Africa

Congratulating former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmajo’ on his election as Somalia’s new President, the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNSOM) said the UN and the wider international community are ready to assist him in addressing the myriad challenges that await his Government.

Côte d&#39Ivoire is on the path to durable stability, the United Nations envoy for the country today told the Security Council, but warned that authorities need to invest more in national reconciliation and transitional justice, and to improve the economic, social and cultural rights of Ivoirians.

Still seeking to implement a political accord signed more than a year ago, Libyans must make 2017 “the year of decisions” and political breakthrough, the United Nations envoy for the North African country urged today.

The United Nations office working to end conflict-related sexual violence helped to bring world-renowned surgeon Denis Mukwege and a team from his Panzi Hospital to Conakry, Guinea, to provide medical and psychological treatment for 30 of the women and girls raped in politically-motivated violence in 2009, it was announced today.

Thandiswa Mazwai on why South Africa’s rebel jazz music still matters today.

Three weeks after reports that Cameroon had blocked the internet in English-speaking regions, residents say services have yet to be restored. So what is going on?

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

February 7, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - A rebel official from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has dismissed allegations that the group is preparing to relieve its leader, Riek Machar, and to elect another one.

First Vice President, Riek Machar, accompanied by SPLA-IO officers, Juba, 27 May, 2016 (ST Photo)

An opposition source who requested anonymity on Monday told Sudan Tribune that the SPLM-IO leadership at the headquarters in Pagak is set to elect a new leader to replace Machar.

The source pointed that Machar's presence in Johannesburg complicates the decision making process, stressing that he cannot continue to run the movement remotely from South Africa.

But an opposition official dismissed this false "rumours and malicious propaganda", pointing an accusing finger at the government in Juba saying they are "fabricating" such unfounded reports.

"The government in Juba is behind this malicious and baseless propaganda and it should not surprise anyone because this is not the first time for the fascist regime in Juba to manufacture lies with the intention to create confusion and mistrust within the leadership of the People's Movement under the leadership of Riek Machar," said Peter Oyoyo Kleto, SPLM-IO deputy representative to Republic of Tanzania told Sudan Tribune.

"I want to assure and inform all our comrades and all South Sudanese inside and outside the country that the leadership of SPLM/A IO is fully behind the leadership of our Chairman Riek Machar and his deputy Henry Odwar" he further said.
Kleto called upon President Salva Kiir to accept peace through the revival of the August agreement.

He went to say that the armed opposition movement under Machar leadership has huge support both inside and outside the country, warning that "any attempt to sideline him from the country's affairs will never bring peace to the country"

the rebel official called on the African union, Troika countries, European Union and the UN to work for a political process to revive the August agreement to end any further bloodshed and end the suffering of the people.

The SPLM-IO leader and former First Vice President is currently South Africa since October 2016. In November of the same year he attempted to regain the headquarters in Pagak near the Ethiopian border.

But the Sudanese and Ethiopian authorities barred him from entering into their territory, in line with a regional decision to prevent the resumption of hostilities in the young nation.

(ST)

February 7, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan and Bahrain Tuesday have agreed to increase bilateral coordination and consultations at the level of regional and international organizations .

Sudan's foreign ministry building in Khartoum (SUNA)

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Undersecretary at the foreign ministry A Abdel-Ghani al-Naeem and his Bahraini counterpart Wahid Mubarak Sial at the end of a consultations meeting held in Khartoum on Tuesday.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Garib Allah Khidir said the meeting discussed the implementation of bilateral agreements signed by the two countries.

"The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to improve bilateral coordination at the regional and international levels, as well as increasing consultations in the diplomatic, economic, cultural and security fields, with a special focus on investments," Khidir futher said.

The tiny kingdom of Bahrain has joined the other Gulf monarchies which are engaged in agricultural projects in the Sudan.

Manama implements " Bahrain's bounties " project, which represents one of the largest Arab investments in Sudan. The agricultural projectwhich occupies an areas of one hundred thousand acres, is located in the Northern State.

On a related development, the meeting coincided with a visit to Khartoum by a high ranking military official from the Gulf region.

The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, concluded Tuesday a two-day visit to Khartoum where he met with the President Omer al-Bashir and his defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf.

The content of the military talks was not disclosed.

Sudan and the UAE are part of a Saudi-led regional coalition fighting the Shiite Houthi militants in Yemen.

President Bashir recently announced that Khartoum is preparing to dispatch more troops to the Saudi Arabia from where they will move to Yemen .

(ST)

“Before my husband was even buried, my brother-­in-­law was making moves [to take over my property]…,” a widow living in a homestead outside Bulawayo with her three children told me, “I only realised about three weeks later that I was being left out.”

She is not alone in this experience. We interviewed more than 60 widows from throughout Zimbabwe and found that in many cases, their in­laws would claim all of their property and resources after their husbands died, in many cases leaving them homeless, landless, and penniless.

This is a silent epidemic of gender­based violence. And the results can be catastrophic.

Widows in Zimbabwe are routinely evicted from their homes and land, and their property is stolen by in-laws when their husbands die.

Many widows lose everything they have worked for. Their children may have to drop out of school.

They depend on the charity of others when they used to be standing on their own two feet, staying with relatives, trying to find income opportunities. Those who can still work must start from nothing, resulting in poverty that follows them for the rest of their lives.

Many other widows I spoke to from all over Zimbabwe during research for the Human Rights Watch report “You Will Get Nothing” on the rights of widows said that in­laws evicted them from their homes, and forced them off the lands they worked for their livelihoods.

January 24, 2017 Report “You Will Get Nothing”

Violations of Property and Inheritance Rights of Widows in Zimbabwe

• Download the full report

This cuts off women’s economic empowerment at the root, by taking away the stability of a home and livelihood, on top of grief over the loss of a spouse.

Over 70 percent of women in Zimbabwe are involved in the agricultural economy.

The loss of a field is the loss of the most valuable income­generating asset most women have.

This happens to thousands of women each year in Zimbabwe.

Relatives move in when the woman is grieving and vulnerable. Many widows are older women who may not have the information or the financial resources they need to fight a husband’s family.

Many families claim that it is their right to take the family’s property under customary law. But it is greed, not culture, that drives this practice.

Property grabbing is a problem in other southern African countries as well. Botswana and South Africa have both taken legal steps to end the practice.

The introduction of the Marriages Bill is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to take practical legal steps, too. It should make registration available for marriages of all types.

Widows I spoke with who were in unregistered customary unions were the most vulnerable.

Courts ask their in­laws to verify their unions in court. Even if they know their rights, and get themselves to court, the widows are often at the mercy of their in­laws to confirm that they were married.

Women whose marriages were registered and who are able to get legal help still face challenges, but are more likely to be successful in the courts.

Bethel’s in­laws tried to use her unregistered status as leverage for a bribe from her.

She was fortunate to obtain free legal services from a local organisation to rebuff them, and keep her home.

Where the law does not protect, it should be amended so that it protects everyone.

As a Zimbabwean, I have been working on human rights for many years. It is time Zimbabweans started seeing widows differently.

Their equal property rights are not optional, nor is this a “family matter.” Zimbabwe should put a spotlight on widows’ rights.

Property grabbing violates women’s rights, harms children, and hinders development.

For the good of this country, Zimbabwe should seek to change laws and support widows, because they are entitled to the same rights as every other person here.

February 7, 2017 (PAGAK) - South Sudan's former military attaché in Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, Gai Chatiem has joined the armed opposition led by South Sudan's ex-first vice president Riek Machar.

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

Chatiem, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, said he decided to join the armed opposition faction to fight for a "just war".

He claimed the Juba regime was using a “divide and rule” policy, described it as the worst ideology for governing South Sudan.

“I have been serving in the government for the longer time and I thought their tribal policy could have improved after several objections from the people, but only learned that the direction pursued by the government is hell to the South Sudanese,” he said.

The former military attaché called for a mass defection from members within the government to join the rebellion in the country.

The armed opposition spokesperson, Col. William Gatjiath Deng, confirmed the former military attaché's to the armed opposition.

“This morning Monday, February 06, 2017, Brigadier General Gai Chatiem, who served as South Sudan defense attaché in Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, joined the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Gen. Chatiem reported to the SPLM/A-IO Headquarters Pagak and was warmly received by the top SPLA-IO military leadership and command,” Deng said in a statement.

Chatiem is reportedly at the SPLA-IO headquarters in Pagak, where he allegedly vowed to resist the “autocratic” and “authoritarian” leadership and policies being perpetuated by the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE).

(ST)

February 7, 2017 (JUBA) – At least two people have died as a result of hunger in South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state, officials have said.

The incident, which reportedly occurred in Kapeota region, reflects the food security challenges facing the world's youngest nation.

Kapoeta state governor, Louis Lobong, said thousands of people have fled due to food insecurity to Uganda, amidst fear some die before reaching their destinations.

"Two women died in the way to Uganda. They were fleeing hunger in the state," Lobong said on Tuesday.

He accused humanitarian organisations of neglecting the plight of the local communities who were starving.

“The pastoral communities have gone far, crossing over to either the neighboring states or the neighboring countries because they are vulnerable, hungry, and weak. We have never seen any humanitarian agency that is coming in for any help,” Lobong told Eye Radio.

He said no food deliveries or assessment by international and local organisations have been conducted by Tuesday, repeating his request for "urgent assistance."

In a related development, Tonj state's deputy governor, Manhiem Bol said souring market commodities have spoilt the purchasing power of poor people, blaming poor harvest in 2016 farming season for the food gap.

"There is an alarming hunger situation across the state because of crops failure during the last farming season,” said Bol, calling for immediate humanitarian assistance.

"I am appealing to humanitarian organizations to also look at the issues to do with humanitarian problems in South Sudan and in Tonj in particular," he added.

The conflict that broke out in mid-December 2013 has uprooted more than two million people from their homes, forcing one million South Sudanese across borders into neighbouring nations.

(ST)

February 7, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan authorities released the head of external office of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), Abdel Moneim Omer, one month after his detention at Khartoum airport.

head SCoP office abroad Abdel Moneim Omer (ST Photo)

Abdel Moneim Omer, was briefly tasked with the party's leadership during two months in November December 2016 when the Sudanese authorities detained the SCoP chairman and his deputy following calls to protest new austerity measures.

The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) didn't filed any charges against Omer or provide any explanation for his detention.

"The party has not to welcome his release. The NISS robbed the freedom of the head of SCoP office abroad who had been arbitrarily detained without charge or trial," SCoP Vice-Chairman, Khalid Omer Youssef told Sudan Tribune.

"Our freedom is insecure as long as the security apparatus has the right to detain people whenever they want and the release them whenever they wants," he further stressed.

Rights groups call to reform the current security law of 199 and to limit the broad powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure. Also, they call to include key safeguards in the law such as the right to be immediately informed of charges, the right to be brought promptly before a judge, and the right to be tried within a reasonable time.

Omer pointed to the need to amend the National Security Forces Act of 1999 and to "dismantle the totalitarian state structure and laws that allow the NISS to arrest activists and political opponents.

The opposition parties and armed groups demand the creation of a conducive environment before to participate in a constitutional conference inside the country. According to an African Union road map the matter should be discussed within the framework of a national dialogue preparatory meeting.

Sudanese authorities arrested 32 leading members of the SCOP following the announce of austerity measures in a bid to avoid attempts to mobilise the Sudanese street against the government.

Despite the restrictions' of freedom the SCoP, which is a member of the Sudan Call forces, remains very active and organizes information campaigns, they also hold spontaneous public meetings to raise political and economic issues.

(ST)

February 7, 2017 (KAMPALA) – At least 52,000 South Sudanese fled the country into neighbouring Uganda in January alone as continued fighting risks creating a situation of mass atrocities, the United Nations special adviser on genocide prevention said Tuesday.

Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, addresses a press conference in Juba on Friday 11, 2016 (UNMISS Photo)

Adama Dieng said those displaced, mainly from Kajo-Keji in the country's Central Equatoria state gave horrific accounts on killing of civilians, destruction of homes and several cases of sexual violence.

“President Salva Kiir has made a commitment to end the violence and bring about peace, yet we still see ongoing clashes, and the risk that mass atrocities will be committed remains ever-present,” he said.

The senior U.N official said he was particularly alarmed by the situation in Kajo-Keji where fleeing civilians warned of mass violence.

South Sudan descended into war in late December 2013, leaving tens of thousands dead and over three million people displaced.

The U.N official, however, said despite the serious security situation in the country, access of the its peacekeeping mission to and around Kajo-Keji has been restricted as peacekeepers were initially blocked from accessing the area.

“The freedom of movement of residents has also reportedly been limited. Some have reportedly been instructed to leave Kajo-Keji,” Dieng said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Others who fled their homes and moved towards the border area between South Sudan and Uganda were reportedly intercepted by government forces,” he added.

According to the U.N official, some of those seeking refuge reportedly used a number of informal border crossing points to enter Uganda, as armed groups prevented the use of major roads, forcing them to travel through the bush, without access to food and water.

Various areas in the Equatorias, the U.N said, have been similarly targeted, and some 20,000 people were displaced from Wau Shilluk in Upper Nile last week, following violence that left many without emergency health care, safe drinking water, food and shelter.

In November 2016, Dieng drew attention to the dire situation in Yei River State, following his visit to Yei River town, where credible information suggested that a scorched earth campaign was underway, targeting suspected opposition members and civilian communities believed by authorities to be their supporters.

He reported the expulsion of farmers from their land, looting of property, burning of villages and brutal violence against civilians.

During the African Union summit held in Ethiopia last month, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations expressed their deep concerns, in a joint statement, over the continuing spread of fighting and risk of inter-communal violence escalating into mass atrocities in South Sudan.

(ST)

February 7, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Salva Kiir has insisted there was no other viable alternative to end the ongoing war in the country, apart from resolving existing differences through a national dialogue.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

“There are people who believe in war as the only way to resolve differences, I think these are wrong. War is not the viable way to end differences. War is war and you know it is very destructive. I don't want you, the people of Yei to follow people who think the only solution to whatever issues we have in this country is through war,” said Kiir, while addressing a large gathering in S. Sudan's Yei town.

He added, “Let us work together with our religious leaders for peace”.

The president said ending the war will be an opportunity for politicians wanting to take power from him in an atmosphere free of war so that they campaign and allow the citizen to vote peacefully.

“People who want to become of this country have to accept that they cannot become the president when there is war. They need to denounce violence and stop war. When the war is stopped anyone wants to contest whichever positions he wants will be free to contest,” stressed the South Sudanese leader.

“So let's work together to stop the war and let the political forces sit down to organize themselves so that the parties are registered before time,” he added.
A huge crowd has gathered Yei town to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the existence of Episcopal Church in the area.

President Kiir also used the opportunity to announce the national dialogue initiative he declared in December last year, saying it officially starts in the first week of March and will run for four months.

The national dialogue, he said, seeks to end long civil war in Africa's newest nation.

The South Sudanese leader further reiterated that said a panel of "eminent personalities and people of consensus" would guide the national dialogue process, which would involve "all the people of South Sudan" but did not say who the panel members would be.

“The national dialogue is a matter of urgency so that we see what will be the next step. Now our members of the national legislature are on recess, they will come back in the end of this month, so when they come, we will kick off the sessions of the national dialogue”, he said.

The leader of the country's armed opposition faction, Riek Machar has, however, dismissed Kiir's dialogue initiative, saying the process can only succeed if peace has been restored in the war-torn nation.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced since violence broke out between the country's rival factions in mid-December 2013.

(ST)

The setting up of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was a “reckoning” for those who had long disregarded the lives and dignity of their people, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has said and warned that withdrawing from the tribunal could have grave implications for victims seeking redress for serious human rights violations.

By António Guterres

Far too often, the world views Africa through the prism of problems. When I look to Africa, I see a continent of hope, promise and vast potential.

I am committed to building on those strengths and establishing a higher platform of cooperation between the United Nations and the leaders and people of Africa. This is essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable development and deepening cooperation for peace and security.

That is the message I carried to the recent African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — my first major mission as United Nations Secretary-General.

Above all, I came in a spirit of profound solidarity and respect. I am convinced that the world has much to gain from African wisdom, ideas and solutions.

I also brought with me a deep sense of gratitude. Africa provides the majority of United Nations peacekeepers around the world. African nations are among the world's largest and most generous hosts of refugees. Africa includes some of the world's fastest growing economies.

The recent resolution of the political crisis in the Gambia once again demonstrated the power of African leadership and unity to overcome governance challenges and uphold democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

I left the Summit more convinced than ever that all of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa.

We have the plans in place to build a better future. The international community has entered the second year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an all-out effort to tackle global poverty, inequality, instability and injustice. Africa has adopted its own complementary and ambitious plan: Agenda 2063.

For the people of Africa to fully benefit from these important efforts, these two agendas need to be strategically aligned.

It starts with prevention. Our world needs to move from managing crises to preventing them in the first place. We need to break the cycle of responding too late and too little.

Most of today's conflicts are internal, triggered by competition for power and resources, inequality, marginalization and sectarian divides. Often, they are inflamed by violent extremism or provide the fuel for it.

The United Nations is committed to working hand-in-hand with partners wherever conflict or the threat of conflict endangers stability and well-being.

But prevention goes far beyond focusing solely on conflict. The best means of prevention and the surest path to durable peace is inclusive and sustainable development.

We can speed progress by doing more to provide opportunities and hope to young people. More than three out of five Africans are under 35 years of age. Making the most of this tremendous asset means more investment in education, training, decent work, and engaging young people in shaping their future.

We must also do our utmost to empower women so they can play a full role in sustainable development and sustainable peace. I am pleased that the African Union has consistently placed a special focus on gender equality and women's empowerment.

I have seen it again and again: When we empower women, we empower the world.

I travelled to Africa as a partner, friend and committed advocate for changing the narrative about this diverse and vital continent. Crises represent at best a partial view. But from a higher platform of cooperation, we can see the whole picture – one that spotlights the enormous potential and remarkable success stories in every corner of the African continent.

With that perspective, I have no doubt we can win the battle for sustainable and inclusive development which are also the best weapons to prevent conflict and suffering, allowing Africa to shine even more vibrantly and inspire the world.

António Guterres is Secretary-General of the United Nations

The highest United Nations official tasked with advocating against the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war urged today Libyan authorities to protect migrants from rape and other human rights violations.

Stalled peace talks in Burundi are forcing hundreds to flee every day seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, the United Nations refugee agency warned today, appealing for more support, particularly land to shelter for new arrivals and to ensure protection of children and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

A guide to the unique way Somalia is electing its new president – in 60 seconds.