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Updated: 3 weeks 6 days ago

‘Red Army' members warn of mass mobilization in S. Sudan

Wed, 18/08/2021 - 09:18

August 17, 2021 (JUBA)- The Red Army Foundation, one of the main organs of South Sudan's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), has threatened mass mobilization against President Salva Kiir if he fails to address issues affecting citizens in the world's youngest nation.

Members of South Sudan's Red Army Foundation in Western Bahr el Ghazal state on 29 July 2014 (ST)

The group, in a statement issued on Tuesday, also warned security agencies not to interfere in matters which government can handle.

“The Red Army has had enough! … We warn the Government of South Sudan through its various security agencies not to interfere in this matter which is an SPLM family matter that should be solved amicably unless someone is looking for trouble,” it reads in part.

The chairman of the Red Army Foundation, Deng Bol Aruai Bol said the former child soldiers have unsuccessfully waited patiently for many years to see if the ruling party would get its act together.

“The Red Army for the last 9 years has called on the SPLM to get its act together and fulfill the liberation promise of liberty, justice, equality and prosperity for all,” explained Bol.

He added, “The people of South Sudan have convicted the SPLM for failing the people and the country is liberated.”

Bol said the Red Army members have, through their umbrella organization, intensified their advocacy on behalf of the foundation and all victims of the war through the Lobonok Position Paper, which called for the rejuvenation of the SPLM based on its liberation principles.

He, however, said they believe their efforts all fell on deaf ears.

“Now, the Red Army is on collision course with the SPLM. Our leaders keep telling us that the SPLM belongs to us, yet we are not part of it, not working in it, and not making policies and decisions within it. We have finally decided that if the SPLM belongs to us, we must own it so that we can use it as a ruling party to rescue and save our suffering people and nation.

He urged Kiir to quickly intervene or else his group will mobilize to face the SPLM party head-on until new consensuses are reached.

“Finally, we call upon the Chairman of the SPLM Cde Salva Kiir Mayardit to quickly intervene as this matter has the potential of getting out of hand. We have been patient, professional, courteous, and have done everything with the spirit of comradeship and patriotism! But it looks like no one has these qualities within the SPLM National Secretariat”, stressed Bol.

“The Red Army all over the world should get ready for a major faceoff between the Red Army and the SPLM National Secretariat over their cowardice refusal to accept the proposed SPLM – SPLM/A Red Army Dialogue,” he added.

Bol promised members and the public that their organization will issue a press statement on these issues and more in coming days.

“A press statement from the Red Army Foundation shall come out soon and a major declaration shall follow depending on the attitude of the party,” he stated.

The Red Army Foundation was established as an organisation dedicated to addressing social problems, especially among the Red Army's former members.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Hamdok says Sudan will not compromise on Al-Fashaga area

Tue, 17/08/2021 - 13:57


August 16, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Prime Minister extended his hand to Ethiopia, calling for good relations between the two countries, stressing that the Al-Fashaga area is an integral part of Sudan and will not accept bargaining over it.

For the first time, Hamdok travelled on Monday to the border area with the head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to inaugurate several infrastructures projects including bridges and roads built to link the border area with the rest of the country.

“The Prime Minister affirmed Sudan's keenness to establish a good relationship with neighbouring Ethiopia, stressing Sudan's ability to protect and defend its territory,” said a statement issued by his cabinet.

He stressed that “the government would not compromise or make any concessions on the country's territorial integrity,” further said the statement.

The inauguration of the bridges and roads was part of the Celebration of the Sixty-Seventh anniversary of the Sudanese army.

Until recently, the prime minister who chairs the eastern African bloc of IGAD kept a low profile over the Ethiopian claims on Sudan as al-Burhan adopted a tough stance towards the eastern neighbour.

The Prime Minister stressed that the December revolution provided an opportunity to recover "this dear part of the country".

He hailed the role played by the armed forces, stressing his confidence in its ability to protect the border area.

Militiamen almost from the Amhara region hired by Ethiopian farmers attacked farmers and expelled them from the fertile border area as the former regime pulled out any Sudanese troops from this territory during the past twenty years.

In November 2020, al-Burhan expelled the Ethiopian gunmen and deployed troops in Al-Fashaga. The move angered the Ethiopian government, which brushed aside the demarcation agreements between the two countries and claimed the border area.

In his speech, al-Burhan called on Ethiopia to stop the encroachment on the Sudanese territory and to observe international law.

He announced the establishment of a fund for the reconstruction of Al-Fashaga and the border strip.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Three people killed on Juba-Nimule road ambush

Tue, 17/08/2021 - 10:44

August 16, 2021 (JUBA) - At least three people were killed in an ambush on Juba-Nimule road in South Sudan on Monday, a police officer confirmed.

General view of Juba Nimule road leading to Nimule Park and neighbouring Uganda (Pinterest photo)

A Catholic nun was among those killed in the attack that occurred on the road between Aru Junction and Kubi.

"What happened on Juba-Nimule road is very unfortunate," Daniel Justine, a police spokesperson was quoted saying Monday.

"A car was ambushed around 10:00 a.m. and as a result, three people died. One was burnt in the car and another one died on the way after being rushed to Aru-Junction hospital," he added.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Juba confirmed the nun's demise in a statement.

“The Secretary-General, Rev. Fr. Samuel Abe, with deep sorrow announces to the Catholic Faithful, Religious leaders and all denominations, government and other institutions, family and friends and to the general public about the sudden passing on of Sr. Mary Abbud of the congregation of the Sacred Heart,” partly reads a statement the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba issued Monday.

“Sr. Abbud and other nuns got involved in an armed road ambush between Aru Junction and Kubi in which her and her colleagues were shot at while coming from Loa to Juba on Monday,” it added.

The highway is a lifeline for South Sudan, which imports most goods from neighbouring countries.

Last week, a similar attack on the same highway left two dead and three others injured.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

S. Sudan risks returning to full scale war: presidential aide

Tue, 17/08/2021 - 09:21

August 16, 2021 (JUBA)- A top presidential aide has warned the country could return to a full scale if president Salva Kiir and his first deputy in coalition of government and the leader of the main opposition continue to ignore “popular demand” for reforms and delivery of services to the people.

Arms and light weapons have been used by both warring parties in South Sudan to commit abuses (Photo courtesy of SSANSA)

“We have always drawn the attention of our leaders to what happens in other countries. We do that to inform their decisions and to enhance their leadership strengths. We drew their attention to events in Haiti where the president was assassinated and Khartoum where president Bashir was removed from power as well as in Zimbabwe where late president Robert Mugabe was removed from power by his own colleagues after showing intransigence to the demand of the people”, a presidential aide in strategic analysis committee of a select coterie and trusted aides told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

The group, assembled by the office of the president through the director of the national security services, are drawn from academics, members of the civil society, experienced politicians, and elders come together whenever there is a crisis at the behest of the leadership to conduct analysis and make recommendation. The source said he was shocked the leadership was not ready to act.

“People are watching developments unfolding in Afghanistan where Talibans have taken over power from the government after twenty years of struggle and in Zambia after the incumbent president was defeated in elections. These are writings on the walls which we share in the strategic and confidential discussions with the leadership but the analysis we are asked to provide on their requests appear to go to the dustbin and there are indicators that the country could return to a full-scale war if there are no immediate actions to salvage the situation”, he warned.

He said and he and select group of coteries within the presidency have been making analysis at the behest of President Salva Kiir through the director general of the internal bureau of the national security services over the past months without progress on their recommendations.

He described the director general of the country's national security services as a "wiseman", citing his readiness to meet and listen to whoever is willing to speak on public affairs and what to be done.

“You see, the director general of the national security services is a Wiseman. He is a humble man and respectful person I have come to know in the course of this work. He would come to us and say comrades, give us an analysis of this and that situation and he does this whenever there are political developments in the region and in the world. We conduct these analyses, and he takes them to the president for briefing. We expect positive feedbacks but each time we analyze, it is like we are starting from scratch. Nobody is reading and if they do, they are not ready to act on the recommendations”, he said.

The warnings come days after a split within the leadership of armed opposition under Machar raised fears that such developments could undermine implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and the ripple effects could plunge the trouble-torn country deeper into chaos.

The inability of the coalition government to graduate troops in the training centers and unify the forces has left the country in the hand of ethnic and regional warlords, opening the floodgates for instability.

A bloody power struggle which has bedeviled all factions and a humanitarian crisis have ravaged a landlocked country , even as the world is struggling to come to grips with the fast-deteriorating situation.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Defections aim to obstruct peace implementation in South Sudan: SPLM-IO

Tue, 17/08/2021 - 08:51

August 16, 2021 (JUBA) - Defections from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) aimed at preventing full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and the recent one has the same purpose, a spokesman said on Monday.

SPLM/A-IO former chief of staff Simon Gatwech Dual recently defected from the group accusing its leader Riek Machar of nepotism and weakness.

Manawa Peter Gatkuoth SPLM-IO Acting Chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Public Relations on Monday regretted that some circles in Juba have continued seeking, in vain, to distract the peace implementation process and encourage defections of the main opposition group.

Gatkuoth said before Dual, there were five other defections from the SPLM-IO but they all failed to destabilize the stance of the Movement towards the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement of September 2018.

He disclosed the existence of a disagreement between the parties over the number of troops provided by each signatory group for the unified national army.

"It was agreed that the new national army is to be formed of an equal number of troops from the two sides. The SPLM In Government (SPLM-IG) provides a half and the other signatories a half," said the SPLM-IO spokesman.

The revitalized peace agreement does not include such a disposition on the number of troops provided by each party but the deal was struck during an IGAD-facilitated workshop in Khartoum on the security arrangements.

"However, the SPLM-IG now refuses to implement this agreement and demands to have 60% and the other signatories only get 40%," he said.

The IGAD which brokered the peace agreement now proposes 55% for the Government and 45% for the opposition groups.

"The IGAD was expected to press the parties to remain committed to the brokered agreement. Such a proposal is not good because it will encourage them to seek to renegotiate other dispositions and undermine the whole process," stressed the SPLM-IO official.

President Salva Kiir several times called for international support to implement the expensive security arrangements but donors said that Juba has to ensure transparency in the management of its oil income before.

The SPLM-IO official appealed to the recently splintered faction to form its own political organization and to join the national efforts to achieve peace and stability in the country.

"This would be a constructive approach for peace and stability in South Sudan instead of seeking to weaken the main opposition movement," he said.

He further added that five other breakaway groups before Dual attempted to weaken the SPLM-IO but they failed despite the support they received from the "anti-peace circles".

"Yes, they defected but the SPLM-IO remains and will continue to its vision for democracy, transparency and development," he said.

Forces loyal to the breakaway SPLA-IO's former chief of staff Simon Gatwech Dual clashed recently with the SPLA-IO in the Magenis area near the Sudan border.

IGAD's Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu met with Riek Machar on 3 August and called to cease hostilities.

Also, Gebeyehu deplored the slow progress in the implementation of the security arrangements, stressing they remain a big challenge facing the country three years after the signing of the peace agreement.

IGAD Chairperson Abdallah Hamdok is expected to visit Juba in the coming days to discuss the enforcement of the security arrangements with the two parties.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Hamdok, Sudanese Communists, agree to review trade union law

Mon, 16/08/2021 - 11:46

August 15, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - A spokesman for the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) said they had reached an agreement with the Prime Minister to review the draft trade union law that the council had approved on June 13.

This agreement was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and leaders of the Communist Party on 10 August.

Spokesman Fathi Fadl told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that the Prime Minister and the SPC had agreed to review the draft union law.

He disclosed the formation of a joint committee including from the government side, advisor to the Prime Minister, Faisal Mohamed Saleh, and Buthaina Al-Khurasani from the SPC to review the draft law.

Fadl underlined that the Communist Party did not abandon the slogan of overthrowing the transitional government, pointing that the government "failed to implement the demands of the revolutionaries."

He added that the leaders of the Communist Party informed the Prime Minister of their positions on the government's policies, especially in the economic and peace issues.

"If the sovereign council and the cabinet can implement the revolutionaries' demands, we will think in another way, but so far the party is seeking to overthrow the transitional government."

The Communist Party is opposed to the economic reforms implemented by the government, and the approach adopted in the negotiations with the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, which led to the signing of an agreement on October 3, 2020.

The Communist Party also criticizes the slow pace of the government efforts to achieve peace and justice in the country.

However, Fadl pointed out that they support the government policy to restructure Al-Jazira agricultural schema and the full control of the civilian-led government.

He stressed that the party rejects what he called "foreign dictates", in reference to the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund the government is implementing.

The spokesman pointed out that the Communist Party "does not reject dialogue with any political forces except the banned National Congress Party and the military."

(ST)

Categories: Africa

All structures under Machar null and void: Mabior Garang

Mon, 16/08/2021 - 11:05

August 15, 2021 (NAIROBI) – A leading member of South Sudan's armed opposition movement (SPLM-IO) has backed the removal of the group's chairman and the country's First Vice President Riek Machar, saying all structures under him are now “null and void”.

“If the army has deposed the former Chairman and Commander in Chief all structures under him are rendered null and void. A deposed leader cannot expel members of a leadership that has already been overthrown,” Garang Mabior said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

Mabior, a former SPLM-IO Chairperson for Information and Public Relations said acknowledged the split in the armed opposition faction, saying the group deviated from its search for a dignified peace for our civil population.

“The SPLM-IO (Juba group) claims to be implementing peace despite the fact that after three years, our civil populations are still languishing in PoCs, refugee camps or suffering the brutality of inter-communal violence in our cattle camps and in the villages,” he stated.

On August 3, the SPLM/A-IO military command under the command of Lt. General Simon Gatwech Dual denounced the leadership of Machar and appointed the former as the interim chairman of the armed opposition group.

The decision to oust the First Vice President, it said, emerged after several members held a meeting at the Magenis area in South Sudan's Upper Nile state.

According to Mabior, the dismal failure to implement Chapter II of the peace agreement, which entails the permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements has resulted in fundamental differences in political opinion.

“Chapter II deals with the reform of the security sector. After the former Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gatwec Dual, called on the former Chairman, Dr Riek Machar, to brief the military on the progress of the Security Arrangements but was ignored, the army deposed Dr Riek Machar as the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) on 03/08/2021,” he noted.

Last week, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers passed a resolution, calling upon all factions in the dispute within SPLM/A-IO to immediately and unconditionally cease armed confrontation and refrain from any offensive, provocative or retaliatory utterances, behaviours and other actions that will escalate tensions and hostilities and

They further urged the parties to pursue peaceful avenues of resolution of internal differences and disagreements through dialogue, trust and confidence building and demonstrate greater political will and commitment.

“We the SPLM/SPLA-IO (Founding Members) acknowledge the split in the Movement. We are fully committed to a peaceful resolution to the internal political contradictions in our Movement and are ready to make revolutionary corrections,” stressed Mabior.

He added, “We are also committed to the resolutions of the IGAD COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 73rd EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION OF THE IGAD COUNCIL OF MINISTERS quoted above".

In September 2018, the warring factions in South Sudan's civil war signed a revitalized peace agreement to end the country's civil war. The peace accord stipulates that there shall be a transitional government formed after eight months of the pre-transitional period.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Sudan's mediation to end Ethiopian crisis is still valid: Hamdok

Mon, 16/08/2021 - 09:35

August 15, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok said that his initiative to end the war in Ethiopia is still valid.

"The mediation initiative between the Ethiopians within the IGAD framework is still in place," Hamdok said in a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday.

Hamdok had conducted a series of contact with the IGAD countries including Eritrea, and the international community to mobilise support for his bid to stop the fighting in northern Ethiopia between the government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

Hamdok underscored he had spoken with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed about the initiative.

However, the office of the Prime Minister rejected the offer, pointing to the tensions with Sudan over the Al-Fashaga border area.

Hamdok stressed that the purpose of his initiative, as IGAD Chairman, is to preserve the unity and stability of Ethiopia.

"This is a country that has 110 million of population. Can you imagine if the state collapsed?"

He further pointed that Sudan cannot watch what is happening inside the neighbour's house without seeking to address a crisis that will also impact his country.

The Sudanese prime minister also minimized the recall of the Sudanese ambassador to Addis Ababa saying it was a normal measure to consult with him over the situation in Ethiopia and what should be done.

The foreign ministry in Khartoum had denounced claims by Abiy's office on Al-Fashagah as an Ethiopian territory and announced the recall of its ambassador to express dissatisfaction with the statement of his office.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Peace partners welcome calls for unification of forces

Sun, 15/08/2021 - 13:05

August 14, 2021 (JUBA) - Partners involved in South Sudan's peace process have welcomed the presidency calls for the unification of the country's military command.

The unified force of instructors pose for a group photo in Juba, October 5, 2019 (Xinhua)

In a statement issued on Saturday, the regional bloc (IGAD), the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the peace monitoring body (RJMEC) and the ceasefire monitors (CTSAMVM) commended the 10 August 10, 2021 resolution of the Presidency of South Sudan reiterating its commitment to the implementation of the R-ARCSS and calling for inter alia, the immediate cessation of hostilities within the SPLM/A-IO as well as the amicable resolution of the existing dispute.

"This proactive step is yet another manifestation of the capability of the leadership of the Republic of South Sudan to tackle the challenges and issues afflicting the country and of their resolve not to relapse to conflict," partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The partners aaid Chapter 2 of the peace deal on the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements is the backbone of the Revitalized Agreement.

"The full implementation of the provisions of this section of the Peace Agreement without further delay, is expected to significantly reduce incidents of fighting and clashes throughout the country, and create an enabling environment for the implementation of the remaining Chapters of the R-ARCSS," the statement further stated.

It added, "Therefore, the unification and redeployment of the Necessary Unified Forces is an urgent priority and IGAD, UNMISS, RJMEC and CTSAMVM call upon the R-TGoNU to allocate and avail the required financial and material resources for this undertaking".

Meanwhile, the partners said they are ready and committed to provide support to the Parties to aid in resolving the extant challenges relating to the Transitional Security Arrangements and towards the timely and full implementation of the R-ARCSS.

"In this regard, IGAD, UNMISS, RJMEC and CTSAMVM have agreed to forge a closer working relationship with a view to coordinate and synchronize efforts towards a smooth transition to sustainable peace, prosperity and development in South Sudan," it stressed.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Sudan receives 3rd batch of U.S. wheat aid

Sun, 15/08/2021 - 11:44

August 14, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan received on Saturday the third batch of wheat aid from the United States.

The official Sudan News Agency said that the 48,000-tonne shipment is part of six batches for this year.

The wheat aid which is part of the Abraham Accords aims to help preserve Sudan's foreign currency reserves.

In June and July, Sudan had already received two shipments of 48,000 metric tonnes each.

Last June, the government said it has sufficient strategic stocks of wheat until April 2022.

The U.S. will supply Sudan with 300,000 tonnes of wheat this year, rising to 420,000 tonnes annually from 2022-2024, according to Reuters.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

UNMISS expresses concern at division within SPLM-IO

Sun, 15/08/2021 - 11:38

August 14, 2021 (JUBA) - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan said it is concerned at the division that has developed within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), and which led to clashes between factions in Magenis last week.

The head of UN mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom (Getty)

“UNMISS is committed to supporting the full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and it is important that this process continues to move forward at pace,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom.

“Therefore, we join with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers, the Presidency, and civil society groups in calling for the SPLM-IO factions, and indeed, all signatory parties to work together to overcome their differences peacefully," he added.

Haysom further said it is also important for all stakeholders to expedite the implementation of the transitional security arrangements, including the graduation and deployment of unified forces, which is now critically needed.

On August 3, the SPLM/A-IO military command under General Simon Gatwech Dual denounced the leadership of Machar and appointed the former as the new interim chairman of the armed opposition movement.

The decision to oust Machar, the splinter group declared, emerged after its members held a three-day meeting at Magenis area in South Sudan's Upper Nile state.

But Machar's office, in a statement issued on August 4, said the three generals who met at Mangenis do not constitute the military command leadership of the SPLA-IO.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Investigation body on North Darfur clashes recommends collecting weapons, arrest of culprits

Sun, 15/08/2021 - 09:19

August 14, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - An investigation committee on recent clashes in North Darfur between Arab militia and Juba Peace Agreement's armed signatory groups has recommended arresting the responsible for the violence and collecting weapons.

On 7 August, Deadly fighting erupted in Kalogui near Tawila locality in North Darfur between combatants of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF) and the Arab tribes. It was reported that three were killed and dozens wounded but there was no official statement.

Following this incident, Arab gunmen gathered around Tawila preparing to attack the GSLF fighters who were almost from the Zaghawa ethnic group. The transitional government, for its part, formed a national investigation committee that immediately travelled to El-Fasher to prevent further escalation.

On Sunday, the Head of the National Investigation Committee Mohamed al-Hassan Eltaishi held a press conference in El-Fasher to announce their recommendations to establish security and achieve stability in North Darfur.

"Parties should avoid verbal escalation, impose the authority of the state, arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and provide full support to solve problems," reads a statement released by the North Darfur State after the press conference.

Also, the committee recommended collecting weapons, support the displaced people who fled their areas after the clashes.

Eltaishi further called the residents of the Kalogui and Gallab areas to accept each other and promote peaceful coexistence.

The Arab accused the GSLF fighters of attacking them in support of their tribe people while the latter say they were heading to join a gathering site when they were ambushed by the Arab gunmen.

The Arab tribes after the tribal clashes in EL-Genina the capital of West Darfur earlier this year had accused the former rebels of supporting the IDPs while Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were accused of backing the Arabs.

Suleiman Sandal Political Secretary of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who is a member of the investigation committee expressed said there is no return to war and expressed their return to implement the Juba Peace Agreement despite these challenges.

He denied that the peace agreement was limited to a particular tribe adding that it was "an agreement for all the Sudanese people," and the armed groups are part of the government forces working under the command of the state security committee to protect civilians.

The Sudanese government last July decided to deploy the joint forces which include the former rebels to protect farmers during the farming seasons.

RSF Second Commander Abel Rahim Dalgo, for his part, reassured that the joint forces are now deployed in the clash zones to prevent any hostilities.

On 10 August, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Head of Sovereign Council announced the launch of the security arrangements implementation, 10 months after the signing of the Juba peace agreement.

The former regime conducted several operations to disarm civilians and collect weapons. However, the Arab herders who were used by the al-Bashir regime to fight the rebel groups clashed with other ethnic groups many times in different parts of Darfur.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

CEPO urges armed opposition faction to cease military hostilities

Sun, 08/08/2021 - 11:13

August 7, 2021 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese civil society entity has urged the leadership of the armed opposition movement (SPLM/A-IO) to cease military confrontations and resolve their grievances peacefully.

South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani (The Niles/File)

On Saturday, forces of the former SPLM-IO chief of staff, General Simon Gatwech Dual and those allied to First Vice President Riek Machar clashed in Magenis area of Upper Nile State, with each side claiming victory.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization strongly condemned the negative development and it is unfortunate situation. This act of fresh clashed among the conflicting factions of SPLM-IO constitute violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement 2017,” CEPO said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune Sunday.

The civil society entity also appealed to the leadership of the conflicting armed opposition factions to take responsibility to dialogue and find immediate solutions to their misunderstandings.

“This negative development that undermines the process for transitioning the situation across the South Sudan from violence to peace is clear demonstration of some political and military leaders' lack of will for implementing the signed Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan,” the statement further noted.

Edmund Yakani, an activist, said the primary responsibility of implementing provisions of the revitalized peace agreement remains in the hands of the parties that signed the September 2018 accord.

He urged the conflicting factions of the armed opposition group to cease hostilities.

“Protection of civilians and human rights should not be compromised by any one of the conflicting parties in Magenis,” Yakani explained.

He echoed calls for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to immediately intervene and resolve divisions in the country's main opposition movement.

On August 3, the SPLM/A-IO military command under the Chief of General Staff First Lieutenant General Simon Gatwech Dual denounced the leadership of Machar and appointed the former as the new interim chairman of the armed opposition movement.

The decision to oust Machar, it said in a declaration, emerged after several members held a three-day meeting at Magenis area in South Sudan's Upper Nile state.

But Machar's office, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the three generals who met at Mangenis do not constitute the military command leadership of the SPLA-IO.

The SPLM-IO also reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit, urging other parties to the accord to do the same.

In September 2018, the warring factions in South Sudan's civil war signed a revitalized peace agreement to end the country's civil war. The peace accord stipulates that there shall be a transitional government formed after eight months of the pre-transitional period.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

SPLM-IO splinter leaders are not in Sudan: statement

Sun, 08/08/2021 - 09:37

August 7, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government on Saturday said "deeply concerned" about the eruption of clashes between SPLM-IO factions near the border with South Sudan and dismissed accusations of harbouring splinter leaders in Sudan.

Forces loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar and a splinter group led by Lt-Gen Simon Gatwech Dual clashed in the Magenis area of the Upper Nile State on Saturday.

In a statement issued about the clashes, Paul Lam Gabriel said that Lt Gen Dual and Lt Gen Johnson were evacuated to Sudan.

"The SPLA-IO leadership request the Sudan Government to maintain its neutrality by keeping the two in Sudan and not to allow them to come back and cause more insecurity in the area," Gabriel added.

In response, the Sudanese foreign ministry dismissed the presence of the splinter leaders on its territory and stressed Sudan's neutrality.

"South Sudanese stability is a strategic objective for its government," said a statement released on Saturday evening.

"The Government of Sudan is closely monitoring the situation at the site of the clashes, as it is adjacent to the southern border of Sudan, and will not allow any armed activity inside Sudanese territory by any party against the other," further added the statement.

Since the collapse of the al-Bashir regime, this is the first time that a South Sudanese party to the revitalized peace agreement accuses Khartoum of backing armed groups in South Sudan.

Besides its commitment to follow-up the peace implementation process in South Sudan, the Sudanese Prime Minister is the current chair of the IGAD bloc which brokered the peace agreement.

Several South Sudanese armed groups were linked to the Sudanese army before South Sudan independence as they fought against the historical SPLA.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Kiir not responsible for defections in SPLM-IO leadership: minister

Sun, 08/08/2021 - 09:01

August 6, 2021 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir is not sponsoring the defection of key members of the armed and non-armed opposition in a bid to bolster and consolidate his rule in the country, a senior official clarified on Friday.

South Sudan's minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin, on 13 September 2011 (ST)

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Presidential Affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Kiir's acceptance of the nominees of the main opposition movement into key positions shows his commitment to the peace process.

“His excellency the president of the republic, general Salva Kiir Mayardit is the man of peace, and everyone knows this. He has no hand, no role in whatever that you hear and read in the media. Those media reports are internal issues of the concerned parties”, he explained.

Marial assured members of the opposition of the commitment of the president and the government to fully implement the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

“His excellency the president of the republic is on record expressing his personal commitment and that of the government to a full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. He has instructed the chief of defense forces to make necessary preparation with the minister of defense and veteran affairs so that in the cantonment site are passed out," stressed the minister.

He added, "This commitment as you are aware was a collective decision of the presidency which includes the president, the first vice president, and all the other deputies and peace partners”.

The top presidential aide was responding to media reports making statements attributed to key opposition figures pointing fingers at the government as sponsoring defection of key military members.

The co-chair of Joint Defense Board (JDB) Lt. General Gabriel Duop Lam, convened a security briefing on Friday in response to a declaration ousting Machar from his position by his predecessor, Simon Gatwech Dual who installed himself as the interim leader deputized by Johnson Olony in Magenis area of Upper Nile state on Tuesday.

“The SPLA-IO would like to point out that the incident that is happening in Magenis is related to the incidences that happened in Maiwut, Kajo Keji, Maban, and Lieng due to encouraged and sponsored defections from the peace partner. This was evident in the recorded conversation of the former SPLA-IO Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deng”, Lam said in a statement.

On August 3, the SPLM/A-IO military command under Dual denounced the leadership of Machar and appointed the former as the new interim chairman of the armed opposition movement.

The decision to oust Machar, the splinter group declared, emerged after its members held a three-day meeting at Magenis area in South Sudan's Upper Nile state.

But Machar's office, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the three generals who met at Mangenis do not constitute the military command leadership of the SPLA-IO.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Opposition military council backs Machar, accuse peace partners of rift

Sun, 08/08/2021 - 08:37

August 7, 2021 (JUBA) - The top opposition military leadership in South Sudan said Friday it recognizes the legitimacy of the country's first vice deputy in the coalition government, describing ousting as the creation of the peace partner.

The military leadership issued a statement saying its component of the Security Mechanisms under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, the Acting Chief of General Staff, and the Co-Chair of Joint Defense Board had sighted with concern Kitgweng Declaration on 3rd August 2021 by the Former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Gatwech Dual, whom it said was already relieved of the command of the SLA-IO forces and appointed as Peace Advisor to the President.

The SPLA-IO leadership in the Security Mechanisms met on 6th August 2021 in Juba and issued resolutions supporting the decision of the political bureau of the movement. The meeting applauded what it described as a patriotic move of the Sectors and Division Commanders to openly denounce the Kitgweng Declaration and pledging unwavering support to Riek Machar Teny as the legitimate leader.

This, according to the statement, “proves that the failed the coup attempt is zeroed to only a few elements in Magenis, who succumb to pressure from the enemies of peace”.

It argued that delay of unification of forces was the creation of the unnamed peace partner, pointing fingers at a fraction of President Salva Kiir, a key partner in the peace deal.

“The SPLA-IO would like to inform the people of South Sudan, the Region, and the International Community that the delay in the unification of Command and the graduation of the forces are not failures of the SPLA-IO but the peace partners”, the statement reads in part.

The top armed opposition officials argued that the incident that Kitgweng declaration was inspired by incidences that happened in Maiwut, Kajo Keji, Maban, and Lieng.

These developments, he said, were encouraged and sponsored defections from the peace partner.

“This was evident in the recorded conversation of the former SPLA-IO Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deng”, said Lam in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday.

It declared affirm support of the Command to the decision of the Political Bureau in a meeting held on 4th August 2021, saying military leadership remains subordinate to the civilian rule of the movement under the leadership of its Chairman and Commander in chief of the group.

“The SPLA-IO denounce and condemn the Kitgwang Declaration in the strongest term possible and stand behind under the able the leadership of the SPLM/A-IO, Chairman and Commander in Chief Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon”, it further stated.

It assured its supporters and the South Sudanese public that it is in full command and control of all the forces in its 8 sectors and the divisions and remains committed to the implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangement and reserves the right to self-defense when aggressed.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Deadly fighting erupts in North Darfur between former rebels, Arab tribes

Sun, 08/08/2021 - 07:35

August 7, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - Deadly fighting erupted in North Darfur state between former rebel fighters and Arab armed men on Friday, as each party accuses the other of igniting the fighting.

Clashes between the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF) and the Arab tribes took place in Kalogui near Tawila locality southeast of El-Fasher the state capital on Friday morning.

There is no official statement about the number of human casualties, as eyewitnesses say three were killed and ten others wounded. Also, Taher Hajar GSLF and a member of the Sovereign Council stated that seven of their fighters had been killed.

On Friday evening, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and the leaders of former rebel groups that signed the Juba peace agreement held a meeting to discuss the situation and formed a committee to investigate the causes of the bloody violence.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the GSLF of Tahir Hajar said its combatants were heading to a site of a joint force in Tabet when the Arab tribesmen ambushed them.

For its part, the Coordination of Arab tribes stated that the GSLF fighters from the Zaghawa tribe attacked them to revenge some people killed recently following a difference over land ownership.

An investigation committee headed by Mohamed al-Hassan, a member of the Sovereign Council arrived in El-Fasher on Saturday and held a meeting with the North Darfur security committee.

In order to secure the agricultural season, the governor of North Darfur state Nimir Abdel Rahman On July 4 formed a joint military force including the army, the Rapid Support, the General Intelligence Service, the police and the movements that signed the peace agreement

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Heavy floods displace 30,000 people in South Sudan

Fri, 06/08/2021 - 11:05

August 5, 2021 (JUBA) - Heavy flooding has displaced at least 30,000 civilians in Ayod county of South Sudan, a United Nations relief official said Thursday.

A heavily flooded area in a remote part of South Sudan (Getty)

Arafat Jamal, acting humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan told reporters in the capital, Juba that persistent rains have washed away crops forcing women and children to survive on grass.

"One of the most moving and shocking things for me is when someone threw pieces of grass on the ground and said this is what we have to eat," he explained.

Jamal, who visited Ayod county, further disclosed that some homes in both Unity and Jonglei states have been submerged and several food crops have been destroyed.

"Floods are nothing new but what is different is that we are truly in the age of climate change and climate catastrophe and what we are seeing now is that floods are coming in regularly and at a higher intensity than before," he said.

The top UN official said the displaced people also lack clean drinking water.

According to UN Children Fund (UNICEF), some 8.3 million people in South Sudan presently need humanitarian support, a much higher number than the levels seen during the country's last civil war.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

South Sudan shuts leading think tank, summon director

Fri, 06/08/2021 - 10:15

August 5, 2021 (JUBA) - South Sudan has shut down The Sudd Institute, a leading think tank, days after a coalition of civil society activists launched a campaign calling for change in the country.

Southern Sudanese police in a convoy on the streets of Juba (UN photo)

The institute's acting Managing Director, Augustino Ting Mayai said the board met and passed several resolutions in response to the current situation and would update the public on the progress being made with authorities.

“The institute's board has met and passed several resolutions in response to the current situation. The board chair will communicate those to the public and the Institute's domestic, regional, and international partners in the next 24 hours”, Mayai said Thursday.

"The institute remains closed, but discussions with the authorities are ongoing and forthcoming. There is a mutual understanding that the Institute's role is critical for the country," he added.

Mayai also dismissed earlier reports that he was arrested by security agents as false.

"I was only summoned by the authorities on Monday to answer questions related to the Coalition's link to the Sudd Institute," he stressed.

The researcher urged the public to refrain from inflaming what he described as “an already tensed situation by drawing conclusions based on hearsay”.

Founded in May 2012, The Sudd Institute is an independent research organization that conducts and facilitates research and training to inform public policy and practice, to create opportunities for discussion and debate, and to improve analytical capacity in South Sudan.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

Ethiopia declines Sudanese offer to mediate Tigray crisis

Fri, 06/08/2021 - 09:54

August 5, 2021 (ADDIS ABABA) - Ethiopia declined Sudan's offer to broker a negotiated settlement to end the armed conflict in Tigray and allow humanitarian access to the troubled region.

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok who chairs the East African bloc of IGAD proposed to mediate between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

Several leaders in the region and the international community support the offer which the Sudanese premier had also discussed with the two parties and Eritrea which was not very enthusiastic about the idea.

Commenting on a report the Sudan Tribune published Thursday, Billene Seyoum, Spokesperson of the Prime Minister Office told reporters that Sudan should first resolve the border dispute with Ethiopia before being entrusted for such mediation.

"The relationship with Sudan is a little bit tricky because the level of some leaders has already been eroded particularly with the Sudanese army incursions into Ethiopian territory," Seyoum said in a press briefing held on Thursday.

"Trust is the basis of any negotiation and any mediation, as well. So that element needs to be thoroughly addressed before Sudan could be entertained as a credible party in terms of facilitating such kind of negotiations," she stressed.

Sudanese officials say they believe that the continued armed conflict near its eastern border would affect the country as a result of the restrictions on humanitarian access to the northern Ethiopia region.

The United States voiced her support to the Sudanese initiative but Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not meet USAID Administrator Samantha Power during a one-day.

Power only met with the Ethiopian Peace Minister Muferihat Kamil who briefed her about the humanitarian aid his government provides to the civilians in Tigray.

"I once again called for a cessation of hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access," she tweeted before leaving in Addis Ababa.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

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