Africa

President Buhari has sparked a social media backlash by saying young Nigerians want to 'do nothing'.

Dino Melaye's latest controversy is an alleged attempt to escape through a police van window.

Evangelical Christians are crossing the religious divide to rebuild an Afro-Brazilian temple, following a series of attacks.

More than 40 members of the Tuareg community died in two separate attacks this week, officials say.

April 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir said his country's support to Eritrea is contingent upon the latter's keenness to serve joint interests of the two countries.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (L) meeting with Eritrean president Isaias Afewerki in Asmara January 16, 2013 (Ashorooq TV)

Speaking during a meeting of the Popular Call-up for the Development of the eastern Sudan State of Kassala, al-Bashir pointed to the distinct relations with Eritrea, saying Khartoum has supported Asmara in the past and will continue to support the Eritrean people.

He underscored his government's keenness to strengthen ties with the neighbouring countries, saying the joint borders must become points to serve mutual interests not to ignite wars.

Frustrated by the rapprochement between Cairo and Asmara, last January, Khartoum accused the two neighbours of backing unidentified opposition groups. The Sudanese government further closed the border deployed thousands of troops.

The internationally isolated government in Asmara was not happy with the development of a close alliance between its arch-foe Ethiopia and Sudan, but Khartoum blamed Eritrea for refusing its repeated efforts to mediate the conflict and create a regional cooperation area.

Last month, Eritrean information ministry accused Sudan and Qatar of establishing a military training camp for an opposition group led Eritrean Islamist Mohammed Jumma.

Also, Asmara claimed that Doha provided Sudan with three Mig fighters and funding a joined Sudanese Ethiopian force deployed along the border with Sudan.

However, Khartoum denied the accusations saying they are just “fabricated and unfounded claims”.

(ST)

April 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Member of the government delegation to the Two Areas talks Abdel-Rahman Abu Median said large numbers of Sudanese refugees have returned to the Blue Nile from Ethiopia.

Blue Nile State and neighbouring South Kordofan state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese army since 2011.

Abu Median disclosed refugees have voluntarily returned to their original areas in Kurmuk, Gisan and Wad Al-Mahi due to the stable security situation in the state.

According to him, the Blue Nile authorities are providing the basic needs for the returnees including food, shelter and healthcare.

He also pointed to government efforts to integrate the returnees into their communities and engage them in the development projects, saying the returnees file was given special attention from the concerned bodies.

Last week, the commissioner of Bau county of the Blue Nile State Abdel-Ghani Digais said his county is witnessing the voluntary return of displaced persons as well as refugees from Ethiopia and South Sudan.

He pointed out that 1700 refugee families have arrived in Madeem and Khor Maganza areas besides 3000 families in Moreek area and 3000 families in Falti area.

Also, the governor of the Blue Nile State Hussein Yassen Hamad last January said 13,000 out of 55,000 Sudanese refugees have returned to their home areas from Ethiopia.

(ST)

Brighton manager Chris Hughton says the booing of defender Gaetan Bong at Burnley was "shameful".

April 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese and Ethiopian senior military officials discussed in Addis Ababa a bilateral defence protocol signed between the two countries and agreed to activate the joint border forces.

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

The agreement was announced in Khartoum on Friday following the end of a two-day meeting in Addis Ababa between the military delegations chaired by the army chiefs of staff of the two neighbouring countries.

The two armies reaffirmed their readiness for full solidarity to ensure border security, exchange of information and curb uncontrolled groups, combating smuggling, human trafficking, arms and drugs trade, and transnational crimes, said a statement released by the official news agency SUNA.

"The two sides, also, agreed to activate and re-energize the joint border forces to maintain security and stability, as well as cooperation in the fields of joint training and exchange of experiences," said the statement.

"The military chiefs of staff of two countries signed the minutes of the meetings and recommendations ahead of its enforcement," it further stressed.

Last January following the deployment of Sudanese troops on the border with Eritrea, there were reports about the deployment of Ethiopian troops along the border with Eritrea from the Sudanese and Ethiopian sides.

Also, 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, The Nile State and Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region agreed to deploy a joint border force to secure the border area and prevent goods and arms smuggling.

(ST)

By Yasir Arman*

On the 26th of April 2018, General Bashir, who is indicted by the ICC, has committed genocide and war crimes, is leading a genocidal government that stands against all the values of the United Nations and has displaced over 6 million Sudanese internally and as refugees, has awarded the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Marta Ruedas, the First-Class Order of the Two Niles in appreciation of her service in Sudan from August 2015 to April 2018.

What an ironic and bizarre situation is taking place! The very president who is wanted by the international system and who cannot step into the door of the headquarters of the United Nations in New York is the one granting an award to a representative of the United Nations, the very organization that referred him to the ICC and has taken tens of resolutions against him and his regime.

From her side, Ms Marta was quoted as saying, “It is a great honour to be granted this award from H.E. the President of Sudan and it has been an equal honour working in and for Sudan over the past three years.” It is an unfortunate statement from someone who represents an organization that is tasked with serious humanitarian obligations and protection of civilians. What a message to send to millions of displaced Sudanese! What a message to send to the families of millions who have perished as the result of war crimes and genocide in Sudan and South Sudan by General Bashir! What type of a “great honour” is being expressed here by the representative of the United Nations?!

I have personal experience during the peace talks with Ms Marta, who has always sided with the Sudan government against the aggrieved marginalized Sudanese populations. That alone and her long silence explains why she has received this award and why she feels honoured by an award from an indicted president.

Many previous United Nations officials have been expelled and harassed by the very same president and his government who awarded Ms Marta, including two of her predecessors and the former representative of the Secretary-General, Jan Pronk. Some UN officials decided to resign as in the case of Aicha Elbasri, who was the spokesperson of UNAMID in Darfur. This raises the question of what services Ms Marta has rendered to the government that made General Bashir so happy to give her an award of the First-Class and at whose expense.

The United Nations has a critical role to play in protecting civilians and advancing the course of peace, human rights and democracy in Sudan that will definitely require different capacity and personnel other than Marta to do this job. We are counting on the new Secretary General of the United Nations and his representative in Sudan, given their solid political backgrounds, to adopt a different approach when it comes to Sudan, especially in the war zones of Darfur, the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile.

* Arman is the deputy chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Malik Agar.

April 27, 2018 (WAU) - During a visit to Wau on Friday, South Sudanese Vice President James Wani Igga said national dialogue is the only way to end war renewed call for the armed groups to join the internal process.

South Sudan's vice-president, James Wani Igga, speaks at the opening of the national reconciliation and peace conference in Wau on 2 September 2014 (ST)

Officially launched in May 2017, the national dialogue initiative is regarded as a forum and process through which the people South Sudan shall gather to redefine the basis of their unity as it relates to nationhood, redefine citizenship and belonging, as well as restructure the state for national inclusion.

The SPLM-IO led by Riek Machar rejects the national dialogue process saying the priority should be given to the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement including the ceasefire and humanitarian access to the civilians in the war-affected areas.

Addressing a public rally organised by the state authorities Wani Igga called on the people of South Sudan particularly armed opposition groups to lay down their weapons and join the ongoing peace process inside the country.

He stressed that the only way to bring peace in the country is everybody should embark on the national dialogue process launched by President Salva Kiir.

“The importance of this national dialogue, that dialogue will bring unity, cooperation, and transformation and reforming of the country's economic and political structures,” said the South Sudanese vice-president.

He also said the dialogue process would pave the way to achieve national unity which is the best remedy to combat hatred, nepotism and tribalism.

"Without unity, we can't do anything and that is why we have to fight against them (first),” said Igga.

The vice-president Igga urged all the displaced persons who sought refuge at the UN protection of sites to return to their home areas to produce their food and contribute to the national economy and development process.

(ST)

April 27, 2018 (WASHINGTON) - The United States said "deeply concerned" by the recent fighting in Jebel Marra, calling on the Sudanese warring parties to stop the fighting and to allow unfettered humanitarian access to civilians affected by the recent clashes in the mountainous.

In a statement released on Friday U.S. State Department Spokesperson said they have "credible reports" the about attacks on Jebel Marra villages resulting in thousands of newly displaced civilians after the resumption of hostilities between the government forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW).

"We call on all sides – the GoS forces, SLA/AW, and armed tribal groups — to immediately halt their provocative actions and violent responses," said US State Department Heather Nauert.

"In addition, the government should permit immediate and unhindered access by the United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), UN Country Team elements, and national and international humanitarian agencies to the areas where violence is taking place, as well as to displaced populations," Nauert further said.

The Sudanese government and three armed groups including Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) SLM - Minni Minnawi and SLM-Transitional Council have declared a unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur. The SLM-AW is not part of measure which aims to enable aid workers to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in the war affected areas.

The holdout rebels issued several statements about the clashes accusing government forces of attacking their positions. However, authorities of Central Darfur state said they seek to secure routes adding that the rebels are looting civilians and commercial convoys.

Following the security improvement in Darfur, the United Nations and the African Union decided to cut the peacekeepers deployed in the region but reinforced UNAMID presence in Jebel Marra and establish a new basis in Golo to protect displaced persons there.

Nauert called on Darfur authorities to cooperate with the peacekeeping mission to establish Jebel Marra Task Force. Also, she urged the parties to " take immediate steps towards a comprehensive peace process".

(ST)

April 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Finance Minister Mohamed Osman al-Rikabi has discussed with the U.S. Assistant Treasury Secretary the removal of Sudan's name from the list of states sponsors of terrorism.

The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, has also discussed the cancellation of Sudan's foreign debt.

In press statements upon his return from Washington on Thursday, al-Rikabi expected Sudan's name to be lifted from the terror list soon.

“We held separate meetings with the World Bank group and the U.S. Treasury Department besides the UK Department for International Development where we discussed issues facing the African continent and ways to provide funds for it,” he said

Al-Rikabi also pointed to his meeting with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Sullivan, describing the meeting as fruitful and successful.

The Sudanese minister said he demanded Sullivan to speed up the process for removing Sudan's name from the terror list and normalization of relations between the two countries.

He added a meeting was held with some U.S. businessmen and banks with the participation of representatives from the Bank of Khartoum, saying they discussed ways to open branches for US banks in Sudan as well as urging correspondent banks to deal with Sudanese banks.

Al-Rikabi further pointed to his meeting with the Deputy Managing Director at the IMF, saying they discussed challenges facing the Sudanese economy including the lifting of Sudan's name from the terror list and the debt relief.

In a report released in December 2017, the IMF estimated that Sudan's external debt reached $ 52.4 billion or 111 percent of GDP.

The international body repeatedly underscored the need to remove Sudan from the U.S. terror list to benefit from debt relief.

Last October Washington permanently cancelled the 20-year economic sanctions on Sudan opening the door for the normalization of bilateral relation and removal of remaining sanctions on the east African country particularly its removal from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

Washington is involved in a five-track engagement process with Sudan towards the full normalization of relations.

The five-track process includes the fight against terrorism, Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Sudan's role in the peace process in South Sudan, Sudan's peace and the humanitarian situation in the Blue Nile andSouth Kordofan states.

(ST)

April 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Thursday said the permanent constitution would be approved by the elected parliament following the 2020 elections.

On Thursday, al-Bashir met with the parliament speaker Ibrahim Ahmed Omer who handed him over the parliament response to his address before the National Assembly earlier this month.

In a press release following the meeting, al-Bashir said the “next legislature would approve the permanent constitution according to the recommendation of the national dialogue”.

“But that doesn't prevent from holding broad discussions on the constitution in order to prepare a draft to be presented before the next parliament to approve it and then it would be presented to the Sudanese people in a referendum,” he said

The Sudanese president said the various branches of the government need to work in harmony to face the existing challenges.

He described the participation of the various political forces in the executive and legislative powers as “significant success”, saying it comes in implementation of the national dialogue's recommendations.

Al-Bashir further said cooperation among the various government branches would continue until the 2020 elections, saying these elections would lay the foundation for a new era of political practice.

In January 2014, al-Bashir called on political parties and armed groups to engage in a national dialogue to discuss four issues, including ending the civil war, allowing political freedoms, fighting against poverty and revitalising national identity.

In October 2016, the political forces participating in the national dialogue concluded the process by signing the National Document which includes the general features of a future constitution to be finalised by transitional institutions.

However, rebel groups and opposition parties refused to join Khartoum process as they demand the government to end the war and ensure freedoms in the country ahead of the dialogue.

(ST)

April 27, 2018 (JUBA)- Rival forces in South Sudan conflict have resumed offensives in Upper Nile region, forcing humanitarian organisations to relocate some members following a surge in violent clashes in Unity, Jonglei and parts of Central Equatoria.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) issued a statement confirming resumption of the offensives, pointing out that having a devastating impact on thousands of civilians and on humanitarian agencies trying to provide desperately needed assistance to vulnerable people.

The mission expressed deep concern at the intensification of fighting in areas such as Nhialdiu, Mayendit, Rupchai, Thaker, and Mirinyal, in the vicinity of Leer and Bentiu in the Unity region, as well as around Motot and Akobo in Jonglei.

“Innocent civilians are being caught in the crossfire, including many women, children and elderly people,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, David Shearer. “Our teams on the ground are reporting incidents of killing, sexual violence, homes being burnt to the ground, cattle raiding, and the looting of hospitals and schools," he further said in a statement seen by Sudan Tribune.

The statement further added that There has been gunfire overnight near UNMISS' temporary operating base at Leer and Ghanaian peacekeepers are on high alert to protect an influx of 600 internally displaced people who have sought sanctuary from the violence in recent days. This brings the total number of IDPs at the Leer base to around 1100. A small number of displaced people have also arrived at the UN protection site at Bentiu and more are expected.

More than 30 humanitarian workers have been relocated over the past two weeks because it is too dangerous for them to operate in the midst of the escalating conflict. Thousands of people have fled into swamp and bush areas without access to much-needed aid, including food, clean water and medical care.

“This surge in violence is causing immense suffering and harm to civilians and the ability to provide humanitarian support,” said David Shearer. “It is at odds with the cessation of hostilities agreement that was signed just a few months ago. We urge the warring parties to lay down their guns, put the interests of the people first, and work together to build lasting peace.”

“The success of the upcoming round of peace talks at the High-Level Revitalization Forum is dependent on all parties committing to stop the fighting and to come together in good faith. Political leaders must demonstrate they are willing to compromise and resolve this conflict which is causing terrible harm to their people,” he said.

(ST)

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