Africa

June 22, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan's ambassador to Nigeria, Riek Puok has dismissed as “fake” reports that he was arrested at Cairo airport after he was allegedly found in possession of huge money.

South Sudan's foreign affairs spokesperson, Mawien Makol (Photo: Citizen News)

Puok, in a statement, said information circulating that he carried $40,000 while enroute to Juba from Nigeria has completely surprised him.

“I wish I could have the amount ($40,000). It would make my leave even more enjoyable. The news is wrong. The figure reported is not right. The main point is that I am fine and traveled safely to my final destination with all my belongings and luggage,” he said Thursday.

The ambassador said the report was “inconsistent” to actual facts.

“I was not caught but was almost robbed and the robbery went wrong. I am on a personal leave. The money I have is total mine and not looted ($17,000)”, he further explained on his Facebook page.

However, despite the ambassador's denial, a security source was quoted saying the South Sudanese diplomat caused a commotion at Cairo International Airport after being stopped from carrying $ 40,000, prompting security officials at Cairo airport to contact Egypt's deputy assistant foreign affairs minister for diplomatic passports, Ashraf Munir, who advised Puok to abide by the Egyptian laws.

South Sudan's foreign affairs ministry also confirmed that its ambassador to Nigeria was stopped by Egyptian officials on Sunday.

The ministry's spokesman Mawien Makol told Radio Tamazuj that they asked their ambassador in Cairo to look into the issue.

“The ambassador's [Puok] flight was cancelled because he was carrying a lot of money. You know the ambassador did not inform the South Sudanese embassy in Cairo when he was returning back to Juba,” he said.

Makol, however, said the ministry was not aware of the money in possession of its ambassador to Nigeria, stressing that the South Sudanese envoy to Nigeria was in Cairo on a private mission.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (JUBA) – A maiden meeting for the newly formed Republican Party of South Sudan (RPSS) has pledged to lead a non-violent change process in the world's youngest nation.

The Republican Party of South Sudan leader Lewis Anei speaking to reporters (ST)

Members of the new party, at their meeting, also elected Lewis Anei Kuendit, a former governor of Warrap state, as the party's chairperson.

Kuendit, who spoke to reporters soon after his election, described South Sudan ruling party (SPLM) as a “failed” and “deformed” party.

The meeting of about 500 members also passed the party's constitution, by-laws as well as the new party's manifesto.

Kuendit, a career politician, formed RPSS in February this year.

Describing the new party as “a result of the ongoing political situation” of war in South Sudan and propagated its objectives on nonviolent, inclusivity and fighting corruption, Kuendit said the RPSS met the registration requirements set forth by South Sudans' Political Parties Council, which included the signatures of at least 4,000 supporters from at least eight of South Sudan's former 10 states.

He reiterated demands for political space in the East African country where political dissents are reportedly not tolerated.

“We are a nonviolent party that has come to make a peaceful change in the country. This country needs someone with a program to lead, fight corruption and ensure inclusive participation of all citizens through democratic elections,” he said.

Kuendit wondered why the South Sudanese ruling party now consisted of different factions who oppose its original ideology.

“How many factions of the SPLM are out there now? SPLM in government, SPLM in Opposition, SPLM former political detainees and SPLM Democratic Change,” explained the RPSS chairman.

“We cannot change the SPLM from within because there is too much stagnation and there is a ruling clique within the SPLM. We cannot salvage the SPLM, but we are salvaging the nation,” he added.

The official blamed South Sudan's president Salva Kiir, saying his
“failed” leadership created war that displaced millions of people.

“We are asking the youth, who are being killed by failed leadership that created war that this is your party,” he added.

Kuendit, a former member of the Jieng Council (JCE) of elders, downplayed the potential obstacles his party members would encounter in the course of opposing Kiirs' security apparatus.

The meeting was attended by politicians from other smaller opposition parties. The SPLM declined an invitation to attend.

(ST)

A &#39Solidarity Summit&#39 for refugees hosted by Uganda has raised some $358 million in pledges, the United Nations announced today.

Calling for immediate humanitarian action amid rising malnutrition, thirst and disease, the United Nations Children&#39s Fund (UNICEF) warned today that millions of lives are at risk in four countries stretching from Africa to the Middle East.

More than 5.6 million children are at increased risk of contracting waterborne diseases, such as cholera and diarrhoeal infections, as the rainy season begins in conflict-affected areas of countries around Lake Chad, the United Nations Children&#39s Fund (UNICEF) warned today.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the deployment by the so-called Group of Five (G5) &#8211 Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger &#8211 of a joint force to tackle the threat of terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel region.

The United Nations today opened an international investigation into alleged killings, mutilations and destruction of entire villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo&#39s (DRC) restive Kasai provinces.

June 23, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Thursday discussed with the new crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, bilateral relations and regional developments.

Last Monday, al-Bashir arrived in Jeddah to meet with King Salam over the ongoing split with Sudan's close regional ally Qatar.

However, on Wednesday morning, the Saudi monarch appointed his son, Mohammed, as new Crown Prince, in a major reshuffle in the country.

The Saudi Press Agency said al-Bashir congratulated the Crown Prince for his selection adding that the meeting reviewed cooperation between the Saudi Arabia and Sudan in various fields, and discussed developments in the region.

The Crown Prince further accompanied al-Bashir to Jeddah Airport as he ended his four-day to Saudi Arabia.

No reports filtered about al-Bashir talks on the split with Qatar.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over alleged accusations that Doha was supporting terrorist groups who are threats to the region's peace and security including Hamas. Also, they say that Qatar is siding Iran. But, Doha rejects all these accusations.

The Associated Press reported in the early morning of Friday that Saudi Arabia and two other Gulf countries demand that Qatar cut ties with Iran and close Al-Jazeera TV channel.

The 13 point list further demands the closure of a Turkish military base in Qatar, and to sever all ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and with other groups including Hezbollah, al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The new agency indicated that it " obtained a copy of the list in Arabic from one of the countries involved in the dispute".

The presentation of the list is considered by the U.S. backed Kuwaiti mediators as the first step for indirect talks between the four Gulf countries to end the split

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese First Vice President and Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Salih discussed the lift of economic sanctions on Sudan with the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, Steven Koutsis on Thursday.

The meeting took place after a three-day visit by the American diplomat to three states in the western Sudan region of Darfur where he inspected the humanitarian situation of the internally displaced civilians and South Sudanese refugees.

In press statements after the meeting reported by the official news agency SUNA, Koutsis said he briefed the First Vice President on his visit to Darfur and discussed with him bilateral relations.

"The meeting touched on the Sudanese-US relations, especially the (permanent) lifting of the US sanctions on Sudan," said the Chargé d'Affires.

He said he spoke with FVP about the positive developments and the stability in the region.

The diplomat further said they discussed the presence of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which would be reduced by a half soon. He added that Taha pledged that his government would play its role in maintaining security and stability in Darfur.

Sudanese officials seem confident that the President Donald Trump would approve the permanent revocation of the economic embargo on Sudan on 12 July.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that U. S. officials involved in the process are supportive for the permanent lift of sanctions on Sudan.

A week before to leave office on 13 January 2017, former President Barak Obama decided to reduce some economic sanction on Sudan, saying it would be effective next July after an interagency report on Khartoum's commitment to a five track deal concluded between the two countries.

Obama was keen to indicate that the decision intends to acknowledge Sudan's efforts to reduce internal conflict, improve humanitarian access to people requiring aid and curtail "terrorism".

On Thursday, the International Crisis Group (ICG) backed the lift of sanctions on Sudan pointing that Washington should continue to press Khartoum for political reforms.

The independent group stressed that the east African country did limited progress but the revocation at least would bring the Sudanese government to cooperate with Washington and boost the American leverage.

The U.S. “should also make clear that it stands ready to impose new targeted financial sanctions should Khartoum renege on its commitments,” the ICG said on Thursday.

Officials at the State Department insist that Washington has sufficient sanctions and measures at hand to punish Khartoum, adding the lift of embargo will bring the Sudanese government to cooperate with them in its efforts to end the war and achieve democratic reforms.

However, the Enough Project doesn't agree with this soft approach and called on President Donald Trump to delay his decision.

In a report released on Thursday, the group said that " the senior U.S. government officials responsible for Africa policy who would typically play central roles in such an important decision are not yet in place, and thus are unable to weigh in on this critical decision".

"A six-month delay in the decision would give the Trump administration time to pursue a separate, new and independent track for peace and human rights in Sudan," said John Prendergast, Founding Director at the Enough Project.

The report further says that Washington lacks " the verifiable information" confirming that Khartoum has observed the agreed five-tracks.

Pointing Khartoum's commitment to protect civilians in Darfur, Omer Ismail, Senior Policy Advisor at the Enough Project said "there is ample evidence of the Sudanese government's disregard of the safety of civilians or outright targeting of civilians,'' he said pointing to the attacks by government army and militias.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudan and Sudan have extended for one year a memorandum of understanding allowing river and land transit of international humanitarian assistance for the South Sudanese civilians.

“My colleague, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan has agreed to extend our cooperation on humanitarian delivery for one more year to enable the World Food Programme (WFP) to transport relief from Sudan to South Sudan,” said Paul Dhel Gum, the Deputy Commissioner of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC).

Mohamed Elsinari Mustafa and Paul Dhel Gum signed a commitment that was witnessed by representatives of the United Nations WFP in both South Sudan and Sudan. Tito Nikodimos, along with Peter Schaller represented the WFP Sudan.

The memorandum of understanding will come into effect from 1 July 2017- 30 June 2018. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the UN WFP will submit a corridor operation projections to Sudan to deliver up to 900,000 metric tonnes of food assistance from July 2017 to June 2018.

The government of Sudan will authorise air delivery from El-Obeid as an alternative mode of delivery to areas where it is needed in South Sudan. The transport from Kosti will also be used in coordination with the knowledge and in coordination with the government of South Sudan.

Last April, Sudan accepted to open an Airbridge to deliver food assistance to South Sudan during the rainy season.

In July 2014, the two countries signed a MoU to open a humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese through the Nile river or by road.

The cross-border operation allows the World Foord Programmes (WFP) to reduce the costly airlift or airdrop operations in a time where the international agency faces serious financial challenges.

(ST)

How a 61-year-old farmer embodies Uganda's welcoming attitude to South Sudanese refugees.

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 22, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - An Army General along with a group of 9 officers from the opposition faction of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former Vice President, Riek Machar defect to join the faction of First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.

In a telephone conversation with Sudan Tribune, SPLM-IO Taban faction Army spokesperson, Dickson Gatluak said Brigadier General, Okot David Awai and the 9 officers arrived in the capital, Juba, Thursday afternoon from Kampala when an Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane they boarded on touched down at Juba Airport around 11 pm local time.

Upon arrival, the group of defectors were welcomed by Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Minister of Petroleum and top Army officials.

Their defection, Gatluak said was in response to country's call for peace.

The 10 defectors are mainly from the Acholli tribe.

The group of defectors will tomorrow meet FVP Deng in his office.

The latest defection comes as the youngest African nation struggles to bring about lasting peace and reconstitute the government and Taban faction armies under one unified command.

"Their return home demonstrates the level of commitment FVP Taban Deng attaches to the implementation of the compromised peace agreement" Said Gatluak.

FVP Taban Deng says his faction as a movement has duty and responsibility to bring back home all military officers and cadres who left the country following the civil war that erupted over 3 years ago.

"We urge all military commanders who took up arms against the government to return home and join the peace process," said Gatkuak.

He said the return of the deserters is a major step forward for the nation to rejoice for peace and stability to prevail in war-torn South Sudan.

"It further boosts the morale of forces and will bring the Army of SPLM-IO and the entire Army in South Sudan"

General Okot is one of the well-known Generals within Machar faction's Army.

Okot was a commander in charge of Magwi Brigade 9th in Anyanya division in Eastern Equatoria.

He was demoted and dismissed by Machar over allegations that the General had links with Juba.

Since South Sudan has fallen back into a bloody civil war in December 2013, some 1.8 million civilians fled to neighbouring countries.

UN chief, Antonio Guterres, Thursday urged South Sudanese leaders to end the war.

"South Sudan leaders haven't deserved the people they have," said Guterres after paying a visit to a refugee camp in northern Uganda.

He will participate in a UN-backed summit aimed at raising global awareness of South Sudan crisis in Kampala on Friday.

Uganda currently shelters around 900,000 South Sudan refugees most women and children who most arrived in the past year.

The UN said it needs USD 8 billion to help refugees and host communities over next four years.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) - A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on peaceful uses of atomic energy Thursday was signed by the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and Technology, Afework Kassu Gizaw, and Russian Deputy Director General of ROSATOM Nikolai Spasskiy.

The first deal of its kind between the two countries was signed within the framework of IX International Forum ATOMEXPO 2017

“It envisages a bilateral cooperation in a wide range of spheres, i.e. development of nuclear infrastructure in Ethiopia, programs for raising public awareness of nuclear technologies and its application, radioisotopes and radio technologies' application in industrial, medical, agricultural sectors,” said Ethiopian Foreign Ministry.

The agreement embraces collaboration in nuclear, radiological and physical security, fundamental and applied researches, HR training, nuclear research centres based on multi-functional research reactors.

The joint working group of Russia and Ethiopia will define the scope of work for implementation of the initiatives mentioned above.

The parties agreed to cooperate in the feasibility of implementing common projects referred to the development of collaboration in peaceful uses of atomic energy was agreed to be developed under the Memorandum.

Among others, atomic energy could be used in the areas of power generation, healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, industry and research.

The State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM is a Russian publicly-owned corporation, which is the leader in the global nuclear technologies market.

It brings together nuclear power and power engineering assets, as well as NPP design and construction. ROSATOM is the largest electricity generating company in Russia, producing 196.37 billion kWh of electricity in 2016 (or 18.3% of the country's total generation of electricity).

ROSATOM holds first place for the largest portfolio of foreign construction projects (34 NPPs in 12 countries). ROSATOM produces annually approximately 3,000 tonnes of uranium domestically, and some 5,000 tonnes in other countries.

ROSATOM with its 1/3 world market share takes the lead in global uranium enrichment services and covers 17.7% of the global nuclear fuel market

ROSATOM brings together over 300 enterprises and organisations, including the world's only nuclear icebreaker fleet. ROSATOM is tasked with implementing the uniform state policy on the uses of atomic energy as well as fulfilling the Russian Federation's international obligations on the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

(ST)

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

June 22, 2017 (JUBA) - Bad governance, corruption and lack of accountability in public institutions was the major cause of divisions and the ongoing war in South Sudan, a senior minister said on Thursday.

S. Sudan cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomoro (Photo KT Press)

The cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro made these remarks while speaking at a consultative symposium on good governance and democracy organised by the parliamentary affairs ministry.

He said the conflict, bad governance, corruption and nepotism caused the conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions.

“I know all sorts of malpractices in the government have contributed negatively to the perception of the citizens and the challenges of infancy of any young country. And addressing these issues now require political will to adopt and embrace practices aimed at encouraging democratic governance to make sure all government institutions are functioning according to rules and processes”, said Lomuro.

According to the minister, all the people of South Sudan, including the church and the existing mosques, should all rise against corruption instead of pointing accusing fingers and passing the buck.

Fighting corruption, he said, was not a popular agenda, but an apparent realisation of the negative impact of corruption has promoted the fight against graft as a measure of good governance.

“We must take away the proceeds of illicit enrichment and remove negative role models in our society. I know that each arm of government has its responsibility and we must respect the separation of powers under our constitution,” said Lomuro.

“At the same time, we must have an acute and common perception of our problem and do all that is necessary to mitigate the impact of corruption in our society”, he added.

Lomuro said fighting corruption was to correct certain wrong doings.

“The aim of fighting corruption is most importantly, to remedy the dark sides of bad governance, such as poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease, as well as improving the well-being of the citizens, hence, we must pay equal attention to the economy which is the bedrock of all-round development,” stressed the minister.

“The beginning of getting leadership right is to make the electoral system transparent and credible to ensure that only the choices of the people are actually elected into electable political offices,” he added.

Meanwhile the parliamentary affairs minister, Peter Bashir Gbandi challenged public institutions to come up with clear actions plans and strategies capable of helping to resolve the leadership challenge in the country to usher in the desired development.

He, however, called on government officials and lawmakers to lead the way through effective leadership for a solid footing for the country's citizens to see.

(ST)

June 22, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Agar called on the American administration under President Donald Trump to invite Sudanese opposition forces to Washington to discuss peace in Sudan.

The call comes after reports about a consultations meeting that the Cater Center plans to hold next July in Atlanta, Georgia between the warring parties in Sudan to explore ways to support the stalled African Union efforts for peace in Sudan.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday, the SPLM-N Agar spokesperson, Mubarak Ardol, warned against the use of Cater meeting to cover the lift on the economic embargo.

"If the opposition is invited to Washington why it is not invited by the (American) Administration as the former administration has been inviting the regime? And this should be apart from any meetings with the government," said Ardol.

He further said that such a meeting will provide the opportunity for the opposition to present its point of view, in particular, there is a new administration with which they would like to raise the opposition's view on Sudan's current situation.

Last Sunday, Gibril Ibrahim the leader of Justice and Equality Movement, confirmed to Sudan Tribune they had been approached by the Carter Center for the meeting but he stressed they do not expect the meeting takes place soon, adding they have not yet received an official invitation until now.

Ardol said they didn't receive an invitation from the Cater Center for the consultations.

But he added they had been reached by international circles to explore our views on the initiative of Carter Center to gather the government and the opposition to meet in Atlanta, Georgia, "and asked questions from the Carter Center about how to represent the SPLM-N".

In December 2016, the SPLM-N declined an invitation by the Carter Center for a workshop in Nairobi to discuss how to bring peace in Sudan gathering the opposition forces.

The African Union High-Level Implementation Pane (AUHIP)has been seeking to end the conflict for several years. However, since last August, the peace talks are deadlocked over the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access deals.

Already, Germany and Uganda had organised unofficial consultations meetings between the government and armed opposition groups in order to narrow the gaps between the warring parties without tangible progress.

(ST)

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June 21, 2017(BOR) - The Rome-based Vatican has announced a $500,000 donation from Pope Francis to support South Sudan crisis.

Pope Francis recieves the flag of South Sudan from Choul Laam (Vatican photo)

The donation, according to a statement, would be channelled through Caritas along with other two Catholic groups working in South Sudan to support education, health and agriculture projects in the country.

Caritas International made this announcement on 21 June.

South Sudan, the United Nations say, has nearly 2 million people are on the brink of starvation and that an estimated 6 million people were likely to experience severe food insecurity in the coming weeks.

“The Holy Father does not forget the unheard and silent victims of this bloody and in human conflict, and he does not forget all those people who are forced to flee their native country as a result of abuse, injustice and war,” partly reads Caritas's statement.

Caritas International's Secretary General, Michel Roy said the Pope wants much more to be done to end the suffering in South Sudan.

“The world needs to follow the example of Pope Francis and not abandon South Sudan,” said Roy.

He called for an increase in humanitarian support for South Sudan.

The donation from the Pontiff will reportedly cover three projects, including supporting two hospitals run by the Comboni sisters in Wau and Tombura in Gbudue states. Others are for the purchase of seeds and tools in Tombura, Yei, Torit, Malakai and Juba for 2,250 families.

Also earmarked to benefit from the fund are teachers, nurses, midwives, agriculturalists and the community leaders in Yambio.

(ST)