Africa

Following the conclusion of the second round of presidential elections in Mali, political leaders in the West African country are being encouraged by the UN Secretary-General to promote a peaceful atmosphere and avoid incendiary rhetoric.

By Roger Alfred Yoron Modi

For a very long time now since the war in South Sudan erupted in 2013, there have been accusations that some South Sudanese political actors together with others in the region and in the international community are conspiring to make South Sudan ungovernable so that the situation could be used as a pretext for the Country to be taken over by a foreign body in collaboration with those South Sudanese or have the country placed under the United Nations for some years.

As a journalist and South Sudan's citizen, I followed and investigated this matter keenly in several ways over the years. In my findings, this conspiracy involves South Sudanese politicians who are not for genuine peace since they see themselves unable to compete with some of the current senior leaders in the Country even when there shall be a democracy, thereby they prefer continuity of war or a win of their conspiracy against South Sudan existence.

Those politicians have over the years placed their South Sudanese allies in strategic positions with influence into the affairs of the Country in order to promote their agenda, even ones that are against genuine peace.

Dishonest efforts by foreigners holding South Sudan's Citizenship

The second category of people involved in this conspiracy are individual foreign nationals who have acquired South Sudan's citizenship by virtue of being in the Country either decades ago and those who got South Sudan citizenship in recent years through shady deals.

Some of those individuals were already systematically placed in several strategic positions since our previous liberation wars. The new ones also have now got positions in strategic posts with influence into the affairs of the Country.

The institutions, organizations, and bodies those conspirators are generally found in include: influential civil society and human rights organizations in the Country and the region, embassies of powerful foreign nations in South Sudan, religious organizations and very likely the security sector.

Foreign and local journalists are also involved in this conspiracy, though at different rates and not necessarily motivated by the same reasons. Those journalists I am talking about know what I have found out about them.

Over the years, those entire conspirators consistently continue to carry on with their conspiracy in several ways to ensure that South Sudan become ungovernable for the reasons I mentioned above.

The problem is some of those who got into the Country decades ago are engaged in the peace process in a manner that they want to win against others, for some ulterior motives about their own historical wrongs, not a genuine search for peace per se.

On social media, the language of such individuals claiming to be South Sudanese have been consistently inciting, with no compromise for peace. It is easier to detect them when one looks carefully around the various sectors engaged in the talks. Giving many details about them shall not help the process as intended that is why the author has chosen not to mention names.

It is more harmful that, in addition to being in reputable organizations to damage genuine peace efforts, some of those individuals have key positions within the different parties to the conflict and they use those positions to fuel war and disagreements, instead of finding lasting solutions.

The allegiance of many of these individuals are not for South Sudan and it is very shocking to see why South Sudanese political and civil society actors would like to rely so much on advice from such people on very crucial national matters such as the ongoing peace process. In fact, they have seriously derailed how the civil society and even the religious groups ought to perform on matters peace in the current talks and all other important tasks in the Country.

However, there are those who are not originally from South Sudan but they continue to make honest efforts for a lasting peace in the Country. Those are known and we appreciate.

A continues to fight against me personally

I have been a very critical journalist and I offer solutions for permanent peace in South Sudan, through my articles and journalistic profession in general. On one hand, the solutions I provide through my profession do not conform with the agenda of those conspirators who do not like to see a permanent peace in South Sudan any soon. As result, they continue to see me as an enemy. And further worst, they continue to be a source of insecurity and harm for me.

On the other hand, being critical of the government also continue to put me into threats.

The third major issue which I struggle with and finally made public is the participation of my mother, my step-sister, other members of my maternal family and others close to me in sustained efforts to harm me and end my life in several ways.

In general, all those people from the first to the last category continue to try several methods against me my life, while I was in the Country and even when I fled the into exile over a year ago. I have reliably documented what they have done against me so far, including on damaging my health in several ways and other attempts to take away my life.

Their interests are both political and historical. The historical aspect got to do with their role or attempt to cover up for those who implicated or killed my father, Alfred Yoron Modi who was a journalist and chairperson of Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba during our last liberation war.

I have come to know some bitter truths which have been intentionally hidden from me over the years with regards to the killing of my father and since then my relationship with those people deteriorated, leading to them intensifying more efforts into their mission to kill or harm me.

I continue to believe that these matters shall be resolved peacefully, even though those people (my maternal family and/or in collaboration with others) have already seriously damaged my health, using different substances and approaches on several occasions, even up to recently. They have been so powerful to the extent that sometimes I had to tolerate them, just to avoid losing my life instantly, as I knew what they were capable of while my options were limited.

Collusion with officials in reputable human rights organizations

Against me for example, South Sudanese and others working for reputable human rights organizations continuously exploited details about my security threats and planned and carried out harmful, deadly actions against me using the information they obtained about the nature of my challenges.

I have well documented these and they know very well that I have legitimately and successfully squeezed them and their conspirators into a corner they truly belong to.

In relation to that, last week, I posted that as a journalist, “I have enough evidence against several institutions, organizations and individuals trying to spoil the ongoing South Sudan peace efforts being made by the region but I will not publish, instead, as an incentive, I urge them to ensure an all-inclusive peace agreement and I urge the government, all the parties, the civil society and the mediation to speed up the process and signing of the modalities of implementation of the revitalized ARCSS as soon as possible and within the process of the IGAD-led HLRF. Speeding up the process means first officially releasing the signed Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance.”

That is true. If I publish the evidence I have, including on how harmful some individual officials in embassies of powerful countries have been harmful to attainment of a genuine peace in South Sudan, several institutions and the talks shall likely collapse, leading to, I believe, a return to square one, when already a lot of progress has been made.

I shall continue to suffer all that they have done and continue to attempt against me but I would not like to be distracted from the fact that the time for a comprehensive peace in South Sudan has come. The government and all the parties have a chance to bring a lasting peace. This opportunity should never be squandered.

Finally, it is worth noting that this is just a brief information on the nature of harm done to me by those I mentioned herein. Their network and methods are wide. But they have never and shall never succeed for reasons they know very well, including the reliable, systematic documentation made so far. The people I intend to see read this article know the rest of the information. I have the details with relevant authorities, credible human rights organizations and journalists to follow up and publish in case that becomes necessary.

I just have to keep this short and I urge all to exert honest efforts for the sake of a lasting peace in South Sudan. In return, I promise I will neither prosecute any of them nor make their names public for the various harm they continuously executed on me.

South Sudanese and all looking for a comprehensive peace should take serious note of all the above-mentioned and seek appropriate redress for the purposes of attaining a comprehensive peace agreement.

Roger Alfred Yoron Modi, a South Sudanese journalist, is the former Managing Editor of Juba Monitor Newspaper and former Chief Editor of Bakhita Radio. He can be reached via his email: rogeryoron@gmail.com

August 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - The IGAD mediation has formally launched in Khartoum the final phase of talks on the pending issues and the modalities of implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, as they have one week to finalize their discussions before the 19 of August.

According to the agenda seen by Sudan Tribune, the parties will discuss the Article 4 of the governance chapter on the number and boundaries of states, the creation of five new ministries and their clustering, judicial reforms, composition of National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC), roles and responsibilities of the presidency and any other business.

On 6 August, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) said they accepted to sign the agreement on the outstanding issues of governance on 5 August because their concerns about article 4 will be discussed in the final phase.

After a meeting with the IGAD mediators in Khartoum on Sunday, South Sudanese government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth stated that the talks will commence by the outstanding issues and then they will move to the implementation matrix.

Once an agreement on the modalities of implementation is reached, it will be followed by the draft agreement that will be given to the parties for consideration before it goes to the Council of Ministers of IGAD.

According to Lueth, the discussions on the outstanding issues will deal with only two issues bracketed when the talks were in Ethiopia. The first issue is the composition of the judiciary reform committee and the second on the composition of the national constitutional amendment committee (NCAC).

"These are very minor issues because we only disagree on the composition. it is a question of figures only," stressed the information minister without mentioning the Article 4 of the governance deal.

Following his return from Khartoum on 6 August after the signing of the governance deal, President Salva Kiir said South Sudanese will not accept to review the 32 states.

The discussions on the implementation matrix will focus on the chapter one and chapter two, plus the review of any other chapters that are actually affected by the amendment of the two chapters.

The one-week talks will touch the power-sharing especially the other five ministries. But more important, the parties will discuss the powers, functions and duties of the President, the First Vice-President and the other four Vice-Presidents.

"These are new positions we have created and we need to revisit the competence," said the government spokesperson.

The IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan Ismail Wais took part in the first meeting of the final phase of talks in Khartoum on Monday.

Also, the Kenyan experts took part in the meeting.

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August 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Supreme Court on Monday has revoked death sentence against University of Khartoum student Asim Omer who was charged for killing a policeman during protests in 2016.

Omer, 23-year-old and member of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) was accused of killing an anti-riot policeman who died after a hit by a Molotov cocktail during the student protests in April 2016.

Last September, Khartoum North Criminal Court found Omer guilty of premeditated murder of a police officer and sentenced him to death by hanging.

In December of 2017, the Khartoum Court of Appeals issued a ruling supporting the conviction of Omer.

In a press release seen by Sudan Tribune on Monday, SCoP said the Supreme Court judge revoked the sentence and ordered to return the case to the trial court for further hearings.

The SCoP welcomed the court ruling and renewed confidence on the defence team, stressing the party would follow every possible legal path to revoke all charges against Omer and secure his immediate release.

The press release pointed out that Omer has spent 30 months in jail for a fabricated crime he didn't commit, stressing his family and those who expressed solidarity with him are confident of his innocence.

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August 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf said relations with Russia are developing steadily, particularly military cooperation, describing ties between the two countries as historic.

Ibn Ouf, who received the Russian Ambassador to Sudan Vladimir Zheltov on Monday at his office, pointed to Moscow's supportive stances towards Khartoum.

For his part, Zheltov described relations between the two countries as close and friendly, saying they are based on mutual interests in all economic and military fields to serve the joint interests.

It is noteworthy that the meeting was held in the presence of Sudan's head of the Military Intelligence, Lieu. Gen. Gamal Omar Mohamed Ibrahim, and deputy military attaché at the Russian embassy Anthony Kaplan.

During a visit to Moscow last month to attend the 2018 World Cup Final, the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir was met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders pledged to promote military cooperation in the near future.

The two leaders last met in November 2017 in the Russian city of Sochi, with both expressing a desire to enhance military ties.

At the time, al-Bashir offered to construct an airbase for Russia on the Red Sea coast and to re-equip the Sudanese army with the Russian weapons including SU-30 fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles.

Politically, Russia is seen as a major ally of the government of al-Bashir that faces isolation from the West. However, economic cooperation between the two countries has remained very low, with a trade balance that does not exceed $400 million.

In December 2015, Sudan and Russia signed 14 cooperation agreements in different domains, including oil, minerals and banks.

The agreements also include a concession contract between Sudan and the Russian Rus Geology to prospect for oil in Sudan's Bloc E57 and another accord for the geological mapping of the Jebel Moya area, North Kordofan State.

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In a report released on Monday, the United Nations urged Somalia to take steps to ensure future elections are not marred by the human rights violations and abuses committed during the 2016-2017 electoral process.

August 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Ethiopian rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) Sunday declared a unilateral ceasefire pointing to the call for peace by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

ONLF fighters (file/Getty)

The ONLF “declares Unilateral ceasefire from today – 12:00 pm, August 12, 2018, that and will cease all military and security operations directed against the Ethiopian Security Apparatus in the Somali territory (Ogaden), until a negotiated comprehensive cessation of hostilities is reached with the Ethiopian government,” says the rebel group.

Prime Minister Ahmed who was picked by the ruling party in April this year has called for democratic reforms in the country coupled with reconciliations with Eritrea ending the 20-year-old border conflict.

The separatist group said it takes “into account the positive steps taken by the Ethiopian government to lay the groundwork for talks and peaceful negotiations to find an available and lasting solution to the Ogaden conflict”.

Further, it called on the government to reciprocate the cessation of hostilities and announce à similar measure creating a conducive environment for the proposed peace process.

Established in 1984, the ONLF launched a series of attacks on the Ethiopian army in 1994.

The ONLF aims to create an independent state in Ethiopia's southeastern Ogaden territory, which is inhabited by 7 million ethnic Somalis.

In September 2012, peace talks in Nairobi between the government and the ONLF failed after the rebel refusal to recognize the Ethiopian constitution which divides the country into nine ethnically based administrative regions including the Somali region.

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August 13, 2018 (NAIROBI) - Aid groups exclude older people, including those that live with disabilities during their emergency operations, reveal two new studies by the Humanitarian Policy Group of the Overseas Development Institute focusing on Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda.

Pakam elders at a community peacebuilding meeeting Rumkoor, Lakes state, South Sudan (ST)

Commissioned by HelpAge International with funding from Age International, the studies uncover experiences of displaced older people and the role and vulnerabilities of drought-affected older people in East Africa.

"They show that neglect is happening against a background of eroded social cohesion after years of conflicts and repeated, long droughts in East Africa, which have increasingly driven rural families to either urban areas or displacement camps," says a statement released by HelpAge International.

Older people tend to be less physically mobile than the wider population, and often live with chronic illnesses and disabilities. When they are affected by disasters or conflict, these vulnerabilities are exacerbated.

Droughts lead to a scarcity of appropriate food for older people, it can leave them weak and reduce their mobility and they increase their dependence on others.

During conflicts, older people who form a large proportion of those left behind have difficulties to accessing information, services and assistance. Also; they are at greater risk of abuse, physical and sexual violence, neglect and theft.

"Older people with disabilities reported receiving less support from their families during displacement as resources were scarce and families grew tired of caring for them," according to the study Older people in displacement: falling through the cracks of emergency responses. This loss of “power, dignity and respect” can have a harmful impact on older people's psychological health.

"Continued conflicts and the frequent cycle of droughts in East Africa dismantle communities' power and support structures, breaking down older people's traditional positions of influence and power within communities," said Dr Prafulla Mishra, Africa Regional Director at HelpAge.

The reports pointed out at the important role older people play as mediators and carers in their societies saying they have unique skills, experiences and a lifetime of knowledge.

Humanitarian agencies should recognise these important roles and utilise the invaluable knowledge older people have from experiencing prior disasters said the reports adding "This could strengthen older people's role in the community during emergencies, rather than see it weaken, and improve the overall quality of the programming".

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August 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Foreign Minister El-Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed will start a two-day visit to Turkey on Tuesday to discuss ways to develop an economic partnership, says a statement by the Turkish foreign ministry.

Ahmed during his visit on 14-15 August will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart on bilateral relations as the two countries hold the first meeting of a joint committee to develop bilateral relations.

"During the visit, the first meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group between two countries will be held under the chairmanship of [Turkish Foreign Minister] Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Sudanese counterpart," the Turkish foreign ministry.

The fisting minister also will deliver a speech at the 10th Conference of Turkish Ambassadors, which is held between August 12-17 in both the capital Ankara and in the central Konya province.

During a visit to Sudan in December 2017, the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday have agreed to raise trade exchange between the two countries to $1 billion within one year.

Furthermore, the two countries signed 12 cooperation agreements and agreed to launch a strategic partnership covering agriculture, industry, minerals and health.

The countries approved the establishment of a higher political committee headed by the two presidents, saying the committee would annually meet in Khartoum and Ankara alternately.

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August 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government has decided to develop sustainable solutions to integrate, resettle and provide basic services for refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Minister of Welfare and Social Security Mashai'r al-Dawalab on Sunday met with governors of Darfur's five states in the presence of the Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Adam.

The meeting reviewed a number of successful voluntary return experiences in Darfur and stressed the need to strengthen coordination among the various concerned bodies.

Also, the meeting called to form a unified intervention mechanism to develop water, health and education projects according to the technical agreements signed between the government and the competent organs.

The meeting further called to strengthen and activate humanitarian work coordination councils in the various states and provide sustainable solutions to all problems and challenges encountering humanitarian aid work.

Last June, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Adam stated that the government has no plan to forcibly evicting the IDPs camps, but has set a number of options for IDPs, including resettlement in the area where they are, or in another area according to their desire.

Since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2011, the government constructed several villages and vowed to support IDPs who return to their home areas.

However, IDPs representatives in several camps say they refuse to return to their areas before the disarmament of the armed militias and the evacuation of their land from the newcomers.

In a report released on 5 February, UNOCHA estimates there are about 386,000 returnees in Sudan conflict areas including Darfur and the Two Areas.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the conflict, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

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Scenes resembling a coup Nigeria have left many scratching their heads.

August 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) Diplomatic sources said Sudan and Egypt Foreign Ministers would meet in Cairo at the end of the month to prepare for the meeting of the Egyptian-Sudanese Higher Committee (ESHC), reported Sudan Media Center (SMC) Sunday.

Last June, Egyptian Ambassador to Khartoum Osama Shaltout said the ESHC would meet in October in Khartoum, pointing out that the meeting would be chaired by presidents Omer al-Bashir and Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary and head of team for the meeting of the preparatory committee Abdel-Ghani al-Nai'im said the electricity link between the two countries would be completed by the end of the year.

Last month, an Indian company has won a tender to build an electricity interconnection project between Sudan and Egypt.

Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker said the first phase of the project, which covers 95 kilometres within the Egyptian territory would enable Egypt to supply Sudan with 300 megawatts and would be executed within four months at a cost of $60 million.

Al-Nai'im pointed out that the recent meeting of the preparatory committee in Cairo discussed all aspects of diplomatic, security, economic, investment, river transportation, minerals, electricity and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

It is noteworthy that the meeting asked the two sides to consider about 20 proposed agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed during the ESHC meeting in October.

During a visit of Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to Khartoum last month, the two countries agreed to coordinate efforts to enhance the security of the Red Sea and promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The tumultuous relations between Sudan and Egypt experienced last December 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 a 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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August 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Government of South Darfur State said a U.S. company, KLC would engage in direct partnership with local farmers to grow peanuts in the state.

Minister of Agriculture in South Darfur Sabil Ahmed Sabil said a delegation from KLC have conducted a ground visit to peanut farms and promised to develop studies to promote production through the use of modern technology and funding of farmers.

He told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) the KLC has changed its initial position to grow 20,000 feddan of peanuts and decided to engage in direct partnerships with the farmers instead.

In October 2017, the U.S. Administration permanently lifted 20-year-old economic sanctions against Sudan allowing resumption of trade, investment and banking transactions with the East African nation.

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August 12, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese army and its allied militias have been accused of killing over two hundreds civilians, committing rape and burning villages in a series of attacks carried out in southern Unity region from 16 April to 24 May 2018.

South Sudan government soldiers in the town of Koch, Unity state, South Sudan, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (Photo AP/Jason Patinkin)

Based on the findings of an investigation carried out by the UNMISS Human Rights Division's, (HRD), the peacekeeping mission and the UN human rights body OHCHR released a joint report documenting grave human right violation against civilians in Southern Unity State.

The report revealed that the SPLA and allied forces attacked at least 40 villages or settlements in the reporting period, during which 120 girls and women were raped or gang-raped.

"HRD also documented the killing of 232 civilians including 35 children, 50 women – including 25 who were killed by hanging, and 63 individuals comprising of children, elderly and persons with disabilities who were burned alive across these locations," said the report.

According to the report, the reason behind these attacks which took place after the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement in December 2017 was to increase territories under Government control.

"Government interlocutors had repeatedly warned of their intent to recapture areas recently occupied by SPLA-IO (Riek Machar) forces, and to open supply route between Bentiu and the SPLA position in Leer," stressed the report.

The report further pointed out that the nature of the operation indicates that the purpose of the attacks was not only to drive out the SPLA-Io fighters but also to forcefully displace civilians.

UNMISS and aid groups estimate that 1,995 people including 1,350 children, were forcibly displaced to the UN protection site in Leer, while 3,415 individuals arrived at the Bentiu Protection of Civilian site. Also, around 8,000 displaced civilians are sheltering in the bush and swamps south-east of Leer, in addition to some 18,000 displaced in Mayendit town.

The UNMISS human rights monitors identified three officials that may bear the greatest responsibility for the gross violations committed during that period.

The Gany County commissioner, one SPLA-IO (Taban Deng) commander (Lieutenant General) and one SPLA commander (colonel) from the SPLA Division IV in Bentiu, are cited in the report as the authorities had effective command and control of operations of the areas of attacks.

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After seeing first-hand the complexities of the Ebola response in the conflict-affected region of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called for “free and secure” access to the disease-affected people. 

August 11, 2018 (JUBA) - The Council of the European Union has committed the EU governments to implement an arms embargo on South Sudan decided last July by the United Nations Security Council.

European flags are seen outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels (Reuters Photo)

"The Council has transposed UN Security Council resolution 2428 (2018) which notably imposes an arms embargo and adds two persons to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures," said a statement released on Friday.

On 13 July, the Security Council decided that, until 31 May 2019, all Member States will prevent the supply, sale or transfer to South Sudan of arms and related material, and withhold training, technical and financial assistance related to military activities or materials.

The narrowly adopted resolution further extended its sanctions regime in South Sudan and imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on Paul Malong Awan, the former Chief of Staff of South Sudan's army turned rebel leader, and Malek Ruben Riak, former Deputy Chief of Staff of South Sudan's army.

The two generals are accused of fomenting violence and hampering efforts for peace in South Sudan.

The European Union has been imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan since its independence in 2011.

In fact, the ban goes back to 1994 when the European Union has embargoed arms supplies to Sudan due to the civil war in southern Sudan. In July 2011 the embargo was amended so that it would cover arms supplies to Sudan and the newly independent state of South Sudan.

Also, Paul Malong Awan and Malek Ruben Riak have been already hit by EU sanctions since 2 February 2018 for being involved in serious human rights violations.

"The Council adopted these additional sanctions, then, in view of the ever deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in South Sudan and considering the lack of commitment by some actors to the ongoing peace process," said the statement.

The statement further stressed that " the total number of persons under EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in South Sudan is nine, of which eight are listed by the UN".

Last April, the Council expressed the EU's "deep concern" over the armed conflict and grave violations of human rights in South Sudan and called to end the fighting through a negotiated settlement.

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August 11, 2018 (JUBA) - Talks on the final implementation matrix and the review of several issues in the signed governance agreement will resume on Sunday, said the South Sudanese government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth.

In a meeting held in Khartoum on Friday, the IGAD Council of Ministers adopted a draft matrix on the remaining items for the final document of a revitalized peace agreement. The meeting further decided to extend the talks in Khartoum until the 19 of August.

Several Sudanese officials who are part of the mediation team were busy during the past days with the meetings of the ruling National Congress Party.

In statements he made from Khartoum on Saturday, the information minister said the South Sudanese government delegation for the peace process will resume talks on Sunday with the mediators who will be scheduling between them and the opposition groups.

He added that they ready for the talks and held several meeting to prepare for the discussions with the mediation.

"After the signing of the agreement the government delegation has been working on the outstanding issue which we managed to identify as 6 issues," said Lueth.

He added they will give their contribution on some of these outstanding issues to the mediation and wait for others until the mediators extend their proposals.

"So we have clear positions and waiting for the mediation to sit with us to decide on all these issues," he further stressed.

The South Sudanese Opposition Alliance said they signed the governance deal because the IGDA pledged to review some dispositions of the article (4) of the governance agreement dealing with the number of states.

"The outstanding issues are no longer an issue because we have agreed on all the issues and all what is needed is to harmonize all these documents an come with a final agreement," said the minister.

He further said optimistic that the parties will meet the dateline determined by the IGAD Council of Ministers.

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August 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir accepted his nomination by the Shura (Consultative) Council of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) for the party candidate for the presidential elections in 2020 even though the country's constitution limits a president to two terms.

"I want to thank the party's leadership and members for placing your confidence in my humble person. This is a great trust and responsibility. It is my honour and privilege to accept this confidence," said al-Bashir in his acceptance speech at the closing session of the Shura Council on Saturday evening.

He further said the Consultative Council's meetings were marked by serious and objective discussions "because our responsibility is great ... we are responsible for the country and its security and welfare".

Al-Bashir, in his acceptance speech, didn't allude to the debate outside or within the ruling party over his nomination for a third term as it requires to amend the Sudanese constitution now after changing the NCP's constitution.

On Thursday, the NCP Shura abolished presidential term limits, paving the way for al-Bashir to stay in power for a third term.

Several voices inside the NCP including Ain Hassan Omer expressed their opposition for the move and called to refrain from endorsing decisions that are against the party statute and the state constitution.

The Sudanese opposition rejected the nomination of the incumbent president for a third term et vowed to participate in the upcoming elections, after signing a peace agreement, if the ruling party nominate another candidate.

The Washington based advocacy group Enough Project denounced the move saying it paves the way for al-Bashir to be a" president-for-life".

Enough Project Director John Prendergast called on the United States and the European Union countries to stand against President's al-Bashir efforts to abolish term limits as they did for the President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For his part, Omer Ismail, Senior Advisor at the Enough Project, underlined that al-Bashir, who has occupied the position since 1989's coup d'état, "is a fugitive of the ICC and wants to remain in power for life to avoid accountability, and to continue his atrocities and feed the violent kleptocracy that supports his regime".

At the end of its meetings, the Shura Council authorized the Leadership Office to make the necessary amendments to the NCP Statute and to review the whole regulations related to the re-election of the President.

Al-Bashir reiterated the government's commitment to continue its efforts to achieve peace in South Kordofan and Blue Nile state.

He pointed out that Darfur has become safe thanks to the collection of weapons and the cooperation of its residents. However, he pointed out that quantities of weapons are still "hidden" and called to hand it over to the army.

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August 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A leading figure at the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Amin Hassan Omer has renewed criticism for the ongoing attempts to nominate President Omer al-Bashir for the 2020 presidential elections.

Amin Hassan Omer (Photo SUNA)

Al-Bashir's term ends in 2020 and he couldn't run for office again according to the constitution. Also, the NCP statute limits to two terms the nomination of the party candidate for the presidential elections.

However, the Shura (Consultative) Council of the NCP on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal to amend its statute to nominate al-Bashir for the upcoming elections.

“A party statute shouldn't oppose the [country's] constitution and if they want to amend the statute, it will only be amended after the amendment of the constitution,” wrote Omer on his Facebook page

“We must respect our covenants and refrain from making recommendations against the party statute and the state constitution” he added

Omer stressed his criticism for the nomination of al-Bashir doesn't represent a break with the NCP, saying nobody could intimidate him to change his position.

It is noteworthy that Omer is currently holding the position of Sudan's Presidential Envoy for Diplomatic Contact and Negotiation for Darfur.

His critical stance against al-Bashir reelection represents some segments within the ruling party and the entire Sudanese opposition.

Nonetheless, some voices within the NCP and its partners in the Government of National Consensus have recently called for amending the constitution to allow him to run for the presidency again.

Also, a group called the National Initiative of Youth Around the President (NIYAP) last December launched a campaign to nominate al-Bashir for a third term.

Al-Bashir several times said that he would step down by the end of his current term in 2020. Even in November 2017, he went to declare his support for the candidacy of the governor of Gezira state Mohamed Tahir Ayala.

But observers more and more are inclined to believe that al-Bashir who is indicted by the International Criminal Court would run for a new term despite what he says.

(ST)

August 11, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The German conglomerate, Siemens has completed maintenance work on Garri and Port Sudan power plants, said Sudan's Minister of Water Resources, Electricity and Irrigation Muataz Musa

Last February, Siemens signed a long-term agreement with the Sudanese Thermal Power Generating Company (STPGC) to provide service and maintenance for the power generating assets and related components operating at the 337 MW Port Sudan power plant on the Red Sea coast and 502 MW Garri power plant, North of Khartoum.

Siemens will also provide operation and maintenance advisory services for both plants. A team of experts will provide advisory and technical support for the operations and daily maintenance performed by STPGC technicians

On Wednesday, Musa met with a delegation from Siemens headed by a member of the managing board Lisa Davis, who also leads Siemens' global oil and gas and power generation businesses, in the presence of the German Ambassador to Khartoum.

Musa welcomed the visiting delegation praising Siemens cooperation with Sudan and resumption of the company's activities prior to lifting the U.S. trade sanctions imposed on Sudan.

He also reviewed features of Sudan's electricity strategy until 2030, saying the Garri and Port Sudan power stations project has been completed.

For its part, the visiting delegation expressed readiness to provide the necessary support for the electricity sector in Sudan, saying they are ready to cooperate on all power projects in the country.

It is noteworthy that the Garri and Port Sudan power stations are expected to produce 900 Megawatts.

Sudan has a 40% electricity shortage. During the summer season (from late April to the end of July) every year, there is power cut for nearly eight hours on daily basis.

Over 35% of the Sudanese population have access to electricity. 63% of the urban areas are electrified in the east African country.

Sudan's total production of electricity currently stands at 2400 Megawatts, of which 1250 Megawatts are produced by Merowe dam.

In August 2015, the Sudanese cabinet approved the 2015-2020 framework document for promoting the electricity sector.

The document aims to raise the annual production capacity of the Hydro-electric generation from 1500 to 2000 Gigawatts / Hour.

According to the document, the thermoelectric power generation would increase from 900 to 4,555 Megawatts by the end of 2020.

(ST)