Africa

In some remote regions of Malawi, girls are made to have sex with a paid sex worker when they reach puberty - but the tradition has the potential to spread disease.

African-American man starts fundraising petition in response to racist comments.

A lower cost base and partnerships with western universities is helping South Africa to develop online courses for students around the world.

In our series of letters from African journalists, novelist and writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani looks at David Cameron's resignation after the vote to leave the European Union and asks whether there are any lessons for Africa.

The African Union has launched a new passport. A lot remains unclear about the document but here is what we do know.

Aids remains the biggest cause of death among young people in Africa and the number of lives lost in this group has tripled in the past 16 years, writes the BBC's Karen Allen.

July 17, 2016 (JUBA) – Official spokesperson of the South Sudanese First Vice President, Riek Machar, said they cannot trust President Salva Kiir to provide security and protection to their leadership in Juba, saying the president is not in control of incidents that happen around him.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) adresses a press conference together with FVP Riek Machar (R) and SVP James Wani at the State House on July 8, 2016 (Reuters Photo)

“No, we don't trust President Salva Kiir and his assurances to provide protection to our leadership,” James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson of First Vice President, Riek Machar, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

He said majority of their officials of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), including a national minister, have fled to the United Nations protection of civilians (POCs) site in Juba in fear for their lives.

This, he said, occurred after the SPLM-IO's Secretary General, Dhieu Mathok Diing, who is also the minister of Energy and Dams, was beaten inside his hotel and briefly detained by President Kiir's security personnel on Friday despite Kiir's assurances to protect them.

The opposition leader's spokesperson was responding to renewed calls by President Kiir over the weekend, in which he called on Machar to resurface and return to Juba from his hiding, assuring to protect him, or even stay with him in his house.

"I have been ready to resume talks on the issues we were discussing before this thing [violence] erupted. We were left with few things to conclude the discussions so that we begin with the implementation [of the August 2015 peace agreement]," he added.

The president was speaking for the first time since his forces clashed at the presidential palace with those loyal to Machar last week, leaving more than 270 soldiers from the two sides dead, 37 of whom belonged to Machar's forces, officials have confirmed.

President Kiir vowed he would provide protection to Machar and his forces, citing the amnesty he had issued after declaring ceasefire as a guarantee for the security of his deputy and his forces.

"Nobody is hunting for him [Machar] and his forces. If he comes, I will protect him. He will stay with me if [he] feels he is not safe staying alone," he said.

"I don't want any more bloodshed in South Sudan," stated Kiir.

But Machar's Press Secretary, James Gatdet Dak, said they wanted a “third party force” to be deployed in Juba to create a buffer between rival forces and ensure security in Juba, thus the protection of the leadership, saying they would not trust President Kiir's assurances.

Dak said they believed that the incidence of fighting at the J1 palace was a plan to harm Machar in crossfire if he tried to leave the palace and run back to his base, which was about five kilometres away from the palace.

He said President Kiir either knew what was happening in the various incidents or was not in control of his forces.

“President Kiir is not in control of incidents that occur around him. He is not in control of his army commanders and other organized forces. So how do you trust protection from a leader who is not in control, or who might have been blessing violent actions of his commanders or security personnel?” he said.

Dak lamented that every time someone was killed or tortured by security personnel loyal to President Kiir, he would say he didn't know how it happened and who did it.

“For instance, President Kiir's military intelligence and national security personnel killed our officer, Lt. Colonel George Alex Gismala, and took his body to their military barrack, but the President said he didn't know who did it. Our soldiers were fired at, resulting to the initial clash that saw the death of five of his soldiers on Gudele road on Thursday, July 7. He [Kiir] also said he didn't know how it happened. On Friday, July 8, he called the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, for a meeting in his palace and suddenly his bodyguards teamed up with hundreds of his soldiers and began to shoot at Dr. Machar's bodyguards and the clashes ensued. He also said he didn't know about how it started,” Dak further said.

He further charged that on Sunday, 10 July, President Kiir's forces launched several attacks on their base at Jebel and the residence of the First Vice President using tanks and helicopter gunship, indicating that they were after Machar.

He said if Machar did not remain in the palace during the 8 July clashes, he would have been killed by President Kiir's forces outside the palace and the president would have said he didn't know how it happened.

“President Kiir did not protect First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar. They happened to get stuck with each other inside the palace. Either of them did not want to leave the palace as the fighting was going on outside the palace,” he said.

He also said the bodyguards of the two leaders took a wise decision by not echoing the fighting inside the palace because each side knew that their leader was going to be targeted and risked getting killed.

“They got stuck inside the palace until a third party was involved in arranging and ensuring how the leaders were escorted to their respective residences at night,” Dak further clarified, adding, “President Kiir was also ensuring his own safety by being near to Dr. Riek Machar in the palace.”

He added there was need for a third force to be deployed in Juba to take charge of its security, further arguing that the opposition's forces which are part of the integrated forces for the security arrangements in Juba - but remained behind – should also be transported to Juba.

There was supposed to be a total of 2,910 of the military and police force for the opposition fighters in Juba, but only 1,300 soldiers arrived with only light weapons as they were not allowed to bring in heavy weapons.

Dak accused President Kiir's forces of planning to attack Machar and his forces where they have now been relocated to around Juba.

He said he had received information that President Kiir's army had ordered their warplanes, helicopter gunships, to search for the whereabouts of Machar to bomb him and his forces.

He also said President Kiir's faction wants to further dismantle the August 2015 peace agreement by seeking to illegally identify and appoint a “stooge official” from the SPLM-IO to replace Machar as First Vice President.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government on Sunday said it has evacuated 1473 of its nationals from South Sudan following the recent bloody clashes in the newborn state.

The committee tasked with following up on the conditions of the Sudanese citizens in conflict areas revealed that 1473 out of 3000 persons who expressed desire to return to Sudan from South Sudan have been evacuated so far.

An official at the operation room set up by the Sudanese Working Abroad Authority (SWAA) to follow up on the evacuation procedures said that 376 people have arrived at Khartoum airport from Juba on Sunday.

He told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that they are continuing to register Sudanese nationals who wish to voluntarily return to the country, pointing to the continued coordination with the Sudanese embassy in Juba to monitor the situation of the Sudanese in the various parts of South Sudan.

Head of communities and migration department at the SWAA, Al-Rahid Abd al-Latif , on Friday said that the number of the Sudanese nationals in South Sudan is around 50.000 persons, among them 3000 facing difficult situations and willing to return home.

On July 7th, fighting erupted in South Sudan's capital Juba between followers of President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, the former rebel leader who became vice president under a deal to end a two-year civil war.

The violence, which has killed hundreds of people, broke out as the world's newest nation prepared to mark five years of independence from Sudan on July 9.

In response to the mounting pressure from the international community, the rival leaders have unilaterally declared cessation of hostilities to stop the fighting.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese opposition umbrella of the Sudan Call forces would hold a meeting in Paris from 18 to 23 July to discuss its structures besides the Roadmap Agreement and coordination with other opposition forces.

Leaders of the opposition "Sudan Call" sign an agreement on the alliance's structures in Paris on 22 April 2016 (ST Photo)

The “Sudan Call”, which was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, includes the National Umma Party (NUP) and rebel umbrella of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), the National Consensus Forces and the Civil Society Initiative (CSI).

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) said it wouldn't participate in the Paris meeting, pointing that the NCF has not taken a collective decision regarding the participation of the alliance in the meeting.

However, the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), which is also a member of the NCF, said its chairman Omer Youssef al-Digair has travelled to Paris on Sunday to take part in the Sudan Call meeting.

Also, the NCF leader Farouk Abu Issa is expected to participate in the Paris meeting.

The NCF, which consists of SCP, SCoP, a faction of the Democratic Unionist Party, some national Arab groups says the regime is not credible and points that the popular uprising is the best way to achieve regime change.

Meanwhile, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, the NUP hoped that Paris meeting would complete the organizational structures of the alliance to achieve its goals, stressing its commitment to engage in an equal dialogue.

The NUP also underscored its keenness to maintain the joint stance of the Sudan Call forces, stressing that it wouldn't sign the Roadmap unilaterally.

It pointed to the popular uprising as an effective means to overthrow the authoritarian regimes, saying the regime continued to violate all agreements in order to hold on to power.

Earlier this month, the NUP leader said the Sudan Call will likely sign the Roadmap after Paris meeting.

Sudan Call forces had earlier disclosed that international parties including the United States (US) are making efforts to convince them to endorse the Roadmap.

Last March, the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) proposed a roadmap agreement to the Sudanese government and four opposition groups from the Sudan Call forces.

However, only Khartoum government signed the framework text while the four groups declined the text, saying the Roadmap would reproduce the regime.

The opposition groups handed over a supplemental document to Mbeki and vowed to reconsider their rejection of the Roadmap if he accepts it to ensure that the Roadmap becomes a gateway to an equal, serious and fruitful dialogue.

The Sudanese government declined to accept the opposition supplemental document on the Roadmap, saying the peace plan is definitive and cannot be modified.

Khartoum has received widespread international and regional support for the signing of the Roadmap. The UN chief, African Union chairperson, the United Kingdom and the United States have also urged the opposition groups to join the peace plan.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has given his first deputy, Riek Machar, ultimatum to return to the national capital, Juba, and resume his duties or risk being replaced with someone from his faction, an official told Sudan Tribune on Sunday

Riek Machar, left, first vice president of the Republic of South Sudan, and Salva Kiir, the president, at the first meeting of the new transitional coalition government in Juba, South Sudan, in April, 2016 (Jason Patinkin/AP)

Machar fled from Juba on Monday, 11 July, following a deadly armed confrontation at the presidential palace, resulting to the death of more than 300 rival soldiers and civilians, with 37 soldiers reportedly from Machar's side.

President Kiir, according to a presidential source, said he started consultations with some of his confidants and some officials from Machar's faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) in unity government about the matter.

"The transitional government of national unity cannot be held hostage because of Riek. If he does not want to come out from his hiding despite all the assurances of protection, even with the president coming [out] himself to declare to chairman of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and special envoy of the African Union that he will stay together with him if he feels unsafe staying alone, then the president has the right to appoint anyone from SPLM-IO to replace him," a presidential source told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

The official said there were several senior members of Machar's armed opposition faction from which a nominee could be found to replace him to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement as well as rendering services to the people instead of waiting for other negotiations.

"There are many members of the SPLM-IO here in Juba. The minister of Mining, Taban Deng Gai, who was chief negotiator during the peace talks can be appointed," he revealed.

Also, Bol Makueng, Secretary of Information in the SPLM faction of President Salva Kiir on Sunday revealed in a statement over the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) that if Machar did not return within a given time, he will be replaced with alternative leader.

He said this was resolved in the SPLM political bureau meeting under the leadership of President Kiir.

Sources said Taban Deng Gai and Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth are leading a campaign to replace Machar, but other SPLM-IO officials have reportedly refused.

Taban Deng has been a controversial figure in the SPLM-IO, with allegations since last year suggesting that he was recommended to President Kiir by the Jieng [Dinka] Council of Elders (JCE) to replace Machar.

But others said Deng has no popularity among the Nuer and his ascending to the senior government position may drive away President Kiir's Bul-Nuer allies who disliked him.

The South Sudanese president this week dismissed the deputy minister of foreign affairs and regional cooperation, Cirino Hiteng. The official is from the former detainees and the decision to remove him was seen as a violation of the peace agreement.

In the agreement, President Kiir has no power to replace an official from another partner in the transitional government of national unity unless recommended to him by the top leader of that particular party.

(ST)

July 17, 2016 ((EL-FASHER) - The governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef announced on Saturday the return of a Border Guards militia officer Musab al-Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud, who defected in October 2013, with his troops and weapons.

The defected group members were discharged from the service upon their movement to Mellit area during an attack by the rebels in October 2013.

First Lieutenant Mahmoud who defected with his 700 militiamen, is now integrated in the Rabid Support Forces (RSF).

Addressing the RSF in El Kuma area of North Darfur, the governor pledged to put an end to any injustice against the government forces, in accordance with the military disciplines.

The governor has welcomed the return of the first lieutenant Mahmoud, urging everybody to show respect to their leadership and to the body to which they belong.

The commander of the sixth infantry division Major General Ashraf Al-Rifa'ai has meanwhile announced the end of differences with the renegade group, and praised them for their cooperation.

Al-Rifa'ai also appreciated the role of the mediators who managed to solve the crisis, saying that “it is easy to defect, but it is difficult to join peace”.

He further affirmed that Mahmoud has become safe after his return, stating that “we welcome him inside the army”.

“We would like to tell Ziyadia and Berti that Mahmoud is not keener than us to protect you”, he added.

Mahmoud and his soldiers deserted their military unit in South Kordofan and returned to Mallit to protect the tribes of Berti and Ziyadia after rebel attacks on the area.

To punish their bad conduct, the military command ordered the formation of a court-martial. But the lieutenant defected with his troops.

In his speech, Mahmoud extended his apology to the armed forces and the citizens for whatever he did.

“This is a new page and a break with the past. The country cannot afford conflict anymore”, he added.

He announced that the vehicles and the military equipment in their possession are now at the disposal of the military command, and called on the rebels to join peace.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) Security Authorities in South Sudan have on Saturday issued a directive shutting down an independent English newspaper, hours before arresting its founding editor.

Alfred Taban (Time-UA Photo)

Alfred Taban, the Editor in Chief of the Juba Monitor, was arrested after having received several telephone calls from security service to report their headquarters in Jebel.

"I am now on the way to them. They called the associate editor and also my number but I could not hear because I had placed the telephone on silence, when I was in the prayer services in the church. They called Ann Nimiriano and they told her they were looking for her and me," Taban told Sudan Tribune when reached to know why the security services were looking for him.

The Associate Editor ,Ann Nimiriano Nunu, confirmed in a separate interview when reached on Saturday on the same matter that she received several calls from the security looking for Alfred and herself.

"I went with him (Alfred) to the headquarters of the security because they asked us to go, so we went. they called several times when Alfred was in the church", Nunu told Sudan Tribune on Saturday .

"He was arrested in my presence", she added.

Nunu said security services were reacting to Taban's call for resignation of President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President, Riek Machar in his "Let Us Speak Out" column, published on Friday's edition about the situation in the country.

Alfred, said he, is convinced that Kiir and Machar would never work together in uniting the country.

"They have ordered the closure of the paper", she added.

"So we are not coming out tomorrow and we don't know when they will allow us to operate again," she said.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (NYALA) - Unidentified gunmen have stormed a house in Al-Salam neighbourhood in South Darfur state capital, Nyala killing one woman and severely wounding her son.

Internally displaced women carry food to their shelter at Alsalam camp - ElFasher 7 Nov 2010 (Reuters)

A family relative of the victims by the name of Salih Nyam told Sudan Tribune that 3 masked men broke into the victims' home in the early morning hours on Saturday and opened fire on the family members who attempted to resist them.

He pointed that a woman died immediately and her son sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Nyala Teaching Hospital, saying the perpetrators fled toward the north-eastern part of the town.

According to Nyam, the security organs failed to arrest the culprits despite its readiness and wide presence across the town.

He further said that hundreds of residents have attended the funeral at A-Salam cemetery and expressed anger that perpetrators have evaded justice.

In a separate incident, 3 gunmen have stormed the house of Al-Fadil Issa, an employee working for the locality of Nyala, in Al-Khartoum Bellail neighbourhood at 3:00 am (local time) on Saturday and stole his property at gunpoint before fleeing to an unknown destination.

Nyala residents have recently expressed concern over the return of the lawlessness situation which prevailed in Nyala before imposing the emergency situation.

Following several looting and killing incidents last month, South Darfur state deployed large military reinforcements to enhance security and curb looting crimes in Nyala.

Since July 2014, the governor of South Darfur Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared an indefinite emergency situation in the state, including a curfew from 07:00 pm to 07:00 am (local time) in Nyala.

The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without license plates, and wearing a kadamool (a turban which covers the face).

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (NAIROBI) – World leaders should uphold to commitments made during the 2012 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in Doha.

Panelists at the civil society forum in Nairobi, Kenya July 15, 2016 (Photo credit:TJN-A))

The call from civil society organisations came as the UNCTAD Secretary General, Mukhisa Kituyi opened a forum in Nairobi, Kenya on 15 July.

He challenged civil society entities to maintain the momentum in making their demands.

“There must be greater efforts made towards inclusion of all stakeholders, especially women and youth, if at all we are to achieve the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals]”, said Kituyi.

“There can be no Sustainable Development Goals without Least Developed Countries".

In the recent past, western member states of UNCTAD have reportedly come under intense criticism for their sluggishness in supporting the agency's initiatives and expanding its roles to cover other areas crucial for the advancement of developing nations.

Concerns have also been raised on the role UNCTAD will play in influencing global trade and development in the future as it is gradually relegated to an implementation mechanism for trade agreements.

“As negotiations begin, we are calling for a mandate that addresses specific constraints of developing countries, adoption of gender-sensitive policies on trade and development, institution of measures that curb the illicit transfer of economic resources from developing countries,” said Tax Justice Network-Africa's executive director, Alvin Mosioma,

This year, civil society organizations have attended two hearings at the UNCTAD headquarters in Geneva, making contributions into the negotiating text of the conference.

Over 7,000 delegates are expected at the forum on the theme, From Decisions to Actions.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) - As African and world leaders met at African Union summit in Kigali, Rwanda, South Sudan's recent conflict dominated the continental gathering.

A view of the 22nd African Union summit in Addis Ababa on January 31, 2014 (AFP Photo/Solan Gemechu)

South Sudan witnessed violent clashes last week when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar fought in Juba, leaving hundreds dead.

At a mini-summit held in Nairobi Monday, regional leaders discussed how South Sudan's ongoing power struggle could be resolved and how the two factions can be reined in, to end the hostilities which has reportedly displaced more than 40,000 civilians.

The UN warned of tension and the possibility of fresh fighting in the country's Juba, where a shaky ceasefire has held since late Monday.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon appreciated Rwanda's contribution to the world body's peacekeeping, including in the Central African Republic, Darfur, Sudan and South Sudan.

He met with Rwandan President, Paul Kagame at ongoing African Union's extraordinary summit, which is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.

Both leaders, the UN said in a statement, expressed deep concern at the recent escalation of violence in South Sudan, its impact on the civilian population and consequences for the peace process. They urged South Sudanese leaders to demonstrate the commitment required to bring to an end the tragedy unfolding in their country and fulfill their people's aspirations to peace, security and reconciliation.

“The Secretary-General and the President agreed on the need and urgency of renewed international engagement to advance the quest for peace in South Sudan,” it stated.

According to the world body, the role of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union, including within the framework of the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on South Sudan, of which Rwanda is a member, was stressed.

“The Secretary-General seized the opportunity to recall the recommendations he made to the Security Council, including an arms embargo, targeted sanctions, and strengthening the capacity of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS),” it further noted.

Also discussed during the meeting in Kigali was the volatile situation in Burundi, where Rwanda was also applauded for hosting thousands of Burundian refugees.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government has imposed restrictions on the movement of its nationals, denying them access to their families in neigbouring nations in violation of their constitutional and basic rights to freedom of movement.

The arrivals of Juba International Airport (File Photo)

It is still unclear as to who issued the directive and for what purpose.

The director of Juba international airport, Kur Kuol confirmed receiving directives from the authorities that no government official should be allowed out of the country without permission.

Even ordinary citizens are said to be affected as they have been turned away at the airport and denied possession of their passports.

A South Sudanese national studying in Uganda could not return for exams as Friday, the day he intended to travel, witnessed deadly clashes the presidential palace said his passport was confiscated.

He was later asked to see security officials for clearance to his destination country, only to be told on arrival that they were not permitting people to travel out of the country at the time of war.

"If you go out, who will fight, who will fight this war, just go home", narrated the student, whose passport was still with state operatives.

"I do not know what to do now. I was supposed to sit exams on Tuesday 12 July, and that was why I wanted to travel on Friday 10th, but there was no seat in the flight. I wanted to use the next available flight was on Sunday 10, but fighting erupted on Friday evening and carried on for four days. When it stopped on Monday 11, I had hoped I would fly normally, [but] unfortunately I was denied travel and my passport was seized", he added.

But Kuol said no official letter from government denied ordinary citizens from traveling out of the country, except for its officials.

"There is no official letter preventing South Sudanese from traveling to various destinations but what I know is that any official from the government who wants to travel has to get permission from his place of work", Kuol told reporters, but did not elaborate further.

The undersecretary in the ministry of transport, Captain Martin declined to comment on the behaviour of the government operatives, when asked in a separate interview.

Amnesty International also said it had received reports from two charter companies that National Security Service officers have ordered them not to carry South Sudanese nationals, particularly men. It has also been told by an entity that one of its South Sudanese staff was prevented from boarding a flight to Uganda.

“This arbitrary conduct by South Sudanese security forces is totally unacceptable. South Sudan must respect people's right to freedom of movement, including the right to leave their own country,” said Elizabeth Deng, the organisation's South Sudan researcher.

“It is absolutely critical that both parties to the conflict do not obstruct safe passage of civilians fleeing to places of refuge both inside and outside the country,” she added.

Thousands of South Sudanese have reportedly gathered at the country's southern border seeking to enter into Uganda, but they are being prevented from crossing over.

(ST)

July 16, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has arrived in the Rwandan capital, Kigali on Saturday to attend the 27th African Union Summit.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir salutes his supporters as he disembarks from the plane, after attending an African Union conference in Johannesburg South Africa, at the airport in the capital Khartoum, Sudan June 15, 2015 (REUTERS)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants against al-Bashir in 2009 and 2010 for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Darfur.

Al-Bashir is the first sitting head of state charged by the Hague based court since its inception in 2002.

On Saturday, al-Bashir travelled to Kigali accompanied by senior delegation including the Minister of the Presidency Fadl Abdalla, Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Mashair Al-Dawalab and State Minister and Director of the President's Office Taha Osman.

Last week, Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced that his country will not arrest Al- Bashir during his visit to Kigali to participate in the AU summit.

“President Al Bashir is welcome in Kigali at any time. He will be free in his second home country. We will not respond to the ICC calls to arrest him. We will not take any action of such type against him,” he said.

Also on Thursday, Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said “Bashir will be granted his safety and security as a head of state, ICC issues will be addressed by those who are concerned and I don't think they expect him to be arrested in Rwanda”.

Rwanda is not a state party to the tribunal of war crimes but has the obligation as a member of the United Nations to cooperate with the court. However like many other African capitals, Kigali is critical to ICC and to its focus on Africa.

Last year al-Bashir attended the 26 th AU summit in Johannesburg. His recent trip to South Africa drew international attention after he flew out of the country defying a High court order which order the government to ban his departure until an application calling for his arrest had been heard.

Several African governments and the AU have voiced concerns over the ICC's fairness, and accused it of targeting African leaders.

They further to say that war crimes court has violated its founding treaty the Rome Statute, when it prosecutes cases investigate by the national jurisdiction.

Since the issuance of the two arrest warrants, Bashir limited his trips abroad to ICC non-party states but he also traveled to five signatory states including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Malawi, Djibouti and South Africa.

In May this year, Al-Bashir visited Uganda and Djibouti, which are ICC state members of Rome Statute.

Last week, the ICC said it had referred Djibouti and Uganda to the United Nation Security Council for failing to arrest al-Bashir while he was on their territory.

July 16, 2016 (JUBA) – Germany has, in the wake of the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, "temporarily" closed its embassy and evacuated its nationals from the country.

“There was street to street fighting directly in front of the homes of many employees and aid workers, after four days of heavy fighting, which we had to witness up close, there remained no other option but to evacuate," Johannes Lehne, the German envoy told Radio Tamazuj

Germany evacuated all it staffs and nationals from South Sudan after clashes between the country's rival forces killed hundreds.

Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Uganda and Sudan also evacuated their citizens from South Sudan, but their embassies are still operating.

On Friday, however, the German Air Force airlifted about 200 of its national and some from other countries to Entebbe, Uganda.

"Germany has also closed its embassy in South Sudan ‘temporarily' owing to violent conflict in the capital," Radio Tamajuz reported Saturday.

US TROOPS IN JUBA

The United States President Barrack Obama on Thursday said 47 American soldiers have been deployed in South Sudan to protect the American embassy and the staff.

"In response to the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, I have ordered the deployment of additional U.S. Armed Forces personnel to South Sudan to support the security of U.S. personnel, and our embassy in Juba.," the White House said in a letter to the Speaker for House of Representatives and Senate President.

The first of these additional personnel, approximately 47 individuals, reportedly arrived in the South Sudanese capital, Juba on 12 July, 2016, supported by military aircraft.

Although equipped for combat, these additional personnel are deployed for the purpose of protecting U.S. citizens and property," the letter reads in part.

The US embassy in Juba evacuated non-essential staffers out of South Sudan, while South Sudanese working in the embassy were asked to stay away from the premises.

Fighting erupted between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar last week, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Both sides declared a ceasefire on Monday after President Kiir's forces overran Machar's base.

Obama said the American soldiers will remain in the country until the security situation improve but added that more troops might be sent to the country if needed.

"Additional U.S. Armed Forces, including approximately 130 military personnel currently pre-positioned in Djibouti, are prepared to provide support, as necessary, for the security of U.S. citizens and property, including our embassy in South Sudan," it stressed.

The US sent troops to Juba the onset of conflict in December 2013 to guard its embassy.

(ST)

Is South Africa's constitution too liberal for its people, asks the BBC's Milton Nkosi.