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S. Sudan Petroleum ministry launches oil licensing round

mer, 23/06/2021 - 10:28

June 22, 2021 (JUBA) - South Sudan has officially launched its first oil licensing auction with five blocks on offer, the country's Petroleum ministry announced on Wednesday.

An aerial view of an oil field near the town of Bentiu, Unity state (AP)

"The oil licensing round aims to attract interest from a diverse group of foreign investors to a region that is already home to oil and gas majors from China and Malaysia," partly reads the ministry's statement.

Currently, China National Petroleum Corporation and Malaysia's Petronas are operating in the young nation.

According to the ministry once the period for expressions of interest closes, a series of data presentations would be hosted virtually.

Income from oil accounts for 98 percent of South Sudan's annual budget.

In June last year, the Central Bank of South Sudan said it would start buying crude gold from local miners to boost the country's economy.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Sudan's PM calls for national mechanism to achieve transition, RSF integration

mer, 23/06/2021 - 09:41

June 22, 2012 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Prime Minister proposed to agree on a common vision to accomplish the transitional agenda, including the reform of military institutions and integration of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the unified national army.

Abdallah Hamdouk launched on Tuesday an initiative aiming to agree on a national platform to achieve the democratic transition in Sudan.

He said that the country is currently experiencing a deep political crisis exacerbated by the differences between the political parties, among the military institutions and the civilian versus military power struggle.

The Prime Minister said the civilian and military component of the transitional bloc have to agree on the tasks of the transition, on top of which is the establishment of a unified professional and national army with a new military doctrine.

The call to reform the security and military sector comes after the refusal of the Deputy-Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo "Hemetti" to integrate the RSF militiamen into the Sudanese army threatening the implementation of peace agreements.

Hamdok further stressed that discussions over the reform of security and military sectors should not be limited to the military, but must involve the political and civil society forces

"It is a key step in the whole transitional process, without it the issues of economy, transitional justice, and building a civil state cannot be resolved."

"The Sudanese Armed Forces must be the only national army, and this requires structural reforms, a new military doctrine, representation of the Sudanese diversity at all levels, and the implementation of the security arrangements agreement contained in the Juba Agreement for the Peace of Sudan," he stressed.

He underscored the need to involve the government in the discussions on the integration of the RSF, rather than limiting it to al-Burhan and Hemedti.

The RSF militiamen are rejected from the Sudanese people because of the war crimes they committed in Darfur and South Kordofan, in addition to the killing of peaceful protesters participating in a pro-democracy sit-in outside the General Command of the Sudanese army in Khartoum on 3 June 2019.

The militia supported the popular revolution that overthrew the al-Bashir regime. However, their well-documented participation in the bloody attack on the sit-in made them unacceptable in Khartoum.

Also, the seizure of several gold mines and their management by a company owned by Hemetti and his family also contributed to its rejection.

Intelligence service and police

with regard to the intelligence service and the police, Hamdok demanded the implementation of the reforms related to these services as provided in the constitutional document.

He said the government should manage the General Intelligence Service (GIS) which replaced the NISS of the former regime.

Apart from changing its name, the GIS is still directed by the same staff appointed by the former regime and keeps the same structures, except the dismantled Operation Department.

In his proposal, Hamdok again spoke about the need to review the economic activity of the army and to limit it to the military industries.

The initiative also dealt with a number of other issues, such as the formation of a transitional parliament within a month and handing over wanted former officials to the International Criminal Court.

Hamdok said he discussed his initiative with the military, political, and civilian forces.

"We expect that these consultations will lead to the formation of a mechanism to achieve a consensus among Sudanese. I want to call it the Transition Protection Mechanism."
(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Machar sacks chief of staff, gets presidential advisory position

mer, 23/06/2021 - 09:15

June 22, 2021 (JUBA)- The leader of the major opposition in South Sudan has sacked his chief of staff, sparking debates in ranks and files of the opposition leadership despite new assignment.

Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, the chief of staff of the SPLA-IO, talks to the press at a rebel military site in Juba on April 25, 2016 (Photo AFP/Charles Lomodong)

An order bearing the name and signature of South Sudan's First Vice-President in the coalition government, Riek Machar said Gen Simon Gatwech Dual has been removed and replaced with Gabriel Duop Lam.

The former armed opposition army commander, a strong ally of Machar at the height of the conflict, has now been appointed as an adviser to the president on peace.

The military spokesman of the group was also replaced and asked to report himself to the headquarters of the movement pending a decision on where to be deployed.

No statement has far been issued by the general indicating acceptance or rejection of the new changes. Sources close to him have told Sudan Tribune he was still deciding on whether he should accept or decline the new assignment.

Dual has always preferred full implementation of the peace agreement before he could return to the national capital, Juba. However, officials close to him and members of the opposition say he is dissatisfied with the way in which the security arrangements have been handled.

According to Chapter Two of the revitalized peace accord, which consists of the security arrangements, government and opposition forces are supposed to canton and train unified forces during a three-year transitional period leading into elections.

Observers, however, say the entire process has been slow and is behind schedule.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

UNMISS committed to support elections in S. Sudan: Hayson

mar, 22/06/2021 - 12:00

June 21, 2021 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is firmly committed to supporting elections in the East African nation, a top UN official in the country said Monday.

The head of UN mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom (Getty)

Briefing the members of the Security Council in New York, Nicholas Hayson, the head of UNMISS, however, said the concerted efforts of the UN should be supported by all stakeholders in South Sudan.

“Equally important, as we move forward, is our partnership with the international community, especially the AU [African Union] and IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development],” he said.

The top UN official in the country acknowledged the slow progress in the overall implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“The formation of the legislature remains incomplete. The constitution of the Council of States and the nomination of the legislative assembly speaker is pending. UNMISS continues to encourage the Government to complete these processes while ensuring adequate representation of women and youth at all levels,” he said.

Haysom expressed grave concern over the dire security situation in the young nation.

"I would like to highlight the pervasive insecurity, in particular intercommunal violence, which continues to obstruct the realization of a durable and sustainable peace in South Sudan. This year, more than 80 percent of civilian casualties were attributed to intercommunal violence and community-based militias," he said.

According to the top UN official, despite the efforts of UNMISS to maintain peace, weak or absent state governance institutions throughout South Sudan have enabled spoilers to exploit perennial communal and ethnic cleavages.

"Worryingly, weakened rule of law institutions and economic deterioration have led to increased criminality and targeting of humanitarian workers. This year alone, four humanitarian workers have been killed, and millions of dollars of humanitarian supplies looted or destroyed," stressed Hayson.

He added, "The callous and indiscriminate killing of humanitarian workers is deplorable, he added.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Vietnam to continue contributing troops to South Sudan: envoy

mar, 22/06/2021 - 10:54

June 21, 2021 (NEWYORK) - Vietam will continue to make positive contributions to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and increase the engagement of female officers in the mission, its envoy said.

A UN Security Council session on New York (UN photo)

Speaking at a UN Security Council's discussion on the situation in South Sudan and the operations of the UNMISS on Monday, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy lauded the positive developments in South Sudan as the country prepares to celebrate10 years of its independence.

He appealed to the international community to recognise the progress so far made in the implementation of South Sudan peace agreement.

Quy, however, urged the government of South Sudan to take effective measures to deal with violence among communities, including solving the roots of the problem through dialogue and trust-building.

The Vietnamese diplomat called on the government of South Sudan and relevant parties to work together to implement resolutions of the UNSC on South Sudan, including Resolution 2577 aiming at the removal of the weapons embargo on the country.

Reports at the discussion showed the situation in South Sudan has seen positive developments since the beginning of 2021 with the implementation of a long-term ceasefire agreement and the formation of a transitional parliament. However, they said the implementation of the Peace Agreement 2018 has still remained slow with concern over economic and humanitarian crises in the country.

Vietnam joined the UN peacekeeping operations and dispatched representatives to the UNMISS in 2014. The Asian nation is deploying its third level-2 field hospital in Bentiu, South Sudan.

Founded in 2011, the UNMISS's mission is to consolidate peace and security and help establish conditions for development in South Sudan, strengthening the capacity of the government to govern effectively and democratically and establish good relations with its neighbours.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

SRF groups reject Sudan Call's initiative to reform ruling coalition

mar, 22/06/2021 - 08:35

June 21, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) led by Hadi Idris Monday rejected calls by some groups of the Sudan Call alliance to reform the ruling Force for Freedom and Change (FFC) pointing that it hampers efforts to consolidate the coalition.

On Sunday, some groups of the Sudan Call, the National Umma Party (NUP) and the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi held a meeting to discuss ways to reform the FFC.

NUP Secretary-General Wathiq Albrair stated that they would hold a founding conference for the FFC groups in line with the NUP efforts to reform the ruling coalition.

In response to the move, the SRF mainstream distanced itself from the Sunday meeting as Minnawi split from the peace signatory groups.

"The SRF affirms its commitment to its partnership with the FFC Central Council. This partnership has been included in the Juba Peace Agreement, which became part of the Constitutional Document," says a statement extended to the Sudan Tribune by the SRF Rapporteur Mohamed Zakaria.

"Also, the SRF confirms that the Sudan Call is an essential component of the FCC Central Council and considers that the recent meetings - involving some parties to the Sudan Call- violate the (alliance's) regulations and bar the way to develop the FFC. Further, (these steps) contribute to confusing the democratic transition and serve the enemies of the glorious Sudanese revolution," stressed the statement.

Since last year the NUP has been calling to reform the FFC current structures which give equal representation for the small and large political groups.

Some of these small groups imposed their members in the first transitional cabinet and hampered the agreed principle of a technocrat government. Nowadays, they oppose the government's economic policies.

On the other side, the NUP is accused of seeking to have Lion's share in the FFC leadership structures.

The divisions among political forces supporting Hamdok's government triggered several initiatives including one conducted by the SRF Hadi Idris.

Hamdok's initiative

The Sudanese Prime Minister, for his part, is expected to unveil a political initiative Tuesday to unify the political forces and consolidate the coalition o the transition forces.

A senior government official told Sudan Tribune on Monday that Hamdok's consultations with the political forces began several weeks ago. He added that the premier is seeking to establish a unified bloc, involving the military, to complete the transition agenda.

In a separate press statement, the cabinet said that Hamdok will announce a new national initiative on Tuesday.

"The initiative aims to unify the components of revolution and change, achieve comprehensive peace, enhance the democratic transition and expand its base," reads the statement.

A member of the FFC Central Council, Jaafar Hassan, told the Sudan Tribune that the Prime Minister held "positive meetings", with the FFC leadership in preparation for a political project labelled the "Transitional Bloc" that includes all parties to the revolution.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Al-Burhan grants regional autonomy for Sudan's Two Areas

mar, 22/06/2021 - 05:59

June 20, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The Chairman of the Sovereign Council in Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Sunday issued a constitutional decree granting self-government powers for the Two Areas of the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

The decision is in line with the terms of the Juba Peace Agreement signed between the government and the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) on October 3, 2020.

"The President of the Sovereign Council issued a “constitutional decree establishing an administrative system for the Two Areas in accordance with the peace agreement,” reads a statement released by the Ministry of Local Government on Sunday.

The statement said that the Minister of Local Government Buthaina Ibrahim Dinar informed the states and the federal ministries of the decision.

"The Parties agree that without prejudice to the unity of Sudan's people and territory, the exclusive, joint or residual powers agreed upon in this Agreement, the Two Areas shall enjoy autonomy by which they shall exercise the powers stipulated in this Agreement", provides the Juba peace agreement on the system of governance in the Two Areas.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Top IOM official in South Sudan on six-day visit

lun, 21/06/2021 - 12:39

June 20, 2021 (JUBA/ADDIS ABABA) - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) regional director for East and Horn of Africa, Mohammed Abdiker is in Juba, South Sudan on a six-day visit.

International Organization for Migration regional director for East and Horn of Africa, Mohammed Abdiker (Getty)

During his trip, Abdiker is scheduled to meet with government officials, international donors and the United Nations country team.

“Mr. Abdiker will also visit Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal to assess IOM's humanitarian response in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, including the Naivasha IDPs camp, and surrounding communities, as well as visit transition and recovery activities implemented by IOM for communities and returnees,” IOM said in a statement issued Monday.

The top IOM official is expected to brief journalists in Juba on Friday, June 25.

According to IOM, there are more than 1.7 million IDPs in South Sudan living in Protection of Civilians (PoC) site, IDP camps and in host communities.

The organisation said it seeks to work closely with authorities in the country to deliver programs across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus through an integrated, multi-sectoral approach whereby governance, migration management, and transition, recovery, and stabilization efforts complement humanitarian interventions across the country.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Campaign group calls for truth and reconcilation in S. Sudan

lun, 21/06/2021 - 11:12

June 20, 2021 (NAIROBI) - South Sudanese leaders should not sacrifice justice for a reconciliation likely to be short-term and inadequate in the absence of accountability, Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General warned Monday

President Kiir shakes hands with his FVP Macahr in a recent meeting at the presidency (SSPPU photo)

In a letter to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, she urged both leaders to ensure that “survivors and victims of atrocities committed in South Sudan's conflict that broke out in December 2013 are given a comprehensive and holistic response to the harm they suffered, including truth and trials”.

On June 7, Callamard sent the letter privately first to the two leaders, five years after the New York Times ran an opinion article by the two leaders (later disowned by Machar) entitled “South Sudan Needs Truth, Not Trials” extolling the virtues of reconciliation over criminal prosecutions.

Heavy fighting broke out between forces loyal to Kiir and those loyal to Machar, killing hundreds of civilians, a day after the publication of the op-ed.

“Only a holistic process that caters to the diversity of victims and their multiples needs and desires, that guarantees non-recurrence of the violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and addresses a range of human rights, including the right to truth, the right to reparations and the right to justice, can bring an end to violations in South Sudan,” wrote Callamard.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in the South Sudan conflict, thousands subjected to rape and other sexual violence, and millions have been displaced from their homes, their villages burnt and pillaged.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Qatar's top diplomat starts 2-day visit to Sudan

lun, 24/05/2021 - 08:53

May 23, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in Khartoum on Sunday night in a two-day visit to Sudan.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani who arrived from Libya was welcomed at Khartoum airport by his Sudanese counterpart Mariam al-Mahdi.

In a statement Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said that Al Thani's visit aims to "strengthen bilateral relations between Sudan and Qatar."

He will meet the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo "Hemedti" and Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

Earlier this year, al-Burhan and Hemetti travelled to Doha and held talks with the Qatari officials.

in April 2019, the transitional military council declined to receive the Qatari top diplomat, but later said it was due to a mistake by the undersecretary for foreign affairs.

During the Paris Conference for Sudan, the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said his country is committed to building community institutions and providing returnees who regain their villages with means of life and ready to honour the commitment taken in the Doha donor conference for Darfur of April 2013.

The Qatari official further added that his government would consider investment opportunities in various sectors of the Sudanese economy.

Following the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2011, Qatar established 14 villages including educational, health and police facilities.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Sudan, SPLM-N hold meetings ahead of peace talks

lun, 24/05/2021 - 08:16


May 23, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government and the SPLM-North, led by Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu, held preparatory meetings ahead of the peace talks that will take place in Juba on 26 May.

On 28 March, the head of the Sovereign Council and the leader of the SPLM-N signed a declaration of principles providing to separate between state and religion and to form a single national army at the end of the transitional period.

Later on, the South Sudanese mediation announced that the two sides will resume negotiations on 26 May.

In a meeting chaired by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Sunday, the Supreme Peace Council discussed the upcoming negotiations to end the conflict in the South Kordofan area and the Blue Nile.

In a statement released after, the Chairman of Sudan's Peace Commission, Suleiman al-Dabailo said the meeting discussed all the arrangements related to the talks with the SPLM-N al-Hilu.

Al-Dabailo further said that the government negotiating delegation will travel to Juba on 25 May.

The talks between the two sides had been stalled for over a year due to the rejection of the military component in the Sudanese government of the separation between the state and religion.

For its part, the SPLM-N al-Hilu said in a statement released on Sunday that its negotiating team held consultative meetings in the movement-controlled areas in South Kordofan from April 20 to May 20.

According to the statement, the negotiating delegation held a series of meetings with the National Liberation Council, members of the Civil Authority of Sudan, led by First Secretary Arno Naqotlu Lodi, the Nuba-Mountains Governor, and the SPLA commanders.

"The meetings were characterized by clarity, frankness and transparency. Those who met with the negotiation delegation made proposals and recommendations to be included in the negotiations," stressed the statement.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

UAE withdraws initiative to settle Sudan-Ethiopia border dispute

lun, 24/05/2021 - 07:10


May 23, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) withdrew its initiative to settle the border dispute between Sudan and Ethiopia, a news report said citing sources at the Sovereign Council.

The UAE proposed to establish agricultural schemes in the Al-Fashaqa area of Gadaref State. 25% of the claimed area will be cultivated by Ethiopian farmers, according to the initiative.

However, the Head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fatah al-Burhan travelled to Abu Dhabi recently to inform the UAE leadership of Sudan's demand to demarcate the border first before any project or presence of Ethiopian manpower in the area.

The Abu Dhabi based Asharq newspaper reported Sunday that the UAE had officially informed Sudan of the withdrawal of its initiative to resolve the border dispute between Sudan and Ethiopia.

In a letter to the Sudanese government, "the UAE affirmed its respect for Sudan's position" about the need to place border markers first, further said the report citing sources at the Sudanese collegial presidency.

Sudanese officials say Ethiopia has reneged the border agreement signed in 1902, 1903 and 1972. They would not allow their presence of Ethiopian farmers again in the border area unless the markers are clearly established.

Sudan's Finance Minister Girbil Ibrahim recently told the Sudan Tribune that the Gulf country had proposed to invest $8 billons in this project.

The head of the Sovereign Council flanked by the cabinet affairs minister had to travel to Abu Dhabi to reiterate Khartoum's position after pledges made by his deputy to positively consider the UAE's investment project, officials say in Khartoum.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Ex-member of Sudan's Sovereign Council says resignation meant to reject humiliation

dim, 23/05/2021 - 11:01

May 22, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Aisha Musa, a former member of the Sovereign Council harshly criticized the Transitional Government in Sudan and branded it with failure to provide services and achieve justice.

On 12 May, Musa resigned from the collegial presidency which includes the civilian and military components.

Her resignation took place one day after the killing of two civilians in a peaceful rally to commemorate the second anniversary of a bloody attack by the security forces on a pro-democracy sit-in on 3 June 2019.

In a statement she read in a video released by the official news agency on Saturday, the former representative of the civil society groups in the Sovereign Council revealed the reasons that prompted her to resign.

She started by apologizing to the Sudanese women saying that they "still suffer exclusion" and do not participate in decision-making. Also, she apologized to the mothers of the protesters' dead and wounded, for her decision to quit the transitional authority.

She further stressed that her resignation aimed at expressing "a refusal to participate in more humiliation of our gigantic people," she said.

She pointed out that her efforts for justice and to defend women rights did not yield any results because her points of view were ignored and while the military component exceeded their constitutional powers.

"The civilian component in the Sovereign Council and at all levels of government became merely a logistical executive body that does not participate in decision-making - but endorse pre-prepared decisions."

The Sovereign Council is chaired by the Sudanese army commander in chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan until next November and then he should be replaced by a civilian, as it was agreed in the constitutional text governing the transitional period.

Aisha criticized the Council of transition partners formed after the peace agreement adding that it led to "diminishing the joint meetings of the cabinet and Sovereign Council and the ruling coalition."

This situation led to the concealment of efforts to form the transitional parliament, adding that this step is a breach of the Constitutional Document and without logical justifications, she said.

"The weakness in the state institutions led to the extension of insecurity and the inability to regulate and monitor the military forces, so the second blow of 11 May came stronger, more painful and let us down," she said.

Al-Burhan role in the leadership of the Transitional Sovereign Council has been contested by several political forces. However, he was encouraged by the divisions among the Forces for Freedom and Changes, his willingness to normalize relations with Israel and the border dispute with Ethiopia.

Also, Hamdok's nonchalant manner in peace and justice issues infuriated some political forces but others said the FFC's weakness was to blame.

Musa called to reform the justice system, implement the death sentence against some killers of demonstrators and investigate the reasons for delaying the publication of the findings of the investigation committee on the 3 June attack.

In a statement issued on 19 May, Human Rights Watch denounced the use of excessive force against protesters on 11 May.

The rights groups said the attack on civilians shows the urgent need for security sector reforms, and to end immunity provisions that shield officials from accountability.

“Sudan's international partners should see to it that Sudan's leaders turn their pledges to action when it comes to upholding a rights-abiding transition,” said Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Peace evaluation body says soldiers are deserting cantonment sites

dim, 23/05/2021 - 08:15

May 22, 2021 (JUBA) - The head of South Sudan's peace monitoring and evaluation body deplored the failure of the government to implement the security arrangement, pointing that combatants are abandoning cantonment sites.

On 20 May, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) held its 17th monthly meeting in Juba, to discuss the ongoing implementation of the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018.

In his remarks at the opening sessions, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Charles Tai Gituai said disappointed with the continued delay in the implementation of security arrangements (TSAs, the unification of forces, in particular.

"No graduation and redeployment for Phase One of the Necessary Unified Forces has taken place. Cantonment sites and training centres continue to be abandoned due to a chronic lack of food, medicines, shelter facilities and hygiene items for women," Gituai said.

"The conditions in both cantonment sites and training centres continue to deteriorate and can only get worse with the onset of the rainy season," he further added.

He urged the transitional government to allocate the needed funds for the implementation of the security arrangements and to ensure the DDR process.

The government says unable to finance the crucial security arrangements has called for international support. But Juba is requested first to curb corruption and make more transparency in the management of the oil income.

Gituai welcomed the formation of the new transitional parliament and commencement of the Permanent Constitution-making expressing hope that it will drive to make progress in the peace enforcement process.

"Now is the time to continue to build political will, strengthen trust and confidence, implement tasks concurrently, especially completing the TSAs, and providing humanitarian assistance, in order to deliver peace dividends for the people of South Sudan," he added.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

More Sudanese to benefit from cash support programme next June

dim, 23/05/2021 - 07:01

May 22, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government announced the implementation of the second phase of the direct cash transfer programme in 10 states as of next June.

The Sudan Family Support Program aims to provide direct financial support to 80% of Sudanese people to soften the impact of hard economic reforms after the cancellation of commodity subsidies and the rise of bread, fuel and power prices.

"Preparations have been completed for the launch of the programme in 10 states in the first week of next June," reads a statement released by the Ministry of Finance on Saturday.

The ministry added that the 10 states are: the Blue Nile, White Nile, North, East, West and Central Darfur, Sennar and North, South and West Kordofan.

Each family of six members will receive 30 dollars a month, approximately 13000 Sudanese Pounds.

This family support programme enjoys the support of over US$900 million from the international community. The Friends of Sudan pledged to give US$500 million, said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Managing Director Operations during the Paris Conference on 17 May.

The Sudanese government said it transferred money to 182,248 families, in the states of Khartoum, Kassala and the Red Sea.

The remittance process would reach 414,000 families that completed their data.

Household registration is done through the national number document.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Sudanese, Saudi officials to discuss relief, recovery project in war-affected areas

sam, 22/05/2021 - 10:31

May 21, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Al-Hadi Idris, a member of the Transitional Sovereign Council will begin Saturday a visit to Riyadh to discuss relief and rehabilitation projects with Saudi officials.

Idris told Sudan Tribune that he will discuss humanitarian assistance and development projects in the war-affected area in Darfur and the Two Area.

"Also, the discussions with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre will cover rehabilitation projects," he added.

The senior officials will be accompanied by Hafez Ibrahim Abdel Nabi, Minister of Livestock
Abdallah Yahya, Minister of Urban Development, Roads and Bridges.

On 21 April, Saudi Ambassador to Khartoum Ali bin Hassan Jaafar met Idris to hand him an official invitation to discuss the visit.

Jaafar told reporters that the senior Sudanese officials will also discuss economic and investment issues, determine the humanitarian assistance in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan.

The Centre has already implemented $16.5millions projects in Sudan including food, WASH and health.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Egyptian troops arrive in Sudan ahead of bilateral military drills

sam, 22/05/2021 - 08:39

May 21, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian infantry forces arrived in Sudan to participate in bilateral military exercises involving ground, naval and air armies of the two countries, the Sudanese army said on Friday.

The Military Media stated that preparations have been completed for the launch of the Sudanese-Egyptian drills dubbed "Nile Protectors" from 26-31 May.

Besides the ground forces, the drills involve the air forces and the air defence forces from the two armies.

Armoured vehicles and weapons arrived in Port Sudan while the troops were transported by plane.

The drills will take place in Umm Sayala and El Obeid of North Kordofan and Merowe in northern Sudan.

It will be followed by a naval exercise in the Jebeit area on the Red Sea.

Altahir Abu Haja, the Media Adviser of the Sudanese army commander in chief and head of the Sovereign Council said the Nile Protectors drills are the continuation of the previous exercises in Merowe and Alexandria between the two armies.

The Nile Protectors exercises express the firm conviction of the two countries about the need for joint strategic action to address potential threats and the need for tight coordination to defend vital strategic interests of the two countries," further stressed Abu Haja.

Sudan and Egypt previously denied that these exercises are directed against the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which is perceived as a threat to the two countries interests if Addis Ababa continues to refuse to sign a legally binding agreement on its filling and operation.

(ST)

The Chairperson of the African Union is expected to file new proposals to the three countries over the outstanding issues in the near future.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

Ethiopia amassed troops inside Sudanese border: military sources

sam, 22/05/2021 - 07:06


May 21, 2021 (GADAREF) - Ethiopia has deployed troops in the Qatarand settlement inside the Al-Fashaqa border area of Gedaref State, Sudanese military sources said on Friday.

Sudanese army two weeks ago retook control of the Shai Bait settlement in the Al-Fashaqa after expelling Ethiopia Amhara militiamen. During a visit to the Sudanese forces deployed in the area, a week ago, a member of the Sovereignty Council, Lt Gen Shams Eldin Kabashi stated that over 95% of Al-Fashaqa is now under Sudanese control.

Sudanese military sources in Gadaref told the Sudan Tribune that, the Ethiopian army had been amassing a large contingent of troops and militiamen along the Al Fashaqa area, coming from Bahir Dar the capital of the Amhara Region and Gondar, another city in the same region.

"The Ethiopian army forces, supported by the Amhara militia, have been deployed in the Qatrand settlement, equipped with cannons and tanks," the source who is not authorized to speak with the media added.

The Ethiopian government denies deploying its national army in the border area saying the Sudanese army is hunting Ethiopian farmers. Also, Addis Ababa says seeking a negotiated solution for the border dispute and they refuse to go in war against the Sudanese army.

In Khartoum, Sudanese officials say its army has been deployed within the internationally demarcated border. Further, they refuse talks about border dispute saying the government of Abiy Ahmed seeks to denounce the agreements of 1902,1903 and 1972 about the border demarcation.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

UN's Perthes concerned about slow peace implementation in Sudan

ven, 21/05/2021 - 09:13

May 20, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes voiced "great concern" about the slow pace of peace implementation in the country.

Perthes who took part in an economic conference in Paris for Sudan's debt relief and investment briefed via videoconference the Security Council on Thursday about the democratic transition process, the implementation of the peace agreement and the ongoing efforts to bring armed holdout groups.

In his remakes to the Council, he expressed " great concern with the limited progress in implementing the Juba Peace Agreement, (JPA), pointing to the security arrangements and the establishment of the Ceasefire and other Security Committees.

"Delays in establishing the Joint Protection Force and the absence of integrated and united armed forces, one army that has a direct bearing on Protection of Civilians and overall stability".

The UNITAMS head underscored the urgent need for money to fund the security arrangements and to establish the joint protection force and the enforcement of the security arrangements.

He said the armed groups identified their combatants for the joint protection force but it has not been deployed

"Some delays in deploying the joint protection force are reportedly due to a lack of resources; and material international support for these joint forces, including support for housing and equipment, would certainly be welcomed," he said.

"I fear that without the speedy establishment of these Joint Forces, and the implementation of Sudan's National Plan for the Protection of Civilians, we could see similar incidents like Geneina be repeated," he further stressed.

Over 144 people were killed and an estimated 65,000 displaced following the resumption of tribal clashes in the West Darfur State capital El-Geneina earlier.

For his part, Richard Mills, U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations said the Biden administration remains concerned about the "transitional government's efforts and its ability" to protect its people.

"We cannot let continued violence destroy the Juba Peace Agreement's prospects for effective peace in Darfur. Fulfilment of the agreement is needed for a successful transition to democracy and stability in Sudan," he said.

"We strongly encourage the civilian-led transitional government to commit – with conviction – to ensuring that all Sudanese feel safe and secure in their communities and their livelihoods," he further said.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

UNAMID hands over its headquarters in Central Darfur

sam, 08/05/2021 - 12:23

May 7, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The former hybrid peacekeeping operation in western Sudan handed over its headquarters in the capital of Central Darfur state.

The United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) completed its mandate on 31 December 2020.

Initially, the closure of the UNAMID team sites was planned to end by 16 June, but it was decided to accelerate the drawdown before the start of the wet season to avoid further complications.

On 6 May, the UNAMID handed over its former headquarters in Zalingei to the governor of West Darfur representing the Sudanese government.

The ceremony was also attended by Zalingei University officials as the compound will host the academic institution.

The handover documents were signed by M'Baye Babacar Cissé, Assistant Secretary-General, on behalf of UNAMID and Adeeb Abdel Rahman, the Governor of Central Darfur State, signed on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Sudan.

The former UNAMID head and his deputy left their roles on 31 January 2021, along with the Force Commander and the Police Commissioner.

In statements to the official news agency SUNA, Abdel Rahman said the UNAMID team site was allocated to the University of Zalinge with the aim that contributes to the peace project in the state.

While the UNAMID drawdown and liquidation processes are in their final stage, the Sudanese government the armed groups signatories of the Juba peace agreement still did not deploy the joint forces in Darfur.

On 15 April 2021, the head of the government negotiating team Mohamed Hassan Eltaishi said that a first batch of the joint forces, between 3000 to 5000 troops, would be deployed in the Darfur region.

Eltaishi at the time attributed the delay to financial difficulties the government has been facing and the delay of the armed groups to hand over the lists of their forces participating in the force.

However, he asserted that the two problems have been solved.

(ST)

Catégories: Africa

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