Africa

April 29, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A delegation from the United States Congress has arrived in Khartoum Sunday on a three-day visit upon an invitation from the speaker of the National Assembly Ibrahim Ahmed Omer.

Sudan's national assembly (FILE)

According to the official news agency SUNA, the U.S. legislators would meet with Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Salih and, the parliament speaker and the national dialogue mechanism.

The delegation would also meet with human rights groups and activists, businessmen, civil society organizations and the United Nations agencies operating in Sudan.

Last October, the U.S. Administration permanently lifted 20-year-old economic sanctions against Sudan citing positive actions on humanitarian access and counter-terrorism

However, Washington left other sanctions in place for the time being, including those against individuals with arrest warrants related to atrocities committed during the conflict in Darfur.

Also, it didn't remove Sudan's name from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Sudanese officials insist on the need to remove Sudan from the list of terror states, pointing that the country cannot benefit from the debt relief and international development aid without this measure.

But Washington insists on the need to improve Human rights, religious freedom and other freedoms in a way to create a conducive environment for the opposition group to take part in the ongoing constitutional process after the signing of a peace agreement with the armed groups.

The two countries are engaged in a five-track process towards the full normalization of relations.

(ST)

April 29, 2018 (KAMPALA) -The Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailermarian Desalegn said President Salva Kiir should resign and cede his place for the young generation to achieve peace and to end the suffering of South Sudanese people.

Desalegn unexpectedly resigned on 15 February 2018, saying he hoped to end years of unrest and political turmoil in his country, after ruling the country for six years.

The former premier who also was the chair of the East African bloc IGAD that mediating the peace process made his remarks at The Ibrahim Governance Weekend organised by MO Ibrahim Foundation held in Kigali Rwanda on Saturday.

Speaking about the need for peace in South Sudan he regretted the non-implementation of the IGAD-brokered peace agreement by the South Sudanese leaders.

"Immediately after my resignation, I asked them 'Please would you resign because you failed to resolve the problem in South Sudan?" He said, according to a video of his remarks obtained by Sudan Tribune.

Then he was asked if he had said that to President Salva Kiir he answered: "Yes, I talked to all".

"Leaders have to come to their senses to their mind and they should somehow leave so they give power to new young leadership that can continue to the next step," he added.

The former Ethiopian leader, however, said everybody has to help to end the war in South Sudan including the African Union an United Nations

"The UN should take aggressive action," he emphasised.

The statements reflect the mindset of IGAD leaders about the South Sudanese conflict.

Ethiopia is very impacted by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan as the region Gambella, which border the troubled country is inhabited by a Nuer clan and fears that rebels who are from the same ethnic group bring their instability.

Speaking about Ethiopia, the former prime minister said he resigned because his country has a problem of addressing multi-ethnic society, and there is a need for deep reform. " So I said, I have to set aside myself in order to achieve these deep reforms".

“The main problem in African politics is people stick to power. And I wanted to show that it is possible that you can leave while having power as a citizen in my country," he stressed.

(ST)

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April 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir said his country's support to Eritrea is contingent upon the latter's keenness to serve joint interests of the two countries.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir (L) meeting with Eritrean president Isaias Afewerki in Asmara January 16, 2013 (Ashorooq TV)

Speaking during a meeting of the Popular Call-up for the Development of the eastern Sudan State of Kassala, al-Bashir pointed to the distinct relations with Eritrea, saying Khartoum has supported Asmara in the past and will continue to support the Eritrean people.

He underscored his government's keenness to strengthen ties with the neighbouring countries, saying the joint borders must become points to serve mutual interests not to ignite wars.

Frustrated by the rapprochement between Cairo and Asmara, last January, Khartoum accused the two neighbours of backing unidentified opposition groups. The Sudanese government further closed the border deployed thousands of troops.

The internationally isolated government in Asmara was not happy with the development of a close alliance between its arch-foe Ethiopia and Sudan, but Khartoum blamed Eritrea for refusing its repeated efforts to mediate the conflict and create a regional cooperation area.

Last month, Eritrean information ministry accused Sudan and Qatar of establishing a military training camp for an opposition group led Eritrean Islamist Mohammed Jumma.

Also, Asmara claimed that Doha provided Sudan with three Mig fighters and funding a joined Sudanese Ethiopian force deployed along the border with Sudan.

However, Khartoum denied the accusations saying they are just “fabricated and unfounded claims”.

(ST)

April 28, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Member of the government delegation to the Two Areas talks Abdel-Rahman Abu Median said large numbers of Sudanese refugees have returned to the Blue Nile from Ethiopia.

Blue Nile State and neighbouring South Kordofan state have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese army since 2011.

Abu Median disclosed refugees have voluntarily returned to their original areas in Kurmuk, Gisan and Wad Al-Mahi due to the stable security situation in the state.

According to him, the Blue Nile authorities are providing the basic needs for the returnees including food, shelter and healthcare.

He also pointed to government efforts to integrate the returnees into their communities and engage them in the development projects, saying the returnees file was given special attention from the concerned bodies.

Last week, the commissioner of Bau county of the Blue Nile State Abdel-Ghani Digais said his county is witnessing the voluntary return of displaced persons as well as refugees from Ethiopia and South Sudan.

He pointed out that 1700 refugee families have arrived in Madeem and Khor Maganza areas besides 3000 families in Moreek area and 3000 families in Falti area.

Also, the governor of the Blue Nile State Hussein Yassen Hamad last January said 13,000 out of 55,000 Sudanese refugees have returned to their home areas from Ethiopia.

(ST)

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April 27, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese and Ethiopian senior military officials discussed in Addis Ababa a bilateral defence protocol signed between the two countries and agreed to activate the joint border forces.

A road leading to Ethiopia-Sudan border (Photo Jamminglobal.com)

The agreement was announced in Khartoum on Friday following the end of a two-day meeting in Addis Ababa between the military delegations chaired by the army chiefs of staff of the two neighbouring countries.

The two armies reaffirmed their readiness for full solidarity to ensure border security, exchange of information and curb uncontrolled groups, combating smuggling, human trafficking, arms and drugs trade, and transnational crimes, said a statement released by the official news agency SUNA.

"The two sides, also, agreed to activate and re-energize the joint border forces to maintain security and stability, as well as cooperation in the fields of joint training and exchange of experiences," said the statement.

"The military chiefs of staff of two countries signed the minutes of the meetings and recommendations ahead of its enforcement," it further stressed.

Last January following the deployment of Sudanese troops on the border with Eritrea, there were reports about the deployment of Ethiopian troops along the border with Eritrea from the Sudanese and Ethiopian sides.

Also, since several years Ethiopia and Sudan boosted security cooperation between the two countries. Khartoum handed over rebels and opposition activists to Ethiopia and Addis Ababa banned any rebel activity from the border area with Blue Nile state.

Last January, The Nile State and Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region agreed to deploy a joint border force to secure the border area and prevent goods and arms smuggling.

(ST)

By Yasir Arman*

On the 26th of April 2018, General Bashir, who is indicted by the ICC, has committed genocide and war crimes, is leading a genocidal government that stands against all the values of the United Nations and has displaced over 6 million Sudanese internally and as refugees, has awarded the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Marta Ruedas, the First-Class Order of the Two Niles in appreciation of her service in Sudan from August 2015 to April 2018.

What an ironic and bizarre situation is taking place! The very president who is wanted by the international system and who cannot step into the door of the headquarters of the United Nations in New York is the one granting an award to a representative of the United Nations, the very organization that referred him to the ICC and has taken tens of resolutions against him and his regime.

From her side, Ms Marta was quoted as saying, “It is a great honour to be granted this award from H.E. the President of Sudan and it has been an equal honour working in and for Sudan over the past three years.” It is an unfortunate statement from someone who represents an organization that is tasked with serious humanitarian obligations and protection of civilians. What a message to send to millions of displaced Sudanese! What a message to send to the families of millions who have perished as the result of war crimes and genocide in Sudan and South Sudan by General Bashir! What type of a “great honour” is being expressed here by the representative of the United Nations?!

I have personal experience during the peace talks with Ms Marta, who has always sided with the Sudan government against the aggrieved marginalized Sudanese populations. That alone and her long silence explains why she has received this award and why she feels honoured by an award from an indicted president.

Many previous United Nations officials have been expelled and harassed by the very same president and his government who awarded Ms Marta, including two of her predecessors and the former representative of the Secretary-General, Jan Pronk. Some UN officials decided to resign as in the case of Aicha Elbasri, who was the spokesperson of UNAMID in Darfur. This raises the question of what services Ms Marta has rendered to the government that made General Bashir so happy to give her an award of the First-Class and at whose expense.

The United Nations has a critical role to play in protecting civilians and advancing the course of peace, human rights and democracy in Sudan that will definitely require different capacity and personnel other than Marta to do this job. We are counting on the new Secretary General of the United Nations and his representative in Sudan, given their solid political backgrounds, to adopt a different approach when it comes to Sudan, especially in the war zones of Darfur, the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile.

* Arman is the deputy chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Malik Agar.

April 27, 2018 (WAU) - During a visit to Wau on Friday, South Sudanese Vice President James Wani Igga said national dialogue is the only way to end war renewed call for the armed groups to join the internal process.

South Sudan's vice-president, James Wani Igga, speaks at the opening of the national reconciliation and peace conference in Wau on 2 September 2014 (ST)

Officially launched in May 2017, the national dialogue initiative is regarded as a forum and process through which the people South Sudan shall gather to redefine the basis of their unity as it relates to nationhood, redefine citizenship and belonging, as well as restructure the state for national inclusion.

The SPLM-IO led by Riek Machar rejects the national dialogue process saying the priority should be given to the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement including the ceasefire and humanitarian access to the civilians in the war-affected areas.

Addressing a public rally organised by the state authorities Wani Igga called on the people of South Sudan particularly armed opposition groups to lay down their weapons and join the ongoing peace process inside the country.

He stressed that the only way to bring peace in the country is everybody should embark on the national dialogue process launched by President Salva Kiir.

“The importance of this national dialogue, that dialogue will bring unity, cooperation, and transformation and reforming of the country's economic and political structures,” said the South Sudanese vice-president.

He also said the dialogue process would pave the way to achieve national unity which is the best remedy to combat hatred, nepotism and tribalism.

"Without unity, we can't do anything and that is why we have to fight against them (first),” said Igga.

The vice-president Igga urged all the displaced persons who sought refuge at the UN protection of sites to return to their home areas to produce their food and contribute to the national economy and development process.

(ST)

April 27, 2018 (WASHINGTON) - The United States said "deeply concerned" by the recent fighting in Jebel Marra, calling on the Sudanese warring parties to stop the fighting and to allow unfettered humanitarian access to civilians affected by the recent clashes in the mountainous.

In a statement released on Friday U.S. State Department Spokesperson said they have "credible reports" the about attacks on Jebel Marra villages resulting in thousands of newly displaced civilians after the resumption of hostilities between the government forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW).

"We call on all sides – the GoS forces, SLA/AW, and armed tribal groups — to immediately halt their provocative actions and violent responses," said US State Department Heather Nauert.

"In addition, the government should permit immediate and unhindered access by the United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), UN Country Team elements, and national and international humanitarian agencies to the areas where violence is taking place, as well as to displaced populations," Nauert further said.

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 measure which aims to enable aid workers to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in the war affected areas.

The holdout rebels issued several statements about the clashes accusing government forces of attacking their positions. However, authorities of Central Darfur state said they seek to secure routes adding that the rebels are looting civilians and commercial convoys.

Following the security improvement in Darfur, the United Nations and the African Union decided to cut the peacekeepers deployed in the region but reinforced UNAMID presence in Jebel Marra and establish a new basis in Golo to protect displaced persons there.

Nauert called on Darfur authorities to cooperate with the peacekeeping mission to establish Jebel Marra Task Force. Also, she urged the parties to " take immediate steps towards a comprehensive peace process".

(ST)