Africa

May 4, 2016 (JUBA) – It is important for the parties to the August 2015 peace agreement to cooperate in the implementation of the peace deal which ended the 21 months of conflict in South Sudan, says opposition's official.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

Media official of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) told Sudan Tribune that a meeting of the political bureau encouraged that the parties implemented the peace agreement in good faith and in cooperation.

“The leadership of the SPLM-IO encourages cooperation and good faith among the parties in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan,” said James Gatdet Dak, press secretary of the newly sworn in first vice-president, Riek Machar.

He said the SPLM-IO political bureau met on Wednesday in Juba and highlighted the importance of implementing the deal in restoring stability in the country.

The meeting chaired by Machar and attended by senior members of the party, many of whom were recently appointed as national ministers, discussed progress made in the implementation of the accord as well as pending issues.

A transitional government of national unity was formed on Wednesday last week in which members of the four factions in the agreement formed the coalition.

The other factions include President Salva Kiir's appointed members to the cabinet, members of former political detainees as well as members of other political parties.

(ST)

May 4, 2016 (ED-DAEIN) - A federal commission of inquiry into the recent deadly incident between Rizeigat and Maalia tribes in East Darfur state has completed its work and would submit its report to the minister of justice soon, said reliable sources

Women carry their belongings in El Sireif, North Darfur on 14 January 2013. A UNAMID assessment team visited the village to determine the needs of those displaced in recent tribal clashes in Jebel Amir (Photo: Sojoud El Garrai/UNAMID)

On 17 April, twelve people were killed in clashes between the Rezeigat Savanna Militia and gunmen belonging to their arch-rival Maalia tribe over stolen camels in Khor Taan area in Yassin county,East Darfur.

Following the incident, suspected Rizeigat gunmen killed three guards and burned down the house of East Darfur governor Anas Omer in Ed Daein accusing the latter of siding with the Maalia.

A well-informed source told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that an investigation committee comprising of the ministries of justice and interior besides the security services has interrogated the deputy governor of East Darfur Mohamed al-Hassan and the commander of the military force separating between Rizeigat and Maalia.

Also, the commission of inquiry has interrogated commanders of Muhajiria and Khor Taan military garrisons as well as Maalia tribesmen who witnessed the incident.

According to the source the investigation commission would submit its findings to the minister of justice to take the legal measures.

He pointed that governor Omer has formed a second commission to probe the attack on his house, saying the committee has yet to finish its work.

Following the attack on his house, the governor declared a curfew from 7pm to 7am in the capital Ed-Daien vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The same source said that the deputy governor issued a decree preventing any tribe from going after their stolen cattle and putting the burden of retrieving the looted animals on the military force responsible for separating between the two tribes.

East Darfur state is witnessing one of the longest and most deadly clashes in the region between the Rezeigat and the Ma'alia tribes since 1966. The conflict between the two tribes is triggered by disputes over land ownership.

Both the Rezeigat and the Maalia are pastoralist tribes, based in East Darfur. The centre of Rezeigat territory is in Ed Daein town, while the Maalia centre is in Adila, the second largest town after Ed-Daein.

May 4, 2016 (JUBA/KHARTOUM) - South Sudanese outgoing oil minister has criticized the government of neighbouring Sudan for allegedly backtracking from its initial positive gesture to renegotiate the charges for using its territory to export crude oil from South Sudan to the international markets.

Workers from the Sudanese oil pipeline in the disputed Abyei area reconstruct the line on June 14, 2013 following an explosion the previous day. (Getty)

“There has not been any significant progress in the negotiation, even though the starting was a positive gesture,” said Stephen Dhieu Dau, South Sudanese outgoing oil minister.

Dau revealed that Sudan has notified his ministry of its decision to confiscate crude to pay itself of the entitlements which his country owes Sudan in payment for use of its territory.

“They have notified us that they will pay themselves in kind if they are not paid their dues. I took this matter to the council of ministers and it was agreed that we should initiate contacts with our regional partners, the African Union and the stakeholders to help us address this issue,” he said.

Following the huge fall of oil prices in the international markets and upon a request from his South Sudanese counterpart, the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir last January directed to review oil transit agreement signed in September 2012.

Speaking to the press after a meeting of the national board of oil affairs on Monday, Sudanese petroleum minister Mohamed Zayed Awad said the negotiations with the South Sudan on the review of oil fees are still continuing at the level of committees established in implementation of the directives of President al-Bashir.

Awad further said the South Sudanese oil continues to flow through the pipeline for the exportation as usual, adding that the formation of the transitional government in Juba would contribute to increase oil production in the landlocked country.

According to the Cooperation Agreement, South Sudan pays Khartoum up to $25 per barrel for its crude oil transported through the Sudanese territory.

In January 2016, Juba requested the Sudanese Petroleum and Mining Ministry to reconsider its transit fees in the wake of changes in global oil prices.

The price of crude oil is currently at $29 dollars per barrel in the international markets.

South Sudan is producing oil at 160,000 barrels per day, despite a decline in its oil production due to the violent conflict that engulfed the young nation, killing thousand and displacing nearly two million people.

Dau encouraged his successor to “press the button” of negotiation with Sudan.

The official said he would be more than willing to continue to help his colleague, the newly appointed minister for petroleum, Dak Duop Bichiok, to push on with negotiation.

“We will press the button of negotiation harder but we will continue to ask them and I think they will also understand because it is the interest of the two countries to benefit from the flow of the oil,” he added.

The international community should also use their contacts with Sudan to reciprocate the goodwill of the government to negotiate in good faith and make rational charges.

A month ago, Sudan reconsidered a series of decisions aimed to normalize bilateral relations announced in January and February. Further, Khartoum said Juba continue to support rebel groups despite its goodwill and efforts to end the inter South Sudanese crisis.

Analysts in Khartoum believe that the Sudanese government wants to push Juba to implement a clause in the IGAD brokered peace agreement providing to disarm Sudanese rebels and to prevent their presence in South Sudan.

The two countries agreed in September 2012 on a particular fixed changes when the oil prices were higher.

However, after the global drop in oil prices, South Sudan could no longer benefit a lot due to the charges which continued to take away most of the revenue.

(ST)

May 03, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The University of Khartoum has partially suspended lectures and closed eight colleges in its old building along the Nile Avenue.

Anti-riot police uses water cannon to disperse student protesting outside Khartoum university on April 26, 2016 (ST Photo)

On Tuesday, University of Khartoum Deans Council suspended classes after renewed clashes between students and police turning streets around the university to what looked like a military barracks after a heavy deployment of police and other security forces.

The council blamed students for the “dangerous developments” that threatened the stability of the university.

Eyewitnesses said that heavy police forces were deployed around the university and security forces extensively used tears gas to disperse rioters. Activists posted photos on social media for students claimed to be injured in clashes with police.

In a communiqué issued on Tuesday the University's Deans Council blamed students for the escalating violence and suspended indefinitely lectures in eight college located in the university buildings in central Khartoum.

The partial closure of University of Khartoum is the third of its kind among Sudanese universities in the past four weeks.

University of Kordofan was closed on April 19 after the killing of one student and injuring 20 others. Last week, Ahlia University, in Omdurman, was closed after clashes between students supporting opposition parties and others loyal to the government. One student was killed and others were injured.

University of Khartoum Deans Council statement said that the eight colleges were closed to safeguard students, staff and properties. “University of Khartoum will implement regulations against the violence culprits, against those involved in attacking teaching staff, those incited violence or damaged the university assets,” reads the statement.

In addition, the statement criticized some students' behaviour towards its teaching staff and for hurting some security guards who sustained injurers.

University of Khartoum former Chancellor was attacked by some students when he blamed them for forcing their colleagues to leave a lecture room. “Breaking gates and forcing students to leave lecture rooms is shameful and students' regulations will be enforced,” said that statement.

The decision to suspend university classes is seen as a bid to curb the outbreak of demonstrations against the deteriorating economic situation in the country, which coincided with the call of opposition forces to topple the ruling regime.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (JUBA/MOGADISHU) – A team of the British army soldiers has arrived in Somalia as part of the UK's plans to deploy hundreds of troops in several African countries, following a pledge by Prime Minister, David Cameron.

David Cameron

An advance party of 10 soldiers will support the African Union peacekeeping efforts against the al-Shabab militant group in Somalia, Presstv reported.

The UK Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon said the deployment of the troops was “another demonstration of the flexibility and global reach of our armed forces.”

The group is expected to be joined by additional 60 soldiers who will handle medical, logistical and engineering duties.

The AU mission has deployed about 22,000 peacekeepers from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia to help Somali government forces stabilise the country.

Meanwhile, the UK is planning to send around 300 troops to South Sudan, where thousands of people have been killed as a result of a bloody civil war since December 2013.

The British forces in the young nation will reportedly carry out engineering work to strengthen the country's infrastructure.

A plan to deploy troops was announced by the British prime minister at a United Nations event in September last year.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – In a rare meeting, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Deputy Chairman, Ibrahim Mahmoud, met in Khartoum with the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) leading figure , Mubark al Fadil on Tuesday. The ruling party said that the meeting is a beginning for cooperation with all the leading Sudanese politicians.

NUP figure Mubarak al-Fadil (L) received by NCP deputy chairman and presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid on May 3, 2016 (ST Photo)

In 2002, Mubarak al-Fadil had split from the National Umma Party (NUP) chaired by his cousin Sadiq al-Mahdi and formed his own party the Reform and Renovation. Up to 2005, he participated in the NCP-led government as he was appointed a presidential aide. In 2011, however dissolved his party and rejoined the NUP. But his relations with al-Mahdi remained strained

In a meeting at the Sudanese presidency in Khartoum , the two figures agreed that the “Roadmap Agreement”, brokered by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) last March, is the best way to achieve peace and political consensus in Sudan.

During the meeting, al Fadil, proposed to form a national mechanism to contact the holdout opposition groups in a bid to end their rejection of the roadmap.

Previously, al-Fadil announced his support to the “Roadmap Agreement” and criticized the opposition parties that refused to sign the peace plan.

“I have discussed with the ruling party ways to push a head the “Roadmap” and supporting peace process in Sudan,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

He further said that the regional and international conditions are favourable to support Sudan to emerge out of its crisis and to achieve peace.

“AUHIP Roadmap” has provided all the needed guarantees and laid clear bases for the discussion of key issues, rather than insisting on preconditions,” al-Fadil said.

Commenting on the student protests in several universities, the NUP figure said that violence jeopardizes stability in the universities and communities. He added they have agreed to revive “the code of honour” among students to not resort to violence and arms in universities.

Further he said it was agreed to form a panel of educators and retired senior police officers to the Student violence in universities and to find out the right measures to stop it.

On his part, NCP Political Secretary, Hamid Mumtaz, stated that the meeting has agreed on AUHIP roadmap as a base for achieving peace in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“NCP and NUP discussed ways to improve Sudan's relation with international community and especially with European Union and Unites States,” said Mumtaz stressing that NCP will cooperate with various Sudanese politicians to achieve the national goals and supporting political stability.

Observers in Khartoum say the ruling party sought in vain during the past months to convince NUP leader to return to Sudan and join the national dialogue and now seeks to take advantage of the internal divisions among the largest opposition party.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (RUMBEK) – At least 20 youth who were engaged in cattle raids were arrested and 400 heads of cattle recovered by authorities in South Sudan's Tonj state.

A cattle camp in Lakes state (AP)

The acting state governor, Manhiem Bol Malek, said those arrested would be arraigned in court to answer charges related to cattle theft and murder.

“We have about 400 herds of cattle that we have retrieved and they are now in Wathalel waiting to be identified by those who claim to have been raided”, said Manhiem.

“All the cows are been assembled in Wathalel at the headquarters of the payam awaiting screening and identification for rightful owners will take place,” he added.

Manhiem said security operatives cracked down on suspected pastoralists and managed to apprehend 20 youth.

All detained youth are currently being held at Tonj town prison with maximum security.

The arrest comes in the wake of the recent passing of a law sanctioned by the state parliament, which considers criminal cattle raider in possession of illegal firearms.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Authorities in South Sudan's Western Lakes state have called on citizens to prioritise food production, reconciliation, peace and security in the region.

Map detail showing South Sudan's Lakes state in red

Local government minister, Benjamin Mabor, said the situation was normal as people went about their businesses.

The region was a scene of inter-clan clashes, until recently when the state government deployed different units of the security forces to control the situation after various clashes.

“We are normal, everything will be well – our security forces are controlling town security very well. The clashes that happened last week in grassland are over and everyone is going about his/her normal businesses”, said Mabor.

Meanwhile, the deputy state governors, Agum Reuben Macier urged residents to build trust within the community.

She advised youth to sensitize their respective communities, with the intention of achieving lasting peace in the state.

“Let us work for the common goal called peace, it is the duty of everyone, neither youth nor intellectuals to work for peace as our common goal in this state,” said Macier.

She urged communities to mainly concentrate on food production.

NEW PORT UNVEILED

In a related development, a new port at Mingkaman in Eastern Lakes state was opened Tuesday, courtesy of a $4.1m donation extended by Japanese aid arm (JICA).

The state minister for roads and bridges, Kuong Daniel inaugurated the newly opened port in Eastern Lakes state.

He remarked, “The port will ease shipping of goods for the purposes of humanitarian assistance and fish production.”

Local government minister, David Mayom said the port will ease public transport demand, urging investors and stakeholders to assist Eastern Lakes state in all capacities.

The Japanese envoy to Juba, Kiya Masahiko urged South Sudanese to work for the country's development.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (BOR) – Heavy armed Ethiopian troops entered South Sudan territory in search of children abducted in last month's raid in the Horn of Africa nation, sources said.

Governor of Ethiopia's Gambella region pictured with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn during a visit to the region (FILE photo)

An eyewitness said he witnessed over 20 tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) patrolling areas in Pochalla town.

“A lot of troops from Ethiopia slept in Pochalla and in the morning of May 3, they started their journey toward the direction of Pibor, with heavy weapons. We also saw, this morning, jet fighters, flying over from the direction of Gambella towards Pibor and returned. They come to look for their abducted children”, said the eyewitness.

The Boma state coordinator in Juba said he was informed about the presence of Ethiopian troops, who were in different places, including Jebel Raat, Akobo and Pochalla.

“The Ethiopian troops are either in or around these areas right now,” Gabriel Amokori told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He, however, said the Boma state governor and South Sudan government were in all contact with their Ethiopian counterparts regarding the fate of the children abducted.
“Our government is telling the Ethiopian government to hold on a bit so that the children are searched for and handed over to them [Ethiopians]”, said Amakori.

The Boma state information minister, Julius James Otong, said he had heard about the entry of the Ethiopian troops into Boma state territory, but said her office had not got full information about their whereabouts over the last two days.

“I heard about them, but I have not got full information about where they are today,” said Otong.

According to the minister, state authorities, with the help of the area local chiefs had managed to rescue 32 children from Likuangole county through a village-to-village search.

“The president issued an order that the abducted children from Ethiopia should be collected and returned to their families. So the deputy governor went and met the chiefs in Likuangole to bring the children. So the chief went and brought 32 children. These children are still in our hands in Likuangole. We want to hand them over to UN so that they are flown back to their area in Gambella,” said the minister.

“We still expect more children to be recovered from Likuangole so the search is ongoing in villages”, she added.

Likuangole, bordering Akobo to the north, Uror to north-west, Duk and Twic East counties to the west, is the home area of the governor of Boma state, Baba Medan Konyi.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) said the opposition parties and rebel groups failed to mobilize the streets and stressed it wouldn't allow the latter to export the armed conflict to the capital, Khartoum.

A student throws stones during a confrontation with the police outside the University of Khartoum on Wednesday April 13, 2016

The Sudanese capital witnessed recently a wave of student protests where two students were killed in Omdurman and El Obied. The bloody incidents came after calls by the opposition groups to overthrow the regime through peaceful means.

NISS deputy director Osama Mukhtar said the security of Khartoum is a “red line”, stressing they would prevent the armed groups from exporting violence to the outskirts of the capital.

Mukhtar , who addressed the graduation ceremony of a new batch of NISS on Tuesday, said the Sudanese people no longer trust the rebel groups and opposition forces, describing the latter as mercenaries and agents of foreign hostile forces.

“The opposition leaders call on the Sudanese people to take to the streets while they are staying at the hotels and resorts and that is why they hasn't and won't respond to their calls,” he said

On Sunday, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) also accused the armed and political opposition groups of bringing violence from the peripheral conflict areas to the Sudanese universities, particularly in Khartoum.

Mukhtar pointed that the government has opened the doors for the national dialogue and welcomed the opposition work within the legal institutions, saying those who opt for illegal work would pay a heavy price.

he added they wouldn't allow the country to plunge into chaos and unrest, pointing to the example of important nations in the region.

The security official further pointed to the military victories in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, saying the rebellion would soon be crushed and the regular forces will establish security across the country.

The Sudanese army and its allied militias have been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

Also, the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state have been the scene of a violent conflict since 2011 when fighting broke out between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) and Sudanese army.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (EL-FASHER) - The deputy governor of North Darfur state Adam al-Nahla said the work of the foreign aid groups active in the state was unsatisfactory and has met only 12% of the targeted needs.

UNAMID's Police Advisers from Sortoni, North Darfur, interact with the newly displaced seeking refuge in the vicinity of the Mission's team site On 27 January 2016 (UNAMID Photo)

On Tuesday, al-Nahla discussed with the United Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Darfur, Emmy Martin, the security, economic and humanitarian situation as well as the IDPs conditions in North Darfur.

He told reporters following the meeting that the two sides agreed to cooperate to carry out the work according to the agreed upon mandate, pointing the government continues to provide all possible facilities for the foreign aid groups.

“However the actual work [of the foreign aid groups] is weak and unsatisfactory”, he said
The governor denied that the authorities has placed restrictions on the movements of any foreign aid group in North Darfur, noting it is the government responsibility to secure the highways and establish security in the conflict areas before allowing aid groups to deliver relief to the needy population.

Al-Nahla acknowledged that the northern part of his state suffers from water shortage due to the large numbers of cattle, saying that is why the herders seek to get water from the farming areas which cause clashes between them and the farmers.

He added that he discussed with Martin ways to provide water in order to end the clashes between the herders and the farmers.

For her part, Martin said she discussed with the governor several issues including the humanitarian situation and the conditions at the IDPs camps in Tawila and Sortoni.

Last December, the Sudanese government suspended Tearfund, an international aid group active in Darfur, accusing it of violating the law and interfering in the internal affairs of the country.

Immediately after the first arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudan's president Omer al-Bashir in March 2009, Sudan expelled 13 aid groups from Darfur accusing it of collaborating with the war crime courts.

Since then, the activities of foreign aid group in Darfur are strictly controlled and more organizations were evicted through the years.

Sudan refuses to allow new aid groups to work in the region.

The government also banned the access of foreign groups to the rebel-held areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile as well as the establishment of camps for the displaced civilians, stressing the experience of Darfur camps should not be repeated in the two states.

May 3, 2016 (RUMBEK) - A family member of the former commissioner of Rumbek Central County Matur Majok Magol is protesting the prolong detention without charges.

Matur Majok Magol former commissioner of Rumbek Central County Lakes state (ST Photo)

Mary Rol Ater, wife of Magol said her husband has been arrested since March 3, 2016 by state government without charges.

Rol said that Magol was taken to Malou military barracks and all his telephone was confiscated and no clear information being provided by state government with regard to his detention.

However, Western Lakes State Minister of Information and Communication Daniel Dut Makuet have denied the arrest of former commissioner of Rumbek Central County, saying that Magol is kept in Panda Hotel as part of precautionary measures because his relatives were suspected to be involved in revenge killings inside Rumbek Central County in March.

“ Matur Majok was not arrested, his relative got involved in march clashes . The security organs were trying to follow up the accused () But Matur was not arrested. He was taken to Panda Hotel to protect him from revenge.”

Meanwhile, former commissioner spouse Mary Rol Ater said Panda Hotel is turned into military secret prison since the time of former governor Matur Chut Dhuol.

She further stressed that he is in jail at that hotel since last March.

The former commissioner was reportedly arrested following inter-communal clashes in March 3, 2016.

(ST)

May 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - following the formation of the new transitional national unity government in Juba, Sudan and South Sudan expressed hopes to settle the post-separation issues peacefully and to have good cooperation.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (L) and his Sudanese counterpart, Omer Hassan al-Bashir, attend a press conference at Khartoum airport on 4 November 2014 (Photo: AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

In September 2012, both Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others. But only the oil transit deal was implemented.

Sudan and South Sudan still speak about presence of rebel groups in the two countries. Also, Abyei referendum and border disputed areas are still to be resolved as the two countries have to reach an agreement on border demarcation.

In a speech before the parliament in Khartoum Tuesday, Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour said that his government welcomed the transitional government of national unity and expressed hopes to work together for peace and stability in the region.

In Juba the South Sudanese cabinet minister Martin Elia Lomoro,said his government does not need to fight with the government of neighbouring Sudan from which it seceded in 2011 to settle the unresolved issues

South Sudanese cabinet affairs minister Lomoro told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday his government has a clear and unique approach to settling post -secession matters with Sudan.

“We don't need to panic and fight in order to claim our rights. The issues which have not been resolved can be resolved amicably through peaceful dialogue" said Lomoro.

"The Sudanese themselves are rational. They know what is right and wrong. And even if they are tempted to claim what does not belong to them, they will never be secured and they will never feel free psychologically because you know when you have taken something which does not belong to you, you will always remain suspicious and trying to understand the reasons for which the person permitted you to take what does not belong to you”, he further said.

South Sudan, according to Lomoro, is currently in an unstable relations with Sudan but that does not mean the world youngest country and its leadership would compromise on sovereign matters.

“We will continue to dialogue with them because South Sudan and Sudan are not going to make a miracle to avoid being neighbours. We will continue to remain as neighbours in the same region and this is why it is very important to keep good relationship with neighbours because the two countries are going to remain neighbours forever,” he explained.

The minister called on Sudanese government to engage his country in direct negotiations to resolve unresolved post secession issues in the same way the 2005 peace agreement was reached or resort to international arbitration as the best approach to resolve differences related to border.

South Sudan broke out from Sudan in July 2011 after a referendum on self-determination held in January 2011.

In January 2016, Sudan opened border and allowed border trade between the population from the two sides. However two months later, President Omer al-Bashir ordered again to close border, and accused Juba of supporting the rebel groups.

However , the Sudanese foreign minister told the lawmakers that his government welcomes the new coalition government which is formed in line with a peace agreement between the warring parties after two year and a half of violence, adding they hope it would be a "honest partner" and cooperate with Khartoum.

"We welcome the new government, including the appointment of Deng Alor as a Minister of Foreign Affairs" Ghandour said and stressed his readiness to work with him in the interest of the two countries in order to build a model relationships in the region.

Alor, is from the disputed area of Abyei. His appointment was seen by many in Juba as an obstacle for good relations between the two countries, but the G10 insisted he is their candidate for the post in this coalition government.

In response to a question by the legislators, Ghandour said his government would work for the stability support peace in the neighbouring country.

He stressed that "security and stability of the South Sudan means also the security of Sudan" and urged Juba to stop supporting Sudanese rebel groups.

This week, the semi-official news service SMC said that a group of Darfur rebels who returned recently form South Sudan, has provided new evidence of Juba support to the rebels groups and their camps.

(ST)

Egypt's journalists' union demands the dismissal of the interior minister after two journalists were arrested at its headquarters in Cairo overnight.

The owner of a six-storey building which collapsed in Kenya's capital, killing at least 21 people, has been arrested, police tell the BBC.

In early January, Judith Akolo, a journalist with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, found herself in unfamiliar territory when she was summoned and grilled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for retweeting a Twitter message. The original tweet had been posted on Dec. 31, 2015, advertising jobs within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) whose mandate […]

Thousands of people attend the first day of official commemorations in DR Congo to mark the sudden death of music star Papa Wemba.

By an IPS Correspondent
May 2 2016

The growing partnership between 78 countries of Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and the 28-member European Union (EU) has been described as one of the most successful examples of both South-South and North-South cooperation.

As ACP Secretary-General Dr. Patrick I. Gomes points out: “The ACP-EU partnership has a significant contribution to offer to the global development agenda.”

“Not only does it bring together more than 100 countries in the world in a legally binding partnership based on trade, development cooperation and political dialogue, but it has also made an impact through effective and comprehensive development programmes, as well as valuable collaborations with a wide variety of actors”, he said last week.

A two-day meeting of the Joint Council of Ministers and key officials from the 106 countries concluded April 29 with two key decisions: a pledge to ensure the success of the upcoming summit of Heads of State in Papua New Guinea 30 May- 1 June and an appeal to the EU for flexibility on free trade deals with ACP regions.

The meeting was chaired by the President of Senegal Macky Sall and took place at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre in the capital of Dakar.

The Summit is expected to be a watershed event for the ACP Group of States, in terms of providing the necessary political mandate to reorient the organisation, and a basis for more concrete engagement in discussions on the future of ACP-EU relations.

The Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea Rimbink Pato made a presentation on the state of preparations for the upcoming 8th Summit and urged delegations to ensure high levels of participation.

Among the decisions taken by the Council of Ministers was the need for an urgent response to the outbreak of the Zika virus in Caribbean countries. The virus has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Conscious of its potential economic and social impact, the Council gave instructions for an appropriate financial allocation to be urgently made from the Intra-ACP resources of the 11th European Development Fund to address the crisis.

The ministers also agreed on a resolution on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAS) between the ACP regions and the European Union.

The Caribbean is the only region to have ratified a full regional agreement, which is currently being implemented. Three others – West Africa, East African Community, and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) EPA group – have signed but not ratified.

Amongst several key decisions and resolutions, the ACP Council of Ministers welcomed the report by the Eminent Persons Group, chaired by former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, entitled “A New Vision for our Future – A 21st century African, Caribbean and Pacific Group delivering for its Peoples.”

The report, resulting from more than two years of research, consultations and reflection, includes recommendations to reform the organisation and reposition it as a more effective international force on the global scene.

The report will be tabled at the 8th ACP Summit in Papua New Guinea.

The Council also encouraged Member States to participate in the upcoming UNCTAD XIV, (the 14th UN Conference on Trade and Development) on 17-22 July 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The ACP Council of Ministers also adopted a resolution directing the ACP Secretariat to take steps to support Member States in negotiating improved bilateral Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements with the EU.

In a separate resolution, the Council welcomed several developments in the ongoing EU talks on sugar, including assurances that the EU Safeguard Mechanism will not be applied automatically, and that the EU will not impose any mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) for sugar.

Ministers further insisted that no intervention is made to increase the supply of sugar within the EU which could undermine the fragile recovery in sugar prices in some ACP Member States.

Additionally, the Council of Ministers discussed the territorial tensions between Belize and Guatemala, as well as between Guyana and Venezuela, with Ministers confirming their support for the territorial integrity of ACP Member States in these disputes.

(End)

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman wants Senegalese striker Sadio Mane to replicate the form that brought him a hat-trick on Sunday.

May 2, 2016 (JUBA)- A South Sudanese religious leader has asked members of parliament and cabinet ministers to stay close to the people so that they are able to understand their challenges and the needs.

South Sudanese MPs stand during a parliamentary session in Juba on 31 August 2011 (AFP)

“People are living like abandoned orphans because of members of parliament don't find time to stay in their constituencies," said episcopal Bishop of Akot diocese, Isaac Dhieu.

“There is a gap between the grassroots and leaders because leaders are not among the people. The focus this time should in the community where change is supposed to start from. Change does not start with the president; change starts with the grassroots and it is the reason why MPs run away and go for positions of minister, deputy minister and abandon the people like the way they are [doing] right now”, he added.

He said politicians were busy running after their own interest and changing allegiance from one political group to the other in pursuit for their own interests and not that of the common person.

“Everyone who failed in the government is running to the SPLM-IO, so what kind of change are we crying for? Every day you are crying but there's no one to listen to you. People are being attacked at night by the unknown gunmen because there's no leadership to protect them. I know people know people who are more than capable to deliver services to the people but they have been given the opportunity to serve," said Dhieu.

People should be allowed to remove garbage in their constituencies and ensure each household has clean and running water on prepaid basis. They will provide basic needs for all the people and help people have title deeds and own decent shelter”, he added.

(ST)