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The Security Council welcomed the political and security progress in Somalia during a mission to the capital, Mogadishu, on 19 May, where representatives of the 15-member body met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, regional leaders, Somali civil society and women&#39s groups.

Security and humanitarian conditions are deteriorating in southeast Niger, where hundreds of thousands of people settled after fleeing Boko Haram insurgents, the United Nations refugee agency warned today.

Members of Macedonia’s large diaspora are showing their sympathy for the Protestiram movement at home.

Macedonian parties and mediators are mulling the formation of a new interim government that would assume the task of stalled reforms and early elections - but talks have yet to begin.

The sudden death of the pharma boss involved in a scandal over substandard disinfectants in hospitals has raised questions about the possible involvement of the intelligence services.

Président du groupe local la Cimade Mayotte

Opinión - 24/5/2016
Federico Steinberg
El FMI considera que los objetivos de déficit fijados para el país son casi imposibles de cumplir.

May 23, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan's newly appointed national minister of Petroleum in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), Dak Duop Bichiok, has said his ministry is working to ensure that the oil production in the country should increase by July 2016.

New Petroleum Minister, Dak Duop Bichiok (L), pictured with former Petroluem Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau (R) in handing over ceremony, Juba, May 8, 2016 (ST photo)

Oil production in South Sudan reduced significantly from the beginning of the two years of the civil war when almost all the oilfields in Unity state were shut down as well as some others in Upper Nile state.

It reduced from over 300,000 barrels a day in 2013 to about 165,000 barrels per a day in 2014 at the peak of the war.

The reduction of the oil production, which the nation depended on for 98% of its budget, coupled with reduction in global oil prices, has resulted to lack of revenues to run the government.

Minister Dak told Sudan Tribune on Monday that he has set up a team of 21 members to work on the process to increase the oil production.

He also said the team will kick off with the implementation of the reform and review in the oil sector as stipulated in the August 2015 peace agreement.

“We have formed a technical committee of 21 members chaired by the Under-secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Engineer Mohamed Lino, to work out plans for reform and review in the oil sector,” Minister Dak said.

He added that the review process will include oil companies operating in the country.

He took over the petroleum ministry from his predecessor, Stephen Dhieu Dau, in accordance with the executive power sharing in the peace agreement which has given the petroleum ministry to the opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO).

Minister Dak, a veteran politician, was formerly a national minister in Khartoum before the split of South Sudan from the rest of the Sudan in 2011. He was also governor of Upper Nile state for several years.

(ST)

Opinión - 24/5/2016
Carlos Malamud
La intransigencia del gobierno de Venezuela y su rechazo a cualquier tipo de diálogo ha forzado a la oposición a radicalizar su discurso. Nadie sabe cómo podrá afectar a la región un desenlace violento de la crisis, pero resulta indudable que sus efectos serán importantes.

May 22, 2016 (MALUALKON) - The governor of South Sudan's Aweil East state, Deng Deng Akuei has, in an administrative order, sacked Manut Yel Lual, a powerful tax collector who had been operating as an independent tax collector from the state ministry of finance and local government structure.

Map detail showing South Sudan's border state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal

Deng's order, which came into effect 1 April, did say whether Manut would be reinstated.

Manut, a relative of South Sudan army chief, Paul Malong Awan, has been the officer in charge of Warawar peace market for over a decade collecting millions of pounds in taxes day on goods and services from Sudan.

The money collected, sources however say, has never been used to provide basic services to local people but allegedly collected and divided with collectors and Awan.

Several attempts to remove Manut by successive governors have allegedly been blocked by Awan as taxes generated from markets are used to finance local projects.

This explains why former Northern Bahr el Ghazal state governors, including Mareng Akuei Ajou, Madut Biar Yel, Kuel Aguer Kuel, Salva Chol Ayat and Akot Deng Akot who all had the opportunity to remove Manut never succeeded the SPLMA army chief of staff often prevailed in his defence.

Until now, it remains unclear what eventually persuaded Awan to approve the removal of Manut from the taxation docket from which he has allegedly married more than 30 wives.

Many, however, say the need to generate revenues to finance operations of the 28 new states created by President Salva Kiir last year, may have led to Manut's removal.

(ST)

May 23, 2016 (EL-GENEINA) - Eight people were killed and four others injured Sunday in a retaliatory attack by unidentified gunmen on a mosque in a village located 10 km. east of West Darfur state capital, El-Geneina.

Relatives mourn next to bodies wrapped in shrouds outside hospital before a group funeral ceremony following a revenge attack on a mosque on May 23, 2016 in El Geneina (Photo ST)

Eyewitnesses said that 8 worshipers were killed and 4 others seriously injured when gunmen opened fire in a mosque in Azrini area during the sunset prayers following the killing of a militia man in an altercation with a local resident in the market place.

Following the incident, the government of West Darfur deployed large military reinforcements on the streets of El-Geneina to prevent further protests that could lead to the spread of chaos.

On Monday, thousands of people gathered in front of El-Geneina Teaching Hospital after the dead bodies were transferred to the morgue to identify the causes of death.

Also, traders at El-Geneina commercial market shut down their shop in protest against what they described as “barbaric” killing of the worshippers.

One of the victim's relatives by the name of Omer Idris told Sudan Tribune that two gunmen on a motorcycle engaged in an altercation with a local man, saying the latter stabbed the two men killing one of them immediately and injuring the other.

He added that angry gunmen subsequently attacked the mosque during the sunset prayers to avenge the killing of their fellow tribesman, saying they killed 6 worshippers and injured 4 others before fleeing.

UNANIMOUS CONDEMNATION

The local government, tribal leaders and rebel groups in Darfur condemned the attack on civilians by the gunmen. Several statements described it as a “clear violation of human rights” and called to implement international measures to protect Darfurians.

The governor of West Darfur Khalil Abdalla Mohamed has condemned the incident saying his government has put in place strict security arrangements to prevent further spread of violence.

He praised the role played by the Native Administration to control the situation, revealing that a committee headed by a minister has been formed to follow-up on the developments.

Also, the paramount chief of Masalit tribe and head of the local administration in the state Saad Abdel-Rahman Bahr al-Din said the incident is more dangerous than the armed rebellion.

Bahr al-Din called on the federal government to support West Darfur state to tackle the root causes of the violence.

The New Justice and Equality Movement (NJEM) said that the continued attacks against the residence are considered “systematic and deliberate genocide” by the government's militias and paramilitary forces that work to protect the regime.

The rebel group which is led by Mansour Arbab, a Massalit from West Darfur, vowed to respond strongly to the attack and called upon its supporters to join the struggle in defence of the land, honour and people's lives.

Meanwhile, the leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) Abdel-Wahid al-Nur has condemned the attack and held the government fully responsible for the “heinous crime”.

In a statement issued Monday, al-Nur denounced the silence of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and saying its inaction could be described as “collusion”.

The Sudan Liberation Movement Minni Minnawi in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune condemned the attack and called on the international community implement the decisions previously endorsed to "stop the crimes against humanity in Darfur".

"We will not let these crimes go without accountability and will revenge from these criminals tomorrow or the day after tomorrow and we will not put the weapon until justice prevails throughout the country," said Minnawi.

(ST)

“”
May 23, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, said he would not want another war with his first deputy, Riek Machar, but warned that talks to cancel the 28 states he unilaterally created would mean the opposition faction was not ready for peace.

President Salva Kiir speaks during the inauguration of the new SPLM premises in Juba on 15 November 2013 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

He also said he would not tolerate another internal conflict within the new unity government, asserting he would do the best within his power to consolidate peace and stability after the return of his main political rival, Machar.

“This country cannot afford another war, not even for one day,” President Kiir told his supporters comprising senior military officers and high profile politicians who had accompanied him to his ranch in Luri area, located a few kilometres west of the national capital, Juba town.

The head of state retired to Luri on Sunday where he held an informal consultation with his inner circles over contentious matters in the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement which his administration is yet to find a solution with the armed opposition faction under Machar.

Luri is an area which hosts the president's cattle farms as well as the location where special forces and heavy weaponry, including helicopter gunships have been stationed for the defence of the capital.

According to a presidential aide, President Kiir consulted his group in the area on how to deal with the issue of 28 states and cantonment of opposition forces in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions.

He accused the opposition factions in the unity government of wanting to suspend the 28 states, arguing that the opposition faction of SPLM-IO under the leadership of Machar was not interested in peace and stability.

"They come asking about the issue of states. They want us to cancel the order of the states, will people accept, will they accept these states to be cancelled. I think these people are not interested in peace and stability," said Kiir, according to one of his aides who accompanied him on Sunday to his farm.

The president said the opposition was also talking about suspension of the 28 states and “their backers have joined them.”

He accused unnamed foreign powers and organizations of having failed to honour their words and pledges to provide financial support after he formed the unity government with Machar.

“They [donors] used to come and say they would provide support when the transitional government of national unity is formed. Now the government they wanted is formed, they have come up with other excuses. They are saying we should cancel the 28 states and to allow Riek to have cantonment sites for his forces in Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria,” President Kiir lamented.

“Do you know where they have these forces they [SPLA-IO] want to be allowed to have assembling points in Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria?” he asked.

Opposition faction under the leadership of Machar said the argument by President Kiir's group in refusing cantonment areas for opposition forces in Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions was an attempt to deny the SPLA-IO a national outlook in the country.

On donors not coming forth with financial assistance, the opposition argued that the donors might be waiting to see progress in the implementation of the peace agreement by resolving the issue of the number of states, cantonment of forces and reconstitution of national parliament as well as formation of state government, among others.

They also accused the President's faction of trying to incite the people, particularly his supporters, to enter into conflicts in defence of the 28 states by always referring to the people not to accept the suspension of the states.

The opposition faction also argued that the people were never consulted when the 28 were unilaterally decreed into being.

The outcome of the Luri's informal consultation between the president and his confidants was not however revealed to the media.

(ST)

May 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A member of Sudan's dialogue committee known as 7+7 has said that the general assembly of the dialogue would be held on October 10th with the participation of the willing political parties and armed groups.

Sudan's President Omer al-Bashir and his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby (L) listen to the national anthem during opening session of Sudan National Dialogue conference in Khartoum October 10, 2015. (Photo SUNA)

The internal dialogue conference was inaugurated in Khartoum on October 10th, 2015 amid large boycott from the major political and armed opposition.

Member of the 7+7 committee Bishara Gumaa Aru has expected the dialogue general assembly would be held between Eid-ul-Fitr (breaking of the fast) and Eid-ul-Adha (festival of Sacrifice).

He told Sudan Tribune that the general assembly has been delayed to ensure its success, saying the dialogue process would determine the future of Sudan.

“We decided to slow down [the process] in order to make the national dialogue more inclusive,” he said.

The dialogue conference subcommittees has concluded its work and submitted its recommendations to the general secretariat last February in the absence of the major political parties and armed groups.

The recommendations would be presented before the general assembly for final approval.

Aru added that if the holdout groups refused to join the dialogue, “we might hold the general assembly on October 10th with the participation of the willing parties”.

“The general assembly would be held with the participation of those who seek to achieve the national interests not the individual ambitions … dialogue is for the nation not for the sake of the personal interests,” he said.

Political forces members of the opposition alliance National Consensus Forces (NCF) and other parties refuse to take part in the dialogue conference before the creation of a conducive environment and the implementation of specific confidence-building measures provided in a roadmap proposed by the African Union mediation team.

Some significant political parties, such as the National Umma Party, the Reform Now Movement and the Just Peace Forum, that approved the process in the beginning.

But later they suspended their participation, criticizing the government refusal to postpone the general elections and the lack of political freedoms.

Also, the major armed movements in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile refrained from participating in the dialogue conference citing similar demands.

MEETING WITH THE FFC

Meanwhile, Aru said the 7+7 committee and the opposition Future Forces of Change (FFC) would hold a third meeting on Tuesday, saying the meeting would discuss ways to make the dialogue more inclusive.

He refused the proposal of the FFC to make the dialogue conference a step towards a more inclusive process, describing it as “incorrect and politically immature”.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune on Friday, FFC political secretary Hassan Rizq said his alliance sees that the outcome of the dialogue conference must be merged with proposals of the holdout opposition in order to reach joint recommendations.

Aru described the dialogue conference as “huge work”, saying the discussions among the participating political parties and armed groups had extended for four months and tackled crucial issues.

He further described the recommendations of the conference as “historic document”, saying they would offer the FFC with several options to join the dialogue.

Aru also said the meeting with the FFC would also discuss ways to ensure the success of the Roadmap Agreement brokered by the African Union mediation.

Last March, the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and the Sudanese government signed a framework agreement calling to stop war in Blue Nile, Darfur, and South Kordofan and to engage in the national dialogue process.

However, the opposition groups, Justice and Equality Movement, National Umma Party (NUP), Sudan People's Liberation Movement -North (SPLM-N), and Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) refused the roadmap saying it acknowledges a government controlled dialogue conference and would lead to reproduce the regime.

(ST)

L'ancien porte-parole fédéral du parti écologiste (1997-2008), Alexander Van der Bellen (Les Verts, DG) a finalement remporté le 23 mai l'élection présidentielle en Autriche au terme d'un suspense de 24 heures. Il a recueilli 50,3% des suffrages contre 49,7% à Norbert Hofer (Parti libéral,...

Americas

• Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $331.7 million foreign military sales contract by the US Army. The sale will see the company provide the defense departments of Israel, Singapore, Finland and Jordan with the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) which includes 290 alternative warhead rocket pods, 34 unitary rocket pods and 529 reduced range practice rocket pods. Work and delivery of the system is expected to be completed by March 31, 2018.

• Sikorsky’s HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter is to move into the detailed design phase after successfully passing an air vehicle preliminary design review by the US government. The UH-60 Black Hawk variant will now enter a 75-month engineering and development phase which will see nine aircraft produced, including five “system demonstration test articles” to support operational testing. The design includes air force and mission-specific avionics, equipment and defensive countermeasures, plus a larger internal fuel capability and cabin area when compared to its UH-60 cousin and is unique enough to warrant its own development phase and even a separate assembly line.

Middle East North Africa

• British-made cluster bombs have been discovered in a village in northern Yemen, all but confirming that the banned munition is being used by the Saudi-led coalition in the region. The BL-755 cluster bombs, originally manufactured in the 1970s, were purchased by the air forces of Saudi Arabia and UAE to be used on the British made Tornado fighters. Locals described the ordinance as “hanging off trees”and are believed to have been there since air strikes in July and August.

• An advanced missile approach warning system has been integrated on Israeli CH-53 transport carriers, giving the helicopters an extended service life until 2025. Dubbed Dragon Block 3, the system provides 360 degree coverage alongside a more effective warning of missile attack and fast activation of countermeasures equipment. The troop transports have had their fair share of trouble from rocket attacks having seen extensive use in conflicts in south Lebanon and the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

Europe

• Russia’s Defence Ministry looks set to become the first customer of the Mil Mi-38 multi-role helicopter. The helicopter’s manufacturer Russian Helicopters made the announcement in a press release last week, and it is expected to pass a series of flight tests according to the ministry’s requirements. Designed to take part in a variety of missions, the Mi-38 is capable of carrying either troops or cargo as well as participating in search & rescue and offshore operations.

• Italy is to release $179.5 million toward the development of the Centauro II wheeled tank program by the consortium of Italy’s Iveco and Leonardo-Finmeccanica. An update of the older Centauro wheeled tank, it will include a new hull, better armor and upgunning to a 120mm gun compared to the 105mm found on the original. However the cash injection will be lacking in other programs with the planned arming of Italy’s UAVs to be postponed and only $23.5 million made available for procurement of the light-weight Freccia armored vehicles.

Africa

• Prosecutors in South Africa are to appeal a court ruling that they should reconsider corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. 783 charges against the controversial president were dropped just weeks before the 2009 election in which he was elected. The allegations stem from a $5 billion arms deal in 1999 which involved companies from Germany, Italy, Sweden, the UK, France and South Africa. In 2005, Schabir Shaik, Zuma’s former financial advisor was jailed in connection with the deal after being found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of the president.

Asia Pacific

• US President Barack Obama has announced the lifting of a decades long arms embargo on Vietnam. Speaking in Hanoi with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and under a looming bust of Communist leader Ho Chi Minh, Obama said that the move will end a “lingering vestige of the Cold War” and pave the way for more-normal relations between the two countries. The move comes as Vietnam looks to recenter allies amid a growing spat with China over ownership of islands in the South China Sea, while also looking to lessen their reliance on Russian weapons manufacturers, factors that may make Hanoi one of Washington’s new best friends in the region.

Today’s Video

• Boeing’s latest commercial for the Advanced F-15:

Why 700 people drowned in one incident in the Mediterranean

May 23, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's main referral hospital, has been without power for seven consecutive days, as medical practitioners used candles and torches to aid work.

A female patient with a broken leg gets moved past an injured man on the floor at the emergency ward at the Juba Teaching hospital, which has a shortage of beds, on 19 July 2012 (Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

The country's ministry of finance, health and electricity and dams is yet to officially explain the cause of the current power crisis.

Workers at Juba Teaching hospital confirmed said the power problem at the facility has persisted for about a week.

Unconfirmed reports say for doctors to carry out an emergency operation on patient in a critical condition, relatives would be asked to provide fuel to run the hospital generator during an operation.

This situation, officials said, had never ever occurred in the institution's history.

A medical source told Sudan Tribune on anonymity that medical personnel had to use oxygen cylinders for patients who needed oxygen and candles to light some general wards as they do not have fuel to run the generators.

The hospital's sensitive areas such as the Neonatal intensive care unit that utilizes incubators for the premature babies and the operating theatres have been affected by the power failure because the hospital lacks backup generators.

The main referral institution has since failed to secure fuel to run its standby generators.

Meanwhile, health ministry officials say their counterparts at the finance, petroleum, and the electricity and dams ministries were notified about the problem, but no action has been taken.

(ST)

Saab has secured an order, worth approximately Skr1.53bn ($184m), from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop and produce a new lightweight torpedo (LWT) system.

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) has been awarded a contract modification to build and deliver digital modular radios (DMR) for use on the US Navy's new surface vessels and submarines.

Dassault Aviation has delivered a new maritime surveillance aircraft, Falcon 50 Surmar, to the French Navy at the Lann-Bihoué military base.