Africa

By Steve Paterno

The Red Army, popularly known as the Lost Boys and Girls of South Sudan has of late being grabbing news headlines for all the wrong reasons. At the centre of this controversy of news headlining is Rebecca Nyandeng, the widow of Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) leader and founder, Dr John Garang. Mrs Nyandeng who is a stalwart of opposition against the government of South Sudan is on a campaign tour in the USA. The embattled widow was recently caught on al-Jeezera interview totally unprepared to answer rather simple but yet convoluted human rights questions with respect to her husband's records, who led the successful liberation struggle.

In yet, the latest blunder, Mrs Nyandeng who is gaining infamy with her zealous criticism of President Salva Kiir was pressed hard on the issue of conscription of child soldiers, during her husband's reign in the liberation struggle, and into which, she egregiously responded, the “Human Rights Watch report was not correct because…, children came with their parents and some of them just followed the army because sometimes when they go with the army they can find better services; food and things like that because we were in the bush. Some of the children even leave their parents and they followed the army. There was no official recruitment which was being done.” The question or the topic is perhaps too sophisticated for someone with the intellectual ilk of Mrs. Nyandeng, especially when she barely has time to digest the question, hence, attributing to her appalling response. Either that or it is just a sheer dishonesty from her part.

The so-called Red Army (or Jesh al-Ahmer also known as the Lost Boys and Girls of South Sudan) was a section of SPLA soldiers, who were exclusively composed of minors. Their history in the liberation struggle is not any different from those adults who ended up being soldiers of the SPLA in one way or the other. The pattern for becoming SPLA fighter, regardless of one's age, generally followed conscription, enlistment, cajoling, or even by default.

Like many liberation struggles from around the world, the bulk of SPLA soldiers were made up of conscripts. Many people were rounded up compulsorily and without consent to join the fight. As a matter of fact, such practice rarely discriminated people base on age limits. It was the physically appearance and ability, which determines one's qualification for conscription. The circumstances were actually exacerbated due to the fact that it was virtually impossible to ascertain ages of people since birth records were none existence. Then, there were folks who willingly joined the liberation struggle. Those category included minors as well. For an organisation that its support base is the people and their willingness to sacrifice, it was naturally impossible to reject those who voluntarily joined, despite their tender ages. And then, there were also those who were lured by prospect of better services such as education, shelter, feeding, health, security etc. During the devastating war of liberation, people were forced to corrugate under the den, in towns ran by the brutal regime in Khartoum. Others had no choice, but to flee into exile. And then, others ended up under SPLA liberated areas, where, therefore, the military training centres were better potentials for most Jesh al-Ahmer. Even more enticing, the SPLM political commissars, (the cadre trained as ideological propagandists and liars), made those training grounds more alluring factory for fighting force coming out of age. And finally, there were those who became SPLA soldiers by default. (I mean literally by default). Those in most cases were relatives of the commanders or soldiers, who in words of Mrs Nyandeng, “followed the army.” They were in most part, privileged individuals who received little to no formal military training at all. They avoided major deployments and remained in the rear for the most duration. They were the children of the benys who followed the soldiers for better services that Mrs Nyandeng referred to in her appalling statement as she tried to deflect the question of child soldiers' conscription.

Therefore, the highlights above and many more constituted the composition of the popular Red Army of SPLA under the SPLA/M guidance, and yes, under the “official recruitment” rules and regulations of the movement that was led by Mrs Nyandeng's husband, Dr. John Garang. Many of these Red Army soldiers were organised into exclusive or mixed units. They experienced deployments in frontlines. When they aimed at the enemies, they did so with intentions to kill. They bleed blood once shot at. They also died just like any other mortal being. And yes, they bore all the brant of horrors of the war more than the adults and of course, they endured. Their training centres were sources, which compelled humanitarian aid to the SPLA/M liberated areas. So, in actual fact, they never followed food, but the food rather followed them. In large scheme of things, the Red Army of the SPLA were not just the lethal fighting force, they were the hub of reserved force for the battles of the future. They were the pool by which future recruits were gathered from. Their strategic presence and significance can never be simply brushed aside in such a desperate effort of trying to defend the records of an individual leader, in the case of her husband. If those who fought in the liberation struggle are being recognised today as heroes, the Red Army of South Sudan genuinely deserves a place in history, due to their contributions and selfless sacrifices. Their records in the liberation of the country are as just impeccable.

Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at stevepaterno@yahoo.com

A Glance at the oil and gas Sector

By Puok Baluang

To satisfy the greed and political ego of Taban Deng Gai and his poodle in the body of the academic fraudster turned Minister of Petroleum, the duo are on the process of signing an Exploration, Production Share Agreement (EPSA) with a fake company from Nigeria called Oranto Petroleum.

Let it be known to all South Sudanese across the political and tribal divide that the EPSA, if allowed to be signed tomorrow, will mark the beginning of auctioning South Sudan oil and gas assets.

This piece exempts the Ministry of Petroleum staff with the exception of the poodle and academic fraudster in the body of Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth who acts on instructions from Taban Deng Gai, the product of an African slavery motherhood. In fact Taban holds the Petroleum Ministry portfolio and Ezekiel is just an implementing agent. In their report to the Minister, the technical staff in the Ministry of Petroleum clearly stated that Oranto Petroleum lacks both technical and financial capabilities to handle its 90% share but their recommendations were not loud enough because Oranto's offer may be the best deal for Taban and Ezekiel and South Sudan doesn't matter at all. Oranto Petroleum has never drilled a single wildcat well in her short history of existence.

Back to the literature, Oranto was introduced to Kiir by the Equatorial-Guinea dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo who has perfected corruption as evident in his legacy. A due diligence will disqualify this rogue company.

Moving on, the Ministry of Petroleum has invited all partners in the exploration sector for discussion this week including Total, Exxon, Tullow and Oranto. As usual, Oranto is mysteriously receiving a VIP treatment to the extent that it is given a place in the high table of legends in the Oil and Gas fraternity. After securing Block B3 in a record short negotiations, the dark powers of the so-called Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU) further proposed Oranto and Exxon to be part of the concession with Total in block B1 and B2 respectively. Exxon being a professional company with a reputation to protect has declined officially in writing. The Minister has now opted to request Total to take a 50% stake in the concession. Total as a giant in the sector has requested 32% of the concession and farmed in Tullow to be included in the concession.

The humility demonstrated by Total, Exxon and Tullow shows the challenges ahead, let alone the risk of taking too much shares in an oil concession where a reputable company opts to partner with a genocidal regime at the expense of its future and the future of the country and its people.

With all the evidence of incapacity to handle 90% of Block B3 if the EPSA comes into existence, Oranto is obviously arrogant because it will immediately offload the majority of its shares to another party, pay the politicians in transit and smile all the way to the bank.

But what is not said today will be the problem tomorrow. Fellow South Sudanese, your God given wealth is being auctioned and mortgaged in broad daylight.

Only if every South Sudanese operated with the software called nationalism, they will all come out in their numbers to say enough and give Kiir and Taban one-way tickets.

The author can be reached at izenboth@gmail.com

March 1, 2017 (WASHINGTON) - U.S United States Congressmen including senators and representatives have called on President Donald Trump to appoint a special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan to back the regional efforts for peace in the two countries.

U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth, speaks at the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, on April 28, 2016 (ST Photo)

With the end of President Barack Obama's second term, the former U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth stepped down, leaving hot files on the crises in the two countries waiting for his successor who will be the sixth special envoy for Sudan.

“We write to urge you to appoint a high-level special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan with the international stature to bring urgently needed diplomatic leadership to international efforts to achieve a sustainable peace in and between the two countries”, reads a letter signed by eight senators and two representatives all of them are Republicans.

In their letter of 24 February, the lawmakers pointed to the potential of genocide in the South Sudan saying that attacks on civilians during the fighting of July 2016 in Juba "served to demonstrate that the August 2015 peace agreement has failed".

Also, they blamed Juba government for obstructing the deployment of the additional 4000 peacekeepers to protect civilians adding that the IGAD efforts for a political solution have so far been unsuccessful.

The signatories of the letter seen by Sudan Tribune are: Senator Benjamin Cardin, Senator John Boozman, Senator Edward Markey, Senator Johnny Isakson, Member of Congress Karen Bass, Member of Congress Michael Capuano, Senator Jeffery Markley, Senator James Inhofe, Senator Richard Durbin, Senator Christopher Coons, Senator Cory Booker and Member of Congress Barbara Lee.

Regarding the ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan's Darfur and the Two Areas, the congressmen urged to put pressure on Khartoum to observe the cessation of hostilities brokered by the former U.S. envoy for Sudan and "allow free and unfettered humanitarian access to all parts of Sudan".

They also urged President Trump to ensure that Khartoum stops supporting rebel groups in South Sudan. Further, they pointed to the arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for President against President Omer al-Bashir.

"United States leadership is critical to helping bring about a lasting peace in Sudan and South Sudan. Your swift action on this matter will make a difference in millions of lives," they further reiterated.

Next June the American Administration has to decide on the left of sanctions on Sudan, as several administrations are supposed to terminate a review of Sudan's implementation of several commitments including humanitarian access, cessation of hostilities, non-support to south Sudan rebel groups.

Since the election of President Trump midlevel career diplomats are working as acting managers for most of the State Department's bureaus, as key positions remain vacant awaiting appointments including the undersecretary for African affairs.

Last month, the Washington Post reported that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and President Trump are keen to reorganise the department's management structure and likely get rid of many of the politically appointed positions that have swelled in number since the late 1970s".

(ST)

March 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) al-Sadiq al-Mahdi has urged the government to pull out the Sudanese troops participating in the war in Yemen describing the move as “big mistake”.

Sudan participates with over 850 troops in the Saudi-led "Decisive Storm" coalition against the Iranian-allied Houthi militants in Yemen.

In an interview with the BBC Arabic TV on Tuesday, al-Mahdi said: “Sudan enjoys strong relations with the two conflicting parties and [therefore is qualified to] mediate to stop this sectarian war that would yield nothing but the destruction of Yemen and its people”.

“Sudan's involvement in the war in Yemen is a very big mistake,” he added.

The veteran leader pointed that the warring parties in Yemen “feel they were embroiled [in this war] and we should assist to drive them out of this dilemma instead of participating in it”.

ROADMAP AGREEMENT AND DIALOGUE

Al-Mahdi also demanded President Omer al-Bashir to engage in a serious and comprehensive dialogue that is based on the Roadmap Agreement proposed by the African mediation in order to spare the country the danger of collapse.

“We are waiting for the African mediator Thabo Mbeki who will arrive in Khartoum earlier next month to tell him that we wouldn't engage in any dialogue that is not based on Roadmap which he proposed,” he said.

The NUP leader denied reports that he intends to assume the post of Prime Minister in the upcoming government, describing it as “fake government”.

He said the upcoming premier would be nothing but a small employee at the presidency, stressing he wouldn't assume any post unless being elected under a democratic constitution.

Last October, a national dialogue document, which is expected to be a base for a permanent constitution for Sudan, was signed in Khartoum by the ruling party and allied political forces. However, opposition and main rebel groups boycotted the government-led internal dialogue, calling to sign a humanitarian truce and holding a preparatory meeting abroad.

Last March, Sudanese government signed the Roadmap Agreement concocted by the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in Addis Ababa. The opposition umbrella Sudan Call endorsed the document last August.

However, the government rejected the organisation of an inclusive national dialogue preparatory meeting in Addis Ababa to discuss the confidence building measures, saying a “strategic meeting” with the participation of the main opposition and rebel groups is enough.

Also, talks between the government and armed groups over the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access failed to strike a deal on these two issues.

AL-BASHIR'S PRESIDENCY

Al-Mahdi also called into question the announcement made by al-Bashir in which he expressed intention to step down by 2020 and not to run for re-elections.

“Al-Bashir more than once stressed that he would not run but he breaks his promises every time,” he said.

“More important for me is to agree on a permanent constitution to determine how to rule the country on a democratic approach” he added.

In March 2012, al-Bashir said that he would not seek his re-election in April 2015 but he ran and won in an election that was boycotted by the major opposition parties.

Last August, he said “I'm not a dictator and I don't want to cling to power. I won't run for another term, my term will end by 2020 and I won't be able to run again according to the constitution and the constitution won't be amended”.

(ST)

March 1, 2017 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese Deputy Minister of Defence, David Yayau, Wednesday has dismissed as “fake news” reports purporting he resigned from his position.

Greater Pibor Administrator and head of SSDM/A Cobra faction David Yauyau seen in Juba on May, 20, 2014 (AFP)

“Who said I have resigned”, wondered Yauyau when contacted on Wednesday to comment on media reports alleging he resigned from his position and left the country.

"I am in my office. If you want to proof, come. I am available. Talk to the staff here and other officials at the ministry of defence if you want to confirm, Yauyau told Sudan Tribune.

The second top defence official claimed that news alleging he resigned was circulated on the social media and through pro-opposition new agencies.

He expressed surprise about the allegation, saying that he has been receiving calls from many people asking him about “this fake news”.

The rumours started from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where several people on social media posted a fake letter with a forged signature and without a letterhead.

David Yauyau said he did not travel out of the country because he is the Acting Minister of Defence since defence minister; Kuol Manyang Juuk is currently outside the country on an official mission with the first vice president.

(ST)

March 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBoS) on Tuesday reported that inflation jumped to 32,86% in January compared to 30,47% in December due to the continued rise in food and energy price.

Last November, the government lifted fuel, electricity and drug subsidy in a bid to stop the surge in inflation and control the fall of Sudanese pound in the black market.

Also, Central Bank of Sudan introduced an incentive policy, increasing the exchange rate in commercial banks by 131%. As a result, the U.S. dollar exchange rate went up in banks to 15.8 SDG from the official rate of 6.5 SDG.

Following the CBoS decision, the dollar price went up and settled at 19,4 pounds on the black market.

However, after the U.S. decision to ease economic and trade sanctions imposed on the east African nation since 1997, the dollar price fell slightly in the black market and settled at 17,75 SDG.

In a move to reduce the demand for the U.S. dollar and protect domestic industry, the government banned the import of frozen meat and fish and raised tariffs on a number of imports. However, these restrictions pushed inflation further high given the country is heavily dependent on imported goods.

In December, the Sudanese parliament approved the 2017 budget expecting the deficit would reach 2,1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to 1,6% in 2016.

According to the budget, the growth rate would decline from 6,4% in 2016 to 5,3% and the targeted average inflation rate is 17%.

Sudan's economy was hit hard since the southern part of the country declared independence in July 2011, taking with it about 75% of the country's oil output.
Ordinary citizens continue to complain from cost of living increases that impaired their access to basic commodities.

(ST)

March 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Two Sudanese medical students who joined the ranks of the Islamic State (ISIS) group, have been killed during recent clashes in Mosul, said family sources.

FILE - Two ISIS supporters hold flag (ABC News)

Khidir Abdallah Ali al-Sheikh, a family member, told Sudan Tribune that on Tuesday evening they received news of the killing of their son Hisham Mohamed Fadl Allah during clashes between Iraqi troops and ISIS militants in Mosul.

According to al-Sheikh, Fadl Allah was among the students from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST) who run off to join the militant group two years ago.

He pointed that the family set up a mourning tent in Al-Gama'a neighbourhood in eastern Khartoum.

Also, the family of Mohamed Sami Saad, on Monday, received the news of his death in Mosul.

The number of the UMST students who joined the ISIS during the last two years has reached 40 students. At least eight of them have so far been killed in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

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)

March 1, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan's President Salva Kiir announced a National Day of Prayer for peace and forgiveness and urged citizens to turn out in high numbers.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir arrives in Khartoum on September 3, 2013 (AFP Ashraf Shazly)

“As your leader and the Patron for the National Dialogue, I am obliged to release this public statement to inform all our citizens and friends about the planned National Day of Prayers that's going to be held on March 10th, 2017,” President Kiir said in a statement Broadcasted on the official (SSBC) TV and Radio and sent out to reporters on Wednesday.

The National Day of Prayer is an American tradition held every year when people of all faiths pray for the nation.

President Kiir said this event will be held in all the states capitals as a preparation for the commencement of the processes of National Dialogue, he announced in December 2016.

“Our time [...] is now ripe to turn to God and ask Him for forgiveness and blessings. We have not been that prefect and we need to submit ourselves to Almighty through prayers,” he said.

President Kiir announced National Dialogue that he said will be bottom-top approach – starting within the communities to the national level. He appointed a steering comment that will be sworn into office next week. But his critics say he should not be a patron to the process since he is a party to the violent conflict that has killed thousands of people and displaced at least two million others from their home.

In his message, President Kiir appealed for huge turnout “on that day to pray, repent and forgive each other for the problems that we might have committed against one another for the last four years.”

“It should be the day we all pray to God and ask Him for forgiveness so that we start a new chapter in our relations as citizens of this nation,” he added.

He also asked South Sudanese overseas to pray on March 10 for peace in the country “in the same spirit.”

(ST)

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