Feed aggregator

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 9, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Chairperson of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Friday urged Kenyan Government to reverse its decision to withdraw its troops from war torn South Sudan.

IGAD chair, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn made the calls at the 29th IGAD extraordinary summit of heads of state and government opened today in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

“South Sudan still remains on critical juncture and the economy stays in sever progress and humanitarian situation also calls for serious attention” Hailemariam said in his opening remark.

He said peace in South Sudan is equally crucial for peace and security in the volatile east African region.

He noted Kenya is an anchor for peace and security in South Sudan and at the region at large.

“I therefore appeal up on the Kenyan government to reconsider its decision to withdraw its forces from South Sudan and to consider its participation”

Last month Kenyan government ordered an immediate withdrawal of its troops deployed in South Sudan, and discontinues plans to contribute to the Regional Protection Force.

A week later Kenya withdrew a first batch of around 100 troops.

Kenya's decision to withdraw its troops who had served in a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan was in response to the sacking of Kenyan commander of the UNMISS force.

UN has accused UNMISS of failing to respond to an attack on a Juba hotel during fighting in July leading to killing of civilians.

In response, UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon's fired UNMISS force Commander Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani.

Here at the IGAD summit, the Ethiopian premier lauded South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, for allowing deployment of regional protection force in to the youngest nation.

He stressed a need for the rival parties to unconditionally cease fire and refrain from hostilities if the world's youngest nation is to secure durable peace and security and to achieve sustainable development.

Hailemariam further said emerging demand by some parties for the reversion of the peace deal is unacceptable.

He added peace agreement is the only roadmap for sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Discussion and consultations on the current situation in South Sudan and Somalia are top on agenda.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has expressed disappointment to the threat of targeted sanctions and arms embargo proposed by the United States at the United Nations Security Council.

In a letter seen by Sudan Tribune the government states that the proposals seriously undermine the sovereignty and internal processes to consolidate peace in the war ravaged nation.

“The government of South Sudan holds the view that the threat of sanctions against government officials are aimed at derailing the entire peace process, perpetuating a state of crisis in South Sudan and to justify International action in the country, so the government rejects the U.S. proposal entirely,” reads the letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council on 6 December.

The Minister in the Office of the President, Mayiik Ayii Deng, who signed the letter, highlighted progress made in the implementation of the peace agreement signed in August 2015. Also, he pointed that to the measures being undertaken by the government in order to rebuild a consensus on the peace agreement through national dialogue.

“The threat of sanctions against prominent government officials has been seen as an act of bad faith intended to weaken the government by creating divisions and raises the suspicion for a regime change agenda”, he stressed.

Last November, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power proposed to impose sanctions on former First Vice President Riek Machar, SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth.

The proposed sanctions include also an arms embargo.

But Washington abandoned the idea after opposition by the veto-power Russia and several other members.

The government argued that taking away the coercive power of the state weakens it from being able to maintain law and order and exacerbates uncontrollable anarchy in the country.

The letter further denies claims that South Sudan is on the verge of Genocide and described it as a tool of objective propaganda for those who want to take over South Sudan as a colony.

It objects to the arms embargo and argued that attempts to deny the government access to weapons could presumably be used to carry out genocide as devoid of merit, saying genocide could be committed with crude inexpensive weapons.

The letter highlights improvement in foreign relations between South Sudan and its neighbours in the interest of peace internally and across the region.

The government implores the members of the Security Council to reject any such proposals, saying it needs now political, financial and moral support to consolidate peace, promote reconciliation and to end violence in the country.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan needs the Security Council as a partner for peace, not as a party to the conflict and such proposals that punish peacemakers go contrary to the partnership and controvert efforts to ensure international peace”, the letter concludes.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) Friday said it wouldn't participate in the opposition forces' workshop organized by the Carter Center in Nairobi to discuss peace in Sudan.

SPLM-N leader Malik Agar (C) his deputy Abdel Aziz al-Hilu (L) and SG Yasir Arman pose for a picture in undisclosed location in the rebel controlled areas in March 2014 (AFP/Getty Photo)

The Carter Center, on Wednesday, said a delegation of experts would conduct meetings to explore ways to bring peace in Sudan, pointing the meetings “are not part of the official mediation that the African Union is conducting, but rather supplemental, exploratory gatherings designed to begin to identify points of common ground among all key Sudanese parties”.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Friday, SPLM-N peace file spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said they apologized for not attending the Carter Center workshop for the opposition forces in Nairobi, pointing they thanked them for extending the invitation.

“There are several reasons why we apologized for not attending the workshop including the government's continued use of food as weapon and refusal to open humanitarian corridors besides targeting of the Two Areas residents on racial bases and the ongoing aerial and artillery bombing of civilians,” read the statement .

“Also, SPLM-N leadership has decided to stop all political contacts with the regime and to give humanitarian issues priority over political issues,” it added.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile states, also known as the “Two Areas” have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

The African Union has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However since last August the peace talks are deadlocked over cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals.

Ardol further added that among the reasons why they apologized for not attending the proposed workshop is their demand to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use by the Sudanese army in Darfur, saying there are signs that it might have also been used in the Two Areas.

Last September, Amnesty International reported that over 200 people had been killed in Darfur Jebel Marra area by banned chemical weapons since January 2016. But the government denied the claims.

Ardol also pointed to the mass detentions of political leaders and activists and recent crackdown on press freedoms, saying this “atmosphere is not conducive for dialogue”.
He underscored SPLM-N's support for the December 19th civil disobedience call and urged opposition forces to play an active role in the event.

(ST)

December 9, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan Salva Kiir has on Friday left the national capita, Juba, for the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to take part in a meeting of the head of states and governments of the East African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

South Sudan President Salva Kiir waits for the arrival of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, in Juba on May 23, 2013. (Photo Reuters)

The IGAD summit will discuss the going economic, political and security situation in South Sudan, Somalia and other challenges facing the region.

President Kiir, according to a statement from his office, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the IGAD head of States on areas of common interest.

He is accompanied by several high level government ministers and security officials.

The trip to Ethiopia is the third foreign visit after Equatorial Guinea and South Africa after his troops loyal to him and his main political rival and former First Vice President turned rebel leader, Riek Machar, clashed at the presidential palace in July, returning to the country to war after it first descended in violence conflict in 2013.

(ST)

French LRAC F1 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

It used to be a cultural taboo for a woman to ask for sexual gratification in Nigeria, but there's a mini-revolution going on the in bedroom, writes the BBC's Bola Mosuro.

Le président sortant dénonce une erreur de comptabilisation de la Commission électorale indépendante et réclame la tenue d’un nouveau scrutin.

La Commission électorale a confirmé la victoire du chef de file de l’opposition, un jour après son annonce avec 53,3 % des voix.

Russia Sprut-SDM1 Amphibious Light Tank

Though the battle for Mosul has slowed to a crawl, the collapse of the Islamic State’s territorial caliphate — at least in its Iraqi incarnation — remains only a matter of time.

Ghana's opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo wins Wednesday's presidential election.

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons says both parties will fight any attempt by the next administration to cozy up to Putin.

Au Pays-Bas, un Néerlandais de 30 ans a été arrêté mercredi 7 décembre. Il est soupçonné d’avoir préparé un « crime terroriste », annonce du parquet national ce vendredi. Il a été placé en détention préventive pour deux semaines.

Un tribunal d’Istanbul a décidé vendredi 9 décembre d’abandonner les poursuites et les mandats d’arrêt visant des officiers israéliens après l’assaut meurtrier contre une flottille en route vers Gaza. Cet épisode avait empoisonné pendant six ans les relations entre la Turquie et Israël. En juin dernier, les deux Etats étaient finalement parvenus à un accord.

The passing of a hero reminds us of a time when America’s leaders and aspirations inspired us.

Le chef de l’opposition ghanéenne Nana Akufo-Addo a remporté l’élection présidentielle avec plus de 53 % des voix face au président sortant John Mahama. Ce dernier, qui briguait un second mandat, a reconnu sa défaite.

Cameroon's "protected" Penja pepper has helped to transform the region, economically.

Once seen by the country's Christians as a savior, Egypt's new strongman has proven little better than his predecessors.

Let's play ball with this theory.

Le Premier ministre est retourné sur un campus de sa jeunesse en Gironde, où il a assuré avoir passé les années "parmi les plus heureuses de son existence".