Sudan Tribune

August 29, 2015 (JUBA) - An alleged threat by the former governor of South Sudan's Warrap state, Nyandeng Malek against a local political commentator has drawn lots of criticisms from opponents and those opposed to the latter's leadership capabilities.

Ex-Warrap state governor Nyandeng Malek addresing SPLM members in Kwajok April 15, 2013 (ST)

Simon Yel Yel, currently a columnist with MordernGhana, an Accra-based website, told Sudan Tribune Malek threatened him through a phone call and demanded that he should prepare evidences of all corruption allegations labelled against her.

“She [Malek] called me on phone at 12:44 pm today and said be ready for me. I am normal citizen like you. I am no longer a governor. You will bring your papers to proof that corruption you claimed in investigations. You have been writing a lot of bad things about me in print and online media but this time I am no longer a governor and hence be ready for me. I was ignoring your article because I was a governor Nyandeng Malek," he said.

Yel said the former governor's action constituted a clear case of intimidation and threat to his life, stressing that she would be held responsible in case anything happen to him.

“To me, this is a threat because I don't know what she will do to me next. I don't apprehend what she really meant by saying be ready for me. This is act of intimidation".

The commentator said he didn't mean that Malek had stolen money in Warrap, but that his article was entirely about how local politicians in Warrap viewed the border state.

"I don't know why she is sensitive to hear corruption? I am ready if she wants to take me to court. My article was purely advice to caretaker governor of Warrap state and challenges ahead of him. If there is anything that happened to me then Nyandeng Malek will be responsible because being killed by unknown gunmen has become culture of smart killing in Juba now”, he said.

Yel, in a letter to the caretaker governor of Warrap, Akech Tong Aleu, claimed Malek had “arguably created a great gap of distrust between government, Warrap populations, state assembly and the SPLM party in the state. There is no link and trust between them at all".

"They see themselves as enemies and each work against the other”, he says in his letter.

“Mr. Governor, it is now your task to reunite the government with the SPLM party, state assembly and Warrap populations and build trust and teamwork among them once more”, it adds.

Yel further claimed many politicians in Warrap have totally misunderstood the meaning of Warrap and reasons why General Konggor Arop gave that name to the border state.

"Our local politicians have different version of Warrap state as they wrongly assume that Warrap state is War(pond or river) that is full of rap anyanjang(grain) where every constitutional post holder can fill his or her basket (gac) with rap anyanjang(grain) and goes away with it without being hold to account. They have got it totally wrong”, said Yel.

He also suggested, in his letter, that the present name of the border state be changed from Warrap to War alel in order to lessen rapid robbery of public funds because local politicians will not eat aleel(stones) again like the way they are eating rap now.

“Hon, don't bring us local politicians that see Warrap state as “ War rap” where they can fill their bellies and gaac (baskets) and go away without doing their constitutional obligations to the citizens. We need some things tangible to be done in Warrap in these three years”, emphasised Yel in his letter to the caretaker governor.

He said the former governor and her supporters simply misunderstood his writing to mean she corrupted the state government, leading to eventual failure to deliver services to the people thus contributing to her removal from the governorship, earlier this month.

(ST)

August 29, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Yemeni President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi began a two-day visit to Khartoum on Saturday for talks with his Sudanese counterpart Omer Hassan al-Bashir on the latest developments in Yemen and ways by which Khartoum can provide humanitarian assistance to the conflict-wrecked nation.

Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi interacts with Sudan's President Omer Hassan al-Bashir (R) at Khartoum August 29, 2015 (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Bashir underscored his government's support for Yemen in all fields "so that it can overcome this critical stage…and in order to bring security and peace for Yemenis".

At a joint news conference following their talks, Bashir said that Hadi "assured us on the status legitimacy in Yemen and their control over many areas and their steady advances".

For his part, Hadi said that the Yemeni people will not accept the transfer of Iranian Shiite rule to Yemen.

"The Yemeni people patiently endured 50 years of failed governments and Houthis want to import the failed experience of Iran,” he said.

“I already informed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi [their leader] that this cannot happen in Yemen," Hadi said before stressing that that Houthis are supported by only 10% of the population.

The Yemeni president said that his forces are progressing to regain control over all Yemeni provinces and will not allow the country to end up like Iraq, Syria, and Libya.

He said that he came to Sudan to thanks its leadership on being a "supporter of the constitutional legitimacy in Yemen".

Sudan is a member of the Saudi-led military coalition dubbed as “Operation Firmness Storm” against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The operation which started last March aims to reinstate Hadi, who fled to Saudi Arabia, as president and flush rebels from main cities in Yemen.

After an apparent stalemate on the battlefield since the start of the military campaign, supporters of the Hadi managed to eject Houthi rebels from strategic city of Aden and four other southern provinces.

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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".

(ST)

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.

(ST)

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.”

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (BOR) - Elites stalling South Sudan's ongoing peace process ahead of the 17 August deadline set by regional mediators should face high level sanctions and asset seizures as part of United States president Barack Obama's "Plan B" strategy, a new report said.

U.S. President Barack Obama holds a meeting on South Sudan with IGAD leaders at his hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July 27, 2015. Pictured at the table are: Obama (clockwise from the top center), U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, African Union Chairperson Dlamini Zuma, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Ghandour, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice. (Photo Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

Enough Project's report, entitled, "Beyond Deadlock: Recommending Obama's Plan B on South Sudan", devises ways to force the warring parties to end the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million.

President Obama warned of grave consequences if South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar failed to sign a final peace agreement by Monday next week.

South Sudan's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, told the state-owned SSTV they were yet to agree with the rebels on the proposed protocols of power sharing, security arrangement and allocations to government at national and states levels.

“We have not agreed on power sharing, the power of the powers of the president and what the rebels call first vice president. We have not agreed on the percentages whether at the national and states levels. With this, we cannot deceive ourselves that there will be peace”, he said.

During his recent visit to East Africa, President Obama said that if the two warring sides miss the deadline, “the international community must raise the costs of intransigence.”

"If they miss [the 17 August ], then I think it's our view that it's going to be necessary for us to move forward with a different plan and recognize that those leaders are incapable of creating the peace that is required,” he said during his visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"More sanctions are part of the story, but the real game changer in South Sudan will be a transnational commitment to trace, seize and ideally return the billions that have been stolen from the South Sudanese people by their own leaders,” Akshaya Kumar,Sudan and South Sudan policy analyst at Enough Project said in the report.

"That money, and continued access to patronage networks, lies at the heart of elite motivations driving the ongoing conflict", he added.

Obama's Plan B strategy, Enough Project report stressed in its report, should involve high-level asset freezes and travel bans, a global arms embargo, and the prosecution of grand corruption and atrocity crimes, including natural resource pillage as a war crime.

John Prendergast, a director at Enough Project, said: "With each passing day it looks like a Plan B will be necessary in South Sudan. If August 17 passes by with no agreement, the US government should launch an aggressive diplomatic strategy at the UN Security Council to secure a global arms embargo and impose a second round of high-level sanctions designations against South Sudan's leaders and their financial enablers".

South Sudan's warring factions have one last chance to end the country's over 20-month civil war and sign a compromise agreement proposed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediators facilitating the ongoing negotiations.

According to the report, pressure from President Obama and other world leaders at such a pivotal moment in negotiations has already set in motion the most serious peace deliberations to date.

"The United States must be prepared to take swift action on the promised Plan B should the parties once again fail to agree to and implement peace. The United States must follow through on the president's strong words with equally strong action, both unilaterally and at the UN Security Council, where so far only six ground commanders —who hold little in the way of personal wealth or assets outside of South Sudan—have been designated for sanctions", it further stressed.

STRENGTHEN REGIONAL EFFORTS

Building on efforts to tackle corruption and money laundering in the region, US should offer additional legal and technical support to improve regional sanctions enforcement.

"The US should prioritise programs that enhance the operational capacity of regional financial intelligence units to identify and freeze the assets of designated individuals," says the report.

"The United States should also urge Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda to submit reports on their efforts to enforce UN sanctions as required by UN Security Council Resolution 2206," it added.

REGIONAL PEACE PROJECTS

It said the US and Chinese governments should jointly review bilateral and multilateral funds earmarked for regional infrastructure projects in East Africa to assess the feasibility of additional investments given risks presented by South Sudan's ongoing.

"This review should make clear that active regional sanctions enforcement will be considered a key risk mitigation factor", reads the report extended to Sudan Tribune.

TACKLE CORRUPTION

President Obama should direct the US Department of State, the US Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI to provide inter-agency support to the US Department of Justice's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative and focus on investigating instances of grand corruption in South Sudan, Enough Project urged in its newly-released missive.

"The US should also encourage Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda to actively contribute to global efforts to trace, seize, freeze, and return the proceeds of corruption to the people of South Sudan by sharing intelligence through the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Eastern Africa," its report further recommended.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - The head of Darfur peace implementation follow-up office state minister, Amin Hassan Omer, said that the former South African president Thabo Mbeki is not tasked with peace process in Darfur region.

Amin Hassan Omer (Photo SUNA)

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Omer reiterated the government's commitment to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), underscoring the regional and international support to the framework agreement reached in July 2011.

"Darfur file remains the responsibility of the international community which was a witness to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur" he further said, and pointed to the support of the Doha text by the United Nations, the African Union and the Arab League.

During a short visit to Khartoum on 3 August, Mbeki met President Omer al-Bashir and discussed with him the ongoing efforts to hold the national dialogue and resumption of his activities to facilitate the internal political process.

Following the meeting, several officials including presidential assistant, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, expressed the government interest for talks with Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N) to end the four year conflict in the Two Areas.

Hamid also said Darfur rebels have to sign the DDPD and to negotiate a security arrangements agreement dealing with the disarmament, demobilization and integration process.

The head of Darfur peace office further told reporters that the rebel groups have no presence inside the country.

"They are now in Libya, South Sudan or tourists in other countries," he said.

However, he stressed the government's willingness to reach a peace agreement "with those who want peace" and commit themselves to the DDPD, adding that the file of those who continue to refuse peace will be considered as "security file".

In line with the decision 456 of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), Mbeki is tasked with the facilitation of national dialogue process. According to his mandate he has to convene talks for a cessation of hostilities agreement followed by security arrangements deal.

After what, he has to convene a national dialogue preparatory meeting to discuss the procedures and matters related to the internal process, including the guarantees for the rebel delegations .

(ST)

August 11, 2015 (JUBA) –The head of the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Ellen Margrethe Loej has stressed the need for peace and stability in the nation.

The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Ellen Margrethe Loej, speaks to the media during a visit to Western Bahr el Ghazal state on 23 September 2014 (ST)

Loej, also special representative of the UN secretary general in South Sudan, visited Warrap state, a region that has witnessed communal violence in recent months, Tuesday.

“The people of Warrap and of this country deserve peace and stability, and I encourage people across the state to refrain from violence and to foster community dialogue and resolution of conflicts in peaceful ways,” she said in the Warrap capital, Kuacjok.

The visit, UNMISS said in a statement, was part of efforts to obtain first hand knowledge of the situation in the state, but did not specify which issues were particularly discussed.

Clashes between Aguok and Apuk communities of South Sudan's Warrap state over cattle grazing area has cost many lives and displaced hundreds of peple in the region.

Governor Nyandeng Malek issued an order on Monday for disarming civilians. Armed youths, locally known as Gelweng have been accused of fuelling sectional feuds.

The gubernatorial order, effective within 72 hours, instructed civilians to voluntary handover guns and the army to forcefully seize them from non-complying individuals.

UNMISS described as "fruitful" Tuesday's meeting between Loej and governor Malek.

“UNMISS remains committed to the people of South Sudan,” said the UNMISS chief.

“The mission is actively involved in conflict mitigation and community support,” she added.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rival warring parties have not made any significant progress on most of the contentious matters at peace talks currently underway in Addis Ababa, capital of neigbouring Ethiopia. This is despite mounting regional and international pressure on the two sides to reach a consensus and strike a deal by 17 August deadline.

South Sudanese foreign minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin talks with members of the opposition delegation after a special consultation in support of the IGAD-led peace process in Khartoum on 12 January 2015 (Photo: Reuters)

South Sudan's information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, who speaks for the government delegation, said on Wednesday that none of the outstanding issues has been resolved with the rebel group since direct negotiations resumed last week.

“None of the outstanding issues which were left pending in other negotiations have been agreed upon,” said minister Lueth, in a statement broadcast by the state owned South Sudan television (SSTV).

Many contentious issues on governance, security arrangements, wealth and power sharing as well as accountability, compensation, reparation and reconciliation are yet to be agreed upon by the parties.

Lueth expressed scepticism at reaching a deal by the 17 August, but said there was still opportunity at the level of the two principals to reach a consensus when they convene before the deadline reaches.

“I doubt reaching an agreement by the 17th, but the final decision is not with us but with the principals,” he said in reference to president Salva Kiir and the leader of the armed opposition Riek Machar.

“When they come, they will have to resolve that, whether to sign or not to sign,” he said.

Bishop Enock Tombe, head of the faith-based groups participating at the talks said in a separate interview that the regional mediating team has reduced the number of delegates from the warring parties and the former political detainees to at least 12 members from all parties.

“The number of participants has been reduced. There will now be twelve members from all the sides to help them reach consensus. The three groups called leadership committee are discussing contentious issues but until now, there is no significant progress on the contentious matters,” explained Tombe.

IGAD-Plus said it would incorporate into its peace compromise proposal any agreement reached on the outstanding issues, but will however impose its proposed agreement in areas where there is no agreement between the warring parties.

The two parties, IGAD-Plus said, should sign a final peace agreement by 17 August, next Monday, warning of tough measures against any party that will refuse to ink the proposed deal.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government and army dismissed reports alleging it played an instrumental role in the defection of the top rebel commanders from the leadership of the former vice president, Riek Machar, claiming the differences were purely over the manner in which Machar managed the movement.

South Sudan's defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, pictured following a cabinet meeting in Juba on 17 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

“It is not surprising to hear because it has always been the result of a rebellion without objectives. This was expected because this is not the first time rebellion under Machar has never managed to remain intact,” said South Sudan's defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

“You know what happened when he (Riek Machar) defected from the SPLA in 1991 with Lam Akol. They never stayed together. They went and torn apart that movement. Lam went his way and took his own way,” explained minister Juuk, in response to the announced defection of a number of senior rebel commanders who claimed to have disowned their commander-in-chief, Machar.

The top defence official however explained that the division within the rebel leadership was not the work of the government but allegedly due to differences between Machar and some of the commanders.

“Reports [of] their differences have been in the news for quite sometimes and so what those of Peter Gatdet did yesterday [Tuesday] was to formalize what has been in the circulating in the media all this long about their differences with Riek,” he said.

Juuk said the reasons put in the declaration statement which denounced the rebel leader's leadership were issues which, he said, had nothing to do with the government.

“They are purely their own issues,” he said.

Presidential advisor on decentralization and intergovernmental linkages, Tor Deng Mawien, said in a separate interview that the government was ready to negotiate with any group willing to lay down their arms and return to the country to pursue peaceful dialogue without the use of violence.

A statement purportedly signed by Major General Peter Gatdet Yakah, former rebels' chief of general staff or operations was issued from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and circulated on Tuesday in the media.

General Yak, together with Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth and few others said they were no longer part and parcel of the movement under the leadership of Machar. They also called for exclusion of president Salva Kiir and Machar in a transitional government of national unity.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (MAGWI) – South Sudanese armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) said rebel forces stationed in Magwi county in Eastern Equatoria state and loyal to former vice president, Riek Machar, clashed on Wednesday with government forces in the area.

The map of Eastern Equatoria state in red

A spokesman for the newly appointed governor of the rebel established Imatong state, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, said government forces attacked positions of the opposition forces in the area but the attackers were repulsed.

“Today, 12/08/2015 at 5:00am, pro-government forces in a flagrant violation of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement attacked our forces in Magwi west area of Magwi county,” said Major Auwas Simon Pidomoe, who signed as information press secretary and spokesperson of the Imatong state governor, in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

He claimed that government forces were defeated and in “hot pursuit” leaving behind casualties, adding that 1 AK47 rifle, 1 PKM machine gun and a Samsung smart phone were captured by the rebels in the clashes.

Pidomoe further explained that the operation was led by commander Lam Paul under the command of the battalion commander, Michael Odogtoo.

He called on president Salva Kiir to step down, saying the rebel forces will not recognize his presidency.

“The government of Salva Kiir is illegitimate to the fullness of its actions and scope and we do not recognize it. Kiir must step down to avoid plunging the country into total chaos,” he said.

Government officials were not immediately available for comment.

Rebels in the past claimed to have forces in Eastern Equatoria state under the overall command of Major General Martin Kenyi. No significant military operations have however taken place in the area since the outbreak of the war in December 2013.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (JUBA) – At least six people starved to death as a result of lack of food in a remote part of South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state, officials said on Wednesday.

The map of Eastern Equatoria state in red

The state has been hit by drought following prolong period of insufficient amounts of rainfall that resulted into crop failure. Budi county is the worst affected, officials said.

“We registered the last six cases last week at the eastern side of the county. They were found in the homes on different days, here the hunger is too much and the people are trying but it's too much now,” said Felix Makuja, the Budi county commissioner.

Makuja claimed there could more unreported deaths in some parts of the villages remain inaccesible due to poor road networks and no phone links to main administrative towns.

Eastern Equatoria state information minister, Mark Akio, admitted there were cases of death due to starvation in Budi, but could not ascertain how many people actually died.

“It is only Magwi county that harvested some maize and other food crops in the phase one of the farming. In other counties, the crop died due to lack of rains,” said Akio.

Eastern Equatoria falls in the green-belt of South Sudan and is known for its agricultural potentials.

LOCALS ATTACK RAINMAKERS

For local communities, the drought is not a natural occurrence, but rather the work of spiritual diviners, locally referred to as rainmakers. On Tuesday, angry youth reportedly attacked a renowned ainmaker in Torit, the Eastern Equatoria capital and killed him.

“Youth killed a chief thought to have powers over birds. They accused him of allowing the birds to destroy crops,” said local government minister, Lokai Iko told Eye Radio.

“So on the 8 [of August], we got also a report that one of the brothers of chief Oyalala was killed by the youth; purporting that [he] was also obstructing the rain,” he added.

Despite its potential agricultural land, South Sudan still imports food items from its neighbours. The situation have been worsendes by the ongoing conflict and weakenimg of the local currency against the United States Dollar required to imports into the country.

Eastern Equatoria officials urged humanitarian agencies and the national government to intervene to save lives. Its not clear how many people are exactly affected by hunger.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – Top South Sudanese rival leaders in the country's 20-month long civil war are expected to join direct negotiations between their delegations on Thursday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, opposition's spokesperson has confirmed.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (L) and former vice-president turned rebel leader Riek Machar (AFP)

President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, turned armed opposition leader, Riek Machar, have reportedly been called to Addis Ababa by the mediation of the East African regional bloc, IGAD, to join the talks as the 17 August deadline for them to sign a final peace agreement approaches.

“Yes, our chairman, Cde Dr. Riek Machar, has been informed to meet Salva Kiir in Addis Ababa on Thursday,” said Machar's press secretary, James Gatdet Dak.

He said Machar had already returned to Addis Ababa from his official mission in Pretoria, South Africa, and was ready to meet president Kiir in the Ethiopian capital.

Dak added that many contentious issues have remained unresolved in the ongoing negotiations between the delegations of the government and the opposition group.

IGAD-Plus said it would incorporate into its peace compromise proposal any agreement reached on the outstanding issues, but will however impose its proposed agreement in areas where there is no agreement between the warring parties.

The two parties, IGAD-Plus said, should sign a final peace agreement by 17 August, next Monday, warning of tough measures against any party that will refuse to ink the proposed deal.

Sources close to the recent meeting of regional leaders in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, however said President Yoweri Museveni was attempting to convince Ethiopian, Kenyan and Sudanese leaders to extend the deadline, arguing that the proposal was reportedly from the “White man.”

The Monday meeting of the four countries between the two presidents of Uganda and Kenya, prime minister of Ethiopia and foreign minister of Sudan however concluded that the deadline should remain in place.

Another regional meeting of the heads of state and government is expected to take place on 15 August in Addis Ababa to further discuss the South Sudan's peace process, two days ahead of the deadline in preparation for the signing of the peace agreement.

Rebel leader's spokesperson said the opposition group is committed to the IGAD-led peace process in Addis Ababa, expressing hope that the rebels' proposed amendments would be incorporated into the proposed IGAD-Plus text to sign the agreement.

MACHAR COMMITS TO ARUSHA PROCESS

Dak also said the armed opposition group is committed to the reunification process of the ruling SPLM party in the Tanzanian town of Arusha.

He said Machar this week had held discussions with the South African deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, while in Pretoria, on the importance of completing the SPLM intra-party reunification process in Arusha.

He said Machar explained to the South African leadership the need to complete the process of the party's reunification in Arusha so that it could also be ready for implementation together with a peace agreement which would emanate from the peace process in Addis Ababa.

He further stressed that there were still aspects of the party's road map agreement that needed to be worked out in Arusha so that it became a ready document for implementation.

“It is important that the reunification document is worked out and translated into the SPLM party's constitution. Work on basic documents of the party should be completed in Arusha,” he said.

He pointed out the commitment of the opposition's leadership to the reunification process, saying more discussions with the mediators will take place in this regard.

(ST)

August 12, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government disclosed that it received $1 billion dollar in central bank deposits from Saudi Arabia in July and August.

Sudanese State's Minister of Finance Abdul-Rahman Dirar (finance Ministry Website)

"Sudan's central bank received an investment deposit from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of $1 billion. Last month we received $500 million, and we received the second part this month," Finance ministry Undersecretary Abdel-Rahman Dirar told reporters according to Reuters.

Dirar did not disclose the terms of this deposit such as the interest rate or maturity date.

Last month, Dirar told Bloomberg in an interview that Arab Gulf states have provided Sudan with $2 billion in concessional loans recently.

He declined to name the donors or detail when the funds were received except to say that they would be repaid in “coming years”.

Sudanese officials have previously said that they expect to see large cash inflows from Arab Gulf states following Khartoum's decision to join Saudi-led military coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen last March.

But the Saudi ambassador in Khartoum, Faisal Hamed Al-Muallah, dismissed these speculations saying they are only prepared to offer investments.

The value of the Sudanese currency has eroded dramatically following the secession of the oil-rich south and the central bank has been unable to defend it in the market because of low currency reserves.

Meanwhile, presidential assistant Musa Mohamed Ahmed on Wednesday discussed with the Saudi ambassador ways for promoting ties between the two countries.

Al-Muallah said in statements following the meeting that relations between the two nations are strong and well-established, expressing his country's keenness to support Sudan in development and education domains.

He pointed out that the meeting discussed bilateral ties and the new items which have been added to the agenda of the joint ministerial committee, saying those items would enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The Saudi envoy further said the meeting discussed the situation in the Gulf states besides the recent development of the war in Yemen.

Last April, the Saudi minister of agriculture, Abdel-Rahman Ibn Abdel-Muhissn al-Fadli discussed in Khartoum opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the service, trade and economic domains.

Also, a high-level technical delegation from Saudi Arabia discussed in Khartoum ways for implementing the Arab food security initiative in Sudan.

According to the Sudanese government, the Arab Gulf states investments in Sudan amounts to $20 billion including $10 billion from Saudi Arabia followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with $6 billion and Kuwait with $5 billion.

(ST)