Africa

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 20, 2017 (HAWASSA) – Ethiopia on Tuesday inaugurated what it said is the first specialised, sustainable textile and apparel industrial park in Africa.

Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn (Allafrica)

The massive Chinese-constructed Hawassa industrial park (HIP) was inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn who officially declared the full operationalization of the park under phase one.

At the occasion, Hailemariam said Ethiopia's vision is to be the leading manufacturing hub in Africa by the year 2025.

“Our goal is to create millions of new jobs in labor-intensive and export-oriented light manufacturing”, he said.

He added “the full operation of the Hawassa industrial park is the most evident and concrete example yet towards achieving our national vision and marks a milestone in our quest to industrialisation”.

The Hawassa world-class eco-industrial park featuring state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly technology was built by Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at a cost of about $ 322 million.

Covering an area of 1.3 million square meters, of which 300, 000-meter square is factory shed build up area, the park has so far attracted 18 leading textile and garment companies from across the world including from America, China and India.

Also, eight domestic investors have been meticulously selected and necessary preparations are finalised to facilitate their investment inside the park.

The park, built in record time nine months implements a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) that enables to recycle 90 %of sewerage disposal water and fulfils international standards.

The plant uses the latest technology and has the capacity for treating and recycling 11 million litres of effluent every day.

Ethiopia says its rapid economic growth can only be sustained through the realization of a structural economic transformation.

The country has been registering a strong and steady economic growth for more than a decade now, with an average GDP growth rate of 11%.

The most recent report from both the World Bank (Global Economic Prospect, 2017) and IMF (World Economic Outlook 2017) forecast that the horn of Africa's nation will be one of the fastest growing economies in the world and a star performer in the African continent in 2017.

Furthermore, Ethiopia has become one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the continent.

According to UNCTAD's 2017 investment report, Ethiopia is now the second largest recipient of FDI in textile and apparel next to Vitnam.

The Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) Board Chairperson Dr Arkebe Oqubay told journalists that development of world-class, specialised, sustainable, vertically integrated, export -driven and competitive industrial parks is the central drive toward realising vision 2025.

Arkebe, who is also Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, said currently there are some 10,000 employees in the Hawassa Park but at full capacity, the park will hire around 60,000 employees.

He added some companies in the park have already started to export and when the park starts production at full capacity, Ethiopia will earn around one billion USD every year from Hawassa Park alone.

Arkebe said the park could be considered as a model for other parks being built in other East African countries.

Including those two parks which recently operationalized, Ethiopia is currently building a total of 15 industrial parks across the country as part of its goal to emerge as continent's manufacturing hub.

Sudan Tribune has reliably learned that four more industrial parks namely Mekelle, kombelcha, Adama and Dire Dawa parks will be inaugurated till September.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan's steering committee for the national dialogue says lack of funds hindering its efforts to consult exiled rebel leader, Riek Machar and opposition politicians abroad.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar addresses a news conference in Uganda's capital Kampala January 26, 2016 (Reuters photo)

"A committee has being formed to consult with the leader of the SPLM-IO [Riek Machar] and all [South Sudanese in the] diaspora but as you know, the government has no money and members of the international community are yet to offer their support," said Alfred Taban, a member on the information committee.

"This is serious because without money, we cannot travel outside the country to meet refugees, politicians living in exile. This is a very important step in the national dialogue," he added, shortly after a meeting of the committee chaired by Angelo Beda on Tuesday.

President Salva Kiir launched the national dialogue committee last month as parts of efforts he said will restore confidence among the local communities divided by the war. The bottom-top approach is meant to address local issues as well as national political differences that morphed into the war along tribal lines three years ago.

The armed opposition faction loyal to ex-First Vice President Machar has dismissed the dialogue as a strategy to prolong President Kiir's legitimacy after the 2015 peace agreement collapsed last year.

International donors are also reluctant to fund the process after President Kiir said his main rival Machar should not participate in the process because "he will come and cause another trouble in Juba."

However, the national dialogue steering committee has insisted that all sides in the war must participate irrespective of President Kiir's refusal to dialogue with his arch rival. But without fund, amid the economic crisis in South Sudan, the process is likely to further delay.

(ST)

While famine has eased in South Sudan, the situation across the crisis-torn country remains dire, as the number of people struggling to find food each day has grown from 4.9 million in February to six million today &#8211 the highest level of food insecurity the young nation has ever experienced, according to the United Nations.

The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the deployment by the so-called Group of Five (G5) &#8211 Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger &#8211 of a joint force to tackle the threat of terrorism, as well as the serious challenges posed by transnational organized crime in Africa&#39s restive Sahel region.

Large numbers of Nigerian refugees hosted in Cameroon are returning to northeast Nigeria, into a situation the United Nations refugee chief calls &#8220dangerously unprepared to receive them.&#8221

Deliberate actions by the Government and opposition armed forces as well as other actors to advance their political goals continue to severely undermine efforts to get the country back on the path to peace and development, the top United Nations peacekeeping official has warned.

June 20, 2017 (JUBA) – Fuel shortage in South Sudan worsened on Tuesday amid reports of massive corruption in the national oil supplier, Nile Petroleum (NilePet), with a liter costing 110 South Sudan Pound, the highest price for gasoline ever recorded.

Motorcycles line up for hours to get fuel before it runs out July 18, 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. (Getty)

Early this week, commuters and public transport system were paralysed in the capital Juba and government departments closed.

A government administrator said his ministry's offices remained closed this week, due to shortage of fuel to power the generator.

"We have sent many, very many letters to NilePet requesting fuel for our generator for the last three weeks but never got a single litter because we did not pay bribes. A liter costs 22 SSP at the station but you have to pay extra 8 SSP per litter and extra 5,000 SSP to the national security to escort the fuel tank to the ministry," the ministry official, who asked not to be identified, told Sudan Tribune Tuesday.

NilePet imports fuel from neighbouring East African countries since oil producing South Sudan has no oil refinery, but only one-third of fuel demands is covered and sold at official price of 22 SSP per litter, a quarter of the black market price of about 160 SSP or $1 per litter. But on Tuesday, a liter of petrol reached its highest level ever.

"Right now, water bottle of one and half litters costs 220 SSP. That means, a litter is sold at least 140 SSP," said Peter, a taxi driver.

Mary Achai, a black market dealer, confirmed the souring price, attributing it to lack fuel and rising prices of food items in the market.

"We [black market dealers] buy this fuel from the Security [officials] at a very price and had to make a little profit," explained Achai.

NilePet has, however, denied manipulating fuel supplies for it benefits and in a statement issued on Tuesday said several fuel tanks were heading to Juba from Nimule at South Sudan- Uganda border.

In various locations of the South Sudanese capital, the average price for a litter of fuel went for 115 SSP, which is six times the official price.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese foreign ministry said on Tuesday it will represent the interests of Yemen in Qatar after the rupture of diplomatic relations between the two countries earlier this month.

Ibrahim Ghandour (Photo Suna)

"Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has received a message from his Yemeni counterpart (...) including a request that Sudan takes on the role of ‘protecting power', looking after the interests of the Yemen in Qatar," said a short statement issued in Khartoum.

The Minister expressed Sudan's acceptance of the request based on the strong ties between the Sudanese and Yemeni peoples.

Earlier this month, Yemen's internationally recognised government severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of working with its enemies in the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The Yemeni decision to cut ties with Qatar came on 5 June hours after Saudi Arabia and two other Gulf countries had announced the cut of diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar, accusing the wealthy state of funding terrorist groups in the region and developing strong relations Iran.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir met with King Salman on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to discuss its rift with Qatar and to propose his efforts to end the Gulf crisis in support of the Kuwaiti mediation.

The Saudi News Agency reported that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud received President al-Bashir at the royal palace in Makkah, adding they break their fast together in presence of over 20 princes.

However, the official agency didn't elaborate about bilateral talks between the Saudi monarch and the Sudanese president who is on an unofficial visit to the Kingdom.

Nonetheless, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour who is part of the presidential delegation stated that al-Bashir in his meeting with King Salman would discuss the Gulf crisis and support mediation efforts of the Kuwaiti Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Unlike several Arab countries, Khartoum didn't cut diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar and called to ease the tensions between three Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UEA with the tiny Gulf country.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over alleged accusations that Doha was supporting terrorist groups who are threats to the region's peace and security including Hamas. Also, they say that Qatar is siding Iran. But, Doha rejects all these accusations.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (JUBA) – A leading member of the Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders Tuesday said the reunification initiative being facilitated by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, should not only be honoured by the three factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) but also needs to be expanded to governance matters.

“This peace initiative being mediated and sponsored personally by President Museveni must be honoured by the three SPLM factions. Many people feel that the initiative should not be limited to the outcome of the ongoing reconciliation to Arusha's reunification of SPLMs 2014 agreement per se, but the SPLM should widen, transmit and expand on democratic reforms for the coming constitutional, making of the whole nation,” wrote Aldo Ajou Deng Akuey.

President Museveni, he added, should open up a wider door to route through a peaceful resolution of the conflict, based on universal liberties, freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, and not rule by law.

“Such comprehensive democratic reforms will relieve the SPLM from being a government movement or a government party, a system of authoritarian governance the SPLM has possessed from 1983 to date. There are many alternatives to pursue towards sustainable peace by breaking up, at this stage, the present political stalemate,” he added.

Akuey who leads a parliamentary committee for human rights, legal and constitutional affairs at the Council of States in South Sudans' parliament, explained in an opinion article released to the public on Tuesday, that the expansion of the SPLM reforms should include, an inclusive national federal constitution, liberal and free democracy and the rule of law.

The opinion article also mentioned the inclusivity of political and economic institutions and the modern creative destruction for immediate industrialisation, thus avoiding extractive political and economic institutions that promote dictatorship or an authoritarian system of government.

Such a political arrangement is best suitable for the unification of a country and its people.

"By this, the SPLM factions will come out with peace, unity and national construction for the whole country. Thus the partisan competition will open up, embracing the norms and principles of change of government through the elections," added Akuey.

(ST)

Many young Somalis risk everything trying to seek a better life in the Middle East or Europe - often because this is the only way they can afford to get married.

June 20, 2017 (JUBA) – The former South Sudanese army chief of general staff, General Paul Malong Awan said on Tuesday that he was aware all the ill-treatments being given to those loyal to him were a ploy to provoke reactions.

“I know the intentions. They are looking for reactions but let's not do it in their way. If we do so, we will have helped them achieve their objectives,” said Awan during a meeting at his residence in Juba with the family members and friends of the arrested presidential guard officer.

However, he did not cite the names of his supporters who were being mistreated and who was mistreating them.

Last May, South Sudan President Salva Kiir relieved, Awan from his position, among unconfirmed reports that the security service suspects him and his close aides of preparing a coup against Kiir.

Observers in Juba say Malong comments hint to the denied request to return to his area of origin in the Bahr el-Ghazal province and the replacement of all the officers who left with him after his sack. Mor'e recently, the security service arrested a presidential guard officer who is seen as one of his supporters.

Last week, first Lt Lual Akeen Akken Akec was arrested by national security services. The cause of his arrest remains speculative. His whereabouts remains unknown to his relatives since his detention.

Relatives and security sources have been providing conflicting information. Relatives have attributed the cause of his arrest to “a well-designed plan aimed at removing him from the presidency and other key strategic and influential positions in the military office, along with those who have a close connection with Gen Awan.”

Brig Gen Jel Mangok Jel and Yel Deng Nguel, two of the officers who left Juba in May with Gen Awan before to be forced to return to Juba, have reportedly been unable to get permissions to travel home to Aweil or travel abroad to visit their children at school in Uganda, despite having made numerous requests.

Major Gen Akec Adim, who was the overall head of the military police, has been sacked from his position during recent command changes made by the new SPLA chief of general staff, Gen. James Ajonga.

Local politicians previously seen loyal to Gen Awan in the states of what was the former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State - before splitting into two separate administrative units through a 2015 presidential establishment order - have also been removed from their positions.

Aweil State Governor, Ranald Ruay Deng, the Speaker of Aweil East, Akoon Diing Angok, Security Advisor, Bona Makuac Mawien and Political Advisor James Jok Lual, all were in the government of Aweil East State have also been removed from their positions.

Other low-level military officers and officials loyal to Awan also appear affected by the changes.

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) Minni Minnawi has recognised Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu as Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N).

SLM-MM leader Minni Minnawi (AP Photo)

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, he also called on the conflicting parties within the Movement to overcome their differences so as not to harm the struggle against the ruling regime.

As a result of a rift that started earlier this year and its successive developments, the SPLM-N is now split into two factions one led by Malik Agar and the other by his rival al-Hilu.

Al-Hilu, who gained the support of the Movement's army, has removed Malik Agar from the leadership of the armed group together with the Secretary General Yasser Arman after they rejected his demand for the self-determination.

In a letter addressed to al-Hilu, Agar and Arman Tuesday, Minnawi called on al-Hilu to win back his comrades in order to benefit from their expertise, describing Arman and Agar as “treasures” that should be preserved.

“Particularly, after you gained support and trust of the Movement's institutions and the popular army which imposes the greatest responsibility upon you,” he added.

He also called on al-Hilu to welcome any initiative aiming to rebuild the rebel umbrella Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) or establish any alternative strong alliance among the lively forces in Sudan.

The rebel leader proposed that more realistic efforts should be made to establish new and strong alliances that could avoid the flaws which have weakened the role of the SRF and hindered the strategic goal of toppling the regime and bringing about the desired change.

It is noteworthy that the SRF, since October 2015, split into two factions one headed by Malik Agar and the second by the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Gibril Ibrahim following differences between the SPLM-N and Darfur movements on the chairmanship of the rebel umbrella.

Also before the political split, al-Hilu who was the commander in chief of the SRF forces, dissolved the joint military command and encouraged the rebel commanders from Darfur region to leave with their fighters the SPLM-N controlled areas in South Kordofan.

Minnawi expressed his movement's readiness to provide the necessary support to settle the differences within the SPLM-N in order to achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

He further praised Agar and Arman for calling to maintain the unity of the SPLA-N, urging all parties to work to remove the reasons behind the recent escalation.

He urged them to not seek to establish a new movement, saying such a move would adversely impact on the struggle against the regime.

“Therefore, we call on you to wait a little and listen and give a chance to the institutions of your Movement for the sake of its unity. History requires you to give the necessary appreciation of the comradeship that brought you together all these years for the cause of the homeland,” he said.

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

(ST)

June 20, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Tuesday brought home eight children whose parents have joined the Jihadist Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya.

The representative of the Anti-Terrorism Department at the NISS, Brig. Gen. Al- Tigani Ibrahim, told reporters at Khartoum airport upon arrival of the kids they are exerting significant efforts to repatriate the Sudanese who have joined the Islamic group in Libya.

He added that 8 children have been brought back, pointing to ongoing contacts in coordination with the Libyan Red Crescent to bring back 4 others who are currently present in the town of Misrata.

The security official thanked the Libyan Attorney General's Office and the Misrata County as well as the Sudanese Embassy in Tripoli and the Sudanese community, pointing to continued efforts to repatriate mothers of the children from Libya.

For his part, the head of the Sudanese community in Misrata Muataz Mirghani said the Libyan authorities have fully cooperated with them to return the children to Sudan, pointing to ongoing efforts to bring back mothers of those kids who are being detained in Libya.

He added that 6 women who joined ISIS are currently held in Libya, saying fathers of some of the children have been killed while the fate of the rest is unknown to the Libyan authorities.

Mirghani stressed all fathers hold the Sudanese citizenship.

Last February, the NISS brought back a four-month-old baby girl whose parents were killed in Libya while fighting for ISIS.

In 2015, the Ministry of Interior in Khartoum announced that about 70 Sudanese had gone to join the ISIS franchises, both in Libya and Syria.

However, experts on Islamic groups put the total number of the Sudanese fighters within ISIS at 150 Jihadists, saying that 56 of them had travelled to join the extremist organisation from countries other than Sudan.

They say that 35 of them have been killed in Iraq and Syria while 20 others have died in Libya.

(ST)

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