the situation.”

Wau residents said the soldiers, whom are mainly members of the Dinka tribe, were carrying out a house-to-house search, killing Lou and Fertit tribesmen. Residents say at least ten people were killed by Monday morning.

“The town is on a general lock down. There is no movement from one point to another,” said a resident who identified himself as Dominic.

The fighting spread to Wau and other parts of South Sudan following the collapse of the peace agreement in July.

Residents say the latest clashes in Wau started on Saturday and were being fought by South Sudan army (SPLA) soldiers on one side and rebels on the other.

Some sources have warned that the fighting in Wau would escalate into a mass killing, urged authorities and the international communities to intervene.

(ST)

Warning of increasing risk of mass deaths from starvation in many countries in Africa and in Yemen due to worsening drought and conflict, the United Nations refugee agency has called for international support to prevent the repeat of the 2011 tragedy in the Horn of Africa that claimed more than 260,000 lives.

April 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A new crisis is looming between the ruling National Congress Party (NUP) and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani regarding the representation of the latter in the upcoming government of national concord.

DUP's leader Mohamed Osman Al-Mirghani walks among supporters (FILE)

Al-Mirghani, who left Sudan in 2013 to London for medical treatment, arrived in Cairo last August following controversial reports over his health conditions and that his doctors advised him to give up public work.

Differences have recently surfaced between al-Mirghani and his son Mohamed al-Hassan who serves as head of the DUP organisational sector after the former threw his weight behind a rival group of his son and authorised them to name the party representatives for the upcoming government.

An informed source told Sudan Tribune Monday that the party MPs in the national upper and lower houses beside the legislative council in Khartoum state have boycotted the sessions on Monday and held an emergency meeting with al-Hassan.

According to the source, the meeting discussed intentions of the ruling party to adopt the list of names provided by the rival group, pointing the meeting stressed the move would constitute a blatant interference in the party affairs.

The MPs threatened to withdraw from the national dialogue process had the ruling party accepted to deal with the other group.

The same source pointed that the MPs handed over their resignations from the legislative posts to al-Hassan to take the necessary decision.

According to the source, the MPs underscored that al-Hassan represents the only legitimate channel to deal with the ruling party, pointing he is the one who signed the National Document on behalf of the DUP.

It is noteworthy that the DUP was among the political parties that participated in the government-led national dialogue conference and approved the National Document.

The DUP left opposition ranks and joined the “broad-based” government of the NCP in December 2011, citing the “need to save the country,” in the words of al-Mirghani himself.

The decision of one of Sudan's biggest opposition parties to join the government has triggered a party crisis, which has seen many DUP members tendering their resignations and others protesting in their home areas.

The party received three ministries in the federal cabinet and continues to serve under this allocation.

(ST)

April 10, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government has called on Paris to convince the leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) Abdel-Wahid al-Nur to join Darfur's peace process.

A fighter belonging to Sudan's Liberation Movement of Abdel Wahid Nur (SLM-AW)

Al-Nur refuses to negotiate with the government since the failure of Abuja peace process in 2006. He says that the Sudanese authorities have to disarm militias, provide security for the displaced persons and civilians in Darfur and re-institute grabbed land.

He further insists that any talks should only deal with the root causes of the conflict, not its consequences.

The national expert in the Darfur peace office at the Sudanese presidency Osman Dirar said Sudan expects Paris to exert pressure on al-Nour to reverse his stance towards the peace process.

He pointed to France's declared position in support of peace process in Darfur, saying al-Nur's stances excite attention as he is constantly refusing to engage in dialogue and peace talks.

“There can be a tactical refusal to make some gains, but this permanent refusal means that he does not want peace or is not qualified to negotiate a settlement.” said Dirar.

The presence of al-Nur in France was a source of troubles in the bilateral relations, but Paris says they hope to convince him to join the African Union-led peace process to end the armed conflicts in Darfur and the Two Areas.

Last February, the Sudanese government expressed discontent over France hosting of armed groups leaders particularly al-Nur, saying the rebel leader works to incite violence and seeks to change the government with non-peaceful ways.

Meanwhile, an informed source told Sudan Tribune that some Sudanese officials raised al-Nour's issue during their meetings with the Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, Alexis Lamek last month, saying Paris' hosting of al-Nur violates the French laws as he is involved in acts of violence and assassinations in Darfur.

In an opinion article published by Sudan Tribune in November last year, the former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, Donald Booth said al-Nur's “refusal to negotiate has been a perennial problem for international efforts to end the conflict in Sudan”, pointing that peace in Sudan must not be held hostage to his refusal to engage.

(ST)