Africa

August 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman has stressed Sudan's commitment to resolving border issues with Ethiopia through the joint technical committees between the two countries.

A road leading to Ethiopia-Sudan border (Photo Jamminglobal.com)

Abdel-Rahman on Sunday met with Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen who is currently in Sudan to attend the signing ceremony of South Sudan's peace agreement.

State Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdalla Idriss told reporters following the meeting that Abdel-Rahman underlined Sudan's commitment to promoting bilateral relations with Ethiopia and resolve all challenges particularly border issues.

He added the meeting focused on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation as well as coordination on regional and international issues of common concern.

Bloody clashes between Sudanese and Ethiopian farmers on the joint border erupted last June leading to many casualties on both sides.

Ethiopian and Sudanese farmers from two sides of the border dispute the ownership of land in Al-Fashaga area located in the southeastern part of Sudan's eastern state of Gedaref.

In the past years, Sudanese authorities accused Ethiopia of controlling more than a million acres of Sudanese agricultural land in the area of Al-Fashaga, saying the area has been completely isolated from Sudan.

Al-Fashaga covers an area of about 250 square kilometres and it has about 600.000 acres of fertile lands. Also, there are river systems flowing across the area including Atbara, Setait and Baslam rivers.

The current borders between Sudan and Ethiopia were drawn by the British and Italian colonisers in 1908. The two governments have agreed in the past to redraw the borders and to promote joint projects between people from both sides for the benefit of local populations.

The joint Sudanese-Ethiopian High Committee announced in December 2013 that it reached an agreement to end disputes between farmers from two sides of the border over the ownership of agricultural land.

In November 2014, the former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and President Omar al-Bashir instructed their Foreign Ministers to fix a date for resuming the border demarcation. The operation had stopped following the death of Ethiopia's former premier, Meles Zenawi.

MEETING PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT

Meanwhile, Sudan's Presidential Assistant and Deputy Chairman of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Faisal Hassan Ibrahim has met with Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister.

In press statements on Sunday, Ibrahim said the meeting comes within the framework of the continued contacts to promote cooperation on partisan and government levels.

He pointed out that the ruling parties of Sudan and Ethiopia have developed a cooperation memorandum during his recent visit to Addis Ababa saying they would sign it at a later date.

According to Ibrahim, the meeting discussed cooperation between students, women and youth sectors of the two ruling parties.

(ST)

August 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - President Salva Kiir and key South Sudanese opposition leaders without exception have appended their signature on the agreements on governance on Sunday putting aside their concerns over the power-sharing and number of states.

The South Sudan Opposition Alliance and the FDs surprisingly were among the signatories of the agreement on the outstanding issues on governance without reservations.

Still, it is not clear why the holdout groups shifted their position and decided to join the deal. However, unconfirmed reports speak about a meeting with regional leaders who threatened to impose sanctions on the spoilers of the agreement.

The signing ceremony was attended by Presidents Omer al-Bashir, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen.

The deal was signed by President Salva Kiir, SPLM-O Riek Machar, SSOA chairman Gabriel Changson Chang, Joseph Okello for the OPP, and Deng Alor for the SPLM-FDs.

Presidents al-Bashir and Museveni co-signed the deal as grantors. While the representatives of the United Nations and African Union signed as the witness.

TALKS TO CONTINUE IN KHARTOUM

The Kenyan President Kenyatta praised the efforts done by President Omer al-Bashir to achieve the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 21005 and now to facilitate and mediate talks to end the nearly five-year conflict the South Sudan.

Further, he agreed with al-Bashir to keep the talks in Khartoum in order finalize the remaining issues which are mainly the implementation matrix of the peace agreement and the timetable for the return of the opposition leaders as well as the troops' redeployment.

Machar, in his speech, thanked the Kenyan president for consenting the continuation of the talks in Sudan instead of moving to Nairobi as it was initially decided by the IGAD leaders last June.

He urged the IGAD, the African Union the and international community to support in the implementation of the deal, saying the evil can be behind the implementation process.

For his part, President Kiir reiterated his commitment to the deal and its "difficult implementation" and called again on the opposition groups to put aside their reservation saying in the peace talks there is no winner but "give and take for the sake of peace".

Kiir invited the grantors, UN and regional bodies to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

He also joined Machar when he: said: "it is not enough to sign the agreement we have to implement it".

The president further stressed that the deal is difficult to implement because of the important number of jobs it creates at the presidency with five vice-presidents, 45 ministers and 550 parliamentarians.

He said his government has no means to provide the needed accommodations in terms of offices, and mobility saying everyone would come asking for 5-10 vehicles and from certain marks.

"From where I can provide it," he said.

However, al-Bashir reassured his anxious South Sudanese counterpart and pledged to do his best for the implementation of the peace agreement and provide support whenever there is a need.

Al-Bashir who seemed content with the agreement pointed that next September with the resumption of oil production South Sudan will have the needed means not only to provide the vehicles and residences for the transitional government but for the construction of roads and the destroyed infrastructures.

Also, he vowed that the grantors will stand by the South Sudanese parties until the formation of one army and that every citizen feels he is protected by his national army.

During the ceremony, several observers pointed to the complicity between al-Bashir and Museveni who are seen as the godfathers of the deal on outstanding issues on governance and power-sharing.

He said he considers that issues of identity and tribalism are the root of conflicts in the African continent, besides the opportunism of many African politicians who seek only their own interests.

The Ugandan president was keen to use some words in Arabic to explain his vision about peace.

(ST)

August 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan has handed over the second batch of proposals on the normalization of bilateral relations and its removal from the list of states sponsoring terrorism.

The semi-official Sudanese Media Center (SMC) reported on Saturday that the foreign ministry delivered the proposals to the U.S. embassy in Khartoum which will transmit it to Washington, but it didn't specify the date of the handover.

On 24 July, the Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Osama Faisal, received U.S. Charge d'Affaires Steven Koutsis. According to the foreign ministry, the meeting discussed the ongoing preparations for the second round of dialogue between the two countries.

In October 2017, the U.S. Administration permanently lifted 20-year-old economic sanctions against Sudan citing positive actions on humanitarian access and counter-terrorism.

The decision was in line with the "Five Track Engagement Plan", in which Khartoum agreed to a cessation of hostilities with the armed groups, opened unfettered humanitarian access in the conflict-affected areas, agreed to support efforts for peace in South Sudan and developed cooperation with the U.S. to counter terrorism in the region.

However, Washington didn't remove Sudan's name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. In addition, it keeps in place targeted sanctions against individuals with arrest warrants related to atrocities committed during the conflict in Darfur.

In November 2017, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, was in Khartoum to launch the second phase of the normalization process and pointed to the need for reforms on human rights and religious freedom.

Furthermore, the two countries agreed to exchange ideas and written notes before to resume the second phase of talks on Sudan removal from the terror list.

Citing sources in the foreign ministry, SMC said the Sudanese government is now waiting for Washington response on its latest propositions but didn't disclose its nature.

There are "ongoing understandings and meetings between the two sides in order to reach a specific formula for the agenda and the axes of bilateral dialogue," the source further said

(ST)

August 4, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) accused the Sudanese security services of intimidating some opposition representatives in Khartoum and ordering them to sign the governance agreement on behalf of their groups.

"Sudan Security personnel has resorted to extreme intimidation and arm-twisting coercing SSOA members to sign on behalf of their constituent parties," the group in a statement released on Saturday evening.

"At this moment some members of SSPM, SSLM, and NAS has been coerced to sign the agreement tomorrow," further said the opposition alliance.

However, the statement didn't provide further details on the incident.

On 3 August, the opposition umbrella rejected the agreement on outstanding issues on governance chapter of the 2015 peace deal voicing strong reservations to the power-sharing at the state level and the organization of a referendum if the parties fail to reach compromise on this respect during the transitional period.

"SSOA would like to alert the IGAD mediation, the AU, the Troika, UN, USC and the world at large that such mediation of “Peace at all Cost” by the Sudan will not usher a genuine sustainable peace in South Sudan," said the statement.

"Also, we would like to register our official complaint against Sudan mediation and its security personnel interference and intimidation," further said the alliance.

Sudanese officials are not available for comment on this accusations.

IGAD leaders are expected to arrive Sunday to the Sudanese capital to attend the signing of the deal by President Salva Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar.

Sudan's foreign minister said the non-signatory groups would continue the discussions on the pending issues with the Kenyan mediation which will host the talks from Monday onwards.

(ST)

August 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Egyptian authorities on Friday have deported 24 illegal migrants from Sudan and Ethiopia saying they sought to slip across the border to Libya and other neighbouring countries.

FILE - African migrants attend a march marking International Human Rights Day in Tel Aviv's Rabin square December 10, 2010 (Reuters)

According to Cairo-based Al-Youm Al-Sabi' newspaper, sources at Cairo International Airport said the deported persons have been arrested for illegally residing in the country.

The same source pointed out that a security team has interrogated the illegal migrants at the detention facilities in Cairo, Al-Giza and Alexandria, saying they admitted to having sought to sneak into Libya and other neighbouring countries.

He added the illegal migrants have been deported on board a number of flights to their home countries, saying 13 Sudanese and 11 Ethiopians were deported and their embassies in Cairo have been notified.

Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year-rule in 2011, Libya has slid into chaos and has become the most important transit country for illegal migrants to Europe on the Mediterranean Sea.

Also, hundreds of Sudanese refugees, many from the Darfur region, have crossed the desert border from Egypt into Israel in recent years.

In November 2015, Egyptian border guards killed six illegal Sudanese migrants and arrested 26 others in the Sinai Peninsula near Israel borders.

(ST)

August 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Minister of International Cooperation Idriss Sulieman on Saturday has discussed with the Norwegian Ambassador to Khartoum Bård Hopland ways to activate various aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries.

Sudan's foreign ministry building in Khartoum (SUNA)

In a press release on Saturday, Ministry of International Cooperation said Sulieman has praised Norway's positive stance towards Sudan calling on Oslo to increase its development aid.

He also demanded to allocate funding of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNMID) for sustainable development projects in the region, saying the country is now moving from humanitarian to development aid.

Sulieman also expressed the desire that Norway as a member of the Troika countries plays a major role to defend government peace strategy in Darfur and convince the international community to cancel Sudan's foreign debt.

Sudan Troika countries including the U.S., Norway and United Kingdom are facilitating the peace talks and seeking to bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table.

For his part, the Norwegian envoy expressed his country's keenness to meet its commitments towards Sudan and render support for Darfur peace strategy and sustainable development.

He also reviewed various types of assistance provided by his country to Sudan as well as joint cooperation between the two countries.

Hopeland further underlined the need to activate cooperation on the economic, technical, agricultural, animal wealth, fish and forestry domains.

Sudan and Norway have signed a number of agreements since 2005, encompassing training and provision of technical assistance to Sudan in the oil sector.

Last February, the two sides agreed to strengthen oil and gas cooperation within the framework of the Oil for Sustainable Development (OfD) protocol signed between the two countries.

Through the OfD Programme, which is established in 2005, the Scandinavian country offers assistance to developing countries to achieve poverty reduction through responsible management of petroleum resources.

”.

August 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan foreign minister who is also the IGAD mediator for the Khartoum Round of South Sudan peace revitalization talks said efforts will continue in Nairobi Round to bring the non-signatories to join the agreement on outstanding issues on governance.

Khartoum on Sunday will witness the signing of the agreement on governance by the South Sudanese government, SPLM-IO, Other Political Parties (OPP) and South Sudan United Movement (SSUM). The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the FDs reject the deal.

In a press conference held in Khartoum on Saturday, El-Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed confirmed that the SSOA and FDs will not be among the signatories of the governance deal despite one-month talks on outstanding issues.

He stressed that the boycott of these forces will not affect the signing ceremony scheduled for Sunday, pointing that 90% of the terms of the agreement have been completed so that the holdout groups can join it in the future at any stage next.

"The main parties, who have troops on the ground, will sign the agreement," he further said,

He pointed out that the only remaining disagreement is related to the power-sharing at the state and local governments level power.

In a joint statement released on 3 August, the SSOA and FDs said they are objected to the power-sharing ratios in article 5/1 of the deal which gives the incumbent government 55%, SPLM-IO 27, SSOA 10% and OPP 8%.

However, the two groups said their major concern remains the referendum introduced by the Sudanese mediator as the default solution if the parties fail to reach an agreement within the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC).

Instead, they proposed to reestablish the 10 states, divide the territorial administration into 79 counties, return to the old system of the three regions or, as a last resort, arbitration.

The Sudanese top diplomat, however, said that Khartoum round of talks has achieved a lot in the resolution of the outstanding issues.

"We will hand the Kenyan president a file free from any obstacles," he said.

REGIONAL SUPPORT

The minister who recently visited the IGAD countries and Rwanda the chairperson of the African Union said they received assurances from the countries of the region and the Troika to support the Khartoum agreement for peace of South Sudan.

He further said his country does not expect any favour from the international community for its efforts to bring peace and stability in South Sudan. Further, he added that his government has no leverage on the negotiating parties.

El-Dirdeiry acknowledged the lack of the international support for the peace process in South Sudan. Also, he said there was no international scepticism towards Khartoum's mediation of the inter South Sudanese conflict.

He added that Khartoum does not have a veto on the South Sudan parties and did not threaten to impose sanctions on them as the international community does. Also, he added that Sudan has no relief or humanitarian assistance to stop in order to press them.

"We are all poor and we share poverty in Africa, but we want to get South Sudan out of its crisis," he said.

(ST)

By Roger Alfred Yoron Modi

The Agreement (Proposal) on Outstanding Issues of Governance in South Sudan has not provided for a date for the formation of the next transitional government.
Article 4.14 and Article 6.3 of the Agreement imply that the Pre–Transitional Period shall be eight (8) months but there is no explicit provision on when exactly the transitional government shall be formed.

In its preamble, the Agreement (Proposal) confirmed the commitments that parties have solemnly undertaken in the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan ARCSS and the Khartoum Declaration.

In the Khartoum Declaration, in Article 3, the Parties agreed that “An agreement on the “Revised Bridging Proposal” shall be concluded as soon as possible and before closing the current Khartoum Round of Talks. After concluding the agreement on the “Revised Bridging Proposal” a Pre-Transitional Period of 120 days shall commence to be followed by a Transitional Period of thirty-six (36 months…”

However, the implications of Article 4.14 and Article 6.3 of the Agreement (Proposal) on Outstanding Issues of Governance have overridden the Article 3 of the Khartoum Declaration by implying that the Pre–Transitional Period shall be eight (8) months instead of the 120 days earlier agreed on.

Article 6.13 of the Agreement (Proposal) on Outstanding Issues of Governance also provides that it (the Agreement) shall prevail on contradictory or incompatible provisions of ARCSS, any other agreement and the Revised Bridging Proposal. These are all major concerns in relation to the date for the formation of the next transitional government and even its tenure.

In Article 6.1, the Agreement provides that the Parties recognize that during the Pre-Transitional Period, the incumbent transitional government shall continue to exercise its powers as per the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.

Therefore, given the above background, is the Agreement (Proposal) on Outstanding Issues of Governance a blank check for the incumbent government to remain in power indefinitely?

To address the vagueness, the Agreement should make explicit provisions on when exactly shall the next transitional government be formed and as well stipulate its tenure or simply incorporate into the Agreement the thirty-six (36 months) provided for in the Khartoum Declaration.

All these can and should be done before the final signing which is scheduled for tomorrow August 5th in Khartoum, Sudan.

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 3, 2018 (WAU) – The South Sudan's opposition National Salvation Front (NAS) leader Thomas Cirillo Swaka said his groups will not ink any governance deal that does not establish a federal system.

Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka, the ex-SPLA deputy chief of general staff for training (youtube photo)

In a statement he released on Thursday, Swaka said the establishment of a strong federal system has been the target of his group and its allied forces in the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) rather than the current governing system which dragged the nation into war.

"Unfortunately, the current governance proposal prioritizes power-sharing over devolution of powers, strengthens and further entrenches the current rotten system in Juba rather than transforming it and defers the question of federalism to a permanent constitution-making process that the parties cannot guarantee when this will eventually happen," he said.

"I thought it fit to inform you in advance," he emphasized.

On Friday the opposition alliance and the SPLM-FDs issued a joint statement rejecting the deal after several days of discussions with the mediation.

The opposition alliance seemingly is under pressure to join the deal but the IGAD countries say they would not wave the sanctions threat to force them to sign the agreement, as talks will continue with another round in Nairobi.

The Issue of federalism was one of the major reforms for which several SPLM leaders engaged in a power struggle with President Kiir in 2013 before the eruption of hostilities by the end of that year.

South Sudanese groups particularly, the Equatorians, demand the federal system saying it would protect them from the hegemony of the dominant ethnic group of President Kiir.

(ST)

By Yasir Arman

30th of July marks the 12th commemoration of the departure of Dr John Garang and his absence is felt in the two Sudans. Many would agree that if Dr Garang was alive today, the course of action in history would have taken a different path in both Sudans.

Dr Garang's vision of the New Sudan, in essence, is an international vision. Its basics would work everywhere. It is a vision that calls to celebrate diversity and embrace social justice and democracy. The fundamental of this vision is truly what the two Sudans and Africa need; it addresses the nationality and the religion questions, calling for a new socio-economical political dispensation in the interest of the poor and marginalized, who constitute the massive majority of our country and elsewhere.

Dr Garang was a true revolutionary and a great Pan-Africanist who left no doubt of his commitment to the unity of Sudan on a new basis, and the unity of Africa as a fundamental issue for Sudanese, and Africans too to face the stormy world and its injustices, as well as for the African continent being the master of their resources and destiny.

After 12 years of the painful departure of Dr John Garang and after 35 years since the inception of this great vision in July 1983, the fundamentals and basics of this vision remain useful to address many questions of our time on nation building. Yet, this vision needs to be revisited, addressing many new realities and failures out of our own experience and gain insight on why we failed to achieve our main objective of a new, united secular Sudan, as Sudan is still neither united nor secular.

It is equally important to depart from the slogans and into solid programs that will address the issues of daily life and governance. The greatness of this vision shall be measured by its ability to bring food, clean water, health, education, housing, "taking towns to people not peoples to towns" and respect of human rights and dignity, bringing people together against the course of dichotomies.

Those who believe in this great vision, especially in the SPLM/N and others too, need a process of renewal to rebrand themselves and look critically into the failures of the past and the need for new ways to do things to allow for a second rebirth of this vision. This was the essence of my contribution in the debate the leadership of the SPLM/N opened to renew our organization in a new fashion and revisit important issues. In my paper title "Towards Second Rebirth of The New Sudan Vision: Issues of National Liberation in The Contemporary World", I touched on more than 40 areas in our efforts to address the issues of renewal of the SPLM/N.

The vision of the New Sudan drew its importance from its ability to bring unity in diversity and offer a correct blueprint for nation-building and national formation. Therefore, unity on a new basis and the New Sudan vision are synonymous.

I still believe, among many, that this vision can still reunite Sudan in a "Sudanese Union" between two independent countries, each of them managing its own affairs yet having a union between them, as the relations between the two countries can only be strategic. This union can also include many of our neighbouring countries in a wider regional arrangement. It would add great value to enhance internal national unity and economic cooperation, offering a common agenda, to face the injustice worldwide. Who would have imagined in 1945, at the end of the Second World War that France and Germany would one day be in one European Union? If Europe could need a union, what about us?

Dr Garang remains a hero of all time, shared by both Sudans and a true representative of a freedom fighter who worked for equality, justice and freedom, leaving a huge impact on our modern history. We are forever grateful and indebted to him.

Thank you very much Dr Garang De Mabior for your immense contribution!

The author is the Vice-Chairman of the SPLM-N led by Malik Agar

August 3, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Friday said his government is ready to implement a deal that it has negotiated with the opposition groups stressing that it was not imposed by the IGAD mediation as it was the case in August 2015.

President Salva Kiir discussed with the visiting Sudanese Foreign Minister El Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed the implementation of the security arrangements and power-sharing agreements.

Kiir further held a press conference with the big Sudanese media delegation that travelled to Juba with Minister El-Dirdeiry.

In his press conference at the State House, President Kiir declared his full commitment to the agreement initialled on 25 July and will be signed on 5 August.

"The 2015 deal was forced on us, this is why when we signed the agreement I signed with 26 reservations and the agreement collapsed before us. This agreement I am sure will not collapse because the people of South Sudan have agreed to make peace between themselves," Kiir said.

The revitalization process has been conducted under the direct supervision of the IGAD Council of Minister including the South Sudanese government.

This approach has enabled the South Sudanese government to impact the decision-making and propositions at the level of the mediation which was accused of considering Juba's positions more than the opposition groups.

This time, also, the mediation held workshops for the parties and came out with proposals to be discussed at the negotiating table. The opposition groups denounced this method and accused the mediation of ignoring its positions in the proposals it drafts.

“This agreement will not collapse and I am sure that it will not collapse because the people of South Sudan have now agreed that they must make peace among themselves,” he further stressed.

Kiir said his government is keen to have a comprehensive agreement with the participation of all the parties as the transitional period will witnesses important activities to achieve political and economic reforms.

He further pledged to settle the remaining outstanding issues with SSOA and SPLM- FDs which contest a referendum on the fate of the 32 states.

"These outstanding issues that are not yet resolved, we shall resolve them as soon as I land in Khartoum," said Kiir.

However, Kiir said they need some time to finalize the preparation to receive the First Vice President and two vice-presidents and other ministers.

“They need security, they need vehicles, they need houses... five-vice presidents, this is a very big responsibility to manage. I need to get for them their transport, and one person needs a motorcade of maybe five vehicles. Where will I get this?” He said.

In return, he declined to comment on the issue of Abyei area saying they have now to end the inter South Sudanese conflict before to resume talks with Khartoum on the disputed border area.

For the SPLM-N, Kiir repeated his readiness to mediate the conflict in Sudan's Two Areas but said Khartoum should accept first such initiative.

(ST)

August 3, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The joint border security committee between Sudan's Blue Nile State and Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region has kicked off on Thursday in Asosa.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) quoted Blue Nile State spokesperson Mohamed Abu al-Gasim as saying the meeting discussed joint efforts to secure the border.

He added this round of talks would discuss coordination between the two sides to secure the border as well as trade, political, agricultural and health cooperation.

Since several years, Ethiopia and Sudan boosted security cooperation between the two countries. Khartoum handed over rebels and opposition activists to Ethiopia and Addis Ababa banned any rebel activity from the border area with Blue Nile State.

Last January, Blue Nile State and Benishangul-Gumuz region agreed to deploy a joint border force to secure the border area and prevent goods and arms smuggling.

(ST)

August 3, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Arab Parliament has announced the beginning of the first phase of its plan to lift Sudan's name from the U.S. list of states sponsors of terrorism.

Sudan was placed on the U.S. terrorism list in 1993 over allegations it was harbouring Islamist militants working against regional and international targets.

On Wednesday, Arab Parliament speaker Meshal bin Fahmi al-Salami discussed with Sudan's State Cabinet Minister Tarig Tawfiq ways to implement the plan to lift Sudan's name from the terror list.

The official news agency SUNA quoted al-Salami as saying the Arab Parliament would send a senior delegation to the Pan-African Parliament to discuss the plan.

He pointed out that a joint letter signed by the speakers of both parliaments would be sent to speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate as well as U.S. Secretary of State.

“This letter is supported by a legal memorandum including practical, moral, political, legal and humanitarian answers refuting allegations upon which Sudan's name was placed on the [terror] list,” he said.

He added the Arab Parliament is working closely with the concerned bodies in Sudan to implement the plan, saying Sudan has been subjected to injustice by placing its name on the terror list.

In October 2017, Washington decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework reached by the countries in December 2016. Khartoum, accordingly, authorized humanitarian access to civilians in Darfur and unilaterally declared a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The two countries agreed to resume talks on the normalization of bilateral talks and the lift of remaining sanctions particularly its designation as a state sponsor of terrorist groups.

Sudanese officials insist on the need to remove Sudan from the list of terror states, pointing out that the country cannot benefit from the debt relief and international development aid without this measure.

But Washington insists on the need to improve Human rights, religious freedom and other freedoms in a way to create a conducive environment for the opposition group to take part in the constitutional process after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed groups.

(ST)

August 3, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese political opposition groups Friday declared their rejection of the agreement on the outstanding issues on governance, dashing hopes for an inclusive deal on 5 August 2018.

In a joint statement on Friday, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the SPLM-FDs said they have been informed by the mediation that Juba rejected their proposals to settle the difference over the Independent Boundary Committee (IBC), and the proposed referendum which is now the default position if the parties fail to reach an agreement on the disputed 32 states.

"In view of this development, we would like to inform the public that we cannot sign the said agreement in its present form," reads the joint statement reiterating their readiness sign it "if and when our concerns are addressed" in line to the three proposals they made.

The two opposition groups previously said opposed to the conditions under which the popular consultation over the number of states would be held, stressing that it would lead to maintaining a territorial administrative division illegally established.

Instead, they proposed that in case the IBC fail to reach a compromise over the 32 states to re-establish the previous territorial administration: 10 states, as agreed in a decision by the IGAD Council of Ministers in January 2016. Otherwise, or the "seventy- nine (79) Counties as they stood on 9/7/2005 or the three regions or, as a last resort, arbitration".

The IGAD leaders and some African Union leaders are expected in Khartoum on Sunday for the signing of the agreement which will be the last on the outstanding agreement.

The deal will be signed by the South Sudanese government and the main armed opposition group, the Other Political Parties (OPP) led by Peter Mayen Majongdit and the South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) of Peter Gadet Yak who was part of the SSOA.

The South Sudanese information minister minimized the political opposition groups, saying their absence will not affect the implementation of the peace agreement. However, the IGAD mediation was keen to achieve a holistic and sustainable peace agreement.

The contribution of the SSOA and FDs would be important at the constitutional process as they represent the interests of some social segments that are not represented in the other political groups including the Shilluk which is the third ethic component in the country.

(ST)