Africa

September 5, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - A group from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) affiliated with Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Saturday has blocked the main road linking Khartoum state to the Northern state for several hours and looted passengers' property.

RSF troops in camouflage and draped with ammunition show off the spoils from a major clash with the rebel (JEM), in Nyala 13 May 2015 (Photo AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that RSF on Saturday morning blocked the highway near Al-Gaili oil refinery, 25 kilometres north of Khartoum, adding they forced the vehicles to stop and stole passengers' property.

The same eyewitnesses said that a police patrol unit passed by the incident's scene but was unable to confront the RSF, stressing the heavily armed militiamen continued to disrupt the traffic for several hours without intervention from any government authority.

They added that the angry RSF also attacked restaurants and shops near Al-Gaili area and embarked on looting their property and merchandise without being stopped by any party.

The Sudanese government didn't comment on the incident.

RSF continued to block roads and loot passengers' property whenever the government fails to pay their financial accruals.

Late last year, the militiamen also blocked the same road to protest against the delay in the payment of their monthly salaries.

The RSF, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilized by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur in 2003.

The militia was reactivated and restructured again in August 2013 under the command of NISS to fight the alliance of rebel groups from Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states following joint attacks in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

(ST)

September 5, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan's army chief of staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, on Saturday requested the United Nations and United States of America to monitor the permanent ceasefire till regional countries set up a military observers' team.

In this photo taken Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, a government soldier stands in the oil-rich town of Malakal (Photo AP)

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) said the UN and U.S. can monitor the declared by President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar ten days ago but both sides continue to trade accusations of violations without being verified by independent monitors.

“The SPLA called upon the members of the international community, particularly the UN and the U.S. to provide a joint monitoring and verification mechanism,” the SPLA spokesperson Col. Philip Aguer, told reporters when he read a statement signed by Gen. Malong in Juba on Saturday.

“This interim joint monitoring and verification from the UN and U.S. will help fill the gap created by IGAD compromise peace agreement,” said Aguer.

President Kiir signed the agreement on August 26, nine days after his former vice-president turned rebel leader Machar and former detainees leader Pagan Amum inked the agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

On 27 August President Kiir who was followed by Machar a day later, declared a permanent ceasefire. But both sides continue to accuse each of carrying out attacks.

The SPLA said the rebels attacked military ships travelling to Juba to Malakal this week, denying claims that they carried out attacks on the rebel positions.

“It is worth stating clearly that these ships left Juba before the peace was signed and never attacked any rebel held area along the way,” said Aguer.

“By the time the President signed the agreement, the ship had already covered more than 80% of the journey from Juba to Malakal,” he added.

The SPLA chief described the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediated peace document as “flawed” when it comes to the creation of the ceasefire monitoring and verification team.

“It is therefore important that this gap is closed by having an interim monitoring mechanism in place,” the statement added.

"The existing IGAD MVM shall transition to become the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), responsible for reporting on the progress of the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA); says the peace deal.

It further provides that the CTSAMM shall be chaired by a representative of IGAD, adding that representatives from the warring parties and South Sudanese parties and civil society groups as well as the AU, China, EU, Troika, and UNMISS, shall participate in the monitoring mechanism.

SPOILERS OF PEACE

The SPLA did not blame the SPLM-in-opposition led by Machar but pointed an accusing finger at the splinter rebel commanders that declared defection from the mainstream rebel group.

“There are spoilers of peace and it is a well unknown fact that part of the rebels of Riek Machar publicly said they will not honour the agreement,” said Aguer.

The SPLA calls upon those groups to join the IGAD mediation o address their grievances and give peace a chance,” he added.

(ST)

September 4, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese political forces participating in the national dialogue on Friday admitted that the internal political process will not meet the expected success without the participation of the armed opposition groups.

3rd meeting of the national dialogue national assembly in Khartoum on Thursday 20 August 2015 (Photo - SUNA)

The ruling National Congress Party (NCP), the opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) of Hassan al-Turabi rejected an African Union plan aiming to bring the holdout rebel and political groups to participate in the national dialogue through the organization of a preparatory meeting outside Sudan on the matters related to the process.

"The non-participation of armed movements will hamper efforts to achieve the desired success," said the chairman of the National Democratic Forum and member of dialogue coordination body Faisal Yassen who pointed to "the need to hold the pre-dialogue conference".

"We do not mind even if the preparatory conference is held in (the rebel stronghold of) Kauda" which is the capital of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N) controlled areas in South Kordofan.

"We are not afraid of the preparatory conference," he further stressed.

The Sudanese government says the dialogue should be prepared and held by Sudanese inside the country without foreign intervention, arguing that previous initiatives didn't bring peace or stability to Sudan and the international community didn't implement its pledge in support of the signed deals.

The president Omer al-Bashir further accused Western countries of supporting rebel and opposition groups and using it to topple his regime.

But observers say the government is confusing the Sudanese street by insisting on its international isolation and the imposed international sanctions despite the secession of South Sudan.

Further, the leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP), Sadiq al-Mahdi refuted the government refusal of international participation in the dialogue process saying they just want through the pre-dialogue meeting to end war and to agree on the confidence building measures creating a healthy environment for the internal process.

Speaking in a talk show at Radio Omdurman, Yassen said the dialogue body will meet the diplomatic foreign missions in Khartoum to brief them on the ongoing preparations for the dialogue which is scheduled for 10 October.

He also said they are ready to meet the armed groups and al-Mahdi stressing on the need to involve him in the political process saying his NUP cannot be ignored.

Yassen said the last August communiqué of the Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) which insists on the need for the pre-dialogue meeting, is "not entirely negative".

The problem of absence disturbs school systems and ends in the students' dropping out of school.

However, a leading member of the National Liberation and Justice Party (NLJP), Ahmed Fadel who co-signed the famous 5 September agreement with the AU High Level Implementation Panel on the national dialogue said the African roadmap "opens the door for foreign intervention".

Fadel further called on the government to "urgently undertake diplomatic initiatives to address the risks of the AUPSC decision and to cut the road for such initiatives".

NLJP leader Tijani al-Sissi last Wednesday criticised the AUPSC's decision on the national dialogue and accused the African body of interfering in Sudan's internal affairs.

(ST)

The United Nations envoy facilitating efforts to restore peace in Libya said today that real progress was being made as the participants wrapped-up the latest round of the political dialogue process, which has been taking place in Geneva.

Wrapping up a four-day mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Kyung-wha Kang, called strongly today for creative ways to reignite donor engagement and ensure that one of the world’s most protracted crises does not “fall off the humanitarian radar.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Major General Muhammad Tayyab Azam of Pakistan as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

A lack of funding in Sudan could have serious repercussions on the ground, the World Food Programme (WFP) said today, warning that the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, which serves as a vital aid link in the country, needs nearly $10 million to remain operational.

The human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is far better than it was at the height of the conflict in late 2013 and early 2014, but is still a cause of anxiety for both the country’s own inhabitants and the United Nations, the world body’s human rights chief said today.

Hissène Habré Trial to Resume

(Dakar, September 4, 2015) – The trial of the former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture will begin in earnest on September 7, 2015.

Expand Share The long-awaited trial of Hissène Habré, was adjourned almost as soon as it was opened, as an outburst from the former dictator of Chad caused a scene in the courtroom.

When the landmark trial before the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegal court system formally opened on July 20, Habré had to be removed from court after an outburst. Habré’s lawyers then refused to appear and the trial was adjourned, giving new court-appointed lawyers time to study the case.  

“After 25 years of campaigning and 45 days waiting patiently, the survivors will finally get their day in court,” said Reed Brody, counsel at Human Rights Watch who has worked with the victims since 1999. “Hissène Habré may try to create more disturbances, but he does not get a veto on whether he should be tried, or if the victims get justice.”

Habré has refused to communicate with the court-appointed lawyers, and it is expected that he will try to have them taken off the case. The president of the court, Gberdao Gustave Kam, has made clear, however, that in keeping with Senegalese law and international practice, the lawyers are needed to safeguard the rights of the accused and the integrity of the proceedings.

Habre is accused of tens of thousands of political killings as well as systematic torture during his rule, from 1982 to 1990. The trial is the first in the world in which the courts of one country prosecute the former ruler of another for alleged human rights crimes.

Habré is standing trial before the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegal court system. The chambers were inaugurated by Senegal and the African Union in February 2013 to prosecute the “person or persons” most responsible for international crimes committed in Chad between 1982 and 1990, the period when Habré ruled Chad. Judge Kam, of Burkina Faso, president of the Trial Chamber, will hear the case along with two senior Senegalese judges.

The trial is expected to last two months, with about 100 witnesses and victims expected to testify.

“If I get a chance to look Hissène Habré in the face, I will do it without fear,” said Fatimé Sakine, 53, a secretary who was subjected to electroshocks and beatings during 15 months in prison from 1984 to 1986 and who is in Dakar for the trial. “I want to know why we were kept rotting, why so many of my friends were tortured and killed.”

“This case is a milestone in the fight to hold the perpetrators of atrocities accountable for their crimes, in Africa and in the world,” Brody said. “It's taken many years, and many twists and turns, but in the end a group of tenacious survivors have shown that it was possible to bring their dictator to justice.” 

Topic

• International Justice
• Torture

• Français

(Dakar, le 4 septembre 2015) – Le procès de l'ancien dictateur tchadien Hissène Habré, poursuivi pour crimes contre l'humanité, crimes de guerre et torture va reprendre pour de bon le 7 septembre 2015.

Expand Share Les deux premières journées mouvementées du procès de l'ex-dictateur du Tchad Hissène Habré, à Dakar, avant son ajournement jusqu'au 7 septembre.

Lorsque le procès historique devant les Chambres africaines extraordinaires au sein des juridictions sénégalaises s'est officiellement ouvert le 20 juillet, Habré a dû être sorti du tribunal après avoir déclenché des échauffourées. Ses avocats ont ensuite refusé de venir à l’audience et le procès a été ajourné pour donner aux nouveaux avocats commis d’office le temps de prendre connaissance du dossier.

 « Après une lutte de 25 ans et après avoir patiemment attendu 45 jours, les survivants vont enfin pouvoir se faire entendre devant un tribunal », a déclaré Reed Brody, conseiller juridique à Human Rights Watch, qui travaille avec les victimes depuis 1999. « Hissène Habré peut toujours essayer de provoquer d’autres perturbations, il ne dispose pas d’un veto sur l'opportunité de son jugement ou sur le droit des victimes à obtenir justice. »

Habré a refusé de communiquer avec les avocats commis d'office et il est presque certain qu’il essaiera de les récuser. Le président de la Cour, Gberdao Gustave Kam, a cependant clairement indiqué que conformément au droit sénégalais et à la pratique internationale, les avocats sont nécessaires à la sauvegarde des droits de l’accusé et au bon déroulement de la procédure.

Habré est accusé de dizaines de milliers d’assassinats politiques et de torture systématique sous son régime entre 1982 et 1990. Avec le procès de Hissène Habré, pour la première fois, les tribunaux d’un État jugent l’ancien dirigeant d’un autre État pour des supposées violations de droits humains.

Habré est jugé par les Chambres africaines extraordinaires au sein des juridictions sénégalaises pour crimes contre l’humanité, torture et crimes de guerre. Ces Chambres ont été inaugurées par le Sénégal et l’Union africaine en février 2013 afin de poursuivre « le ou les principaux responsables » des crimes internationaux commis au Tchad entre 1982 et 1990, quand Hissène Habré était au pouvoir. Le président Kam, du Burkina Faso, siégera aux cotés de deux juges sénégalais expérimentés.

Le procès devrait durer deux mois, au cours desquels environ 100 témoins et victimes sont attendus à la barre.

« Si on me donne la possibilité de regarder Hissène Habré dans les yeux, je le ferai, et je n’aurai pas peur », a déclaré Fatimé Sakine, une secrétaire âgée de 53 ans qui a été torturée par électrochocs et battue pendant les 15 mois qu’elle a passés en détention de 1984 à 1986. « Je veux savoir pourquoi on nous a laissé pourrir en prison, pourquoi mes amis ont été torturés et tués. »

« Cette affaire est un tournant dans la lutte pour que les auteurs d’atrocités rendent compte de leurs crimes, en Afrique et dans le monde », a déclaré Reed Brody. « Après des années de campagne et de péripéties, un groupe de survivants tenaces a montré qu’il était possible de traduire un dictateur en justice. »

Topic

• International Justice
• Torture

• English

The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission after the disease had resurfaced in June, and as the country enters a 90-day period of heightened surveillance, the number of cases in the rest of West Africa remained stable at three for the fifth consecutive week.

United Nations staff in the Central African Republic (CAR) learned on 30 August that a girl was allegedly sexually abused around a year ago by a member of the French military force there, known as Sangaris, according to the world body’s human rights chief.

As the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial of Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda opened today, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said that it served as a powerful reminder to military leaders accused of similar acts that justice will ultimately prevail.

Residents at the Kakuma refugee camp in north-western Kenya will soon be able to buy charcoal produced in an environmentally-friendly way by local farmers as part of an innovative new alliance between the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and MasterCard to support small farmers and poor families.

The United Nations Security Council today renewed an arms embargo on non-State actors in Liberia for nine months while terminating other sanctions on the country, including a travel ban and asset freeze on those deemed a danger to its stability.

“Tangible” results have been achieved for a political deal in Libya, but concrete solutions to the conflict will only be reached when all parties agree on a final draft, the United Nations envoy facilitating efforts to restore peace in the North African country said today.

September 01, 2015 (WASHINGTON/JUBA) - The United States has condemned the recent fighting in parts of South Sudan's Jonglei and Upper Nile states, warning that any of the parties violating the recently signed peace agreement would “face consequences”.

South Sudanese soldiers patrol the streets of Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 (Photo: Simon Maina/AFP)

Both the government and the armed opposition faction have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, days after declaring a permanent ceasefire after last week's signing of the peace accord.

Mark Toner, the deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, said Monday that the recent ceasefire declarations by the government of South Sudan and the opposition, ordering all forces to cease military operations on 29 August, were welcomed as a step toward implementation of the agreement that now binds South Sudan's two warring parties.

“However, recent fighting by forces on both sides runs contrary to those orders and the terms of the peace agreement,” said Toner.

“We call on all parties to immediately cease provocative action and hostile engagement, and to further develop security arrangements at the planned security workshop starting September 5,” he stressed.

The US government, Toner further said, would work with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) partners to pursue, as needed, sanctions as authorised by UNSC resolution 2206. He, however, added that Washington would continue to stand with those who choose peace and are committed to faithful implementation of the agreement.

TRADING ACCUSATIONS

The South Sudanese military spokesman, Colonel Philip Aguer, told reporters on Monday that government forces were attacked by the armed opposition fighters in parts of Unity and Upper Nile states.

But the newly-appointed military spokesperson for the rebels, Col. William Gatjiath Deng, said the opposition forces came under separate attacks from government forces in Upper Nile and Unity states.

“The government troops attacked our forces in Tonga county [Upper Nile state] this late afternoon [Monday]. One of the government's barges has been burned by our forces and the fighting is still going on now,” Deng said in a statement on Monday.

Deng accused army of carrying out military offensives, despite a peace deal.

“We want to inform the people of South Sudan that government is sabotaging the implementation of the peace deal,” he stressed.

The rebel spokesperson called on the IGAD-Plus, African Union and the international community to investigate the continued violation of the ceasefire by government forces.

(ST)

September 01, 2015 (JUBA) – The governor of South Eastern Equatoria state, Louis Lobong has called on citizens to fully support the recently-signed peace deal between government and the armed opposition faction led by former vice president Riek Machar.

Eastern Equatoria state Governor Louis Lobong speaks at an event in Torit, March 2, 2012 (ST/Ijjo Bosco)

Speaking during a public rally held in the state capital, Torit on Tuesday, Lobong equally urged the population to welcome members of the armed opposition faction and forgive them for mistakes committed.

Lobong said the recently-signed compromise peace deal apportions 15% of state government positions to opposition parties.

We are waiting for the implementation of the democratic reforms in the signed peace deal to benefit all parties in the country, he said.

The governor, however, revealed that state political parties have been excluded from the power sharing agreement at state levels, but would be involved at the national level.

Lobong, also the ruling party chairperson in the state, further disclosed a meeting would soon be convened under his leadership to discuss so as to ensure other political parties are also represented.

“We shall not only want those who have taken arms and have chosen undemocratic means to be rewarded, but also those parties that have remained within the country and are sorting democratic channel, not to be punished,” he told the rally in the capital, Torit.

According to the governor, those who choose violence to attain power cannot be rewarded at the expense of agitators for peace.

William Odingila, the representative of political parties in the state, said they were ready to offer better alternatives of the government.

He urged the citizens to prepare for elections due in three year and ensure they voted wisely for those who will deliver services to them.

“We have given the SPLM [Sudan People's Liberation Movement] a length of time and it's only the SPLM that is fighting for leadership. This time, may one of the political parties also try to lead this country and we see if there is going to be a wrangle”, said Odingila.

Hundreds of Eastern Equatoria state community members, including, cabinet members, lawmakers, women and school children graced the rally at the Freedom Square in Torit.

(ST)

September 01, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its refugee agency (UNHCR) have agreed with the Sudanese government on an initiative to enhance self-reliance of refugees and asylum-seekers in Eastern Sudan through skills-building and sustainable rural livelihood strategies.

A Sudanese farmer harvests sorghum produced from seeds donated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the "Improving Seeds" project. 11 December 2006 (UN Photo/Fred Noy )

The joint pilot project is reportedly designed to improve access to food and income opportunities for low-income households in refugee camps in the region.

A joint statement issued on Tuesday said the project will enable low-income households meet local market needs by providing skills development in sustainable agriculture and livestock production.

Through the project, hands-on training will reportedly be provided to refugees and asylum seekers in land preparation, production and harvesting processes for sorghum, sesame, horticulture, fodder and poultry, production, packaging as well as marketing best practices.

“This project comes at a critical time. Eastern Sudan is facing a protracted refugee situation that is characterised by limited humanitarian aid resources, a lack of livelihood supports and chronic poverty in the refugee camps there,” said the FAO representative on Sudan, Abdi Jama.

“The project is an important component of FAO and UNHCR's joint efforts on a renewed Self-Reliance Strategy to address the situation by enhancing economic self-reliance in order to reduce refugee aid dependency and promote a sustainable co-existence between the refugees and host communities in Eastern Sudan,” he added.

The eastern part of Sudan remains one of the most protracted refugee situations worldwide, but reportedly witnesses an ongoing influx of new arrivals with an average of 1,100 individuals per month being registered at the border entry points in Sudan so far in 2015.

Since the 1960s, however, the semi-arid region has generously hosted more than 1.5 million refugees, while also being one of the poorest in Sudan according to a 2009 national poverty assessment.

Currently, the UN says, there are more than 90,000 refugees living in the region's nine active refugee camps and urban areas in Kassala, El Gezira and Gedaref states. The majority of refugees who are from a protracted caseload have lived in the region for up to 40 years, with close to 60% of the camp population having been born in Sudan.

Nearly 50% of refugees and asylum-seekers in Eastern Sudan are estimated to live in chronic poverty, the UN said in its joint statement.

“Refugees are often seen as passive recipients of aid, and an economic burden to the host communities, but in reality, the refugee population is not homogeneous. Although in extreme poverty, some are ready to build on their livelihood assets. Through this project, UNHCR will look at each refugee carefully, and assure that the right assistance reaches the right persons, based on not only their vulnerabilities but also on the capabilities of each refugee,” said the UNHCR's representative in Sudan, Mohammed Adar.

There have also been concerns, over the lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities in Eastern Sudan, which has reportedly contributed in pushing new arrivals to engage in onward movement.

“FAO is well-placed to address the livelihood challenges that refugees and asylum seekers in the region face,” said FAO's Jama.

“By providing people with the skills and tools they need to increase agricultural and livestock production, this project will benefit entire households and will help pave a way out of chronic poverty and steer these communities toward a more sustainable and healthful future,” he stressed.

FOOD SECURITY PROVISION

Since 2006, the UN food agency has reportedly provided food security and livelihood supports to refugees and asylum-seekers in Sudan, with projects currently underway in White Nile and South Kordofan states to support South Sudanese arrivals.

The project, in its pilot phase from August to December 2015, will reportedly target refugees and asylum-seekers living in the Fau 5, Kilo 26 and Um Gargour camps. Upon successful implementation of the pilot, should additional resource be available, the project can be replicated to other camps, as well as to the host communities, with a particular focus on local value chain development and partnership with private sectors.

“With increasingly limited resources available, a strong collaboration and partnership among all the concerned parties towards a common objective will be more and more important in the East”, said Adar.

“The pilot project is an important investment to show that the humanitarian assistance to the refugees, if provided correctly in good partnership with the Government and the right development partners, can positively contribute to the socioeconomic development in the region,” he added.

(ST)

September 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The two groups signatory of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) reiterated their demand to remove the chairman of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) Tjani al-Sissi from his position till its reshuffle and casted doubts over the political neutrality of the state minister chairing the peace implementation follow-up office.

FILE PHOTO - DRA's chairman and NLJP leader Al-Tijani Al-Sissi (L) with the head of Darfur peace follow-un office Amin Hassan Omer

The Liberation and Justice Party (LJP) of Bahar Idriss Abu Garda and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) of Bakheit Dabajo on Tuesday signed a joint memorandum increasing political pressure on the federal government requesting a performance audit for the DRA during the past four years and to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against it.

In a press conference held on Tuesday, LJP leading member Tadjadine Bechir Niam, told reporters "the joint memo demands al-Sissi's dismissal and the appointment of a governor at the chairmanship of the authority till the end of reshuffle process".

Niam further stressed on the need to consult all the peace partners before the appointment of new DRA chairman.

The two groups announced last week the suspension of their participation in the meeting of the regional authority after a brawl between the supporters of Abu Garda and Sissi in Khartoum.

JEM-Dabajo political secretary, Nahar Osman Nahar called on the Sudanese government to reshuffle the regional authority before a meeting of the international follow-up committee for the DDPD implementation, on 8 September in Doha.

Nahar who was speaking in the press conference with Niam, said the Sudanese presidency stands at an equal distance from all the DDPD parties, adding that the head of the national follow-up office for the DDPD implementation state minister Amin Hassan Omer is not neutral in his positions and tend to support al-Sissi.

He further warned against ignoring their joint reservations adding that will make difficult the continuation of their participation in the DRA.

"We made our observations on the DRA's performances. Unless it's corrected, it will be very difficult to continue. Everything is expected," Nahar said.

"We have reservations on the Authority and the organs tasked with the coordination because they are not neutral," he added.

(ST)