Africa

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today found a Malian Islamist accused of destroying historical and religious monuments in the fabled city of Timbuktu guilty in the first-ever prosecution of the destruction of cultural heritage as a war crime.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has condemned ‘in the strongest terms’ recent attacks involving humanitarian workers in the northern town of Kaga Bandoro located in the Nana Gribizi prefecture of the Central African Republic (CAR).

Abubakar Shekau, leader of Islamist group Boko Haram has once more released a video to reject reports that he had been killed. He has been reported dead five times already.

Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi has pleaded guilty to destroying sacred sites in Timbuktu, Mali, in the first case concerning cultural artefacts at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The lucrative counterfeit drugs trade causes hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Technology can help fight it, but are big pharma and governments doing enough?

Addressing the General Assembly today, Kokou Kpayedo, the Permanent Representative of Togo to the United Nations, reiterated his country’s voluntary commitment in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stressed that enhanced cooperation in responding to security threats and ensuring reform of the Security Council are needed to secure their wide implementation.

Highlighting at the United Nations today his country&#39s initiatives to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania emphasized the importance of collective efforts at local, national and international levels to achieve the goals in a timely manner.

September 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir Monday has reiterated his call to holdout political and armed opposition to join the national dialogue and renounce war.

In January 2014, al-Bashir launched the national dialogue initiative in which he urged opposition parties and rebels alike to join the dialogue table to discuss all the pressing issues.

But the initiative faced serious setbacks in wake of the government's refusal to create suitable atmosphere in the country leading several major participants to pull out. The dialogue conference was inaugurated in on October 10th, 2015 amid large boycott from the major political and armed opposition.

Al-Bashir, who received the recommendations of the societal dialogue on Monday, said Sudan is on the threshold of a new era characterized by harmony, love, peace and national reconciliation.

He vowed to implement the recommendations and include it in the comprehensive national document following the end of the dialogue conference on October 10th in order to achieve national and societal peace.

The Sudanese President pointed the national document will contain the recommendations of both political and societal dialogue besides the outcome of the state reform program.

“The national document would constitute the essential foundation upon which we will build the future of the country, draft a permanent constitution and achieve political stability and comprehensive renaissance,” he said.

Al-Bashir stressed the societal dialogue document has contained opinions of all components of the Sudanese people, pointing to the efforts made by the committees to represent a common national view on the desired objectives.

He pointed that the societal document has overcome all differences among Sudanese people to achieve societal and peaceful coexistence, describing it as a unique and unprecedented experience in Sudan's history.

For his part, the chairman of the national committee for the societal dialogue Hussein Sulieman Abu Salih said they produced a document that could serve as a new social contract.

(ST)

September 26, 2016 (JUBA) – Opposition forces in Western Equatoria region have rejected calls by the newly appointed controversial First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, to assemble in cantonment areas the forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), saying they are loyal to their leader, Riek Machar.

In a statement issued on Sunday, seen by Sudan Tribune, the commander of the SPLA-IO forces in the area said they did not rebel in order to be simply cantoned but to resolve the underlying problems prevailing under the leadership of the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.

“The approval of the cantonment areas for Greater Equatorial region will never bring peace because Cantonment is not the real grievance that made us to go to the bush, and fight against the regime of SPLM under the leadership of Salva Kirr,” party reads the statement signed by Brigadier General John Sunday Martin, SPLA (IO) 3rd Brigade Commander, Division 9 based in Western Equatoria.

He said Machar remains the recognized First Vice President and the leader of the armed opposition, warning that any security arrangements implementation or the transitional government of national unity without his participation will not be accepted.

“We will neither accept any transitional Government without Dr. Riek Macher being part of it, nor accept cantonment areas in Greater Equatoria without Dr. Riek Macher being part to the Transition Government,” the statement declared.

“The Government of Salva Kirr and Taban Deng with their International partners must know that, the SPLM-IO forces in Greater Equatoria Region remained royal to the leadership of Dr. Riek Macher and therefore, we are not going to these Cantonment areas, but will continue to fight with objectivity of ousting the regime of SPLM-IG that is manifested by corruption, tribalism, dictatorship, injustices and lack of political will to bring an end to the sufferings of the innocent souls in South Sudan.”

The senior military officer of the opposition faction was responding to the calls by government leadership to assemble in cantonment areas members of the SPLA-IO in greater Equatoria region.

The government last week announced it had identified up to four cantonment sites in Equatoria region.

(ST)

September 26, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour on Monday has said that his country wouldn't serve as a launching pad for any armed opposition activities against South Sudan.

Ibrahim Ghandour (Photo Suna)

In a press release extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday, Ghandour said "Sudan is a key member of the tripartite committee set up by the regional block IGAD to follow up the implementation of South Sudan's peace agreement".

"Sudan wouldn't allow any armed opposition to be launched from its territory against South Sudan," he said, pointing his country continued to play an essential and active role in all regional and international initiatives aiming to achieve peace in the newborn nation.

Sudan's top diplomat underscored his country's keenness to achieve peace in South Sudan, saying peace can't be achieved in the two Sudans unless it was achieved in the other country.

He said that Sudan under the leadership of President Omer al-Bashir was the first country to recognize the independence of South Sudan, pointing to the joint history and interests between the two nations.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan on July 9th 2011 following a referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should remain a part of the country or become independent. 99% of the southern voters chose independence.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence following a series of disputes over a number of issues, particularly accusations of support to rebel groups.

Ghandour's statements come two days after the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) led by South Sudan's former First Vice President, Riek Machar, declared war on the “regime” in Juba under President Salva Kiir.

This declaration came in a resolution passed by the political bureau meeting convened for three days in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, under the chairmanship of Machar, also commander-in-chief of the SPLM-IO.

The armed opposition further called for reorganization of the SPLA-IO so that it “can wage a popular armed resistance against the authoritarian and fascist regime of President Salva Kiir in order to bring peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of law in the country.”

Also on Sunday, South Sudan's former Minister of Agriculture, Lam Akol, announced formation of a new rebel faction, saying his aim is to overthrow by all means the government of South Sudan under the leadership of President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed and more than 2 million displaced.

In August last year, a peace deal was signed by both Machar and Kiir, but fighting in Juba put the accord at risk of possible collapse.

(ST)

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, two small island nations in Africa today stressed that among the many challenges they face, harnessing the transformative power of the seas and building the ocean-based economy is of fundamental importance for their countries’ survival and sustainable growth.

Former West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland midfielder Stephane Sessegnon signs for Montpellier on a two-year contract.

Telling the United Nations General Assembly that over the 25 years of Eritrea’s independence it has faced a “concerted onslaught” of difficulties – incessant hostility, occupation, and sanctions – the country’s Foreign Minister today said that resilient Eritrea and Eritreans, at home and abroad, were nevertheless able to fend off the attacks on their nation and protect their hard-won freedom.

Fifa defends its decision to scrap an anti-racism taskforce with critics branding the move "shameful" and "perplexing".

Nigeria's international players say they understand their federations financial woes and understand they may have to wait for their playing bonuses.

Prominent Ethiopian actor Znah-Bzu Tsegaye says that he has has sought asylum in the US after leaving the country about two months ago.

Ivory Coast footballer Serge Aurier, who plays for Paris St-Germain, is sentenced to two months in jail for assaulting a police officer.

The Swazi government has made little progress implementing the recommendations it accepted during its last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2011. There has been no progress on essential rights reforms that Swaziland rejected during the 2011 UPR review. These include: removal of all legislative and practical restrictions on fundamental civil and political rights, in particular those related to freedom of association and expression to allow the registration and operation of political parties; permitting greater political freedoms through free, fair, transparent democratic elections; ensuring the right to health without discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; abolition of the death penalty; and decriminalization of same-sex relations and prevention of discrimination based on marital status and sexual orientation.

The government has yet to repeal, or amend as appropriate, a number of repressive laws that restrict basic rights guaranteed in Swaziland’s 2005 constitution, including freedom of association and assembly. The laws in need of amendment include the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act, and the 1963 Public Order Act. Police have sweeping powers under the Public Order Act. The king’s 1973 decree banning political parties remains in force despite repeated calls from local political activists to have it revoked. The constitution does not address the formation or role of political parties.

Human Rights Watch urges the Swazi government to:

• Guarantee rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression;
• Revoke the king’s 1973 decree on political parties, allow the registration and operation of political parties, and introduce multi-party democratic elections;
• Repeal or amend as appropriate repressive laws to comply with the constitution and international human rights standards, including the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act, and the 1963 Public Order Act;
• Enact reforms to ensure equality for women and prevent their discrimination in law and practice, particularly under Swazi law and custom. This includes resolving conflicts between civil law and traditional law and values to ensure that human rights standards are not ignored; and
• Fully enforce and implement the constitutional provision that no woman shall be forced to take part in a custom to which she objects.

 

By Dr. Abdulkarim Seid

At a glance, wetlands – large expanses of swamps – seem like public nuisances, a waste of space; occupying prime land which could otherwise be turned into sprawling shopping malls, hotels or theme parks devoid of any green.

Indeed, several wetlands in the Nile Basin have undergone degradation due to multiple contributing factors; settlements and urbanization by an ever growing population, reclamation and conversion for agriculture. Other factors are upstream infrastructural development, over-exploitation by local communities and climate change.

Wetlands represent about five percent of the total basin area and are concentrated in two areas: the Equatorial Lakes region and the Sudd area in South Sudan. The Sudd wetlands – the most extensive wetland system in the Nile Basin – are highly variable in size, averaging roughly 30,000 square kilometres, but extending up to as large as 130,000 square kilometres during the wet seasons. The Nile Delta north of Egypt, once an area of lush natural wetlands, has now been almost entirely converted into agricultural land.

The majority of these transgressions have gone largely unpunished while encroachment on wetlands continues to flourish. However, this ‘honeymoon' usually ends at the onset of the rainy seasons when nature fights back. The difference here is that the dry season is often characterised by light showers, which hardly pose a threat to populations settled in the lowlands. It is a different story when the heavy rains begin, though.

With the advent of climate change and variable weather patterns, there has been a noticeable increase in floods in the Nile Basin. Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have all witnessed El Nino rains in recent months that swept chunks of property and lives with their deadly force. It is perhaps at such times that many people realise the advantages of wetlands in absorbing excess water in the environment.

These factors threaten the intrinsic hydrological and ecological link between these wetlands and River Nile including its overall health and life. This is exacerbated by inadequate knowledge and experience for mainstreaming wetland conservation and for making full use of ecosystem services in the planning process.

Wetlands are crucial mainly because they act as a buffer for floods. They absorb the excess water or run off in the environment and release it systematically while causing no harm to the neighbourhood. However, when these wetlands are threatened, they implode with no escape route for the large amounts of water. Hence, floods run riot and cause destruction of the surroundings. Wetlands are also valuable ecosystems that play an important role in maintaining environmental quality, sustaining livelihoods and supporting biodiversity.

The wide range of animal and plant species wetlands support, provide an ecosystem that services in the form of fisheries, fuel-wood, timber, medicines, providing high ecological, cultural and economic value through recreation and tourism. Wetlands also exert significant influence on the hydrological cycle, altering flood flows, maintaining low flows and ground water recharge.

In light of these challenges, the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat is spearheading a wetlands project and forum whose focus is on strengthening the technical and institutional capacities of the riparian States for sustainable management of trans-boundary wetlands and wetlands of trans-boundary relevance in the Nile Basin such as the Sudd, whose extensive network affects annual flows of the Nile in downstream countries.

Interventions include building strategic and demand-driven knowledgebase on trans-boundary wetlands for informed planning and development of river basins; facilitating wetlands management planning for sustainability of the Nile Basin trans-boundary wetlands and wetlands of regional significance.

The expected benefits cannot be overemphasised; improved water security through tapping on restoration and conservation of wetlands ecosystem services; enhanced livelihoods security for largely local population groups whose livelihoods heavily depend on wetlands ecosystems. Let us all remember to save wetlands.

The author is head of water resources management at Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat.

September 25, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - The head of the African Union United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Sunday called on the Sudanese government to allow humanitarian access to the affected civilian in Jebel Marra.

UNAMID chief Martin Uhomoibhi, made his call during a visit to Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State. Also it comes after report about recent hostilities in western Jebel Marra between the government forces and rebels of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW).

During his visit, Uhomoibhi met the state officials and discussed the humanitarian situation in the areas. He urged them to allow aid groups to reach the needy population affected by the conflict.

OCHA weekly bulletin reported that between five thousands to 12.500 people mainly women and children have arrived in IDPs camp of Nertiti North, citing aid groups and community leaders there.

Central Darfur government and SLM-AW admitted last week clashes in western Jebel Marra.

Last April the government declared Jebel Marra free of rebels however, local authorities say they are clearing the mountainous areas from the remnants of the insurgency.

(ST)