Africa

Lamin Ceesay was lucky to survive when the Gambian president took away his drugs and tried to cure him with a paste of herbs. An unknown number died.

January 19, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RWB) called for the release Sudanese journalists detained after covering recent demonstrations to protest the increase of bread prices.

The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested 15 journalists for covering two protests on 16 and 17 January in Khartoum and Omdurman towns.

They arbitrary arrest was seen as an attempt form the security apparatus to dissuade the independent local media and international correspondents from covering protests organised by the opposition parties and advertise their activities.

During the first day of protests the security agents 13 journalists including the BBC's Mohamed Mohamed Osman, Al-Arabiya TV's Abdulaziz Ibrahim and the Anadolu news agency's Behram Abdelmunim. Two others - Reuters reporter Khalid Abdel Aziz and AFP reporter Abdel Moneim Abu Idriss - were arrested while covering demonstrations held on 17 January.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday, the RWB called on the Sudanese authorities to release those who are still held and stop restriction on the press freedom.

“It is clearly arbitrary to be keeping at least eight journalists in detention and we call for their immediate release,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. "The authorities have a duty to guarantee the safety of journalists rather than target them,” he further said.

According to the press watchdog, eight journalists are still in arrest citing Reuters and AFP reports in addition to Shawky Abdelazim, the publisher of the independent daily Al-Youm Al-Tali, Imtinan El Radi, a reporter for the same newspaper, and Hayder Ahmed Khair Alla of the daily Al-Jareeda.

Also, among the detainee Amal Habani, a female reporter for Al-Taghyir news website. She was awarded an Amnesty International prize for her human rights work in Sudan.

"None of them has so far been formally charged," the group stressed.

In a report released on Friday Reuters confirmed that Khalid Abdel Aziz was still held by the Sudanese security service.

"Reuters last had contact with its stringer early on Wednesday before he went to report on the demonstrations which resulted in clashes between police and protesters".

(ST)

The Peaceful Sudanese Public Display of Discontent on Price Hikes has been suppressed by Excessive violence and arbitrary arrests

Civil Rights Denial and Suppression by Excessive Violence in the (NCP) ruled Sudan

By Mahmoud A Suleiman

The martyrs are more generous and greater than us. The detainees are nobler than us, and the demonstrators inside Sudan are greater than those who are abroad, but in each of them there is a lot of goodness and blessing. Their interest in the affairs of the homeland and their interest in patriotism are unquestionable! With these positive and enthusing statements which were echoed by Sudanese patriots one open this article which comes against the backdrop of the raging popular demonstrations that took place all over Sudan starting from the City of El Geneina in the far west of the Darfur region where there were angry dissents against the regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) which systematically planned to the daily living of the Sudanese citizen unbearable by depriving them of the basics of living, including the lifting subsidies on the loaf of bread and other goods and commodities. In the town of Geneina in the war-torn region of Darfur, a student was killed during a similar protest. It was unclear how he was killed. "In the incidents that occurred in Geneina, one student was killed and six other people were wounded," Fadalelmola Al-Haj, Governor of West Darfur of which Geneina is the capital, said in a statement. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5243885/Sudan-protesters-burn-tyres-bread-price-rise.html

The demonstrations spread from the City of Wad Medani in the Central region of Sudan as far as Kordofan, Eastern Sudan, Northern region cities and towns and of course in the Three Towns Capital of Sudan Khartoum, the seat of the (NCP) regime.. In the Capital Khartoum, the genocidal criminal, fugitive from the international justice, Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir unleashed his tools of repression and killing the infamous cloned former Janjaweed militias, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Border Guards Force and as well as the security elements in the so-called National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and riot police who beat the unarmed peaceful protesters with batons and tear gas. Moreover, the regime arrested arbitrarily the Political Opposition Leaders among them the prominent figures in the Sudanese Congress Party, the Sudanese Communist Party, and a number of journalists, activists, University students and human rights organizations figures.

On its fierce crackdown the Sudanese security forces arrested the Secretary-General of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) Mohammed Khatib in the early hours of the day after the success of the opposition party in the organization of peaceful demonstrations in Khartoum, in conjunction with the continued calls for other demonstrations, in protest against the budget of 2018, and rejection of the wave of high prices. Khatib was expected to be among other political leaders to present a speech to the crowd called by the Sudanese opposition yesterday in the field of a private school in the City of Omdurman. The Communist Party leader Siddiqui Kaballow was also arrested from his home in Khartoum. Last week, the Sudanese security forces arrested Sudanese Congress Party (SCP) leader Omer al-Digair and former party leader Ibrahim al-Sheikh at the start of the protests, after the doubling the price of bread.

Furthermore, National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) issued instructions to the newspaper editors not to publish any news or comments related to the demonstrations in Khartoum on Tuesday (April 16, 2018). Arrests and closure of major streets and panic in the middle of the security authorities continued. The gang of the ruling regime flooded the popular fields with sewage water to make holding rallies and the starting demonstrations from it difficult. However and despite the criminal practices of the ruling regime the raging demonstrations continued condemning the abject failures and corruption of the putschist dictatorial regime of the Hippocratic Muslim Brotherhood Movement and demanded its departure and leave Sudan to its patriotic people. Earlier on Sunday 14 January 2018, security agents seized the print runs of six newspapers after they criticised the government over the rising cost of bread. “No reason was given for confiscating copies of our newspaper, but I think it was due to our transparent coverage of the food price rise," said Hanadi Al-Sidiq, editor of Akhbar Al-Watan which saw its entire run seized along with Al-Tayar, Al-Mustagilla, Al-Karar, Al-Midan and Al-Assayha newspapers. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5243885/Sudan-protesters-burn-tyres-bread-price-rise.html

The events of the Sudanese protests in Khartoum against rising bread prices and of other basic commodities have been addressed by local and the international media outlets. The Gulf Times and AFP in Khartoum made a statement that Protest in Sudan against rising bread prices. Anti-government protests erupted after the cost of a 50-kilo sack of flour jumped from 167 ($9) to 450 Sudanese pounds ($25).Moreover, the media also referred to previous similar events such as the protests that were held in late 2016 after the government cut fuel subsidies. As well the authorities cracked down on those protests to prevent a repeat of the deadly unrest that followed an earlier round of subsidy cuts in 2013. Dozens (more than 200 ) of people were killed in September 2013 when security forces crushed large street demonstrations, drawing international condemnation. http://www.gulf-times.com/story/578307/Sudanese-protest-in-Khartoum-against-rising-bread-

The Times of Israel's Daily Edition said reporting on the September 2013 crackdown on demonstrators by the (NCP) regime in Khartoum : (The mood in the capital was tense and schools were closed as residents prepared for more potential violence and protests expected on Friday, particularly after worshippers flood out of mosques following weekly Islamic prayer.

Violent protests erupted in Sudan on Monday when President Omar al-Bashir's government decided to lift subsidies, nearly doubling prices on fuel products.

A gallon (3.8 liters) of diesel sprang from eight Sudanese pounds ($1.81) to 14 pounds ($3.18) after subsidies were lifted this week. A gallon of gasoline that was 12 pounds rose to 21, while a canister of cooking gas that was 14 pounds is now 25. One US dollar is about 4.40 Sudanese pounds.

Hospital officials and activists said at least 30 have been killed since in street violence, mostly in Khartoum. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Protesters torched 20 gas stations in Khartoum and elsewhere, and set fire to several police stations. Stores were looted in several parts of the city. Police fired tear gas in some places.

The Change Now youth movement said security forces killed the demonstrators by firing randomly into crowds, including at two funerals of slain protesters in Khartoum Wednesday night.

“The government deployed large security forces to suppress the protests,” spokesman Amgad Farid said by telephone. “Whatever the scale of the crackdown, people will not stop,” he added.

Farid, also a member of an umbrella group called the Youth Union for Revolution, said protesters' demands had once been purely political and economic but had escalated since the killings.

“The president must step down and the government must resign,” he said, referring to al-Bashir, who has ruled over Sudan for more than two decades. “Now, the demands are retribution for the killings and bloodshed.”

An activist in Khartoum's flashpoint Omdurman district said it had been emptied of residents, who fled either out of fear or in preparation of Friday's protests. Violence appeared to hit a lull on Thursday with no deaths immediately reported.

The activist said there were no attacks on gas stations where the army was deployed. He said people are hesitant to engage the military but see the police as their adversary. Long lines stretched outside gas stations and people are upset, but they are calling on the army to side with the protesters.

A resident in Khartoum said Internet had been restored by late afternoon in the capital. The US-based Renesys, a company that monitors the worldwide state of the Internet also said Thursday that the Internet had been restored after almost 24 hours of total blackout.

Last year, an attempt by the government to cut subsidies sparked similar protests but they were quelled by a heavy crackdown on protesters, activists and journalists.

Sudan lost most of its main oil-producing territory when South Sudan broke off and became an independent state in 2011.

The latest riots first began in the state of Gezira, south of Khartoum, and in some places turned into a call for the ouster of al-Bashir.

Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on allegations linked to the conflict in Sudan's western region of Darfur where an estimated 300,000 people have died since 2003 due to fighting between government-backed tribes and rebels
https://www.timesofisrael.com/signup/?utm_source=toi-articles&utm_medium=middle-link&utm_campaign=signup-buttons

Nevertheless, protests in Khartoum and Omdurman continued on Wednesday 17 January 20918 despite the fact reported above in which the Security authorities in their quest to preempt public crowd they drowned the public park (Maidan Ahliya) in Omdurman with sewage water, the resistance forces achieved a qualitative breakthrough in response to the implementation of the protests called for by the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) in the state of Khartoum which was a success.

Tyrants during their arrogance and their state of drunkenness forget totally the fact that the public can erupt and rise up to put an end to their regime as it happened previously in October 21 1964 and in April 1985 ousting the military regimes of Generals Ibrahim Abboud and Jaffar Muhammad Nimeiri respectively in the case of Sudan. The National Congress Party (NCP)/National Islamic Front (NIF) regime in Khartoum is no exception. The diehard loyalists of the (NCP) regime have been quoted as saying boastfully that nobody can oust them and that they would continue ruling Sudan unabatedly and unchallenged as long as their coming in 1098 was through the barrel of the gun –aka military coup d'état. Worse than that statement, there are reports attributed to some of those hardliners of the ruling regime saying that they will only hand power over to Jesus the Christ, peace be upon him! Obviously, we distance ourselves from such unsayable saying and we ask Allah for forgiveness from those rumors. And seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

The Sudanese opposition, both civil and armed, such as the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), has affirmed its total rejection the war budget provided by the ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP). Moreover, (JEM) full support for the peaceful protests and declares the presence of its members among the demonstrators at the heart of peaceful demonstrations in which the Sudanese people express their rejection of the insane rise of goods and basic services as a natural result of the failure of the regime to implement rule of law, justice and good governance. All the components of the opposition in the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) expressed their Condemnation of the ruthless policies of the regime that does not put the suffering of the Sudanese people into consideration and the necessities of their life as priority. These demonstrations also express the Sudanese people's categorical rejection of the war budget on the people and starvation adopted by the regime.

On another development, the Umma National Party (UNP) issued a statement on the arrest of the Secretary-general of the Party, Sarah Nugdalla, by the security services of the corrupt regime. They arrested this afternoon the brave fighter Princess Sara Nugdalla, Secretary General of the National Umma Party from her home in Wad Nubawi neighbourhood in Omdurman, in an escalating step of the regime, to join the list of the detainees of the party and the Sudanese political forces and the revolutionaries and rebels from the masses of our great people. https://www.hurriyatsudan.com/?p=235505 And In response to this unjustified arbitrary measure, the (NUP) emphasized the following and said:

First: The arrest of the activist Sara, confirms the fear of the (NCP) regime of this boldness and courageous positions in preserving the right and resist tyranny and arbitrariness. And
Secondly the (NUP) condemned the targeting of Party leaders and cadres by the regime's organs, and stresses that the march of struggle and resistance will not stop, but stirs more candles for freedom, dignity and steadfastness. Thirdly: The (UNP) warned the regime and its security apparatus against the consequences of this step. The party said they hold the responsibility of the safety of the Ustaz Sara Nugdalla and her comrades in the regime's detention centers. They stressed the immediate release of all political prisoners. And fourthly the Party appealed to all its bases and the masses of the party and the Sudanese people to continue the struggle and resistance against this regime until it falls and is relegated to its final resting place. The (NUP) chanted their eternal slogan God is great and thankfully Praise is to Allah. Earlier, sayed al-Sadiq al-Mahdi appealed to the Sudanese regular forces not to attack demonstrators, and he also called on the Sudanese citizens to come out and demonstrate until the overthrow of the regime. Imam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi also launched a violent attack on the (NCP) government because of the repression of the peaceful demonstration at the public field – al-Ahliya Midan.

The members of the Syndicate of Sudanese Doctors appealed to their colleagues in the Syndicate of Sudanese Doctors to take the time of the initiative and call the original trade unions which include Sudanese Workers Union along with all the professional unions of engineers, lawyers, University professors, universities, teachers under the Slogan: Revolution until victory. We pay Salutation and support to the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) in its leadership and membership along with thanks to the enthusiasm, in which all the political parties both civil and armed participated in the struggle against this repressive ailing regime.

Let our people live free in dignity, prosperity and honour. Revolution until victory, the fire of anger will not be extinguished.
Here, it is timely to quote the Revolutionary Tunisian Poet Abulgasim al-Shabby who said in his famous Poem (The will of life):

• “If, one day, a people desire to live, then fate will answer their call.
And their night will then begin to fade, and their chains break and fall.
For he who is not embraced by a passion for life will dissipate into thin air,
At least that is what all creation has told me and what its hidden spirits declare…”
Translated by Elliott Colla

• If the people will to live Providence is destined to Favourably respond
And night is destined to fold And the chains are certain to be broken
And he who has not embraced the love of life will evaporate in its atmosphere and disappear.

Translated by As'ad Abu Khalil

• Should the people one day truly aspire to life / then fate must needs respond / the night must needs shine forth / and the shackles must needs break / Those who are not embraced by life's yearning / shall evaporate in her air and vanish

And, from over at Meedan, a translation from a contributor called “Yankee John”:

https://arablit.org/2011/01/16/two-translations-of-abu-al-qasim-al-shabis-if-the-people-wanted-life-one-day/

The ruling regime of the National Congress Party (NCP) in its resort to extremes of violence against peaceful demonstrators who are protesting the unlimited rise in the prices of essential commodities such Bread as an example of a situation that requires condemnation in the strongest terms. The slogans of citizens during their protest against the rise in prices of essential goods was “peaceful and peaceful demonstration against the haramiya which means in English is burglars/robbers or thieves.

Dr. Mahmoud A. Suleiman is an author, columnist and a blogger. His blog is http://thussudan.wordpress.com/

January 19, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Friday rejected calls to reappoint Paul Malong Awan to his former post as the army chief of staff, saying such move would amount to setting "a bad precedent".

Following the involvement of his aides in rebel attacks outside Juba and the reports about his participation in meetings with other opposition leaders to discuss ways to overthrow the regime of President Salva Kiir, the Presidential spokesperson declared Awan as a rebel marking the position of his boss on the matter.

However, Kiir seemed seeking during the past weeks to gain the full support of the Dinka elders, some of whom argued they want to maintain the unity of the largest ethnic group in the country because others would use any division break their cohesion.

“We are trying to establish a system that everyone should respect and comply whenever changes are made but if we go around the same system we want to create, we will never change this situation and we are setting a bad precedent because everyone will feel untouchable. And every minister and a general in SPLA will do the same thing and we will never move ahead,” said president Kiir on Thursday upon receiving a report from the Committee of the Concerned Citizens who were in Nairobi, Kenya, for consultation with the former chief of staff.

The South Sudanese president asked some of the Dinka elders what has changed after some of them were seeking removal from the office of the former army chief staff.

“Now when some of you come and tell me to reappoint Paul Malong because of peace and harmony of our people, I don't talk because it is some of you who were telling me and bring reports of what you were saying and what was being done by Malong," he said.

He further recalled the elders that repeatedly told them he knows Awan very well as they worked together during the liberation time adding that some of them said the president refuses to listen to their words.

"And some of you started - by the way of doing things - allowing issues to build up and by the time I take actions, they have already grown that they become difficult to manage," he said adding "And I when act, some of you come back the next day and say something else, now tell me what should be done in this case of Malong,” Kiir wondered.

President Kiir upon to the intervention of the Dinka elders ended Awan's confinement in Juba and allowed him to leave for Nairobi where he is allegedly working to topple the regime.

Kiir disclosed to the Dinka elders he met with Awan when he was in Nairobi for the inauguration of president Uhuru Kenya on 27 November adding he personally advised his old friend to keep quiet and relax in Nairobi until things get better

“I met Malong and we talked at length. I listened to him and the issues he raised and one thing I told him was to relax. But when I returned, I started hearing and getting reports of the activities he started to do. One of the activities was the record audiotapes I played before you went to meet him,” he said.

(ST)

Fore more background details please read :
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article64464

January 19, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government Friday called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to enhance the means of the ceasefire monitoring body pointing to its poor performance.

The demand, which expresses for the first time Juba frustration from the activities of the mechanism, is made one month after the signing of the cessation of hostilities agreement the government and the rebels are largely accused of violating.

Also, the SPLM-IO had already accused the Ceasefire and Transitional Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) of not reflecting in its reporting the attacks of the government on their positions across the country.

In statements to the press on Friday, South Sudan cabinet affairs minister Martian Elia Lomuro said they reported 31 attacks on the government positions but the CTSAMM did not investigate.

He further criticised the latest report of the monitoring body saying "it is not consistent with facts"

"We will go and tell IGAD to either empower CTSAMM to work properly or use the Regional Protection Force (RPF) which is doing nothing here after they gave us a lot of headaches," Lomuro said.

He went further to say that the new head of the ceasefire monitoring body admitted that they don't have resources and manpower to achieve their job.

The South Sudanese parties are expected to meet next February to discuss the implementation of the permanent ceasefire agreement which part of the peace agreement.

The issue of the CTSAMM had already been raised by the SPLM-IO during the meeting of December 2017 on the humanitarian cessation of hostilities.

The South Sudanese minister who is also the head of the government team to the revitalization process said they informed the CTSAMM to not issue any new report until they investigate the reported attacks first with the army forces on the ground.

On 16 January, the monitoring mechanism said 16 people have been killed, including three children by the warring parties since the beginning of the ceasefire on 24 December 2017.

(ST)

January 19, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese police on Friday have fired tear gas to disperse worshipers in Khartoum and White Nile State as protests over price hikes continued for the fourth day.

Following the Friday prayer, worshippers at Al-Ansar mosque in Wad Nubawi neighbourhood of Omdurman staged a demonstration against the price hikes.

However, the police and security services stormed the mosque after throwing tear gas canisters forcing the demonstrators into the sub-streets and alleys of Wad Nabawi.

Wad Nubawi area in Omdurman, is the bastion of the Ansar religious sect of the National Umma Party (NUP) led by Former Prime Minister AL-Sadiq al-Mahdi.

Also, the police fired tear gas to disperse residents of Burri neighbourhood, in eastern Khartoum who took to streets following Friday prayer.

Meanwhile, worshippers at Al-Ansar mosque in Rabak, capital of the White Nile State have demonstrated after the Friday prayer against the rising commodity prices.

Earlier this month, bakeries raised the price of a loaf of bread from 50 cents to 1 Sudanese pound following a government decision to increase the price of flour sack from 167 pounds to 450 pounds.

The government decision was part of tough economic measures contained in the 2018 budget which also saw the lifting of electricity subsidies as well as increasing the U.S. dollar exchange rate to 18.00 pounds from the official rate of 6.7 pounds.

The rise in bread price triggered sporadic protests in several Sudanese states leading to the killing of a high school student in West Darfur State and arrest of dozens of activists.

In September 2013, over 200 people were killed according to rights groups in the spontaneous popular protests after the announcement of the first austerity plan.

(ST)

January 19, 2018 (JUBA) - The main rebel movement under the overall leadership of the exiled former first vice president in South Sudan has Friday issued a statement giving details of continued military offensives on their positions by the government forces in multiple places across the country.

Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA IO Deputy Military Spokesperson, according to a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, claimed government forces on Friday morning attacked their base in Pogee as their forces were coming from Pajok where they are stationed since April last year.

The government forces he described as "aggressors" were repulsed with loss, resulting in the death of 7 and several wounded. The clashes have once again displaced the civilians who had returned back from refugee camps in Uganda.

The attack allegedly followed a meeting in which the governor of Imatong state Tobiol Oromo reportedly agreed with the commanding officer of the government forces in Pajok Maj Gen Gildo Oling where Divison 7 is stationed to clear the state of the presence of the armed opposition forces.

“At about 9:40 AM this morning, the regime's forces teamed up with JEM militias and attacked our military base in Dulu near Raga Town and up to now the fight is still ongoing and has spread up to the IDP camp in our controlled areas. Women and children have been scattered into the bushes seeking for safety,” the statement reads.

The statement further claimed that another attack was carried on Friday morning at 9:40 am by the government forces from Yei town at their base in Minyori, 5 miles on Yei-Maridi road. This attack, according to the rebel official, was repulsed, forcing the government forces to regroup themselves with reinforcement from Yei town and the fight has resumed in Minyori.

“The regime's governor of Yei River State has ordered his county commissioners to go to their counties. This is a direct declaration of war with the SPLA-IO. As a result, the regime plans to attack our positions in Mudeba, Kinyira and Kupera in Yei River State," the statement adds.

The statement further spoke about an attack by government forces from Mundri on their positions in Bangalo on Thursday. "Their aim is to proceed to Tore Awandi and Diko which are all under the control of the SPLA IO. Louise Lobong Lajore, Governor of Kapoeta state has also sent a contingent of the regime's forces to attack our positions in and around New Site".

Sudan Tribune was unable to independently verify the veracity of the reports and attempt to reach the spokesman of the government was unsuccessful despite repeated calls to the known number.

(ST)

January 19, 2108 (KHARTOUM) - Governor of Sudan's eastern state of Kassala Adam Jama'a said the closure of borders with Eritrea has significantly contributed to the success of the disarmament campaign.

Since 5 January, Sudan has deployed thousands of Rapid Support Fighters (RSF) militiamen to Kassala on the border with Eritrea after a presidential decree declaring a state of emergency.

Following what, Sudan shut down its border with Eritrea and declared popular mobilization in Kassala, claiming the deployment of troops along the Eritrean border came as result of military threats from Eritrea and Egypt against the country.

However, Eritrea and Egypt denied the claim and Sudanese stopped speaking about the alleged threats.

The semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) quoted Jama'a as saying 85% of the illicit weapons have been collected during the voluntary phase of the disarmament campaign.

He pointed out that the shutdown of borders and the deployment of the RSF fighters have largely contributed to the success of the campaign.

The governor added the regular forces are working to combat negative phenomena and control security breaches on the borders, praising awareness of the residents and their support of the disarmament campaign.

He further pointed to the importance of the emergency order, saying it facilitates work of the security organs and allows them to take prompt measures against irregularities.

Since August last year, the Sudanese authorities launched a campaign to collect illegal weapons. The campaign, which would be implemented across the country, began by disarming tribes and civilians in Kordofan and Darfur.

(ST)

Elephants, giraffes, rhinos and other magnificent mammals targeted in wildlife conservation areas of Central Africa are under threat of extinction, caught in the crosshairs of armed groups and highly-militarized poachers, the United Nations environment wing warned on Friday.

As swelling numbers of people flee English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria, the United Nations on Friday expressed concern over the precarious situation of women and children, which make now up about 80 per cent of the approximately 10,000 registered refugees in eastern Nigeria’s Cross River state.

January 18, 2018 (JUBA) - The allegations of the SPLM-IO deputy spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel that IGAD is responsible for recent attacks by the government forces in South Sudan's Jonglei region are "misleading and irresponsible", said the IGAD Special Envoy, Ambassador Ismail Wais.

South Sudan first vice president Taban Deng Gai arrives in Bor May 9, 2017 (ST)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday, Wais asked Gabriel "to withdraw the statement and not to indulge in such act in the future as it is unfounded and diverts the attention of the public from the core issues of attainment of peace and security in South Sudan".

The stunning rebuke of the IGAD special envoy comes after accusations by the rebel official that the IGAD and TROIKA are "indirectly contributing to the bloodshed in South Sudan" because the attacks carried out in Bieh State during a recent visit of the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai in the region.

In a statement issued Monday, Col. Gabriel claimed that FVP Taban Deng Gai caused destructions and displacement to the civilians in areas under the control of the SPLA-IO when he toured Jonglei with the knowledge of the IGAD and TROIKA.

On January 17, 2018, the IGAD envoy held a meeting in Juba with the Chairperson of CTSAMM, Major General Ibrahim AbdulJelill who briefed him about the security situation in the different conflict areas.

Following this meeting, Wasi recalled the statements issued by the IGAD, the TROIKA and jointly by the AU and UN, on the truce violations, stressing that "in all of these statements, the signatories have been called upon to desist from actions that contravene the Agreement".

" Violators shall be identified, held accountable and will face all consequences thereof, he concluded," the IGAD special envoy further said.

(ST)

January 18, 2018 (KHARTOUM° - The Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) led by Minni Minnawi said they declined an invitation to meet the Sudanese government in Germany asking to free the political detainees arrested recently over protests against rising bread prices.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the SRF spokesperson Mohamed Zakaria Farajallah said they received an invitation to meet the Sudanese government in Berlin by the end of January to sign an agreement that would pave the way for the resumption of negotiations.

"The Sudanese Revolutionary Front has demanded the release of all political prisoners and activists arrested by the Sudanese authorities for participating in the recent peaceful demonstrations before sitting down at the negotiating table with the regime," Farajallah said.

The security service arrested the leaders of the Sudanese Communist Party, Sudanese Congress Party, and the National Umma Party secretary general and one of the party's deputy presidents. Their arrest comes against a backdrop of government moves to stifle protests against the recent increase in bread price.

The German government which is a facilitator for the African Union efforts to end armed conflicts in Sudan hosted several meetings in the past for the opposition groups or between the government and opposition.

Talks on Darfur conflict are part of a comprehensive process to settle the armed conflicts in Darfur region and the Two Areas before to hold an inclusive constitutional conference for democratic reforms.

Since the failure of a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deal in August 2016, the mediation team led by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki has not convene a new round of talks as the facilitators seek the bridge the gaps between the Sudanese antagonists.

(ST)

January 18, 2018 (KAMPALA) - A former governor of Western Equatoria State Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro, survived an alleged kidnap attempt by the South Sudanese security agents from Kampala on Wednesday.

Western Equatoria governor Joseph Bangansi Bakosoro (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

On Thursday, his office announced the kidnapping attempt while he was on official visit to East Africa region.

“The South Sudan National Movement for Change would like to inform our supporters and well-wishers about news of a thwarted kidnapping attempt on our Chairman Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro by the Government of South Sudan on the afternoon of the 17th of January 2018 in Kampala, Uganda,” partly read a statement.

However, officials from SSNMC, welcome the immediate response by the Ugandan government to foil the action.

“With the intervention by the Government of Uganda, the matter was resolved. The Chairman Bakosoro is currently well and safe. We acknowledge and thank the Government of Uganda, as well as our supporters and well-wishers who were very worried about the wellbeing of the Chairman”.

Bakosoro was travelling in a private van when the Uganda Revenue Authority stopped his car and other vehicles for inspection.

In a process of requested to inspect the car, the URA demanded the vehicle to be driven to their headquarter for further inspections.

“This appeared suspicious due to the fact that numerous abductions of kidnappings have happened in the regional,” he added.

This was not the first time the South Sudanese government security agents accused of kidnapping activity in Uganda.

Last year, a deputy spokesperson of the armed opposition allied to the former first vice president Riek Machar survived a similar kidnap attempt by the South Sudanese government officials.

However, four hours later he was tracked by the Uganda Police and foiled his deportation to South Sudan.

(ST)

Following a two-day visit to conflict-ravaged South Sudan, where a quarter of a million children are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death, the head of the United Nations children&#39s agency has said only an end to hostilities can bring back hope and safety to the children and young people there.

January 18, 2018 (JUBA)-The defence team for the former spokesperson of the former first vice president turned rebel leader Riek Machar announced withdrawal from the case, citing unfair trial despite the recent signing of a cessation of hostilities.

James Gatdet Dak, Riek Machar's spokesperson 'Reuters photo)

The lead defence lawyer Monyuak Alor Kuol told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that they decided to pull from the process because of “unfair trial.”

James Gatdet Dak was deported to Juba by Kenyan authorities in November 2016 where he has since been in detention after the government prosecutor brought treason charges and other serious charges against him.

Kuol, his defence lawyers, says the charges brought his client were political crimes to be addressed through political processes.

“We decided to leave the trial process because of some reasons. One of the main reasons is that the trial process is unfair. Number two the charges levelled against James were purely political crimes. They are not criminal offences against the state. Thirdly, the procedures are not fair. We have a problem with the procedures followed by the prosecution,” explained Kuol.

He said his client is a political detainee to be released under Article 8 of the signed ceasefire agreement that states that all political detainees should be released after it was signed.

"Within 72 hours of the signing of this Agreement, the Parties shall submit to the ICRC a complete list of PoWs, and all political prisoners and detainees, and released them within 14 days," provides the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 21 December 2017.

“James is a political detainee but the prosecution team decided to go ahead with the trial of James Gatdet despite being aware of the provision of the ceasefire agreement," he said

"Because of this lack of unfairness, we decided to pull out from prosecution,” he stressed.

Kuol accused the prosecution and the ministry of justice of ignoring the provisions of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

” We want the world to know the issue. The agreement is being monitored, so the monitors will look into it. The problem is not the court,” he added.

(ST)

January 18, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese security service on Thursday arrested the secretary-general of the National Umma Party (NUP), Sara Nugadallah, over calls to escalate protests against the government decision to cut bread subsidy.

Sarah Nugdalla (ST)

Sudan's largest opposition group on Wednesday called for a protest in Omdurman against the increase of bread price, one day after a first call by the Sudanese Communist Party to take to the street to protest the hike.

In a statement released on Thursday evening, the NUP said Nugdalla was arrested from her house in Wad Nobawi neighbourhood of Omdurman in the afternoon describing the arrest as "an escalating step by the regime".

"The party denounces the regime's targeting of the party's leaders and cadres and stresses that the struggle and resistance will not stop, instead it will spark more candles for freedom, dignity and steadfastness," further said the statement.

On Wednesday, the security apparatus arrested two of Sadiq al-Mahdi's daughters and a son, besides other imminent members as Mohamed Aldoma, a NUP deputy chairperson.

Also, the authorities arrested the political secretary of the Communist Party and a number of the party's leading members such as Siddiq Youssef and Siddiqui Kabalo. Also, several leading of the Sudanese Congress Party have been arrested including its chairperson Omer al-Digair and the former leader Ibrahim al-Sheikh.

The increase of the bread prices is part of recommendations made by the International Monitory Fund (IMF) advising to float the Sudanese pound and scrap wheat subsidies.

However, the move was rejected by the opposition groups and even the country religious body which is known for its support for the al-Bashir government.

A week ago, the Sudan Scholar Corporation (SSC) called on the Sudanese government to grant the right to protest peacefully against the increase bread price.

The SSC further called on the government to cancel the decision and instead to cut government spending drastically especially in the privileges and allocations of the executive, legislative and diplomatic organs.

(ST)

Zambia edged closer to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship in Morocco when beating Ivory Coast 2-0 in Marrakech.

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