April 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - The rebel alliance of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) Sunday has reiterated its rejection to take part in the national dialogue, saying the government is escalating military operations instead of declaring cessation of hostilities and making confidence-building measures.

SRF leaders, form the left, Gibril Ibrahim (JEM), Malik Agar (SPLM-N), Abdel wahil Al Nur (SLM-AW) Minnin Minnawi (SLM-MM) and Yasir Arman (SPLM-N), on 4 October 2012 after the signing of a new political agreement between the rebel groups in Kampala, Uganda (Photo SRF)

The rebel SRF, which says that a constitutional conference must lead to restore a democratic regime in Sudan, demands that such national process intervene after holding direct talks with them to negotiate a cessation of hostilities and open humanitarian access to civilians in the rebel areas.

The alliance pointed in a statement on Sunday that its leadership held continuous meetings throughout last week to assess the political situation and decide on participation in the national dialogue, saying it decided not to take part in it.

The statement added this strategic decision was made following a deep evaluation, pointing out that the regime launched systemic military operations during the last couple of months including escalation of aerial bombardment and ground attacks carried out by government militias targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, and Blue Nile.

"The Revolutionary Front is not ready to participate in this farce par excellence. We represent the victims, their mothers, their parents, sisters and brothers , and we cannot provide a cover for the continuation of war crimes in the name of (dialogue).", said the statement.

The rebels said the government only seeks to buy time in order to produce another version of the same regime and draft a new constitution under the control of its security apparatus.

The statement added that the SRF doesn't reject the dialogue and the comprehensive peaceful solution , but they want a dialogue to be based on clear roadmap to "move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy".

KHARTOUM OFFERS GUARANTEES FOR REBELS

In Khartoum, the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) reiterated its call for the rebel groups to join the national dialogue saying they are ready to offer guarantees for the rebel groups that accept to take part in the political process.

"We are in consultation with the dialogue partners to see what is the appropriate mechanism to extend an invitation to the armed movements and how we can engage the rebels in the dialogue", further said the head of NCP political sector Yasser Youssef on Sunday.

The government says rebel groups should reach separate peace deals to end war in Darfur and the Two Areas, but the rebels ask for a national conference brokered by the African Union and the United Nations before to hold the dialogue.

Also, the political forces that refusing the process and the SRF demand to form a national government to lead the country during an interim period and to implement the outcome of the inclusive and national process.

(ST)

April 13, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudan people's Liberation Movement –North (SPLM-N) announced the reception of an invitation from the African mediation to resume peace talks with the Sudanese government next week to end the nearly three year conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The spokesperson of the SPLM-N negotiating team, Mubarak Aradol, said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday they received an invitation from African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to resume talks on 22 April.

Last March, AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki suspended the talks after failing to bridge the positions of the parties on the agenda of the negotiations. He pointed out that the SPLM-N did not accept a draft framework agreement he had proposed.

However, the African Union Peace and Security Council reiterated its support to his mediation and requested the panel to broker a peace deal before the end of April.

Aradol said in his statement that the humanitarian situation, comprehensive peace and democracy will remain the top priorities of the SPLM-N.

Sudanese government officials say they are ready for a negotiated solution to settle the conflict in the Two Areas but refuse rebel's demand for a comprehensive process.

(ST)

April 13, 2014 (JUBA) – Leaders from the contested oil-producing region of Abyei have warned the international community of the consequences of ignoring the ongoing conflict.

Soldiers on patrol in the contested oil-producing area of Abyei, which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan (Photo: Reuters)

Paramount chief Bulabek Deng Kuol told Sudan Tribune on Sunday that there are increasing tensions, particularly in the outer northern extremes of the region, which was identified in 2009 by the permanent Court of Arbitration as belonging to the Nine Ngok Dinka chiefdoms.

He said the area had a special connection for many people as it was the final resting place of family members.

“Our people feel that the memories of the international community are shortening and quickly losing focus on the cause of the suffering of the people of Abyei,” he added.

However, Kuol said many people in the north held fears for their safety due to the threat of militia groups aligned with the Sudanese government.

The traditional leader has expressed deep concerns over the worsening security situation in the area, saying the conflict continued to place pressure on local resources, particularly grazing and water point areas.

The situation has also been further compounded by violent conflict in South Sudan, which erupted in mid-December last year amid worsening political tensions.

The Arab Misseriya nomads, who typically travel to areas in South Sudan's Unity and Upper Nile states at this time of year, have been unable to do so as a result of the current situation, and are instead attempting to access water and grazing areas in Abyei's south, leading to tensions with the Ngok Dinka, who considers themselves the rightful owners of the area.

“These militias are in the north of the area. They are the ones which together with elements from [the] Misseriya [tribe] and Sudan Armed Forces carried out the attacks in February and March,” Kuol said.

“They (the Misseriya) want to go south of Abyei, but people in these areas said certain arrangements must be met. They (the Ngok Dinka) are saying they should not go to their areas with guns, which they (the Misseriya) are not accepting and they want to force their way,” he added.

Fierce clashes between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka tribes have erupted in the past month, claiming the lives of an unconfirmed number of people and causing displacement.

The Abyei territory is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, with the latter breaking away from the former in July 2011, leaving several unresolved post-secession issues.

In 2012, the African Union mediation team proposed holding a referendum in Abyei, stipulating that only those residing permanently in the area would be allowed to vote in the plebiscite and decide whether they want to join Sudan or South Sudan.

The Sudanese government, however, rejected the AU proposal aimed at breaking the deadlock, saying it ignored the eligibility of the Misseriya, who enter the area periodically to graze their cattle.

DARK DAYS AHEAD

General Kuol Monyluak, head of the South Sudan supported local administration, confirmed that people in the extreme north of Abyei are afraid to leave, but are determined to return if the security situation improves.

“Our people are determined to return to their areas for cultivation but the current security situation is becoming an immediate concern,” Monyluak said on Sunday.

He warned of “dark days” ahead unless the international community steps in to find a speedy resolution to the conflict over the ownership of the area.

“There are clear indications of the dark days coming ahead. There is no food to the people returning to areas north of Abyei and the issue of security is becoming a big concern. These are very big issues of concerns to us as the authorities and feel it is time the international community should [take] decisive action,” Monyluak said.

“The two presidents [of Sudan and South Sudan] would never agree. They have already failed to reach an agreement on the way forward,” he added.

(ST)

By Dong Samuel Luak

April 14, 2014 - President Kiir is well known among his comrades of intelligence and calmness, he never forgets, always forgives, but for him the year 1991 is not forgivable or forgettable. The question is whether he will forgive Pagan and his comrades who are charged with treason? He repeatedly mentioned in his speeches that the only person he recognized and cherished in SPLM/A is comrade Pagan who rescued them once by offering him and his colleagues the Zebra meat (called in Dinka Maguar).

I feel this is high time for President Kiir, Minister of Justice and Legal Advisor of the President to Stay the Criminal Proceeding against the (4) four accused undergoing trial in Juba, under section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2008. Reasons being the national interest, which is peace for the people of South Sudan. This is not the first time that such action was taken by the President on the strength of advice given by his legal advisor.

The precedent is already established in the case of Major General James Young Anyith. Mr. President James Young was in charge of the department of Custom in South Sudan during the year 2009 to 2010, but reporting to Khartoum, on 3rd of June 2009 Dr. Pauline Riek of Southern Sudan Anti Corruption Commission (SSACC) based on complaints ordered the searched of the custom head office in Juba under James Young, the results of the search was that a sum of SDG 3,110,109 was found in cash in the chest contrary to financial regulations which requires that the revenue in cash must be deposited into the bank within 48 hours.

The investigation team found also that the total funds mismanaged or embezzled or so through the office of the President for elections campaign amounted to SDG 12,726,353 (Twelve Millions, seven hundred thousands, three, fifty three South Sudanese Pounds). SSACC recommended the prosecution of Major General James Young, which indirectly means the prosecution of the President as an accomplice given the facts that the money where taken by the President for his elections campaign in 2010, the ministry of justice acted by issuing the warrant of arrest against the accused. But given the gravity of the proceedings, the legal advisor of the President interfere and wrote to the Minster of Justice John Luk on 29/10/2012 requesting the stay of the prosecution against the accused Major General James Young. I quote

Hon, Minister it is imperative to note that since his (Major-General James Young) suspension from the Directorate of Custom on 13th June 2010 to date as per the recommendation of the Chairperson of SSACC John Gatwech Lul to the President, his case has not commenced and as such it amount to infringement of his constitutional rights of fair trial as provided for under Article 19(1) of the Transitional constitution of South Sudan 2011, all alluding to the fact that Justice delayed is justice denied. Unquote.

The former Minister of Justice John Luk in his response to the President's legal advisor insisted that there is a prima fascia case for the accused to answer. I quote

The case is a corruption case, is it lawful that any proceedings against the accused Major-General James Young are terminated, quashed and acquitted, as I am being asked to do? Has the government abandoned the fight against corruption? And if there were any strong national interest that would justify the application of section 25 of the criminal procedure Act 2008, should the accused be encouraged to defy the due process of law by refusing to submit to investigation? Don't we have a duty to enforce our laws? I strongly feel that the President was not given correct legal advice in term of the application of section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2008 and Article 19(1) of the Transitional Constitution, as the prosecution authority at all levels of the government under Article 135(2), the least thing I expected was to be called in person so that I understand the reasons behind the President's directives. I say this because the legal reasons given do not fit well into this case of corruption, which involves very huge amount of public money. Unquote.

It is worth mentioning that on 23rd April 2013 the President usurp the powers of the minister of justice and ordered the stay of the prosecution of the Major General James Young. I quote

Therefore in my capacity as the President of the Republic of South Sudan, I have decided that there shall be no criminal proceedings against Maj. Gen James Young Anyieth. This letter is only intended for you to take note. Unquote.

On the same date 23rd April 2013 the President wrote to the Minister of Interior Alison Manana Magaya. I quote

Hon, Minster I write to you in relation to the above-mentioned subject and to specifically give you strict orders as follow:

(a) To lift the suspension of the Major General James Young Anyieth and to pay him his dues from the date of his suspension which was on June 13th 2010,and
(b) To reinstate him to his original position. Please treat these orders with the utmost urgency and importance.

In conclusion after this painful account of this precedent set by our President, what will prevent him from taking the same bold decision by ordering the stay of criminal proceedings against Pagan and his colleagues in the national interest of South Sudan, instead of this legal trap of Courts and Trails which is embarrassing to our criminal justice system. And humiliating to the comrades who once shared the Zebra meat in the liberation struggle. Peace must be given a chance Mr. President.

The writer is a lawyer in South Sudan, he can be reach on dong.luak@yahoo.com

By Amb Joseph Ayok Anei

April 14, 2014 - In May 1981 a Muslim called Ali Agca attempted to assassinate His Holiness Pope John Paul II. However, after his recovery, the Pope not only prayed for him, but also asked the people to “pray for my brother Ali, whom I have sincerely forgiven”. Later he paid a visit to Ali in prison and took his hand saying “I have forgiven you”.

The Pope developed a friendship with Ali's family. Ten years later he requested President Carlo Azeglio to pardon Mr. Ali and he was freed after ten years in prison.

When the Pope died on 2nd April 2005, Mr. Ali and his family mourned him sadly. They gave a heartfelt tribute to him saying “Pope John Paul II has been a great friend.”

The story of Pope John Paul II and Mr. Ali Agca sends a strong message of justice, love and mercy in action. The Pope understood justice to mean generosity of unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness, rather than punishment and revenge.

The Hebrew or Jewish word for justice is ‘mish pat', which simply means punishment of the wrong doer, but punishment alone is not enough to do justice; justice must also include a search for the truth. In other words it is putting what has gone wrong right, so that the wrong doer can be put right as she/he acknowledges the truth and repents.

In my article ‘Justice must be served to save South Sudan' I wrote in defence of the President and his Government who were democratically elected according to the laws of the Republic of South Sudan and its 2011 Transitional Constitution. I condemned the loss of many innocent lives, and Dr Riek Machar and his followers for provoking the killings by mounting a coup against the constitutionally elected Government.

At the end of that article, I wrote that justice must come first, and then be followed by long-term dialogue and reconciliation, as important components of a true process of nation-building. Those who call for release of those who led the conspiracy against the elected President are simply wrong. They should be released if proven innocent. Justice must be allowed to follow its course according to our laws.

I strongly feel that Dr Riek and followers did not lead the coup without foreign encouragement. This can be seen from his first statement, in which he said that he was going to sell our nation's oil.

The searching question is, does the powerful western oil cartel which controls the world's oil, change or kill national leaders who nationalise their oil companies

after a coup? Did Dr Riek and his followers make a secret pact with the western oil cartel to overthrow our elected leader for the love of money?

The US, EU, and UN made a mistake by threatening to impose sanctions on our country, and putting those who break the laws of South Sudan on the same level as the Government. A good Government can only be built when a country follows its laws, and when all of our citizens including our leaders are equal before the law.

In any nation in the world, laws and constitution are drawn to be respected and followed, and nobody should be above the law. It is very wrong when some people think that they are the only historical leaders and saviours of the rest of us, assuming that without them South Sudan would not have been free today, thus suggesting they are above the laws of the country and its constitution which they pledge allegiance to uphold in all circumstances, and above the President of the Republic. Now I say this not to deny the positive contribution which they have made during the war of liberation, but also to encourage them to accept the negative role they played at times, and to remind them of the greater sacrifice made by many of us, that in turn made them senior figures in the country. It's sad that they have forgotten the orphans, youth, women and all of our people who have suffered and died so that we may in turn do justice, and enjoy liberty and prosperity.

The tragedy of the aborted coup on 15 December 2013 has revealed to all the people of South Sudan how single-minded and self-centred were those suspected of being behind the coup.

As much as we love Dr John Garang, and believe that he was and will always be the man who led us to gain our freedom, it is important not to look back, but forward as one nation and people in this fast changing world.

Let us go back to the theme of this article, why justice must be served to save our nation. And how forgiveness is so important.

Pope John Paul II in the story above allowed justice to follow its course according to Italian law, and then made a request to President Carlo to pardon Ali who shot him. Forgiveness requires a perfect sacrifice, and strength to make it, because forgiveness cannot be earned, it's a free gift.

Pope John II forgave Ali; and his life and that of his family were transformed simply by accepting the wrong that he had now put right.

What took place in Juba in December last year is a result of failing to consider the wrong done, during our war with the north, by both sides, those who split from the movement in 1991, and those who stayed with Dr John Garang.
We should have initiated a dialogue for reconciliation and healing as soon as we came home in 2005, in order to find out the truth - not to seek punishment, but to help us to forgive ourselves, and be healed. We should have investigated how so many were massacred in greater Upper Nile that year especially in Bor, and how Joseph Oduho, Dr Carlo Mdut, Benjamin Bol, Gay Tut, Martin Majier, Kerubino Kuanyi Bol, William Nyuon Beny and many others were killed, how so many of our young fighters perished fighting against their own side, and how many of our good men and women had to run away for their lives to faraway lands.

I believe in the ability of our people to forgive and move on. But it's important to build our nation upon the truth, and that is why justice must be served. After that we must focus on being guided by our laws and constitution, giving a good example to our youth, our future leaders, to pursue justice, liberty and prosperity for all of our people under the banner of unity.

Within our 2011 laws and constitution, page 54 under 101-h ‘function of the President' reads “The President shall confirm death sentences, grant pardon, and remit convictions and penalties according to this constitution and law”.

The Western world and the UN have mistakenly or knowingly supported Riek and his followers against the people of South Sudan, who know themselves better than do the US, EU, and the UN.

Death sentences are a western idea, not African, and I'm sure that President Kiir will do the right thing for his people, including those who have been calling for his removal.

The writer is Director of Research, Planning and Translation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Juba - South Sudan

April 14, 2014 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) spokesperson on Monday dismissed rebel claims that its forces instigated the fighting that erupted Sunday near an oil refinery under construction in Unity state.

A South Sudanese government soldier stands in front of a vehicle in South Sudan's Unity State on 12 January 2014 (AP)

The incident, Phillip Aguer said, left a foreign worker injured and a car looted at the oil facility.

“No. How do we attack our refinery? The refinery is being constructed by the government of South Sudan. So how can the government attack it own refinery? When you want to lie, at least you must make a lie logical but this is illogical,” Aguer said.

“The attack was targeted at refinery which is being managed by foreigners and those foreigners know who attacked them,” he added.

Rebel spokesperson, Peter Riek Gew, accused pro-government forces of f launching attacks on their position over the weekend. He further said their forces managed to control the oilfields, a claim South Sudan government army dismissed.

Sudan Tribune could not verify claims from both sides of the conflict due to remoteness of the area, although the United Nations mission confirmed the incident.

"From South Sudan, the UN Mission in the country, otherwise known as UNMISS, reports that fighting broke out in Unity State this morning between Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and Opposition forces in Torabith in Mayom County, which is about 50 km west of Bentiu," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement.

Another clash, he further said, also took place in the vicinity of an oil refinery about 5 km from the Unity oilfields and that UN peacekeepers extracted 10 employees of the Safinat Caspian Oil Refining Company from a location near those oilfields about 25 km North West of Bentiu.

"Five of the 10 employees were wounded and two of them are said to be in critical condition. All are now at the UNMISS compound in Bentiu receiving medical attention," Dujarric added.

ARMY TO PURSUE REBELS

Meanwhile, South Sudan government vowed on Monday to continue pursuing the country's rebels, whom it accuses of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement reached on 23 January.

“The rebels of renegade Riek Machar are still carrying out atrocities. They are attacking government positions and killing innocent civilians. We warned them to stop this immediately. They should stop attacking government positions,” information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth warned.

“If they continue to violate the cessation of hostilities agreement, the government has the right to respond in self defence and in that matter our forces in the event they are provoked will respond and pursue these rebels to their last destinations,” he added.

The minister reiterated his government's constitutional responsibility to ensure that lives and properties of the population were protected.

He further accused the rebels of carrying out “unprovoked attacks” on pro-government army positions in the oil producing states of Unity and Upper Nile, despite the two sides signing a ceasefire deal.

“They have continued to launch unprovoked attacks on the government positions”, said the minister.

Gordon Buay, the spokesperson of the former rebel group, now allied to government, also confirmed that fighting took place on Sunday between the two rival forces.

“The rebel forces of renegade Riek Machar attacked the government's outpost of Tor Abieth at 16:20pm on Sunday, April, 13. The garrison is at the border of Mayom and Abiemnom counties close to the Sudanese border. The gallant SPLA forces repulsed the attack of about 500 rebels and chased them towards the Sudanese border,” said Buay in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

“The SPLA forces, commanded by Maj. General Mathews Puljang, inflicted a lot of casualties on the rebels. The SPLA forces killed 50 rebels and captured 50 Ak-47 rifles and ammunitions”, he added.

The official further assured the population that the rebels would never reach Bentiu, the Unity state capital, claiming government troops had already defeated the latter at the battle in Tor Abieth area.

“We will pursue them [rebels] so that they would return and pose threats to farming communities in the two counties of Mayom and Abiemnom, where members of the insurgency are active,” he stressed.

RESPECTING THE CEASEFIRE

Buay urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries and the African Union to declare Machar an “enemy” of peace in the region, slamming his rejection of the ceasefire.

“We therefore call upon IGAD countries and the African union to declare Riek Machar as an enemy of peace in the region,” Buay said.

“His consistent rejection of the cessation of hostilities agreement is a proof that he is not interested in the peaceful settlement of the conflict,” he added.

Several rebel officials, on Monday, denied reports that their forces launched unprovoked attack on the government positions, accusing the latter of launching “twin attacks” on their positions.

“The information we have from our forces on the ground is that the government attempted twice yesterday and today to take positions of forces in unity state, which did not work. Our forces fought in self defence in the process they managed to repulse that attack and pushed them away from the areas in which they used as bases of their attacks on the positions of our forces”, a senior rebel official told Sudan Tribune Monday from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Rebel spokesperson, Gew, also claimed in an interview on Sunday that opposition forces captured Tor-abieth, Tharwangyiela and Kilo 30, locally known as Kubur Nyabol.

These rebel claims could, however, not be independently verified by Sudan Tribune.

(ST).

April 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - The social media network Facebook disclosed in its second global government transparency report, covering the period between July and December of 2013 that it received official requests from the Sudanese government to reveal information on four of its users.

The report shows regular numbers pertaining to government requests for user data.

"We respond to valid requests relating to criminal cases. Each and every request we receive is checked for legal sufficiency and we reject or require greater specificity on requests that are overly broad or vague", reads the short report on Sudan.

The report covered several African and Arab countries including Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Palestine and Bahrain.

The report pointed that Egypt requested information on 6 Facebook users, while Kuwait asked for information on 3 users, and Lebanon demanded information on 12 users.

The report further said Bahrain made a request to receive information on one user while the Sultanate of Oman asked for information on 3 users. Palestine for its part demanded information on 4 users.

Qatar, according to the report, submitted requests to get information on 5 users while the UAE requested information on 2 users.

The United States submitted the largest amount of requests followed by the United Kingdom. The former put in 12,598 requests, referencing some 18,715 user accounts while the latter put in 1906 requests referencing 227 user accounts.

(ST)

The full report is available at https://govtrequests.facebook.com/

April 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese defence minister, Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, announced that rebellion in Darfur has receded, stressing the start of military operations in South Kordofan state.

Fighters from the JEM ride in the back of a vehicle through the bush (Reuters/file)

In a speech before the parliament on Monday, Hussein asserted that security situation in Darfur is stable, pointing that rebellion in the region is confined to two areas only in the far north of North Darfur state and Wadi Hawar.

He emphasised that the rest of Darfur region is free of rebellion but acknowledged that tribal conflicts negatively affect stability of several states in the restive region.

Last Week, the United Nations expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Darfur and its impact on civilians and relief efforts.

The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Ali Al-Za'atari told Sudan Tribune in an interview that the killings in Darfur must be stopped, describing the situation there as "too troubled".

Also, the head of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Tijani El-Sissi warned against the rapidly deteriorating security situation in North and South Darfur states and said that insecurity in North and South Darfur hampers the implementation of peace and development projects.

Following the closed-door session, several MPs said the defence minister told them that the Chadian government embarked on withdrawing its troops participating in the joint force from Darfur.

Hussein defended the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia which is accused by international organisations and rights groups of committing crimes against civilians and burning villages in Darfur, saying the RSF is a highly disciplined and professional force.

He denied that RSF attacked any village in Darfur, saying the ordinary citizens are satisfied with their activities because they often assist them and offer services.

Last March, the head of Darfur's joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, slammed in a speech he delivered at Um Jaras peace forum the attacks by SRF militia on camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur.

The SRF militia, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan's western region of Darfur in 2003.

That counter-insurgency campaign, which mainly targeted ethnic groups on account of their affiliation to the insurgents, has led to the death of approximately 300,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.7 million, according to United Nation figures.

The militia was activated and restructured again in August last year under the command of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) to fight rebel groups in Darfur region, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states following joint attacks by Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebels in North and South Kordofan in April 2013.

The defence minister told the parliament that the Decisive Summer military campaign against the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLA-N) in the Nuba Mountain has begun.

Last week, the director of NISS, Mohamed Atta, announced that units of SRF militia were deployed in South Kordofan state to take part in the military operations.

Regarding the security arrangements with South Sudan, Hussein said they are waiting to receive South Sudan's approval for determining the baseline for the demilitarised security zone (zero line) according to the border map proposed by the African mediation.

He further said they are waiting to receive South Sudan's acceptance for the formation of the administrative council, legislative council, and police in Abyei area.

The defence minister further denied recent reports that Sudanese army is pursuing rebels inside South Sudan's territory, saying they have no interest in crossing borders and moving troops towards the south.

In September of 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 of 2013, the two countries signed an implementation matrix for these cooperation agreements.

(ST)

April 14, 2014 (JUBA) - South Sudanese religious leaders have warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in the country, stressing war was never a remedy to any political differences.

South Suda religious leaders pray for a peace ahead of a referendum in 2011 (Michael Wagner/Church of Brethen)

“The current situation can never be resolved through military means; instead the war lengthens and aggravates it to undesirable situation. The warring parties should therefore put the interest of the people of this country first than individual ambitions," partly reads a statement from South Sudan Council of Churches.

The religious council, which brings together leaders from different religious denominations, issued their statement following reports that the country's rival forces lately clashed in various parts of the oil-producing Unity and Upper Nile states.

The clerics urged the warring parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which they signed on 23 January.

"It is a very fragile ceasefire and the international community should demonstrate strong commitment towards making the two sides respect the terms of the ceasefire pact," it added.

The current crisis, according to the clerics, could turn into the worse humanitarian situation, if no immediate attention was given to it by the international community.

“We called on the warring parties to stop fighting and called on the international community to help provide necessary support to the displaced persons, whose properties have been destroyed. Their sources of livelihoods have not been spared since this conflict erupted. This is not the future for which the people of this country voted. They wanted free and independent state. They voted to live in peace, tranquility and in love with one another as brothers and sisters and people of God”, the clerics said.

Heavy firing, reportedly involving the use of heavy machine guns by both the government and rebels forces were reported in the outskirt of Bentiu town, capital of Unity state and surrounding areas took place on Sunday and resumed early Monday morning .

Local officials told Sudan Tribune that civilians who returned to Bentiu town were frightened by the violence outbreak, forcing them into United Nations mission camps.

Unity state Deputy Governor, Stephen Mabek Lang, confirmed eruption of heavy gunfire, accusing rebels have never honoured the ceasefire agreement which the signed last January.

"The past few days, in particular, have brought reports of renewed and escalating violence," he said. In addition, rebels of Riek Machar have not failed to respect the terms of cessation of hostilities agreement”, Lang exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

He gave no details on casualties and whether or not the rebels had taken control of the oil area located in Tor Abieth area, some 35 kilometers north west of Bentiu town.

(ST)

April 15, 2014 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese rebels say they have seized control of Unity state capital Bentiu following heavy clashes with government forces loyal to president Salva Kiir.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) on guard in Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan's Unity state on 12 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

The spokesperson for rebel leader Riek Machar, James Gatdet Dak, said while he had been unable to reach Machar directly, he had confirmed the capture of the key oil-rich town from other sources on the ground, including rebel military spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Riek Gew and eyewitnesses inside the UN base in Bentiu.

“I could hear the ululations of people in the background celebrating its recapture and I couldn't hear gun shots which suggested that the fighting was over inside the town,” he said.

“To me, the town has fallen to our forces,” he added.

Fighting resumed early on Tuesday inside Bentiu town after rebels entered the city about 6am (local time).

The spokesman for the South Sudanese army (SPLA), Phillip Aguer, earlier denied rebel claims that government troops had been forced to pull back.

“It is not true. The SPLA forces yesterday (Monday) repulsed the attack of Riek Machar rebels, who came from Sudan. Our forces are now in control,” he told Sudan Tribune.

According to Gew, rebels were tracking fleeing SPLA soldiers who were seen heading towards Nhialdiu payam (district) and has urged them to surrender.

Meanwhile, Maj-Gen Peter Gatdet Yaka and Maj-Gen James Koang Chuol, who led the operation, have issued an ultimatum to SPLA soldiers and their commanders, warning them to surrender or risk being killed while hiding in the bush.

According to Dak, Koang, a former SPLA commander who defected to the rebels' side earlier this year, is expected to to officially take over the administration.

Heavy fighting broke out between rebels and the SPLA around remote oil installations in the north of Unity state over the weekend.

Rebels say the SPLA instigated the fighting after its troops attacked rebel positions, a claim the army has denied.

Multiple sources in the region said heavy gun fire resumed on Monday afternoon and continued on Tuesday morning, forcing civilians to flee to UN camps in Rubkona.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said 10 employees from the Safinat Caspian oil refining company were wounded on Monday when fighting broke out near an oilfield located about 25km north-west of Bentiu.

Five of the 10 employees were wounded, with two said to be in critical condition

A massive government force has been stationed in Unity state since rebel forces were ousted in January.

It is not known how many rebel fighters were involved in the latest offensive.

The eruption of fighting in Unity state comes as the latest blow to a ceasefire deal signed between the South Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition.

Bentiu has changed hands several times since conflict erupted in the nation's capital, Juba, in mid-December last year before spreading to other areas across the country.

Rebels are demanding the release of four political detainees, who are currently on trial for treason in connection to an alleged plot to overthrow the government, which it claims sparked the violence.

They have also called for the immediate withdrawal of Ugandan troops who are currently providing military support to the SPLA.

The international community has also called for the pull-out of foreign troops, saying it is inflaming tensions in the volatile country.

Machar has also warned against the deployment of foreign troops around oil installations in Upper Nile and Unity states, urging peacekeeping forces with the UNMISS to exercise their mandate.

Peace talks currently being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have failed to halt the violence, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the 23 January ceasefire deal.

Attempts by Sudan Tribune to contact Aguer for official comment on the latest developments have so far been unsuccessful.

(ST)

April 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir issued a decree on Monday guaranteeing political parties the freedom to carry out public activities as long as they obtain prior authorisation.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir addresses a session of parliament on 1 April 2013 in Khartoum (Photo: Ashraf Shazly/AFP/Getty Images)

The presidential decree, which has been in force since Monday, provides for the freedom of political intellectual activities for all political organisations, stressing that all parties should be equally and impartially treated.

While political parties are required to obtain permission to conduct activities in public, they are permitted to hold public meetings, rallies and seminars within their premises or headquarters without prior approval.

The party has to “obtain the approval from the competent authority in enough time, not less than 48 hours, for the purposes of protection and regulation of traffic,” says the decree.

The decree comes as part of measures pledged by the Sudanese government to create a conducive environment in the country before a national process aimed at resolving regional conflicts and reaching agreement on the principles for the adoption of a new constitution.

The People's Congress Party (PCP) and the National Umma Party (NUP) have expressed support for the process, but stressed the need to ensure political freedoms before the process is launched.

However, the remaining opposition parties allied with the National Consensus Forces (NCF) still reject the move and have called for the existing cabinet dissolved, the release of all political prisoners and the formation of national government.

Rebel alliance – Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) – have demanded the government commence negotiations on a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access to affected people in rebel-held areas in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan before it would agree to take part in the national process.

The SRF has also demanded that the first stage of the process, related to the frameworks and mechanisms of the national dialogue, be brokered by regional and international mediators.

(ST)

April 14, 2014 (RUMBEK) – More than 40 people were killed and dozens injured after inter-clan clashes occurred in South Sudan's Lakes state's Rumbek East county on Friday, an official disclosed.

The map of Lakes state in red

A police officer, who preferred anonymity, said two separate clashes had occurred at Karic payam between Durbaar and Durceek clans.

“The clashes between Durbaar and Durceek left 20 people confirmed dead [from] both sides,” said the officer.

The Durceek clan, he added, lost seven people while fourteen died from Durbaar's side.

“Four other people allegedly from Athoi clan fighting alongside Durbaar were also killed in that same incident of Karic,” the official further told Sudan Tribune.

Meanwhile, a separate clash between the Panyar and Nyuei beag clans on Saturday reportedly killed 18 people from both sides.

“Panyar-Apin clan had two people confirmed dead, Panyar-Muorchor had six people dead and Nyuei with 10 people killed,” said the officer, who expressed fears of more wounded people.

Residents have, however, attributed both incidences on the cycle of violence that has continued in the region, despite attempts by the state administration to restore calm among these communities.

A number of youth have also been arbitrarily arrested by Lakes state caretaker governor, Maj. Gen Matur Chut Dhuol since he assumed office from the democratically-elected governor 15 months ago.

Since last year, however, the governor introduced harsh measures which have made him largely unpopular among the masses.

Recently, a group of lawmakers drawn from Juba, the national parliament and Lakes state parliament made an attempt to reconcile the warring communities of Lakes state, but pastoral youths reportedly declined to honor legislators' demands.

Several activists and members of the public have demand the immediate removal of the caretaker governor, accusing the latter of allegedly inciting the public to resume the cycle of revenge killings.

(ST)

April 15, 2014 (JUBA) - A South Sudanese government official has officially admitted that rebel forces were "in control" of Bentiu, the strategic oil-rich capital of Unity state.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar gestures as he talks to his men in Jonglei January 31, 2014 (Reuters Goran Tomasevic)

"They (rebels) are inside Bentiu now. It is under their complete control," Unity state's deputy governor, Stephen Mabek Lang told reporters Tuesday.

The official, in close contact with government troops on the ground, said the army pulled out after a commanding officer allegedly withdrew without notifying his forces.

"This unfortunate development discouragement reinforcement from other areas, Mabek told group of government officials who came to pick and rushed him to his accommodation. We will talk. Let me go and rest," he said at Juba airport.

Military sources claimed fighters under the command of Maj. Gen. Puljang Mathews withdrew from Rubkona on Tuesday without their knowledge making it possible for the rebels to quickly penetrate parts of the town without facing any armed resistance.

It is still unclear whether the commanding officer remained on one part of the town fighting on the government side or withdrew together with pro-government troops.

Gordon Buay, spokesperson of the former rebel faction to which Maj. Gen Puljang belonged prior to accepting presidential amnesty and becoming part of the government-allied forces, clarified that the latter was within the area and did not defect.

"Puljang did not defect. What happened is a negligent from Bilpam because they failed to take ammunition to our forces in Bentiu," Buay told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He insistently the commanding officer was somewhere in Bentiu fighting for the government.

South Sudan's army (SPLA) spokesperson, however, said fighting was still continuing in Bentiu, despite the rebels and some government officials confirming it's recapture.

“The information we have from our forces on the ground is that fighting is still continuing. The rebels have attempted to penetrate the town through one part of the town but they are being pushed away," Phillip Aguer told reporters on Tuesday.

"Our forces are still inside the town fighting," he added, revising his earlier remarks that the SPLA repulsed a rebel attempt enter Bentiu town on Monday and controlled it.

Government forces have recaptured several rebel-held areas and border towns in recent months, closing off supply routes from neigbouring countries and securing the main artery leading west from Wau town, capital of western Bahr el Ghazal, via Mayom county to Bentiu.

(ST)

By Maiwen Dot Phoet

April 15, 2014 - Over the past month, reports received from sources on the ground in Abyei confirm the withdrawal of soldiers affiliated with South Sudan's army and police from villages where they were previously stationed. However, this withdrawal alone is not enough to achieve lasting peace in Abyei. Further steps need to be undertaken to find a lasting solution to the conflict, including the provision by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) of adequate protection for civilians in the Abyei area, the full implementation of all pending provisions outlined in the June 2011 agreement, and the resumption of community-based peace initiatives between the Missiriya and the Ngok-Dinka community.

According to a report released by the UN Secretary General on February 25, UNISFA reported the presence of 660 elements from South Sudan's army and police force around the villages of Noong and Makir. In late February and early March 2014, fierce clashes ensued between these forces and Missiriya militias along nomadic migration routes. In one deadly attack on March 1, over one hundred people were killed from the Ngok-Dinka community alone. Scores of families have been displaced from Abyei town and surrounding villages towards Agok town, south of Abyei. Missiriya militias have sustained fewer casualties and there are fears that Khartoum might take advantage of the crisis in South Sudan to support additional attacks in the area.

In March 2014, the Enough Project released an urgent policy alert for an immediate withdrawal of all unauthorized forces from Abyei under the June 2011 agreement, pointing out the critical need for a referendum and final status resolution in order to avert a resurgence of violent conflict between Sudan and South Sudan.

Recent reports from people on the ground in Abyei indicate the withdrawal of South Sudanese forces, at least from their previous positions around Makir and Noong. Mounting pressure on the Government of South Sudan by UNISFA has tempered prospects for renewed military confrontations in the Abyei area. Reportedly, a meeting held in Abyei between UNISFA and the Inspector-General of the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), General Pieng Deng Kuol, a member of the Ngok-Dinka community, resulted in assurances to withdraw forces loyal to South Sudan from the area. On the heels of the withdrawal of these forces, locals blamed armed Missiriya militias for perpetrating another violent incident targeting civilians in Nyinchuor village west of Abyei town.

The Ngok-Dinka community, which has long been exposed to series of violent attacks, needs additional assurances that they will not be targeted after the withdrawal of South Sudanese security forces. The congested nature of displacement in and around Agok town has forced many Ngok-Dinka families to return to northern Abyei to access land for farming and cattle-keeping. UNISFA should redouble its efforts to provide adequate physical protection to those returnees.

To make peace effective, UNISFA's efforts to demilitarize the Abyei area must be coupled with supportive actions that consolidate peace between the communities in Abyei. The annual Missiriya nomadic migration which started in October last year should also be secured and protected to avoid tensions with the embittered Ngok-Dinka community. While UNISFA's buffering policy has averted escalations in the past, there is still a need to engage both communities in direct dialogue and interaction. The AU committee, which was tasked to investigate the killing of the Ngok-Dinka Paramount Chief in May 2013, must now release its report to the public. When published, this report can be a foundation for a sincere reconciliation between the Ngok-Dinka and Missiriya people. UNISFA should also use its existing security committees to allow for direct interaction between the Ngok-Dinka and Missiriya people.

There are speculations by some observers that the issue of Abyei was discussed during the meetings of President Kiir and President Bashir in Khartoum last week. No official details have been released on what has been agreed upon with regards to the situation in Abyei. However, statements made by Sudanese officials suggest that the two presidents might have agreed to proceed with the implementation of the June 2011 agreement, which provides for the formation of joint administration and police in Abyei. The two governments must now work to reconvene the meetings of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, or AJOC, to discuss the modalities for stabilizing the security and political situation on the ground.

The international community must work to convince Khartoum to withdraw its forces from Diffra. The presence of these forces inside the Abyei area constitutes a clear breach of the June 2011 agreement. Additionally, the African Union and the United Nations must push for a sideline meeting between Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa to discuss recent developments in Abyei and the overall political status of the area. Knowing that Ngok-Dinka communities have voted in an informal community referendum in October 2013, the international community must now engage with Sudan and South Sudan to implement their legal obligations towards conducting an internationally supported referendum based on the June 2011 agreement. Without a clear plan to organize a final and binding referendum, the Ngok-Dinka community may continue to oppose the idea of forming a joint administration in Abyei.

Maiwen Dot Pheot is an Enough Project researcher based in Washington DC. He is also a member of the Ngok-Dinka ethnic group of Abyei. He can be reached through his e-mail maiwendot@gmail.com.

Letter to the Government of South Sudan on the ratification of the African Charter

H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit
President of the Republic of South Sudan
Juba, South Sudan

CC: Dr. Barnaba Benjamin Marial, Minister of Foreign Affairs
CC: Paulino Wanawilla Onango, Minister of Justice
CC: Lawrence Korbandy, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission
CC: Members of the Human Rights Committee, National Legislative Assembly

15 April 2014

Your Excellency,

We write to you as South Sudanese and international non-governmental organizations committed to the promotion and protection of human rights in South Sudan, to urge the Government of South Sudan to ratify the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter) in advance of the 55th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR), which will begin on 28 April, 2014.

South Sudan became a member of the African Union when it gained independence in July 2011. For almost three years, it has been the only member state of the African Union that is not party to the African Charter. In March 2013, the ACHPR issued a resolution in which it called on the Government of South Sudan to immediately ratify and domesticate the African Charter and other fundamental human rights instruments.

In the context of the current conflict, serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law have occurred, including attacks on civilians, looting and destruction of civilian property, and acts of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Prompt ratification of the African Charter would demonstrate the government's commitment to the improvement of the human rights situation in the country. Ratification of the Charter would also allow both the government and South Sudanese citizens to benefit from the attention and expertise of the members of the ACHPR on human rights issues.

In May 2013, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution approving seven regional and international instruments, including the African Charter. The National Legislative Assembly subsequently voted to ratify the African Charter in October 2013. We request that you complete the ratification process by assenting to the ratification of the Charter without further delay, and then ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs transmits the instrument of ratification to the African Union.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

• Amnesty International
• Assistance Mission for Africa (AMA)
• Citizens for Peace and Justice (CPJ)
• Institute for Promotion of Civil Society (IPCS)
• International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
• Kush, Inc.
• Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD)
• PAX
• South Sudan Law Society (SSLS)
• The ROOTS Project
• Voice for Change (VfC)

April 15, 2014 (JUBA) - The army in South Sudan's Western Bahr el Ghazal state on Monday vowed to promote and strengthen cooperation for peaceful coexistence among the population, citing its role as an institution set up to protect lives and properties.

SPLA soldiers drive in a truck in Juba December 21, 2013 (REUTERS/Stringer)

The move is viewed as part of efforts by the leadership of the army to regain the trust and confidence in the wake of wide spread criticisms arising from what is largely regarded as its poor working relationship with the general public.

The military, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, said a peaceful procession was staged from Griniti, its headquarters located west of Wau, the Western Bahr el Ghazal capital, through the main market to the state's general secretariat.

Maj. Gen. Manyok Barac, the SPLA 5th division commander in the area, said the army was out to demonstrate its willingness to participate in activities seeking to promote peace and tranquility.

“The procession was friendly and peaceful. The main message we wanted to pass was to our people and the government that the army is part and parcel of the people. It was also to demonstrate the magnitude of sport activities and cultural solidarity as a means of promoting immovability among our soldiers,” said Gen. Barac.

Also part of the march, he observed, were young girls and boys who were not part of the army, but had only shown interest in sport activities within his division.

As of 2013, the SPLA was reportedly organised into a 210,000-person strong army comprising 90 light infantry divisions and a small air force. At this time, however, South Sudan government was reportedly planning to reduce the size of its military.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

April 15, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) - The government of Djibouti says it has handed over 267 Eritrean prisoners of war to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), ending an incarceration that began in 2008, when the two neighbouring countries engaged in a territorial dispute.

The announcement on Monday comes after years of international campaigning led by Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE), an exiled Eritrean human rights organisation.

The human rights group had been calling for the immediate release of the prisoners arguing that the prisoners of war (POWs) were forcibly conscripted into the Eritrean army by president Isaias Afeworki's regime.

According to human right groups, most of the former Eritrean soldiers joined the army in order to deliberately surrender to Djibouti defense forces, hoping to secure refugee status in neighbouring Djibouti.

However Djiboutian authorities refused to free them, suspecting that they might be a threat to national security as the border row between the two East African neighbours remains unsettled.

"We have made them talk to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to facilitate their return to their country, and we're doing this despite the fact that we never heard of Djibouti's POWs,” Djibouti presidential adviser Najib Ali Tahir told reporters on Monday.

However an Eritrean activist, Yemane Bereket, who is based in Ethiopia, told Sudan Tribune that if they were returned to Eritrea the PoWs turned asylum seekers might face prosecution at home and called upon the UNHCR to resettle them to a third country for their safety.

Bereket said the Eritreans who were held as POWs opted to join the army as a means to escape political oppression at home including, extra judicial killing, forcible and indefinite national military conscription.

"They fled to escape the unjust and inhumane imprisonment at home only to end up in another prison" he said.

The Eritrean politician further urged Djiboutian authorities to release the remaining 19 Eritrean prisoners of war still kept in detention at at Nagad Detention Centre in Djibouti.

Some of those freed are said to have been military deserters.

Djibouti and the reclusive Red Sea nation of Eritrea engaged in two border wars in 1996 and in 1999 before their latest conflict in 2008 which led to officially breakdown of their diplomatic relations.

Eritrea accuses Djibouti of siding with Ethiopia, Asmara's longstanding rival.

In 1998-2000 Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bitter border war that killed an estimated 70,000 people.

(ST)

April 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) has said that the recent presidential decree on regulation of activities of political organisations poses restrictions on political parties and represents a throwback on promises to allow freedoms.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir issued a decree on Monday guaranteeing political parties the freedom to carry out public activities as long as they obtain prior authorisation.

The presidential decree requires political parties to to obtain permission to conduct activities in public, but it allows them to hold public meetings, rallies and seminars within their premises or headquarters without prior approval.

The NCF chairman, Farouq Abu Issa, told reporters on Tuesday that the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) doesn't have the right to regulate activities of political parties, noting that Bashir is the chairman of ruling party and has vested interest in curbing activities of other political parties.

He said that the NCF formed a legal committee to study the decree and issue a statement to the public opinion clarifying its dimensions.

Meanwhile the spokesperson of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP), Youssef Hussein, reiterated his party's call for annulling all laws restricting freedoms, saying it is the key for resolving the country's crises.

Hussein said the decree imposes restrictions on the activities of the political parties and demands them to obtain approval of the security authorities, underscoring the need to allow political freedoms.

He pointed to existence of conflicting views within the government.

The decree is thought to be part of a number of measures the president Omer Al-Bashir vowed to implement in order to guarantee freedom of expression and activities for the opposition parties before to engage in a national dialogue to end regional conflicts and adopt a new constitution.

Two opposition parties, the People's Congress Party (PCP) and the National Umma Party (NUP) have expressed support for the process, but insists on the need to ensure freedoms .

However, the opposition alliance which is supposed to gather all the opposition forces, still refuses to take part in the national dialogue before to release freedoms, and the formation of new national government.

(ST)

April 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) - The Sudanese government has sharply criticised the role of the regional block, the Intergovernmental Authority of Development (IGAD), in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, warning against gravity of the situation in the newborn state.

From left: IGAD's executive secretary Mahmoud Maalim, acting head of the South Sudan delegation, Makuei Lueth, IGAD special envoys Lazarus Sumbeiywo, Seyoum Mesfim and Mohamed Ahmed al-Dabi, head of South Sudan's rebel delegation Taban Deng hold a joint press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 6 January 2014 (Photo: AFP/Carl De Souza)

The state's minister at the Sudanese foreign ministry, Kamal Al-Din Saeed, in a statement before the parliament on Tuesday, described IGAD's approach to negotiations between the warring parties in South Sudan as “traditional” and doesn't take into consideration the special nature of the country, affirming it will fail to resolve the crisis.

"The crisis in Juba will not be resolved on the basis of the balance of powers or political equations", Saeel said. He further stressed that that IGAD must adopt different approach in dealing with the crisis in South Sudan.

The minister asserted that Khartoum is well placed to make proposals which accommodate the nature of the conflict in the newborn state, saying they suggest a comprehensive solution with the participation of all parties and the civil society.

WESTERN PROPOSITIONS

The Sudanese official revealed Western attempts to impose a proposal of forming a transitional government in Juba without the participation of Kiir and Machar to run the country in the coming period before to hold general elections.

"The West doesn't have a ready solution. It seeks to impose this proposal if it finds a suitable person to lead the transitional government and the appropriate manner to make him acceptable to all the parties", he added.

The two conflicting SPLM factions signed a ceasefire agreement in 23 January. However, the fighting continues on the ground, as the both sides accuse each other of violating the terms of the deal.

The warring parties are due to resume talks in Addis Ababa on 22 April, without the participation of the seven former political detainees.

The move followed threats by South Sudan to boycott talks if the group of seven were allowed to take part. It was also reported that the rebels accepted to negotiate without them.

INITIATIVE ON THE RENAISSANCE DAM

In a separate issue the minister announced Sudan will launch an initiative to converge views of Egypt and Ethiopia on the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project.

He stressed that Khartoum is making arrangements to host a joint meeting between Cairo and Addis Ababa at the political and technical levels to discuss the issue, denying that Sudan is taking the side of Ethiopia in this dispute.

Egypt fears that the $4.6 billion hydropower plant will diminish its share of the river's water flows, arguing its historic water rights must be maintained.

Ethiopia is the source of about 85% of the Nile's water, mainly through rainfall in its highlands, with over 90% of Egyptians relying on water from the Nile's flows.

(ST)

April 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Presidential aide Ibrahim Ghandour said he regretted that the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) had decided not to participate in national dialogue, which aims to discuss regional conflicts and ways to ensure democratic transition in Sudan.

Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour (Ashorooq TV)

“I hoped that the position of the Revolutionary Front would not be the rejection of dialogue,” he told reporters in Khartoum on Tuesday evening following a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Chinese Communist Party.

The rebels refused last Monday to participate in this political process saying the SRF doesn't reject the principle of dialogue for a comprehensive peaceful solution, but they want a dialogue based on a clear roadmap to “move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy”.

The rebels demand that the government meets all the SRF factions to discuss a humanitarian cessation of hostilities with them. Following this they propose a meeting brokered by the African Union and United Nations to sort out the mechanism of this dialogue.

UN special envoy Haile Menkerios expressed hopes that Sudanese rebel groups would seriously consider taking part in national dialogue.

Menkerios made his call following a meeting in Khartoum with the presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour to discuss the national dialogue and the upcoming talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North )SPLM-N) to end the conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The official also expressed hopes that the two parties will reach a dealing allowing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians in the Two Areas.

Menkerios said his meeting with Ghandour discussed the national dialogue and the step taken by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to create a conducive environment in the country, stressing the need for confidence-building measures in this respect.

He reiterated the United Nations support for president Omer Hassan al-Bashir's decision to make the party's internal process comprehensive and transparent.

(ST)