Africa

August 29, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir will begin a visit to China on Monday to participate in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and hold talks with officials there on economic cooperation.

Sudan's President Omer Hassan al-Bashir reviews the Chinese military honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Wednesday, June 29, 2011. (AP)

A senior government source told Sudan Tribune that all preparations for Bashir's Beijing trip have been finalized.

Bashir was subject to an embarrassing situation in June 2011 when Turkmenistan and Tajikistan refused to give permission to Bashir's plane in order to reach China where he was set to start a state visit. As a result he was forced to return to Tehran where he was attending a summit there in order to decide on a new route to reach Beijing.

He eventually arrived a day later than scheduled and it remains unclear why his plane was blocked.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes committed in Darfur.

China is not an ICC member and has made it clear in the past that it does not approve of the warrant even though it chose not to veto the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2005 resolution empowering the Hague-based court to investigate crimes in Sudan's western region.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a note sent via email that Bashir “should be in The Hague facing justice, not an honored guest anywhere”.

“China has made headlines recently for President Xi Jinping's initiative to compel the return of Chinese nationals abroad who are facing charges of corruption. Yet hosting a war crimes suspect doesn't seem to be problem,” HRW said.

“One of the lessons of World War II is that leaders can go to prison for their wartime atrocities. If China is going to disregard the warrants by inviting Bashir to its commemoration, perhaps he will at least be reminded of this”.

The Sudanese ambassador in Beijing Omar Issa said that a meeting for Sudanese businessmen will be held on September 2nd in the Chinese capital in conjunction with the president's visit which he said confirms the strong relations between the two countries.

Issa said in a statement carried by Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that a bilateral summit will take place between Bashir and Jinping. He added that Bashir will also hold a meeting with Sudanese Diaspora there.

It is expected that the Sudanese president will witness the signing of a number of MoU's and agreements between the two countries related to economic cooperation and investments.

China is the largest foreign investor in Sudan and used to be the biggest oil importer from there before South Sudan's secession in 2011.

Senior diplomatic sources told Sudan Tribune that Bashir will discuss with Chinese officials the possibility of settling Khartoum's $10 billion debt or change its terms given Sudan's difficult economic situation.

The Sudanese minister of Transport and Roads Makkawi Mohammed Ahmed disclosed that they signed a contract with a Chinese company to build a new 1000-kms railway line in eastern Sudan that would link the cities of Haya, Kassala, Gedaref, Sennar and Damazin adding that it will be operated electronically using optical fibers in the stations.

He further said that they will sign an agreement for the purchase of two A320 Airbus aircrafts through rent-to-buy arrangement that will be used by the beleaguered Sudan Airways.

Ahmed said they will also lease 3 MA-16 Chinese-made planes each with the capacity of 60 passengers.

Another framework agreement on the manufacture of ships used in maritime transport will be signed during the trip, he added.

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August 29, 2015 (JUBA) - The new governor of South Sudan's Warrap state has pledged to unite the ranks and files of the legislative and executive arms of the government, while underscoring the importance of cooperation between the various institutions in the state.

Map of South Sudan showing Warrap state in red

Akec Tong Aleu vowed not allow interference in the work of each institution.

The newly-appointed governor was speaking Friday at a reception rally held in the state capital, Kuacjok, upon returning from Juba to assume his new position.

Aleu was one the four state governors appointed by South Sudanese leader, Salva Kiir through a presidential decree early this month. He succeeded Nyandeng Malek.

“I will work hard to invite the assembly and the executive to work together. I will not encourage interference in the work. We should encourage the independence of our institutions and try to work together. If there is anything, we should try to resolve this outside instead of interfering with administrative processes and law”, the new caretaker governor told a joint session of the state cabinet and parliament in the border state.

Aleu said he would not pursue personal interest, but instead deliver service to the people.

Meanwhile, Ariech Mayar Ariech, the deputy chairperson of parliamentary committee for information and public relations told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the newly-appointed governor was welcomed by a huge crowd on arrival in Kuacjok town.

He said various community leaders and high profile politicians gave speeches calling for unity and reconciliation as many urge Aleu to put the interest of the people above individual ambitions in order to be able to deliver basic services to the people in the area.

“The governor was received by a huge crowd. There was a long line of vehicles from the state secretariat to the airport. There were a lot of vehicles. We counted 250 vehicles full of people”, said Ariech, a renowned critic of former governor Malek.

Many in the state say they expect Ariech and other opponents of the former governor to be confidants and key political allies of her successor in parliament and executive organ.

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August 29, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM)'s secretary-general Yasir Arman said that the Sudanese government will not accept to implement the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) in favour of peace and democratic reforms without more internal and external pressures.

Members of the national dialogue general assembly and President Omer al-Bashir attend the third session of the internal process in Khartoum on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Ashraf Shazly)

On Monday 24 August 2015, the AUSPC held a hearing meeting for first time with the Sudanese opposition groups. On the day after, it issued a decision reiterating its call for a national dialogue preparatory conference the government has previously rejected.

In written statements he extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, Arman welcomed the AUPSC's decision, adding that it does not contradict with the opposition's agenda for popular uprising and armed struggle to achieve political change in Sudan.

"If the regime does not feel the uprising is knocking its doors and that military action is shaking its forts, it would not accept a comprehensive peaceful solution or a constitutional national dialogue," he said.

Arman said further that issues including calls to stop war, humanitarian access to affected civilians, comprehensive solution and the constitutional conference should serve for political mobilization and to attract all those who are interested by change even the Islamist seeking for new agenda based on the recognition of the other.

"We will not accept partial solutions and will not give up the demands of our people for change. Also we do not reject any new opportunity leading to national constitutional dialogue providing that it should be a balanced process and not controlled by the National Congress Party (NCP)," he stressed.

Sudanese government last March refused to participate in a two-day pre-dialogue meeting to discuss and agree on procedural matters relating to the dialogue process which should be held inside the country.

At the time, the government said hold the meeting two weeks before the elections will send a negative message to the voters and vowed to take part in such meeting after the elections.

However, President Omer al-Bashir told the chief mediator Thabo Mbeki who is tasked with the facilitation of the national dialogue that the government can resume talks with the rebel groups before they join the constitutional process.

In a meeting held on 3 August, Bashir further said that the holdout opposition political parties can join the process stressing that his government would not concede to their demands for a conducive environment and will not wait them.

National Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi on Friday said the opposition Sudan Call forces are willing to participate in the internal process but stressed they the dialogue should not be controlled by the ruling NCP as it is the case now and also insisted on the need to implement a conducive environment before.

Arman called to involve regional bodies like IGAD, and countries including Chad, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), permanent members of the Security Council, Germany and Norway.

He added that the international participants will recommend after the process to normalize Sudan relations ending the current isolation of the country.

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August 29, 2015 (JUBA/TORIT) - A South Sudanese journalist has gone missing nearly month after he was allegedly arrested and detained by security operatives in Eastern Equatoria state, his relatives and community members told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

Clement Lochio Lormonana (Facebook photo)

Clement Lochio Lormonana, formerly a reporter with Gurtong Trust, was arrested on 6 August in Eastern Equatoria's Budi county, the Haula community, an association of the Didinga and Buya communities in Canada and the United States, said in a statement.

“[We are] writing to express urgent concerns […]to circumstance of South Sudanese journalist missing after being detained by South Sudan security forces on August 6,” partly reads the statement signed by the Haula diaspora group.

“Clement Lochio Lormonana was arrested in Chukudum, Budi County, with two friends when government security agents showed up in their hut in the middle of the night, rounded them up, and took them to the military barracks,” added the statement.

Eastern Equatoria governor, Louis Lobong Lojore, declined last week to answer queries regarding the arrest of three individuals in the capital, Juba. He instead said any suspect arrested by security forces would be investigated and then released if found innocent.

South Sudanese journalists operate in an extremely insecure environment and the recent killing of a reporter in Juba by unknown gunmen has increased more fear. The death of Peter Julius Moi brings to seven the numbers of scribes killed in South Sudan this year.

According to the Huala group, Lormonana and his brothers Amin Venansio and Nailo Venansio, were immediately placed in solitary confinement and tortured after their arrest.

“Even after Clement's arm was broken and Nailo started coughing blood, abusive interrogation went on uninterrupted,” the group further claimed in their statement.

Relatives said Lormonana and his brother were last seen being loaded onto a military vehicle.

“Nothing has been heard of them ever since. All attempts by the community to secure their release while still in Budi County failed", the community said in their release.

According to the Huala community, in the months leading to Lormonana's arrest, the journalist had shared his worries with his family members and friends because he allegedly received death threats and was reportedly being followed in Juba by stalkers.

"He found it necessary to leave his family and journalism work and go into hiding in Uganda and Kenya. The family abroad helped with his living expenses. He returned this month to Chukudum his home town hoping it would be a safe haven,” the group said.

Authorities in Eastern Equatoria are yet to comment on Lormonana's alleged arrest or whereabouts.

Front Line Defenders, a Dublin-based international human rights body, has asked the South Sudanese authorities to "unconditionally" release the renowned human rights defender.

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August 29, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese armed opposition faction of SPLM-IO has condemned government forces for allegedly continuing with military offensive against their bases in violation of the peace agreement signed by the opposition leader, Riek Machar and president Salva Kiir on 17 and 26 August, respectively.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) on guard in Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan's Unity state on 12 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

“SPLM/SPLA condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued military offensive by forces of the regime in Juba against bases of SPLM/SPLA in Unity and Upper Nile states. Government forces on Friday shelled our bases in the west bank of the River Nile near Malakal, Upper Nile state's capital,” said James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson of the opposition's leadership, in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

“This is a serious violation of the terms of the peace Agreement signed on 17th and 26th August 2015 by the principals of the two warring parties and declaration of Permanent Ceasefire which shall come into effect at midnight of 29th August 2015,” he said.

Dak said three ferries and six boats carrying troops and mounted with heavy weaponry have been shelling their defence positions along the river in Unity state as they proceeded to Malakal.

“We suspect that their plan is to launch a full scale offensive against our bases around Malakal,” he added.

He called on the international community to exert pressure on the government to stop the war and abide by the declared ceasefire.

Government officials however denied the accusations and blamed the fighting around Malakal on the opposition fighters.

The two warring parties have declared permanent ceasefire to come into force by Saturday midnight, but it remains unclear if this will be respected.

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Welcoming the recent signature by President Salva Kiir, SPLM/SPLA-IO Chairman Riek Machar and others of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the Security Council today called on all the parties, with the help of the United Nations, to implement the accord and adhere to the permanent ceasefire.

A group of independent United Nations human rights experts have voiced alarm after a female Sudanese student was sentenced to public flogging and a heavy fine for charges of “indecent dressing,” while another received a hefty fine for the same charges, and urged that the convictions be overturned immediately.

With Guinea-Bissau facing political turbulence barely a year after the re-establishment of constitutional order, the top United Nations official there expressed hope today that political leaders would rise to their “historic responsibility” to preserve the gains made so far in the interest of the country and people.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced today that 163 children have been released by an armed group in the Central African Republic, where thousands of other boys and girls are still serving as combatants, cooks and messengers for the country’s militant factions.

Fifteen years after the signing of a landmark Burundi peace accord, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all the country’s political leaders, including those in exile, to find common cause and commit to build on the stability that was ushered in by the Arusha Agreement.

Provides an overview as well as key facts, figures and dates for this west African country

Provides an overview, basic facts and key events for Burundi, this small country in Africa

August 13, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) handed over a sub-camp to the University of Geneina in West Darfur and decided to move its activities to its main base in the state capital.

A signing ceremony took place that was attended by the Director of UNAMID Support Division Rakesh Malik and the West Darfur governor Khalil Abdalla Mohammad.

“By handing over these facilities, UNAMID is not abandoning West Darfur but has merely moved its operations from this location to its main base at El Geneina Super Camp, from where it shall continue to carry its mandate as before,” Malik said according to UNAMID statement.

The facilities of two blocks, built in 2008 on an area of 98000 sq. meters, were allocated to UNAMID by the Sudanese government and served as a base for their operations in West Darfur.

The governor thanked UNAMID and commended the cooperation the two sides and the local community.

“UNAMID has remarkably supported the community in West Darfur over the past years,” he said.

The Chancellor of Geneina University El-Tayeb Ali Ahmed also thanked UNAMID for the initiative and stated that they had plans to start using the sub camp immediately.

Sudan called for UNAMID withdrawal from Darfur following a dispute over alleged mass rape in the village of Tabit in North Darfur, by army troops in October last year.

A tripartite working group comprised of officials from the Sudanese government, UN and AU was formed to draft an exit strategy for the peacekeeping force.

Last June however, the United Nations Security Council extended for 12 months the mandate of UNAMID and tied the exit strategy to the progress in the security and humanitarian situation.

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August 13, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of a Darfur rebel group laughed off allegations leveled by Khartoum which claimed that his forces are fighting with the forces of Libya's internationally recognized government.

Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader Minni Minnawi (AFP file photo)

Minni Minnawi who heads a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-MM) told Sudan Tribune that the accusations by the Sudanese government is an attempt to cover up Khartoum's support of Islamist militants in Libya including ISIS.

"This talk is not in isolation from the racist tone towards the people of Darfur. It was the [former] foreign minister Ali Karti who declared that Darfur rebels are fighting in Libya along with Gaddafi which was a message to the people of Libya to wipe out the people of Darfur because they escaped from the trap of the [Sudan ruling] National Congress Party," Minnawi said.

On Tuesday, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) summoned the Libyan military attaché in Khartoum to protest against what it claimed is his government's harboring of SLM-MM rebels.

SAF spokesperson, Colonel al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa'ad, told the official news agency (SUNA) on Tuesday that the participation of SLM-MM fighters in the Libyan conflict alongside the forces of the retired General Khalifa Heftar poses real threat to Sudan's national security particularly in Darfur.

He added that it also undermines regional security on the joint Sudanese-Libyan borders.

“The participation [of the SLM-MM in the Libyan conflict] encourages rebel groups to destabilize security of the citizens through forced recruitment and looting”, he added.

The SLM chief said that the message to ISIS is that they can forcibly recruit from large pool of illegal African migrants in Libya including those from Darfur.

"We do not have any groups in Libya and we have no relationship nor knowledge nor contacts with Heftar Brigade," he stressed.

Minnawi described as “conflicting” Khartoum's statements on Darfur with president Omer Hassan al-Bashir on the one hand claiming on a trip to Mauritania the eradication of rebels but stressing to African mediators that he will not discuss peace in Darfur with rebels outside the Doha accord framework.

“All these are attempts to cover up their support for terrorism in Libya and training Chadian opposition and the opposition in Central Africa Republic and what they are doing in south Darfur".

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August 13, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese former vice president and current rebel leader, Riek Machar, has further reshuffled officials assigned to various national committees in a series of orders relieving and reappointing others.

In the orders released on Thursday, but signed by the chairman and commander-in-chief since 6 August 2015, Machar relieved the chairman of national committee for external relations, Dhieu Mathok Ding, and replaced him with his deputy, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. The new external relations chairman will also be deputized by Peter Marcello Nasir Jealingo.

Dhieu, former external relations chairman, is reappointed as chairman of national committee for roads and transportation systems.

Sandra Bona Malual is appointed as chairperson of national committee for women empowerment, child welfare and social development, while Abdel Daim Deng is assigned as deputy chairman of national committee for agriculture.

The rebel leader also relieved his office's chief coordinator, Ramadan Hassan Laku, from his duty. No replacement or new assignment was done for the removed official in the office of the chairman.

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August 13, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar is in negotiations with some of the senior commanders with whom he had political and security disagreements over the approach to handle the talks with the government, revealed assistant press officer in the rebel camp.

Riek Machar sits in his field office in a rebel controlled territory in Jonglei State February 1, 2014. (Photo/Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Rebel commanders led by Peter Gatdet Yak, former deputy chief of general staff for operations in the rebel movement and Gathoth Gatkuoth, former deputy chief of general staff for logistics, both of whom were relieved from the positions last month by Machar, announced at a press conference in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Tuesday to have” denounced and disowned” Machar from the leadership of the rebel movement.

It was not immediately clear how many officers attended the conference, although unverified reports indicated Maj. Gen. Gabriel Tanginye, Maj. Gen. Chuol Gakah, Maj. Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth, Maj. Gen. Malith Gatluak and Brigadier Gen. Gatwec Puoc were among those who have declared their defection.

Five other politicians allegedly issued a separate statement announcing their support to the decision of the commanders in which they claimed to have dismissed Machar.

Former minister of youth, culture and sports, Gabriel Changson Chang, their ring leader, Timothy Tot Chol, Thomas Thoan Teny, Michael Mariew Dhuor and Gabriel Yoal Dok were said to have been among those who issued the statement denouncing the manner in which Machar had managed the leadership and the movement.

Several opposition figures have in response to the defection downplayed the significance of the decision of the rebel commanders and accused the government of having allegedly played a role to create a rift between the members of the opposition leadership using all means available at its disposal, including the use of monetary enticement by way of bribery to defecting officers and members of their families.

Dickson Gatluak Jock, who claimed to be assistant press secretary in the office of the armed opposition leader, Machar, said the press release denouncing his boss was not written and sent by the commanders but politicians wanting to pull the commanders out from the movement and against Machar in order to divert his vision, reduce his dignity from the entire Nuer community and South Sudan at large.

“This is to let him go. The sacrifices he made for the sake of his nation to go in vain. Their objectives are meant to spoil an anticipated peace agreement which may be signed in the coming 17th of this month”, said Jock in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

The aide of the opposition leader, however, asserted that obstructing peace wouldn't make sense because it's the demand from the public in South Sudan rather than individual interest.

He said Machar had already sent a team to Khartoum to negotiate the return of the defected rebel commander, Peter Gatdet Yak.

"As I am writing, Peter Gatdet is in Khartoum, Sudan, engaging in negotiating with the team sent to him by the chairman of SPLM/A Dr. Riek Machar to get him back to Pagak as well as the Nuer elders over there,” he said.

He admitted that there were differences between Machar and commanders but these differences, he explained, could have been addressed in the recent consultative conference held at the headquarters of the opposition group inside South Sudanese territory at the border with neighbouring Ethiopia.

“Yes there were differences sometimes back when the two generals were relieved but the leadership in Pagak during the consultative meeting ironed out all these issues and resolved that the generals would be assigned to other positions with in the SPLA IO military headquarters. These are normal ways of making thing in the system,” he added.

“If they accept to dialogue and present their complaints to the leadership of the movement, then they will be reassigned”, he explained.

The rebel official charged that “elements that are running up and down to create division within the movement for their own personal interest would not be given room.”

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As the battle against cholera outbreak continues in South Sudan, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are boosting assistance to help children and the most vulnerable prevent and reduce the spread of further cases.

The deadly Ebola outbreak which ravaged West Africa for more than a year has demonstrated the increasing importance of emergency preparedness both in Africa and across the world, said two senior United Nations health officials who noted that if the current intense focus on case detection and contact tracing is maintained, the virus could be “soundly defeated” by year’s end.

The latest round of the United Nations-facilitated Libyan political dialogue has concluded in Geneva, with the different parties emphasizing the need to set aside partisan agendas and uphold the country’s higher national interests.