Africa

May 19, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government Thursday said the UN Security Council (UNSC) will include the implementation of recommendations of the tripartite team tasked with developing an exit strategy for the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in its decision to renew the mandate of the Mission in June.

A tripartite working group including the Sudanese government, AU and UN has been set up in February 2015 to develop an exit strategy for the UNAMID from Darfur.

Last June, the UNSC extended the mandate of the mission until 30 June 2017, stressing that the situation in the western Sudan region continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security.

In press statements after the meeting of presidential aide Ibrahim Mahmoud with the visiting delegation of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), Sudan's permanent representative to the AU, Jamal Ibrahim, said the tripartite team has signed the exit decision of the Mission from some areas in Darfur.

“A top tripartite team will meet on 22 May to approve the recommendations [of the working group] and report to the AUPSC and the UNSC on the issue,” he said.

In a report to the UNSC on 26 May, the former UN chief, Ban Ki-moon said the Mission suggested during the negotiations to withdraw gradually from West Darfur, and leave from three bases in North and South Darfur, in areas that do not currently necessitate its presence, noting that withdrawal from other areas would only be possible if a ceasefire and protection of displaced are ensured.

On Thursday the visiting AUPSC delegation acknowledged the improvement of the situation in Darfur region, however, it underscored that security challenges in Jebel Marra area prevent the return of displaced civilians to their homes.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the western Sudan's region.

It is the world's second largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.

On 27 March, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said Burkina Faso has decided to implement a decision it took earlier to withdraw its troops from the UNAMID, pointing Sudan will bear the financial cost for the transfer of the troops.

UN agencies say there are nearly 2.5 million displaced persons in Darfur, despite the signing of a peace agreement in Doha in July 2011.

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May 18, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A visiting delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) Thursday has acknowledged the improvement of the situation in Darfur region, however, it underscored that security challenges in Jebel Marra area prevent the return of displaced civilians to their homes.

During a four-day visit to the Sudan, the AUPSC delegation led by the Uganda's Permanent Representative to the African Union, Mull S. Katende toured the camps of displaced people in Nertiti of Central Darfur State and Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur.

The delegation will present a report to the Council on the security situation in the western Sudan region, ahead of the extension of Darfur hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) next June by the United Nations Security Council.

"The situation in Jebel Marra continues to be a source of concern but the situation in the North Darfur State has improved significantly," said Katende, adding that the return of IDPs in Nertiti camp is impeded by a lack of security in Jebel Marra.

"IDPs of Neretti camp have expressed fear of killing once they return to their villages. We know that there are clashes and their areas should be rehabilitated and to protect them."

The mountainous area witnessed last year clashes between the government forces and fighters of the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid. The rebel group rejects to join the African Union efforts for peace in Sudan.

For the IDPs from the areas where there is no violence now, Katende said they have the choice between returning voluntarily to their village of origins or integrating into the communities in which they currently live, adding that in the two options there is a need to provide services and facilitate their integration.

The Ugandan diplomat said he held a meeting with the Sudanese Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid to discuss the outcome of their visit and express their observations on the security situation in the region of Darfur.

He further called on the armed groups to join the national dialogue document and pointed to the government flexibility and readiness to accept those who want to join the process.

The Sudanese government and the three armed groups failed in August 2016 to sign a cessation of humanitarian hostilities agreement.

During a visit to Khartoum, the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki said President al-Bashir welcomes efforts to bring the holdout groups to the framework National Document endorsed by the government-led dialogue process in October 2016.

However, the government has ruled out the organisation of a new national dialogue process initially included in a Roadmap Agreement signed with the opposition groups.

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May 19, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's President Omer al-Bsashir will not take part in the two-day Arab Islamic American Summit, said Khartoum on Friday ending speculations about his unwanted participation by the United States.

On Friday morning the official news agency SUNA, has announced in a laconic statement that al-Bashir will not participate in the meeting due to personal reasons without further details.

"The President of the Republic, Marshal Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir has apologised to his brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz for attending the Islamic American Summit held in the Saudi capital Riyadh for special reasons," SUNA said.

It further said Bashir has assigned the Director of his office and Minister of State at the Presidency Taha al-Hussein, to represent him at the summit

The official organ further pointed that the president had received an invitation for the summit handed over by a special envoy.

U.S. officials expressed their displeasure with the presence of Bashir at the summit and urged the host country to not invite him.

But Saudi and Sudanese diplomats including foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour insisted that Bashir was invited and he would travel to Riyadh for the meeting which gathers over 50 heads of state and government.

The row over Bashir's participation in the summit cast doubts over the recent improvement of bilateral relations between Khartoum and Washington.

Also, Sudanese officials were optimistic about the definitive lift of sanctions, but observers now say in the best cases it would be delayed for additional six month period.

In a press release on Wednesday, the U.S. embassy in Khartoum explained Washington's rejection of al-Bashir's participation in the meeting attended by President Trump, saying “we oppose invitations, facilitation, or support for travel by any person subject to outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants, including President Bashir”.

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May 18, 2017 (JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Thursday said that the national dialogue process will start with those are ready to take part, insisting that the others can join it later on but he would not delay it further.

“Those who are available will be sworn in on Monday, May 22, 2017. Those who are not around will be sworn in as and when they come because the process cannot be postponed,” said President Kiir on Thursday.

Different opposition figures including the widow of the late SPLM leader John Garang de Mabior, Kosti Manibe, and Majak D' Agoot, declined to join the process after their appointment by the President citing the lack of prior consultation and the need for confidence building measures before to hold it.

Kiir pointed out the country's' needs to be guided by the values of peace and national reconciliation as a way of observing the spirit of Lent.

The President went on to emphasising on the values of Christianity.

“The fundamental values of Christianity, such as love of the neighbour, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace, transcend the religious domain to be guiding values of our South Sudanese society because they are shared by all of us, regardless of our differences,” he added.

The head of state said that the national dialogue would be an opportunity and a process for deep reflection on the values and principles which bind the South Sudanese leadership.

President Kiir made the remarks on Thursday to members of the organising committee who have been tasked with various responsibilities to make necessary arrangements for the swearing-in of dialogue committee members.

Peace in the country has been unattainable and is constantly threatened but the fractures within the leadership of the major armed opposition parties and within the government.

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May 18, 2017 (KAMPALA) - More than 100 lone children cross into Uganda each day as they flee conflict in South Sudan, walking for days on end with no food or family to sustain them, an aid agency said on Thursday.

A United Nations peacekeeper standing with children near the U.N. base in Juba, South Sudan, in January 2016 (AP Photo/Jason Patinkin/File)

World Vision said at least 9,000 children had made the journey since last July and it expects another thousand to join them by mid-year.

“The majority of these children saw their parents being killed, while others lost touch with their families once fighting broke out. Some of them walk for more than a week to get to Uganda, with nothing to eat,” said Gilbert Kamanga, the country director of World Vision in Uganda in a statement.

“This is one of the worst forms of violence against children. It must stop. Peace needs to prevail in South Sudan,” he added.

Uganda, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), hosts some 898,000 refugees, with over 2,000 people, mostly women and children, arriving daily.

Children, UNHCR says, make up to 62% of the 1.8 million people displaced by fighting in South Sudan, and more than 75,000 unaccompanied children have fled to Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.

South Sudan has witnessed renewed clashes between forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) backing the country's former First Vice-President Riek Machar, in spite of the August 2015 peace accord.

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May 18, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has “reconciled” with former chief of army General, Paul Malong Awan.

S Sudan's President Salva Kiir is received by former Chief of General Staff of the SPLA Paul Malong Awan at the airport in Juba March 6, 2015 (Reuters)

The presidential spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny described Thursday's meeting between Awan and the president as “cordial and friendly."

"I can now report to the South Sudanese that President Salva Kiir Mayardit and former chief of staff General Paul Malong Awan have reconciled. They reflected on their long comradeship, friendship dating back to the time of war of liberation and small differences were easily resolved," Ateny told reporters in the capital, Juba.

The meeting was the first encounter between the two ever since Awan was sacked from the army after about four years in charge.

Kiir replaced Awan with General James Ajongo Mawut, who has been described my many as a moderate veteran military officer.

Despite his removal, however, the former South Sudanese army chief is credited for helping the national army win several battles against the armed opposition faction loyal to ex-Vice President Riek Machar.

Not much was divulged on the outcome of Thursday's meeting between the South Sudanese leader and his former army chief.

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The United Nations emergency food agency has started dispatching supplies by air and road to the Central African Republic (CAR), where violence erupted in March and has since claimed the lives of more than 120 people, it was announced today.

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