Africa

October 7, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Khartoum and Juba on Thursday have agreed to extend the deadline of the “zero option” agreement on the apportionment of debt between the two countries for the second time.

South Sudanese refugees wait at a border gate in Joda, in the Jableen locality in Sudan's White Nile State, after arriving from the South Sudanese war zones of Malakal and al-Rank, January 16, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Sudan inherited the entire external debt that existed prior to the secession of South Sudan in 2011. Both sides decided to reach out to creditors to obtain debt relief and if that fails will sit down to see how it can be divided using the "zero option".

In September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan signed the “zero option” agreement under which Sudan would retain all the external liabilities after the secession of South Sudan, provided that the international community gave firm commitments to the delivery of debt relief to Sudan within two years. Absent such a commitment, Sudan's external debt would be apportioned based on a formula to be determined.

In 2014, Juba and Khartoum agreed to extend the “zero option” deadline for another 2 years till October 2016 in order to avoid immediate apportionment of debt between the two countries.

Sudan's Finance Minister Badr al-Dain Mahmoud met with his South Sudanese counterpart Stephen Dhieu Dau on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington on Thursday.

According to the official news agency (SUNA), the two ministers agreed to extend the “zero option” agreement and the work of the joint committees besides the banking correspondence to facilitate the flow of business operations between the two countries.

Sudan's external debt is estimated to have grown by 27% since 2008 from $32.6 billion to $41.4 billion in 2011. The IMF said the debt amounted to about US$45 billion in 2014 (79 percent of GDP), of which about 85 percent was in arrears.

JOINT COMMITTEES MEETING

Meanwhile, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said the joint committees between Juba and Khartoum would resume its meetings in December.

Sudan's State Foreign Minister Kamal Ismail said the meetings would discuss the implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries, pointing the meeting would also determine a timetable for the meetings of the various committees according to the concerned technical bodies.

He told SUNA that the meetings of the joint committees shall not be affected by the ongoing war in South Sudan.

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

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

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October 7, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Finance Minister Badr el-Din Mahmoud has discussed with the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Africa and the Middle East, Eric Meyer, efforts to combat illegal migration and terrorism besides the impact of sanctions on the Sudanese economy.

Sudanese finance minister Badr al-Din Mahmoud

The official news agency (SUNA) said the two officials met on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington.

According to SUNA, the Sudanese minister briefed the U.S. official on the challenges facing Sudan including the large flow of refugees from neighboring countries besides combating illegal migration and terrorism, saying the international community didn't provide any financial support for his country in this regard.

Mahmoud added that Sudan achieved positive economic growth rates despite the challenges it faces.

The official news agency pointed the meeting also discussed the recent political developments in Sudan including the national dialogue besides relations between Washington and Khartoum.

It added that Meyer mentioned the Sudan's unwavering efforts to combat illegal migration and terrorism, acknowledging the negative impact of the U.S. sanctions on the Sudanese economy.

He called on the Sudanese government engage in contacts with the U.S. States Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to reach understandings on the financial transfers particularly the lists of exemptions.

Sudan has been under U.S. trade and economic sanction since 1997, so financial institutions and banks are very careful when it comes to transaction and business in connection with this country.

After a severe punishment of $9 billion on the BNP Paribas in May 2015, many institutions stopped banking transfers and transactions fearing sanctions.

Late last month, U.S. officials said that U.S. sanctions on Sudan do not include private and remittance humanitarian aid to the eastern African country and encouraged transactions with Khartoum within the framework of many authorizations and licenses.

October 7, 2016 (JUBA) - Four homes for South Sudanese former ministers and senior ex-intelligence officials who turned critics of President Salva Kiir have been raided and locked in the national capital, Juba, sources have said.

Targeted are homes to Mac Paul Kuol, former SPLA Military Intelligence (MI) director, Majak Agoot, former deputy minister of Defense and head of National Security Services (NSS) before South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, widow to late John Garang, founder of the ruling party, SPLM, and Oyay Deng Ajak, former minister for National Security, who was also chief of general staff for the South Sudanese army (SPLA).

The raid which occurred on Thursday was allegedly carried out by the National Security Services (NSS), a government unit that searches, confiscates or detains people without court warrants.

Majak, who has been criticising rival leaders in South Sudan and advocates for temporary administration without President Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar, confirmed the raid on his Juba house in a social media post on Thursday.

He accused President Kiir's government of allegedly copying from the neighbouring Sudanese government such actions which terrorize people.

“Copycatting Khartoum - the NSS has broken into my Juba family home; terrorizing the occupants; confiscating documents, and locking it up," he wrote on Twitter, attracting critical comments from his followers.

By "copycatting Khartoum" the former spy chief, who was deputy to security chief in Khartoum, was referring to notorious Sudanese NSS that targeted assets and families of dissident politicians.

Sources told Sudan Tribune that some family members have been arrested, others beaten up and ordered to leave the compounds of the former SPLM senior officials.

Majak and Oyai were arrested at the onset of the conflict in December 2013 but Nyandeng, who is also critical of President Kiir's administration, joined the former detainees as nonviolent group during the two years of war between president Kiir's soldiers and those loyal to his former deputy, Machar.

Ex-military intelligence chief, Mac Paul, was dismissed in May 2014, a month after dismissing as false, government's account of an alleged coup plot by Machar and others which was made the cause that triggered the violence on 15 December 2013.

Majak said in his Twitter message that Mac's home, who like Majak, is from Dinka Bor or Twic county, home county of the former leader, John Garang, was also raided.

“Gen. Mac Paul's home has also been vandalized - a rogue measure of bad taste which is beneath the esteem & standards of the rule of law," former deputy minister of defense wrote.

Government officials contacted by Sudan Tribune for comment declined, treating the issue as "sensitive."

But critics of the government described the move as "deposition" and desperate attempt to intimidate opponents of the government. Government supporters, however, praised the move as necessary to punish "traitors."

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October 7, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Authorities in South Sudan's Lakes state have instructed ministers operating government bank account with the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) to immediately close them down.

The state minister of finance, trade and industry, Daniel Gumwel Nhomabur, has confirmed receiving the new abrupt instruction from the national government in Juba.

No explanation was given to the state government about the decision by the national minister of finance and economic planning to close down the governments accounts with the KCB.

Minister Nhomabur further explained that the directive further said all government accounts are to be opened in the Ivory Bank with effect from October.

“We are told by national ministry of finance in Juba to close down all our government accounts [in] KCB [Kenya Commercial Bank]. These instructions are from top authorities in Juba and we have to respect them. All government institutions must open new bank accounts with Ivory Bank with effect [from] this month,” said the state finance minister, Nhomabur

However, KCB Rumbek's branch manager, John Makoi Marial, said although the bank has received the notification to close down the government accounts, there was still a discussion going on to resolve the matter.

He also revealed that the government has taken huge loans of money from the KCB and also some individual senior government officials took loans from the bank which they have not yet repaid.

The bank official further pointed out that the KCB management and the government will sort out the issues and instruction will be sent to entire KCB branches in South Sudan on how to operate if the government decided to close down their accounts in the bank.

KCB is one of the first foreign banks to establish their branches in South Sudan even before the country became independent in July 2011. It has opened many branches in different states in the young country.

It was unclear what prompted the government to decide to close down its accounts with the Kenya bank.

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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attack against a security post at a refugee hosting area in Tazalit, in the Tahoua region of Niger, bordering Mali, on 6 October, in which at least 22 members of Niger’s security forces were killed and several others were injured.

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The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) today announced a new partnership with the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), aiming at adopting sustainable water bird hunting management to protect wetland resources in Africa’s Sahel region which are crucial for food security and economic development.

Citing a lack of progress on the peace process in Mali, the United Nations peacekeeping chief today warned that the UN mission there would not be able to fully carry out its mandate as long as the signatories to the peace agreement do not resolutely engage in its implementation.

Militant Islamist group al-Shabab says it was behind the attack which killed at least six people and wounded one in north-eastern Kenya.

Deploring continued loss of life due to migrant smuggling and human trafficking off the coast of Libya, the United Nations Security Council this morning extended its authorization for Member States to intercept vessels on the high seas suspected of being used for those illicit activities, for a further period of one year.

Expressing deep concern over the plight of civilians caught in the cross-fight in a Benghazi neighbourhood, a senior United Nations official in Libya has called for a humanitarian pause to allow aid to reach those in urgent need and as well as a safe passage for those who wish to leave.

Following a visit to Madagascar, the Executive Director of the United Nations’ food relief agency has announced plans to scale up humanitarian operations in response to rising levels of hunger and malnutrition as a third consecutive year of drought deepens the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in the south of the island nation.

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October 5, 2016 (CAIRO) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir and Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi on Wednesday have signed a number of agreements besides a document for a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir (L) shakes hands with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during a news conference after their meeting in Cairo on 19 October 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

A two-day Presidential Summit of the Egyptian-Sudanese Higher Committee (ESHC) has begun on Wednesday in Cairo.

In his address before the summit meeting, al-Bashir called for activating and strengthening the joint mechanisms for cooperation between Sudan and Egypt, vowing to promote the distinctive and unique ties between the two countries.

He called for transforming cooperation agreements and protocols into a tangible reality, stressing his determination to confront the political and economic challenges facing the two nations through joint cooperation.

The Sudanese president further congratulated Egyptian leadership and people on the 43rd anniversary of the 6th of October war victory against Israel, describing it as a victory for the Sudanese people and the whole Arab nation.

For his part, al-Sisi said the two countries have taken practical moves to promote bilateral ties, pointing to the opening of Qastal and Arqin border crossings.

He stressed that efforts would be continued to build a brighter future for the two peoples and overcome any obstacles in order to maintain the historic relationship between the two countries.

Al-Sisi called for the need to achieve full liberalization of trade and allow free movement of goods and products between the two countries, saying fulfillment of development objectives must become the top priority of the joint cooperation.

He urged al-Bashir to launch a comprehensive strategic partnership to reflect the historic and strong ties between the two nations and draw the necessary framework to achieve progress and prosperity in the various fields of bilateral relations.

The Egyptian president further pointed to the regional and international challenges facing the two nations, calling for sincere cooperation to combat extremism, promote peace efforts and resolve conflicts to achieve regional and international stability.

He added that Egypt supports all efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to achieve stability, saying his country denounces any foreign intervention in Sudan's domestic affairs.

Relations between Sudan and Egypt have been frosty over the past few years, but they've recently begun to thaw thanks to a series of conciliatory diplomatic gestures.

In October 2014, presidents of the two countries upgraded representation in a joint committee aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

SECURITY OF SAUDI ARABIA “REDLINE”

Meanwhile, al-Bashir said the security of Saudi Arabia is a redline stressing they wouldn't allow anybody to harm the Kingdom.

In his address before the ESHC summit meeting, al-Bashir said nobody could downplay the significant role played by Saudi Arabia, underscoring that “stability and security of the Kingdom is our collective responsibility”.

He added that his country underlines importance of cooperation among the neighboring countries to resolve the crises in Libya, Syria and Yemen, expressing support to the legitimate government in the latter.

Al-Bashir also called for the need to combat terrorism through addressing the root causes of the phenomenon, saying his country seeks to promote peace and stability in the African continent.

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October 5, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - A delegation led by the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Ervin Massinga and Sudan Mission Director for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Jeffrey Ashley, completed a visit to Darfur from 3 to 4 October, said the U.S. embassy in Khartoum on Wednesday.

Deputy Chief of Mission Ervin Massinga (U.S. Embassy Sudan Photo)

In a press note extended to Sudan Tribune, the U.S. embassy pointed the delegation met with a wide range of individuals and organizations in North Darfur capital, El-Fasher including government officials, representatives from the United Nations, international humanitarian organizations and civil society, members from hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), community leaders and IDPs.

According to the press note “the delegation had open discussions on a number of topics including regional security, humanitarian access, food security, health, education, and development programmes”.

“The delegation also visited an IDP camp to observe and better understand how humanitarian assistance and food aid from the American people, provided through USAID, is benefiting displaced people in Darfur” said the embassy.

The United States of America remains the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Darfur, providing over $230 million in humanitarian assistance in 2016, targeting over 2.5 million people.

The press note stressed that the U.S.'s commitment to the Sudanese people and people of Darfur “remains steadfast and strong”, saying the US will continue to work toward lasting peace in Sudan.

It further thanked efforts of many international partners “such as the UN World Food Program, for the humanitarian and development assistance delivered to people in need”.

UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million were displaced.

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October 5, 2016 (JUBA) - Top United States officials gave South Sudan's first vice president, Taban Deng Gai a warn reception, in what is largely seen as a significant shift in seemingly strained bilateral ties between the two nations since conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013.

Taban Deng Gai addresses delegates after he was sworn-in as South Sudan FVP inside the Presidential Palace in the capital of Juba, July 26, 2016 (Photo Reuters/ Jok Solomun)

Gai led a high powered government delegation to the United Nations in September, but used the visit as an opportunity to meet and hold sideline meetings with different world leaders, particularly officials in the U.S administration who showed their support for implementation of the reforms and governance championed by former first vice president, Riek Machar.

Gai was accompanied by high profile government officials, whose views are widely seen and assessed in the context of "anti-peace elements” and “war traders” at the expense of reforms and democracy. They included, defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, former foreign affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol, the minister in the president's office, Mayiik Deng and several other low and high level diplomatic and civil servants.

The team also included the petroleum and mining minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, a former envoy to the U.S who played key roles in the armed opposition movement.

South Sudan's presidential spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny said all programs and itineraries were arranged by officials at South Sudanese embassy in Washington.

Gai, according to Gordon Buay, one of the senior diplomats in the U.S, said the former had successfully concluded meetings according to the prearranged plan and was now travelling in the train returning to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, where he and his accompanying delegation will return to South Sudan.

The visit of the first vice president Gen. Taban Deng Gai has been successful. He met and held successfully meetings with different South Sudanese communities.

"He met Luka Biong on Wednesday, Pagan Amum on Thursday. And on Tuesday he was scheduled to meet Susan Rice who extended him invitation. She is one of the top US officials in the white house. Her acceptance to meet with the vice president represents a significant step towards strengthening our relations with the US and our friends and allies in the west, in the region and in the world", Buay said Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether Gai had eventually succeeded to hold meetings with officials at the white house and whether or not the delegation representing Machar succeeded to meet top US officials in different capacities to explain their side of the story, about the conflict and the way forward.

Meanwhile the U.S security advisor, ambassador, Susan Rice expressed grave concern over the prevailing humanitarian conditions and continued fighting in South Sudan.

Rice, who met the South Sudanese first vice president, affirmed the U.S government's strong commitment to the people of the world's youngest nation.

The U.S. official, however, deplored South Sudan government's role in obstructing the United Nations Mission in South Sudan's operations and stressed the need for a rapid deployment of the regional protection force.

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