Africa

May 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Sunday accused the armed and political opposition groups of bringing violence from the peripheral conflict areas to the Sudanese universities, particularly in Khartoum.

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

The Sudanese capital witnessed recently a wave of student protests where two students were killed in Omdurman and El Obied. The bloody incidents came after calls by the opposition groups to overthrow the regime through peaceful means.

In a meeting headed by the Presidential Assistant and Deputy NCP Chairman Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid on Sunday, the political sector of the ruling party condemned what is called attempts by the armed groups to export violence to universities campuses.

"The Political Sector expressed its indignation over the use by the (opposition) Sudan Call of political tactics including attempts to export war to the universities campuses and to involve students in it," said the NCP spokesperson, Yasir Youssef on Sunday.

"We condemn violence, whether in the Two Areas or attempts to export it to the universities," Youssef further said.

He said the extraordinary meeting discussed the political and security situations in the universities, adding that it returned to normal in the capital and the other states.

Also, he called on the armed groups to sign the Roadmap Agreement, adding it is the "Only way out to stop the war and to promote peace in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile".

Pointing to a recent meeting held in Paris, he said "opposition rushing to Europe and holding a meeting in Paris or elsewhere will not lead to a solution" adding it is inside the country and in the Two Areas.

The opposition Sudan Call forces held a meeting in Paris from 18 to 21 April where it reiterated its rejection of the Roadmap Agreement and called on the African Union to review its plan for peace in Sudan, in a way to dissociate the ongoing dialogue conference inside the country from the national dialogue process proposed by the African Union in its initial plan of the decision 539.

Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of the opposition National Umma Party, told Sudan Tribune last Thursday they plan to meet the African Union mediators to discuss the roadmap to demand the inclusion of more opposition groups in the process and to take into account the need to release political freedoms.

(ST)

May 2, 2016 (JUBA) - The African Center for Transitional Justice (ACT-J) has welcomed the formation of Transitional Government of National Unity by the parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.

President Salva kiir(C) FVP; Riek Machar (L), and VP, Marilyn, raise their hands after swearing in ceremony of Machar on April 26, 2016. (Photo Lomayat Moses)

In a statement issued on Saturday, ACT-J's executive director, Peter Gai Manyuon, stressed the need for justice and accountability in the young nation.

“It is therefore, very crucial for the parties who caused the conflict to account for the crimes they have committed beginning from 2013 to 2016, in order for the peaceful co-existence of South Sudanese people in Country,” said Gai.

“The culprits who have killed innocent civilians should be brought to book and answers what lead to massacre, cannibalism, tortured, raped, killings of the civil population in the country,” he added.

South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar was last week sworn in as the country's first vice president as part of a peace deal that ended 21 months of South Sudan conflict.

Tens of thousands of people were killed and over two million displaced during the conflict, which broke out in December 2013 following disputes in the country's ruling party.

According to ACT-J, the warring party leaders must strive to identify the culprits who were responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and cases related to genocide, in order to achieve reconciliation, truth seeking, tranquillity, reforms and democratization processes in South Sudan.

The peace implementation without proper accountability and national reconciliation is meaningless, the entity said.

It said there is need to form a hybrid tribunal, which will boost efforts to uplift national justice systems in South Sudan.

“Otherwise if the parties who committed crimes against humanity are not question by the world, then peace and reconciliation initiatives might not go as many people wishes,” stressed the human rights body.

A non-political, non-governmental organization, formed by professional South Sudanese Journalists and Lawyers in 2014, ACT-J works to address issues of transitional justice mechanisms, advocacy on accountability, human rights monitoring and documentation, democracy, governance and peace-building in South Sudan.

(ST)

May 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan on Sunday expressed hopes to attract more Saudi investments in mineral sector, and expected that the revenue of the two countries from Atlantis II mining project in the Red Sea reach 20 billion.

Saudi Arabia Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, will pay a one-day visit to Khartoum on Wednesday to discuss joint collaboration in a project to extract metals from hydro-thermal basins some 2,000 meters deep in the Red Sea known as Atlantis II project.

Sudan Authority for Geological Research Director, Mohamed Abu Fatma, revealed that Red Sea bed is rich in minerals. Estimates for minerals in the common area between Sudan and Saudi Arabia show that there are over 47 tons of gold, 2 million tons of zinc, 500,000 tons of copper, 3,000 tons of sliver and huge amounts of other valuable minerals.

“Sudan, Saudi Arabia are expected to earn $ 20 billion from Atlantis II project. The two parties will discuss utilization of these minerals in their imminent meeting in Khartoum,” Abu Fatma told the official news agency (SUNA), calling for creating smart partnership in minerals exploitation.

Sudanese Minister of Minerals, Mohamed Sadiq al-Karori, on his part, said that Sudan has allocated 100 mining blocks for both local and international investors.

Al-Karori discussed with the Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Fisal al-Mala, the final arrangements for al-Naimi visit to Khartoum to attend the meeting of Sudanese-Saudi Standing Committee on Joint Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Red Sea.

“Sudan is interested to attract more Saudi investments in minerals sector” said al-Karori, while Saudi Arabia aims to diversify income resources and to end oil dependency,.

The Saudi ambassador said his country is keen to invest in all sectors in Sudan including minerals. Al-Mala further said that he hopes Sudan and Saudi Arabia to focus on accelerating efforts to utilize Red Sea bed minerals.

Since the secession of South Sudan in July 2011 and the loss of two thirds of its oil reserves, Sudan has developed mining industry to increase its national revenue.

In February 2012, Khartoum and Riyadh signed an agreement on exploring minerals in the joint territorial water in the Red Sea. Atlantis II goes back to 1970s, when Sudanese government had plans to exploit the Red Sea bed with Preussag AG, a German mining company. But the project was abandoned due to the lack of suitable exploration technologies at the time.

In 2010, the Canadian Diamond Fields International and Saudi Manafa International Ltd. were licensed by the Saudi Sudanese Committee to conduct exploration activities in Red Sea rift valley.

In a feasibility study conducted in 2012, Diamond Fields International expected that Saudi Arabia and Sudan will make big profits from the extraction of copper, silver and zinc from Red Sea bed. At the time, it expected to start production in 2014 once technical studies are terminated.

Sudan and Saudi Arabia relations have recently improved after years of tension caused by Sudan-Iran connections. The development of bilateral relation was crowned by Sudan's participation in the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi militants in Yemen and in the military exercises “Thunder of the North” in Saudi Arabia.

(ST)

May 2, 2016 (JUBA) - The U.S. aid arm (USAID) has earmarked $3.18 million over the next three years to train smallholder farmers in the coffee sector within South Sudan.

A woman handpicking Arabica cofee (restorethebean)

The funding, officials say, is part of a public-private partnership with Swiss coffee maker Nespresso and international development consultancy TechnoServe.

The introduction of coffee as South Sudan's export commodity will reduce the nation's dependency on oil resources, given the declining prices of crude oil in world markets.

In October last year, Nespresso reportedly shipped its first volumes of coffee production from South Sudan, marking the first non-oil exports to come out of the country in over a generation.

Since it started revive coffee production in the war-torn nation in 2011, around 1,000 smallholder farmers have reportedly been trained in agribusiness techniques and about three-quarters of them now commercially-engaged.

At least six coffee cooperatives have been established, in addition to having in place the first wet mill processing unit.

Farmers receive premium prices from Nespresso for their beans as part of a shared value strategy by the company to invest in farmer training in exchange for top dollar crops.

Ambrose Lokodi, a South Sudanese farmer, admits that involvement in coffee production would reduce farmers' dependency on other crops.

“Poverty is reducing and most farmers have a better life. We advise everyone to plant coffee to uplift our nation,” he says.

According to Nespresso, the company's investment of over US$ 2.5 million in reviving the production of high-quality South Sudanese coffee since 2011 demonstrates the potential for commercial coffee production in the country.

As part of the expansion of its sustainably quality program in African, however, Nespresso says its aim is to ensure it has invested over US$ 3.4 million in the project by end of 2016. The program focuses on improving yields and coffee quality through establishment of central wet mills and by providing training to farmers to improve agricultural practices.

“With this ambitious project, we wish to bring our consumers a new exceptional coffee experience, directly from the cradle of coffee,” said Nespresson's Jean-Marc Duvoicin.

“The high quality Robusta we have found in South Sudan had truly unique aromas. South Sudan is the only place in the world where Arabica and Robusta grows,” he added.

By 2019, Nespresso says it aim is to train 1,500 local farmers. The company has a goal of training 10,000 coffee farmers.

Although South Sudan has vast and largely untapped natural resources, beyond a few oil enclaves, it remains relatively undeveloped, characterized by a subsistence economy. South Sudan is the most oil-dependent country in the world, with oil accounting for almost the totality of exports, and around 60% of its gross domestic product.

On current reserve estimates, oil production is expected to reduce steadily in future years and become negligible by 2035. According to the World Bank statistics, livelihoods in South Sudan are mainly concentrated in low productive, unpaid agriculture and pastoralists work, accounting for around 15% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

(ST)

May 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Constitutional Court on Sunday has ordered to allow Al-Tayyar newspaper to resume publishing following more than four-month suspension by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Al-Tayyar editor in chief Osman Merghani (L) speaks in a press conference with his lawyer Nabil Adeeb on Wednesday December 16, 2015 (ST Photo)

In June 2012, NISS suspended al-Tayyar indefinitely and allowed it to reopen in March 2014 upon a ruling of the Constitutional Court. However, it suspended the newspaper again on December 15, 2015.

Following the recent suspension, the newspaper's legal advisor Nabil Adeeb said the ruling of the Constitutional Court underscored that the NISS doesn't have the power to suspend newspapers.

He pointed that article (24) of the Constitutional Court Act prohibits resorting to any other law following its decision not to use it, adding that NISS has repeated its action by suspending al-Tayyar in clear defiance of the law and the court.

Adeeb added that he submitted a claim for the protection of a constitutional right to the Constitutional Court, saying he would use the court's ruling about the unconstitutionality of the suspension decision as a precedent.

On Sunday, publisher and Chief Editor of Al-Tayyar Osman Merghani said the Constitutional Court informed them of its decision to lift the ban on the newspaper, pointing the court ruling was based on the 2014 precedent.

“The publishing of the newspaper has now become legal but we have [internal] administrative and professional arrangements. We would meet to determine the date for resuming publishing within a couple of days,” he said.

Merghani added that the court ruling is considered a resounding victory for the justice and a bright spot for the Sudanese judiciary, describing the ruling as the second “historic decision” by the Constitutional Court.

He described the ruling as a victory for the Sudanese state, pointing they would move forward without holding a grudge against anybody.

For his part, Adeeb described the Constitutional Court's decision as a victory for the concept of the freedom of press, saying however the decision should have been made five months ago.

He stressed that the NISS must respect the court's rulings and refrain from suspending the newspaper again, pointing to the previous court decision which clearly stated that the NISS don't have the power to suspend newspapers.

Last February, Al-Tayyar launched a campaign to collect one million signatures to demand the lift of ban on the newspaper.

Also, in March, the journalists at Al-Tayyar went on a hunger strike to protest against the suspension of the newspaper.

However, a mediation committee comprising members of the Sudanese Journalist Union met with the strikers committee and proposed end the strike in exchange for a pledge that the case be referred to the Constitutional Court.

The mediators who said they are mandated by "official bodies" vowed that the government would be bound by the judge's decision whatever it may be.

Legally, Sudanese press is protected under the provisions of the 2005 interim constitution but in fact the press is harshly controlled by the NISS which censure, confiscate and ban newspapers.

(ST)

May 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) said that a Sudanese security agent has facilitated the escape of government prisoners of war (POWs) in South Kordofan.

SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Ngutulu Lodi (ST Photo)

On Saturday, the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) said that a special force from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has freed seven oil workers who have been kidnapped by the SPLM-N while they were returning from work.

However, SPLM-N spokesperson, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi, denied that the POWs were freed by a special rescue operation as the NISS claimed, saying the latter doesn't have the capacity to carry out such operation.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday, Lodi said the NISS prisoners escaped from Julud area in Dilling County with the help of their night guard Abdel-Haq Mohammed Saeed who joined SPLM/N in 2011 and was a NISS agent.

He stressed that the prisoners have released very confidential information pertaining to the NISS, saying the latter offered to pay 5 billion pounds (SDG) (about $370,000) ransom to secure their release but the movement rejected the offer because it violates its policies and laws in dealing with the POWs.

On Saturday night, the official news agency (SUNA) said the hostages have arrived in the capital, Khartoum.

Meanwhile, Lodi said that his movement was responsible for the crash of a Sudanese army aircraft on Saturday in the capital of North Kordofan state, El-Obied, 588 km south of Khartoum.

In a brief statement on Saturday, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) spokesperson Ahmed Khalifa al-Shami, said that a military plane Antonov 26 crashed while landing in El Obied airport due to a technical failure.

“All the crew members including three officers and two soldiers were killed in the accident,” said the statement.

However, Lodi said their air defences heavily opened fire at the Antonov plane which was bombing civilians and destroying civilian institutions in SPLM/N controlled areas.

He pointed out that the shooting caused a significant damage to the plane and the crew failed to carry out an emergency landing at El-Obied military airport.

Fierce fighting is taking place in the Nuba Mountains area of South Kordofan following a large-scale campaign launched by the government army against rebel positions.

South Kordofan and neighbouring Blue Nile state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

Last December, negotiations between Khartoum and the SPLM-N stalled after the government delegation insisted that the objective of talks is to settle the conflict in the Two Areas, while the SPLM-N team has called for a holistic approach to resolve ongoing conflicts across Sudan.

May 1, 2016 (JUBA) - Authorities in the newly created Northern Liech state have issued a statement expressing sympathies and condolences to family members and relatives of the departed spiritual leader, Dhiador Turoal Thaibany.

Nuer traditional cultural dancers on Sunday at Bentiu Indepedent stadium in Unity state. 10 November 2013 (ST)

The spiritual leader, according to the official statement by Northern Liech government, died on 30 April in his home village of Turakiel. Officials attributed the cause of his death to a long-time illness.

“The Government under the leadership of Governor Dr. Joseph Nguen Monytuil sent out the state's heartfelt condolences to the Greater Bentiu and particularly the family of Dhiador Turoal Thaibany, who passed away yesterday in his home village had called Turakiel. It is very untimely death and unwelcomed by the entire people of Bentiu and its authority,” the official statement from Northern Liech government extended to Sudan Tribune reads in part.

Late Dhiador Turoal, according to the official government statement, had been the centre piece that glues together the communities of Bentiu and as a visionary leader with wisdom greater beyond any measurable term.

“We the Bentiu communities have learned everything that the late had taught us in tough times and in good times. He had played his role as a responsible man surrounded by not only Leek People but the entire people from South Sudan.”

His home area in Turkiel, the statement added, is home to every person in our country, adding the Leek people in particular regret and mourn the loss of their paramount spiritual leader, who had been in number of years performed miracles that had seen people staying alive and communities staying in peace.

The statement further stated that not only Leek community will be in pain for losing a spiritual leader but the entire state and even the country.

The departed spiritual leader loved and had been survived by a number of children, wives, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and relatives. He lived his life as a hero among his community and his generation.

“He is a symbol of hope to unity among the people. He fed the hungry and shelters the needy in his home village. He is a selfless person with a heart of love and humility. Dhiador had been leading the Leek community and even the neighbouring communities.

The spiritual leader, according to information minister, Lam Tungwar, died at the same time when the transitional government of national unity was being sworn and at the time peace was returning to the country.

Peace has come to our dear State; I am sure because of his bright heart, he dies after seeing peace is finally here,” explained minister Tungwar.

(ST)

May 1, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan has denied United States officials visa in a tit for tat move against Washington because it had previously refused to grant an entry visa to senior Sudanese officials to participate in international meetings.

Sudan's foreign ministry building in Khartoum (SUNA)

Sudan State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Kamal Ismail, told reporters on Sunday, that Khartoum's embassy in Washington received visa applications from U.S. officials and decided to implement reciprocal measures.

However, the minister did not disclose the names of the U.S. official whose visa requests were denied or their reasons to visit Sudan.

Last Tuesday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum Benjamin Moeling.

The Deputy Under-secretary of Foreign Ministry, Sirraj Eddin Hamid, conveyed Sudan's protests against delay and denial of visa to enter the United States to Sudanese officials attend United Nations, World Bank and other international forums meetings.

Last week, Ambassador Kamal Ismail, warned that Sudan will deny U.S. officials visa to Sudan.

“Sudan will treat U.S. the same way if Sudanese official further denied visa or their applications delayed” said Ambassador Kamal Ismail, confirming that Sudan has its own measures as well and will give visa only to those who safeguard Sudan's interest.

Recently, Washington refused visas to senior Sudanese officials, including the ministers of interior, education and the state minister for health.

(ST)

May 1, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, has reiterated his calls for cooperation among new cabinet ministers in the newly formed unity government, saying the ministers should now see themselves as colleagues and work together as one unit to deliver basic services to the people.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

President Kiir also said he would recognize those ministers who perform in their jobs.

“It will not be a usual business. Things will have to change. This time I will be watching closely because people need services and with this government they are expecting a lot. The expectations are high,” said Kiir on Sunday.

The president also encouraged competition in performance among the ministers but warned that it should be a healthy competition with the intention to deliver.

“There is nothing wrong with competition. What is wrong is rivalry that ends in hatred and undermining each other. But I would prefer to have a cabinet that is competing. If one is praised today you will say tomorrow I want to be praised more; this is what teamwork is all about and this is how we will achieve our objectives in a shorter period of time,” he said.

He told the cabinet ministers to always remember that they are one family and as a family team and as patriots, they should always remember that if one team member is down, all of them have failed the person.

He again stressed the need to work as a team saying nobody has the solution to everything except the God.

“Only the Almighty God knows all the problems and all the solutions as he has everything. Therefore, we need to work together as a team basing our hope, faith and destiny in the capable hands of the Almighty God,” he said.

Well, all areas are challenging and if the team captain thinks that work is difficult, what about the coach who would have to bear the responsibility for the performance of the team? But, where there is faith in God there is bound to be success[ful] and I have no doubt that we will succeed as a nation and we will build a type of great nation that we all yearn for and make this nation a better reference point in all positive human endeavours for the rest of mankind.”

The former rebel commander turned politician and became the president of the young country averred that he has more confidence in government than ever before.

“Because, the country has the resources that it takes to bring about an economic superpower status. But the resources have to be suited and used for the purpose. What are the resources I am talking about? I am talking about the human resources, human capacity,” he added.

President Kiir also informed the gathering that the country had the requisite natural resources that if used properly could propel the country into a greater nation.

He also stressed the need for attitudinal change and for people to be sincere and honest to themselves as well as the country.

“Many a time you see people castigate others that are honest and hardworking patriots of this country. Oh! That's the president's friend! Is it a taboo to be the friend of the President? If you are delivering you will be my friend,” he further remarked.

The South Sudanese leader went on to stress that whoever is hardworking and loyal to the nation is his friend, reiterating that his objective is to develop the country.

“So let us work as a team. The most important thing is that as a leader in your department and ministry you are the role model. The under-secretary is watching you and the director general is watching the under-secretary and the minister and everybody is watching. When the minister suffers from such negative attitude, the under-secretary, director general and all other people to the last person including the driver all become affected. What does that translate into? Nothing is done on time in that ministry. Undue favouritism is unacceptable too,” he stated.

The president made it clear that undue favouritism will have no place in his government this time around, decrying instances when people are treated nicely no matter what they do, while others are treated badly no matter what they do.

He also stressed the fact that people should remember that one day everyone will be judged by the performance, where there will be no driver and everyone will be treated according to their performance.

Speaking at the same getting together lunch, the vice president, James Wani Igga, also thanked the president for his foresight in the appointment of the new ministers, who he noted, are not new faces in cabinet as they have served previously.

He challenged them to continue their hard work, while praying that God continues to guide them to enable them to excel in their respective duties. He further remarked that with the accumulated experience they have different area, he is confident they will live up to the tasks.

“As I mentioned earlier, the work is more urgent now than before and under the leadership of comrade President we need to double our efforts. It's a very turbulent but peace and stability reigns in the country, because of the guidance and protection of God Almighty and the sort of leadership we have,” he said.

The president told the ministers that their coming on board will help the country maintain that peace and stability to concentrate on more development.

We are here as one family trying to meet the objectives and the vision of the SPLM ,” he said.

(ST)

A British Army team arrives in Somalia as part of a United Nations mission to counter Islamist militants.

By Charo Rojas
Cauca, COLOMBIA, May 1 2016 (IPS)

While Colombia’s peace talks continue in Havana, Cuba, back home in the region of North Cauca, Black Colombians have found their cries for access to their ancestral lands met with tear-gas and rubber bullets.

We saw them approach, the ESMAD, the dreaded special police unit called out to squelch popular mobilizations against the government. We pressed even closer together to maintain our lines on one of the main highways that connects Colombia’s north and south. Over a thousand of us, black Colombians from one of the poorest regions of the country, gathered to demonstrate to the government that we would not be silenced while our territories are taken away. Suddenly, without warning, the ESMAD began their assault and soon elders, children, women and our young people were choking from the tear-gas and holding parts of their bodies stinging from rubber bullets indiscriminately fired at us.

The ESMAD’s assault took place on April 25 in the region of North Cauca, Colombia. The next day, the ESMAD sabotaged conversations between the community councils and the authorities, their renewed attacks this time also effecting some of the government officials. A three month-old baby and several children were hurt by a tear-gas grenade that exploded inside their house. We black Colombians are more or less held hostage by the ESMAD, while the national government had promised a meeting at the Mayor’s office in the nearest town.

The Afrodescendant Women’s Mobilization has received numerous death threats due to our actions to protect our community’s rights and territories. However, the government fails to find the responsible persons for the illegal mining or the death threats.

The Northern Cauca region, located in the department of Cauca, is a critical area in the negotiations between the Colombian government and FARC that are currently taking place in Havana, Cuba. Yet Black communities and our interests have not been considered during these discussions, even though our ancestral territories will be compromised by at least one of the agreements: the 63 so-called campesino reserves. Most of the areas the FARC wants to settle or continue to control are in the middle of or close to black and Indigenous lands.

The main national Black organizations have been concentrated in the National Afro-Colombian Peace Council (CONPA by its acronym in Spanish), which with the Interethnic Commission of Peace, has demanded and lobbied the Colombian government to bring our voice and interests to the table in Havana. But since our demands have been ignored we have had to find new ways to make our voices heard.

As has often been the case in our long history of struggle and resistance in Colombia we have again had to turn to protest. In November 2014, eighty Afro-descendant women mobilized and walked across the country to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, where we seized the building of the Ministry of Interior to demand a stop to the increase in illegal mining in our territories. These mining activities have brought death, violence and tragedy. In one mine collapse alone, over 40 of our people were killed.

These mobilizations have often been led by Black women, increasingly so in recent years. We have made the government sign agreements to remove illegal mining and admit that granting mining rights to multinationals violates its own laws. We have also made the government acknowledge that these agreement violate the right to prior and informed consultation and consent, as recognized by the International Labour Organization’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention. Yet those admissions and agreements have not translated into respect for our rights or any change in government’s actions or approach. In fact, despite the agreements, and the laws and the constitutional mandate to consult, to respect, promote and protect the rights of Black people, the Colombian government has granted mining concessions that cover seventy percent of the Cauca lands to multinationals such as Anglo Gold Ashanti.

The Afrodescendant Women’s Mobilization has received numerous death threats due to our actions to protect our community’s rights and territories. However, the government seems incapable of finding those responsible for the illegal mining or the death threats.

That is why we must continue to resist. The Community Councils will continue blocking the road until the national authorities commit to a renewed dialogue that will lead to substantive changes in how the interests of our communities are protected. It is clear for us that our Black lives matter only through our own efforts.

Charo Mina Rojas is an activist with the Black Communities’ Process in Colombia.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of IPS.

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April 30, 2016 (BENTIU) – A respected Leek-Nuer elder from South Sudan's Rubkotna county has died at the age of 101.

The map of Unity state in red

Dhiaydor Tutroal Bany, officials said, died from an unknown sickness in Tuarkiel village located south-west of Rubkotna.

Gen. Ruai Kuol Jal, an opposition appointed governor in Liech state said he received reports he received new on the sudden death of the renowned elder Saturday afternoon.

He said Bany's death was a great loss to the people of Unity state, particularly the Leek-Nuer hailing from Rubkotna county.

“I, Lt. General Ruai Kuol Jal Thor, Governor of Lich State, do hereby, formerly announce to the general public about the passing of uncle Gat Tutroal. With the heartfelt condolence from the bottom of my heart, comforting the bereaved families of the deceased who lost a great man like him,” he said.

Kuol described Bany as a uniting factor whose legacy could only be compared to Ngundeng, a famous Nuer prophet

“His death will be a great loss to the people of Lich state as well as the whole country. The people of the state will never forget him throughout the history,” he further stressed.

Lam Tunguar Kweiguong, the minister of information and culture of Northern Liech state said the region will miss the presence of a respected and great elder from Leek-Nuer.

Many say his death occurred at a time when South Sudan had just formed a Transitional Government of National Unity.

Bany had 80 brothers. One of his grandsons is currently the head chief of Bentiu town.

(ST)

April 30, 2016 (BWEYALE) - South Sudan refugees in Uganda say they now feel relieved after the country's warring factions formed the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

Leaders of South Sudanese refugees address a rally at Bweyale camp, April 30, 2016 (ST)

At an occasion at Bweyale resettlement camp in Uganda, most of the refugees expressed willingness to return home after several months of the conflict.

Malow Riak, the vice chairperson of the community in Bweyale, said South Sudanese refugees in Uganda are now free to return home and being another life in their nation.

“The return of first vice president to Juba has now given us hope to go back to South Sudan because this is real peace,” he said.

Riak said life in exile makes one not free and is unable to participate in development and decision making process.

“It is always here in Bweyale, we say one day we will go back home. From today and tomorrow many of us shall return home,” stressed.

John Junub, a musician who fled the country after the crisis in December 2013, said South Sudanese were tired of war.

He, however, believes the signed peace accord between warring parties will hopefully re-unite people after the war.

“The peace signed by Dr. Riek Machar and president Salva Kiir shall be the last end of war in South Sudan. We believe their coming once more on the table by forming transitional government of national unity is a good sign for us,” he said.

The renowned singer vowed to carry out peace-related messages through his music to unite South Sudanese, adding that it's through music that people will shun tribalism.

Martha Nyakume, a church leader in Bweyale, said the peace be embraced by South Sudanese leaders and citizens.

More than 20 months of the conflict, she said, traumatised women, many of who were raped and exposed to suffering.

Deng Thomas, a refugee from Jonglei state, said he would go back to his country as soon as stability was restored.

The conflict, which broke out in December 2013, has negatively impacted on the country's citizens, including pushing the country to the brink of famine with 5.8 million people, almost half of the population—in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, according to a recent joint United Nations assessment on food security.

(ST)

April 30, 2016 (Khartoum) – Saudi Arabia Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, is expected to pay a short visit to Khartoum on Wednesday, to discuss joint collaboration on minerals.

Al-Naimi and his delegation will discuss with his Sudanese counterpart ways to utilize the mineral resources in the Red Sea rift valley, which is known as Atlantis II.

In February 2012, Khartoum and Riyadh signed an agreement on exploring minerals in the joint territorial water in the Red Sea. Atlantis II is dated back to 1970s, but was not implemented due to the lack of suitable exploration technologies at the time.

Minerals estimates show that there are 97 million tons of various minerals, which include two million tons of zinc, 500,000 tons of copper, 4,000 tons of silver and 80 tons of gold and other valuable minerals.

Sudanese Minister of Minerals, Mohamed Sadig al-Karori, told reporters in Khartoum on Saturday, that the two countries are closely cooperating on minerals exploitation.

“The visit of the Saudi minister to Khartoum aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and attracting more Saudi investments to minerals sector in Sudan. This cooperation aims to provide more employment and introducing new mining technologies that would bring added value,” said al-Karori.

Saudi Arabia tops the list of Arab investments in Sudan with over $ 4 billion, and the second-largest Sudan's trading partner after China.

In addition, the minister said that the discussions will include the activities of the Saudi-Sudanese committee for the joint exploitation of mineral resource in Red sea bed in the common area between the two countries.

In 2010, the Canadian Diamond Fields International and Saudi Manafa International Ltd. were licensed by the Saudi Sudanese Committee to conduct exploration activities in Red Sea rift valley.

In a feasibility study conducted in 2012, Diamond Fields International expected that Saudi Arabia and Sudan will make big profits from the extraction of copper, silver and zinc from Red Sea bed. At the time, it expected to start production in 2014 once technical studies are terminated.

Sudan and Saudi Arabia relations have recently improved after years of tension caused by Sudan-Iran connections. The development of bilateral relation was crowned by Sudan's participation in the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi militants in Yemen and in the military exercises “Thunder of the North” in Saudi Arabia.

(ST)

April 29, 2016 (JUBA) — Members of the Troika countries on Friday welcomed the formation of South Sudan's transitional government of national unity, but warned against violating key provisions of the agreement, including under representation of women.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir (C) poses for a picture after the government swearing in with his first deputy Riek Machar (R) and second deputy James Wani on 29 April 2016 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

The western nations, in a statement, said formation of the 30-month interim government was a step forward, calling for cooperation between the former foes.

"In that regard, decisions undermining provisions the parties agreed to in negotiations, such as not fully meeting obligations for women's participation in the council of ministers, sets a concerning precedent at the beginning of the transition," the statement reads in part.

President Salva Kiir and first Vice President Riek Machar appointed ministers on Thursday. President Kiir selected four female cabinet ministers as required by the agreement, but vice president Machar nominated only one woman yet the deal demands two.

The Troika also applauded statements issued by the president and his first vice president on Tuesday, pledging cooperation, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence.

"We call on South Sudan's leaders to continue this spirit of cooperation and to start the difficult task of rebuilding their country. While formation of the transitional government is a step forward, with thousands dead, widespread atrocities committed and millions displaced from their homes during the conflict, this is no time for celebration," noted the statement, adding that the international community stands united in urging the transitional government to start to work for the people of South Sudan.

"The fighting must stop, decisive action must be taken to tackle the economic crisis and there must be full cooperation with the UN and humanitarian agencies to ensure aid reaches those in need; formal and informal impediments must be removed," Troika, which sponsored the regional broker peace deal noted.

The Troika members vowed to remain long term partners and friends of South Sudan's people. We stand ready to support the transitional government if it shows it is serious about working for the good of the country and implementing the peace agreement in full. We expect the transitional government to honor its commitments.

"The people of South Sudan deserve nothing less", the statement stressed.

(ST)

April 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's foreign ministry has downplayed a warning issued by the British government last week asking its citizens to avoid students' protests which have sparked violent clashes in several parts of Sudan.

Wounded student carried by his colleagues to hospital after clashes with the police at at Omdurman Ahlia University (OAU) on April 27, 2016 (Photo Activists)

Two students Mohamed al-Sadiq of Omdurman Ahlia University and Abu Bakr Siddiq of Kordofan University were killed during violent clashes between government and opposition supporters respectively on 27 and 19 April.

Following what, the opposition supporters Thursday and Friday organized several protests in different universities accusing the security services of targeting pro-opposition student groups and called to overthrow the regime.

On Wednesday, the British government, in an advisory on its website, urged its citizens in Sudan and particularly in the capital Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman to remain vigilant and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings.

It said that the protests are no longer isolated to universities and the possibility of further demonstrations can't be ruled out.

However, the deputy Under-secretary of Sudan's foreign ministry Siraj al-Din Hamid described the warning as “exaggerated”, stressing that the security situation in the country is stable.

He told the official news agency (SUNA) Saturday that the warning doesn't mean the security situation is unstable to the extent that it prevents British citizens from travelling to Sudan and described it as a mere advice.

The United States embassy in Khartoum on Friday also asked its citizens to exercise caution in light of anti-government demonstrations and violence at several universities in the Sudanese capital.

“As a result of ongoing unrest, the Embassy is exercising heightened caution by temporarily restricting Embassy staff from the vicinity of the affected universities,” said a message sent by the Embassy to the American nationals in Khartoum.

(ST)

April 30, 2016 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government on Saturday commended what it described as a positive response from members of the international community after formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

South Sudan's minister for parliamentary affairs Bashir Gbandi (thenile)

“We welcome with open heart and mind as the government the support of the international community. There have been positive statements from different countries and international organizations after the return of the first vice president and after the formation of the transitional government of national unity", the parliamentary affairs minister, Peter Bashir Gbandi told Sudan Tribune Saturday.

“We are not an island. We are part of the international community”, he added.

The minister was reacting to comments attributed to members of international community which reacted to the formation of South Sudan's TGoNU on Friday.

“Such positive statements shows that it can be an opportunity to work together with our international partners to restore hope of our people in the government and build the nation together”, said Gbandi.

The members of the Troika comprising United States, United Kingdom and Norway, which are the key players and guarantors of peace agreement, issued a statement welcoming the formation of what they referred as the "long-awaited formation" of South Sudan's transitional government. The countries, however, said they were concerned that the new government did not have sufficient women representation in accordance with the 25% quota allocation to women by the constitution.

"While formation of the transitional government is a step forward, with thousands dead, widespread atrocities committed, and millions displaced from their homes during the conflict, this is no time for celebration," the Troika said in a statement issued Friday.

"The fighting must stop, decisive action must be taken to tackle the economic crisis, and there must be full cooperation with the UN [United Nations] and humanitarian agencies to ensure aid reaches those in need; formal and informal impediments must be removed," it added.

The troika member countries vowed to support the TGoNU "if it shows it is serious about working for the good of the country and implementing the peace agreement in full."

Meanwhile the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said the formation of the new government is an "important milestone in the peace process" and urged South Sudan's leaders to establish all institutions of transition.

He also urged the country's warring parties to immediately cease all hostilities.

Canada's foreign affairs minister, Stéphane Dion said his country welcomed the new government and hailed it as an "important step" toward national reconciliation.

“Most urgently, every possible step must be made by the national leadership to put an end to persistent conflict across the country and to give humanitarian agencies unfettered access to those in dire need of assistance," Dion said.

Dion added it is crucial that the government move quickly to establish accountability measures to end South Sudan's cycle of violence and impunity.

The European Union said the new government is a "welcome development" which is long overdue. "Now the leadership must work to deliver peace and security, as well as humanitarian access for the people of South Sudan," the EU said, through its commissioner for humanitarian affair.

The EU said it would support the new government if it works to end persistent conflict, abuse of civilians, violations of international humanitarian law, and corruption.

"The worsening humanitarian situation and the suffering of the people of South Sudan have reached extreme proportions," the EU said.

"Restrictions on access continue to impede humanitarian operations. The EU expects the Transitional Government to uphold its obligation to respect independent and unhindered humanitarian assistance."

Pete Walsh, country director for Save the Children said the new government is a "golden opportunity" for the country to devote itself to children's education for boys and girls.

"The formation of the TGoNU is not an end in itself – it's the beginning of hard work to reverse the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on millions of children," Walsh said.

He urged the new government to honour provisions of Chapter 3 of the peace deal, which says the parties must allow delivery of humanitarian aid, offer special consideration to conflict-affected persons such as women, children, orphans and release all child soldiers.

(ST)

April 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Five Sudanese military personnel were killed when a military plane crashed in the capital of North Kordofan State El Obied, 588 km south Khartoum on Saturday.

Firefighters put out a fire on the wreckage of a military plane at El-Obied airport on 30 April 2016.

Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) spokesperson Brigadier, Ahmed Khalifa al-Shami, said in a brief statement that the military plane Antonov 26 crashed while landing in El Obied airport due to a technical problem.

“All the crew members including three officers and two soldiers were killed in the accident,” said the statement.

Late 2012, a Sudanese military fighter crashed in El Obied and its pilot was killed instantly.

At the time, SAF said it will investigate the reason of the crash, which happened after fulfilling a military operation; on South Kordofan State where the army fights the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement -North (SPLM-N).

In the same year, three similar accidents occurred.

A Sudanese Armed Force drone crashed in Omdurman. Followed by the death of 12 people when a military Antonov crashed in the same town in October 2012.

32 people, including senior security and military officers and ministers, were killed when an army Antonov 26 hit a mountain and caught fire while landing in Tuldi in South Kordofan State in August 2012.

(ST)