Africa

April 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Amnesty International Thursday called to release a Sudanese activist detained in Saudi Arabia and to not deport him to Sudan where he faces detention, torture and ill-treatment.

The 46-year-old Sudanese activist was arrested at his apartment in Jeddah, on the Red Sea, by Saudi security officials on 18 November 2017. He was interrogated about his activism and informed by prison officials that he was detained at the order of the Sudanese authorities, according to Amnesty.

"On 6 March 2018, he was moved from Dhaban prison to Al Shumaisi detention centre, an immigration centre outside Jeddah, where his fingerprints were taken, raising fears that Husham Ali is at imminent risk of deportation," reads a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The London-based rights groups pointed that Mohammed-Alii is a prisoner of conscience and called on the Saudi authorities to secure his immediate release.

"Release Husham Ali Mohammad Ali immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression," said Amnesty

Also, it called to not deport him to Sudan where "there is a real risk he would be subjected to unfair trial, torture and other ill-treatment".

Amnesty said the detainee who has resided in Saudi Arabia since 2010 contributed to various online forums to expose government corruption, and expressed his support for the November and December 2016 civil disobedience in Sudan on his Facebook page.

During the past years, several Sudanese political activists had been detained in Saudi Arabia for their activism hostile to the regime of President Omer al-Bashir.

In 2005, Saudi Arabia and Sudan interior ministers signed a security pact in Khartoum which included clauses related to preventing any activities by residents or citizens on their territories that are hostile to the government of the other side.

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Uganda weightlifter Hakim Ssmepereza has to sprint to the stage after almost missing his timeslot for a lift during the men's 69kg competition.

April 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rejected claims about the participation of its fighters in fresh clashes in the south-western town of Sabha, 640 km south of Tripoli.

Rebel fighters from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), active in Sudan's western Darfur region (AFP)

The semi-official Sudanese Media Center said two days ago that JEM fighters were blocking the road between Sabha and the southern parts of Libya.

The claim came following reports about clashes in Sabha near a military camp of 6th Brigade of the Libyan National Army of Gen Khalif Haftar involving unidentified armed groups.

"JEM categorically denies any presence in Sabha or any part of Libya. Since JEM is not there it cannot block roads," reads a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

"The Conflict in Libya is an internal affair of the Libyans and JEM is not and will not be party to it," further stressed Gibreel Adam Bilal the group's spokesperson.

Different UN reports point to the participation of Chadian and Sudanese armed groups, among others, in the inter-factional fighting in troubled Libya.

However, the Sudanese authorities recently issued several statements about the alleged presence of JEM in Libya.

Last March, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia said they arrested a rebel commander, Suleiman Marjan, in North Darfur while he was recruiting combatants to fight along Haftar forces.

"Some parties to the conflict in Libya kept erroneously and irresponsibly accusing JEM with interference in their internal affairs without doing a minimum due diligence to know who is who. The mainstream JEM led by Dr Gibril Ibrahim has nothing to do with the internal fighting between Libyan factions," emphasized the rebel group.

The Anadolu Agency said Sabah clashes erupted Awlad Suleiman tribe forces which are part of Haftar army and based in Sabha military camp and the Tabu tribe another rival tribe.

Other reports, however, suggest the clashes sparked between the Libyan army and "foreign" forces, including armed groups from neighbouring Chad.

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April 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - President Omer al-Bashir has renewed accusations against Juba government saying it continues backing Sudanese rebels but vowed that Sudan would keep its working for a lasting peace agreement in South Sudan.

Since even before the secession of South Sudan in 2011, Khartoum has accused Juba of harbouring and supporting the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). After what, it accused Juba of using the armed groups from Darfur region in the counterinsurgency campaign in northern South Sudan.

Juba, first, denied the claims but last year, it said all the armed groups had been expulsed from the country. Also, some South Sudanese officials retorted that Khartoum backs the South Sudanese armed groups.

However, the two countries several months ago started the implementation of the 2012 Cooperation Agreement and deployed joint border monitoring teams. Also, they activated the border demilitarized zone.

Speaking at a public rally held in Kosti town of the White Nile State near the border with South Sudan on Thursday, al-Bashir said the Sudanese rebels are still in the neighbouring country which provides them with the needed support to wage war against his government.

"Sudanese rebels are there, where they receive military support and weapons," he said, adding that his country would nonetheless continue to welcome the South Sudanese refugees.

"We will not change our (humanitarian) policy, and will spare no effort to achieve peace in South Sudan," he stressed.

The White Nile State hosts some 150,000 South Sudanese refugees. In addition, Sudan is part of the IGAD team that mediates a peace process to end the armed conflict in the young country.

Al-Bashir further attacked the South Sudanese leaders saying they deceived the ordinary people and called them to vote for the secession pledging to develop the new nation to become like a European country.

The Sudanese president was referring to the referendum for independence which led to the separation of South Sudan in July 2011.

During his two day visit to the White Nile, al-Bashir inaugurated a new air base for the Sudanese army.

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

Expressing deep concern over the slow pace of the inter-Burundian dialogue and the lack of engagement by the Government, the United Nations Security Council called on all stakeholders, in particular the authorities to commit to the dialogue and reach an agreement ahead of the 2020 elections.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres took note of the announcement by the National Electoral Commission on 4 April of the final results of the presidential run-off election in Sierra Leone, the UN Spokesman said Thursday.

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) hopes Fifa's current visit to the country will help lift a ban on the North African nation hosting matches.

Former military ruler Julius Maada Bio is the winner of the run-off presidential election.

African Adventures says a group of its clients were stopped by armed men but were allowed to leave.

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April 4, 2018 (JUBA) – The parties involved in the South Sudanese conflict should reach a political compromise and allow peace to prevail in the war-torn nation, Alain Noudehou, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, said on Tuesday.

Alain Noudéhou (UN photo)

“People don't feel secure […] they are not able to go back to their lands and they are not able to produce. They need to feel secure, not only in sense of physical protection but actually in the sense that they can go back to their lives,” he said.

Nearly 2 million people remain displaced within South Sudan and a further 2.5 million took refuge in neighbouring countries, the UN says.

“With women and children making up close to 85 per cent of the total, ensuring their inclusion and participation in the peace process is vital,” said Noudehou, who also doubles as the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan.

He said participation of women is critical for durable and effective peace.

“If they are not a part of the dialogue of peace-making, we will be missing a tremendous perspective of what it's going to take to make the peace much more lasting in [the country],” stressed Noudehou.

He said women not only define the peace agreement but also implement it.
“They understand the plight of the women [because] they have been there and can contribute to a solution that is durable and is effective,” added the senior UN official.

Last year, according to the world body, the conflict and instability in South Sudan also led to a devastating famine, leaving over 7 million people dependent on humanitarian and protection assistance.

Across the country, however, 5.3 million people are estimated to be facing crisis and emergency, the highest level of food insecurity, a recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, indicted.

“We are planning a multi-sectoral approach to provide the assistance. We are not talking about only about food assistance; but the whole gamut of a system that goes together with it,” said Noudehou.

“If we start to act now and receive the funding now, we will be able to serve more people and do it cheaply,” he further stressed.

With full funding, the senior UN official explained, the $1.76 billion humanitarian response plan for South Sudan will provide assistance to about 6 million people across the country.

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April 4, 2018 (JUBA) – The head of the Church of South Sudan's internal Central Province, Archbishop Paul Yugusuk has urged the rival parties involved in the country's ongoing civil war to declare an end to violence before the next round of peace talks commence.

A group of Bishops in Juba (ST/file)

The next phase of the talks, mediated by the regional bloc (IGAD) is expected to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 26-30 April.

During the last negotiations, which stalled, the parties involved in the high level revitalization forum, discussed formation of a transitional government, permanent ceasefire and other security arrangements.

Archbishop Yugusuk said all parties must conclude with signing a peace deal during the upcoming round of talks in Addis Ababa.

“Our delegation is going to IGAD and as they go there and before they go there, let the government and opposition say it is finished,” said the Archbishop.
“Let us bring everything to an end. We open a new page and let us come back home and live,” he added.

The retired Bishop of Rajaf, Enoch Tombe, who led the religious team for the peace talks in Addis Ababa, said the parties should take a people-centered approach during the next round of negotiations.

“If you are serious about peace, we should go with a new mindset,” said Bishop Tombe.

“We shouldn't just continue business as usual - this is my position and that's it. I think we have to be ready to compromise for the sake of the people, for the sake of this country and for ourselves,” he added.

Fighting between the warring parties have intensified in recent weeks, with each of the two sides accusing the other of renewing fighting ahead of the next round of peace talks to end the ongoing civil war due in the Ethiopian capital this month.

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4 April 2018 | Abyei - The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) commemorated the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action in Abyei echoing this year's theme “Advancing protection, peace and development” among peacekeepers working in Abyei.

In celebration of this important day, UNISFA and UNMAS organized events in Abyei, Kadugli, and Gok Machar. These events included fun runs and static exhibitions of the work UNMAS is doing in support of the UNISFA mandate.

On this day the UN reaffirms its commitment to a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war. "I urge all Governments to provide political and financial support to enable mine action work to continue, wherever it is needed. In our turbulent world, mine action is a concrete step towards peace," said the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as delivered by the Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael.

In Abyei and in many parts of the world, mine action makes it possible for peacekeepers to carry out patrols, for humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance and for ordinary citizens to live without the fear that a single misstep could cost them their lives.

Mine action also includes high impact efforts aimed at protecting people from danger, helping victims become self-sufficient and active members of their communities and providing opportunities for stability and sustainable development.

“Today, we also remember all the people who got injured or killed as a result of this terrible threat that still persists in many countries in the world,” UNMAS Program Manager Mr Leon Louw highlighted in his message during the ceremony held in UNISFA Mission Headquarter in Abyei.

UNMAS is the coordinator for mine action within the United Nations system. UNMAS was deployed in support of UNISFA in December 2011, following a mine incident in August 2011, which killed four UNISFA peacekeepers and injured seven others. Since UNMAS deployment, no UNISFA personnel has fallen victim to either landmines or explosive remnants of war (ERW), and a substantial amount of work has been done to rid the Abyei area of the threat of ERW and landmines.

Facts and figures

Since 2011:

· 20 mines and 4,154 explosive remnants of war destroyed.

· 2,424,118 square meters of land deemed safe from explosive hazard threats, facilitating safe voluntary returns of displaced communities and peaceful migrations.

· UNISFA routes covering a distance of 1,488.79 kilometres verified and cleared from explosive hazards, enhancing UNISFA freedom of movement and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

· 179 weapons and 9,244 rounds of ammunition confiscated by UNISFA destroyed at the Weapons and Ammunition Management facility, in cooperation with UNPOL and national monitors from Sudan and South Sudan.

· Additional 25,024 rounds of ammunition found and destroyed by Integrated Clearance Teams, as they survey Abyei and act on reports by locals and community members.

· Mine risk education (MRE) has so far reached over 151,287 men, women, boys, and girls in Abyei, enhancing their knowledge of threats posed by mines and explosive remnants of war.

For inquiries please contact -

Christina Banluta

Public Information Officer | Strategic Communication and Public Information Section

United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)

Intermission: 176-4806 | Dect: 176-3321 | Mobile: +249912535731 (Sudan)

Email: banluta@un.org, christinabanluta@gmail.com

Website: https://unisfa.unmissions.org/

Facebook: @unisfa

Twitter: @UNISFA_1

Instagram: unisfa

April 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - In a rare meeting held with the leadership of Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) on Tuesday, the head of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) pledged t release all the detained opposition members.

Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) secretary-general Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khatib (Al-Sudani)

In a statement released on Wednesday, the SCP Political Bureau said NISS General Director Salah Gosh held a meeting with a delegation from the party leadership including Sidiq Youssef who was called to take part in the meeting, and the detained political secretary Mohamed Mukhtar al-Khatib.

The statement said other leading members - al-Harith Ahmed al-Tom, Sidqi Kablo, Saleh Mahmoud and Ali al-Kenin - took part in the meeting.

Gosh called on the opposition party to participate in the political dialogue and to express their positions freely. He also pledged to ensure freedoms and called them to join the fight against corruption declared by the government.

"Our comrades said that they listened to what the director of the security apparatus said and that the leadership of the party would freely assess the situation," said the SCP Political Bureau.

"Based on the outcome of the meeting, we expect that all the detainees will be released approximately within 48 hours," the statement emphasized.

Last January after a series of protests against the increase of bread prices, the NISS arrests without charges several opposition members particularly from the left forces.

However, Sidiq Youssef and Omer al-Diqair leader of the Sudanese Congress Party have been released for medical reasons.

Following the release of the National Umma Party members, Gosh said the release of the other political detainees depends on their political behaviour.

Darfur Bar Association issued a statement warning against such encounters, stressing the regime "intends to weaken the positions of the national forces and linking with a political compromise the rights of detainees to freedom which is guaranteed by the Constitution and the law".

April 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Minister of Water Resources and Electricity Muataz Musa and his South Sudan's counterpart Sofia Gai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on water resources.

An oil polluted water section in South Sudan (Credit: Sign for Hope)

The MoU aims to promote and facilitate technical support as well as to develop, protect and utilize the joint water resources between the two countries.

The two ministers agreed to set up a joint technical committee comprised of five members from each side to follow up on the implementation of the MoU.

Following the signing ceremony in Khartoum on Tuesday evening, Musa said the agreement also aims to exchange information and expertise besides conducting joint research and building capacities.

For her part, Gai described the agreement as very important for the two countries, saying it could help to accelerate development in both nations.

She added her government looks forward to cooperating with Sudan for the benefit of the two peoples.

It is noteworthy that the technical support includes the management of water resources, drinking water, sanitation, hydropower, irrigation, drainage and river navigation.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th, 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern voters chose independence.

In September 2012, both Sudan and South Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others.

In March 2013, the two countries signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements. However, the execution of the agreements didn't go according to the plan.

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April 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) The Sudanese government Wednesday renewed its readiness to engage in direct negotiations with Darfur rebels as soon as the African mediation extends an invitation to resume the peace talks.

Head of government delegation for talks for peace in Darfur Amin Hassan Omer speaks to reporters in Addis Ababa on Friday 20 November 2015 (ST Photo)

Sudan's Presidential Envoy for Diplomatic Contact and Negotiation for Darfur Amin Hassan Omer told the semi-official Sudan Media Center (SMC) that the government didn't receive an invitation from the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to resume the talks.

He pointed out that the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) call to resume the peace talks within three months wasn't intended for the government but the armed movements.

Omer further said the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) constitutes the basis for any future peace agreement in the region, saying the document is open to accommodate anyone who wishes to join the peace process in Darfur.

In a meeting held on 20 February 2018, the AUPSC said concerned by the “unnecessarily prolonged” process for peace in Darfur and called for a rapid resolution of the 15-year conflict.

The Council further pointed to "the lack of commitment on the part of the non-signatory Darfur armed movements" and urged them to engage discussions with the government on the basis of the DDPD.

It urged mediators to make progress in the resolution of Darfur conflict during the upcoming three months and threatened to sanction those who continue to hinder the ongoing efforts for a lasting peace.

The holdout groups including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Movement - Minn Minnawi (SLM-MM) refused to sign the DDPD in July 2011 and called to open the framework agreement for talks.

Other groups like the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW) had declined to join the process and rejected its outcome.

The AUHIP led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki proposed a holistic process to end the armed conflicts and produce political reforms in Sudan

During the year 2015-2016, talks between the government and the SLM-MM and JEM failed to reach a tangible result despite international efforts to bring together the opposition groups and to narrow the gaps between them and the government.

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

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April 4, 2018 (JUBA) - UN Secretary-General António Guterres Wednesday appointed Ethiopian Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu as the new Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

"Woldezgu succeeds Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael of Ethiopia who will complete his assignment on 23 April 2018," reads a statement released by the UN.

"The Secretary-General is grateful for his tireless dedication and invaluable service and effective leadership of UNISFA," it further said.

The new UNISFA head, as the director of Ethiopian defence ministry, participated in the border issues with the neighbouring countries and fully involved in force preparations, planning and deployment of Ethiopian forces for international and regional peacekeeping operations.

Since 2008, he served as the Director of the Ethiopian Ministry of National Defence, he was also a Division Commander (1999-2008) and Mechanized Deputy Division Commander (1995-1998).

The 55-year major-general holds a Master's Degree from the Ethiopian Civil Service University.

The U.N. Security Council on 27 June 2011 approved a resolution authorizing the deployment of 4,200 Ethiopian troops to Sudan's disputed Abyei region for a six-month period.

The UNISFA has the authority to use force in self-defence and to protect civilians and humanitarian aid, but UNISFA mandate does not call to monitor compliance with human rights laws, as most peacekeeping forces do.

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Aril 4, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government and two armed groups from Darfur region are expected to meet in Berlin to negotiate a pre-negotiation agreement, Sudan Tribune has learned Wednesday.

Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader Girbil Ibrahim told Sudan Tribune that the German government organises a meeting between his movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) and the Government of Sudan on 16 and 17 April.

"The purpose of the meeting is to reach a pre-negotiation agreement".

"If an agreement is struck, it would pave the way for talks on a cessation of hostilities and then we would move on to negotiations on political issues," he stressed.

The armed groups refuse to negotiate a political agreement to end the 15-year conflict in western Sudan region on the basis of the framework agreement of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The parties are expected to strike a deal providing that any political agreement reached in the future would be attached as a supplemental protocol to the framework agreement of July 2011.

This annexe would preserve the DDPD, but at the same time would be considered a new agreement with new parties, mechanisms and timetables.

The meeting would be attended by the head of the joint African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the Troika countries, the European Union and France.

Germany and the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) signed a deal to facilitated the two-track process for a comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan. Berlin already organised a number of meeting in this respect.

Last February, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (PSC) urged the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to make progress in the resolution of Darfur conflict during the upcoming three months.

The SLM-Abdel Wahid is not part of the meeting. The holdout group rejects negotiations with the government before the return of displaced persons to their areas of origin after providing the needed security and compensations.

(ST)