Africa

In our series of letters from African journalists, Ghanaian writer Elizabeth Ohene ponders whether it matters that Olympians have switched nationalities.

The world's newest gold rush is under way in the West African country of Mauritania as thousands rush into the Sahara hoping to strike it rich.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has deplored the death in custody of Ebrima Solo Kurumah, a member of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), last Saturday, a spokesperson for the Office said.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of the Netherlands to lead an independent special investigation into the violence in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in July 2016, and the response of the UN mission in the country (UNMISS).

A Nigerian man facing charges of breaching the peace after he named his dog after President Muhammadu Buhari says it was meant as a compliment.

Noting today’s meeting of the national dialogue preparatory committee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated a call for an inclusive political dialogue to overcome an impasse in the electoral process.

As part of this year’s commemoration of World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs launched a photography exhibition in New York entitled “When I Grow Up.” By photographing African children aged six to 18 – whose young lives have already been beleaguered with hardships – photographer Vincent Tremeau documented their aspirations by capturing each dressed in the clothing of the adult they aspire to be.

The number of people in need of food assistance in north-eastern Nigeria has nearly doubled to 4.5 million from March, according to a mid-August analysis by various agencies including the World Food Programme (WFP).

Riek Machar, who was sacked as South Sudan's vice-president last month, is in Sudan to receive "urgent medical attention", state media report.

A strike called by the opposition in DR Congo to demand that the president steps down when his term ends cripples businesses in the capital.

August 23, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - South Sudan First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai said that his country has asked Khartoum to provide technical assistance to restart oil production from oil fields in Unity area.

Unity oil fields have been shut down since 2014 due to the fighting between the government and SPLM-IO troops. The lack of oil revenue affected the fragile economy of the new state as it depends entirely on crude exports.

South Sudan Petroleum Minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth on 18 August discussed the resumption of oil production with the Chinese ambassador in Juba and the return of Chinese oil worker to South Sudan.

Following his meeting with President Omer al-Bashir on Monday; Gai told reporters that the two countries to cooperate together in the oil production and Sudan will provide assistance to increase the production of Upper Nile fields and the resumption of oil production in the Unity region.

The South Sudanese first vice-president announced the outcome of a meeting the South Sudanese Oil Minister Gatkuoth held on Monday with his Sudanese counterpart Mohamed Zayed Awad.

The two ministers discussed the oil agreement between the two countries - as the two countries had previously agreed to review oil transit fees - the increase of oil production in Upper Nile area and the resumption of oil production in Unity area.

In statements after the meeting, Awad announced the commitment of the Sudanese government to support and assist the South Sudan to increase oil production, to resume oil production from Unity wells and to review the oil transit fee agreement.

Following the fall of oil prices, Juba asked for the revision of an agreement reached in September 2012 . The deal provides to pay to Khartoum $9.10 for the oil produced in Upper Nile state and $11 for that of Unity state which produces some 20% of South Sudan's oil.

In January 2016, Sudan gave its agreement in principle to reduce it; but technical teams didn't reach an agreement due to the delay in their works. Also, Khartoum resumed accusation against Juba of support to Sudanese rebel groups.

Minister Gatkuoth said he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, and appreciated Sudan's readiness to cooperate with his country in oil industry and production.

"We are here to open a new page of cooperation and bring a shift in the oil production for the benefit of the two peoples," he said.

August 22, 2016 (WAU) – The governor of Wau state, Andrea Mayar Acho said he has reached an agreement with the South Sudan police service during his recent visit to the police headquarters in Juba to deploy operation personnel in Wau town.

Police officers on parade in Jonglei state capital Bor (ST)

Acho said the move to relocate the operation police from Ater-moj to Wau was a part of maintaining security within Wau town aftermath of 25 June violence which forced out thousands of Wau town residents to take refuge at the United Nations and in churches.

“I have met in Juba at the police headquarter with Director General for operation Akot Deng Akot and agreed that the police operation forces which based at operation training centre in Ater-moj should be relocate to Wau to help the state authority in maintaining the security of the state,” said Acho.

“I have also met the top leadership of minister of interior to discuss the matter related to 250 police personnel that are now waiting for their graduation since they completed their training here in the state, we have discussed about their budget pays because since they started under training last year, they did not receive their pays and all these be been reached,” he added.

The governor said large amounts of medicines were stuck in Juba due to lack of transport to ferry them to Wau as attempts were underway to use cargo flights.

Achor said he also met other oficials, including the ministry for information and discus the issue telecommunication network to link the newly created counties in the state.

“I have been doing these things during my visit to Juba for the sake of the security in our state,” he furrher stressed.

Acho was addressing hundreds of state intellectuals, government officials, state MPs, members of different political parties, and state head of security organs.

Also in attendance were faith-based groups and civil society representatives in Wau state.

(ST).

August 22, 2016 (NAYLA) - British Ambassador to Sudan on Monday expressed optimism that Sudanese government and rebel groups would reach agreement in the coming round of talks on humanitarian truce.

British Ambassador to Sudan Michael Aron (Reuters Photo)

The armed movements in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states failed recently to reach two agreements on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, seen as important step before to engage in political talks ahead of an inclusive constitutional conference.

The armed movement involved in the process African Union mediated negotiations are Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Sudan Liberation Movement–Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

In statements to media on Monday after his arrival to Nayla, the capital of South Darfur State, the British Ambassador to Sudan, Michael Aron, stressed that solving Darfur crisis is vital to the United Kingdom as it leads to solving all crisis in Sudan.

“The United Kingdom is interested in achieving peace, stability and development in Sudan,” said Aron pointing that he has discussed with South Darfur government development strategies in the state.

The visiting diplomat pointed that the British Department for International Development (DFID) is ready to cooperate with South Darfur State in implementing water projects, stressing that development projects are core for solving Sudan's crisis.
During his three days visit, Aron will meet South Darfur State government, UNAMID and also visit the camps displaced people.

South Darfur State governor, Adam al-Faki, told reporters after meeting the British diplomat that his government is prepared to emerge from war status to stability, peace, social peace and helping displaced civilians to either return to their home village or to settle in the state towns .

“We have handed the British Ambassador a comprehensive and detailed strategy for development in South Darfur state,” further said al-Faki pointing that they have reached agreement on ways to implement the development strategy.

Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003. The region is relatively calm but armed militias and gangs continue perpetrate attacks on civilians.

Also, the government forces continue to carry out ground and air attacks on parts of the mountainous area of Jebel Marra against rebel fighters we are still hiding in the region.

The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict. According to the UN Human Rights Council, 400,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (JUBA) – The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said Monday in Nairobi that the appointment of South Sudanese First Vice President Taban Deng Gai to succeed Riek Machar was “legal” under the provisions of the 2015 peace agreement.

President Salva Kiir with US secretary of state John Kerry as they hold a bilateral meeting at the US-Africa Business Forum in Washington on 5 August 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Jim Bourg)

Speaking to reporters after meeting five foreign ministers of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia Kerry said the US backed protection force has limited definition and scope with respect to restoring peace in the country.

“With respect to Machar, it's not up to the United States; it's up to the leaders of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan and the political parties and the political process, and their neighbors, to weigh in on what is best or not best with respect to Machar,” said Kerry when asked by a reporter to comment on the controversial replacement of the armed opposition leader and former South Sudanese First Vice President, Riek Machar.

He said the process leading to Machar's replacement with Gai has not broken any law.

“I think it's quite clear that legally, under the agreement, there is allowance for the replacement in a transition of personnel, and that has been effected with the appointment of a new vice president. And what they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in the context of the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.

Gai was appointed by section of the SPLM IO leaders in Juba in July after Machar fled the South Sudanese capital following four days of fighting between his forces and those loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The United Nations Security Council passed a U.S drafted resolution early this month to send a strong 4,000 protection force to Juba to boast UN peacekeepers in the country with a new mandate to response forcefully to any anti-peace elements in the government or armed opposition.

“With respect to the protection force, let me make it clear: The protection force is limited by definition, not a response to the overall crisis within the country as a whole, because clearly, there are many people with weapons in many parts of the country, and a protection force of 4,000 people will not have the capacity to cover all those bases,” the top U.S. diplomat said.

“But the hope is that with a transitional government that is now committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement and that has already begun to implement that peace agreement, that a force with a presence in Juba itself, which is where most of the violence took place during the last round, will be able to guarantee access for everybody, and that includes people trying to prevent the violence,” he added.

According to the UNSC, the protection force will be deployed in Juba by September 15. South Sudanese government said it has not made a decision to reject or accept the extra force that will increase UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to 17,000 troops.

(ST)

August 22, 2016 (BENTIU) - Governor of Northern Liech state, Joseph Nguen Monytuil, has created 11 new counties from the former counties of Koch, Rubkotna, Guit and Mayom, respectively.

Unity State caretaker governor Joseph Monytuil (Photo: Larco Lomayat)

The decree came into effect on 21 August, according to Lam Tunguar Kueinguong, the state minister of information, youth, culture and sports.

However, minister Tunguar has not revealed names of the new counties. Another source from the state told Sudan Tribune the breakdown of the counties saw Guit, the home county of the new First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai, split into 2 counties. Koch county also split into 2, Rubkotna, 3 and Mayom into 4.

In the same statement, the state information minister said governor Monytuil met with new SPLA-IO senior officers who defected to President Kiir in Tor-Abith, which include Maj. Gen. Liah Diu, Maj.Gen Dor Manjuor and all under the command of Maj.Gen Makal Kuol.

“We welcome the generals who have switched allegiance to support the President General Salva Kiir Mayardit and first vice president Gen.Taban Deng Gai,” Tunguar said.

He claimed that around 13,000 soldiers defected from the armed opposition allied to Riek Machar and now waiting to be integrated into the SPLA. Opposition officials loyal to Machar however dismissed the claim as false, saying only 80 soldiers defected to Kiir's forces with the generals, who mainly come from Gai's county of Guit.

They also claimed that the pictures of soldiers taken with the three defected SPLA-IO Generals are government forces in the area and not new defectors, adding that it was to deceive the public that the soldiers were new defectors.

The conflicts in South Sudan have claimed tens of thousands of lives following the outbreak of the violence in 2013. A recent violent clash in Juba killed at least 300 people and forced another 60,000 more people to seek safety in the neighbourhood countries.

It was not clear how many more others were killed in the bushes during the more than one month of intensive fighting when government forces were hunting for Machar before his successful escape into DR Congo from Juba on foot.

(ST)

The BBC's Piers Edwards picks out 10 moments we will not forget from what has been a memorable Olympics for Africa.

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is ramping up its response in north-eastern Nigeria, where initial assessments have revealed urgent health problems among populations in areas formerly held by Boko Haram insurgents.

An alleged Malian Islamist accused of destroying historical and religious monuments in the fabled city of Timbuktu pleaded guilty in the first-ever international war crimes trial focusing on destruction of cultural heritage, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on the opening day of the landmark case, which was welcomed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

With Africa still accounting for more than 90 per cent of global malaria deaths in 2015, the United Nations health agency’s member States in the region have adopted a new framework on implementing a strategy towards a malaria-free continent.

Photographer Mahesh Shantaram documents the lives of Africans living in India.