Africa

August 22, 2016 (WAU) – The governor of Wau state, Andrea Mayar Acho said he has reached an agreement with the South Sudan police service during his recent visit to the police headquarters in Juba to deploy operation personnel in Wau town.

Police officers on parade in Jonglei state capital Bor (ST)

Acho said the move to relocate the operation police from Ater-moj to Wau was a part of maintaining security within Wau town aftermath of 25 June violence which forced out thousands of Wau town residents to take refuge at the United Nations and in churches.

“I have met in Juba at the police headquarter with Director General for operation Akot Deng Akot and agreed that the police operation forces which based at operation training centre in Ater-moj should be relocate to Wau to help the state authority in maintaining the security of the state,” said Acho.

“I have also met the top leadership of minister of interior to discuss the matter related to 250 police personnel that are now waiting for their graduation since they completed their training here in the state, we have discussed about their budget pays because since they started under training last year, they did not receive their pays and all these be been reached,” he added.

The governor said large amounts of medicines were stuck in Juba due to lack of transport to ferry them to Wau as attempts were underway to use cargo flights.

Achor said he also met other oficials, including the ministry for information and discus the issue telecommunication network to link the newly created counties in the state.

“I have been doing these things during my visit to Juba for the sake of the security in our state,” he furrher stressed.

Acho was addressing hundreds of state intellectuals, government officials, state MPs, members of different political parties, and state head of security organs.

Also in attendance were faith-based groups and civil society representatives in Wau state.

(ST).

August 22, 2016 (NAYLA) - British Ambassador to Sudan on Monday expressed optimism that Sudanese government and rebel groups would reach agreement in the coming round of talks on humanitarian truce.

British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron (Reuters Photo)

The armed movements in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states failed recently to reach two agreements on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, seen as important step before to engage in political talks ahead of an inclusive constitutional conference.

The armed movement involved in the process African Union mediated negotiations are Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Sudan Liberation Movement–Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

In statements to media on Monday after his arrival to Nayla, the capital of South Darfur State, the British Ambassador to Sudan, Michael Aron, stressed that solving Darfur crisis is vital to the United Kingdom as it leads to solving all crisis in Sudan.

“The United Kingdom is interested in achieving peace, stability and development in Sudan,” said Aron pointing that he has discussed with South Darfur government development strategies in the state.

The visiting diplomat pointed that the British Department for International Development (DFID) is ready to cooperate with South Darfur State in implementing water projects, stressing that development projects are core for solving Sudan's crisis.
During his three days visit, Aron will meet South Darfur State government, UNAMID and also visit the camps displaced people.

South Darfur State governor, Adam al-Faki, told reporters after meeting the British diplomat that his government is prepared to emerge from war status to stability, peace, social peace and helping displaced civilians to either return to their home village or to settle in the state towns .

“We have handed the British Ambassador a comprehensive and detailed strategy for development in South Darfur state,” further said al-Faki pointing that they have reached agreement on ways to implement the development strategy.

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003. The region is relatively calm but armed militias and gangs continue perpetrate attacks on civilians.

Also, the government forces continue to carry out ground and air attacks on parts of the mountainous area of Jebel Marra against rebel fighters we are still hiding in the region.

The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict. According to the UN Human Rights Council, 400,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (JUBA) – The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said Monday in Nairobi that the appointment of South Sudanese First Vice President Taban Deng Gai to succeed Riek Machar was “legal” under the provisions of the 2015 peace agreement.

President Salva Kiir with US secretary of state John Kerry as they hold a bilateral meeting at the US-Africa Business Forum in Washington on 5 August 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Jim Bourg)

Speaking to reporters after meeting five foreign ministers of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia Kerry said the US backed protection force has limited definition and scope with respect to restoring peace in the country.

“With respect to Machar, it's not up to the United States; it's up to the leaders of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan and the political parties and the political process, and their neighbors, to weigh in on what is best or not best with respect to Machar,” said Kerry when asked by a reporter to comment on the controversial replacement of the armed opposition leader and former South Sudanese First Vice President, Riek Machar.

He said the process leading to Machar's replacement with Gai has not broken any law.

“I think it's quite clear that legally, under the agreement, there is allowance for the replacement in a transition of personnel, and that has been effected with the appointment of a new vice president. And what they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in the context of the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.

Gai was appointed by section of the SPLM IO leaders in Juba in July after Machar fled the South Sudanese capital following four days of fighting between his forces and those loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The United Nations Security Council passed a U.S drafted resolution early this month to send a strong 4,000 protection force to Juba to boast UN peacekeepers in the country with a new mandate to response forcefully to any anti-peace elements in the government or armed opposition.

“With respect to the protection force, let me make it clear: The protection force is limited by definition, not a response to the overall crisis within the country as a whole, because clearly, there are many people with weapons in many parts of the country, and a protection force of 4,000 people will not have the capacity to cover all those bases,” the top U.S. diplomat said.

“But the hope is that with a transitional government that is now committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement and that has already begun to implement that peace agreement, that a force with a presence in Juba itself, which is where most of the violence took place during the last round, will be able to guarantee access for everybody, and that includes people trying to prevent the violence,” he added.

According to the UNSC, the protection force will be deployed in Juba by September 15. South Sudanese government said it has not made a decision to reject or accept the extra force that will increase UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to 17,000 troops.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (BENTIU) - Governor of Northern Liech state, Joseph Nguen Monytuil, has created 11 new counties from the former counties of Koch, Rubkotna, Guit and Mayom, respectively.

Unity State caretaker governor Joseph Monytuil (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

The decree came into effect on 21 August, according to Lam Tunguar Kueinguong, the state minister of information, youth, culture and sports.

However, minister Tunguar has not revealed names of the new counties. Another source from the state told Sudan Tribune the breakdown of the counties saw Guit, the home county of the new First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, split into 2 counties. Koch county also split into 2, Rubkotna, 3 and Mayom into 4.

In the same statement, the state information minister said governor Monytuil met with new SPLA-IO senior officers who defected to President Kiir in Tor-Abith, which include Maj. Gen. Liah Diu, Maj.Gen Dor Manjuor and all under the command of Maj.Gen Makal Kuol.

“We welcome the generals who have switched allegiance to support the President General Salva Kiir Mayardit and first vice president Gen.Taban Deng Gai,” Tunguar said.

He claimed that around 13,000 soldiers defected from the armed opposition allied to Riek Machar and now waiting to be integrated into the SPLA. Opposition officials loyal to Machar however dismissed the claim as false, saying only 80 soldiers defected to Kiir's forces with the generals, who mainly come from Gai's county of Guit.

They also claimed that the pictures of soldiers taken with the three defected SPLA-IO Generals are government forces in the area and not new defectors, adding that it was to deceive the public that the soldiers were new defectors.

The conflicts in South Sudan have claimed tens of thousands of lives following the outbreak of the violence in 2013. A recent violent clash in Juba killed at least 300 people and forced another 60,000 more people to seek safety in the neighbourhood countries.

It was not clear how many more others were killed in the bushes during the more than one month of intensive fighting when government forces were hunting for Machar before his successful escape into DR Congo from Juba on foot.

(ST)

The BBC's Piers Edwards picks out 10 moments we will not forget from what has been a memorable Olympics for Africa.

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is ramping up its response in north-eastern Nigeria, where initial assessments have revealed urgent health problems among populations in areas formerly held by Boko Haram insurgents.

An alleged Malian Islamist accused of destroying historical and religious monuments in the fabled city of Timbuktu pleaded guilty in the first-ever international war crimes trial focusing on destruction of cultural heritage, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on the opening day of the landmark case, which was welcomed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

With Africa still accounting for more than 90 per cent of global malaria deaths in 2015, the United Nations health agency’s member States in the region have adopted a new framework on implementing a strategy towards a malaria-free continent.

Photographer Mahesh Shantaram documents the lives of Africans living in India.

Three-quarters of young people in Senegal want to emigrate - even though the journey to Europe could cost them their lives.

August 20, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's newly appointed first vice president, Taban Deng Gai has conditioned stepping down from his position, asserting that his predecessor should first accept to cut down his security details before resuming office.

New South Sudan FVP Taban Deng Gai and his delegation upon arrival in Nairobi, Tuesday, 16 August 2016 (ST Photo)

Taban Deng Gai, a former chief negotiator during peace talks between government of president Kiir and armed opposition, told reporters in Kenya that he has managed to create a better working relationship at the presidency than did his predecessor.

“We are moving forward. If Riek comes and he conditioned that for the country to have peace, that he must return to the palace we shall discuss that, including that Riek if you go back to your office this time, you don't have huge army to move with you. This time you listen to the voices of the people that people of South Sudan will not need crisis any longer”, said Gai.

He reiterated that he would only step down if doing so would bring peace to the country.

“I am also telling you if my stepping down can bring peace to South Sudan I'm ready when time comes. But what I am doing now I am not delaying the implementation of peace waiting for anybody, I am to the task, I am capable of delivery. I managed to create harmony now in the presidency in the government of national unity”, he added.

He claimed that a faction of the SPLM-IO members who could not escape following the fighting that happened in July asked themselves whether to stick to peace or allow the country to return to war.

“I'm glad to inform you that the leadership of the SPLM in Opposition has decided to stick to the position of implementing peace, because the country has no option better than continuing with the implementation of the peace. The country needs peace," said Gai.

The former rebel chief negotiator further explained that the peace agreement is good for the people of South Sudan and can take them out of crisis and move forward in the road of peace and reconciliation and bring about the development of the country. He claimed that what was lacking after formation of unity government was a cohesive leadership in the country, saying the presidency did not have a good working relationship.

"The council of ministers of the transitional government of national unity was also not cohesive. The former chairman of SPLA IO was leading a parallel government in Juba. There was nothing to be called a team, even you members of the press who were in Juba witnessed that the existence of parallel armies is what brought crisis that led to the killing in Juba and the former FVP moving away from Juba”, explained Gai.

He also said he did not follow Machar since the latter opted to fight another civil war.

“I and the leadership of SPLA IO decided to remain in Juba to implement peace”, added Gai.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Saturday has met with the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, just hours ahead of South Sudan's First Vice-President Taban Deng arrival in Khartoum.

In press statements following the meeting, Haysom said he discussed with al-Bashir regional issues particularly the situation in South Sudan as well as the outstanding issues between Juba and Khartoum.

He added they also discussed progress in the national dialogue besides the role played by the East African regional bloc (IGAD) in the region and the continent in general.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir told the official news agency (SUNA) that First Vice-President Gai would arrive in Khartoum on Sunday in a three-day visit.

Former Vice-President Riek Machar left South Sudan over fears for his safety after government forces mounted a military offensive hunting for him after he fled the capital Juba when fighting broke out between 8-11 July.

President Salva Kiir later sacked him as first vice-president and replaced him with Taban Deng Gai, one of his senior officials in his movement before falling out with him after failing appointment of oil ministry.

Khidir added that Gai would be accompanied by a senior delegation including defence and oil ministers besides the director of military intelligence, saying they would discuss with al-Bashir and his First Vice-President Bakri Hassan Salih the ongoing developments in South Sudan.

“This is an important visit given that Taban Deng had participated in the recent IGAD summit and he visited some member states [of the regional bloc],” he said.

Khidir stressed that Sudan would continue to make efforts to converge views among the warring parties in South Sudan within the framework of IGAD's vision and resolutions in order to achieve peace and stability in the neighbouring nation.

Last Tuesday, Gai briefed the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the efforts to implement the peace agreement in South Sudan particularly with regard to the security arrangements.

He is expected to seek Khartoum support an agreement he reached with President Salva Kiir providing to integrate all the SPLA-Io troops from now on wards before the end of the transitional period.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (JUBA) - More road ambushes along the Torit-Kapoeta road has left two other people dead on Thursday evening, after previous attacks this week that killed several members of the national security traveling on Torit-Kapoeta road.

SPLA soldier on the Torit-Kapoeta road (JB Russell)

The situation has also been blamed on the newly created state governments of Imotong and Namorunyang which have reportedly failed to act swiftly in order to control the frequent attacks by armed men believed to be loyal to the deposed First Vice President, Riek Machar.

An eyewitness who said has been frustrated by the weakness of the state government claimed that the authorities “are merely talking and cannot act.”

The incident followed an earlier attack on Wednesday which authorities said left five people dead.

Ikotos county commissioner, Abdullah Salvatore, said the incident took place in the Camp 15 area – approximately two-hours from Kapoeta town. “There was one of police officers in the county, he was escorting the vehicles going to Namorunyang; an incident happened to them at Camp15 inside of Namorunyang,” he said.

Among the dead, he added, included a hired Ugandan driver who sustained injury and died later in the hospital.

He said they have requested the government of Namorunyang state to provide forces to escort the vehicles on the Torit-Kapoeta road.

Earlier this week, the Drivers Chambers Union in Namorunyang State halted the movement of vehicles along the road because of the ongoing violence.

(ST)

By Beny Gideon Mabor

“Our detractors have already written us off, even before the proclamation of our independence. They say we will slip into civil war as soon as our flag is hoisted. They justify that by arguing that we are incapable of resolving our problems through dialogue. They charge that we are quick to revert to violence. They claim that our concept of democracy and freedom is faulty. It is incumbent upon us to prove them all wrong. President Salva kiir Mayardit on South Sudan Independence Day, 9 July, 2011”.

Following what President Salva Kiir, said on Independence Day of 9 July, 2011 as quoted above, has to some extent answered whether South Sudanese in general and leaders in particular are capable to resolve their problems through dialogue or quick to revert to violence. Did South Sudanese prove their detractors wrong or right when they senselessly fight in mid-December 2013 and again on 8 July 2016 after the peace agreement on the resolution of conflict in South Sudan referred to herein as the peace agreement was signed? Indeed, South Sudanese being currently led by leaders whose personal interests are above public interest seems to have failed the test of wise leadership to resolve problems amicably.

In the book of “Getting Past No: Negotiating Agreement With Difficult People, the author professor William Ury, provided what is called best alternative to a negotiated agreement or BATNA which is always a last resort to be kept in mind in the event the peace agreement fails. In South Sudan peace process, there was no BATNA mechanism, not because such techniques were not known by the negotiators at the time, but the peace agreement was negotiated based on too much assumptions and unrealistic structural functionalities. Instead, the BATNA by default or arrangement has now been a perpetual conflict after another that killed innocent lives and destruction of properties.

Besides this messed up of public affairs in a broad day light, there is no voice to correct the wrongdoings. The fact that majority of citizens are uneducated to know their rights and duties, gave a blank cheque to leaders to hold the whole country ransom for their selfish political gains every time and again. Chief amongst citizenry's rights and duties is a principle of social contract, a covenant that exists between them and their leaders as provided for in the constitution and the laws.

Citizens owe a duty to government to provide taxes and vote them into public offices and in return deserve provisions of security, basic services and development of all forms in an equally distributive manner. These were the core values and national vital interests upon which South Sudanese waged war against successive Sudanese regimes in order to become an independent county.

Two years after independence, South Sudanese leaders who acquired political and economic power at all costs either forget or deliberately compromise the very values and vital national interests that shaped peoples' historical revolution. The happiness for the birth of a new nation and expectations for prosperity were all turned into a nightmare exactly as South Sudanese flag was hoisted. Again, the world newest state did not only appear on all media outlet for corrupt practices worth of billions of US dollars, but acting entirely outside the legal framework. This is evident in the dismissal of elected officials in a manner not warranted by the law. It is a direct threat to principles of constitutionalism if it was there in the first place.

In my honest prediction of a likely failed state in April 2012, I said the achievement of independence alone without launching the process for state and nation building may risk turning the Republic of South Sudan into a failed state at foundational stage. Since July 2011 up to now, South Sudanese leaders and people were not and still not prepared to develop the important components of a functional state including but not limited to: national defence and security, economic development, foreign policy strategy and equitable political settlement. All these elements constitute firm basis for stable government and governance. Yet, they are being forsaken for reasons best know to the political leadership of the belligerent parties. The peace agreement was the only hope to rejuvenate these projects for state and nation building, but to no avail as of now.

The total breakdown of central command and order in the security systems which was apparently brought about in unrealistic security arrangements was seen on 8 July, 2016 when the joint presidential guards fought in the presidential palace. Subsequently, a full scaled war was sponsored by the principal parties to the peace agreement and South Sudanese were returned to square one again. Indeed, citizens are still in square one up to now despite desperate measures taken supposedly intended to save the peace agreement.

However much the international community tried their best now to bring back the belligerents to status quo, as provided by the recent communiqué of the IGAD plus Heads of state and government, yet one must be left with no option but to say it will exacerbate more warlords to form their tribal militias for the protection of the status quo and their bellies. The act of violence has taught South Sudanese leaders that it is only through which you can speak a reasonable position in the business of politic and power.

On the issue of accountability, the SPLM-led government is entrenching on ruling clique basis and kleptocracy. The national army and other law enforcement units together with ruling SPLM party are almost faces of the same coin. So far evidence shows that army officials are as well leaders of ruling SPLM party including the current Chief of Staff of the army Gen Paul Malong who doubled as chairman of SPLM party at sub national level in Northern Bhar el Gazal State. There is no check and balance right from domestic laws to the regional and international legal instruments on social, economic, political and legal accountability to which South Sudan is a member state.

Last but not least, I would briefly remind South Sudanese citizens and the world that 18 July, 2016 mark one year after peace agreement was signed last year and the country is now broiling in yet another civil war. In the implementation matrix, every substantial part of the peace agreement is behind schedule by more than five months.

The following thematic areas have to do with little or not being done at all namely: transitional security arrangements comprise of ceasefire and transitional security arrangements monitoring mechanism, strategic defense and security review, join military ceasefire commission, the establishment of new institutions and subsequent reform agenda in all public sectors and transitional justice mechanisms amongst others . All these slow progresses are caused by total lack of political will to implement the peace deal.

The government should understand the concept of state sovereignty cannot be exercised in the vacuum, but people are the supreme organ of government, and if there are reasons to believe that the government has failed to implement the peace agreement and protect citizens and their properties, the concept of responsibility to protect R2P shift in and this must be understands in the spirit of cooperation.

In light of the above findings, read together with the regional and international community intervention approach as a result of UN Security Council Resolution 2304 (2016) and IGAD plus Heads of State and Government, it must be made loud and clear that South Sudanese are not alone in this crisis and there is no usual business anymore. Let the transitional government in accordance with the recommendations of the regional bodies and desire for peace unconditionally resumes the implementation of the peace agreement in latter and sprit.

Beny Gideon is South Sudanese private lawyer and a member of Strategic Defence and Security Review Board. He was part of the IGAD plus peace process for South Sudan representing civil society organizations. He can be reached via benygmabor@gmail.com

August 20, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Egyptian authorities on Saturday have decided to deport 77 Sudanese nationals who were trying to cross from Egypt into Israel.

A Sudanese refugee child walks past Israeli Border Police officers in the Rose Garden, just outside Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Sunday, July 8, 2007. (AP)

Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Gharib Allah Khidir said Egyptian authorities have arrested a group of Sudanese migrants while they were trying to sneak into Israel, pointing they were sent to Al-Qanater prison in Cairo.

Khidir told the official news agency (SUNA) that 77 Sudanese were imprisoned in Egyptian jails, saying the Sudanese embassy in Cairo is in constant contacts with the Egyptian security authorities to check on their conditions.

For his part, Sudanese ambassador to Cairo Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim told Sudan Tribune that the Egyptian authorities decided to deport the 77 Sudanese nationals.

“We expressed to the Egyptian authorities our utmost attention about the safety of these [Sudanese nationals] and we work within the embassy to determine the next move” he sid.

He added that the embassy would dispatch a delegation to meet the detainees, saying they will issue travel documents for those who don't have passports before they were deported to Sudan.

Hundreds of Sudanese refugees, many from the war-wracked Darfur region, have crossed the desert border from Egypt into Israel in recent years.

Last November, Egyptian border guards killed six illegal Sudanese migrants and arrested 26 others in Sinai Peninsula near Israel boarders.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 20, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese opposition official on Friday dismissed reports alleging that the Sudanese government had played active role in a mission to transport their leader, Riek Machar, outside South Sudan.

First Vice President Riek Machar greets SPLM-IO officials at Juba airport upon his arrival, April 26, 2016 (ST Photo)

The Kenyan Standard news website on Thursday reported that the Sudanese government had sent an aircraft to evacuate the former first vice president from a hideout in a remote town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where he crossed into after 40 days in the bushes.

However, the SPLM-IO official who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity said the report published by the Kenyan website was “unfounded.”

“Khartoum was not involved in the rescue operation, there was no any Sudanese airplane used as reported,” he said.

The opposition official however declined to comment on who carried out the rescue operation or whose aircraft was used to transfer Machar in to a safe location.

Reports alleged that Machar established contact with the UN peacekeeping force in the DRC for evacuation out of the vast Central African nation after talks with the Congolese military.

Citing an undisclosed official the Kenyan paper alleged that a large transport plane, more likely an Antonov, landed at Isiro with Sudanese military officials and commandos who received Machar from unnamed UN officials at the local airstrip.

Some reports indicated a top official from Khartoum's presidency was on the plane.

Machar was also reportedly sick and wounded in the leg and sought medical assistance. However the SPLM-IO official said the allegations were fabricated.

“”He is not sick or wounded, he is safe and healthy,” the official told Sudan Tribune.

“The allegations that he is sick and wounded are all false” he said adding “the rumours are created by the enemies for political propaganda purpose.”

Other reports said that extraction of Machar was solely a UN operation and Sudan had no role in it.

According to the reports Machar's rescue mission was personally authorized by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon.

Although it is not yet known exactly where in DRC Machar is relocated, opposition officials here in Addis Ababa however told Sudan Tribune that they want him to be relocated to Ethiopia where IGAD still recognizes him as the legitimate first vice-president of South Sudan.

Riek Machar has refused to return to South Sudan's capital Juba unless a regional force is deployed.

“Machar is not going back to Juba. This is the second murder attempt he has survived after the one in December 2013. Maybe they would get lucky the third time if he went back,” said a European official.

Machar fled the capital Juba, over a month ago following fierce fighting with government troops which led to attempts to kill him by forces loyal to President Salva Kiir.

(ST)

Nigeria's Olympic rower Chierika Ukogu has an inspirational story - but without the mistaken promotion of US rapper Snoop Dogg, she is likely to have sunk without trace.

August 19, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan has announced it was working to restart oil production in Unity state after more than a year of no operation due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

A Southern Sudanese soldier walks past a crude oil reservoir tank at a field processing facility in Unity State on November 10, 2010. (AFP)

A newly appointed Petroleum Minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said in a statement broadcast by the state owned South Sudan TV on Thursday - after meeting Chinese ambassador to South Sudan - that President Salva Kiir has instructed the resumption of production of oil from unity and other areas in Upper Nile affected by the conflict.

“We have discussed and agreed to resume oil production in unity and other areas in Upper Nile. The president of the republic has given directives. We have also discussed and agreed to review oil contracts with Chinese companies to do exploration and to continue to operate until 2018. The current contracts will be reviewed and extended,” explained minister, a former ally of armed opposition leader and the first vice president, Riek Machar, but who defected because he was not given a national ministry portfolio by Machar.

It was not clear how the oil operations, which was shut down due to conflict, will now resume while the conflict itself has resumed.

The President Salva Kiir removed Machar from his position as first vice president and replaced him with Taban Deng Gai, a move the international community as well as armed opposition leadership, except those loyal to Gai, consider a violation of the peace deal.

Government troops bombarded Machar's residence in Juba and pursued him with his small number of troops as they fled Juba and beyond.

Leading non-armed opposition figures, including Lam Akol, met and held talks in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday with Machar's senior officials, where they described Machar's departure from Juba together with several other ministers as a major setback to the agreement.

They called for immediate deployment of protection force and argued that a delay to address the situation may undermine the main element of the power-sharing agreement between SPLM-Juba and SPLM-IO, the main peace partner in the peace deal.

(ST)

August 20, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese former First Vice President, Riek Machar, has thanked the United Nations system and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for relocating him from the border and taking care of him, his wife, Angelina Teny, and other senior officials with him.

Speaking through his official spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, who shared the message on his Facebook page on Friday, Machar also thank President Joseph Kabila of the DR Congo for his government's hospitality.

“The First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO), thanked the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or MONUSCO, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under the leadership of His Excellency President Joseph Kabila, for their hospitality by airlifting him and his officials from the South Sudan-DRC border and for taking good care of him and his officials in the DRC,” Dak posted Machar's message on Facebook page.

Machar, he added, also congratulated the “gallant” opposition forces for courageous fight in self-defence in and around Juba, which successfully evacuated the senior political and military leadership of the armed faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO).

Dak also said his boss is fine, but “exhausted” due to 40 days of walking in the wilderness around Juba and towards the Congolese border.

He added that Machar, whom the SPLM-IO consider as the legitimate First Vice President, is establishing contacts with the leaderships of IGAD, AU and the UN, and will soon tour the IGAD member states.

Machar fled the capital when he was reportedly lured to the presidential palace to get killed, but escaped.

His residence was later on bombed by forces loyal to President Kiir and followed into the bushes around Juba with the aim to capture or kill him.

(ST)

August 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), on Friday, said that one of its combatant died from tuberculosis (TB) in his cell at a prison in Khartoum, and accused the Sudanese authorities of refusing to provide the needed treatment to the prisoners of war.

Two JEM members attend their trial session in the city of Omdurman, Sudan Aug. 20, 2008 (File photo/AFP)

A statement by JEM Office of Prisoners and Detainees said the prisoner Mustafa Ismail Adam, died of TB on Thursday in his cell at al-Huda prison, north of Omdurman, where he was detained in a section of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).

The rebel group said the deceased and others were captured after al-Nikhara battle in South Darfur on 26 April 2015.

"Since that date, the government authorities did not allow the prisoners to communicate with their families, provide them any therapeutic services or bring them to trial," said the group adding that about five prisoners have died from torture and ill-treatment, as well as 29 prisoners infected with TB

"They are on deathbed," stressed the statement.

In April 2015, the Rapid Support Forces militia defeated JEM fighters in South Darfur. At the time, President Omer al-Bashir travelled to al-Nikhara to celebrate their victory. Also, JEM leader Gibril Ibrahim admitted the defeat and the capture of his combatants.

An unofficial statistics released by the National Dialogue mechanism estimate that 93 prisoners from the rebel groups have been convicted, in addition to other rebels detained after several battles.

JEM called on "the United Nations, the African Union, the Red Cross and other international groups working against torture to intervene and put pressure on the Sudanese government "to save the lives of the rest of the prisoners in the prisons, transfer those who are ill to hospitals, allow them to communicate with their families and bring them to trial and lawyers to defend them."

(ST)