Africa

August 26, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Ambassador to China Ahmed Shawer said the joint Chinese-Sudanese ministerial committee would meet in Beijing on September 1st.

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir (C) pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 1, 2015 (AFP Photo/Parker Song)

He told the official news agency SUNA that the meeting of the ministerial committee coincides with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit but has nothing to do with it.

Shawer added the meeting would discuss ways to push forward all joint projects and agreements between the two countries.

He said the committee's meeting is held in Khartoum and Beijing alternately on a regular basis, pointing this meeting should have taken place in Khartoum but was transferred to Beijing at the request of the Chinese side because they are busy preparing for the FOCAC summit.

The Sudanese envoy added his country's delegation headed by the Finance Minister is expected to arrive in Beijing on Monday, saying it includes Ministers of Oil and Bridges and Roads.

On the other hand, he pointed out that the technical delegation is headed by the State Foreign Minister and includes under-secretaries of Oil, Foreign Affairs, Minerals, Agriculture and Animal Wealth ministries besides the Central Bank of Sudan.

It is noteworthy that the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir is expected to participate in the FOCAC Summit scheduled for September 3 to 4.

China has been Sudan's largest foreign investor, particularly in oil and telecommunications after western firms shunned the East African nation due to conflicts and sanctions.

It has invested more than $20 billion in Sudan mostly in the oil sector during the past two decades. Beijing provides low-interest loans and weapons transfers in return for oil.

Sudan hopes to attract new Chinese investments after Beijing had refrained from implementing a number of projects agreed upon with Khartoum following the latter's failure to settle its debts.

Sudan's total debt to China is estimated at $ 10 billion, accounting for about one-fifth of Sudan's estimated $53 billion foreign debt.

(ST)

August 26, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Minister of Oil and Gas Azhari Abdel-Gadir said oil pumping has resumed from South Sudan's Toma South oilfield on Friday.

South Sudan's Petroleum and Mining Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau (3rd R) applauds as he restarts oil production in the main oil field in Palouge, on May 5, 2013. (Reuters)

Speaking at a press conference in Khartoum on Saturday, Abdel-Gadir said Toma South would pump 20,000 barrels per day (bpd), pointing production at the oilfield had stopped in 2013 due to civil war.

He said Sudanese engineers managed to repair the oilfield and resume production one week ahead of the schedule, pointing to the positive economic impact of this move on both countries.

The Sudanese minister expected production at five oilfields in Unity State would reach 80,000 bpd following completion of maintenance work by the end of the year.

He pointed out that oil production in South Sudan could return to its normal average of 375,000 bpd in three years, saying the newborn nation currently produces 130,000 bpd.

Abdel-Gadir also expected oil production in South Sudan could increase to 210,000 bpd by the end of the year.

Last July, Khartoum and Juba agreed to repair the damaged oil wells and to resume oil production in several oil fields stopped since several years due to the nearly -five-year armed conflict in the country.

South Sudanese Oil Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth on 31 July 2018 told reporters in Khartoum that oil production will resume on 2 September with 45,000 bpd from El Toor and Toma South fields. After what will restart the production of other oil fields in Munga and Unity.

South Sudan heavily relies on oil income to fund up to 98% of its budget. Also, it relies on the Sudanese pipeline to export its oil production through the Red Sea.

In return, the transit and processing fees South Sudan pays to Sudan to transport its crude oil constitute an important revenue stream for Sudan.

South Sudan became the world's newest nation after declaring independence from Sudan in 2011.

However, in 2013 the country was plunged into civil war killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions.

(ST)

August 26, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The mediation has proposed a compromise to the South Sudanese parties to settle the difference over the number of states, said the semi-official Sudanese Media Center on Sunday.

The IGAD mediators chaired by the Sudanese foreign minister El-Dirdeiry Ahmed launched on Saturday the peace discussions after the Eid al-Adha break.

During the first three days, the parties will only discuss the bracketed issues including the number of states, the role and functions of the First Vice President, the creation of new five ministers, the NCR and preparatory commission for the national constitutional conference.

"IGAD sources revealed that the Sudanese and IGAD mediation filled a proposal to the South Sudanese parties to overcome the disagreement over article 4 on the number of states and boundaries," said the SMC.

The sources further stressing that it is possible to resolve the dispute over the (number of) states through mutual concessions to achieve a sustainable peace in South Sudan. but didn't develop on the nature of the proposal.

While the government accepts the idea of a referendum that it launched in February 2016, the opposition forces call to pick on the three options the reestablishment of the 10-states administrative system, three autonomous regions or 79 counties.

In addition, the opposition groups put on the negotiating table a proposition providing to resort to arbitration in case of failure to strike a deal through the Independent Boundaries Commission

According to the SMC, a significant progress has been achieved in the talks, so far, and a report has been sent to the IGAD leaders about the talks.

In a twit posted on Saturday night, Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, a Senior Political Officer, at the Office of IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan discoed in a Twitter message posted on Saturday night that Sudanese foreign minister held a meeting with the Party leaders to discuss the persisting disagreements in the talks.

"There's no alternative to peace and an agreement to end the conflict must be a priority for the parties - the solution lies in your hands, he tells the party leaders," El-Dirdeiry said, according to Sheekh.

The mediators scheduled to hold the initialling ceremony of the final document on the revitalized peace agreement on Monday 27 August at midday.

Talks on the implementation matrix will start on 29 August and last for five days.

In another Tweet on Sunday evening, Sheekh said "Delighted to see South Sudan parties make a significant progress. Clearly talks are being conducted in a good faith and parties making concessions for the sake of peace!".

(ST)

Using honey to boost the income of the archipelago's residents.

August 25, 2108 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese Ambassador to Washington Mohamed Atta al-Mawla has called for the need to promote relations with the United States.

The former head of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Mohamed Atta Abbas Al-Moula (Photo: Reuters)

Sudan's diplomatic mission in Washington on Thursday held a farewell party in honour of ex-Ambassador Muawiya Osman Khalid and reception of the newly appointed Ambassador Mohamed Atta.

Speaking at the party, al-Mawla said the next period would be crucial to the bilateral relation between Khartoum and Washington.

He underlined the need to seek to remove Sudan's name from the U.S. list of states sponsors of terrorism.

Last February, President Omer al-Bashir appointed Atta as Ambassador at the Foreign Ministry days after he was removed from his position as director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

He arrived in Washington last month to take up his duties as Sudan's ambassador to the U.S.

In October 2017, Washington decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan in line with a five-track framework reached by the two countries in December 2016.

Khartoum, accordingly, authorized humanitarian access to civilians in Darfur and unilaterally declared a cessation of hostilities in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The two countries agreed to resume talks on the normalization of bilateral talks and the lift of remaining sanctions particularly Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorist groups. The measure is crucial to get a debt relief and allow Sudan to get
international aid to build its economic infrastructure.

In November 2017, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, was in Khartoum to launch the second phase of the normalization process and pointed to the need for reforms on human rights and religious freedom.

Also, the two countries agreed to engage in written exchanges for Sudan's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

(ST)

August 25, 2018 (JUBA) - New South Sudan Ambassador in Washington Philip Jada is due to take office next September after meeting President Salva Kiir last Monday.

Diplomatic sources in Juba said Jada will head to Washington on 5 September as his accreditation ceremony will take place on 17 September.

Following a meeting with President Kiir attended by Foreign Minister Nhial Deng Nhial on 20 August, Ambassador Jada vowed to work for the improvement of bilateral relations which have been affected by the civil war.

He further said he "received directives and guidelines from President Kiir on how to carry on his duty"

The former South Sudanese Ambassador to the United States Garang Diing Akuong was recalled to Juba following Washington decision to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan on 2 February.

Jada's appointment coincides with the end of the five-year conflict as the mediation plans to hold the final signing ceremony next week.

He worked as South Sudan ambassador to South Africa, Eritrea and also he worked as a diplomat in the South Sudan Embassy to Khartoum.

He studied journalism and mass communications at the University of Asmara, Eritrea.

(ST)

August 25, 20187 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - The South Sudan Patriotic Movement/Army (SSPM) a faction of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) has been hit by a split on Saturday when its military commander announced the eviction of its leader accusing him of obstructing peace.

This is the second group member of the opposition alliance to suffer a split after the National Salvation Front.

Costello Garang Ring (ST Photo)

Negotiating delegations which have resumed talks in Khartoum to finalize bracketed issues and the implementation matrix have been surprised with a statement by the SSPA Chief of Staff, General Agany Abdelbagi Akol announcing the removal of SSPM Chairman Costello Garang Ring Lual who is also the Commander in Chief of the armed group.

Abdelbagi Akol made public a statement entitled Mabio Dotbaai Declaration dated on 13 August where he accuses Ring Lual of rejecting the ongoing peace process and "ordering the SSPA forces to fight, kill and displace communities at the border with the Sudan"

Accordingly, the statement said the group's leadership decided to dismiss him, to appoint Abdelbagi Akol as an interim chairman and restructuring its negotiating team in Khartoum.

This is the second time that a split occurs in one of the SSOA factions.

Earlier this month, a group of National Salvation Front (NAS) officers led by Maj. Gen. Julius Tabuley announced the sack of the group leader Thomas Cirillo Swaka accusing him of rejecting the governance agreement without prior consultation with the group's leadership.

But he denied their claim and sacked six leading members of his group after accusing them of "subversive activities" to overthrow him.

COSTELLO RIPOSTS & DENIES

In a swift reaction to the statement of General Abdelbagi Akol, Costello Garang denied the accusations of obstructing the peace talks and reaffirmed the " unquestionable and unshaken" unity of the group saying Abdelbagi Akol "has no authority to remove him.

He went further to say that the presence of General Abdelbagi Akol at the venue of the peace talks in Khartoum to lead the group's negotiating team " indicates our strong commitment to a peaceful solution of the conflict".

"Those using the Peace Forum to divide political entities by using financial means and bribes are not peace lovers. Truth and straightforwardness is the shortest cut to peace. Our commitment to it keep us steadfast," he further said.

Costello Garang Ring Lual is a South Sudanese politician from Aweil in Bahr el-Ghazal, which is part of the present Lol State. He is the son of a leading Dinka traditional leader the late Executive Paramount Chief of Greater Ayat, Ring Lual Dau.

Ring Lual who was among the few Dinka to stand against Garang and back the Nasser faction in 1991, refused to side Riek Machar this time and announced that "Kiir has outlived his usefulness and must leave his office in order to facilitate a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The SSOA has rejected the idea of holding a referendum to settle the difference over the contested 32 states.

TALKS RESUME

On Saturday, the South Sudanese delegations resumed the peace revitalization forum in Khartoum after the Eid al-Adha break.

The number of states was the first issue to be discussed. Also, the talks which resumed in the afternoon tackled the role and functions of the Frist Vice President, the creation of new five ministers, the NCR and preparatory commission for the national constitutional conference.

However, none of the parties spoke about the progress made in the discussion which continued late during the night.

Just, the government spokesperson Michael Makuei confirmed the resumption of the final phase without details.

The mediators plan to conclude the talks on the bracketed issues on the 27 August and to launch discussions on the implementation matrix until the 30 August.

From 31 August to 2 September, talks will be on the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) .

Following the initialling of the PCTSA outcome, the talks would be closed and the IGAD will organize the final signing ceremony.

(ST)

August 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A delegation from the opposition alliance Sudan Call headed by its chairman al-Sadig al-Mahdi would participate in the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council from 10 to 28 September in Geneva, an informed source within the Sudan Call told Sudan Tribune

Sadiq al-Mahdi

Last year, UNHRC extended the mandate of the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, for another year under its agenda item 10 on technical assistance and capacity building.

According to the source, the Sudan Call delegation would seek to enlighten the meeting about the human rights violations in Sudan and demand to take measures against it.

He pointed out that Sudan Call is interested to discuss basic human rights issues particularly general freedoms and war victims including displaced persons and refugees.

It is noteworthy that the Sudan Call delegation would include a political team headed by al-Mahdi and the Sudan Call secretary general Minni Minnawi as well as a technical team headed by the secretary of foreign relations and the legal affairs secretary.

The Sudan Call, which was established in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, includes the National Umma Party (NUP) and rebel umbrella of Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), and the Civil Society Initiative (CSI).

Sudan Call internal groups include the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP), Sudanese Baath Party (SBP), Center Alliance Party (CAP), Sudanese National Party (SNP) and Sudanese National Alliance (SNA).

(ST)

August 25, 2018 (JUBA) - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir sacked the General Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang from his position as the minister of labour on the background of a letter his issued against the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

Former Labour Minster Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang (file photo)

On Friday, President Kiir appointed former SPLA chief of staff General Hoth Mai as Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development and removed Hothnyang from the position without any explanation.

On Saturday Sudan Tribune learnt that the ministerial change intervened after a letter written by Minister Hothnyang on a headed-paper of the labour ministry calling on the Nasser Youth to support him in his conflict with the First Vice President Taban.

The letter seen by Sudan Tribune accused Taban of causing conflicts within the government in order to weaken President Kiir when he runs for president in 2022. Furthermore, he called on Taban to step down from his position and to cede it either for someone from Bahr El-Ghazal or Eastern Nuer (Greater Fangak, Lou Nuer and Jikany).

Hothnyang went further to claim that Taban excluded the SPLM-IO officers of Nasser during the integration process in the army and other regular forces of the former rebels when they joined the government. He added that Taban did the same thing when it came to the appointment of ambassadors in the ministry of foreign affairs.

He further said the FVP interfered in affairs of the Nasser community in Latjor State and caused a conflict between them before to add that Taban worked to splitting "the Nuer Leadership by creating a group loyal to him".

Taban and Hothnyang were part of the unified SPLM-IO under the leadership of Riek Machar but the two split from Machar after the bloody clashes of July 2016. Taban joined the government under the label of the SPLM-IO but Hothnyang created his own party before to sign a separate deal with President Kiir.

In a statement released Saturday, Latjor State Youth refuted the accusations Hothnyang made against Taban and reiterated their support for the First Vice President. Also, the welcomed the appointment of General James Hoth Mai as Minister of Labour.

" General Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang is known for being a man of indiscipline, chaos and disorganised behaviour. One can just revisit the history of Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang starting from SPLM/SPLA 1983 and different factions he joined until today," said the statement.

The statement said Nasser Community is well represented at all the levels thanks to the efforts exerted by Taban. Also, they urged the former minister to apologize for the first vice president and to "withdraw his statement immediately".

For his part, Hothnyang didn't issue any statement after his sack on Friday.

However, he released on the social media a news article dated on 19 July about the rejection of the Nuer Council of Elders for the election of General James Hoth Mai as chairman of the Nuer Community.

(ST)

Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the attack on 23 August by presumed anti-Balaka elements on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in which one peacekeeper from Burundi was killed.

Afrobeats MP Bobi Wine is shaking the political establishment in Uganda, where Yoweri Museveni has been leader for decades.

The members of the Security Council on Friday welcomed the publication of the final results of the presidential polls in Mali, which saw the re-election of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, and insisted on the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the peace agreement.

Rebel violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is escalating inside the vast country’s Ebola-hit North Kivu province, putting millions at risk, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Friday.

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

President Trump has asked his secretary of state to look at the issue.

In Ubang, a small farming community in southern Nigeria, men and women have different lexicons.

A petition condemns Afrobeats MP Bobi Wine's "vicious" treatment in custody after his arrest last week.

Watford terminate the contract of Ivory Coast defender Brice Dja Djedje by mutual consent, allowing him to join Turkish club Ankaragucu.

Portugal's Sporting Lisbon sign Mali striker Abdoulay Diaby from Belgium's Club Brugge and add a $70m release clause in his contract.

He said in a video that it was "heaven on earth" as there were no black people on the beach.