Africa

Millions of South Africans risk missing out on social security payments in a scandal over a government contract.

Former Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien joins Indonesian side Persib Bandung.

The haul found in luggage on a flight from Ethiopia is is the biggest for several years.

Egypt's general prosecution refer Caf president Issa Hayatou to the country's Economic Court on charges of violating local anti-monopoly rules.

A Sri Lankan-flagged tanker is boarded by armed men in the first such hijacking since 2012.

Time is running out to help 20 million people facing famine across Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria - and Somalia.

A court finds Hama Amadou guilty of child smuggling in a trial his lawyers say is a sham.

The UN warns that the world is facing its largest humanitarian crisis since 1945. Here's how you can help.

Two parts of a statue possibly dating back 3,000 years were found in Cairo last week.

The former vice-president of Zimbabwe Joice Mujuru on her track record with the Zanu-PF party.

The BBC's Nancy Kacungira went to talk to two budding entrepreneurs in Nairobi's fitness industry.

March 10, 2017 (BOR) - The head of the United Nations in South Sudan, David Shearer says peace between the Dinka and Murle should be prioritized to stop the critical situation in Bor.

The Special Representative of the U.N Secretary General in South Sudan David Shearer, February 1, 2017 (ST)

The official, on Thursday, visited the Jonglei state capital, Bor to find ways through which peace can be created between the two tribes at war with one another.

“Without peace nothing can happen, peace is a priority here. We were talking to chiefs, the paramount chiefs of the area about the issue of cattle rustling and child abduction, and we offered whatever help we can in terms of building peace between the communities,” said Shearer.

A fight recently erupted between the Dinka Bor youth and the Murle youth in Kotchar, a village in Bor. This incident, eyewitnesses said, happened because the Dinka were waiting for the return of their 12,000 cattle raided in December 2016 by the Murle.

No casualties were reported from the fighting that has been ongoing for a week now.

During his visit, Shearer met South Sudan Defence Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk on Thursday morning in Juba, to discuss ways to bring peace to the two communities.

The U.N official plans on having the same conversation with the new governor Ismael Konyi, to see what they can do in order to bring the communities together and to stop a worsening situation that can only lead to more violence and more death.

To strengthen and maintain the peace between Murle and Dinka Bor, Shearer said he would use the U.N police to protect civilians as a mandate of the world body.

The Governor of South Sudan's Jonglei state, Philip Aguer said social economic problems were the main causes of child abductions and cattle rustling in the region.

“We have shared with him the security threats in Jonglei. The socio-economic problems known as cattle rustling and child abduction, and he expressed the willingness and readiness of the United Nations in South Sudan to help in any way and interacted with leaders in the community who are ready to make peace with the neighbors”, said Aguer.

(ST)

In Malawi's newspapers, there is much talk of the need to tackle vigilante and mob justice. But the stories Peter Walker found suggest change is some way off.

March 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) of the late Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi has decided to cut off contacts with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the River Nile State following the arrest of a leading party member.

Popular Congress Party (PCP) Political secretary Kamal Omer (Photo SUNA)

On Thursday, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) in Atbara, some 320 km. north of Khartoum arrested PCP leading figure Ismail Faraj Allah for five hours for publishing articles in which he criticised the security agency.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Saturday, PCP in the River Nile State accused the NISS of disturbing the political atmosphere and ignoring the national dialogue and its outcome, saying they took a set of measures to confront the situation.

“Accordingly, it was decided to sever all forms of communication with the NCP and state organs that bring us together with it and our partners in the public concern” read the statement.

The statement pointed that the NISS is seeking to mobilise the public opinion in order to maintain its powers which the national dialogue decided to restrict to collection and analysis of information.

It added that the NISS sought to defend its powers and ignored its national responsibilities, saying the security agency went on to arrest anyone who criticises its actions.

The PCP further underscored its commitment to the national dialogue, saying it would keep its contacts with all political forces to coordinate efforts to implement the recommendation of the dialogue and on top of it “human freedom and dignity”.

It is noteworthy that the PCP splinted from the NCP since 1999, and joined the opposition ranks since that time but it supported the national dialogue process declared by President Omer al-Bashir in 2014 and participated in all its forums. Also, the party decided to join the upcoming government of national concord led by the NCP.

In January, the Sudanese presidency deposited new amendments to the 2005 transitional constitution with the parliament providing to restrict the powers of the security services and to guarantee political freedoms.

The amendments contained in the “Freedoms'' document are part of constitutional reforms endorsed by the National Dialogue Conference to reduce NISS influence and limits its role to the gathering and analysis of information.

The new amendments propose that the role of the NISS be reduced to the collection of information and to not be able to detain someone without an arrest warrant issued by a judge. Also, it ends press confiscation and censorship.

However, in an open defiance to the amendments, the director-general of the NISS Mohamed Atta Al-Moula last week vowed to develop the “soft and hard powers” of his agency.

He stressed that the NISS will not concede its main powers but will expand it and be more powerful.

Also, NISS deputy director Osama Mukhtar last month voiced his opposition to any attempt to curtail the power of the security agency and called to enhance its powers to fight the threats that the country is facing.

(ST)

March 11, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan president, Salva Kiir said rebel leader Riek Machar would only participate in the national dialogue when he denounces violence.

“How do you dialogue with someone who prefers war than peace, who sees war as an option to dialogue, unity, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence”, asked Kiir.

The South Sudanese made these remarks on Saturday while reacting to a query on whether his pardoning of political opponents, some of whom have been in detention, would extend to those carrying arms and have continued to wage war in the country.

According to Kiir, some contentious issues in the peace accord have been overcome because of the "good working relations" with First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai.

“Some of things that we could not resolve and find a way forward have now been resolved. The issue of states has been resolved. The people were talking that we created more states but it became clear that even after we created more states, people continued to ask for more. To resolve this, we decided to create some states," stressed the South Sudanese leader.

He added, "Now we have more states and the SPLM-IO have some states to run them according to the provision of the peace agreement. So issues of states and the question relating to power sharing have been addressed and there is no problem".

Kiir said the newly-appointed state governors already started work in their regions.

"They have taken oath already and are now in their places”, he explained.

The South Sudanese leader emphasized that he has no personal problem with his former deputy-turned rebel leader, but claimed the latter desires violent means.

“People think I have a personal problem with him [Machar], but this is not true. I have no personal problem with him. He is a South Sudanese like anybody. The problem he has is not with me, but with the way he does his own things. He likes violence. If he denounces violence now, then he is welcome to the country. If he does it now, stop preferring war now, we will talk to him”, stressed Kiir.

Kiir made these remarks while meeting members of the Dinka council of elders who visited him to congratulate him on Friday's national prayer day.

President Salva Kiir announced the national dialogue initiative in December last year and members of its steering committee are scheduled to be sworn in this month.

However, the armed opposition leader criticized the dialogue initiative, saying the process will never succeed unless peace and stability is restored in the young nation.

(ST)

March 11, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has appointed seven lawmakers to represent the war-torn nation in the East African Legislative Assembly

President Salva Kiir speaks during the inauguration of the new SPLM premises in Juba on 15 November 2013 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

The appointment was made through a decree read on state-owned SSBC Saturday.

South Sudan formally joined the East African Community (EAC), a regional intergovernmental organisation of whose membership includes Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, last year as the sixth member.

The EAC was signed in 1999 and entered into force in July 2000 after the agreement was signed by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the original partner states.

South Sudan acceded to the treaty in April 2016 and became a full member four month later.

Meanwhile five of the MPs to the regional assembly are members of South Sudan ruling party (SPLM) and will represent the country in Arusha, the seat of the EAC. The other two members will come from the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) and the United Salvation Front (USAF).

The appointed SPLM MPs are Gabrial Alaak Garang, Ann Itto Leonardo, Gai Deng Nhial, Joseph Okello, Thomas Duoth and Gideon Gatban Thoan.

(ST)

March 11, 2017 (JUBA) A top south Sudanese religious leader asked the president and those who attended the National Prayer Day to choose peace instead of evil, warning the crowd that the prayer prayed by the president was dangerous.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir kisses a hand of the Roman Catholic Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro during a Christmas mass in St. Teresa's Cathedral in Juba December 25, 2010. (Reuters)

Catholic Archbishop of Juba Diocese, Paulino Lokudu Loro asked President Kiir why he had called the prayer, questioning the president's motives for peace or evil. “This prayer is dangerous today because if you have come here I believe this bitterness of our heat will not go in vain, but God will reply to us. Therefore, I say if this prayer is correct and is true, then it is about peace. We are standing for peace, are we going to choose peace or evil,” asked the Archbishop.

“Your Excellency, I want to question you: why did you call these people to the heat here like this? Are they coming to choose peace? Is that what your intention is, to bring us here to suffer like this? I hope nobody will be sick today because of this heat. I believe you have invited us to see this suffering because you want peace,'' said Archbishop.

The top religious leader went on to what the government planned after the prayers took place saying, “our government, which way are we going to take and what is the government going to do after this prayer? Is the government going to choose evil or peace? Mr President, take heed after this. We are telling you that after this prayer your Excellency, go into a room and pray and decide for peace in the country”.

Isaiah Majok Dau, bishop of the Pentecostal church said the South Sudanese were the problem and not that they have been cursed. “I hear people say God has cursed South Sudan, I am afraid I disagree. We are not cursed, we are blessed but we are sinners. That is why we hate ourselves, that is why we kill ourselves and that is why we backbite ourselves. So we are the problem. But we have been given the opportunity to be forgiven to be enriched and to be healed” said bishop Dau at the prayer on Friday.

The bishop said he would love to die when the country is at peace because he was born at the time the country was at war, grew up in war and continued to live in a situation of war.

Bishop Dau went on to add, “for those of us who were born in 1955 we were born in the war, grew up, got married and even our grandchildren were born during the war. But if today we are turning away from our sins, then I pray that I will not die in the time of war. I want to see the blessings of God South Sudan before I die, I want to see the people of South Sudan united. I want to see them live in peace and harmony that is my prayer”.

The Bishop called for a change of heart in conformity to the theme of the prayer, saying it would be meaningless if one continues to behave in a way that does not show any difference from the time of the prayers.

“If you are repenting today and you use to kill people, don't kill anyone because you have repented. If you are repenting today and you use to abuse others, from today begin to love people. If you were a thief, now that you have repented, you begin to give to people instead of taking from people. That is repentance. It is meaningless to say we are repenting and then we go do our normal things that we do every day. We are not cheating God, we are cheating ourselves,” he stressed.

A call against the promotion of ethnicity was mentioned by the Bishop, saying the people should begin to talk about South Sudan as an identity instead of various tribes.

Bishop Dau went on to say, ““If we are repenting, we should stop saying that tribe or this tribe, and that person; we begin to say the people of South Sudan are my people. Let us turn from our wicked ways people of South Sudan. If we want God to forgive us, let us humble ourselves. We need true healing in this country. We are sick with hatred, killing, war, poverty and tribalism, we need healing. We need complete healing”.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

March 11,2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - Court in Ethiopia has rejected bail application of a prominent opposition leader from Oromiya region detained since three months, his lawyer told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

Merara Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) was arrested early in December shortly after return home from Brussels where he met members of the European Parliament.

At a court hearing on Friday Merara's lawyer requested bail grant arguing the defendant is arrested without tangible evidence.

The lawyers further asked the court to consider the roles the former MP had played in the country' politics.

However, prosecutors demanded the defendant to remain in custody to allow police gather evidence. He further argued that the accused could flee the country if released on bail.

Merara is allegedly charged with "attempt to forcefully overthrow the constitutional order," a serious offence punishable up to death penalty.

The leading Oromo opposition figure known for his critics against the government was arrested on December 1 last year for violating sections of the state emergency decree by meeting members and leaders of outlawed opposition groups during his European tour.

Last November, Ethiopia declared a six-month state of emergency and banned wide spreading anti-government protests which sparked in Oromiya region over alleged land grabbing and government's clamp down on political freedom.

In Brussels, Merara appeared at EU parliament to testify on Ethiopia's current political situation and on alleged reports of gross human right violations.

He delivered a speech along with Berhanu Nega, leader of Ginbot-7, an opposition movement long branded by the government as a terrorist entity.

Merara is charged along with Berhanu Nega and Jawar Mohamed, a prominent Oromo activist.

The trial of Merara will resume on April 24, 2017.

(ST)

Merara Gudina, leader of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) addresses a rally on 1 December 2016 (AFP Photo)

March 11, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has directed to provide 10,000 tonnes of sorghum to assist those affected by the famine in South Sudan. He further expressed his government readiness to meet humanitarian needs of large influx of refugees from the neighbouring country, said the Humanitarian Aid Commissioner

On 20 February 2017, South Sudanese government and UN agencies declared Some 100,000 people were facing starvation in the two counties of Leer and Mayiandit, while people in Koch and Panyijar nearby were considered at high risk of famine.

Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Ahmed Mohamed Adam told Sudan Tribune Saturday that they discussed with the Vice-President ways to assist victims of war and famine in South Sudan, pointing to the historic ties between the two peoples.

He said the new support would be added to a previous presidential directive to send 27,000 sacks of sorghum, pointing the relief would be transferred through the border crossing in the White Nile State.

Adam stressed that Sudan attaches great importance to the situation in South Sudan and is keen to provide all necessary assistance to its citizens, pointing to the formation of a national committee to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation there.

He pointed to the large influx of South Sudan refugees, expecting a significant increase in their numbers during the coming days.

“The number of those affected by the food shortage is estimated at 4,6 million people and some of them have reached the famine stage and others are experiencing the pre-famine stage,” he said

“More than 70,000 refugees have entered Sudan during February and the first week of March and we expect more influx” he added

The Sudanese official said the government is currently making arrangements to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of Southerners, pointing they intend to set up new refugee camps and provide the greatest amount of aid to the affected.

According to the UN, the number of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan has surpassed the 300,000 mark and as of 13 February and stands at 305,000 people.

Before the December 2013 crisis, 350,000 South Sudanese have remained in Sudan and didn't return to their areas after the independence of South Sudan.

Also in December 2014, the Sudanese government agreed with the UN to deliver residence permits to South Sudanese refugees enabling them to circulate and to work in the country.

IMPACT ON TWO AREAS

Meanwhile, Adam didn't rule out that South Kordofan and Blue Nile states could be adversely impacted by the situation in South Sudan, calling on the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) to accept the U.S. proposal to deliver assistance to the needy population in the Two Areas.

Adam further underscored Khartoum's support to the U.S. proposal, pointing to the government categorical refusal to deliver the assistance to the Two Areas from abroad.

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

The African Union has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However, last August, the two sides failed to sign a humanitarian cessation of hostilities agreement because Khartoum refuses to allow the delivery of food to civilians in some rebel-controlled areas in the Blue Nile State directly through Asosa, an Ethiopian Town near the border with Sudan.

In a bid to break the deadlock in the peace talks, the former U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth last November proposed that the USAID will deliver medical humanitarian aid to civilians in the rebel-held areas by air directly after its inspection from the government.

The SPLM-N declined the proposal insisting on the need to transport 20% of the humanitarian aid directly from Asosa to the rebel areas.

(ST)

The world is facing its largest humanitarian crisis since 1945, the United Nations says.