Africa

April 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese government Saturday said it doesn't rule out to open an Airbridge to deliver food assistance to South Sudan during the rainy season revealing a proposal to open a third road corridor to transport aid to the needy population in the war-torn nation.

Famine was recently declared in Mayendit, a village in South Sudan's Unity state, the latest crisis in the country's three-year civil war. About 100 000 people are said to be at risk, and aid groups are pleading for access. At least 5 million people or more than 40% of the nation's population need urgent assistance, aid agencies say.

In July 2014, Juba and Khartoum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to open a humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to vulnerable South Sudanese through the River Nile or by road. Last January, the agreement was extended for a six month period.

On 26 March, Sudan announced it would open a second humanitarian corridor to deliver food assistance to the affected in South Sudan.

Humanitarian aid commissioner in North Kordofan state Ahmed Babiker al-Hassan disclosed a proposal to open a third route from North Kordofan capital, El-Obeid to Aweil town in South Sudan via Al-Muglad to deliver aid to people in need.

He told the official news agency SUNA that 27,000 metric tonnes of humanitarian assistance are at the disposal of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and ready to be delivered, adding that additional 1000 metric tonnes are in the locality of Al-Dibaibat, South Kordofan state.

Al-Hassan expected that the total assistance would reach 57,000 metric tonnes by the end of April.

It is noteworthy that heavy rains impede vehicles movement in most of the western states of Sudan and those bordering South Sudan for long periods during the fall.
On Thursday, WFP announced it has begun providing food assistance to war-torn South Sudan using the new corridor announced by the Sudanese government last week.

WFP said the new route enables transport of food items overland from El-Obeid in central Sudan to Bentiu in South Sudan's Unity state.

(ST)

April 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Nuba Mountains Liberation Council (NMLC), which leads a rift in the SPLM-N, Saturday said the group decided in their recent meetings to freeze negotiations for peace in Sudan until the settlement of internal divisions.

The announcement comes in less than 24 hours after a communiqué by the SPLM-N leadership announcing the end of five-day meetings in the Nuba Mountains to settle an internal rift following the resignation of the SPLM-N Deputy Chairman Abdel Aziz al-Hilu.

In a statement signed by the NMLC Deputy Chairman Najla Abdel-Wahid, the South Kordofan body called its decisions of 25 March to dissolve the SPLM-N general secretariat and to sack Arman from his position as the chief negotiator of the group.

It further pointed to the two extraordinary meetings held with the "delegation of the SPLM-N Chairman" who was accompanied by "Lt Gen Yasir Arman" and two members of the National leadership Council joined by the "SPLA-N Chief of Staff" and his the "Deputy Chief of Staff Izat Koko Angelo".

Abdel Wahid said the parties agreed that the presence of Abdel Aziz al-Hilu is needed to settle the problem.

The participant agreed to freeze the negotiations until the end of the ongoing process to reorganise the structures of the Movement through an Extraordinary National Conference. Therefore, we are not concerned about any negotiation or agreement signed before the conference, the statement concluded.

On Friday the SPLM-N leadership issued a statement saying the internal feuding has been overcome.

"The meetings emphasised its commitment to the SPLM-N unity, reiterated its adherence to its political line, its alliances with the opposition forces and their negotiating positions and institutions, including its negotiating delegation and its vision of the New Sudan".

Observers agree that the main armed opposition group is on the brink of a split that no one can determine its dimension within the group or its impact on the ongoing efforts to end the war in Sudan.

They underline that Abdel Wahid in her statement didn't mention the name of the SPLM-N chairman Malik Agar but just his position, the same for the chief of staff Jacob Mekouar, while it referred to Arman only by his military rank.

Unconfirmed reports say Agar and Mekouar backed Arman's continuation in his positions as secretary-general and chief negotiator until the extraordinary general conference but the NMLC refused their demand.

The SPLM-N leadership, on Friday, pledged to issue a detailed statement on the outcome of its meetings in the Nuba Mountains.

In Khartoum, Sudanese officials say the rift within the armed group would impact negatively on the negotiating process and would delay it.

Also, they point to Juba saying the ruling SPLM is supporting calls for self-determination among the Nuba. But sources close to the NMLC minimise the importance of this demand saying it is only a negotiating position to get self-rule for the region.

(ST)

April 1, April 2017 (WAU) - The mayor of Wau municipal council, Mel Aleu has directed all humanitarian agencies operating in Wau town to suspend the distribution of food except water and medical facilities to displaced persons at the Episcopal Church compound.

IDPs shelter near the UNMISS base in Wau (IOM/Gonzalez 2016)

Aleu was speaking at a meeting of representatives of all aid agencies said food distribution be temporarily halted until the repatriation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the new proposed site is accomplished.

During the meeting, the mayor also formed a repatriation committee comprising of security, state head of U.N agencies as well as the South Sudanese Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC).

“Yes I said they will be no longer distribution in that placed starting from today. Anybody or any organization who wants to give assistance should wait for three days or later,” said Aleu.

“From Monday, the police, the security organs will be there in that proposed area to protect those who are going to implement their projects in the area,” he added.

Mel said the relocation of the IDPs to the new area from Episcopal Church compound was a decision taken by the state government to allow the several displaced persons to have space for cultivation.

The mayor requested aid agencies to present their nominees to the repatriation committee, but many asked to make prior consultations.

Currently, the Episcopal Church compound is accommodating more than 4, 000 displaced persons who fled their homes last month after clashes between the cattle keepers and farmers in Jur River county.

(ST)

April 1, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar met the head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Festus Mogae in Pretoria, South Africa, where the two discussed President Salva Kiir's calls for a unilateral ceasefire and a national dialogue.

Botswana's former president Festus Mogae (Photo File AFP)

The meeting held on 31 March, officials said, mainly focused on ways of finding meaningful solutions to the conflict in war-hit South Sudan.

Machar's press secretary, Lam Kuei Lam confirmed the Pretoria meeting, saying it was part of finding a solution to South Sudan's war.

“On item one, the chairman did inform President Mogae that indeed SPLM/SPLA-IO is not a war mongering but act on self-defense. On the second and three, the chairman called for initiation of a political forum for the parties to engage on the peaceful settlement of the conflict, resuscitate and review the ARCISS [Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan],” said Lam.

He added, “On ceasefire, once the forum is initiated a cessation of hostilities would be negotiated by the parties”.

Machar, Lam said, criticized the chairman of South Sudan's peace monitoring body for failing to implement the peace as agreed upon.

Among the other issues cited as “failures” of the peace monitoring body is the continued displacement of thousands of South Sudanese to neighbouring nations and the famine that has hit the country.

This is the first meeting Mogae initiated with the South Sudanese rebel leader when the latter fled after the July 2016 clashes in the capital, Juba.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

April 1, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir is scheduled to pay a working visit to neighboring Ethiopia next week, officials at the Ethiopian foreign affairs ministry disclosed on Saturday.

Sudan's bashir speaks at the opening session of the third Arab Conference for Agriculture Investment in Khartoum on 27 February 2017 (ST Photo)

The ministry's spokesperson, Tewolde Mulgeta, told Sudan Tribune that Bashir will on Tuesday arrive in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where he will hold meetings with Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn and other government officials.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues of common interest, mainly focused on evaluating the implementations of previously signed agreements and Memorandum of Understandings will be center of discussions between the two sides.

During the high level meeting, both Bashir and the Ethiopian Prime Minister will reportedly assess challenges and obstacles hindering to a speedy implementation of signed accords and will consult on ways how to fast track the joint projects in a clear time frame.

On Tuesday after noon, however, Hailemariam and Bashir are expected to sign bilateral agreements, which according to government officials would further elevate economic ties and deepen the historic bond of relations between the two neighbours.

Bashir is also expected to visit some of the industrial parks which Ethiopia is building as part of its efforts to transform its economy.

The two countries have lots of cooperation agreements, including on power, security, infrastructure, among other sectors.

(ST)

April 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - More than 60,000 South Sudanese have entered Sudan in the first three months of 2017, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Wednesday, fleeing famine and war in the world's youngest nation.

South Sudanese refugees perform a traditional dance as President Omer Hassan al-Bashir addresses a crowd a rally held in Ed Daein, East Darfur, April 5, 2016. April 5, 2016. (Photo Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

South Sudan, formed after splitting from the north in 2011, has declared a famine in its parts, where 100,000 people are said to be facing starvation.

The U.N refugee agency was initially expecting 60,000 South Sudanese refugees to arrive in Sudan in the whole of 2017, but that figure has already been exceeded in the first three months.

"The number of new arrivals has surpassed expectations, signalling a likely worsening situation in South Sudan," it said in a statement.

UNHCR anticipates a continuous influx of South Sudanese refugees throughout this year, but is concerned about a drop in funding to meet their needs.

Aid groups have denounced a "man-made" famine caused by bloodshed in South Sudan where civil war has forced people to flee, disrupted agriculture, sent prices soaring and cut off aid agencies from some of the worst-hit areas.

South Sudan has been engulfed by war since 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his rival and ex-deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

More than 365,000 South Sudanese refugees, most of them women and children, have arrived in Sudan since December 2013.

(ST)

April 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The government negotiating team on the conflict in the Two Areas Saturday said the differences within the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/North (SPLM-N) will delay the next round of talks.

Last month, SPLM-N deputy chairman Abel Aziz al-Hilu resigned from his position saying the secretary-general Yasir Arman disregarded his demand to include the self-determination in the agenda of peace negotiations.

On 25 March, the Nuba Mountains Liberation Council, an SPLM-N political body in the South Kordofan announced its support of al-Hilu's demand for self-determination and relieved Arman from his position as secretary-general and chief negotiator.

In an attempt to contain the growing differences, SPLM-N chairman Malik Agar and Arman arrived in the rebel controlled areas in South Kordofan on Sunday 26 March and engaged in five-day meetings with the political and military leadership.

On Friday, SPLM-N leadership issued a short statement reiterating the unity of rebel group and commitment to its political line and strategy towards peace process in Sudan but didn't elaborate on the details of the moves reached to contain the rift.

Member of the government negotiating team on the conflict in the Two Areas Hussein Karshoom told Sudan Tribune that the fate of the coming round of talks is unclear, pointing the SPLM-N is speaking about changing its negotiating team and rearranging the negotiation issues.

“I believe the differences within the Movement won't impede the negotiations but will delay the next round of talks,” he said.

He expected the SPLM-N to reconcile its situation and return to the negotiating table, but didn't rule out that the Movement could split and form two negotiating teams, saying “all possibilities exist”.

Karshoom expressed his government readiness to engage in talks with each delegation separately if the Movement split into two factions.

“When we look at the past experiences, we see that all possibilities exist. The Movement could split and form two delegations, one representing the Blue Nile and the other representing South Kordofan as it happened in 2003,” he said.

He pointed that Al-Hilu in 2003 led a separate delegation on South Kordofan track and signed a ceasefire agreement with the government; ruling out the African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki will announce a new date to resume the talks during his visit to Khartoum on Thursday.

South Kordofan and the neighbouring Blue Nile state, also known as the Two Areas have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and Sudanese army since 2011.

Talks between the two sides for a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access are stalled since last August.

(ST)

April 1, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - A visiting French delegation headed by the Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Alexis Lamek Saturday has discussed with Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdel-Ghani al-Nai'm the situation in Darfur region.

According to a press release from the foreign ministry, the French delegation also discussed the “work of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and its exit strategy in light of the positive developments and improved situation in Darfur which requires downsizing the mission's troops according to the outcome of the joint working group”.

The press release pointed that al-Nai'm has briefed the French delegation on the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government and the peace partners to address issues of IDPs and arms collection and control in Darfur.

He underscored the need for France to play a greater role to support peace efforts in Sudan.

The two sides also pointed to cooperation among the Sudanese government, UNAMID, United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) which was reflected in the visit of the mission's strategic review team last month.

It is noteworthy that the French delegation Wednesday visited North Darfur state where it was briefed by the governor Abdel-Wahid Youssef on the recent developments in the region.

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 UN Security Council (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.

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.

(ST)

April 1, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has urged all ethnic groups to join his administration and work for peace without discrimination, adding that the dialogue process is open for the armed groups if they renounce violence.

The president, while meeting some of the Jieng (Dinka) Council of elders Saturday said all ethnic groups should come together and work hard for the cessation of mistrust and misunderstanding, citing the use of all kinds of methods for the emergence of a genuine democratic country seeking for genuine and durable peace.

According to the South Sudanese leader, the need for an inclusive dialogue has been at the forefront of the numerous calls got from the different leaders in the region.

“People are calling from countries in the region to appreciate the dialogue which we have declared but they are saying it should be inclusive. I told them that this is a national dialogue and it is opened to the participation of all South Sudanese," said Kiir.

He added, "The groups we don't want are those who have refused to denounce violence and continue to use a pressure tool but if they accept to denounce violence, they are welcome. They are south Sudanese and the issues we are going to discuss are issues which concern all of us as South Sudan. So it will be transparent and inclusive”.

The president called on ethnic groups to take part in the national dialogue to discuss and seek a solution to national reconciliation and peace, noting that the country's development has lagged behind by several decades due to the armed conflicts.

He recalled that the country did not fully enjoy the fruits of independence due to armed conflicts, resulting from mistrust and misunderstanding among ethnic groups.

“In the struggle for independence, people from all walks and background fought together to gain independence. We did not see ourselves as tribes. Where did get this? These are some of the things you need to work together with the government so that we identify them and find a way to resolve them. And this was we intend to do through national dialogue," said the South Sudanese leader.

"It will be an opportunity to discuss issues we as south Sudanese feel we need to find a solution to them”, he added.

Last year, President Kiir appointed more than 30 eminent persons as members to the national dialogue meant to mend communities' ties in the war-ravaged nation. The national dialogue is to be led by “eminent personalities” accepted as credible, genuine and trusted by all rival parties in the young nation. South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar, however, rejected President Kiir's call for a national dialogue, describing the move as “bogus”.

(ST)

The power to destroy a nation is a lot easier than the power it takes to build a nation.

By Santino Aniek

There is something brewing in South Sudan and for the Frist Vice President Taban Deng Gai to put his interest above the country's interest will create an existential crisis in the nation. However, the majority of South Sudanese including myself believe that the power to destroy a nation is not the lesson of President Kiir Mayardit's Presidency. But the real question in the head of every Ruweng people is, is the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai's lesson here to destroy a nation? However, when the news break out in Juba the majority of Ruweng people were very excited about the appointment of Governor Theji De Adwad Deng and assumed that it would only strengthen our relationship with the FVP Taban. However, having a relationship with the FVP Taban seems to have had the opposite effect on Ruweng people's lives ever since. I know that living with the FVP Taban can be difficult and I anticipated an argument over years we spend together under his leadership in Unity State was hell difficult. But as of yet, we have not had any issues for Mr. Taban being the FVP of South Sudan, but the issue the people of Ruweng are having now Mr. President is the authority you give him to operate freely. As people of Ruweng, our relationship with the FVP just seems to be slowly dissolving away since long time ago when Ruweng became an independent State for only one reason and that reason is the FVP. Mr. President, you have already heard a lot of reaction, both negative and triggered, during the relieve of Governor Adwad last week and it needs your good judgment to see this threat.

In part, what we call relationship in Africa today is really nothing more than the worship of self that is Evilism, but I'm not saying our relationship as Ruweng people with President Kiir's administration has not reached the level of Evilism. But the agenda of the FVP regarding Ruweng State must be erasing from its entire root once and for all or hell to peace in South Sudan. All of the evil, perversion, and degradation in our country always begin like this, with the elevation of the self-interest over the people's interest. This is, in fact, the source of all conflict since the beginning our independence. Indeed, Evilism is not a new phenomenon in Africa, but in the case of the South Sudan, it needs to be abandoning once and for all. Furthermore, Evilism is as old as time, or even older, and adopting it will create more devastation in South Sudan than any other countries who are practising this system of Evilism because our nation is built with blood. Let me assure folks in South Sudan, we cannot lose sight of the fact that our fight in Ruweng State is not merely against some political Party or man-made ideology, but against the Evilism itself. Our political debates are just one manifestation of the deeper struggle, and not even the most important manifestation. I'm certainly not saying we should neglect the political kingdom or ignore it, but we should know that the fight does not start there, and it won't end there until Governor Adwad is restated as governor of Ruweng State. For our struggle is not against President Kiir Mayardit's government, but against the marginalisation, against the bullying, against the powers of this individual Mr. FVP, and against the spiritual forces of evil in South Sudan.

In today's diverse and in a troubling nation like South Sudan, misunderstanding and frustration are bound to arise between communities at all background, but FVP Taban cannot single out Ruweng State out of 33 States. In fact, there are a couple of things tend to create conflict in leadership, personality, decision-making, and poor communication to the citizen. The differences in leadership have sometimes caused some individuals to perceive some matters as undermining their positions or refuting their point of views. Most importantly, overwhelmingly responsibility in this environment where there is too many problems in every corner of South Sudan that needs to be solved is more prone to make mistakes and even cause conflict, but the FVP is now putting a fuel on fire. Nevertheless, dissatisfaction and frustration always occur among our communities in South Sudan when there is a limitation on the decision making process. With that in mind, the will of Ruweng people worth reconsideration Mr. President for the sake of peace in our country. As you have seen, the FVP is using the power of the First Vice Presidency to apply the most dramatic marginalisation like what we have seen during Khartoum regime. For example, FVP is trying to make it easier for emotionally troubled people around South Sudan to get guns and start shooting anyone they can find and that need to stop Mr. President. In addition, FVP seems to wage war on the very structure of your government you have put in place all these years.

Looking at what is happening in Ruweng State, he is positioning quite a bit of groundwork. And therefore the full effect of this groundwork will take a long time for the FVP to materialise in Ruweng land. There will be magnitude consequences, which should be a wake-up call for all who are supporting the FVP's agenda, who are appalled at the tone, character and substance of him so far. It is a reminder of how much diligence, hard work and organising it is going to take to stop or even to slow him down, but Ruweng people are always resilience and determine to deal with such a character in a timing manner. All the while the importance of the threat in Ruweng Stat is nobody said it is going to be easy, and nobody is right here either. But if there is anybody out there who will think that the people Ruweng are going to win this game of chicken and egg, it will be Riek Machar because the people of Ruweng did a tremendous job in 1991 when it was difficult to win anything in those dark days. As always the case, marginalisation, colonisation, and now the intentional interference of the FVP in Ruweng State's affair will be considered as a declaration of war on our people. And so, our advice to those who want to lead Ruweng people through the FVP's ticket, the masters of human being will laugh at us if we fight for scraps that he the FVP cast from his gilded table, but most importantly, the consequences will be high than 1991.

In leadership, tough decision-making is the major component and core of managing the nation like South Sudan. For the government to be efficient, a leader must have self-confidence in order to gather and process information and solve problems like the one facing Ruweng State. In addition, the leader must recognise what choices to make and keep the interest of his/her constituency without losing the sight. For example, bad policies and inconsistency in decisions making are among the major challenges in the government and can generate much uncertainty among the citizens. For a complete decision-making, leaders realise that all reasonable decision making processes requires a great deal of time and knowledge of information, but rushing to conclusion always cause harm to citizens. In fact, there are several components and inevitable factors that influence the leadership decision-making process in any government in the world. Poor leadership decision-making is always associated with chaos and conflicts among the communities and what the FVP seem to be doing at the moment is exactly poor leadership. Ultimately, while some choices in the decision-making process may be seen as being simple and easy in thinking, most of the governmental decisions are complex, challenging, time-consuming, and often require a multi-step approach to making the right needed decisions by leaders. And so the success for any nation is determined by decision-making process and that decision is no matter how big or small, it impacts people's lives in a major way. That is why it is very vital for the FVP of South Sudan to evaluate the situation before making a decision like this in Ruweng State.

Now, with the government watching the people of Ruweng begging for help, part of me thinks that this has to do with the fact that we are no longer identify as friends of this government, but President Kiir Mayardit has forgotten his friendship with our son Giel Kur back in the day. Therefore, Ruweng people want to tell President Kiir that they feel like they are losing him, as a friend and as their President, and they are not sure how to go about this. Like you all know, nothing bad has happened between President Kiir and the people of Ruweng ever starting in 1983 until now. Nevertheless, it seems like he the President has forgotten that he was our friend before Giel Kur has passed and he is still a friend to the people of Ruweng. What do you think we should do Mr. President? Sometimes walking away from a friendship seem to be the only course of action that can be taken when things get tough, but the people of Ruweng do not think walking away from you Mr. President is the weapon of choice at this moment in time. Most importantly, Mr. president you may need to fondly remember the good times you had with the people of Ruweng in general and with Giel Kur in particular and move forward. Subsequently, when a problem exists with a cherished friend, it is worth every effort to strive to reconcile the problem, Mr. President.

In sum, I do not know if the FVP Taban set out to destroy or want to disable much of the government policies in South Sudan through Ruweng State, as we have witnessed from some individuals for almost a decade. Finally, the challenges presented within friendship provide opportunities for change and growth when both people face them candidly and honestly. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain anguish and hurt will not go away until you Mr. President make an effort to do something about the threat facing the people Ruweng. One common cause of hurt in friendship is a sudden unexplained change in words and actions towards your friend, passive distancing, or feeling ignored and passed over. Other painful situations include outright betrayal or pressure stemming from unrealistic expectations and competitiveness. In the beginning, the 21st Century turned out to be the people of Ruweng's Century because we have become independent from Unity State, but putting the FVP Taban in charge is like a prison without a door. What will happen if the FVP is in charge of Ruweng State? It is important to remember how radical the FVP's policy is toward the people of Ruweng Mr. President. And this says nothing of the very troubling shadow of the FVP on his campaign against the people of Ruweng. Moreover, the people of Ruweng have always lived up to those principles of our nation ever since; we have shown it to the entire nation for the second time during the senseless war. Mr. President the game of chicken and egg is already underway and the people of Ruweng need your action now.

Santino Aniek is a concerned South Sudanese in Upstate New York, U.S.A. He can be reached at santino.aniek5@gmail.com and find me on Facebook, on Skype and on twitter @saniek.

By Luciano Arvin

Pragmatism seems to be the name of the game in Khartoum, as Sudan drastically shifts its allegiance from one regional superpower, the Islamic Republic of Iran, to the other, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For the balance of his 26-year presidency, Omar al-Bashir has enjoyed warm relations with Tehran, on a number of issues. For the former, it provided access to weaponry and financial aid and infrastructure development, while the latter gained a geopolitical ally, who was willing to grant docking rights and serve as an important gateway for Iran to enter Africa. Following major sanctions placed on Iran, beginning in 2010, it proved unable to sustain the level of aid it was providing to Khartoum, and the relationship slowly began to erode. At this time, Saudi Arabia, and the other Gulf Co-Operation Council (GCC) nations offered ample financial resources to Sudan, with the intent of weakening Iran's position in Northern Africa. Between 2010 and 2014, Saudi Arabia invested heavily in Sudan—by one estimate, $11 billion worth, creating 395 different projects, joint ventures, and companies. In 2015, another $2.2 billion was transferred from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, amidst Khartoum's rapidly deteriorating financial woes

However, as the old saying goes, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

Since accepting the GCC's aid, Sudan has taken a number of steps to improve its relationship with select Western nations, in part because it hopes they will help its struggling economy but also because these nations aid the GCC in taking a hard stance against Iran. Similarly, the al-Bashir government has closed Iranian and Shia cultural centres in Khartoum, a move that has been scorned by Shia groups loyal to Iran. Neither will the recent deployment of Sudanese troops to Yemen, to aid in the Saudi-led intervention against the Houthi be taken kindly to by Iran. Now speculation has emerged that Sudan will become embroiled in multifaceted Syrian civil war, although it is speculative which one of the numerous factions Sudanese forces would aid. Sudan was among a number of nations to break off ties with Iran in the aftermath of the burning of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran following the execution of Shia Sheik Nimr al-Nimr in January of 2016.

As pressure from Saudi Arabia increasingly compromises the sovereignty of Sudanese foreign policy, one must ask why it is that a government which receives vast swathes of aid from a host of nations, is unable to create projects that would bring it economic stability, thereby leveraging it away from such sticky diplomatic situations. Moreover, if Khartoum wishes to induce political stability anytime in the future it will need realistic parameters on the impacts of foreign aid on Sudan's foreign policy.

Luciano Arvin is an independent scholar based out of Peterborough, Canada. He primarily covers the foreign relations of Iran, Iraq and the GCC. His work has seen publication in the African Defence Review, the Diplomat, and the International Policy Digest.

March 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The leadership of Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Friday has reiterated the unity of rebel group and commitment to its political line and strategy towards peace process in Sudan.

"The SPLM/A leadership concluded a wide tour in the liberated areas that lasted for five days. The held successful and fruitful meetings that ended this afternoon with the Movement's civil and military institutions, the province government and the Liberation Council," reads a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday evening.

SPLM-N chairman Malik Agar and its secretary general Yasir Arman arrived in the rebel controlled areas in South Kordofan on Sunday 26 March following the resignation of the movement's vice president Abdul Aziz al-Hilu and a decision by the Liberation Council in the Nuba Mountains supporting his call for self-determination.

The rift within the group seems to be triggered by al-Hilu who accused Arman of ignoring his demand to include the self-determination for the Nuba Mountains in the position paper of the Movement to the African Union-brokered peace talks.

Agar has to ensure the support of military arm (SPLA-N) in the South Kordofan state and to persuade the local political organ, Nuba Mountains Liberation Council, to renounce its decision to dismiss the secretary general from his position.

Two days ago, unconfirmed reports from the area, said the Nuba council stuck to its decision to dissolve the general secretariat and to dismiss Arman from the head of the negotiating team.

However, the statement which Sudan Tribune received from the Nuba Mountains denied these rumours saying "the meetings emphasised its commitment to the unity of the SPLM-N, and reiterated its adherence to its political line and its alliances with the opposition forces and their negotiating positions and institutions, including its negotiating delegation and its vision of the New Sudan".

It went further to stress that "All the SPLM-N institutions have shown their keenness on the unity of the SPLM at all levels, and that the battle is still with the National Congress (régime)" further stressed the statement.

The leadership concluded its short statement by saying a detailed statement dealing with the SPLM-N internal affairs will be released soon.

(ST)

March 31, 2017 (JUBA) – Community leaders and intellectuals from Ruweng state in South Sudan have threatened to take up arms against the government's decision to sack a governor who split from his peace partner, the SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Taban Gai.

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir (AFP)

In a statement released on Friday, the community leadership questioned the President's motive behind his decision to give the area to the armed opposition, which they accused of committing war crimes in their area.

The statement follows a protest by Ruweng's native citizens who objected the President Kiir's decision to fire Governor Theji Da Adwad after his recent split from SPLM-IO over land ownership with the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai's Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

“The Ruweng community is stunned by this uncaring decision, we are surprised by the action of the President. If President Kiir is sincere with the implementation of the peace agreement, why did he decide to sell Ruweng people to the SPLM-IO in order to implement the peace?"

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the community claimed that many citizens in the area were mercilessly killed in Bentiu by forces acting on the directive of Taban Deng Gai at the height of the 2013 war.

“Mr. First Vice President, your premature decision to invade Ruweng State is a recipe for conflict. Ruweng people denounce violence and condone peace and development. It is evident in the annals of history that SPLA/M/IO directly massacred thousands of Ruweng men, women, and children, particularly during the periods of 2013 and 2015. These wounds inflicted on Ruweng people are not healed yet,” the statement read.

The communique added that it was too early for SPLA/M/IO officials to rule in Ruweng, reiterating their determination to all SPLA/M/IO politicians whether they are Ruweng or Non-Ruweng natives.

(ST)

March 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM/EL-GENEINA) - Darfur Special Criminal Court Tuesday has sentenced two individuals to death by hanging on charges of killing armed robbery in West Darfur state capital, El-Geneina.

A special judge sits in court in Nyala during the trial of six Sudanese men accused of belonging to the Janjaweed, 30 September 2004 (Reuters)

The special prosecutor for Darfur crimes Al-Fatih Tayfor said the court judge Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Youssef on Thursday has sentenced to death by hanging a convict in killing case under articles (130) of the 1990 Penal Code and (5/6) of the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act and (26/44) of the 1986 Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives Act.

He added the same judge has also sentenced to death by hanging a second convict in a killing and armed robbery case to death by hanging under articles (130) of the 1990 Penal Code and articles (6/5) of the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act.

Youssef stressed that his office is firm and serious to take all offenders to enforce justice and the rule of law.

On 21 March, the special court in Ed-Daein, East Darfur capital sentenced to death by hanging 9 convicts in violations under the Penal Code, Anti-Terrorism Act and Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives Act.

Also, on 23 March the court sentenced 5 convicts to death in El-Geneina for the violating the above laws.

Sudan's western region of Darfur has been beset by violence since 2003 after rebels began an armed insurgency against Khartoum accusing the central government of supporting land grabbing by Arab tribes and neglecting development.

According to the UN, 200,000 people have been killed in the conflict, and 2, 5 million chased from their homes.

Darfur Special Criminal Court was first set-up by the Sudanese government in 2005 to adjudicate cases of crimes in the western region. However, the court has to date failed to bring charges against any Sudanese official.

(ST)

March 31, 2017 (JUBA) - Stanbic bank branch in South Sudan has donated an unannounced amount of money to the famine- hit the country, the humanitarian gesture was announced after the bank chief executive met President Salva Kiir in Juba on Friday.

In this file photo of 1 September 2013, South Sudan's Salva Kiir greets a CfC Stanbic staff as the bank's country head Victoria Otieno (C) looks on (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

The "token" is a signal of what would be a good working relation between Stanbic bank and the East African country, said the Minister of Finance, Stephen Dhieu Dau, who announced the donation.

"We will support Stanbic bank and provide a good working environment to service our citizens," said Dhieu, who attended the meeting at the south Sudanese presidency.

Minister Dhieu did not say how much the bank donated, however, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) TV quoted South Sudanese Pound 500, 000, an equivalent to USD 3,500 at the current exchange rate.

Philip Odera, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenyan Stanbic Bank, said his visit to Juba and subsequent meeting with the President is a show of solidarity with South Sudanese.

The United Nations and the government declared famine in two counties in February, facing at least 100,000 people in Leer and Mayendit in Unity State.

South Sudanese Pound lost up to 80% of its value against the United States dollars since a floating exchange rate was declared in December 2015.

Oil production, which is the main source of hard currency, has dropped to only 130,000 bpd and some government employees have not being paid since January 2017.

(ST)

March 31, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Friday has prevented the spokesperson of the opposition Arab Ba'ath Party (ABP) Mohamed Diaa al-Din from travelling to United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mohamed Diaa al-Din (ST Photo)

Diaa al-Din, who is also the secretary-general of the Sudanese Basketball Association, was travelling to the UAE upon an official invitation from the Arab Basketball Federation.

On Friday, Diaa al-Din told Sudan Tribune that the NISS agents at the Khartoum airport confiscated his passport under the pretext that his name is on the travel ban list.

“I was informed that I'm not allowed to travel despite the fact that I have both exit and entry visa on my passport, as well as the correspondence, exchanged between the national and Arab basketball association regarding my as representative of the Sudanese association in the meetings of the Arab basketball federation,” he said.

The opposition figure said the NISS move comes within the framework of denying him the right to carry out his duties in the sports field, pointing he was recently summoned to the NISS office and later detained during the election day at the Sudanese Olympic Committee to prevent him from running for the executive office.

“The NISS aims to prevent my work in the sports field beside targeting me politically,” he said.

He described the NISS move as a violation of his right to freedom of movement and travel.

It is noteworthy that Diaa al-Din was among three members of the opposition umbrella National Consensus Forces (NCF) who were released by the NISS on 11 January after they spent two months in detention.

(ST)

March 31, 2017 (JUBA) – South Sudanese rebels have accused the government of killing the six aid workers in an ambush last Saturday, saying it is a designed policy to obstruct humanitarian assistance to locations inhabited by non-Dinka population.

Col. William Gatjiath Deng, the rebel SPLM-IO spokesperson said that even though the government has denied the killings, the blaming of other armed groups indicates their responsibility for the deadly attacks on the humanitarian convoy in the area.

“However much the Juba regime tries to dodge, deny and blame others, including the SPLA-IO, both its atrocities against the innocent and defenceless civilians since December 2013 and direct involvement in the brutal and merciless killing of six humanitarian aid workers belonging to the national Grassroots Empowerment and Development Organization,” he said.

The victims including Elisa Yani, Joseph Wanjau, David Wanaina, Samson Mbuga, John Rita and Kil Chop were murdered in an ambush along Juba- Bor road while they were heading to Pibor for humanitarian operations.

“The ruthless Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) regime in Juba have so far bluntly placed and imposed on humanitarian aid movements, services, distribution and access in non-Dinka areas of South Sudan. The killings not only constitutes a war crime; it once again proves beyond reasonable doubt to the world that the JCE regime in Juba, unlike the SPLM-IO, has been, still is and will always be a monstrous terrorist in its purest form,” added the spokesman.

The armed rebels claim it was the governments' political tactics to target humanitarian movements and kill the GREDO humanitarian aid workers.

“Jieng Council of Elders regime in Juba is sending one more very clear message to non-Dinka South Sudanese, none South Sudanese, the region, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and indeed the national and international humanitarian organizations' and agencies that it is, as a matter of policy in act, deed and by design,” said the spokesman.

Deng accused the government of hindering the humanitarian response to the famine in part of South Sudan declared on 20 February.

The spokesman said the SPLM-IO have condemned the killing of aid workers in South Sudan, urging the international community, the United Nation, the African Union and the region to pressure Juba to identify the killers.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update released last February 4.9 million people are in need of urgent food, agriculture and nutrition assistance.

The total number of food insecure people is expected to rise to 5.5 million at the height of the lean season in July if nothing is done to curb the severity and spread of the food crisis.

(ST)

March 31, 2017 (JUBA) – The guarantors of South Sudan's peace have issued a statement urging President Salva Kiir to honour acceptance and commitment to declare a unilateral ceasefire.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir waits for the arrival of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, in Juba on May 23, 2013. (Photo Reuters)

Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, all members of Troika, have affirmed in a statement their strong support for the combined efforts of the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and United Nations to end the conflict in South Sudan.

Troika countries have also called on all armed parties, including the Government of South Sudan, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), and other armed groups, to commit to a ceasefire.

Troika welcomed the recent commitment made by President Salva Kiir to IGAD leaders to announce a unilateral ceasefire by governmental forces, and it called upon the President to ensure that his order is carried out immediately and in full effect, the statement dated March 30, 2017, obtained by Sudan Tribune reads in part.

The peace sponsors underlined that the dire humanitarian crisis in South Sudan was a direct result of the conflict and demanded that all parties cease violence against humanitarian workers and the obstruction of humanitarian assistance. The statement further stressed that military offensives and the obstruction of lifesaving assistance would be stopped immediately in order to end the suffering and severe food shortages inflicted upon the millions across South Sudan.

“The Troika reiterates that there is no military solution to the conflict and that a durable end to the conflict will require a political process involving all the principal parties. An inclusive national dialogue, deemed credible by the South Sudanese people, could provide a means to redress the root causes of conflict and build a true national consensus. As President Kiir committed in announcing the planned national dialogue, it should supplement, and not replace, the core elements of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” the statement notes.

The guarantors went on to say they endorse the ongoing efforts of AU High Representative Alpha Konare and UN Special Envoy Nicholas Haysom to encourage all parties to end the fighting and engage in a peaceful dialogue. It also fully supports Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chairperson Festus Mogae's work towards a truly inclusive and effective process in implementing the Agreement.

In addition, Troika endorses the work of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan and the deployment of its Regional Protection Force. It notes the importance of breaking the cycle of impunity and encourages further progress by the AU toward the rapid establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

(ST)