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A Nigerian intersex man says he thought that taking his own life would be "the best option".

June 5, 2018 (LOL) – Omer Eshag Mohamed, a former information minister in South Sudan's Lol state has announced his decision to join the opposition movement led by ex-army chief, Gen Paul Malong.

Former South Sudan army chief of staff, General Paul Malong Awan speaks at the presidential palace in Juba, November 16, 2017 (ST)

"After carefully thinking and analyzing all the options I had, I have finally decided that I will be joining SSUF/A under the leadership of General Paul Malong Awan because after the collapse of the peace talks in Addis Ababa, it is very clear that President Kiir and his team are not ready for peace," Mohamed noted in a statement.

The official, who quit the state government in May, openly accused President Salva Kiir of failing to lead the South Sudanese population.

“It is without a doubt that President Salva Kiir does not have the interest of South Sudan at heart. He is the obstacle for achieving peace in South Sudan,” the former-Lol state minister further wrote.

He added, “The president has a false sense of entitlement and believes he deserves an incentive in order for us to attain the peace we have been yearning for”.

Announcing he had officially joined South Sudan United Front (SSUF), an opposition movement led by the former army chief of staff, Mohamed blamed recent collapse of the peace talks mediated by the regional bloc (IGAD) on President Kiir's government.

Last month, the rival parties in South Sudan peace talks concluded the Second Phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) without striking a deal on the implementation of the governance and security arrangements.

Tens of thousands pf people have been killed in fighting between troops loyal to Kiir and forces led by his former deputy Riek Machar since 2013. The conflict has also left a quarter of South Sudan's population of 12 million, either internally displaced or as refugees in neighbouring countries.

June 5, 2018 (JUBA) - More civilians in South Sudan are without food in more places than ever before in the country's history, an international aid agency warned, saying an upsurge in fighting, lack of access and attacks on aid workers batters already food insecure communities.

Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (File photo)

“The UN's deadly prediction of record numbers of hungry people in South Sudan is already unfolding from what I'm seeing,” Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), who is currently visiting the war-hit nation, said on Monday.

Food security experts warned in February that unless aid and access were maintained, a record 7.1 million South Sudanese would face ‘crisis' or worse ‘acute' food insecurity between May and July.

“From what I've witnessed and what displaced people tell me, a worst-case nightmare scenario is already on our doorstep. Widows tell me how their villages were burned to the ground, their husbands killed, and they are left with children they cannot feed nor protect,” said Egeland during his visit to Unity, a former South Sudan state.

“I am outraged by how rape has become a common feature of the conflict,” he added.

Since the February warning, large parts of South Sudan have seen an upsurge in violence. Renewed fighting in parts of Unity State in April displaced thousands of civilians. Thousands of others have also been forced from their homes in Equatorial state of South Sudan.

Much of Unity and the Equatorial States have become humanitarian black holes, where access to communities is close to impossible. We still do not see the full consequences of the widespread and indiscriminate violence.

Aid agencies face a relentlessly hostile operating environment. More than a hundred aid workers have been killed since December 2013. In April alone, there were 80 reports of aid workers prevented from delivering aid.

In May, however, NRC was forced to suspend an emergency food distribution in Unity State because of active fighting in the state.

In areas too insecure to travel by road, the only option is to airdrop food to communities in need, the aid agency further stressed.

“Food drops are desperate measures in desperate times. But without this lifeline, an already bleak situation would turn into a total catastrophe. With peace South Sudan with its vast fertile lands could easily be a breadbasket for Africa,” said Egeland.

“This is a brutal war carried out largely on civilians. Men with weapons and power are continuing a senseless conflict that end up costing lots of innocent lives including women and children,” he added.

South Sudan plunged into war in December 2013, barely two years after independence from Sudan, after a disagreement between President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar deteriorated into a military confrontation.

Since then, tens of thousands have been killed by the fighting between troops loyal to Kiir and forces led by Machar. The conflict has also left a quarter of South Sudan's population of 12 million, either internally displaced or as refugees in neighbouring countries.

(ST)

June 5, 2018 (JUBA) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediation support unit has organized a two-day regional consultation meeting on the development of a draft mediation protocol in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan Ismael Wais (L) speaks during the closing session of Phase 2 on 23 May 2018 (IGAD photo)

IGAD, in a statement, said the concept behind the consultation with legal experts and the focal points from IGAD member states' ministries of foreign affairs is to provide ground for policy formulation to adopt the decision to draft a protocol on the mediation process.

The first step is to share with member states' representatives arguments that warrant a policy, to debate on the need for such a protocol, and discuss the benefits for IGAD to have it in place for conflict prevention and peacemaking, party reads the statement.

While opening the two-day meeting, David Buom Choat, the director of regional organization at South Sudan's foreign affairs ministry said the pre-policy consultative meeting on the mediation protocol was an important platform as it prescribes a roadmap for mediation interventions in political disputes and in accordance with the principles of international law of equal member states.

“We would want to see a Mediation Protocol that is comfortable and satisfied to all stakeholders, and which is in line with the policy of respecting the views of all member states in the region”, he added.

The programme manager for gender affairs at the IGAD Secretariat, Mubarak Mabuya stressed the importance of the workshop as key to strengthening IGAD's role in mediation and the effectiveness of interventions, while underscoring the importance of mediation as a tool for promoting sustainable peace and security in the region.

At the end of the workshop, however, a policy decision to establish a mediation protocol, and an Agreement on the outline of draft mediation protocol would have been attained as expected results.

The vision of the IGAD mediation support unit is to establish regional viable mediation structures, to which predictability of processes and outcome is ensured, and the objectives of any mediation are governed by collective will and interest of all member states.

IGAD is an eight-member regional bloc established in 1996. Its members include, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and Eritrea.

(ST)

June 5, 2018 (NYALA) - Eight people have been killed and seven others injured seriously by unidentified gunmen at Higair Tunu village for voluntary return, 29 kilometres south-east of South Darfur capital, Nyala.

A women sets down besides the body of a victim killed by gunmen in Higair Tunu market on 5 June 2018 (ST Photo)

The native administrator of the village Issa Salih Fidaly told Sudan Tribune Tuesday that 5 gunmen on camels' back attacked a crowded market at Higair Tunu at 10.00 pm (local time) on Monday killing 6 people instantly.

He added 9 wounded had been transferred to Nyala Teaching Hospital, saying 2 of them died while receiving treatment.

Fidaly pointed out that the culprits fled south of the village, saying dozens of the victims' relatives gathered at the hospital on Tuesday morning forcing authorities to deploy police and security forces to protect the hospital.

He stressed the government and the security committee didn't dispatch any forces to pursue the perpetrators, saying the incident threatens to bring lawlessness situation back to the area.

Fidaly further said known criminals still carry their weapons despite government claims about the success of the disarmament campaign.

Since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in July 2011, the government constructed several villages and vowed to support IDPs who return to their home areas.

However, the displaced complain that the security situation remains the same pointing to the government militia saying they continue to attack them and grab their land.

Last August, the Sudanese government launched a campaign to eliminate illegal weapons in the conflict-affected areas in Sudan.

The Sudanese authorities say the spread of weapons among the rival tribes in the region is one of the main causes of Darfur's instability.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million are displaced.

CONDEMNATIONS

Two armed groups, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North of Malik Agar (SPLM-N Agar) and the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) condemned the attack on the civilians and called for international action against the regime.

SPLM-N Agar spokesperson Mubarak Ardol accused the government militiamen of perpetrating what he described as "a new chapter of the repetition of the third genocide in Darfur".

Ardol further announced the Movement's intention to establish contacts with international and regional rights to expose "this crime."

While the SLM-AW Spokesperson Mohamed al-Nayer called on the international community to protect civilians in Darfur and called to arrest the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and to hand him over to the International Criminal Court.

"Failure to arrest and prosecute him means more crimes and bloodshed against defenceless civilians," added al-Nayer.

JUST A QUARREL

For his part, South Darfur Governor Adam al-Faki minimized the motivations of the incident saying it was just a "quarrel" in the area's market.

He said there was a friction between four gunmen and a female market seller, adding they open fire when the people in the market intervened in the quarrel, killing immediately six people and two others died later after being transferred to hospital Nyala.

Al-Faki said the police arrested one of the four criminals adding search operations continue for the three others.

He said that the State Security Committee arrived at the scene of the incident and engaged discussions with residents to reassure them, stressing that the incident has nothing to do with any tribal conflict, and adding, "Even those who were killed in the incident were from several tribes".

Further, he announced the opening of a police station in the area and to deploy the army for the protection of civilians, reiterating that what happened was an "accidental incident".

The governor said the armed forces continue the weapons collection campaign but the army dispatches small units to track those who hide arms under the ground.

(ST)

June 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan and Russia have agreed to forge strategic partnerships in all fields particularly the military domain in order to achieve interests of the two countries.

On Tuesday, the Sudanese army chief of staff Lt Gen Kamal Abdel-Maarouf al-Mahi met the Russian Ambassador to Khartoum Vladimir Zheltov in the presence of the Russian Military Attaché, Vladimir Gerasimenko.

Al-Mahi praised Russia's support to Sudan in international forums as well as its efforts to achieve peace and stability in the country.

He expressed Sudan's keenness to promote its relations with Russia, pointing to Moscow's continued economic and military support to Khartoum.

For his part, the Russian Ambassador expressed optimism over the future prospects of relations between the two countries, describing it as promising.

He described Sudan as an important African country and an old friend of Russia, expressing his country's keenness to promote relations with Sudan in all fields particularly the military domain.

Zheltov also expressed his country's readiness to provide the necessary assistance to enhance bilateral relations and forge economic, political and military partnerships.

During his visit to Russia in November 2017, President Omer al-Bashir proposed to President Vladimir Putin to build a military base on the Red Sea coast and to re-equip the Sudanese army with the Russian weapons including SU-30 fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles.

Politically, Russia is seen as a major ally of the government of al-Bashir that faces isolation from the West. However, economic cooperation between the two countries has remained very low, with a trade balance that does not exceed $400 million.

In December 2015, Sudan and Russia signed 14 cooperation agreements in different domains, including oil, minerals and banks.

(ST)

June 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Consul General in Libya Jamal Awad on Monday has inspected conditions of the Sudanese illegal migrants detained by Libya's Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency (AIIA) in Tripoli.

In a Facebook post, the AIIA in Tripoli said Sudan's Consul General's visit to the detained illegal migrants aimed to check on their conditions as well as to complete the required procedures to repatriate them to Sudan.

Meanwhile, the head of the AIIA Ramzi Ramadan Al-Hasi said the 240 infantry battalion has freed 74 illegal migrants detained by criminal gangs and human traffickers.

In press statements on Tuesday, Al-Hasi said the victims are from Sudan, Eritrea and Chad, saying they have been tortured by the human traffickers and haven't eaten for several days.

He pointed out that the victims have been handed over to the AIIA after they were freed, saying they have been subjected to medical examination.

Following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's 40-year-rule in 2011, Libya has slid into chaos and has become the most important transit country for illegal migrants to Europe.

In May 2016, Khartoum proposed to establish a joint force to monitor the common borders between Sudan and Libya to curb the movement of Darfur rebels and fight against illegal migration and terror groups.

The UN migration agency (IOM) in April 2017 said it had received reports about the existence of slave markets in Libya where West African migrants are being bought and sold openly.

Also, the CNN which investigated the reports broadcasted footage of a live auction where black youths are sold to North African buyers. The reported filmed by the journalists of the international news channel showed that the migrants are sold for $400.

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.

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)

June 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM/JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir agreed to meet with his former First Vice-President Riek Machar in Khartoum, announced the Sudanese Foreign Minister upon his return from Juba on Tuesday.

President Kiir met with a Sudanese delegation headed by foreign Minister al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed including Oil Minister Azhary Abdel Gader and the head of National Intelligence and Security Services Salah Gosh, said the foreign ministry in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny described the meeting as fruitful, saying South Sudanese leader has commended the role the Sudanese government is playing in the peace process.

“The Sudanese foreign minister and the minister of oil came for bilateral talks and to deliver a message of his brother his Excellency the President of the Republic Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit. The message the Sudanese government have delivered to his Excellency the President is the message of assurance to continue to support peace so that stability returns to the country,” said Ateny.

The delegation conveyed to Kiir a message from President Omer al-Bashir proposing him to meet with Machar in Khartoum in support of the IGAD High-Level Revitalization Forum of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

"President Salva Kiir thanked President Omar al-Bashir for the initiative, which he said reflected the spirit of brotherhood and loyalty between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples," said the Sudanese foreign ministry spokesperson.

Kiir welcomed the initiative and affirmed his government's readiness to participate in the meeting and to contribute to its success to achieve security and stability in South Sudan, he said.

Also, President Kiir praised Sudan's stand in support of South Sudan stability, pointing out that the stability of South Sudan represents the stability of Sudan, according to the statement.

For his part, Ateny Wek Ateny told reporters in Juba that the coalition government has accepted the president to meet rebel leader without condition.

“Initially, the stance of the government was not to meet the rebel leader, Riek Machar before denouncing violence but because the government is committed to ending war and bring peace to the country, the council of ministers has welcomed the proposal of the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and allowed his Excellency the President of the Republic to meet Riek Machar,” said Ateny.

However, the South Sudanese official pointed that Kiir did not receive an official letter from the chairman of the regional bloc mediating the talks, but he would like to meet Machar in Ethiopia instead of Mauritania as it appeared in a communique.

Last week, the IGAD, which is mediating a process for the implementation of a peace agreement signed in 2015, decided to organise a meeting between President Kiir and his main rival Machar.

The IGAD set June 30 as the deadline for the meeting between the two rival leaders.

The revitalization forum is stalled on issues related to the governance and security arrangement. But the mediators say they have hope that the two leaders make the needed concessions in the remaining outstanding matters.

The foreign ministry spokesperson said the Sudanese oil minister discussed with his South Sudanese counterpart the joint cooperation for the resumption of oil production in the troubled country

Also, Gosh and his South Sudanese counterpart discussed security issues and joint cooperation to achieve security and stability in the border areas.

(ST)

By Joan Nyanyuki

Gatwich, 34, was arrested by the South Sudan Military Intelligence Directorate in the aftermath of the July 2016 clashes in Juba and detained at the Gorom Military Base, 20Km south of Juba. During his initial arrest and interrogation, he was beaten and pierced with a dull knife. In detention, the ill-treatment continued.

Speaking to Amnesty International in December 2017, just after his release, he said: “In Gorom, you cannot talk. When we were heard talking, we are brought out, beaten and tortured. They used logs, bamboo sticks and belts for the beatings. If they decided to kill you, they will put a nail in your head, and make the rest of us watch.”

But Gatwich is not alone. He is amongst hundreds of people, mostly men, who have been arbitrarily arrested and detained by the National Security Service and the Military Intelligence Directorate since the conflict started in December 2013.

Another ex-detainee 49-year-old Joseph, reflecting on his life before two years of detention, told us: “You cannot talk about before. That's why people are dying in the sea in Italy. I cannot even send US$50 so my family can eat. The stresses that I have are (from) not being able to support my family. It is better for one to die.”

Some detainees have died in custody as a result of abuses, ill-treatment and lack of medical services. Others, like Gatwich and Joseph, struggle to get the medical and psychological care they desperately need to get back to normal life. Most former detainees have difficulties rebuilding their broken lives.

“Before detention, my life was okay. There was no problem. But since I was detained - I was there for three years and two months – life has become difficult. When they arrested me, they went to my house and took everything. I was released and found nothing. Now I can't afford to put the kids in school and pay rent. I cannot look for jobs because they took my documents when they arrested me, and my health is also not good,” said 32-year-old Moses.

The survivors spoke of how they often wondered whether they would ever make it out of detention alive, whether they would ever see their families again. Now they are free but live each day on edge with lingering fears of being re-arrested.

“I used to move freely without fear but now I have no protection and I am sure they are still following us to see whether their accusations against us are true. Most of us are traumatized; we need trauma healing,” said David, another 49-year-old another detainee, released in 2017 after three years in detention.

In addition to considerable mental anguish, a number described problems with their eyesight, they complained of high blood pressure, difficulty walking, among other medical conditions they contracted or were aggravated by the cramped, unsanitary conditions in detention.

Due to inadequate healthcare in South Sudan, where even primary health care for the general populace is provided by NGOs, former detainees are not able to get the medical or psychological attention they need and are entitled to.

Availability of and accessibility to mental health and psycho-social support services is extremely limited in South Sudan. Juba Teaching Hospital – the only public medical facility that provides psychiatric care – had capacity for only 12 patients as of July 2016. The country has very few practising psychiatrists.

While some NGOs provide support to released detainees, there is a general absence of tailored support for victims. Men are particularly disadvantaged. Although Amnesty International has documented that men are also subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, particularly when in custody, there are hardly any specialised health and support services for male victims.

Prolonged arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment have caused physical and psychological harm to hundreds. The South Sudan government must put an end to these violations, and ensure victims receive full reparation, including compensation for physical and psychological harm, and rehabilitation. The Government also must conduct independent, impartial investigations into reports of torture and prosecute those responsible in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.

While the primary responsibility for the care of ex-detainees lies with the government, national and international NGOs have also a role to play by ensuring that their programmes cater to the full range of violations experienced by victims of South Sudan's conflict, including prolonged and arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, sexual and gender-based violence. Mental and psychological health interventions should be mainstreamed to become part of the standard healthcare package provided in South Sudan in view of the on-going crisis.

Joan Nyanyuki is the Amnesty International Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes

June 4, 2018 (GENEVA) – United Nations human rights experts have called on states to ramp up measures to safeguard and support human rights defenders at a time when they are coming under increasing pressure globally, adding that civil society's role in the international human rights system is vital.

A general view of participants during the 29th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 3 July 2015 - (UN Photo)

In a statement issued at the end of a meeting initiated by the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the experts acknowledged civil society's crucial contribution to promoting human rights and sustainable development, and maintaining peace and security.

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders met with experts who monitor the 10 core international human rights treaties in New York on 23 May.

It called on human rights defenders and civil society to work more closely with the UN treaty bodies.

“The Treaty Bodies consider any interference, intimidation, abuse, threat, violence, reprisal or undue restrictions against human rights defenders as constituting violations of States parties' obligations towards the realization of the rights set out in the Treaties,” the statement added.

However, the calls reiterates the vital and central role played by human rights defenders to promote and support the application of the fundamental rights enshrined in the core international human rights treaties.

It further contextualizes the importance and relevance of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders, which “reaffirms, is underpinned by, and elaborates binding human rights obligations, including rights set out in the Treaties, and is relevant to the interpretation and implementation of the Treaties".

It urged states to strengthen institutions responsible for safeguarding and supporting the work of human rights defenders, and to amend or repeal any legislation that criminalizes or obstructs the work of human rights defenders.

“This document constitutes a major step forward in the protection of human rights defenders, and underscores the vital role they have in monitoring and reporting to the Treaty Bodies system to ensure States' compliance with international law,” said the Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Virginia Brás-Gomes.

“As the global human rights movement faces greater restrictions and increased challenges, human rights defenders more than ever need to be encouraged and protected," she added.

The statement reaffirms that all individuals should be able to engage with the treaty bodies free from all forms of interference, intimidation, abuse, threat, violence, reprisal, or undue restriction.

(ST)

June 4, 2018 (GABORONE/KAMPALA) – The higher education ministries of Botswana and South Sudan signed on 30 May a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of tertiary education.

Botswana's Ngaka Ngaka (right) and Yien Lam Tut after signing a MoU on 30 May, 2018 (Daily News photo)

According to Daily News, Botswana's minister of tertiary education, research, science and technology, Ngaka Ngaka and his South Sudan counterpart, Yien Oral Lam Tut signed the MoU on behalf of their respective nations.

A number of stakeholders and education partners attended the signing ceremony in the Botswana capital, Gaborone last week.

Botswana's education minister acknowledged that South Sudan lacked teachers, vowing to assist the war-torn East African nation.

He said the MoU signed by both countries would help them come up with modalities and guidelines of how to implement the agreement.

Botswana's assistant minister of tertiary education said the East African country was undergoing reconstruction in various aspects and thus needed to be assisted.

We will take pride in a future prosperous South Sudan, said Fidelis Molao, citing youth unemployment as one of Botswana's problems.

He, however, said the MoU would avail opportunities for the two countries to exploit for the betterment of the lives of their people.

Meanwhile, Tut said South Sudan would be pleased if Botswana could offer his country 100 scholarships for vocational education.

He lauded the signing of the MoU, saying it will cement the relationship between the two nations in the tertiary education area.

He said while in the past they used to look to Egypt for tertiary education, they had since spread their focus to other African countries and identified Botswana as an ideal partner in this regard.

A number of South Sudanese students are currently studying at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as at the various institutes of health sciences across the country.

(ST)

June 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese ministry of justice denied reports of launching ratification process of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) adding that such operation requires prior consultations within the government institutions.

Recently local press reported that Justice Minister Mashaar al-Doleb told the parliament about the intention of the justice ministry to ratify the CEDAW and that the international treaty has been lodged to the legislative chamber for ratification before the formal signing at the United Nations.

The international bill of rights for women was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 but Sudan is among very few states that declined to sign it. Over fifty countries signed and ratified the Convention have done so subject to certain reservations and objections, including the Saudi Arabia which posed three reservations.

"It is not accurate that the ministry has recommended or submitted the treaty to the parliament for ratification," said the ministry of justice in a statement released on Monday.

Further, it added that such matter was not included in the nine-month activities report to the parliament presented by the minister last week.

In a response to a question about the CEDAW, the minister explained the means by which an international treaty enters into national legislation and its right to express reservations with its signature, stressed the statement.

"She explained that the (justice) ministry does not work alone, but such process is done within inter-minstrel bodies," the statement said.

Last Thursday, the European Union Commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides welcomed an alleged statement by Sudanese Minister of Justice expressing Sudan's decision to ratify the CEDAW.

Also, a Sudanese radical Islamic preacher Mohamed Ali al-Gazouli, last Saturday criticized the minister of justice for the alleged statement about the signing of the CEDAw saying it violates the Islamic law.

Speaking Monday at a meeting on the prohibition of female gentile mutilation in the country, Minister al-Doleb voiced her support for the signing of the CEDAW with reservations to the dispositions that contravene the Islamic law.

(ST)

June 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan and Chad have agreed to enhance security cooperation and promote economic, social and political relations on the joint border area.

On Monday, the governor of West Darfur state Hussein Yassin Hamad has discussed with a delegation from the Chadian consulate in El-Geniena ways to promote bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Hamad pointed out that the next period would witness extensive contacts between West Darfur and Chad's border regions to implement recommendations of the border development conference which was held recently in El-Geniena.

He stressed the need to implement all agreements pertaining to border trade and combating smuggling as well as the social, cultural and sports cooperation.

Chadian president Idriss Deby (R) shakes hands with his Sudanese counterpart, Omer Hassan al-Bashir, at a meeting for the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in N'Djamena on 16 February 2013 (Photo: Ibrahim Adji/AFP/Getty Images)

For his part, the representative of Chad's consulate in El-Geniena Jakata Moxie stressed his country's keenness to support joint work and promote security and stability on the 750-kilometre borderline between West Darfur and Chad.

Last April, the Sudanese-Chadian border development conference was held in West Darfur State capital, El-Geniena.

The two-day conference discussed a number of papers covering the economy, security, trade, social, cultural, media and sports cooperation between the two sides.

In January 2010, Sudan and Chad signed a normalization agreement ending a long history of mutual hostility in which both sides provided support to each other's insurgents.

The joint border force has been deployed along the joint border in 2010 in line with a deal to stop support to rebel groups and cross-border attacks.

Last year, the two countries announced their intention to expand the deployment of the joint force to include counter-terrorism and disarmament.

(ST)

June 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The government of Central Darfur has stressed the security situation is stable across the state particularly in Jebel Marra area, denying rebel reports about continued fighting in the area.

SLM-AW fighters on guard during a visit by UNAMID chief Ibrahim Gambari to Fanga Suk village, in East Jebel Marra, West Darfur, on 18 March 2011 (Photo: Reuters)

Since last March, reports emerged from Central Darfur state about the resumption of clashes between the government's forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abdel-Wahid al-Nur which is not part of the regional and international efforts to end the 15-year conflict in Darfur.

Also, Darfur hybrid peacekeeping force has reported "low-scale skirmishes" in Jebel Marra area between the government forces and the SLM-AW fighters.

However, governor of Central Darfur state Mohamed Ahmed Jad al-Sid on Monday denied the existence of military operations in Jebel Marra, describing reports about continued clashes in the mountainous area as “tendentious”.

He renewed his government's commitment to the unilateral ceasefire, saying security organs are pursuing some remnants of the SLM-AW in order to impose the state authority and secure the farming season and voluntary return of IDPs and refugees.

The governor underlined the security situation is completely stable, pointing to testimonies of the UNAMID and the Political Counsellor at the US embassy in Khartoum who recently visited Jebel Marra.

He added the UN has praised the flow of humanitarian aid to Jebel Marra via the various crossings which are protected by the Central Darfur government.

On 13 May, a Sudanese official told Sudan Tribune that more than 1500 troops including militiamen of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been deployed in Kass locality of South Darfur in order to attack the SLM-AW positions in Jebel Marra.

The sources said additional sources have been massed in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur to take part in the military operations.

The Sudanese government and three armed groups including Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), SLM - Minni Minnawi and SLM-Transitional Council have declared a unilateral cessation of hostilities in Darfur. The SLM-AW is not part of the measure which aims to enable aid workers to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in the war affected areas.

In April 2016, the Sudanese army launched a comprehensive offensive on the rebel-held areas in Jebel Marra but stopped its operations under the U.S. pressures and after signing a framework agreement for the lift of economic sanctions.

The UNAMID has established a new temporary base in Golo to enhance the protection of civilians in the Jebel Marra but the new site is not yet fully operating.

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.

The Sudanese army has been fighting armed groups in Darfur since 2003. UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in the conflict, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

(ST)

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June 4, 2018 (JUBA) - A convoy of international peacekeepers patrolling in the Unity region came under direct attack when they were inspecting the security situation in Leer area, said the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday.

In a statement released after the incident, the UNMISS said the attack took place in Rubkway, about 20 km north of Leer town when the convoy, which was heading to Thaker in Mayendit County, stopped briefly to interact with a civilian.

According to the Mission, nobody was harmed or injured by the assailants and no damage was caused to the vehicles.

"UNMISS strongly condemns this attack against its personnel and calls on all parties to respect the freedom of movement of UN personnel carrying out their mandate, and to cooperate with the peacekeepers as they work to protect civilians; monitor human rights; create a conducive environment for delivery of humanitarian aid, and support efforts to restore peace," said the UNMISS.

The statement didn't identify the attackers but indicated that the patrol was dispatched to the area following reports about villagers fleeing Leer area amid increasing violence against civilians.

Government forces had been accused in the past of attacks on local populations as they are suspected of supporting the rebel fighters.

"The Mission continues to engage with local authorities and to urge the warring parties to stop the fighting and adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by all parties just over five months ago," further said the statement.

Last year, the UN Security Council condemned an attack against the UNMISS in Leer on 3 May 2017.

The Council recalled that individuals, who, directly or indirectly, engage in attacks against UN missions, other peacekeeping operations or humanitarian personnel, may be designated for targeted sanctions.

(ST)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned Sunday’s attack that killed a UN peacekeeper from Tanzania and injured seven others while they were patrolling in the west of the Central African Republic (CAR).

People are suffering “on an almost unimaginable scale” in South Sudan, the United Nations emergency relief chief said on Monday, adding that he welcomed the announcement by the United States that it is to review the amount of assistance it provides to the war-torn country.

June 3, 2018 (KAMPALA) - The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) has strongly condemned the South Sudanese embassy in Uganda for obstructing a public debriefing on South Sudan's peace talks that was held at Cavendish University in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

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

The weekend public dialogue was being organized by civil society groups in the context of the ongoing high-level revitalization forum.

CPJ's executive director, Anthony Tito said the embassy officials should have instead supported the peace process, instead of frustrating efforts aimed at bringing an end to the peoples' suffering.

“As a civil society organization, we don't need a permission from South Sudan embassy to carry out an event or to conduct a workshop or any sort of activity that we need to carry out, therefore we will not seek permission from the embassy to carry our activity,” said Tito.

“I wonder since when embassies are allowed to restrict civil society activities in the diaspora, besides that 98% of South Sudanese living in Uganda are refugees and are under the care of office of Prime Minister and United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees,” he added.

South Sudanese, Tito stressed, deserve to know what is taking place during the peace process mediated by the regional bloc (IGAD).

“The refugees are human, they need to be updated on the progress of the talks, but I wonder what the South Sudanese government who is part of negotiation team does not want refugees and others to know the development of talks,” said Tito.

The human rights official, however, said the diaspora civil society would continue with the engagement of South Sudanese in Uganda on the importance of peaceful co-existence and brotherhood.

The second round of the IGAD-led High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) ended last week without any deal after the warring parties rejected a proposed power sharing deal developed by IGAD is yet to announce the next date for the negotiations.

South Sudan plunged into war in December 2013, barely two years after independence from Sudan, after a disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar deteriorated into a military confrontation.

Tens of thousands have been killed by the fighting between troops loyal to Kiir and forces loyal to Machar. The conflict has also left a quarter of the country's population of 12 million either internally displaced or as refugees in neighbouring countries.

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On 30th May 2018 (JUBA) – The Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, He Xiangdong met the South Sudanese first Vice President, Taban Deng Gai to discuss the cooperation the between the two countries.

During the meeting, Gai praised South Sudan's good relations with China, lauding Beijing for its long-standing support and generous help for the young nation.

The senior South Sudanese official also expressed his expectation for further progress in pragmatic cooperation between the two nations.

Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, Minister of Roads and Bridges also attended the meeting between Gai and the Chinese ambassador.

On his part, however, Xiangdong said the Asian nation attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with South Sudan.

“China is willing to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure construction and other fields,” he said.

Added the envoy, “China hopes South Sudan to realize peace and stability at an early time and will always be a sincere and reliable partner of South Sudan in its peace and development process”.

Meanwhile, the two leaders exchanged views on further implementing the fruits of Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and details of infrastructure projects.

(ST)