Africa

There have been “positive developments” when it comes to democratization across the vast West Africa and Sahel region, but that has been “competing with the volatile security situation” particularly around areas where terrorist groups are active such as the Lake Chad Basin, the head of the UN Office for the region (UNOWAS) told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Young South Africans give their views on anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, born exactly 100 years ago.

The first black US president gives a rare speech to mark 100 years since Nelson Mandela's birth.

Taking stock of his “vast” legacy for mankind, the United Nations will mark 100 years since the birth of the late anti-Apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela, on Wednesday.

With an ambition to be Zimbabwe's youngest president, he can work a crowd like the preacher he is.

By Roger Alfred Yoron Modi

A Revised Entebbe Proposal released yesterday in Khartoum as part of the Igad-led High Level Revitalization Forum HLRF of the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan ARCSS provides, among others, for creation of Five Vice Presidents, 550 members of a Transitional National Legislative Assembly TNLA and 45 cabinet ministers in the young nation.

First, having a big government is very expensive indeed. But the South Sudan war itself has been very unique in nature and may require a very expensive solution such as the proposed big government. Some opposition and members of the society are calling for a lean government saying the big government in the proposal is very expensive to maintain.

For me, I see their concerns as genuine. However, the latest proposal is also very clear in Article 6.2 that “the high number of members of the Executive and TNLA is agreed to be exceptional and for the purposes of the Transitional Period only. The principle of lean government and an assembly that follows the internationally recognized proportions of population to members of parliament shall be observed beyond the Transitional Period.” So that is taken care of, at least with regards to future government.

Besides, one would really encourage those opposition and civil society groups that if indeed they are serious about putting South Sudan resources into well use, they should investigate and talk more about how much South Sudan makes from the oil, gold and other revenues per a day, monthly and yearly? And loses how much from illegal gold mining? And how its income and budgets are spent? That is where huge money is lost.

So, for the sake of the Country, a lot of efforts should be made on making the government accountable and transparent. The opposition and civil society could do that now. They should also focus on achieving the reforms in the oil sector and other related areas as provided for in ARCSS. Having a big government is not a good thing but it is currently, or as the parties have made us believe, the necessary incentive for stopping the conflict. What reasonable, urgent recourse to ending South Sudanese suffering is available?

Secondly, during the transitional period, we should make sure we achieve justice, reconciliation and healing, form a competent, representative national army and organized forces, demilitarize our politics and communities, and depoliticize our military, recover our economy, achieve legal and institutional reforms to ensure democracy, and finally come up with a Permanent Constitution, which ARCSS provides that shall be Federal. The type of Federalism will be discussed and approved by the people of South Sudan during that process. ARCSS is very clear on this and I do not understand why some groups keep on saying a federal system should start off immediately during the transitional period. These are just dishonest political talks to lure support from emotional citizens who are uninformed about the HLRF process, and those parties do not really mean to implement what they say or are they unaware of the mandate of the HLRF?

Further, they should know that the current weak and poor institutions (states, even the former 10 States) are not equipped enough to implement a Federal system immediately. Even what form of Federalism? Or just the name? That is why the transitional period should be used to build competent institutions and personnel in the states so that they shall be able to implement whatever type of Federalism South Sudanese will adopt in the Permanent Constitution.

On the issue of allocating more powers to the states, what powers specifically? Among others, South Sudanese would like to elect their state governors, county commissioners but the power-sharing deal provides for appointments by the parties. So, elections and other related matters would need peace and discussions during the Permanent Constitution-making process.

On the issues of allocation of more resources to the lower level of government, I agree, the Transitional government should observe that. I also argued in my recent article that the Agreement (proposal) should include a provision for allocation of at least 40% of national revenue to the States as opposed to the current 15% or probably less given the increment of the States. The matters should not be left vogue in the Agreement without stating the exact amount of resources to be devolved.

Thereafter, when those reforms are achieved and a Permanent Constitution promulgated, the Country shall go for general elections, in fact, it's first ever!

The third issues is about the root causes of the conflict. For example, SSOA said the latest proposal “failed to address the root causes and core issues that brought the country to its knees.” This gets one wondering how would they expect a discussion on Chapter One of ARCSS which is power sharing to address those issues they keep raising? The current talk was clearly about power sharing since having reached the deal on security arrangements the other week.

I have in my articles recently made some observations and recommendations on how to use the HLRF to achieve the needed radical reforms, learning from the mistakes of ARCSS. There is still a chance to address the rest of the issues, including the root causes and how JMEC should be strengthened to ensure compliance with the Agreement, during the Nairobi Talks expected to be held soon and the finalization of the Revitalized ARCSS in Addis Ababa also we expect to happen soon after. But for now please, reach a deal on power sharing and move the discussions to other important issues.

My articles on recent relevant developments and why the parties should drop their narrow interpretation of HLRF for the sake of the Country are here on the below links:

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article65837

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article65849

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article65741

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article65816

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article65719

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article65824

Finally, the latest proposal, in my view, is very fair on the issue of number and boundaries of states.

The proposal in Article 4.12 says “The Parties agree to abide by the recommendations of the IBC, and hereby authorize the IGAD Executive Secretariat to enshrine those recommendations in the Revitalized ARCISS. The Parties accept to implement the recommendations in full at the beginning of the Transitional Period.”

Article 4.13 further adds that “In the unlikely event of the IBC failing to make its recommendations before the end of the Pre-Transitional Period, the Republic of South Sudan shall have as regions the old three provinces, as per their boundaries of January 1, 1956. This solution shall be adopted on a temporary basis until the number and boundaries of the States are agreed.”

The government and all parties should not be allowed to take an unfair advantage of South Sudanese by returning the Country to the old three provinces (regions).

It's been observed that national government retains 85% of national revenue and gives only 15% to the states. This is what should be changed by giving the states more shares of the national revenue so that the whole country gets development, instead of currently where there's hardly anything the government can show, even in the capital Juba, like clean water system, electricity or security, as their achievement for the big budget they retain.

To develop the states, and avoid a return to the old three provinces (regions), South Sudanese, the parties and all partners should work hard to make sure that the IBC does not fail to make its recommendations before the end of the Pre-Transitional Period.

Roger Alfred Yoron Modi, a South Sudanese journalist, is the former Managing Editor of Juba Monitor Newspaper and former Chief Editor of Bakhita Radio. He can be reached via his email: rogeryoron@gmail.com

July 16, 2018 (JUBA) - The South Sudanese government voiced strong reservations on the revised Entebbe Proposal on the outstanding issues of governance and blamed the mediation for making new propositions instead of developing the agreed provisions.

The revised version of Entebbe Proposal creates a new vice-president for the South Sudanese Opposition Alliance and reduced the government members to 35 ministers.

The government spokesperson and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said they received the new draft on the governance and sent it to the leadership in Juba to respond to it. However, he added that document "seems not to be in place".

"The mediation has to stick to the provisions of the agreement instead of dismissing or coming up with new propositions that have never been touched before, and amending provisions which were already agreed," Lueth said.

The minister who was speaking from Khartoum to the South Sudan TV seemed as he was surprised by the content of the new draft. Also, for the first time, he criticized the mediation.

"The way the document is written appears as if there is no government in South Sudan," he said.

After what he repeated that the decision will be taken by the president "but, I really doubt it will be signed tomorrow," he stressed.

(ST)

July 16, 2018 (WAU) - South Sudan's civil society groups have added their voice to the opposition forces rejecting the Entebbe proposal which increase cabinet's ministers and members of parliament but ignore the core issues that led to the eruption of war in the country.

The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) at the African Union Hall, Addis Ababa (Getty)

The proposal was submitted to the parties during a meeting held in Entebbe between the leaders of South Sudanese parties to the conflict in addition to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his Sudanese counterpart Omer al-Bashir on Friday 7 July.

According to the initial Entebbe proposal which since Monday evening has been revised, there will be 550 members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and 45 cabinet ministers with their deputies respectively.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Monday, Biel Boutros a South Sudanese activist said such proposal did not reflect the political interest to end the conflict but focus on personal interests in the governing system.

“We said no; this is a very huge government and what the citizens want now is service delivery, but not accommodating personalities,” said Boutros.

He added they are also opposed the proposal because it would mean the establishment of a huge government that would be unable to deliver the badly needed services to the people:

“What we the civil population of South Sudan need is peace (...). We all know that Uganda has interest in the South Sudan conflict," he said.

“The citizens are really suffering. They are in a critical situation. So, the question is not how many (politicians) to be accommodated, but what services to be delivered to the people,” he repeated.

The opposition parties said the proposal reflects the government's previous positions, particularly the creation of a two vice-presidents positions for the incumbent government and maintaining the current members of parliaments.

On Monday evening the South Sudan Opposition Alliance rejected the second draft agreement on the outstanding issues of governance saying they want a lean government and the transfer of power and resources to the states and local authorities.

(ST)

July 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - South Kordofan State is hosting 40,000 South Sudanese refugees, said Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs Awadiya Basha

Children fetch clean water from ICRC water points in Muglad, Southern Kordofan State (ICRCJ. Guitter/file Photo)

Speaking at a workshop on refugee laws on Sunday, Basha said the government of South Kordofan is committed to granting refugees status for foreign nationals who reach its territory according to international laws.

She said South Sudanese refugees enjoy the state's limited services including food, health and water, pointing to strong and old relations between the refugees and the residents of the state.

For his part, the housing officer at South Kordofan refugee commission Khalifa Omer Terkawi said most of the South Sudanese refugees are being hosted in Abu Gibaiha and Al-liri localities.

He added the refugees are living in a stable and peaceful environment, pointing to coordination between various government organs and aid groups providing services and protection for refugees.

Over 2 million South Sudanese refugees have been displaced as a result of the conflict that hit the world's youngest nation in mid-December 2013.

According to the UNHCR, as of 15 January 2018, the total South Sudanese refugee population in Sudan stood at 770,110.

Other sources estimate a total of 1.3 million South Sudanese refugees in Sudan, but this data requires verification.

South Sudanese refugees in Sudan have reportedly been distributed in four states including the White Nile, South Kordofan, East Darfur and Khartoum states, amid concerns the current numbers will rise.

In August 2016, Sudan officially declared that South Sudanese fleeing war in their country will be treated as refugees, which opens the door for the UN to provide them with aid and fund aid programs.

The UNHCR said 3,000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Sudan in the first half of January 2018.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), an estimated 200,000 new South Sudanese refugees are anticipated to arrive in Sudan in 2018.

(ST)

July 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudanese parties Monday received the final draft of the Revised Entebbe Proposal on outstanding issues of governance with the hope that they would accept it and sign on Tuesday a deal on the governance chapter. However, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) said they reject it.

Presidents Omer al-Bashir and Yoweri Museveni held a marathon meeting with President Salva Kiir and his main rival and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar in Entebbe on 7 July.

The meeting which was also attended partly by the leaders of the other opposition groups came out with a proposal on the power-sharing and governance budded Entebbe Proposal.

However, the opposition groups said the proposed deal focuses only on the power-sharing and neglected the other vital issues particularly the number of states and establishment of an inclusive boundaries commission.

On Monday the mediators handed over to the negotiating parties an amended version of the Entebbe Proposal providing that besides President Kiir and his Frits Vice-President (FVP) Machar there would be four other vice-presidents two to be nominated by the incumbent government, one by the opposition alliance (SSOA) and a woman the FDs should nominate.

The initial version of the proposal spoke about the President Kiir and four other vice presidents including the FVP Machar.

The revised Entebbe document provides that the government would be formed from 35 ministers, instead of 55 ministers. Accordingly, the incumbent government takes 20 portfolios, the SPLM-IO nine ministers, the SSOA will get three ministers, the FDs two ministers and the OPP one minister.

There would be also 10 deputy ministers five appointed by the current government, three by the SPLM-IO, one for the SSOA and one for the OPP.

The proposed deal further kept the same numbers of the Members of Parliament, 550 MPs. The incumbent government has 332 members, the SPLM-IO 128 members, SSOA 50 members, OPP 35 members and FDs 5 members.

The Speaker of the TNLA shall be nominated by the government and the Speaker of the Council of States would be nominated by the SPLM-IO.

For the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC), the deal provides it will consist of 15 members: five appointed by the five South Sudanese parties, two by the IGAD countries that have a border with South Sudan, three by the Troika, five by the African Union.

Finally, for the responsibility sharing at the state level and local government level, it is proposed that the government will take 55%, the SPLM-IO 25%, SSOA 10% and OPP10%.

However, the deal is obviously not accepted by the opposition groups particularly the SSOA that felt marginalized by the proposed deal.

The non-armed opposition groups believe that the transitional period should be inclusive and that all the parties should work on an equal basis for the elaboration of the permanent constitution and the different institutions.

SSOA REJECTS THE REVISED PROPOSAL

The South Sudan opposition was the first to react to the amended Entebbe proposal on outstanding issues of governance saying it "failed to address the root causes and core issues" of the conflict.

"Hence, SSOA is preparing its written response rejecting this proposal. Because the people of South Sudan had suffered enough and they deserved a genuine PEACE," said Kwaje Lasu the SSOA spokesperson.

The opposition alliance which gathers nine political groups (FDP; NAS; NDM; PDM; SPLM-FDs; SSNMC; SSPM; SSLM; SSUM) further reiterated their demand for a "lean government and a federal system of governance, beginning with a clear devolution of power and resources to the states as well as the localities".

During the revitalization forum, the alliance kept repeating that its demands had been put aside by the mediators when it comes to the proposals they draft on the different topics.

the SSOA pledged to continue to work within the framework of the peace process to reach a just and sustainable peace.

"That is the only way to alleviate the suffering of our people and stop the current downslide of the country into an abyss," stressed Lasu.

(ST)

For the full text of the revised Entebbe Proposal on governance issue, please click hereunder

TEXT: Draft Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance

July 16, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Higher Committee to Combat Human Trafficking said it would develop a national anti-trafficking strategy as well as activating existing laws to counter the phenomenon in accordance with the established international standards.

In a meeting chaired by Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman on Sunday, the committee discussed legal frameworks to combat human trafficking besides humanitarian and social effects of the phenomenon.

During the meeting, Attorney General Omer Ahmed Mohamed reviewed the report prepared by the legal sub-committee on the relevant legislation and the distinction among illegal migration, asylum, human trafficking and smuggling.

He pointed out to victim protection measures as well as procedures for accommodation, return of victims and removal of offenders in addition to statistical methods to crimes and trials.

The Attorney General also mentioned bases and controls of international cooperation in the prosecution of offenders and the recovery of funds and assets related to crime.

For his part, Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abel-Ghani al-Nai'im said the meeting agreed to develop a national strategy to combat human trafficking as well as launching partnerships with regional and international anti-trafficking organizations.

Sudan is considered as a country of origin and transit for the illegal migration and human trafficking. Thousands of people from Eritrea and Ethiopia are monthly crossing the border into the Sudanese territories on their way to Europe through Libya or Egypt.

In January 2014, the Sudanese parliament approved an anti-human trafficking law which punishes those involved with human trafficking with up to 20 years imprisonment.

Also, in 2014, Khartoum hosted a conference on human trafficking in the Horn of Africa, organised by the African Union (AU), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Sudanese government.

The East African nation has also forged a strategic partnership with several European countries and the EU to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.

(ST)

AGREEMENT ON OUTSTANDING ISSUES OF GOVERNANCE

Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance

Mindful of their commitment under the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 to lay the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law,

Deeply regretting the scale of untold human suffering that had befallen their country and people as a result of disregarding this commitment,

Determined to compensate their people by recommitting themselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past,

Cognizant of the prime significance of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country,

Confirming the commitments that they have solemnly undertaken in the Khartoum Declaration and the ARCSS,

The Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan (TGoNU) the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army-In Opposition (SPLM/ A-IO), the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Former Detainees (FDs), Other Political Parties (OPP), referred to hereinafter collectively as the Parties, confirm their commitment to the agreed part of the Revised Bridging Proposal and hereby resolve as follows the outstanding issues on governance:

1. The Presidency:
1.1. At the beginning of the Transitional Period:
a. H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit shall continue as President of the Republic of South Sudan.
b. The Chairman of SPLM/A-1O Dr Riek Machar Teny shall assume the
position of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.
1.2. During the Transitional Period there shall be four Vice Presidents of the Republic of South Sudan who shall be nominated as follows:

a. Vice President to be nominated by incumbent TGoNU.
b. Vice President to be nominated by SS0A.
c. Vice President to be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.
d. Vice President to be nominated by FDs, who shall be a woman.
1.3. Apart from the First Vice President, there shall be no hierarchy among Vice Presidents. The ranking in 1.2 above is for protocol purposes only.
1.4. Decision making in the Presidency shall be in a spirit of collegial collaboration. However, the powers and functions of the President, First Vice President, and Vice Presidents shall be delineated along the provisions of the ARCSS 2015.
1.5. The First Vice President and Vice Presidents shall oversee respectively the Cabinet Clusters as follows:
(a) First Vice President: Governance Cluster.
(b) Vice President: Economic Cluster.
(c) Vice President: Services Delivery Cluster.
(d) Vice President Infrastructure Cluster.
(e) Vice President: Gender and Youth Cluster.

2. The Revitalized TGoNU:
2.1. The Council of Ministers shall be comprised thirty-five (35) Ministers organized in the abovementioned five (5) clusters.
2.2. The Infrastructure Cluster shall include Ministries of Energy and Dams; Transport; Roads and Bridges; and Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services.
2.3. The Gender and Youth Cluster shall include the Ministries of Gender, Child and Social Welfare; and Culture, Youth, and Sports.
2.4. The additional five Ministries and their clustering shall be agreed by the Parties before or during the Pre-Transitional Period further to a proposal to be drawn by the IGAD and shall be included in the Revitalized ARCSS.
2.5. The Ministerial positions shall be selected as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 20 Ministers.
b. SPLM/A-IO : 09Ministers.
c. SSOA: 03 Ministers.
d. FDs: 02 Ministers.
e. OPP: 0l Minister.
2.6. There shall be ten (10) Deputy Ministers in the following Ministries:
a. Cabinet Affairs.
b. Foreign Affairs.
c. Defense.
d. Interior.
e. Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
f. Finance.
g. Agricultural and Food Security.
h. General Educational and Instruction.
i. Public Services and Human Resource Development
j. Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
2.7. Deputy Ministers shall be nominated by the Parties by rotation from the above list according to the following ratio:
a. TGoNU: five (5) Deputy Ministers.
b. SPLM/ A-1O: three(3) Deputy Ministers.
c. S.SOA: one (1) Deputy Minister.
d. OPP: one (l)Deputy Minister.
2.8. No fewer than three (3) of the Deputy Ministers shall be women.
2.9. No Assistant Presidents, other Ministers or Deputy Ministers shall be appointed during the Transitional Period.
2.10. If more than two Advisers to the President are appointed, the responsibility sharing ratio shall apply to their selection.

3. The Transitional National Legislature:
3.1. The Transitional National Legislature shall consist of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States.

3..2 The TNLA shall be dissolved and composed of 550 members who shall
be allocated as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 332 members.
b. SPLM/ A-1O:128 members.
c. SSOA:50members.
d. OPP:35 members.
e. FDs:5 members.
3.3. The Speaker of the TNLA shall be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU. One Deputy Speaker shall be nominated by OPP and the other, who shall be a woman, shall be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.
3.4. The Council of States shall be dissolved and composed of 50 members or the closest figure that can be shared evenly by the States as per the number that shall be recommended by the IBC. However, the minimum number for the representatives of every and each State shall be two.
3.5. The membership of the Council of States shall be reconstituted as per the responsibility sharing ratio.
3.6. The Speaker of the Council of States shall be nominated by SPLM/A-IO and the Deputy Speaker shall be nominated by Incumbent TGoNU.

4. Number and Boundaries of States:
4.1. Within thirty (30) days of the signing of this Agreement, the IGAD Executive Secretariat, taking into account the decision of 55th Extra­ Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 30-31, 2016, shall appoint Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) for the Republic of South Sudan.
4.2. The IBC shall consist of fifteen (15) members with the necessary skills and expertise.
4.3. Members of the IBC shall be appointed as follows:
a. Five (5) South Sudanese who shall be appointed by the Parties, one
(1) each.
b. Two (2) representatives of the IGAD states that shall come from states with no boundaries with South Sudan.
c. Three (3) representatives of the Troika states.
d. Five (5) representatives of the African Union that shall be from the C5states.

4.4. The IBC shall be chaired by one of its non-South Sudanese members who shall be of recognized standing and integrity and who had occupied a
senior judicial executive or administrative position in his home country.
4.5. The IBC may retain the services of a team of experts.
4.6. The IBC shall establish three teams, each consisting of five representatives and relevant experts, to be deployed at locations it will designate.
4.7. The function of the IBC shall be to consider the number of States of the
Republic of South Sudan and their boundaries; and to ma.ke
recommendations on the same.
4.8. The IBC shall focus on studying the alternatives currently proposed by
the Parties and any other viable alternatives in the light of guidelines that shall be drawn beforehand. The IBC shall also draw its own internal
regulations.
4.9. The IBC shall strive to arrive at its recommendations by consensus. If consensus is not achieved, the IBC shall adopt its recommendations by simple majority.
4.10. The recommendations of the IBC shall be presented to the IGAD Executive Secretariat and shall be immediately communicated to the Parties.
4.11. The IBC shall complete its work within ninety (90) days, extendable to a maximum of ninety (90) days more. ln all cases it shall ma.ke its recommendations on the number and boundaries of States during the
Pre-Transitional Period. Thereafter it shall be dissolved.
4.12. The Parties agree to abide by the recommendations of the IBC, and hereby authorize the IGAD Executive Secretariat to enshrine those recommendations in the Revitalized ARCISS. The Parties accept to implement the recommendations in full at the beginning of the Transitional Period.
4.13. In the unlikely event of the IBC failing to ma.ke its recommendations before the end of the Pre-Transitional Period, the Republic of South Sudan shall have as regions the old three provinces, as per their boundaries of January 1, 1956. This solution shall be adopted on temporary basis until the number and boundaries of the States are agreed.
4.14.

5. States and Local Government
5.1. The Responsibility sharing ratio at State level and local government level shall be as follows:
a. Incumbent TGoNU: 55%
b. SPLM/A-IO: 25%
c. SSOA: 10%
d. OPP: 10%
5.2. State and local governments shall be dissolved and reconstituted as per the responsibility sharing formula stated above.
5.3. The positions that shall be subject to responsibility sharing include:
Governors, Speakers of State Legislatures, State Councils of Ministers, State Legislatures, County Commissioners, County Councils, Mayors and City Councils.
5.4. In sharing State and local positions Parties shall take into account the
relative prominence each Party has in the respective State or Payam and effective administration of that unit.
5.5. The FDs shall have three state Ministers in States of their choice.

6. General:
6.1. This Agreement shall prevail on contradictory or incompatible provisions of ARCSS and the Revised Bridging Proposal.
6.2. The high number of members of the Executive and TNLA is agreed to be
exceptional and for the purposes of the Transitional Period only. The principle of lean government and an assembly that follows the internationally recognized proportions of population to members of parliament shall be observed beyond the Transitional Period.
6.3. Provisions of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan and ARCSS on participation of women (35 %) in the Executive shall be observed. In particular, Incumbent TGoNU shall nominate no fewer than six (6) women to the Council of Ministers, and SPLM-10 shall nominate no fewer than three (3) women to the Council of Ministers.
6.4. Having in mind that more than 70 percent of the population in the
Republic of South Sudan is under the age of thirty and that the youth are also the most affected by the war and represent high percentage of refugees and IDPs, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports shall be less than forty (40) years old. The Parties shall strive to include people of young age in their quotas at different levels.
6.5. In selecting their nominees Parties shall give due consideration to national diversity, including regional representation.
6.6. Within thirty days of signing this Agreement, the Parties shall form a
National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) of ten members (5,2,1,1,1) to be tasked with oversight and coordination of the implementation of the activities of the Pre-Transitional Period. The NPTC shall be chaired by TGoNU with two Deputy Chairs from SPLM/ A-10 and S.SOA and shall adopt its decisions by consensus. The NPTC shall draw the road map for implementing the political tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period, prepare a budget for the Pre-Transitional Period, and address issues of VIP security and preparations for new Ministers, among others. The NPTC shall start in Addis Ababa and shall move to Juba sometime during the Pre-Transitional Period. The NPTC shall be dissolved when the Pre-Transitional Period ends.
6.7. The Reconstituted National Constitutional Amendments Committee NCAC shall continue to revise relevant laws and draft new legislation under this agreement within 12 (twelve) months of the beginning of the Transition Period.
6.8. There shall be established a fund for the implementation of the political
and security activities of the Pre-Transitional Period. The fund, which shall be drawn from the proceeds of oil, shall be deposited in an escrow account in a bank agreed by the NPTC. The NPTC shall manage the fund transparently and report on it monthly to the Parties.
6.9. The activities that shall be undertaken during the Pre-Transitional
Period which can take as long as 8 months shall include:

a. Dissemination of the Agreement to South Sudanese People inside the country, in different cities and towns of Sudan, in refugee camps in other neighboring countries, in diaspora, so that the people can own it.
b. To be carrying out the tasks entrusted in the IBC.
c. A process of national healing and reconciliation that shall be led by all Parties inside and outside of the Republic of South Sudan.
d. Security arrangement activities as per the Agreement on Security
Arrangement.
e. Incorporation of the Agreement of the Revitalized ARCS.S in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011.
f. Reviewing and drafting necessary Bills as per the revitalized ARC:s.5.
g. Any other activities agreed by the Parties.
6.10. The Parties shall agree on Inter-Ministerial Mechanism for Implementation of the Revitalized ARCS.S including reporting to JMEC. The IGAD Jed mediation and the guarantors shall revitalize and restructure ail monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure inclusivity of ail parties and enhance their effectiveness. Such review and restructuring shall be included in the revitalized ARC:s.5.
6.11. At the beginning of the Pre-Transitional Period, the Parties shall issue a solemn commitment to their people and the international community confirming unequivocally that they will not return to war and shall work hand in hand diligently and collectively for the sake of peace and stability of the country. In particular, the Parties shall pledge to use the resources of the country wisely and transparently, for the best interest of the people of the Republic of South Sudan, and to put in place the efficient mechanisms required for achieving this paramount goal. In their solemn commitment the Parties shall also appeal to the international community for support and cooperation at this difficult time of the Republic of South Sudan.

Done in the Republican Palace

Khartoum

Sudan, this day ']hl

of July 2018.

For Incumbent TGoNU

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For SPLM/A-IO

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For SSOA

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Speaking at the first day of the Somalia Partnership Forum in Brussels on Monday, senior United Nations officials commended the country’s government for its efforts in political reform, security, economic development, and recovery and humanitarian assistance – while flagging the need for further progress and international support for these efforts.

By Mahmoud A. Suleiman

The attendance of the genocidal criminal, the fugitive from the International Justice Marshall Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir to watch the Football Finale in Russia is Slap on the face of the Darfur survivors and a betrayal of the victims of genocide.

President Omer al-Bashir and his corrupt regime over the past 30 lean years failed to develop football team that the people of Sudan to be proud of, honour and play before the people of the world the Sudanese National Anthem and jubilantly sing by saying: "We are the soldiers of God and the soldiers of the homeland", which the Sudanese people almost have forgotten it today. Has the modesty of the president of the ruling regime in Sudan been lost, so that he is no longer ashamed? Is it conceivable that genocide criminal Omer al-Bashir receives an official invitation from a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to attend the end of the World Cup in Russia? It seems that the (ICC) has been betrayed and evaded by the Russian President Vladimir Putin if the alleged invitation of al-Bashir to attend the Finale of the International Football Tournament is true.

If the alleged news turns out true, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been betrayed by Russia the Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Omer al-Bashir Remains a Heavy Burden on the People of Sudan for three Decades and hence they must do what is possible to get rid of him and his regime.

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir will travel to Russia to attend the final of the World Cup between France and Croatia scheduled for Sunday 15th July 2018, according to the official Sudanese news agency SUNA.

Western leaders avoid meeting the Sudanese president, or taking part in any action, as a fugitive and a wanted criminal suspect.

It is noteworthy to report that on Tuesday the 10th July 2018, the European Union (EU) expressed regret that Djibouti and Uganda had not fulfilled their legal obligations and that they had not extradited President Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) which issued two arrest warrants in 2009 and 2010. However, the arrogant Omer al-Bashir tries to prove that he is free to travel around the globe in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment and arrest warrants for his implications in the crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocidal atrocities against the Sudanese civilian citizens in the Darfur region and he remains fugitive from the international justice, evading the (ICC), travelling widely to prove himself that no power would dare to arrest him. Below is the list of his recent travels according to the (ICC) records: https://www.icc-cpi.int/darfur/albashir

• al-Bashir leaves for Mauritania on June 30, 2018
• Bashir leaves for Djibouti July 4, 2018
• Bashir leaves for Uganda July 7, 2018
• Bashir leaves for Turkey July 9, 2018
• Bashir leaves for Russia July 13, 2018

The atrocities perpetrated by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Janjaweed militia during the third post-2003 Darfuri conflict constituted the first internationally condemned and acknowledged the genocide of the twenty-first century. Thus, President of Sudan Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir remains at large since 16 October 1993 at time of arrest warrants: 4 March 2009 on 5 counts of crimes against humanity, 2 charges were for war crimes and On 12 July 2010 3 charges of genocide
The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315459641_The_Prosecutor_v_Omar_Hassan_Ahmad_Al_Bashir [accessed Jul 14 2018].

Bashir has become the present-day Ibn Battuta, entering the Guinness Book of Records which is the most important travel book around the world with the support of the money looted from the public purse of Sudanese people!

Ibn Battuta (1304 – 1368 or 1369) was a Moroccan explorer. He is known for the account of his journeys called the Rihla ("Voyage"). He travelled for nearly 30 years and covered most of the Islamic world. He also explored West Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and China. This distance was more than Marco Polo travelled; about 75,000 kilometres (47,000 mi). Ibn Battuta was considered the greatest traveller of the medieval period. Battuta also made maps that were used by cartographers.
https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Battuta

Social networking devices were filled with comic and other comments full of irony, disgust and anger at Omar al-Bashir's visit to Russia to attend the end of the World Cup. Some Sudanese wondered whether French President Macaron was shaking hands with Omar al-Bashir, stained with the blood of victims and lives Darfur, and therefore has been chased by the International Criminal Court and has been running away from international justice since 2009? Others also asked about the purpose for which Omar al-Bashir, his wife and his entourage of twenty-six individuals is visiting at the expense of the deprived people of Sudan while Sudan does not have a football team participating in the international tournament. Other Sudanese citizens said that at this moment, the rescue of the 12 children and their coach from the cave filled with water, which made all the peoples of the world follow the tragedy of the children of the cave and solidarity with them where the aid came from everywhere and can be said that the Government of Thailand and its people are the winners of the World Football Championship that coincided with the rescue of the Children of the cave with global football competitions! The twelve boys and their soccer coach rescued from a flooded Thai Cave will watch a recording of the World Cup final which takes place on Sunday (July 15 2018), not the live broadcast, an official at the hospital they are staying in said. Others in Sudan hoped that the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) (Fatu Bensouda to be in Moscow, which would frighten Omer al-Bashir because he fears the International Criminal Court (ICC) more than anything else in his lifetime and has been doing everything to avoid arrest and surrender to The Hague prisons in the Netherlands. The (ICC) Chase of him has become the real nightmare that keeps Omer al - Bashir sleepless at night and day whether he like it or not and will remain his boogeyman under his bed whether he likes it or not.

The Horror of Bashir for the (ICC) will remain haunting and pursuing him as long as the arrest warrants have not achieved the desired goal.

Despite the attempt of the media owned by the Bashir regime to promote that the government of al-Bashir has received a pre-invitation from Russia demanding the presence of al-Bashir to Russia for important meetings with President Putin, but a document obtained by the "Rakuba" confirmed that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has applied to the Russian government, for attending the closing of the World football Cup matches currently held in Russian territory.

It is noteworthy that Omer al-Bashir and his entourage of 26 individuals have not received any invitation from the Russian government to attend the end of international football competitions.

Sudanese social media interactors are asking an interesting question:
As to whether President Omer al-Bashir's visit to Russia to attend the World Cup finals is based to an invitation from President Putin and if it is so what will happen if France or Croatia wins the Cup? Will President Emmanuel Macron accept congratulatory hand-shake from Al-Bashir, or how will the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi? react in case her turn to do so? Would the two Presidents disregard their International obligations and ignore the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment of the Sudanese President Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir. A Sudanese activist indicated that the expectations are that the Great Football Teams who will be playing the World Cup would refuse to play unless al-Bashir leaves the Stadium!

Earlier," the Sudanese official news agency said SUNA indicated that: "Bashir will go to Moscow on Friday for an official visit to Russia, during which he will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them. The agency went on saying: "The President of the Republic will see the end of the World Cup on the sidelines of the World Cup and 25 heads of state at the invitation of President Putin." Furthermore, the agency pointed out that the talks between Presidents Bashir and Putin will focus on "economic relations, building a strategic partnership for development, along with the promotion of joint cooperation in the political and economic fields, increasing investment opportunities, especially in the fields of agriculture and energy, Armed Sudanese, which is supported by Russia.” It is noteworthy to recall that In November 2017, al-Bashir made a historic visit to Russia, during which he met with his Russian counterpart and the two countries signed a package of economic and military agreements, the results of which have given no fruits so far!. However, the current alleged visit of al-Bashir to Russia is nothing but an expensive touristic journey at the expense of the Sudanese public coffers to the seat of the former Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) where al-Bashir meant to entertain his wife and the children of his wife from her previous marriage and the individuals in his closed circle of confidants coinciding that with the international Football Tournament. On the other hand, if the spectators of the final World Football Cup have become aware of the presence of Omer al-Bashir among the audience they will shout heckling him and ask him to leave the football arena; he is a persona non grata! While the President of Thailand will be a warmly welcome from the audience watching the final Football Tournament for his caring national attitudes towards his people trapped in a cave flooded by the waters. France plays Croatia in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday, at 10pm in Thailand. The world soccer governing body FIFA had invited the 12 Thai boys and their coach to attend the final football tournament in Moscow but they cannot go for medical reasons. The Thai news reported that the 12-member "Wild Boars" soccer team and their coach spent more than two weeks trapped inside a flooded cave in the northern province of Chiang Rai.

They have been recovering in hospital since they were rescued over three days last week and will be discharged on Thursday. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailands-rescued-cave-boys-will-not-be-watching-world-cup-final-live

Bashir's marathon travels are nothing but a form of a psychological complex of inferiority feeling and accordingly, he has to resort those hapless move outs seeking some temporary relief from his ceaseless tension.

The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow will host the finale to the 2018 World Football Cup. Russia's sporting Mecca as it is referred to, has previously hosted the 1980 Olympics, 1999 UEFA Cup Final and 2008 Champions League Final. The question that poses itself is as to whether Omer al-Bashir will be the Guest of Honour rubbing shoulders with the French President Emmanuel Macron and the President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi?.

Vincent Thomas Lombardi the American football player, coach, and executive in the National Football League has been quoted as saying: “Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/football
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vince+lombardi&oq=Vince+Lombardi&aqs=chrome.0.0l6.1487j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Dr. Mahmoud A. Suleiman is an author, columnist and a blogger. His blog is http://thussudan.wordpress.com/

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