Africa

By Salah Shuaib

Recently, multiple discussions have emerged in the political scene calling upon the Sudanese opposition parties to participate in the 2020 elections. Prominent experts, politicians, and intellectuals, among them Alsir Sidahmed, Nabil Adeeb, Elnour Hamad, and others, have tried to address the opposition's weakness by linking it to its insistence to boycott previous general elections sponsored by the regime.

Focusing on blaming the opposition for its inability to reinvigorate societal bases for change was the most consumed topic by those seeing the upcoming elections as a way of making a difference in the country's politics.

But, the arguments about the importance of the electoral process have failed to convince the public opinion that the government could be much serious this time to create a free democratic atmosphere, which may contribute to activate political action and encourage the opposition parties to rely on the outcome of the voting process.

Moreover, the writers calling for the participation of the opposition in the 2020 elections seemed to trust the potentiality of the Islamic government to change its Islamist doctrine, ignoring the dominance of the Sudanese Islamic Movement (SIM) over all state institutions, including the extremely influential and powerful institution: The National Intelligence and Security Services organ.

Apparently, they have forgotten that the Sudanese Islamists systematically made a massive effort to destroy the political parties and groups, so they cannot be able to recover their past glory by competing with this unjust regime.

These new intellectual efforts have resulted in a sharp divergence of views among opposition groups concerning the upcoming elections. And in this respect, each party involved in the dialogue has continued to strengthen its arguments to win the public opinion on its side.

In any event, this constructive dialogue of opposition's figures about the 2020 elections does not principally express their vitality in facing the country's traumatic situation. Instead, such a discussion raises awareness versus the opposition's profound tactical differences over the resistance of the regime.

Undoubtedly, the opposition is historically facing critical problems. However, the solutions should not be necessarily through participating in the regime's orchestrated aimless elections. Sudan's crisis goes beyond the idea of being tied only to our political leaders' weak response to the Sudanese Islamists' aggressive state.

Many of us know that the Sudanese crisis, evidenced by the faults of both the opposition and the government, is deeply rooted in the failure of the structural setting of the hierarchical system of the state itself.

It is difficult, therefore, to accept that the solutions to the crisis lie only in resorting to the ballot box that the ideologically conflicting parties compete for. Elections will not change the situation if there is no agreed-upon societal will, which is absent since the time of Sudan's independence.

Now, the government has brought the country to the brink of collapse, while the opposition has no room to act, let alone works for reform freely. In short, resolving the crisis preoccupying the government and the opposition together lies, preferably, in a radical change that brings about a new system of governance with a contemporary standard.

It is illogical to urge the regime to pave the way for the political parties to compete with it through national elections or other means. Inevitably, the nature of the Sudanese Islamic Movement, SIM, wouldn't let other political groups share with it the governance burden.

Since its establishment, the SIM's religious doctrine was based on narrow objectives to controlling the whole state with ideologically legislative, executive and judicial settings. Hence, it's is ironic to encourage opposition parties to participate in the 2020 elections without a free environment for a peaceful and smooth transfer of power.

In fact, there was a lot of examples of how the governing Islamists had rigged their internal elections in the past. There were published reports that the regime's leaders were involved in altering some of the SIM's election results to prevent the undesirable winners from being elected.

Due to the full control, it applied to the state's apparatuses after its military coup in 1989, the NCP has exploited, since then, all governmental resources to help its members win any election. As such, it will become impossible to compete with the ruling party as long as it possesses powerful, political mechanisms alone.

looking at it in retrospect, in the past elections held before the session of South Sudan, the National Congress Party, NCP, rigged the process and thus unlawfully won the presidential, parliamentary and state elections.

Boycotted by the major political parties, due to the lack of electoral transparency, the 2015 elections failed to convince the nation of its worth. “It is the opposite of a great day for democracy. There was general apathy, a sort of fatalism that Bashir and his party were competing with themselves. The boycott was systematic, including even from the membership of the ruling party.”, said Suliman Baldo for the Telegraph.

However, despite the weakness of the argument of the advocates of the idea of competing with the regime through the electoral system, these advocates have succeeded to activate a beneficial dialogue on the Sudanese political dilemma on the one hand and the crisis of both, the opposition and the government, on the other hand.

Perhaps this type of useful debate alerts all Sudanese to the need for a radical change and overthrowing of al-Turabi's state setting whether through elections, a military coup, or a popular revolution. Even though, concerns about overwhelming chaos continue to rise as the expectations of the collapse of the Sudanese state escalate systematically.

The writer is a Sudanese journalist; he can be reached at salshua7@hotmail.com

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry accused Egypt and Sudan of impeding process in the technical talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) after the failure of a recent meeting in Addis Ababa.

The three countries held a technical meeting including irrigation ministers and experts in Addis Ababa on 5 May to discuss their difference over a report by French consulting firms over the GERD impact on the water shares of the downstream countries.

Speaking in a press conference with Sam Kutesa Ugandan foreign minister in Cairo, Shoukry said the meeting failed to reach an agreement over the technical report because Ethiopia and Sudan maintain their rejection of the report,

"The stalemate in the (technical) talks that have been going on for more than a year is due to the continued reservation expressed by Sudan and Ethiopia about the preliminary report of the French firm," he said.

The minister said he looked forward to the two States' acceptance of the report.

He further said the negotiations dealt extensively with many issues. He pointed out that Egypt had put forward several ideas to break the stalemate, including resorting to the World Bank to have its opinion on the outstanding issues.

He stressed the issue not political, but technical and scientific, and therefore should be dealt with at the same level and accept the opinion of experts.

The minister said there will be a new meeting in Ethiopia on May 15 at the level of the ministerial committee on the GERD including foreign affairs and irrigation ministers and heads of security and intelligence services in the three countries.

He asserted Egypt keenness to build confidence and to consider Ethiopian interests and development plans, as provided in the principles agreement signed by the leaders of the three countries in March 2015 in Khartoum.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Saudi Arabia will supply oil to Sudan for the next five years at preferential prices, disclosed a Sudanese minister on Monday.

Sudan's oil minister Abdel Rahman Osman said according to the agreement which will be signed in the upcoming days Saudi Arabia will provide Sudan with 1.8 million tonnes of oil a year.

The deal aims to fill Sudan's fuel consumption gap as the country has experienced an acute fuel shortage during the past weeks due to the lack of hard currency to buy oil from the international market.

The minister who just returned from Riyadh said the agreement will be signed after the completion of the procedures with the Saudi Development Bank which will guarantee the credit.

He just added that the procedures will take "several days" without further details.

The government has been under strong pressure from the opposition parties for its participation in the Saudi-led alliance which wages war against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Khartoum was criticised for the poor financial support provided by the oil-rich Gulf monarchies to the country despite its significant involvement in the Yemeni conflict.

The criticism prompted the Saudi ambassador in Khartoum to hold a press conference to say his country would sign a number of defence and economic cooperation agreements with Sudan very soon.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and SLM- Transitional Council (SLM-TC) extended a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur region for three months.

Undated picture extended to Sudan Tribune on 28 April 2015 by the Justice and Equality Movement showing their fighters during a training exercise

"The Cessation of Hostilities shall enter into force at 11:59 pm (SLT) on the 7th of May 2018 and will extend for 3 months to 11:59 pm (SLT) on 6th of August 2018. The Cessation of Hostilities shall apply throughout the conflict areas of Darfur," said a joint statement on Monday.

JEM and SLM-MM are committed to the truce within the African Union efforts to end the 15-year conflict in Darfur. It was declared for the first time on 17 October 2015 and since the armed groups renewed regularly.

The SLM-TC, which broke away from the SLM-Abdel Wahid, joined the unilateral ceasefire after a joint attack carried with Minnawi's movement in May 2017. The two groups are linked by a military coordination agreement.

The joint statement stressed that the cessation of hostilities is for a humanitarian purpose.

"The objectives of the extended Cessation of Hostilities are to protect civilians, provide unhindered humanitarian access to war-affected populations, and create a conducive environment for peace talks".

However; the three groups condemned the government's "barbaric attacks on civilians in Jebel Marra, which resulted in the further mass displacement of civilians".

Also, they called for an international action to "put an end to the Government of Sudan's policies and acts of violence in Darfur, "condemn the Government's violations of its own cessation of hostilities, and to pursue guarantees for unimpeded humanitarian access to Darfur".

Since last month, the SLM-AW which is not committed to the truce and the SLM-TC reported attacks by the government forces on their positions in the central Darfur state mountainous area of Jebel Marra.

Darfur hybrid mission didn't confirm or deny the alleged attacks. However, the UN Secretary-General is expected to brief the Security Council on the situation on Thursday 10 May.

The government and JEM and SLM-MM failed last month to strike a declaration of principles on the peace negotiations but said ready to resume meetings in the future.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Monday seized copies of Al-Jareeda newspaper from the printing house without giving reasons.

A Sudanese man reads a newspaper as he waits to pay at a kiosk in the capital Khartoum (AFP)

The confiscation of Al-Jareeda comes 24 hours after the NISS seizure of Akhbar Al-Watan, the mouthpiece of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP).

In a statement seen by Sudan Tribune on Monday, the Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) said it has received reliable information that the NISS would crackdown on the press during the next period.

The independent media watchdog called on the journalists to make the suitable arrangements to face the security campaign, vowing continued support for the freedom of the press.

Al-Jareeda has been one of the most newspapers in Sudan subject to suspension and confiscation. In May 2016, the NISS confiscated copies of the newspaper four times during five days.

The Sudanese security usually issues verbal directives to the Chief-Editors banning them from publishing particular news especially those pertaining to the protests and armed movements or other issues which the security sees sensitive.

It routinely confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively for breaching unwritten red lines inflicting financial and moral losses on these media houses.

On January 7, the NISS confiscated 6 newspapers for publishing reports about the popular protests against the harsh economic conditions.

Also, in February 2015, it seized entire print runs of 14 newspapers in one day without stating the reasons for its decision.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) The Sudan Liberation Movement (ALM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur and the Sudan Liberation Forces Alliance (SLFA) led by Taher Hagar have agreed to merge their military and political work towards full unification of the two movements.

In a joint statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, the two movements said they held lengthy meetings following intensive contacts and consultations between the two sides.

The meetings, which were held in an undisclosed location, discussed a number of issues including the fate and path of the Sudanese state, the IDPs and refugees, war hostages and prisoners besides the political situation and the harsh economic conditions.

According to the statement, the meetings concluded that “the full unification of the two movements is the only option towards achieving aspirations of the Sudanese”.

“The unification of the two movements is the strategic goal and the two sides would press ahead to achieve it under all circumstances” read the statement.

The two sides agreed the basic preamble of the unity would carry the title “Sudan Liberation Movement/Army” and its political programme aims to establish a state of equal citizenship for all Sudanese irrespective of their race, culture, religion or gender.

The two movements agreed to work together in the various fields including the media, diplomacy, political, humanitarian, students, military and popular work.

The agreement was signed by the SLFA secretary of presidential affairs Mubarak Bakhit and SLM-AW Chief of Staff Youssef Ahmed Youssef.

Meanwhile, the head of SLFA, Taher Hagar told Sudan Tribune the agreement was not meant to coordinate efforts but rather to begin the unification process of the two movements.

He stressed the two sides would work together in the abovementioned domains until achieving the full unity.

It is noteworthy that SLFA was established in July 2017 after the merger of three Darfur armed factions including the Sudan Liberation Movement for Justice of Taher Hagar, Sudan Liberation Movement-Unity of Abdallah Yahia and the Justice and Equality Movement led by Abdallah Bashr Gali (aka Gena).

Following its formation, SLFA underscored its commitment to continue the armed struggle against the Sudanese government, saying it wouldn't abide by the unilateral cessation of hostilities announced by President Omer al-Bashir.

The Sudanese army has been fighting a group of armed movements in Darfur since 2003.

Doha brokered the Darfur peace negotiations which resulted in the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011. Also, a dissident faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) joined the DDPD in April 2013.

JEM led by Gibril Ibrahim and the SLM-MM have engaged in peace talks with the government under the auspices of the African Union.

However, the SLM-AW is not part of the African Union-mediated peace talks. The rebel group rejects negotiating a peace agreement with Khartoum government unless the government militias are disarmed and displaced civilians return to their original areas.

(ST)

May 7, 2018 (JUBA) – The faction of South Sudan's armed opposition movement (SPLM-IO) led by First Deputy President Taban Deng Gai announced on Monday that it has officially joined the country's ruling party (SPLM) under the overall leadership of President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan First Vice President Taban Deng Gai addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly (UN Photo)

The decision is line with the Arusha agreement signed between the different factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

"I would therefore like to announce on behalf of the SPLM-IO structures and the entire membership of the party, 'the dissolution of the SPLM-IO organs including Chapters and declare them to be united with the SPLM, the historic liberation party in the Republic of South Sudan," Gai told reporters in the capital, Juba in Monday.

On Friday last week, the SPLM National Liberation Council endorsed the Arsuha reunification agreement to reunify fragmented factions of South Sudan's ruling party.

The first vice president's announcement came ahead of talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), due on 17 May in Ethiopia

In January 2015, delegates from three factions of the SPLM party signed a 12-page agreement in Arusha, Tanzania, laying out key steps toward reunifying the party. Those who signed include the party loyal to President Kiir, the SPLM-in-Opposition led by former vice president Riek Machar, and a third made up of party officials who were detained when the conflict began in mid-December 2013.

"All SPLM-IO members and cadres are directed to strictly observe this reunification process as stated in the Arusha Agreement of 21 January 2015," he further stressed.

Analysts say the move by the South Sudanese first vice president, would strengthen the coalition government headed by President Kiir.

The SPLM, South Sudan's ruling party, was initially founded as the political wing of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). The party, in the aftermath of the civil war that broke out in the country in mid-December 2013, split into the SPLM-Juba faction headed by Kiir, SPLM-IO led by Machar and that of the ex-political detainees.

The civil war in South Sudan, the United Nations says, has killed tens of thousands of people and forced a quarter of the country's 12 million people from their homes. More than half of the population reportedly need food aid.

(ST)

Zimbabwe's armed female anti-poaching unit protects one of Africa's biggest elephant populations.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an attack this weekend on a village in the Nigerian province of Kaduna and underscored the need to hold the perpetrators to account.

The largest cholera vaccination drive in history targeting two million people across Africa is underway, the United Nations announced on Monday, in response to a series of recent deadly outbreaks of the water-borne disease. 

USM Alger of Algeria beat Young Africans of Tanzania 4-0 as the group phase of this season's African Confederation Cup kicks off.

With the continuing success of Black Panther, "afrofuturism" is now more important than ever.

More than 3,000 Nigerian migrants who failed to reach Europe have been flown home by the UN - leaving many unsure how to face their families.

At just 13, Nigerian tennis player Marylove Edwards is being tipped for future international success.

The higher cost of vanilla is proving chilling for an industry that relies on the exotic spice.

After years of study, it turns out a secret burial chamber of Queen Nefertiti does not exist.

A gang of what are said to be former cattle rustlers kills 51 adults and children, razing homes.

Nigeria defender Leon Balogun says it is crucial his fellow international team-mates stay injury-free ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

African Champions League holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco draw 1-1 away to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in their opening match of Group C.

Twenty years ago, a fight for control of a dusty town on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border began - and continues to this day.