Africa

The oldest ever Nations Cup player Essam El Hadary is Egypt's only fit goalkeeper in Gabon after injuries to Ahmed El Shenawy and Sherif Ekramy.

As Barack Obama steps down as US president, the BBC's Nancy Kacungira looks back at his legacy in Africa.

January 17, 2017 (JUBA) - The youth league from South Sudan's armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) has denied reports that its members conducted a meeting with pro-government supporters in Nairobi, Kenya describing the group as “non-active” members.

Section of participants during the Youth peace and reconciliation workshop in Wau on 5, November, 2016 (ST Photo)

The leader of the SPLM-IO youth league, Puot Kang Chol, told Sudan Tribune the meeting could have been organised by individuals allied to South Sudan government.

“What happened in the Kenyan capital was not in any manner an inclusive initiative that shows all faces of South Sudanese youth in general, but individuals being used by the Jieng Council of Elders,” said Chol.

The group's views, he said, do not represent the SPLM-IO's position, but of some individual directly linked to the Jieng Council of Elders.

“The SPLM-IO youth league has acknowledged that the conference that was held in Nairobi, Kenya didn't seek to include all the youth leaders across the country, but by a selective group of people who are only there to sing praises to the current regime,” he added.

The armed opposition official accused some elements within the Juba establishment of allegedly working against the peace deal.

“The youth who are being lured into politicking by our elders who are careless about the dying of young children in the internally displaced peoples camps across the young nation must put in to their minds that it's their future that they are playing with, not the future of the elders of today but children of tomorrow,” said Chol.

The quest for peace, he claimed, has been priority of the SPLM-IO.

According to the Chol, the return of peace in South Sudan will not be achieved by a group of youth, but rather through constructive engagement of the two main rival parties involved in the conflict.

“The SPLM-IO didn't participate or delegate any member in or outside the country to attend the conference. Should anybody appear in the conference, he or she is responsible of his or her actions and not the SPLM-IO youth league,” he stressed.

(ST)

January 17, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N) said its fighters repulsed an attack by the government forces in the Blue Nile state on Monday.

SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Ngutulu Lodi (ST Photo)

"Yesterday 16/1/2017 at 7;00 am SPLM/N forces in Blue Nile region repulsed NCP forces and militias raid on SPLA/N outpost in Alruum area," said SPLM-N spokesperson Arnu Ngutulu Lodi in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He further said one SPLA fighter was slightly wounded in his shoulder, adding they cannot give account about the causalities of the government troops.

"But there are signs of blood in their fleeing routs," he added.

Since more than a year, thanks to the regional and international efforts, the government and the SPLM-N stopped the fighting in the Two Areas as they are committed to unilateral cessations of hostilities.

However, this the third time since two months that the SPLA-N accuses Khartoum of breaching the unilateral truce.

The Sudanese army refuses to comment on these claims.

Last Thursday the Sudanese government announced a six-month unilateral cessation of hostilities.

(ST)

January 17, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - leading member of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), Nafei Ali Nafei, Tuesday has ruled out the signing of a peace agreement with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SLPM-N) and the Sudan Liberation Movement - Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW).

Former presidential assistant Nafei Ali Nafei (ST)

In statements to the private Ashrooq TV station, on the other hand Nafei expected that the National Umma Party (NUP) of Sadiq al-Mahdi, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) of Gibril Ibrahim and the Sudan Liberation Movement - Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) reach a negotiated agreement with the government soon.

''The SPLM-N and SLM-AW may only join peace in order to raise another problem in the future and delay its implementation. The SPLM-N and SLM-AW are not genuinely keen to achieve peace. There is no hope in them," said the former presidential aide.

Nafei signed the first framework agreement with the SPLM-N in June 2011, less than a month after the eruption of the conflict in South Kordofan between the Sudanese army and the SPLM-N, but the hardliners in the ruling party and the army at the time rejected the agreement.

He said that the holdout groups that are willing to join peace have to sign the National Document which includes the outcome of the National Dialogue Conference. He pointed that JEM and SLM-MM are the most probable among the rebel groups to join the peace process because they have similar objectives that do contradict the "national goal" unlike the SPLM-N.

The SPLM-N refuses to dissolve its army during the transitional period and demands regional autonomy for South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The SLM-AW says before to join the negotiating table, Khartoum has to repair the consequences of the conflict in Darfur. So, it demands to provide security to civilians and disarm the militias, to expel the "new comers", and to restitute the land to its owners, to pay compensations to the affected people.

Nafie said the government and the "national forces" will resume soon a new round of peace talks with the holdout groups to convince them to join the National Document agreed by the dialogue conference last October.

He expressed hope that they join the peace process, adding that there would be no delay in the implementation timetable of the dialogue recommendations related to the formation of a transitional government and constitutional amendments.

The NCP leading member said that nothing prevents the holdout groups from joining the new government in line with some understandings that can be reached in the upcoming peace talks.

Nafei avoided to speak much about Sadiq al-Mahdi who will return to Sudan on 26 January after more than two years of self-exile in Cairo. The government hopes to convince the leader of the largest opposition party as they kept direct contacts with him despite his alliance with the armed groups since August 2014.

Last August, following the failure of the parties to sign a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access agreements, the government concluded an internal national dialogue in October, saying it cannot wait indefinitely for the holdout groups.

The Sudan Call groups condemned the move, saying Khartoum violated the Roadmap Agreement and asked the African mediators to convince the government to hold another inclusive dialogue process. But the latter says it had waited since March for them to sign the roadmap and proposes them to join the National Document pointing it includes all what they want to achieve.

The mediators seek to convince Khartoum to accept to open this framework document for more discussions with the holdout groups, but they want first bring the armed groups to sign the humanitarian cessation of hostilities with the government.

Nafei left the national government since December 2014, in order to renew the leadership and give a place for the young generations in the ruling party. However, he remains an influential member in the NCP.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

January 17, 2017 (ADDIS ABABA) – A South Sudanese diplomat has downplayed recent rumours that the young nation allegedly struck a deal with an undisclosed party against Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, receives S South FVP at his office in Addis Ababa on 9 September 2016 (ENA Photo)

South Sudan's ambassador to Ethiopia, James Pita Morga, said his country cannot enter into a deal likely to harm Ethiopia's interest with a third party.

Morga, in an interview with the state-run Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), dismissed the alleged report as fabricated.

Since South Sudan's President Salva Kiir paid visit to Egypt few days ago, lots of reports circulated on social media, alleging that the two leaders had agreed to sabotage a controversial Ethiopian massive dam project that is being built in Nile River which Cairo fears would eventually diminish its historic water share.

Kiir's recent visit to Cairo came weeks after Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met Kiir's close ally and Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni in Kampala.

Unconfirmed reports from opposition group led by former Vice President, Riek Machar, alleged that the latest meeting between Kiir and Al-sisi was allegedly part of a "dirty deal" between the two leaders intended to harm Ethiopia.

But the South Sudan official said Kiir's visit was "a usual, bilateral and friendly visit".
The ambassador further refuted as untrue reports that his country would no longer accept the deployment of additional United Nations peacekeepers.

In August last year, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution approving the deployment of an additional 4,000 peacekeepers to its South Sudan mission (UNMISS).

The Security Council passed the resolution in response to concerns about fighting in the capital, Juba, obstruction of UNMISS and other humanitarian actors by the South Sudanese Transitional Government of National Unity, and failure of the warring parties to implement a UN-brokered peace agreement.

The authorisation of an additional 4,000 troops is intended to supplement UNMISS's existing strength, increasing the total force to 17,000 peacekeepers.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn was recently quoted saying there were Egyptian institutions harbouring, supporting as well as funding terrorist groups in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has repeatedly accused Eritrea of allegedly supporting its opposition groups.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister said that the support of the Egyptian institutions would impact on relations between both countries as it targets Ethiopia's stability.

Addis Ababa has, however, requested Egyptian authorities to respond to the matter.

(ST)

United Nations humanitarian helicopter and emergency medical personnel are in north-eastern Nigeria following a military airstrike that hit a displacement camp killing dozens of people, including aid workers, and wounding a reported 100 others.

Former national football star Mohamed Aboutrika is accused of funding the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

In 1991, the world's largest refugee camp opened in Kenya to shelter Somalis fleeing war.

January 17, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has urged the new Central Bank governor to help improve the deteriorating economic situation in the young nation.

“I want to repeat that don't disappoint your people, because I followed the news in the evening, and your people had been writing a lot, congratulating you and thanking me for appointing all of you,” said Kiir after overseeing the swearing-in of the new officials.

“Now if they hear tomorrow that you went into a different corner, they will be very much disappointed, we don't want this thing to happen. We are hopeful that you will change the situation" added the president in reference to loss in the value of the local currency.

Meanwhile, the country's finance minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau commended the South Sudanese president for accepting his recommendations for the new Central Bank team.

He said the Central Bank governor and his deputy have lots of experiences in banking.

“We will do our best to revert the situation the country is in," further stresed the minister.

The new Central Bank governor, Othom Rago Ajak thanked the president Kiir for appointing him and pledged to work hard to improve the economy and reduce inflation.

He vowed to exert efforts to make economic reforms within 100 days of taking office.

“We are grateful to the president for selecting us and putting his confidence that we can run the bank. However, with the experience, we shall try our best with what is happening in our economy,” said Ajak.

“Of course the problem with the people of South Sudan is the inflation and instable and unstable exchange rate. We shall be working to address these issues and hopefully, we shall do something about it,” he added.

Ajak pledged to put in place regulatory systems to improve the economy.

(ST)

January 17, 2017 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) warned armed opposition of inciting the public against the peacekeeping body and accusing the peacekeepers of providing support to the government army.

A statement released by the SPLM IO spokesperson Col. William Gatjiath on Monday claimed that an Indian battalion facilitated the operations of the government at the UNMISS base in Nassir, eastern Upper Nile, .

The rebel official said they allowed government security agents unlimited access to UNMISS facilities including internet, telescope and other surveillance and communication equipment.

The press statement called for an investigation into the conduct of UNMISS soldiers and condemned it alleged behaviors for allowing the enemy to use UN resources.

However UNMISS denied the accusation, describing them as “false and misleading.”

“These photos depict a CTSAMM monitoring and verification team meeting with SPLA liaison officers in the context of their mandated work under the peace agreement in investigating violations of the ceasefire,” UNMISS said in a strongly worded statement released late on Monday.

There are 12 thousand strong UN soldiers in UNMISS providing protection to civilians across the country including Nasir, a town controlled by the government soldiers. UNMISS is mandated by UN Security Council to provide logistical support to CTSAMM.

“UNMISS is bound by strict codes of impartiality in the exercise of its duties in South Sudan. These standards stipulate that UNMISS operate without favor or bias towards any one group, fairly, transparently, and impartially, with the sole aim of achieving much-needed peace for all the people of South Sudan, regardless of affiliation,” UNMISS said.

The Mission reminds all sides that the UN is not a party to the conflict, and is in South Sudan to support the achievement of peace, noting that dangerous statements of this nature, not founded in fact, have the potential to incite backlash against the UN, while also discrediting the sacrifices of peacekeepers in South Sudan.

The world body had been accused in the past by warring South Sudanese parties but they failed to prove its implication in a side or another

(ST)

January 17, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has issued several republican orders, sacking four state governors and appointing eight others.

President Salva Kiir speaks during the inauguration of the new SPLM premises in Juba on 15 November 2013 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

The order, announced on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), saw Ruweng state governor Mayol Kur Akuei removed and Theje D'Aduot Deng appointed.

Chol Thon Balok, governor of the defunct Eastern Nile state, Patrick Zamoi, governor of the former Gbudwe State and William Akan Othon (Fashoda State) were also removed.

Meanwhile the newly appointed officials include, Gabriel Gai Riam Weituor (Akobo state), Colonel Majok Gatluak Thoah (Bieh state), James Tor Monybuny ( Central Upper Nile state), Daniel Rambasi (Gbudwe state), Peter Gatkuoth Khor (Latjor state), Bol Ruai Rom (Maiwut state), Deng Akuei Kak (Northern Upper Nile state) and Patrick Raphael Zamoi (Tumbura state).

(ST)

January 17, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has declined a request by a number of international envoys to accept an American proposal paving the way towards the signing of a humanitarian agreement with the Sudanese government.

Washington since last November has proposed to the warring parties in the Blue Nile and the South Kordofan states that the USAID delivers medicines and some humanitarian relief to the civilians in the war affected areas directly after its inspection by the Sudanese authorities.

Khartoum accepted the proposal but the SPLM-N stuck to its request that 20% of humanitarian aid be delivered to the civilians in the rebel controlled areas in the Blue Nile State through Asosa in Ethiopia.

In a bid to convince the rebel group to accept the American humanitarian proposal, the US envoy for the two Sudans, and his British, French and Norwegian counterparts met on Monday with the SPLM-N delegation to discuss the matter.

"The SPLM-N demanded that the Khartoum regime agrees to an external crossing point, as the SPLM-N requests to open Asosa crossing point and the idea has gained acceptance and support from President (Thabo) Mbeki and the AUHIP and the international community," said Mubarak Ardol the spokesperson of the SPLM-N negotiating team.

"Khartoum must not be allowed to control the humanitarian operation as it did in Darfur where it violated the international humanitarian law, and continued war crimes," Ardol added in a statement issued about the meeting on Tuesday.

The envoys encouraged the SPLM-N to accept the American proposal as its implementation will be during the six-month period determined by Washington to reassess the partial lift of sanctions on Sudan, adding that it represents the best guarantee for its full implementation.

The meeting took place in the sidelines of the Sudan Call alliance meetings in Paris. The opposition armed and political groups are expected to end their meeting on Friday.

In a press conference to brief the local media about the decision of President Obama to ease sanctions on Sudan at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, USAID Sudan Mission Director, Jefferey Ashley, told reporters that the SPLM-N still rejects the proposition.

The Sudanese government refuses to authorise the transportation of humanitarian aid from Ethiopia to the SPLM-N controlled areas to prevent any attempt to deliver weapons to the rebel fighters. While the SPLM-N refuses the delivery of relief materials particularly the drugs from the government areas fearing that it may never reach the civilians, Ashley said.

In line with the Roadmap Agreement, the signing of a humanitarian access agreement and a cessation of hostilities agreements will be followed by a meeting to discuss the creation of suitable atmosphere for an inclusive constitutional conference with the participation of the Sudan Call forces.

(ST)

As President Obama's presidency comes to an end, BBC Africa looks back at his most significant visits to the continent.

Paramilitary forces open fire in several cities after mutinous soldiers are paid the money they had sought.

January 16, 2017 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese parliament Monday passed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Act which integrates the notorious militia in the Sudanese army and provides that its commander be appointed by the President of the Republic.

The paramilitary force was formed in August 2013 mainly from militiamen accused of war crimes against civilians during the counterinsurgency campaign in Darfur region. However, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) defended their creation saying they have the same mobility as the rebel groups and can defeat them by using the same military tactics.

The RSF bill was filled to the parliament as one of the urgent changes that should be achieved before the start of the transitional period and the formation of the National Consensus Government agreed in the national dialogue conference.

The 30,000 militiamen in the past operated with the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur and the Two Areas but remained under the NISS command. The army which had complained about their indiscipline and adventurism, backed the reform hoping to control them as they are now part of the military system.

In statements at the parliament, Defence Minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf welcomed the RSF Act, pointing that "The development of fighting styles and types of crime besides the use of technology and the high skills of gangs and criminals, all these elements necessitate a change in the combat mindset".

The minister went further to say that the country is facing several threats and there is a need for a mobile force that can move easily from a theater of war to another.

From his part, the RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, (aka Hametti) said in accordance with this act they "have become a semi-autonomous force", pointing to the possible extension of his force in the future to include air and naval forces.

The RSF Act provides that the President of the Republic who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armies appoints the commander of the militia.

Some MPs expressed fears about "the ambiguity" of the RSF Act on this regard, saying it does not clearly provides that they are under the command of the Sudan Armed Forces or the defence minister.

The defence minister, however, replied that the "RSF subordination to the commander-in-chief of the armies is not unusual because these forces are operating under the (same) military hierarchy".

Before the adoption of the bill, it was reported that Hametti protested the integration of his forces in the Sudanese army, as he would lose his autonomy and financial advantages.

Speaking to the press after the endorsement of the act, Hametti said their movement "from an area to another in the past required different meetings (between the NISS, SAF) but now we can reach the border with Libya within 24 hours."

"We are the soldiers of the people, and the law enables us to fulfil our duty as fully as possible," he said.

The armed movements that fight the government in Darfur and the Two Areasn demand to dissolve the RSF militia, saying its elements should be accountable of war crimes in Darfur.

On a different register, Hametti also refuted the statements of the interior minister about the presence of foreign militias in Jebel Amir areas of North Darfur.

"The Jebel is secure and stable. There is nothing there, even if it is said by the interior minister or anyone else".

(ST)

January 16, 2016 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan armed opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO) have condemned the decision by President Salva Kiir's to add seven new states to the controversial 28.

President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015. (Photo Reuters/Jok Solomon)

“This is part of a sustained campaign by the regime in Juba to derail the peace process beyond salvation,” the armed opposition said.

The South Sudanese leader, in a decree issued over the weekend, created seven additional states, raising the number of the states in the young nation to 32.

The order creating new states, which was announced over the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Saturday, saw Eastern Nile states divided into Northern Upper Nile state with Renk as its capital.

Others are Central Upper Nile state with Malakal as capital, Maiwut and Tumbura states. Also split was Latjor into Maiwut state with Maiwut as its capital.

The state comprises of Koma, Longuchuk, and Maiwut counties. It further divided Gbudwe state into Tumbura state with Tumbura as its capital. It comprises of Tumbura and Nagero counties.

However, in their statement, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) called on the people of South Sudan to be vigilant as President Kiir is “only trying to kill federalism by giving the impression that he is for federalism”.

“The regime in Juba has failed over ten (10) years to take towns to people within the context of ten (10) states and have failed more miserably within the context of the contentious and divisive 28 States, it logically follows that the addition of seven (7) new states is not the solution,” further reads the statement signed by Mabior Garang.

It added, “This establishment of weak states, without the participation of the civil population in demarcation of local borders and the appointment of their leaders by decree is not federalism, but centralization of the state in disguise and is reminiscent of Nimeri politics in the old Sudan, it can only lead to more border disputes at the county and payam levels”.

According to the armed opposition faction, the ‘system of governance debate' in South Sudan should be held within the context of a constitutional making process and guaranteed in a political settlement that would first bring an to end the current civil war.

The SPLM/SPLA (IO) says it has been advocating for and are committed to dialogue as the only way to resolve the internal contradictions of South Sudan and would continue to be committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the civil war in the young nation.

“The SPLM/SPLA (IO) has demonstrated this commitment on several occasions, including going to Juba under regional pressure, despite security provisions of the ARCISS being circumvented by the guarantors,” further noted the armed opposition faction's statement.

(ST)

Faced with a &#39slight but steady&#39 increase in the number of people in need, the humanitarian community in Somalia launched today an $864 million to reach 3.9 million people with urgent life-saving assistance, the United Nations relief wing reported.

On the heels of failed rains and a calamitous El Niño in Ethiopia, the country&#39s Government today launched an appeal for $948 million to urgently address food and non-food needs, while the United Nations agriculture agency warned that a new drought may put the East African nation&#39s hard fought gains at risk.

Sudan’s government has committed mass killings, forced millions from their homes, and used rape as a weapon of war. It has bombed children and schools, starved civilians as a counterinsurgency strategy, gunned down scores of protesters in Khartoum, its capital, and tortured peaceful activists. It’s done this repeatedly over more than 20 years, with no credible efforts to stop or hold perpetrators accountable.

Expand

Sudan's President Omar Al Bashir arrives to address the nation during the country's 61st independence day, at the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan December 31, 2016.

© 2016 Reuters

Yet on January 13, the Obama administration announced a change to decades-old US policy, stating that it is “easing” sanctions on Sudan – even though the country’s president, Omar al-Bashir, is being sought by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Lifting certain sanctions — like those on the import of medical supplies and life-saving equipment – would be welcome on humanitarian grounds, as the Sudanese people would benefit. But the US Treasury Department’s announcement apparently lifts most of the sanctions, including on the oil industry, pending a review in six months.

The Treasury Department asserts that Sudan’s government has shown “sustained progress …  on several fronts, including a marked reduction in offensive military activity, a pledge to maintain a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan, [and] steps toward improving humanitarian access throughout Sudan.”

This statement is inexplicable. Many Sudanese, and those, like me, who have followed Sudan’s developments the past two decades, will ask, “What sustained progress?” Sudanese government forces are waging brutal offensives targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states. The government has broken innumerable promises over the years, so why not wait to lift sanctions until after there is real progress? What monitoring has been put in place to ensure these promises are kept?

The Treasury Department listed another reason for lifting sanctions, namely Sudan’s “cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism and addressing regional conflicts.” This may be the key. However, many of Sudan’s security and intelligence officials are responsible for crimes committed by their troops and subordinates.

Additionally, over the past two years Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations have documented new, horrifying patterns of mass rape and other attacks by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force deployed in Darfur and other conflict zones since 2013. Amnesty International recently alleged that the government has repeatedly used chemical weapons against Darfur’s rebel-held areas.

Moreover, Sudan has long obstructed United Nations and other humanitarian agencies from helping displaced civilians in need. In the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, for instance, the government has blocked basic assistance into areas where hundreds of thousands of civilians have been battered by years of bombing, deprivation, and disease. Children have died from measles for lack of vaccinations. A Human Rights Watch team visiting in December 2016 documented new attacks and serious shortages of food and other humanitarian needs.

It’s impossible to match Sudan’s reality with the Obama administration’s claims of “sustained progress.” Lifting most sanctions sends an appalling message to Sudan – and other repressive governments – that whatever crimes you commit, however many of your citizens you kill, rape, and torture, all will be forgiven as long as you cooperate on counterterrorism.