Africa

September 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army led by Minni Minnawi renewed its commitment to not recruit or use of children as part of an action plan released in 2014.

Rebels of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), loyal to leader Minni Minnawi (file photo/AFP)

"The leadership of the SLM/A reiterates its unequivocal obligation to fully adhere to the International norms and standards to protect children against violations, including recruitment, use of child soldier, sexual violations, abduction, killing and maiming," said Minnawi in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

In a command order to the field commanders in Darfur region, the group leader said that all the SLM/A members are prohibited from recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Also, he ordered to disseminate it among the fighters, stressing that any failure to comply with this order will be met with disciplinary measures.

In December 2013, the SLM/A Minnawi issued a command decree to adhere to international norms and standards protecting children and the Sudan Child Act of 2010.

On 6 August 2014, the group released a formal operational mechanism and established an implementation committee to raise awareness about the Movement's prohibition of child soldiers and to work with relevant organizations to reintegrate child soldiers into society.

Since 2009, several armed groups in Darfur region issued command orders prohibiting the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

In December 2008, the UNICEF said that more than 6,000 child soldiers were involved in western Sudan's region.

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September 136, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Thursday announced the members of a new government which includes 20 ministers and 27 state ministers.

Members of Sudan's new cabinet take their oaths in Khartoum December 10, 2011 (REUTERS)

The full list of ministers and state ministers was made public after the dissolution of the large national consensus government which was formed after the National Dialogue Conference in May 2017.

Most of them were members of the former government but changed their positions. Only Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf, Foreign Minister El-Dirdeiry Ahmed, Presidential Affairs Minister Fadul Abdallah Fadul maintained their positions.

Among the new ministers appears the name of Abdalla Hamdok as the finance minister. Currently, he is the Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) which is based in Addis Ababa.

However, it is not clear if he accepted this tough job, while rumours circulating in the social media about his rejection of the position.

President al-Bashir last Sunday removed his second Vice President Hassabo Mohammed Abdel-Rahman and replaced him with North Darfur's ex-governor Osman Yousef Kibir. Also, he separated the positions of the first vice-president and prime minister.

He promoted the minister of Electricity and Water Resources Moatez Mousa to the position of Prime Minister.

Also, the former Minister Information Ahmed al-Balal is now appointed Interior Minister.

The former government included 31 ministers and over 40 state ministers.

(ST)

September 13, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government forces in Yei River State have been accused of launching fresh attacks on the SPLM-IO positions in Kajo-Keji County, hours after the signing of the revitalized peace agreement,

Lam Paul Gabriel

"This morning the 13/09/2018 at about 7:00 am, the regime's forces in Agana resumed their attacks on our defensive positions at Kendiri and Mangalatore in Kajo-Keji County of Yei River State," said Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLM-IO deputy spokesperson

The attack comes as the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir pledged to fully implement the agreement particularly to end violence and allow unfettered humanitarian access to civilians in the conflict-affected areas.

Gabriel said their fighters have successfully defended their positions pointing they killed 15 "15 enemy soldiers" and captured 17 AK-47.

"The SPLA IO calls upon the CTSAMM and UNMISS to investigate these continues violations by the regime," he added.

The South Sudanese army was not reachable for comment on these accusations.

(ST)

September 13, 2018 (JUBA) - United Nations chief António Guterres Thursday welcomed the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan and called for an international mobilisation to ensure its full implementation.

President Salva Kiir and his main rival Riek Machar, as well as the other opposition groups, appended their signature on the final Revitalized Agreement of Resolution of the Conflict South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in Addis Ababa concluding a difficult process that mobilized the IGAD leaders for nearly two years.

In a statement released by his, Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, the Secretary-General welcomed the peace agreement saying it is a positive and a significant development. he further applauded the regional and international efforts for the success of the process.

Further, he called for an international mobilization to ensure the full enforcement of the peace pact and called to immediately cease hostilities in the restive nation.

"The road ahead remains challenging and the international community must remain seized of the situation in South Sudan throughout the implementation of the RARCSS," he said

He further expressed the United Nations readiness, in close coordination with the IGAD and the African Union, to assist the parties in implementing the peace agreement.

Guterres seems opted for a different approach from the Troika countries which chose to keep the pressure on the South Sudanese government during the upcoming 30-month transitional period until the full implementation of the peace agreement.

President Kiir who is accused of continued attacks on the armed groups despite the signing of a cessation of hostilities in December 2017 repeatedly asserted his willingness to embrace peace and to fully implement it.

(ST)

September 13, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - China has agreed to write off a portion of Sudan's debt that was incurred through 2015, its envoy here said today.

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum on Thursday, the Chinese ambassador Li Lianhe disclosed that this deal was reached as part of recent cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

Earlier this month, the Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping in which the latter pledged to assist Sudan in alleviating its economic distress by granting loans of up to 600 million yuan (88 million dollars).

Bashir implored upon Jingping to direct financial institutions dealing with Sudan to take into account the country's dire financial position by cancelling some of the outstanding debt and offering flexible repayment plan on the remaining balance.

The Chinese official said he expects his country to forgive all of the loans extended to Sudan in line with Jingping's pledge made at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing in early September in which he announced $60 billion in debt relief and financing package to African nations.

Sudan owes China more than $2 billion and has failed to honour a previous agreement that delayed debt payments for five years.

The Chinese envoy also announced the formation of a joint committee to enhance cooperation with Khartoum in all fields and to address problems that hinder joint cooperation.

He pointed out that China extended grants and interest-free loans to Sudan in order to contribute to its economic development and signed a number of agreements in the fields of agriculture, industry and customs to support bilateral relations.

Lianhe also affirmed his country's interest in promoting cooperation between the two countries in the field of oil.

(ST)

September 13, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) - Before his return to Juba, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir was received by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is also the IGAD Chair to discuss the implementation of the just signed peace pact.

President Kiir, SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar, SSOA Chair Gabriel Chang Changson, and FDs leading member Deng Alor signed the revitalized peace agreement which was the subject of disagreement until the last moment.

"Prime Minister Abiy held a discussion with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the ways of effectively implement the newly signed peace deal," said the official Ethiopian News Agency on Thursday after the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, he further stated that Ethiopia will continue its effort to the peace and stability of South Sudan adding that peace agreement would benefit his country also because it would stop the flow of refugees

"Efforts have been carried out over the past years to end the conflict in the country but now, constructive diplomatic approach make the peace deal fruitful as all neighbouring counties took their share in resolving the conflict," he added.

In his opening statement during the 33rd extraordinary assembly of IGAD leaders, Abiy congratulated the parties and lauded their commitment to peace, stability and development of South Sudan.

He pointed to the reconciliation processes that are taking place between the Horn of Africa countries and stressing that South Sudan parties have to implement the revitalized agreement in good faith in order to achieve a lasting peace in South Sudan.

He emphasized that South Sudan stability will consolidate the IGAD regional economic integration agenda.

For his part, Kiir praised the instrumental role played by the Ethiopian government to ensure peace in South Sudan.

"I ask him (Abiy Ahmed ) to push and help us in the implementation of peace agreement so that we implement it in proper way,” he said.

The role and involvement of the IGAD countries under the leadership of the Ethiopian government in the revitalization process has been unanimously applauded by the region and the international community.

The IGAD said determined to continue to supervise and monitor closely the implementation process. Also, countries like Sudan and Uganda who were suspected or rejected in South Sudan by a party or another are now fully involved in the 30 month peace implementation process.

(ST)

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and of Africans elsewhere this week.

September 12, 2018 (JUBA) - The IGAD countries Wednesday welcomed the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan but reiterated their demand for a significant change from the parties in its implementation on the ground before to support it.

The United Kingdom, United States, and Norway, immediately after the signing of the pact for peace between the warring parties, issued a statement in Addis Ababa hailing the efforts and the collective commitment demonstrated by the IGAD countries to end the five-year conflict.

However, the three countries cast doubt on whether the revitalized agreement would be fully implemented this time, based on the repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement and attacks on civilians and aid workers.

" We remain concerned about the parties' level of commitment to this agreement, and to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in Addis Ababa in December," said the statement

To illustrate their scepticism, the Troika countries mentioned the situation in Wau saying attacks continued despite the ceasefire, ceasefire monitoring teams were denied timely access. Also, the humanitarian assistance was blocked.

Further, the statement said 13 aid workers have been killed since the recent progress of peace talks in Addis Ababa and Khartoum.

Based on this tough assessment, the Troika said in order to remove these doubts and convince them of the parties' serious commitment to the deal and to support it there must be a significant change in "their approach".

"This must include, but not be limited to: an end to violence and full humanitarian access; the release of political prisoners; and a real commitment to effective and accountable implementation, demonstrated by supporting robust security and enforcement mechanisms, checks on executive and majority power, and the transparent use of resources for the benefit of all South Sudanese," emphasized the Troika countries.

"Without progress in these critical areas, we remain concerned the agreement will not deliver the peace that the people of South Sudan deserve," they further said

Last July, the Troika) and the European Union threatened to stop their support for the activities and institutions tasked with the implementation of the South Sudan peace agreement.

They said they cannot continue indefinitely support ARCSS implementation activities and institutions if they are unable to contribute to peace.

"We look forward to a prompt and inclusive revitalization process that would allow us to consider the commitment of further resources. The JMEC has a vital role to play in the delivery of the urgent goals we have set out above. However, JMEC and other ARCSS institutions must be strengthened and adapted to deliver results in the new context," stressed a statement released on 26 July.

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September 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The State Security Court on Wednesday has sentenced the former Head of Political Security Department at the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Abdel-Ghaffar al-Shareef, to seven years in prison.

The court convicted al-Shareef under Article 59 of the 2010 National Security Act pertaining to “misuse of powers and exploitation of position for the purpose of achieving material or moral benefit or causing harm to others” and sentenced him to 7 years in prison beginning on 22 February 2018.

Also, the court ordered al-Shareef to pay 4.593.148 ($110,000 dollar) Sudanese pounds and $54.600 fine.

The court also convicted the former security officer under Article 71 of the 2010 National Security Act pertaining to “disgraceful behaviour that is incompatible with the dignity and due respect of the job” and ordered him to pay 2,800,000 Sudanese pounds ($67,000) and $10,000 fine.

The judge guaranteed the convict the right to appeal the sentences within 15 days before the military appeals court.

It is noteworthy that al-Shareef has been detained on corruption charges including money laundering, treachery, bribery and unlawful and suspicious enrichment. However, the judge decided to refer all these charges to a civil court.

Earlier this year, the NISS launched an anti-corruption campaign and arrested dozens of government officials, bankers and businessmen.

The campaign was seen by many as part of an internal struggle among the various power centres within the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

(ST)

September 12, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - An aerial photo published by the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Wednesday has shown completion of the Mission's base in Golo, Jebel Marra area, Central Darfur State.

Last year, the UN Security Council decided to reduce the UNAMID, admitting that the security situation has improved but it decided to reinforce its presence in Jebel Marra because there is no cessation of hostilities as the Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid fighters (SLM-AW) refuses to declare it unilaterally or to engage in peace negotiations.

On January 28, the Sudanese government officially handed over a land to UNAMID to establish a Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Golo, Jebel Marra.

The aerial view of the newly established base shows a completed outer fence including three major gates and four observation towers.

Also, it shows a helicopter landing pad, satellite communication units, power generation and water treatment units, as well as soldiers' barracks, administrative offices and armoured vehicles workshops.

However, there are no paved or asphalt roads around the TOB.

According to the government of Central Darfur, the UNAMID would contribute to paving the road linking Golo to Nirtiti and Rokoro in order to facilitate movement and contacts between the residents, government officials and the Mission.

Jebel Marra, which spans over three states including North, Central and South Darfur, is located in a water-rich area that is characterised by a mild climate.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the conflict, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in western Sudan's region.

It is the world's second-largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.

(ST)

September 2, 2018 (ADDIS ABABA) - South Sudanese parties have finally signed the revitalized peace agreement ending a five year-conflict that devastated the new nations and dashed all the hope and support that generated by the independence of the east African nation.

The final text was signed by all the parties including President Salva Kiir, SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar, South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Gabriel Chang Changson, SPLM- FDs leading member Deng Alor.

In statements after the signing ceremony, the information minister Michael Makuei welcomed the signing of the revitalized peace agreement by all the parties and said that his government from now on wards will start the implementation process.

"My Appeal to the people of South Sudan is that let's forgive ourselves, let's work together for the whole interest of our people," he said.

The signing ceremony took place at the end of IGAD leaders meeting who endorsed with the approval of President Kiir some amendments to address the concern of the South Sudanese opposition parties.

The SPLM-IO and the SSOA voiced concerns over the number of states and demarcation of the tribal and state boundaries, the decision-making In the Presidency, Legislator, Council of Ministers. and state and local governments and the procedures of the permanent constitutional-making process.

Also, they asked that Kenya and Ethiopia join Sudan and Uganda who will deploy troops in South Sudan to ensure the full commitment of the parties to the agreement.

For the referendum on the number and boundaries of states; the question that shall be posed in the referendum "shall be the same for the entire country unless it is decided in the RCNBS that each State shall have different question or set of questions more understandable to the people," says the signed deal.

Also, Annex D which provides to ask South Sudanese to choose between 32 or 10 states, was reinstated. It is now Annex E.

For the permanent constitution, it will be drafted by the Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and submitted for the National Constitutional Conference, in response to the opposition request.

The deal also set a number of rules to govern the decision-making process at the presidency, the government and the parliament particularly when the parties fail to reach a collegial decision.

The details can be seen in the text of the agreement hereunder. However, the Quorum in the Council of Ministers shall continue as 23 provided that at least six(6) of them are from the Opposition.

However, the agreement seemingly didn't consider the opposition request to add Kenya and Ethiopia to the guarantors (Sudan and Uganda) tasked with the monitoring of the ceasefire.

"The current monitoring and verification mechanism shall be restructured and reconstituted into the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM). It shall be led by Sudan and Uganda," says the agreement.

For the deployment of Ethiopian and Kenyan troops, the deal provides issue of deployment of the RPF shall be handled through the engagement of IGAD and the UN Security Council.

Ethiopia is already present in South Sudan as the peacekeeping operation which is part of the monitoring mechanism. Kenya was part of the UN mission but withdrew its troops after a UN reporting blaming the UNMISS force commander, a Kenyan general for not taking the necessary measure to protect civilians in July 2016.

Hereunder a link to the full text of the revitalized peace agreement.

(ST)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0zl5468nnmm2hdu/12%20Sept%20AA_Final_Final%20Revitalized%20ARCSS%202018%281%29.pdf?dl=0

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