Africa

Kenyan journalist Joseph Warungu writes about what he will be looking out for in 2019.

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

Some of the best images from the day as people vote for a successor to Joseph Kabila.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's leading cobalt producer, holds elections on Sunday.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all those playing an active political role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to “continue working together” to ensure free and fair elections, as the country heads to polls this Sunday.

The excessive use of force during large-scale demonstrations against food and fuel shortages in Sudan is alarming, and an infringement on the right of peaceful assembly, said UN independent experts on Friday.

December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese security service on Thursday evening arrested ten opposition leaders ahead of protests announced for Friday afternoon and the announcement of a joint coordination committee between all the opposition groups.

Calls for regime change during Tuesday's demonstrations in the capital Khartoum organized by professions unions marked a turning point in the nature of protests which a started as spontaneous popular reactions in the provinces to the increase of bread prices and difficult living conditions.

Aware this development the opposition groups, held a series of talks, putting their differences aside and agreed on Wednesday 26 December to set up "a coordinating committee to manage the joint action to continue the popular uprising and bring down the regime, dismantle (its apparatus) and liquidate the regime".

Took part in the meeting, which was held at the premises of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) in Khartoum, delegates of the National Consensus Forces (NCF), Sudan Call alliance, Sudanese Professional Gathering, Republican Party, Centre Forces for Change, Intifada Forces, and Federal Alliance.

Hours after the statement, the opposition groups announced the arrest of ten leading members mainly from the NCF factions including Sudanese Communist Party, Ba'ath Party, Nasserist Party and Unionist Movement.

According to the statement, the detainees are Siddiq Youssef, Jamal Idriss, Mohamed Dia al-Din, Babikir Mahgoub, Tigani Mustafa, Mrs Rahamah Attiq, Fatehi Siddiq, Hamad Musa, Ahmed Hadra and Kamal al-Suni.

The opposition groups, according to the statement, called on the other political forces, civil society groups and national figures to join them to achieve a radical change, pointing they welcome their propositions over the agreed charters.

Activists recently circulated audio and written comment on the Popular Security which is known as a militia of the ruling National Congress Party. Also, they circulated videos showing these militiamen opening fire on the peaceful protesters.

The Sudanese government on Thursday reviewed the number of people killed during the protests saying it reached 19 victims. Initially, it sail only eight were killed.

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December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian government and Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party ) on Thursday expressed their support to the government of President Omer al-Bashir which is facing growing popular discontent over economic hardships.

President al-Bashir on Thursday met with the visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister and the head of Egyptian intelligence service who were in Khartoum for talks with their Sudanese counterpart over bilateral relations.

The longtime scheduled visit coincided with the popular protests across Sudan over the difficult living conditions and calls to overthrow the regime of President al-Bashir who is ruling the country nearly 30 years ago.

Following the meeting, Sameh Shoukry told reporters he handed over a message from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to his Sudanese counterpart stressing the importance of supporting bilateral relations and stability in the two countries through the activation of all frameworks of cooperation and coordination.

"This is an essential matter because we feel that stability in Sudan is directly affecting Egypt's stability and Egypt's stability also directly affects the stability of Sudan," Shoukry stressed.

The Egyptian minister further said that his country "is confident that Sudan will overcome the current circumstances," stressing that Egypt is "always ready to provide support to Sudan in accordance with the vision of the Sudanese government and its policies."

Sudan and Egypt developed this year strong security and political cooperation after accusations in January 2018 of support to Eritrean-backed rebels to carry out attacks in eastern Sudan.

In Angara the Turkey's ruling AK Party voiced its government support to the government of President Omer al-Bashir.

"We are aware of the recent ploys against Sudan," Cevdet Yilmaz, deputy chairperson of AK party, said during a meeting with the Sudanese ambassador in Ankara on Wednesday.

"We support the legitimate government of Sudan. Turkey has faced similar ploys many times," he further added.

Ankara is confident that the Sudanese government is sensitive to the demands of the Sudanese people and works to avoid violence, he added.

Last Saturday, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani phoned President al-Bashir to express his support for Sudan and added that his country was ready to all that was necessary to "help Sudan overcome this ordeal".

Sudanese opposition forces are calling to extend the protests and to announce general disobedience in the country after the success of Tuesday protests organised by the professional unions.

Also, the armed groups in Darfur and the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states announced their support to the peaceful protests stressing that the peaceful mass protests are able to protect themselves from the violence of the regime's militias.

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December 27, 2018 (JUBA) - Murle political leaders in Buma state have vowed to end the practice of cattle raiding and child abduction by individuals in the community.

Jodi Jonglei, who is also the state speaker, announced the move on the festive season during the Christmas festive season.

We don't want the issue of cattle raiding, killing and child abduction to happen in our area again, not just as the government – but as political leaders of Murle in Buma State in Pibor or in Juba here.”

“Those coming to Juba here from Pibor to sell their cows always when they are going back, they abduct children of other people according to Eye Radio.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization strongly welcomes and congratulates the position of the Buma State political leaders. It is a remarkable decision that requires real seriousness for actualizing it into reality.

Cattle raid and revenge attacks stand as the second major factor in the country that leads to loss of human lives in big number and destruction of properties at large scale annually across the country since the independence of South Sudan.

Watching at cattle raiding without a proper state policy for addressing, it is a clear demonstration of reluctance and careless of political leaders in finding a lasting state-driven solution.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO said the move of the Buma state political leaders for declaring no more cattle raiding is encouraging and deserve support for translating those political leaders' decision for enough to cattle raiding into policy with clear actions that contributes for minimization cattle raiding in short-term and stoppage in long term. CEPO will take lead in taking further steps for supporting the decision for “enough to cattle raiding”.

Among the steps CEPO will undertake is declaring a campaign called “Enough to Cattle Raiding” which will be kick-off in Buma state on 20th February 2019.

Also, Right Honour Speaker, Jodi Jonglei of Buma State Parliament will be declared as “CEPO First Ambassador for Enough to Cattle Raiding-2019,” Yakani stressed.

CEPO is calling upon the leadership of Buma State at their capacities to take their made decisions serious and set it as an example for the rest of the other states where their communities are engaged in deadly cattle raiding.

CEPO will take lead in mobilizing funds and other forms of support for making the made decision of Buma State on “Enough to Cattle Raiding” to be real and as a new state of movement for no more deaths and destruction of properties due to cattle raiding. CEPO is aware that it is not an easy task but all positive records in history starts with hard decision.

December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government admitted that 19 people have been killed during the recent demonstrations throughout the country to protest against the difficult living conditions and calling on President Omer al-Bashir to leave.

"Nineteen people lost their lives in the incidents including two from security forces" since the protests began on 19 December, announced the Information Minister and Government Spokesperson Bushara Juma said in a press conference held in Khartoum on Thursday.

Juma gave the details of the death toll saying three were killed in the Northern State, five in th River Nile State, six in the Gedarif State and three in the White Nile State, in addition to two regular forces without elaborating on how and when they were killed.

Until Thursday, the government maintained the number of dead was eight people. Opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi spoke about 22 victims while Amnesty International put the death toll at 37 people.

The minister went further to say they arrested 107 opponents most of them belong to the Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW).

He said that the government will file a case against the group leader and issue an Interpol arrest warrant for him. However, the SLM-AW denied the accusations that its members are involved in sabotage actions during the protests.

BRITISH MPS CONDEMN VIOLENCE

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday, the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for Sudan and South Sudan (APPG) condemned the"disproportionate and deadly "
use of violence by the Sudanese government in response to the peaceful protests.

"The Government of Sudan must now engage constructively with the legitimate grievances raised by a diverse range of demonstrators across the country," said APPG Vice Chair Mp David Drew.

Drew further called on the Sudanese authorities to respect the freedoms of assembly, expression and association in accordance with the Sudanese and International Human Rights Law, and to investigate into the killing of protesters.

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December 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu (SPLM-N al-Hilu) Thursday joined calls by the opposition forces to protest against the regime of President Omer al-Bashir saying its collapse allow to preserve Sudan's unity.

The SPLM-N split last year following calls by al-Hilu to include the principle of self-determination in the talks with the Sudanese government.

Also, the group leaders in their briefings to the faction supporters in the Diaspora about the peace negotiations said the self-determination is the ultimate goal of the group, pointing they might accept a transitional period before a referendum on the future of the Two Areas.

Nonetheless, in an audio message released by the rebel group on Thursday, al-Hilu said he believes that all the Sudanese have to participate in the uprising against the "mafia of the National Islamic Front".

"I invite you all women and men to break down the barriers that the Centre has made, (...), to unite at this historic juncture and devote our strength and energies to remove this fascist regime in order to clear the way for a radical and genuine change that provides the opportunity for a just unity based on justice, equality and freedom," he said.

He further said the regime change will allow Sudanese to bypass the "unilateral exclusivist project" that continues to threaten the unity of the country and to build a secular democratic Sudan based on the peaceful transfer of power and transparency.

"From this perspective, I appeal to the masses of the SPLM to take to the street and participate actively in the national epic in support of the popular uprising and the battle of dignity and freedom," he stressed.

Al-Hilu's call comes as calls have been launched in the capital to take the street after the weekly prayer of Friday while the Popular Security members, a militia of the ruling National Congress Party, patrolling the main streets of the capital Khartoum.

Also, U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a demonstration alert saying protests are expected after Friday prayer and urged "American personnel at the U.S. Embassy" to limit their movements from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

"Demonstrations are also expected in Khartoum and in other cities and locations across Sudan on Monday, December 31, 2018, and Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in light of Sudanese Independence Day," the embassy further said.

For his part, the Deputy Chairman of the SPLM-N led by Malik Agar released Thursday an opinion article where he called on the opposition forces to define a joint plan of action setting clearly the priorities to be undertaken during the upcoming days.

"We really need a unified centre for the Intifada, in which the steps are collectively agreed upon," said Yasir Arman.

Arman further joined a call by Gebril Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement stressing that the uprising should remain peaceful pointing that the participation of millions is the (best) protection of the uprising.

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DR Congo has one of the largest contingents of UN peacekeepers in the world.

After fleeing terrorist attacks, as well as clashes between Government forces and militia, more than 2,000 newly displaced Nigerians have arrived in an already over-stretched camp known as Teacher’s Village, in Maiduguri, the capital of the country’s Borno State.

Unless political actors in Guinea-Bissau demonstrate renewed good faith to hold “genuinely free and fair elections,” the country is set to face a continuous cycle of instability, the United Nations Security Council warned on Thursday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly condemned an armed attack in Al Jala Hospital in Libya’s second-largest city of Benghazi, which took place on Tuesday, warning that further assaults could shutter the key facility.

By Mohamed Elshabik

One of Sudan's most distinguished figures in investigative journalism, Sudanese veteran journalist, Idriss Hassan (1937-2018), died Sunday 16 December in Khartoum at the age of 81 years. He worked for Al-Mustaghbal, Al-Thawrah and Khartoum News Agency and was the former editor-in-chief of Al-Raay Al-Aam, Al-Akhbar, Al-Ayaam, and founder and Chief Editor of the short-lived Al-Wihdaa (Unity) newspaper.

His legacy, however, is not just about investigative journalism, Idris was also known for his integrity, intelligent analysis, sensational memory and meticulous work. His courage and bold aptitude and willingness to confront and stand firm in face of numerous dictatorships in Sudanese history to get the truth was epitomised by his ability to shape and direct public opinion during his leading days in the journalism industry. Idris Hassan possessed a journalistic instinct that may have averted Sudan from violent decades of war and dictatorship rule should his words have been taken seriously at the time.

Idris Hassan's passion and love for newspapers work began at an early age when he started his career in the field as a newspaper boy before Sudan's independence in 1956. At that time, the circle of newspaper readers was limited to a few politicians and intellectuals from the Khartoum elitist community, known at the time as ‘alafndiya'. This narrow circle offered him the advantage of being surrounded by some of the most influential Sudanese historical politicians and intellectuals during the halcyon days of Sudanese independence in modern history.

Although coming from a background with more allegiance to the National Democratic Party, one of the two big Sudanese political parties, Idris was a nationalist and never confined himself to narrow cells of any political party. His inner circles included figures from all rainbow political parties in the country. There is little doubt that his success and prominence in journalism can be attributed to his combination of social intelligence, interpersonal skills, persistence and hard work that allowed him to progress in his chosen career as a journalist to become one of the pillars of Sudanese journalism.

Idris Hassan, ‘the man, whom we didn't believe,' said the formidable politician and first Prime Minister of Sudan, Ismail al-Azhari (1954-1956) remorsefully, when he met him at the infamous Sudanese Kobar prison in 1969, a few days after JaafarNimeiry's military coup. At the time, Idris had already warned the Prime Minister several times that some military factions were hatching a coup; this was in the last six hours before Nimeiry's move. Idris's connections, fortune and instinct enabled him to make his name as the chief recipient of significant leaks about planned coups in Sudan (failed or successful) during the period between (1958–1989). He documented his authentications in his recently published book ‘My story with military coups in Sudan', his unpublished book project and ‘The Egyptian role in Sudan coups' is yet another powerful record of the man's secret repository of knowledge.

Idris is also remembered in Sudanese memory for being the only Sudanese journalist to witness the Sudan communist party leader's fake trial, Abdul Khaliq Mahjoub, after the short-lived communist-backed coup in July 1971. Idris was one of two credible sources who documented the events of those days, also known as ‘Shajara trials' and the events of ‘the Guest House massacre', and his words still resonate in Sudanese memory for the plight and mystery surrounding these occurrences today. The second source was the French newspaper, Le Monde via its correspondent at the time in Khartoum.

After stepping down from his last position as al-Akhbar Chief Editor in 2011, Idris continued to write his daily column ‘BilaRotoush' for some years in the later period of his professional life. The work environment for journalists and continuous harassment in recent years in Sudan discouraged him, and he became frustrated at the increasing challenges in trying to continue his work and earn a living in his chosen field. Many who ignored, abandoned, and pushed him out, and caused him pain and suffering in his recent few years, came to mourn his demise in the typical Sudanese proverb manner of ‘Aretoyomshokrak ma yje' of honouring those professionals and people who contributed significantly to public life only after their deaths.

Mohamed Elshabik is a Sudanese blogger he can be reached at mohamedelshabik@gmail.com

December 26, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The quadripartite committee between Sudan and Egypt including foreign ministers and heads of intelligence would hold its second meeting on Thursday in Khartoum.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry

Following a meeting held on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa in January, President Omer al-Bashir and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed the tensions between the two courtiers and agreed to form a quadripartite committee to develop a roadmap to restore the relationship to the right track.

In a press release on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Babiker al-Siddig said the meeting would follow up on the implementation of the outcome of the first meeting held in Cairo on 8 February 2018.

He pointed out that the meeting would also discuss ways to enhance all aspects of bilateral relations as well as the regional and international issues of common concern.

The tumultuous relations between Sudan and Egypt experienced in December 2017 a new crisis over media attacks against al-Bashir after a visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sudan. Also, Sudan accused Egypt and Eritrea of supporting rebel groups to attack the Kassala state on the eastern border.

However, the two countries recently developed joint security cooperation against the opposition groups from both sides.

The main differences between the two neighbours remain the dispute over the border triangle area of Halayeb and the construction of Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam that Sudan backs.

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December 26, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A leading member of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) has called to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the killing of demonstrators during recent protests in Sudan.

In a press conference held on Wednesday, the PCP Political Official Idriss Suleiman called on the government carry out an urgent investigation into the killing of peaceful demonstrators, and to punish the perpetrators. Further, he called for the release of protesters detained following these demonstrations.

The Islamist party which is part of the government of President Omer al-Bashir said in a separate statement that 17 demonstrators were killed and 88 others were injured. It also said the number of the protesters arrested on Tuesday reached 519 people, most of them were later released.

Until now, the number of people killed during the nationwide protests is still not clear.

The government officials say eight people have been killed, while the leader of the National Umma Party Sadiq al-Mahdi said on Saturday they had counted 22 people in separate cities. For its part, Amnesty International in its latest report on Tuesday said that 37 demonstrators were killed by security forces.

Suleiman further urged the government to ensure freedoms and the "right of peaceful expression" in the country.

It worth mentioning that the PCP leadership is under growing pressures of the party's youth who once again on Wednesday called for an immediate end to participation in the government at all levels.

In a related development, the Sudanese parliament on Wednesday decided to summon the Minister of the Interior in an emergency session to discuss the unrest and the violent crackdown of demonstrators.

The Speaker of the National Council, Ibrahim Ahmed Omar, took the decision in response to a request by the independent MP Mohamed Taher Assil who denounced the shooting of protesters.

Last October, Amnesty International recalled that the Sudanese authorities are yet to bring to justice a single person for the killing of at least 185 people who were shot by the Sudanese security agents during the September 2013 protests.

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December 26, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The London-based Alaraby TV Wednesday said that the Sudanese authorities prevented its team from covering demonstrations in Sudanese cities and ordered its correspondent to leave the country within 24 hours.

On Tuesday several reporters mentioned brutality by security agents while covering the recent demonstrations that took place in Khartoum to protest the difficult living conditions saying they confiscated their mobile telephone and deleted the pictures also some were arrested and other beaten violently.

In a clip posted on the social media, Adnan Jan said he arrived in Khartoum on Tuesday morning on the same day and started the coverage of the protests but after his first reportage he was summoned by the security service.

"They ordered me to leave the country immediately and asked me to sign a commitment that I would never exercise my profession as a journalist from Khartoum," he said.

"We call on the Sudanese authorities to lift the ban on Alaraby TV (local) team in Khartoum," he further said.

In a separate statement, the pan-Arab TV media said the Sudanese satellite services company, which deals with Alaraby TV was also ordered to not air any reporting from the local team of the channel in relation to covering the demonstrations and protests.

The Alaraby TV which is established by former journalists of Al-Jazeera TV to promote change issues and sees itself as a "backer of Arab popular revolutions demanding freedom, justice and dignity," according to its director Abbas Nassir.

Al-Jazeera TV correspondent in Khartoum Ahmed al-Rahaid and his team were also harassed by the security service during their coverage of the protests.

Also, a Sudanese journalist of Al-Sudani newspaper, Yasir Abdalla was brutally beaten by armed men in plain clothes while he was outside the newspaper building.

The journalist who was monitoring the demonstrators was taken to a vehicle without registration plates and beat and insulted him before he was released.

A number of journalists including Azmi Abdel Razek, Tariq Mohamed Osman, Hajo al-Aqra, Mohamed Daoud narrated on the social media platforms that they had taken from the protests by the security forces and subjected to beatings and abuse by the security agents.

In January 2018, the Sudanese security service arrested 15 journalists while they were covering protests against the rising living prices.

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December 26, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese army chief of staff General Gabriel Jok Riak and the SPLA-IO Deputy Chief of staff Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol Ranley joined thousands of South Sudanese in Bentiu to celebrate the revitalized peace agreement last Monday.

The function which was organized by the Northern Liech Governor Nguen Monytuil Wijang was also attended by the SPLM-IO Governor of Northern Liech Tor Tunguar who came with an important political and military delegation.

"The SPLA-IO thanks the organizers of the peace celebration for disseminating the peace message to the suffering civilians who desperately need peace now more than anything," said SPLA-IO Deputy Spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said in a statement on Wednesday.

The celebration was attended by a huge crowd from Bentinu and IDPs camps in the areas. Also, Gabriel added that some civilians came from Sudan to take part in the event.

Speakers at the celebration reiterated their commitment to the full implementation of the peace agreement. They also vowed to work together to achieve national reconciliation and development of the oil-rich area.

During the five-year civil war, Bentiu witnessed fierce fighting that forced nearly 120,000 civilians to seek refuge at the UN-protected camps in the area.

SPLA-IO Deputy Chief of staff Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol Ranley arrived in Juba last Thursday 21 December take part in the meeting of the Joint Defence Board (JDB) that exercises command and control over all forces during the Pre-Transitional Period.

Northern Liech Minister of Youth Culture and Sport, Lam Tungwar Kueigwong posted Wednesday on his Facebook page that Governor Manytuil met with SPLA-IO leadership to discuss troops cantonment areas and formation of join forces to deal with crimes across the state including SPLA-IO-controlled areas.

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