Africa

February 17, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese minister of trade has on Friday denied reports quoting him to have said the government would fix the exchange rate, in a bid to salvage the economy from spiraling out of control and to help regain trust and confidence of the local population in the light of hike of foreign exchange against the local current in an effort to reduce market prices.

Minister Moses Hassan Ayet (Photo from his Facebook)

Minister Moses Hassan Ayet told Sudan Tribune on Friday that he did not say the government was intending to fix the foreign exchange rate but that the government was exploring ways to address it.

“That was out of context. It was not what I did say. I said the exchange rate was dropping and if it continues it would reach the point where the exchange rate would stabilize and any stabilization becomes a fixed rate by itself, if the market forces meet at the point of satisfaction, where goods would be locally available for our people to access and traders would be able to get hard currency to help import only goods and services which are not produced locally,” said Ayet.

The foreign exchange rate was fixed against the pound until in December 2015 when the government decided to adopt floating exchange rate against the pound. The objective, according to proponents of the proposal was to help everyone have access to foreign exchange market.

Ayet, who visited the market on Thursday in a bid to carry out a survey to gain insight about the prices of different commodities, said the survey gave him and his team the opportunity to gather firsthand information about the prices and what the traders were facing in the light of the current economic situation.

“Yes, I was in the market to conduct a survey and to talk to the traders. I wanted to know the cause of the rise of prices while the exchange rate was dropping. The other day, the dollar went up. It was exchanging at the rate of 13,000 per 100 dollars but it went down the next day to 10,000 per 100 dollars but the prices never dropped. They remained fixed. This was what I wanted to understand so that we could it use in our planning,” explained Minister Ayet.

The official said it was important to gather the views of the traders as they are important stakeholders and so his ministry appreciates their involvement and cooperation and coordination.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Friday has cancelled the general assembly meeting of the Central Committee of Sudanese Teachers (CCST) saying the move was dictated by security reasons.

The CCST is an independent organization that was established as a parallel body to the pro-government Sudanese Teachers Union.

On Friday morning, NISS agents encircled the headquarters of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) where the CCST general assembly was scheduled to be held and prevented the teachers from entering the premises.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, NUP said the NISS officer told its Secretary General Sara Nugd Allah that they received “instructions to prevent the teachers' event for security reasons” without elaborating on these reasons.

The NUP described the move as a “clear violation of the law, the constitutional rights and the basic freedoms”, adding it further indicates the mounting harassment and intimidation measures and more restrictions on political and trade union action.

The statement further warned the regime of the consequences of such reckless actions against peaceful groups, stressing that the prevention of political, social and cultural activities reveals government claims about freedoms and rights.

In October and November of last year, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), which is also an independent organization not recognized by the government, organised a series of strikes refusing non-emergency treatments to protest the poor working conditions, lack of medicines and protection of doctors after increasing attacks by frustrated patients and their families.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - A splinter faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdel-Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) has complained about the slow pace of implementation of the peace agreement signed with the government last year.

SLM-AW fighters on guard during a visit by UNAMID chief Ibrahim Gambari to Fanga Suk village, in East Jebel Marra, West Darfur, on 18 March 2011 (Photo: Reuters)

In February 2016, Sudanese government signed a peace deal with breakaway commanders from SPLM-AW including Nour al-Din Zorgi and Salih Adam Ishag allowing them to join Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

In exclusive statements to Sudan Tribune on Friday, Zourgi criticised the slow implementation of the agreement signed between them and the government.

“We have no representation in the civil service according to what we agreed upon. Also, the security arrangement item hasn't been completed as required because some fighters were integrated [into the Sudanese army] as non-commissioned officers while others have not been promoed,” he said.

Last May, the Security Arrangement Commission at Darfur's Regional Authority said the procedures to integrate 145 fighters from Zourgi's faction have begun in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

Zourgi added that the security, political and development items of the agreement are underway, pointing to the lack of funding for the development projects in areas of his faction's presence in North Darfur.

“Until now, some development projects that have not been implemented for reasons that are not known to us and we are facing mounting pressures from our fighters” he said.

He called upon the state and federal governments to intervene immediately to fulfil the agreement, praising the support rendered by President Omer al-Bashir to lay the foundations for peace in the country.

Qatar brokered the Darfur peace negotiations which resulted in the signing of the DDPD by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011.

However, three rebel movements including SLM-MM led by Minnawi Minnawi, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim and SLM-AW led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur didn't join the deal.

JEM and SLM-MM, who are part of the African Union-mediated peace talks, call for opening the document for negotiations, saying some issues were ignored or not fairly treated, but Khartoum rejects such request.

SLM-AW, however, is not part of the peace talks. It rejects negotiating a peace agreement with Khartoum government unless the government militias are disarmed and displaced civilians return to their original areas.

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

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan's minister of labour and public services has resigned, citing the “impartial” composition of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (Photo: Reuters)

Gabriel Duop Lam declared his allegiance to the armed opposition leader and ex-First Vice President Riek Machar. Machar fled Juba in July 2016 and lives in South Africa.

“(…) With sound mindand excellent rule of reasoning, (I) do hereby officially resigned from the position as being the Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Development in what so call partial Government of National Unity with effect from 17 February 2017 and from there I reaffirm my full allegiance to the SPLM/SPLA-IO under the wise leadership of H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon (sic),” partly reads Duop's letter.

Duop was appointed labour minister in August 2016 by First Vice President Taban Deng having been appointed by Machar, serving as Minister of Interior from April-July 2016.

The former Jonglei state minister for law enforcement and rebel governor of territories controlled by the SPLM IO in Jonglei survived the fighting in State House J1 in July 2016 and praised the leadership of President Salva Kiir for protecting his life.

When Machar fled the capital, Juba, following three days of intensive streets battle, Duop remained in Juba and shifted allegiance to Machar's controversial replacement, Taba Deng Gai.

However, in his resignation letter, the former labour and public service minister claimed the government of President Kiir attempted to kill Machar last year.

Duop reportedly left Juba early this week on an official trip, but lost touch with the ministry.

This is the second resignation of a top politician from president Kiir's government after the deputy chief of general staff for logistics, Thomas Cirillo quit last week.

(ST)

Chuma Somdaka, a disabled artist living in a South African park, gets her own exhibition.

A senior United Nations human rights official today called for holding accountable those committing atrocity crimes in conflict-torn South Sudan.

Amid ongoing rebel activity in and around Bambari in strife-torn Central African Republic, the United Nations mission – known as MINUSCA – said today that it has reinforced its presence in the city with the arrival of additional troops, including a quick reaction unit and Special Forces.

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

Despite its economic woes, property developers are optimistic about Ghana's potential.

February 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Thursday discussed with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Marta Ruedas the challenges facing humanitarian activities in the country.

Since several months the government has allowed humanitarian access in the whole Darfur region. Also, recently a series of meetings were held between the UN agencies, aid groups and local officials in the Two Areas to assess the humanitarian needs of IDPs and war-affected civilians.

In a statement issued following the meeting, Ruedas said she briefed President Al-Bashir about the ongoing work of the UN, the support of national and international partners and challenges facing their activities in Sudan.

President al-Bashir stated that "he looks with great interest on the progress gained from the ongoing collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Sudan," said the statement.

The UN humanitarian official who met President al-Bashir for the second time since last June 2016 alluded that he vowed to support the activities undertaken on the ground.

The President emphasized that "further efforts are required by both the government and the United Nations to ensure that joint work is undertaken by both parties with full trust, collaboration and intention to optimize all opportunities particularly in accelerating the country's path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," she said.

Her meeting with al-Bashir took place twenty-four hours after a meeting with the Presidential Assistant and head of the government negotiating team with the SPLM-N over the six-year conflict in the Two Areas.

“The meeting discussed the role that could be played by the UN to deliver the humanitarian assistance to the Two Areas,” said Ruedas after the meeting with Hamid on Wednesday.

The humanitarian official is expected to fly soon to New York to discuss ways to start a significant humanitarian operation in the government-controlled areas in the Two Areas.

In line with an agreement reached with the American administration on the partial removal of sanctions, Khartoum agreed to facilitate the humanitarian access in the war affected areas in Darfur region, Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

(ST)

February 17, 2017 (BOR) - Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a major cause of the Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a major threat affecting the men and women in national army and other civilian protection forces in South Sudan.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) assembled in the capital, Juba on 8 January 2014 (Photo: Mehmet Kemal Firik/Anadolu Agency/Getty)

Brigadier General, Majok Kuol expressed this worries about the prevalence of the disease among the men and women in the armed forces in South Sudan, a concern which he said should be addressed to save lives.

“In October up to November last year, we have tested 1,500 soldiers of uniform forces, interior and wildlife, among them there were 44 HIV positive which indicated there is a threat”, Major Kuol told reporters in Bor on Thursday during HIV/AIDS awareness workshop conducted by International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The number of infected individuals in the army could be more than expected, he said.

The sensitization workshop was attended by 40 commanders drawn from SPLA, wildlife, police, civil defense and prisons with an objective of sensitizing them about the threats of HIV and AIDS, according to the workshop organizers.

Commanders who attended the workshop said any detail to conduct general test and awareness about the disease would be tolerated in the army and organized forces.

“We are to start right away to know our status immediately because it is a disease which is hiding in our blood whenever we meet with women”, said brigadier general Atem Manyok and director of wildlife who also attended the HIV/Aids workshop.

In September 2014, South Sudan Aids Commission raised an alarm about the swiftly-rising HIV/Aids pervasiveness rates, amidst the conflict that engulfed the nation, displacing millions of its civilians.

South Sudan, according the commission, is one of the sub-Saharan countries relatively hard hit by impacts of the deadly disease today.

During the UN high level meeting on HIV/Aids in New York in June 2011, a new declaration, entitled “Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Intensifying our Efforts to Eliminate HIV and Aids was unanimously adopted by member states on 10 June. The declaration set new targets and called on member states to redouble efforts to achieve by 2015, universal access, with a view to attaining the Millennium Development Goals. The declaration also recognised key populations at higher risk of HIV infection, citing men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and sex workers.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese army (SPLA) said Thursday it had gained control of Yuai, a key rebel town in located in eastern Jonglei region after clashes during which some rebel fighters allegedly joined pro-government forces.

SPLA soldiers are seen at the airport in Bor January 19, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeaunu)

Yuai, the Bieh state capital, used to host the rebel-appointed governor.

The clash took place on Wednesday after a group of rebel defectors declared their allegiance to the government on Tuesday. The defection generated mixed reaction from the local population, resulting in clashes which government forces based in Pajuet military outpost exploited and used it to gain control of the area.

The deputy SPLA spokesman denied there was fighting, saying they took over the town after the rebel faction allied to former first Vice President, Riek Machar deserted it.

The military spokesman of the armed opposition did not make any statement about the development.

Multiple military sources in Bor, however, told Sudan Tribune, that the SPLA were forced to fight back after the rebels attacked their soldiers at the nearby village of Patuet, not far from Pajut.

“After rebels attacked our soldiers at Patuet, they were not only pushed back, but also given a hot pursue. So we ended up in Yuai today”, a junior military officer, said.

Although the army headquarters in Juba concealed information regarding the clashes that occurred in Bieh state, rebels on the side confirmed the fighting, but claimed that SPLA forces were repulsed by the white army, claims Sudan Tribune could not easily verify.

There are also reports that civilians in Uror county, displaced as a result of the fighting have been moving towards Akobo on the Ethiopian border.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army has vowed to investigate reports of rape, which allegedly occurred in villages along Juba-Nimule road last week.

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers are pictured in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

Anglican Bishop Paul Yugusuk of the Lomega Diocese in Eastern Equatoria claimed that pro-government soldiers raped several women and detained 47 men over the weekend.

Five young girls and women, the Bishop said, are being treated at Juba hospital.

“We don't know the exact number of women who were raped but we have five [women and girls] here in Juba Teaching Hospital. Most of them are underage girls and women,” Yugusuk told reporters after visiting the victims in Juba on Monday.

The 47 men arrested after the ransacking of the Kubi village, some 50 km on Juba – Nimule highway, have been released, according to local news report that quoting George Ladu, the Commissioner of Lokiliri County in Jubek State.

But the South Sudanese army spokesman Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the military will form a committee to investigate the report, identify the suspects and take action.

“The chief of general staff has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the reported rape incidents in Kubi, identify the suspects and arraign them before the military court,” Koang told Sudan Tribune over phone on Thursday.

The military official further said all church groups and any other “interested” parties are invited to help in the investigation to dispel any fears of bias during the process.

The SPLA, despite promises to take measures, has been accused by advocate groups of doing little to end sexual assaults on women and girls during military operations.

In the past, however, human right organizations have accused both the government forces of carrying out atrocities, including gang rape and mass killing of innocent civilians when taking over a territory held by rebels.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N) Thursday has set up a commission to investigate a recent armed robbery on cattle keepers in South Kordofan, and accused the government of seeking to incite local Arab tribes against the group.

Undated picture released by the SPLM-N on 16 October 2015 showing the SPLA chief of general staff Gen. Gagod Mukwar speaks in a meeting in a rebel controlled area

Unidentified gunmen on 10 February ambushed cattle keepers from the Hawazma tribe near Al-Hujairat area, some 30 kilometres west of Kadugli, South Kordofan capital killing seven herders and stole 1500 heads of cattle.

The government accused the SPLM-N of the attack, as local sources said the marauders deliberately followed a pathway leading to the rebel-controlled area of Galad. Also, the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) of Sadiq al-Mahdi called on its political ally to probe the attack.

SPLA-N Chief of General Staff Gen. Gagod Mukwa "issued a decision to establish a higher commission from the SPLA-N leadership in the region to deal with this situation the utmost sensitivity, to detect and foil plans of National Congress (Party) for proxy wars and cause discord between the region's components," says a statement extended to Sudan tribune.

Gen. Mukwa who signed the statement further said they noticed that the NCP and its local allies continue beating the drums of war with the hope to rally the Hawazma tribe in their war against the SPLA-N.

He further praised the refusal of the Hawazma and Misseriya to join the government forces, saying "despite the resources spent by the regime, the Arab tribes did not participate in the second war of the regime which has lasted six years now".

The rebel general further welcomed the NUP call to probe the bloody attack and expressed readiness to work with the opposition party, tribal leaders and intellectuals who want to achieve peaceful coexistence in the region.

He further pledged to publish the findings of the investigation panel and invited opposition leaders, civil society groups and opinion makers to visit the SPLM-N held area.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - Government troops and a group of local gangsters fought a gunbattle in the east of North Darfur capital El-Fasher on Thursday, following what the authorities announced the killing of a lieutenant officer in the latest spate of shootings this week.

The North Darfur government said gunfire erupted when a Sudanese government force chased the members of a gang suspected of being behind several armed attacks in the town during the past days.

In press statements, Governor Abdel Wahid Youssef Ibrahim said that the State Security Committee formed a joint force including security and military elements after receiving information about the presence of the gangsters in the Boursa neighbourhood east of El-Fasher, on Thursday morning.

A Sudanese army Lieutenant was killed in action and four other soldiers were wounded during the fire exchange.

Youssef further said the government forces are continuing the hunt for the gangsters, adding they identified their names and their position. He indicated that the gang is led by Issa Mohamed Ibrahim.

Three people had been killed during armed attacks this week in El-Fasher. One was shot in the centre of El- Fasher on Wednesday, another one was murdered in the Boursa neighbourhood Tuesday, while the third died in Al-Thoura area south of El-Fasher.

Sudanese officials say they government is preparing to launch a disarmament campaign in the region, but criminal gangs continue to get arms easily and drive vehicles without number plates despite an official ban.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan has deployed more troops in preparation for the resumption oil production in areas where activities were halted as a result of the December 2013 outbreak of conflict, which badly affected production in Unity state and parts of the Upper Nile region.

A worker walks through an oil production facility in Paloch in South Sudan's Upper Nile state, on 5 May 2013 (Photo: Hannah Mcneish/AFP)

The head of Nilepet, the country's national oil company, disclosed Thursday that government hopes production resumes after preparations are fully completed.

“The government is doing the best to ensure that there is adequate protection at the sites where oil production would resume soon in unity. Preparations are underway,” said Machar Ader Achiek.

“The security forces are on the ground to provide adequate security and to ensure the safety of the oil workers and operators”, he added.

Local authorities, Achiek said, have started sensitising communities around the area to embrace peaceful dialogue and to help government at their level to bolster security at oil installations at Tharjiath field and other sites.

“Oil is a national resource and it is when it is extracted that the government can now be able to provide services to the people. If extraction is affected, the delivery of the basic services is also affected. So the resumption of the oil production is in the interest of both the government and the communities from where it is extracted,” explained Achiek.

He added, “This is why protection of oil sites requires cooperation from the communities”.

The Sudanese government, according to the head of the state-owned oil entity, agreed to provide electricity from Heglig and to work collaboratively with the south Sudanese authorities to protect oil workers engaged in production.

Northern Liech state information minister, Lam Tungwar said the state government will do its best to help the national government provide protection to workers in the oil fields as requested by the minister of petroleum, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, when he visited the newly-created state last month.

Since its independence, South Sudan has relied on oil for all income—a situation that has significantly compounded ongoing political and economic instability due to fall in crude oil prices.

According to South Sudanese officials, production in the past reached as high as 350,000 bpd but fell after a dispute with Sudan over fees for pumping South Sudan's crude through Sudan's export pipeline, which led Juba to halt production in 2012.

South Sudan got the lion's share of the oil when it split from Sudan in 2011, but it's only export route is through Sudan, giving Khartoum leverage and leading to the ongoing pricing disputes.

(ST)

February 16, 2017 (JUBA) – The U.N Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday expressed concern about the safety of up to 20,000 civilians said to have been displaced in the western bank of the Nile River in Upper Nile state, describing their stay in the wilderness as “real problem.”

The map of Upper Nile state

The head of the U.N peacekeeping mission in the country, David Shearer remarked this when he visited Malakal in Upper Nile state.

“We want to find out what has happened to those people and provide them with assistance if they need it,” Shearer said Thursday.

According to the world body, fierce fighting between pro-government forces and armed opposition forces in the west bank of Nile River recently escalated, leading to further displacements.

“UNMISS believes that the 20,000 people have fled towards Kodok from Wau Shilluk, a town eight miles north of the UN base in Malakal on the west bank of the River Nile,” partly reads UNMISS's statement.

The clashes, it said, indicates further escalation with no “signs of abating.”

“On Thursday, UN peacekeepers attempted to carry out a foot patrol to Wau Shilluk, but were prevented from doing so by government SPLA soldiers located at Wau Shilluk,” it further stressed.

The latest fighting, UNMISS said, led to abandoning of Malakal town by an estimated 33,000 members of the Shilluk tribe who took shelter at the protection of civilians sites managed by peacekeepers.

The opposition forces fighting the government west of Malakal, a territory of the Shilluk tribe, are largely commanded by Gen. Johnson Olony, a Shilluk, who is loyal to the armed opposition leader and the country's ex-First Vice Presdient, Riek Machar.

Some 4.9 million people, aid agencies say, are facing severe food insecurity in South Sudan, while 1.84 million are displaced internally, in addition to approximately 1.2 million who have fled to its neighbouring countries.

(ST)

Amid worsening of an already devastating drought in Somalia, United Nations agencies have underlined that only a massive and immediate scale-up of humanitarian assistance can help the country avoid falling into another catastrophe.

A patient and a doctor in Kenya tell their stories of the dispute that is now into its 10th week.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the rescission the Gambia’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).