Africa

January 9, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Revolutionary Forces led by Minni Minnawi (SRF Minnawi) has called for establishing a unified opposition centre to overthrow the regime.

In a video message circulated on Tuesday, SRF chairman Minni Minnawi said change is a personal and collective responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the political parties, resistance forces and the civil society organizations as well as the various societal sectors.

He said the opposition forces wouldn't topple the regime unless the opposition is being unified on the bases of a common minimum programme.

“We in the SRF and our partners in the Sudan Call declare our full readiness to discuss ways to form a unified opposition centre to confront the regime and work together to overthrow it” he said

He stressed the RSF support for the Sudanese people in the struggle against the harsh economic policies implemented by the regime, denouncing the violent crackdown on protesters and mass confiscation of newspapers.

The rebel leader called for the immediate release of all political prisoners including the chairman of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) Omer al-Digair and former chairman Ibrahim al-Shiekh.

He also criticized the government confused foreign policy, saying the regime seeks to protect its President Omar al-Bashir who is a fugitive of international justice.

Minnawi further pointed out that the government declaration of the state of emergency in particular states is nothing but an attempt to cover up the human rights violations.

SRF is a coalition established in 2011 between rebel groups in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement/SLM-AW led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nour and SLM-MM led by Minni Minnawi and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N).

Divergences appeared within the SRF groups in October 2015 when the three groups from Darfur region, JEM, SLM-AW and SLM-MM, issued a statement announcing the appointment of the leader of JEM, Gibril Ibrahim, as chairman of the rebel umbrella.

The SRF split in October 2015 into two factions one headed by Gibril Ibrahim and the second by Malik Agar after a difference over the chairmanship of the rebel alliance.

In October 2017, the SRF Gibril held its general conference in Paris. The rebel alliance leaders unanimously elected Minni Minnawi as a new chairman for the umbrella organization.

(ST)

January 9, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government has disclosed ongoing arrangements to resume the Two Areas talks with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) during this month.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the SPLM-N rebels in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, also known as the Two Areas since 2011.

Talks between the Sudanese government and SPLM-N for a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access are stalled since August 2016.

The SPLM-N is now divided into two factions: one led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and the other led by Malik Agar. The rift emerged last year over the right of self-determination and other organisational issues.

Sudan's presidential assistant and head of the government negotiating team Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid Tuesday disclosed that intensive efforts are underway to resume talks with the SPLM-N.

He told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that the government “wouldn't accept any preconditions or crippling terms that could hinder the peace talks and the Two Areas negotiation process”.

Hamid expressed readiness to negotiate with any party that seeks to achieve peace in the country.

Sudan's chief negotiator further stressed the peace talks would resume this month, saying however the date has not yet been definitely decided.

last September, Abdel-Rahman Abu Median, member of the government negotiating team, said they wouldn't negotiate with an SPLM-N Agar faction, pointing the group has no ability to implement what will be agreed upon.

The SPLM-N al-Hilu has a similar point of view as they say there is no split within the rebel movement, but only a change of leadership stressing they have the SPLA-N support.

On the other hand, the SPLM-N Agar recognizes the rift and proposes to form a joint delegation. If this proposal is rejected they propose to coordinate with the SPLM-N al-Hilu.

The African mediators met the two factions last August, but they didn't fix a clear position on the matter, while the facilitators from the Troika countries and the European Union also didn't determine a unified position on the matter.

(ST)

January 9, 2018 (JUBA) - The former South Sudanese army chief of staff General Paul Malong Awan warned on Tuesday he would be forced to respond with appropriate and proportional force should the government officials continue to launch false accusations against him.

In a press conference held on Monday, South Sudanese President Spokesperson described Awan as a rebel, saying he was responsible for a number of attacks outside the capital last week.

“Malong is a former chief of staff of the army but in accordance with the tape, he's a rebel. The government and the security committee will come with an appropriate response,” said Ateny Wek Ateny.

The new accusations by the spokesperson of President Kiir angered the former chief of staff who backed Kiir when the SPLM leadership members said he was not apt to lead the country and when Kiir had to face alone the forces loyal to his former vice president after the event of 15 December 2013 in Juba.

Awan issued a statement on Tuesday titled "The Reason Behind Provocations" where he sought to say he was the target of the security agencies and presidential aides looking for a scapegoat to maintain tensions and war in the country, their only means to remain in power.

“Ever since I was relieved of duty as Chief of General Staff, there has been a target painted on my back by elements within the government who profit from war. In the aftermath of my being reassigned, these schemers immediately smelt blood. Instead of bringing back peace, the government is busy creating more frontlines, " he said.

"If these provocations continue unabated, then I would respond with appropriate and proportional force, and the blame would be on the government,” wrote Awan in a response to the government declaration making him a rebel.

President on 9 May 2017, decided to sack Awan from his position as the security agencies kept reporting that the then chief of general staff and his supporters were planning to overthrow Kiir considering him as unable to resist international pressures during the war with the rebels.

Following his removal, he fled to Aweil but he was stopped in the Laks region state of Yirol and forces to regain Juba. The security community in Juba at the time said he wanted to go to his home area in preparation for a rebellion.

Awan narrated events that have occurred following his removal from power, citing concoctions and circulation of rumours about him starting a rebellion that brought in the president.

“That is why when I attempted to leave Juba for Aweil, I was intercepted at Yirol with the promise to clear any misunderstandings that may be there with the president. I later learnt as you all did, that it was a trap that landed me in secret house arrest," he said.

" When my illegal and secretive detention came to light, the schemers shifted their intentions and now they had to get rid of me. That is why they cordoned off my residence and surrounded it with a battalion of soldiers, and heightened tensions around Juba in the runner-up to my release on the President's orders. The schemers in J1 were desperately pulling every trick in their bags to paint me as a serious threat to the government, with the hope of securing a Presidential order to attack and kill me,” he further said.

The ousted general gave his own vision on all these "schemes" against him saying these "provocations are created by gooks around the President" whose survival is contingent on a protracted war in order to facilitate their continued control of the state.

"It's an open secret that most of the Presidential advisors were our adversaries during the liberation war, and are there to destroy SPLM from within," he asserted.

South Sudanese presidential spokesperson Ateny Monday gave detailed information about the alleged audio recording of intercepted conversations for Gen Awan with several opposition leaders including Joseph Bakasoro, former western Equatoria governor and former national security in the office of the president Oyai Deng Ajak.

He further claimed that Awan spoke with his supporters in different areas across the country ordering them to rebel and attack strategic positions like Juba and Wau.

However, Ateny said the presidency called on Malong and his allies to relinquish violence and join the peace process, adding that the government is ready to welcome Malong to Juba.

“We express our commitment to the ongoing peace revitalization process comes next month, we urge the officers who have rebelled on General Malong's orders and all other opposition forces to refrain from violence activities and allow a peaceful solution to the political crisis in the country”.

The Dinka Elders Council has reportedly kept contacts with President Kiir and his former chief of staff in a bit to contain the situation and prevent further frictions within the Dinka groups.

Nonetheless, observers in Juba wonder if the reconciliation efforts between Kiir and Awan would succeed pointing that the latter is now in an open conflict with the establishment particularly the presidential entourage and the security community.

They agree that any escalation between the two sides would have a negative impact on the IGAD forum to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement of August 2015.

(ST)

Ongoing wars, terrorism and growing Western involvement in Africa are set to be key themes in 2018.

January 8, 2018 (WAU) – A fisherman was killed and four other still at large after Sunday morning's attack by suspected cattle raiders at a fishing village in South Sudan's Mapel payam in Kwajiena County.

Fishermen in Mayen village loading boats for distribution, December 17, 2015 (ST)

The attack, a local youth leader said, occurred at the southern river bank of Agur.

“Yes there was an attack launched yesterday on fishermen in an area of Agur, some 35km away. The attack occurred at about 10:00 am when people were fishing. They were attacked by unknown gunmen, one person died on spot while four people are missing up to now,” Joseph Ungom Aken told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

The fishermen, he said, were about 20.

A similar incident, according to Aken, took place at the river site sometime last year, during which 11 people lost their lives.

“This is not the first time for such an incident. Last year, they launched an attack on fishermen in which 11 people were killed,” he stressed.

The youth blamed county authorities for failing to act on the matter, which has continuously remained a source of insecurity in the area.

“As an area youth body, we strongly condemn this move,” said Aken, adding, “Nobody claimed responsibility for the attack.

In April Last year, clashes between farmers in former Jur River county of South Sudan's Western Bahr el Ghazal state left dozens of people dead.

(ST)

January 8, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of General Staff, Ltd General Emad al-Din Adawi has delivered a message from the Sudanese president to the Ethiopian Prime Minister on Monday.

According to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn discussed with Adawi "bilateral relations and issues related to the countries in the region" without further details.

The visit comes after the deployment of Sudanese troops along the border with Eritrea and the closure of the joint border with the isolated eastern neighbour.

Also, the Sudanese First Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh was in Asmara for two days on 20 December but nothing filtered about the content of his talks with the Eritrean officials.

The visiting Sudanese general told ENA that Ethiopia is a strategic partner of Sudan, adding the countries will further strengthen their cooperation.

"He stressed that a challenge one of the (two) nations faces would harm the other. Therefore the effort to collaborate in containing problems will continue".
For its part, the office of the Prime Minister said: "Hailemariam has expressed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two countries".

It further pointed to the political and economic integration agreements signed between the two countries during the official visit of President Omer al-Bashir to Addis Ababa in April 2017.

At the time, al-Bashir and Dessalegn said they agreed to work together for the interest of the two countries and announced in a joint press conference that they signed a military agreement for mutual defence in the case of foreign aggression on one of the two neighbouring countries.

The Sudanese official media didn't announce or report about Adawi's visit to Addis Ababa.

(ST)

January 8, 2017 (JUBA) – A suspected viral hemorrhagic fever has killed at least three people while 60 of their contacts are being monitored for any infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said in a statement issued on Monday this week.

WHO receives 500 000 doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine for a planned campaign in South Sudan. WHO South Sudan (WHO/L. Luwaga photo)

The agency said the three, who included a pregnant woman, teenage girl and a boy from a village in South Sudan's Eastern Lakes state, succumbed to the fever in December last year.

“No tissue or blood samples were collected from their bodies for analysis, and South Sudan health authorities reported the cases on Dec. 28,” WHO said.

"The outbreak of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever in South Sudan could rapidly evolve, and critical information including laboratory confirmation of the etiology of disease is needed to direct response efforts," it added.

Health authorities and WHO, the statement further stressed, are investigating and found evidence of zoonotic hemorrhagic illness in goats and sheep in the area, including some deaths, as well as deaths among wild birds at the time.

(ST)

Political brinkmanship and a refusal to compromise will only result in further delays in preparations for elections and deepening of the political crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has been gripped by a recent spate of violent protests, the United Nations peacekeeping chief told the Security Council Tuesday.

The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday appealed to the Israeli Government to not forcibly send Eritrean and Sudanese refugees or asylum seekers to sub-Saharan Africa.

January 8, 2018 (NYALA) - Two police officers on Monday have been killed in gun clashes with pastoralists in Sergaila area, Tulus County, some 86 kilometres south of Nyala, South Darfur State capital.

A government official told Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity that a local resident notified the police that armed herders have infringed on his farm and threatened to kill him.

He added the police dispatched a force to the incident scene, saying the armed herders refused to obey police directives on the grounds that they belong to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“They [the armed herders] fired at the police killing the force commander and another police officer instantly,” he said

The same source pointed out that the police were unable to arrest the perpetrators, saying reinforcements moved quickly from Buram County to track down the culprits.

Last week, two elements from the government militia SRF were seriously wounded in clashes with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Otash camp, three kilometres east of Nyala.

In 2014, the presence of RSF in North Kordofan state capital of El-Obeid drew widespread condemnation from residents who accused it of spreading terror.

These forces were blamed for looting commercial markets and killing of a merchant in El-Obeid leading to massive protests across the city.

Also, in 2014 the RSF recruits in Sulait camp clashed with residents of Hattab village in Khartoum North leading to the intervention of the Sudanese army.

The RSF militia was originally mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur in 2003.

Last year, the Sudanese parliament passed RSF Act which integrates the notorious militia in the Sudanese army and provides that its commander is appointed by the President of the Republic.

(ST)

January 8, 2018 (JUBA) - The armed opposition allied to the former First Vice President Riek Machar has accused the government forces of abducting a local chief with domestic animals belonging to civilians in Bari area.

SPLA soldiers, from the 2nd Battalion pose at the SPLA headquarters in Nyang, in the county of Yirol East, on February 15, 2014 (Photo AFP/Fabio Bucciarelli)

Lam Paul Gabriel, deputy spokesperson of the SPLA-IO told Sudan Tribune that the attack took place in the territory under control of SPLA-IO between Sunday and Monday.

He says many civilians have fled into bushes following a recent government attack on their positions for fear of being caught in the crossfire, and killed by the government forces.

However, the rebel spokesperson said two of their fighters were wounded during the clashes, and adding that their forces have repulsed the attackers.

“On the same day 6 January 2018, the government forces also attacked our base in Medewu injuring two freedom fighters but no fatalities. They were repulsed to Bari where they arrested an elderly man called Lexton Balas Edward from his house suspecting him of being a supporter of the SPLA IO. This is an intimidation to civilians which amounts to a violation (of the humanitarian truce),” he said.

Meanwhile, the rebel official has alleged that forces allied to the government are preparing themselves in Mundri before to launch new attacks.

“The government forces are organizing themselves in Mundri to go and attack our base in Kediba and also follow civilians in their hideouts in Bari, Medewu, and Bangalo,” he said.

Also, he claimed that more government forces from the Sixth Division in Rumbek, Third Division and Fifth Division have been sent to Wau, with plans to attack their bases around there.

“The move has been initiated by Wau Governor Angelo Taban. The government forces, according to our source are advancing in three different directions to attack SPLA/IO positions in Baggari and consolidate their presence in the area of Bazia along Wau Tambura road, and Nboro,” he asserted.

In Bieh state, he says the government forces under command of First Vice President Taban Deng Gai and Gony Biliu have arrived in Jonglei State with an intention to attack Phow and Bieh areas.

“Military vehicles and tanks have been loaded with different machine guns in Bor town. These are meant for the regime's mission to Bieh State,” he added.

The SPLA-IO has renewed calls to the IGAD, TROIKA and the UN to hold the government responsible for any confrontation that will occur in the coming days, pointing that SPLA-IO reserves to itself the right to fight in self-defence to repulse any attack.

(ST)

January 8, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's eastern state of Kassala on Monday has formed a higher committee for popular mobilization hours after its governor announced the closure of borders with Eritrea.

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir last week issued a decree imposing a six-month state of emergency in North Kordofan and Kassala states.

The government said the decision was prompted by security reasons pertaining to the collection of illicit arms as well as combating drugs and human trafficking.

On Saturday, Sudan shut down its border with Eritrea following deployment of thousands of the government militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters to Kassala.

The official news agency SUNA on Monday said the paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) has made a proposal to set up a mobilization committee in Kassala.

According to the agency, the governor of Kassala State has approved the proposal and instructed to form a higher mobilization committee under his auspices.

The committee will be chaired by the Minister of Education and a representative from the PDF would serve as a rapporteur.

The PDF fought along the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) during the two-decade civil war with South Sudan and many analysts believe that it is the military arm of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite television recently reported that Egypt has sent reinforcements to a military base in the Berbera port of Eritrea.

Ethiopia had previously accused some Egyptians and the government in Eritrea of providing support to Ethiopian opposition groups to disrupt construction of the multi-billion dollar power project and to destabilise the nation.

(ST)

January 8, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The U.S. dollar exchange rate on Monday has hit a new all-time high in the black market as the Sudanese pound (SDG) declined to 29.5 per dollar.

Following an unprecedented increase in dollar price last November, the Sudanese authorities introduced new measures allowing for10-year prison term for anyone caught trading on foreign currency outside the banking system or approved institutions.

Also, the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) revoked business licenses of a number of gold trade companies saying the decision was prompted by their involvement in currency speculations.

Also, Sudan's 2018 budget saw an increase in the U.S. dollar official exchange rate to 18.00 pounds (SDG) from 6.9 pounds.

Money traders told Sudan Tribune on Monday the purchase price of the dollar reached 29 pounds while the selling price settled at 29,5 pounds compared to 27,5 and 28 pounds on Sunday.

They attributed the increase in the dollar price to the low supply and high demand from large companies particularly those operating in medicines importation.

A black market trader told Sudan Tribune that most of the Forex traders transferred their activity abroad and in particular to the Gulf States following the recent government security measures.

“The government measures were counterproductive because the dollar price before it was 22 pounds and now it approaches 30 pounds and it would continue to rise until it reaches 50 pounds because the CBoS doesn't have enough reserves and whenever the official rate increases, the black market would raise its price,” he said

“The black market is the largest source of Forex in the country because it controls the remittances of the Sudanese expats which exceed 6 billion pounds annually,” he added.

The Sudanese pound has lost more than 100% of its value since South Sudan's secession in 2011, pushing inflation rates to record levels given that the East African nation imports most of its food.

The most recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicated that Sudan's gross international reserves remained very low in 2017 ($1.1 billion, 1¾ months of imports).

(ST)

January 8, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Monday demanded the return to the country of former army chief of staff, Paul Malong Awan, saying the response he will receive from the latter would form the basis of his decision to either consider him a rebel or not.

President Salva Kiir, (L), accompanied by army chief of staff Paul Malong Awan, (R), waves during an independence day ceremony in the capital Juba, on July 9, 2015 (Photo AP)

Awan on Sunday vigourously denied inciting his supporters in the army to rebel as it was leaked in an audio tape with his voice. The general who was a close friend to the president openly accused the security service saying this false recoding was the latest in a series of provocations aiming to push him to rebel.

“You listened to the tape yesterday and heard the voice. You can tell me whether it was imitation or the real voice of Paul Malong. Tell me the difference between the tape, what he said in the release and all that you hear and read in the media," Kiir said.

" I know Malong and his voice. Tell him to return to the country if what is being said about him is not true. I give you time to talk to him but not more than two weeks. If he fails, then let me know,” he further stressed in a meeting with the Dinka Council of Elders who mediated his release in November.

Speaking after the meeting, presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny cited the audio tapes leaked on social media as the evidence of subversive activities in which the former chief of staff is involved. Ateny pointed to an alleged audio tape in which the ex-military leader was heard giving orders for fighting that included clashes outside the capital, Juba, last week that violated a cease-fire.

Awan said he is the one who purchased the tape recording equipment used by the South Sudan security apparatus to forge the fake recording.

He further warned that he would be forced to make a decision in the light of these constant provocations, "I would be forced to make a decision because there is a threat to my life and that of my family," he said.

Awant was granted a permission to leave the country on medical grounds and after pressures by the Dinka elders on 20 November.

The former chief of staff was suspected by the security service of plotting to overthrow the President Kiir. He was against the signing of the peace agreement in August 2015 also, he is accused of launching an attack on the forces of the former First Vice President Riek Machar in July 2016 without referring to President Kiir.

(ST)

Tobi Ibitoye went from the odd black kid to a pop star, epitomising Romania's changing attitude.

January 7, 2018 (ZALINGEI) - The Sudanese security service arrested six internally displaced people in Nertiti camp 100 km east of the Central Darfur state capital Zalingei, an IDPs representative said on Sunday.

Hussein Abu Sharati, a spokesperson of Darfur IDPs told Sudan Tribune that members of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in Nertiti locality took six of the camp's IDPs to the local security buildings without explanation.

Abu Shrati added that the security services have begun to harass the IDPs again, pointing that it becomes dangerous to move between their houses in the camp and the farms.

Hussein called on the hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) to protect the displaced women by providing police patrols to accompany them as they collect firewood.

In the with a plan to reduce the UNAMID troops deployed in Darfur region, the peacekeeping mission has to concentrate its patrols for the protection of civilians in Central Darfur state and particularly in Jebel Marra.

Despite the relative calm in the rest of the western Sudan region, the security situation in the area remains very shaky.

The Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) fighters who are not committed to the unilateral cessation of hostilities clash from time to time with the government forces. Also, the UN Secretary-General in his latest report to the Security Council in December 2017 mentioned clashes between different rebel factions there.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (JUBA) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by the former First Vice President Riek Machar has accused the government forces of killing eight civilians in two area in the Yei River State in south-western South Sudan.

According to the SPLM-IO Spokesperson in Yei, Wayi Godwill Edward the civilians were killed at Iraga and Gomoja areas in Morobo County on Thursday, 4 January 2018.

SPLA soldiers from Morobo "ambushed dozens of civilians and notoriously tortured and killed the eight. The rest were scattered into the bushes and pursued at gunpoint," Edward claimed.

The warring parties in South Sudan signed a cessation of hostilities agreement brokered by the IGAD mediators with the support of the international community before to launch a process for the implementation of the peace agreement reached in August 2015.

Yei state which is close to the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda was one of the hot areas before the signing of the humanitarian truce which aimed at building confidence between the warring parties before to discuss the security arrangements implementation.

All these violations are happening at the watch of the ceasefire monitors and the guarantors which casts doubt on the effectiveness of the implementation of the CoH in an attempt to thwart the widespread insecurity in preparation for the upcoming peace talk.

The rebel spokesperson condemned the killing of civilians pointing that such violence comes in total violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

"We urge CTSAMM not to condone the barbaric acts of ethnic extermination in violation of the truce by merely condemning and blaming, but to systematically investigate and hold Kiir's defiant regime to immediately account for these deliberate violations," he stressed.

With the resumption of the peace revitalization process, the parties have to discuss the enforcement of the permanent ceasefire agreement. The armed opposition has already called to review the ceasefire monitoring body.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (EL-GENEINA) - A student was killed and others wounded Sunday in a wave of mass protests that swept through West Darfur State capital, El-Geneina over commodity price hikes.

An official at West Darfur government told Sudan Tribune under the condition of anonymity that hundreds of students took to the streets of El-Geneina, accusing unnamed parties of mobilizing the students against the price hikes.

“The police and the Rapid Support Forces intervened to disperse the demonstration. There were casualties among the protesters. A high school student named Al-Zubayr Ibrahim Sekeran was killed and the authorities would investigate the incident” he said

In the same context, the minister of education in West Darfur State Bashir Adam Idris issued a decision to suspend primary and high schools study for one week.

However, West Darfur governor Fadl al-Mawla al-Haga had cancelled the decision of the education minister to suspend primary and high schools study.

He said they would investigate the killing of the student, saying the situation is now stable and the study will continue as normal.

Sudan Tribune has received names of some of the injured including the student Safa al-Tigani Khalil, police officer Abdel-Halim Salih, student, Azza Hamdan, worker Ibrahim Aboud and resident Isam Bashir Yahia.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOUTH DARFUR

Meanwhile, police dispersed limited student protests over the increase of bread price in South Darfur capital, Nyala.

Reliable sources said most of the bakeries have stopped production due to lack of flour, pointing the loaf of bread is being sold at two Sudanese pounds instead of one pound.

The police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protestors who set car tires on fire and closed three major streets leading to downtown Nyala for several hours.

An official source told Sudan Tribune that the protests were limited and didn't require the use of excessive force against demonstrators.

However, he pointed out that the security organs are ready to deal with any contingency, stressing the state of readiness was raised to the maximum degree.

The Sudanese government on Friday increased the price of flour sack from 167 pounds to 450 pounds. Following what, bakeries raised the price of a loaf of bread from 50 cents to one pound.

The government decision triggered sporadic protests across the country particularly as it coincides with other measures that contribute to exacerbating the already harsh economic conditions.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese authorities Sunday have launched an arrest campaign and mass newspapers confiscations amid continued protests against harsh economic conditions.

Sporadic protests erupted on Friday in Khartoum and the Gazira State in central Sudan against the recent government decision to increase the bread price.

On Friday, 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.

Also, the protests continued for the third day on Sunday in a number of states amid calls by the opposition on the Sudanese people to take to streets to protests against the unprecedented rise in the cost of living and commodity price.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) said its chairman Omer al-Digair was arrested in North Kordofan State on Sunday morning.

The SCoP added the former chairman of the party Ibrahim al-Shaikh and the human rights secretary Jalal Mustafa were also detained.

According to the statement, al-Daigiar travelled to North Kordofan State capital El-Obied to visit the head of the SCoP regional council Mohamed Nour Tirab who was detained in the town of Sodari.

The statement pointed out that the detention of its “leaders wouldn't neither resolve the regime's crises nor would it alleviate the mass pressure against the government failure to provide the basic needs”.

NEWSPAPERS CONFISCATIONS

Meanwhile, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Sunday morning seized copies of six newspapers from the printing press without stating reasons.

The seized newspapers include Al-Tayyar, Al-Mustaqilla, Al-Saiha, Al-Qarar besides the SCoP's mouthpiece Akhbar Al-Watan and mouthpiece of the Sudanese Communist Party Al-Midan.

The chief editor of Akhbar Al-Watan, Hanadi al-Siddig, said: “she isn't aware and wasn't notified of the reasons for the seizure”.

However, al-Siddig pointed out that the confiscation was likely a reaction to the “transparent, honest and professional reporting on price increase and the high cost of living”.

For its part, the Reform Now Movement (RNM) led by Ghazi Salah al-Din has criticized the NISS campaign against the political and press freedoms.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the RNM described the NISS campaign as an attempt to cover up “economic disaster that has plagued the country as a result of irresponsible government policies”.

The RNM rejected the infringement on the freedom of publishing and expression and the arbitrary detention, saying the NISS actions are against “all heavenly laws, international and human rights laws and the outcome of the national dialogue”.

It further demanded the immediate release of all political detainees and on top of them the SCoP leader Omer al-Digair and former leader Ibrahim al-Shaikh.

(ST)

January 7, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government Sunday has expressed “deep regret” over Washington's decision to include Sudan on the list of countries of particular concern regarding religious freedoms.

The U.S. Secretary of State annually designates governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom as “Countries of Particular Concern”.

“Today, the Department of State announces that the Secretary of State re-designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as Countries of Particular Concern on December 22, 2017” said the U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert in a press statement on Friday

In a press release on Sunday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said the U.S. announcement is inconsistent with the praise received by Sudan from many symbols and leaders of the world religious institutions.

“Most notably the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as the Commissioner of Religious Freedom in the European Union and the U.S. Congress delegation [which visited Sudan]” read the press release

The spokesman also pointed to the visit of the U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Ian Turner, and the head of the Ethiopian Church, who visited the church of the Ethiopian community in Sudan and praised the level of security, freedom and respect for the rights of Christians in Sudan.

He added the reception of these religious delegations underscores Sudan's confidence which emanates from an extended history of coexistence and tolerance among various religions and races.

Khidir pointed out that Sudan allows large freedoms to its citizens, foreign residents and refugees to practice their religious rights and rituals through 844 churches which manage 319 educational institutions and 173 cultural and health centres.

He called on the U.S. Department of State to review “it's negative statement and deal fairly with this country which hosts millions of refugees without asking anyone of them about his religion and who practice their religious rituals freely.

The Foreign Ministry further underlined readiness to continue discussions with the U.S. on this issue in order to clarify the reality of Sudan's distinctive regional and international experience in this regard.

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.

Sudanese officials insist on the need to remove Sudan from the list of terror states, pointing 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 ongoing constitutional process after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed groups.

(ST)