Africa

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February 9, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Thursday expressed its discontent with what it described as ''tactical moves" of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N) over the U.S. humanitarian proposal.

The SPLM-N last November declined an American proposal to transport humanitarian medical assistance directly to the civilians in the rebel-held areas in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan .

Last Saturday the SPLM-N leader Malik Agar said they are ready to discuss the proposal and the amendments they filed to the former U.S. envoy Donald Booth. He further stressed that what they refuse is Khartoum's control of the whole humanitarian operation.

The NCP leadership council held a meeting on Thursday headed by the President Omer al-Bashir who is also the chairman of the ruling party. The participants discussed the ongoing efforts to to end war in the two Areas.

The official news agency SUNA said the NCP leadership reiterated the government readiness to reach a comprehensive and a lasting peace in the country, pointing to the governing six-month declaration of unilateral cessation of hostilities and the approval of the US. humanitarian proposal.

"The leadership council expressed its frustration that the other party remains in a tactical phase as after nearly two months they continue talking about studying the U.S. (humanitarian) proposal," said Ibrahim Mahmoud, presidential aide and chief negotiator on the peace talks with the SPLM-N.

"It is time to stop war, and that Sudanese start looking to the future of the nation, and the future of new generations," he stressed.

The SPLM-N sticks to its demand for a humanitarian corridor through the Ethiopian border town, Asap, to directly deliver 20% of the humanitarian aid to the civilians in the conflict affected areas.

But the government rejects the idea saying it is a breach for the state sovereignty and a manoeuvre from the rebels to bring arms and ammunition to their locked rebel-held areas in the Two areas.

"Now the whole world wants to stop the war in Sudan immediately, without procrastination," he said, pointing to the devastating effects of the war on the Sudanese people.

The presidential assistant, according to SUNA, referred to the statements of the former U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth criticizing the SPLM-N refusal of his humanitarian proposal, saying "these (armed) movements have no interest in the issues of the citizens; but only seeks personal ambitions as it was said by the American envoy".

(ST)

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February 09, 2017 (JUBA) - Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, visited area controlled by allies of former First Vice President Riek Machar in Unity state to discuss humanitarian and peace processes.

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

Shearer, returned to Juba on Thursday from a two-day field visit to Bentiu and Leer, which have been most-affected by the country's ongoing conflict.

In Bentiu, he reportedly met state government officials, as well as internally displaced people who are living in the largest protection of civilians site in the country.

In Leer, he visited the mission's temporary operating base to assess UNMISS' success in mounting robust patrols which push the mission's presence deep into the field.

"He [Shearer] held discussions with local officials and also took the opportunity to travel to an opposition-controlled area to meet with pro-Machar representatives so he could hear all shades of opinion on how to facilitate humanitarian assistance and advance the peace process," the mission said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The local opposition reportedly the head of the UN mission in South Sudan that they support the current localized cessation of hostilities and remain in a defensive position which they hope will encourage the return of humanitarian agencies to Leer.

"Both the local authorities and the opposition praised the UN for its efforts to facilitate communications between them," noted the statement, adding,"Shearer heard that they both recognize that an inclusive national dialogue will assist the peace process"

This was the first time UNMISS visited Machar's territory since fighting resumed in July 2016 forcing the armed opposition leader to flee the South Sudanese capital.

According to UNMISS, pro-Machar supporters have accepted an inclusive peace process.

"The local opposition told Mr Shearer that they support the current localized cessation of hostilities and remain in a defensive position which they hope will encourage the return of humanitarian agencies to Leer," further noted the U.N statement.

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February 09, 2017 (WAU) – Two suspects have been arrested in connection with last week's murder of the first lady's driver in South Sudan's town of Wau, the municipal council mayor disclosed.

Mel Aleu Goc said state authorities zeroed on the two suspects after investigations found out that they played roles in the killing.

“One of them is a young woman, who is accused of coordinating the killing of Arabi Ramadan through inviting the guards for an evening meal in her house,” said Goc.

The suspect woman, according to the mayor, admitted that she invited the guard and later informed the killers to execute the act.

The late Ramadan was found dead in the house of the woman at Jazeera residential area in Wau town on Wednesday, last week.

“The security agents have so far arrested two people, including the woman who invited the presidential guard into her house on Wednesday evening where he was killed and now the two which are still at large are being perused,” said mayor.

State authorities condemned the murder, calling for thorough investigations.

(ST)

February 9, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - European Union envoys to Sudan Thursday discussed with the North Darfur officials the state government post-conflict plans to collect arms and recovery strategies.

The European envoys are visiting Darfur to assess the efforts of the Sudanese authorities to deal with the post-conflict environment which is characterized by insecurity and lawlessness, badly functioning economies, and a lack of social services and social cohesion.

Following a meeting with the visiting EU delegation, North Darfur Deputy Governor Mohamed Birama told reporters that the delegation of 16 European diplomats asked them about disarmament issues.

"We conveyed to them that the issue has received a considerable attention from the state government and the Sudanese presidency, and that the collection of arms is implemented in accordance with a specific strategic plan designed by the central government," he said.

"We explained to them that the purpose of the visit to the state of the Vice President of the Republic these days, is to deliver a strong message to citizens who possess weapons without a license that they have to prepare themselves to arms-collection campaigns and as a state we are ready to implement it. "

Last April, President Omer al-Bashir, denounced the tribal fighting in Darfur and announced the formation of a national body to collect illegal arms in Darfur region, pointing that the region now is pacified and rebel groups are defeated.

The EU diplomats will also visit West Darfur to measure the security situation and discuss the challenges facing the development of the region.

The EU considers to participate in the development and recovery programmes of the region which has witnessed a 14 year armed conflict as it pledged in the international donor meeting for Darfur in April 2013.

The French Ambassador, Bruno Aubert told Sudan Tribune the meeting discussed development issues but also the peace process and stability in the region, adding that the EU relations with the Sudan are at a turning point and entered a new phase characterized by the dialogue.

The deputy governor said the EU diplomats confirmed their readiness contribute to the development and infrastructure programmes in the state and to support the voluntary return programme of displaced people to their villages.

The visiting delegation also paid a visit to the headquarters of Darfur hybrid peacekeeping operation, UNAMID, where they were briefed about the Mission's efforts to protect civilians and support humanitarian operations in the region.

(ST)

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