June 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour has disclosed that president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, will meet with the political forces which agreed to participate in the national dialogue in the next few days to discuss ways for pushing forward the process.

From left to right: Leader of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) Hassan Al-Turabi, Reform Now Party (RNP) head Ghazi Salah Al-Deen Al-Attabani, National Umma Party (NUP) Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi and second vice-president Hassabo Abdel-Rahman attend a speech by the president announcing a national dialogue initiative on 27 January 2014 (SUNA)

Rapprochement between the government and opposition parties has began to stumble following detention of the National Umma Party (NUP) chief al-Sadiq al-Mahdi last month.

The NUP and the opposition Reform Now Party (RNP) suspended participation to protest al-Mahdi's arrest and what they said was a government crackdown on political and media liberties.

Following al-Mahdi's release last week, the NUP suggested that it intends to set new conditions in order to resume participation in the national dialogue stressing the process cannot start from the point where it stopped prior to the arrest of its leader.

Ghandour, who spoke at a seminar in Khartoum on Sunday, said he will meet with Bashir in the coming hours to determine the date for the start of the national dialogue. He also acknowledged that the economic crisis was one of the reasons which forced his party to launch the dialogue initiative.

He pointed to the possibility for reaching understandings with the opposition on elections dates when the issue is discussed in the national dialogue, affirming that constitutionality of holding elections as scheduled is not a barrier to reaching an agreement.

The presidential assistant alluded to the possibility of postponing elections if the participants in the national dialogue agreed on that, refusing to make a connection between the recent amendments to the electoral law which allows small parties to be represented in the parliament and the national dialogue.

He said the government which will be formed following the national dialogue will organize the general elections, noting the amendments to electoral law were based on the recommendations submitted by the National Elections Commission (NEC) following a workshop that was held in coordination with the United Nations and the political parties in October 2012.

Ghandour said the amendments serve interests of the rising political parties not the major ones, criticizing opposition parties which refused to engage in the dialogue only after achieving democracy.

“If elections were not a democratic process, what is democracy in their point of view?” he wondered

Meanwhile, the former cabinet affairs minister, Mohamed Mokhtar, said the recent amendments to electoral law reduces the number of MPs who come from the geographical constituencies by 10%.

He underscored that those amendments has nothing to do with the national dialogue, emphasizing they were made within the framework of the constitutional process which requires making preparations eight months before elections date.

“If the national dialogue decided to delay the elections, the decision could be made in one day”, he said adding that he does not believe elections would be held on time if amendments to the electoral law were not made.

Sudan's general elections are set to be held in April 2015 but opposition parties threatened to boycott it saying the NCP holds absolute control over power and refuses to make any compromises to end the civil war and allow public freedoms.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition National Umma Party (NUP) warned the Sudanese government that it now faces two choices, either seek a political solution after making revisions to national dialogue process, or dismiss it and focus on the choice of a popular uprising.

Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, head of the National Umma Party, flanked by supporters as he leaves the state prosecutor's office in Khartoumon 15 May 2014 (ST)

At a meeting of its politburo on Saturday night, the NUP endorsed its leader al-Sadiq al-Mahdi's position on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and his view that security should be exclusively the task of uniformed forces and not militias.

Sudanese officials say the RSF is part of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) but operationally follows the army.

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

The militia was activated and restructured again in August last year under the command of 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.

Al-Mahdi was thrown in jail for almost a month after accusing the paramilitary unit of committing serious abuses against civilians in conflict zones. He was released after the NUP's Central Commission issued an appeal addressed to the prosecutors and justice minister downplaying its leader's remarks and asserting that is derived from complaints and claims "that are not necessarily all true".

The party's leader later defended the move, saying “it was not an appeal but a clarification procedure”.

In its statement, the NUP politburo called for an investigation into the alleged RSF abuses and bringing justice to the oppressed, "or else the international community will intervene, as happened before”.
In the same context, Bashir was quoted by a local newspaper on Sunday, as saying that "the supreme interests of the country and its national security is the ceiling at which the freedom of any individual ends, no matter how high their status is".

He challenged anyone to prove alleged violations by the RSF since operating in Darfur, adding that all breaches attributed to them that occurred in northern Kordofan "has occurred in circumstances known to the leadership all of which are now undergoing legal procedures”.

Sudanese authorities continue to hold the leader of the Congress Party Ibrahim al-Sheikh for criticizing the RSF. The arrests of party leaders and political activists coupled with closures and confiscation of newspapers cast a shadow on the national dialogue initiative launched by President Omer Hassan al-Bashir last January.

The NUP and Reform Now Party (RNP) of former presidential adviser Ghazi Salah al-Din al-Attabani have already suspended participation in the dialogue process over recent government crackdown on press and political liberties.

The NUP politburo said the required essential revisions include removing selectivity in dialogue and making it inclusive with the participation of all political forces and armed movements, putting a link between the political solution and the peace process, allowing for public freedoms and the abolition of laws restricting liberties and the release of all political prisoners.

The largest Sudanese opposition party called upon the international community, especially human rights organizations, to press for the release of the detainees and confirm their safety immediately. It also refused crackdown on the press and censorship aimed at covering up corruption and protecting the perpetrators.

The NUP also expressed dismay at the escalating suffering of the Sudanese people due to rising cost of living, declining economic indicators, and deterioration in all services, "at a time when public money is wasted by corruption". The party renewed its call to fight serious corruption through an independent commission.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan's ruling National Congress Party's (NCP) parliamentary bloc on Sunday tabled a draft bill to introduce amendments to the country's electoral law for approval.

The audience listens to Sudan's President Omer Hassan al-Bashir speaking during the opening of a new session of parliament on October 28, 2013 in Khartoum (AFP/Getty Images)

The head of the NCP bloc Mahdi Ibrahim said in press statements today that his party's political sector underscored the need for the national assembly to vote in its favor.

Ibrahim warned that the country could witness a state of chaos and lack of security if the new electoral law is not approved as soon as possible, stressing that holding the elections on time is a constitutional requirement.

He said these amendments will not prevent delay of elections once the government and the opposition agreed on the move through the ongoing national dialogue process.

Ibrahim also accused unnamed political forces of seeking to sabotage the national dialogue, noting the amendments were based on the recommendations submitted by the National Elections Commission (NEC) following a workshop that was held in coordination with the United Nations and political parties.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the parliament, al-Fatih Izz al-Din, announced they will invite the leader of the Popular Congress Party (PCP), Hassan Al-Turabi, and leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, to attend deliberations on the electoral law.

He added that all political parties will be invited to express their opinion on the amendments, noting that the move serves national interests and endorses effective participation.

Izz al-Din further said that the parliament seeks to ensure success of the national dialogue process, describing it as an important tool for resolving critical national issues.

He expressed optimism that the current conditions are more favorable than ever for creating state and federal legislative institutions with greater participation of most of the political forces.

The speaker also said they will hold workshops, hearings and dialogues with all political forces besides allowing the media to cover deliberations on the amended law, disclosing ongoing consultations on proposals to push forward the political process.

The Sudanese Council of Ministers on Thursday approved amendments to the elections law at a meeting chaired by First Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh.

Under the amended law, members of uniformed forces will be able to cast their ballots without being restricted to the three months period requirement of residency in the constituency.

The goal of the amendments, according to the spokesman for the Council of Ministers Omer Mohamed Saleh, is to accommodate the changes resulting from creation of new states. He noted that as a result, the percentage of proportional representation according to the draft bill went up from 40% to 50% with an increase in the minimum allocated for women from 25% to 30% and for the party representation list from 15% to 20%.

Saleh said in press statements this week that the bill amended the 2008 elections law in line with a study conducted by the National Elections Commission (NEC) based on the experience of the 2010 elections.

On Wednesday, Mustafa Osman Ismail, the NCP political secretary, said that the amendments are necessary to avoid a constitutional vacuum which opposition parties have warned of.

Last week, Sudan's presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour said that elections will most definitely take place as planned next year if opposition parties continue to refuse to engage in dialogue.

“When the elections commission announces election date, we will go ahead”, he said.

Sudanese officials in the past said 2015 general elections will proceed as planned irrespective of the national dialogue process.

Sudan's general elections are set to be held in April 2015 but opposition parties threatened to boycott it saying the NCP holds absolute control over power and refuses to make any compromises to end the civil war and allow public freedoms.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan Mashood Baderin received a report from the Sudanese Ministry of Justice about the protests of last September.

People look at burning cars during protests over fuel subsidy cuts in Khartoum September 25, 2013. (Reuters)

These demonstrations erupted in Sudan's major towns following a decision by the government to lift subsidies on fuel and other basic commodities, leading to calls for regime change.

At least 200 protesters died, 15 of them children, and more than 800 others have been detained. The government puts the death toll at 80 and accused Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) of involvement.

The country's attorney general Ahmed Mohammed Omer, told Baderin that legal procedures relating to incidents that took place during these protests is proceeding in accordance with the criminal procedure code.

Omer also informed Baderin that all cases under review in connection with the protests are registered with numbers that are known to their families. He called on all those who are in possession of information to communicate with the Ministry of Justice.

For his part, the head of the Public Prosecution office in Khartoum state Babiker Gashi affirmed the keenness of the justice ministry to establish the rule of law, stressing the continuation of investigations into the events of last September and that anyone implicated will be prosecuted.

Baderin asked Khartoum in his visit last February to present him with a report on September protests as soon as possible so he can submit to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) upcoming session next September.

The government referred the request to the two committees in order to prepare the report.

The UK ambassador in Khartoum Peter Tibber warned last April against trying to overlook the issue of the September victims in the ongoing national dialogue.

The families of the victims organize protests and vigils from time to time to demand the punishment of the perpetrators.

A Sudanese court acquitted a former army soldier three weeks ago accused of killing Sara Abdel-Bagi during the September protests.

The UN independent expert is scheduled to hold a press conference in Khartoum on Monday at the conclusion of his visit to the country.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

June 22, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The number of South Sudan refugees crossing borders to Ethiopia to escape running conflict at home has saw sharp decline, a UNHCR official told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

UNHCR country representative, Bornwell Kantande, said the influx has went down from an average of 2,000 per day last month to 1,200 this week.

However he said South Sudan refugees are still crossing Ethiopia's border in large numbers fleeing the fierce conflict that has continued for six months now.

He said newly arrivals were coming from South Sudan's Jongelie and upper Nile state and are crossing borders via three entry points.

The lately arriving refugees according to Kantande are crossing to Ethiopia due security and lack of food and water.

The decline was noticed following the recently cessation of hostilities agreement signed between the two SPLM rival factions, South Sudan government and SPLM in opposition group.

Leaders of the two conflicting parties on 23 May recommitted themselves to completely halt fighting and to form transitional government within 60 days.

Approached by Sudan Tribune some diplomats in Addis Ababa however doubt the two sides would form a unity government in less than two months and fear a possible slide into full scale fighting considering the less commitment seen by both sides in implementing previously reached agreements.

The UNHCR official however said he doesn't know if the decline in the huge influx of South Sudanese was due improved security situation attained following peace agreements.

He said the UN refugee agency was grateful for the Ethiopian government for opening its borders to the refugees and allowing aid agencies to operate freely.

He added UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF and other aid agencies required $ 200 million to assist the refugees till the end of this year.

Currently Ethiopia hosts 181,000 South Sudanese among whom 147,000 of them are those who fled to Ethiopia following the recent conflict.

South Sudan refugees are currently being sheltered at camps in Gambela region bordering South Sudan.

In the past few months Ethiopia was forced to open three new camps to cope up the increasing influx of refugees from the world's youngest nation.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (SYDNEY) – The Australia government has offered asylum seekers at immigration camps in Southeast Asia nearly $10,000 should they drop their refugee application status and allow to return home.

Australian authorities, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, were offering Iranians and Sudanese AU$7,000 if they dropped their bids for refugee status. Those from Afghanistan would reportedly get $4,000 while another AU$3,300 was earmarked for refugees from Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar.

The move has reportedly sparked off outrage from refugee campaigners who fear these asylum seekers could face persecution in their home countries.

However, under the previous labor administration, in office until last September, the payments were reportedly much lower, ranging from AU$1,500 to AU$2,000.

Meanwhile, the move by the Australian government has also been criticised by campaigners for refugee rights and the Australian Green party, whose leader Christine Milne called the payments "bribes", AFP reported.

Australia has toughened its policy on asylum-seekers in recent years, with those arriving on unauthorised boats now refused residency in Australia even if they are deemed refugees.

Since the policy was introduced, however, more asylum-seekers have reportedly chosen to voluntarily return to their country of origin while the number of people attempting to reach Australia by boat has dried up, with no boats arriving for six months.

In 2012, a study conducted by international policy research agency (STATT), found out that 90% of refugees from Sudan who arrived in Australia over the past decade wanted to return home.

Many of those surveyed said they experienced isolation and reported being discriminated against, particularly when it came to employment and housing.

(ST).

June 22, 2014 (JUBA) - A South Sudanese army (SPLA) general on Sunday made a rare admission of the preferential treatment accorded to Uganda troops fighting alongside the former, describing it as “a very expensive” military operation to maintain.

Troops from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) ride through the streets of Jonglei state capital Bor, on January 19, during South Sudan's internal conflict which erupted in mid-December (AP)

“The public has been made to believe [that] the ministry of defence or the command is the one that does not want to pay the soldiers on time. This is the impression of the message you get around in the public discourse. Yes, the public is right because there is no information about the details of the security cooperation agreement which has been signed with the government of Uganda, a high level military officer who part of the command of the government troops”, said the officer who preferred anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter.

“The cause of the delay of the payment is something even known by the president”, he added.

The army officer also disclosed that Ugandan troops were getting daily allowances paid once at the end of the month from the budget, resulting into delay in payment of the South Sudanese troops and purchase of supplies.

“There was separate budget for this operation. All the requirements for their upkeep in the country, like transport and maintenance of the weapons and the vehicles and equipment as well as military supplies like food, fuel and other operational expenses is shouldered by the government from our budget", he told Sudan Tribune.

"This is a very expensive operation, which I think the government will not sustain”, he added.

The army official further expressed disappointments with the delay in the payment and that the status of forces agreement signed between Uganda and South Sudan "wasn't worth anything" and was "even harmful because it creates a false sense of security to the country."

Uganda deployed a contingent of its army in the new nation days after violence broke out in its capital, Juba, between members of the presidential guards. The conflict later spread to South Sudan's Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states killing thousands with over a million displaced.

In March, however, East African regional heads of states at a summit held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, authorised the prompt deployment of a Protection and Deterrent Force (PDF) from the region to help restore peace and stability in the world's youngest nation.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (JUBA) - South Sudanese students studying at various East African institutions said calls for federalism in the new nation should be handled in accordance with citizens' demands.

South Sudanese students at their embassy in Kampala, Uganda (ST/File)

“We, the student leaders from the republic of South Sudan representing the ten states, having come together to hold friendly and soul searching deliberations after closely following recent discourse in our country, about the system of governance, agree to affirm our support to the choice of our people, specifically their popular demand of federal system", the students' body said in a 20 June statement.

Peaceful co-existence of various ethnic groups and unity in the country is paramount, they argued.

Acknowledging the challenges facing the country, the students urged the leadership to enforce unity and fight against divisions within the various communities.

"Our country was still young. Our borders with Sudan have not until now been demarcated. We still use Sudanese pipelines to export our oil to the international markets and the issue of Abyei has not been resolved", stressed the group's 20 June statement.

"These issues, among others, require strong leadership and unity and we cannot afford to divide our ranks again”, it added.

POPULAR DEMAND

Federalism, the students' body argued, was a system agitated for by South Sudanese and that president Salva Kiir acknowledged this while addressing lawmakers recently. The South Sudanese leader said citizens be allowed to decide on federalism other than imposing it on to them.

President Kiir observed that a federalism system was what southern Sudan demanded for from north Sudan during the Juba conference, held in 1947.

"This means it [federalism] is a popular demand and should therefore be treated as a red line and anybody who would temper with it would be the enemy number one" noted the statement.

“We call on our government to accept federalism and allow public debate so that the people decide the type of system they want instead of dividing people into proponents and opponent. Failing to come out and allow public debate will polarize the country and will encourage enmity”, it added.

The framers of South Sudan's 2011 transitional constitution avoided mention of federalism and instead opted for a nominally ‘decentralized system'.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese rebels led by the ex-deputy president, Riek Machar, have accused Salva Kiir's government of allegedly violating the Status Mission Agreement (SOMA) after two officers representing the rebels were prevented from flying to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Saturday to attend a training.

Military spokesperson for the rebels, Brig Lul Ruai Koang in a press release he issued on Sunday said the two officers, Col. Gathon Jual and Col. Daniel Gatbel, were detained at Juba airport, their passports confiscated and threatened for unspecified action against them.

The two officers are part of the joint Monitoring and Verification Team (MVT) in South Sudan and based in Juba to represent the rebels. They are assigned to Bentiu and Malakal, respectively, to monitor the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed between the SPLM/A in Opposition and the government.

Koang explained that their travel to Addis Ababa was organized by the chairperson of the MVT to attend the training.

“Preventing them from leaving for Addis Ababa where they were due to attend training on Monitoring Process contravened and contradicted government's own acceptance of the establishment of the mission with understanding that the MVTs will conduct verification under the guidance of the JTC through on-site monitoring and in accordance with the CoH,” Koang said in a statement.

The two officers, he said, were released by the security operatives at the airport only after the intervention of the MVT chairperson.

“In the light of uncalled for, unwarranted harassment and unnecessary security threats on the lives of our officers, the Military Leadership of SPLA (Opposition) calls upon IGAD to put more pressure on Kiir's regime to implement all aspects of SOMA in good faith before the movement takes unilateral measures to ensure safety of its members,” he warned.

ST

June 22, 2014 (KAMPALA) – Efforts to disseminate peace and reconciliation efforts among South Sudanese students have been hampered by lack of funds, the union's leader revealed Sunday.

Peter Nin Tut told Sudan Tribune that many students had dropped out of university as a result of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

“It is the role of students to engage people on peace”, said Tut, but added that it was an uphill task to achieve this without financial aid from government.

"If the money is released, then also we will be to highlight and give hope to the students to support peace in South Sudan,” he stressed.

Several of the students interviewed equally urged the country's leaders support their engagement in any-peace related initiative.

The union members also appealed to President Salva Kiir to fulfill his 2013 pledged to the students' body. The South Sudanese leader, while attending a graduation ceremony for Masters students promised a $200,000 donation to the union, but has so far released only $50,000.

Tut, however, believes students play influential roles in promoting peace among South Sudanese tribes, describing the youth as the nation's backbone.

"In this peace process, if we have capacity and if the government of South Sudan will understand our appeal, we will be able to conduct some conferences whereby the students can debate on certain matters bringing South Sudanese together,” said the union's president.

He encouraged leaders of the two warring parties in the South Sudanese conflict to respect the peace process and protect lives of innocent civilians.

Meanwhile, union's deputy president, Lual Jiel, told Sudan Tribune that tribalism was the monster dividing the people of South Sudan.

"As youth, we believe we have a big role to talk with each other in every part of the country,” said Jiel, adding, “But if I tell the government to support us financially, we will score for the unity of our people”.

The students' union in Kampala, he said, has been inspiring peace among students, despite the current conflicts in the country. The union leadership has reportedly also been working alongside the South Sudanese embassy in Uganda to ensure students' support for the government.

(ST).

June 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A court of appeal in Khartoum cancelled a death sentence issued last month against Meriam Ibrahim for apostasy, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Monday.

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim pictured inside Omdurman's Women's Prison with her two children, Martin (L) and newborn baby daughter, Maya

“The Court of Appeal in Khartoum North overturned a judgment of the trial court of Haj Yousef and issued a decision to release the prisoner Abrar Hadi Mohammed Abdullah (alias Meriam Ibrahim), after the pleadings submitted by her defence,” SUNA said.

Her lawyer later said that authorities released her from jail.

On 5 May, Haj Youssef court sentenced Ibrahim to to death by hanging and 100 lashes after convicting her on charges of apostasy and adultery.

Amnesty International said Ibrahim was arrested and charged with adultery in August 2013 after a family member reportedly claimed that she was committing adultery because of her marriage to a Christian South Sudanese man.

Under Sudan's Islamic Shari'a law, a Muslim woman is not permitted to marry a non-Muslim man, thus any such marriage is considered adulterous. The court later added the charge of apostasy when Ibrahim, who was raised an Orthodox Christian, asserted that she was not a Muslim.

(ST)

June 23, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – Mediators of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have announced indefinite adjournment of the Addis Ababa peace talks between the South Sudanese government and the rebels of the armed faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM in Opposition) over inclusivity crisis.

Face-to-face talks between the South Sudanese government and rebels in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, resumed on 13 January 2014, with a secured a ceasefire agreement signed later that month (Photo: AFP/Carl De Souza)

IGAD mediators on Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, announced that the 4th round of the peace talks which prematurely opened on Friday without the participation of the rebel group is “adjourned” until further notice in order to give ample time for further “consultations.”

The Friday round of talks only saw the participation of the government delegation, former SPLM detainees and civil society organizations from the government controlled areas as rebels boycotted.

On Sunday the rebel group led by the former vice president, Riek Machar, said they boycotted the “partial” and “premature” resumption of the talks on Friday, stressing that the selection process for other stakeholders such as the civil society organizations and faith-based groups was unfair and lacked transparency.

The rebels demanded that civil society organizations abroad including those in UNMISS camps in the country be represented, arguing that they were the victims whose views were important for a sustainable peace process.

IGAD on Monday reacted by adjourning the peace talks indefinitely, blaming the rebels for not participating.

REBELS ACCUSE IGAD MEDIATION OF BACKTRACKING

SPLM/A in Opposition has however criticized as “unnecessary” the decision by IGAD to adjourn the peace talks had they heeded to their concerns and corrected the selection process of other stakeholders.

They also said the two warring parties would have continued with direct talks while the selection process of the other stakeholders was being reviewed and corrected.

In a press release issued on Monday in response to the IGAD adjournment and signed by the deputy spokesperson for the SPLM/A in Opposition, Mabior Garang de Mabior, the rebels decried the Monday collapse of the peace talks, accusing IGAD of “backtracking” from the agreed agenda and framework.

“It looks as if the mediation has backtracked from the April 28th agenda and framework, and a new framework not agreed upon is being imposed on the warring parties,” Mabior alleged.

He said the mediators have undermined the spirit of inclusivity when they succumbed to the government's trick of presenting their handpicked institutions as the only credible civil society organizations to participate in the talks.

“The SPLM/SPLA fears that the mediation undermined inclusivity by presenting government sponsored institutions as credible South Sudanese civil society organizations,” he said.

Rebels in the past said they warned the mediators of the government's intention to spoil the inclusivity process, saying Juba was initially not happy with participation of civil society organizations in the peace process.

The opposition group said they accept the participation of the other stakeholders in a “consultative manner” as long as the selections for inclusivity were done fairly and transparently while the two main warring parties continued to directly engage each other in resolving the conflict.

Mabior challenged the decision by IGAD to adjourn the talks instead of allowing the two warring parties to continue to directly engage in the peace process.

“It is unfortunate that the mediation has decided to adjourn the mediation indefinitely as this will unnecessarily prolong the war and the suffering of our people,” he added.

It is not clear when the peace talks will resume amidst growing concerns that the two rival parties may resort to military activities against each other.

(ST)

June 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has accused the troika group comprised of Norway, United Kingdom and the United States of being biased in favor of the rebel groups.

Mustafa Osman Ismail

The NCP political secretary, Mustafa Osman Ismail, said the troika contradicts itself when it speaks of supporting the national dialogue while taking the side of the armed movements.

He criticized stances of some western countries, saying they seek to sabotage dialogue among Sudanese political forces.

Ismail, according to the government-sponsored Sudan Media Center (SMC) website, said that the troika's recent statement adopts the rebels' positions.

He called on the West to be part of the solution and not the problem.

“I'm convinced that the national dialogue is facing difficulties and part of those difficulties is the intransigence of the armed groups and leftist political parties”, he said.

The troika in a statement released June 10th expressed regret that Khartoum took actions of late that have enabled some to raise doubts about the sincerity of its call for national dialogue initiative.

“Most notably, the government continues to wage a war and target civilians in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and bears primary responsibility for intensifying the conflict in Darfur, where some 300,000 have been displaced this year ... Similarly, the government's restriction and increased repression of individual, political, and press freedoms limits the space necessary for a successful national dialogue; such a process will”, the statement reads.

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) had adopted the troika statement and called upon the UN Security Council (UNSC) to oblige Khartoum to commit itself to specific schedules and timelines to resolve the country's issues.

Ismail noted that the troika should have urged both the government and political parties which refused to participate in the dialogue not to obstruct the process.

“It would have been acceptable if [the statement] had mentioned it in that balanced way, however, the biased positions of the troika prevents it from taking this balanced position”, he added

He further called for adherence to dialogue as the only means for building Sudan's future, saying dialogue must not be tied to the will of a single party or individual because it is a national scheme which seeks to put an end to foreign interventions in the country's internal affairs.

The NCP official praised positions of China, African Union (AU), Arab League (AL), and the United Nations in support of the national dialogue.

Last January, Bashir called on political parties and armed groups to engage in a national dialogue to discuss four issues, including ending the civil war, allowing political freedoms, fighting against poverty and revitalising national identity.

He also held a political roundtable in Khartoum last month with the participation of 83 political parties.

The opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) boycotted the political roundtable, saying the government did not respond to its conditions.

Rapprochement between the government and opposition parties which agreed to participate in the dialogue has begun to stumble following detention of the National Umma Party (NUP) chief al-Sadiq al-Mahdi last month.

The NUP and the opposition Reform Now Party (RNP) suspended participation to protest al-Mahdi's arrest and what they said was a government crackdown on political and media liberties.

(ST)

June 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A court of appeal in Khartoum cancelled a death sentence issued last month against Meriam Ibrahim for apostasy, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Monday.

FILE - In this file image made from an undated video provided Thursday, June 5, 2014, by Al Fajer, a Sudanese nongovernmental organization, Meriam Ibrahim breastfeeds her newborn baby girl that she gave birth to in jail last week, as the NGO visits her in a room at a prison in Khartoum, Sudan (AP Photo/Al Fajer, File)

“The Court of Appeal in Khartoum North overturned a judgment of the trial court of Haj Youssef and issued a decision to release the prisoner Abrar Hadi Mohammed Abdullah (alias Meriam Ibrahim), after the pleadings submitted by her defence,” SUNA said.

Her lawyer later said that authorities released her from jail.

Ibrahim was convicted of apostasy on May 15th and sentenced her to death by hanging after refusing to revert to Islam. The court also sentenced her to 100 lashes for adultery as her marriage to a Christian man is considered invalid under Sudan's Islamic Shar'ia law.

Ibrahim, who was reportedly born to a largely absent Sudanese Muslim father, was raised according to her Ethiopian mother's Christian faith.

She has been imprisoned with her 20-month-old son, Martin, since her arrest in December of last year and gave birth to a baby girl in prison on May 27th.

The head of the woman committee at Sudan's National Commission for Human Rights (SNCHR), Meriam Takas, told Sudan Tribune following the court's decision that Omdurman Women's Prison authority received judicial order to release Ibrahim if she was not convicted in other crimes, stressing that the order referred both the death and flogging sentences.

Ibrahim's sentence drew widespread international condemnation, with Amnesty International calling it "abhorrent." The U.S. State Department said it was "deeply disturbed" by the sentence and called on the Sudanese government to respect religious freedoms.

The UK Prime Minister David Cameron told The Times that he was “absolutely appalled” when he learnt of the death sentence against Ibrahim and called for lifting the "barbaric" verdict.

However, earlier this month Sudan's foreign minister, Ali Karti, said at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Bonn that handling the case is governed by a legal appeal process to achieve justice to the satisfaction of all parties, stressing that the government does not interfere in judicial decisions.

Sudan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday that the court's decision came within the framework of the independence of judiciary and in fulfillment of the provisions of the law, constitution, and the bill of fundamental rights.

The statement pointed that Sudan faced unprecedented pressure campaign from governments, organizations, international figures, and the media, saying this campaign sought to push the government to interrupt the judicial process and ignore independence of the judiciary and the principle of the separation of powers.

It underscored that the government refused to intervene in the judicial process, noting they continued to remind the international community of the necessity to respect the judiciary and its rulings.

The foreign ministry considered the court decision an opportunity to remind the international community of the continued injustices against 35 million Sudanese people due to unilateral sanctions imposed on Sudan by the United States government since 1997.

It said those sanctions adversely impact importation of live-saving drugs, production inputs, and the development efforts in the country as a fundamental human right, adding that the sanctions also allows confiscation of assets belonging to Sudanese companies and individuals unlawfully which represents a gross violation for human rights and international law.

The statement called upon the same governments, organizations, and individuals who expressed concern and demanded release of Ibrahim to express solidarity with the Sudanese people against the unjust unilateral sanctions.

Amnesty international in a statement on Monday described the court's decision to release Ibrahim as “a step towards undoing the horrific injustice visited on her”.

“Today's ruling is a small step to redressing the injustice done to Meriam,” said Sarah Jackson, Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“However, she should never have been prosecuted. Meriam was sentenced to death when eight months pregnant for something which should not be a crime. Furthermore, her abhorrent treatment, including being shackled, violated international human rights law against ill-treatment.”

The rights group also said it will continue to urge the Sudanese authorities to repeal provisions that criminalize acts of apostasy and adultery so that nobody else in Sudan has to endure the same ordeal as Ibrahim.

The US state Department said today it welcomes the release of Ibrahim and called on Sudan to "repeal its laws that are inconsistent with its 2005 interim constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights".

"These actions would help demonstrate to the Sudanese people that their government intends to respect their fundamental freedoms and universal human rights. And as you know, this is a case we raised quite frequently with the government there and welcome today's news," deputy spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.

The Popular Congress Party (PCP), led by Islamist figure Hassan Al-Turabi, previously described the death penalty against Ibrahim as "a scandal, extremism, and intellectual backwardness”, saying there is no punishment for apostasy in Islam.

Kamal Omar, PCP's political secretary said at a press conference last week that freedom of belief is an asset of Islam, noting the death sentence against Ibrahim is a violation of the basic principles of Islam.

He emphasized that PCP leader and members are against the conviction of Ibrahim, describing the judge who issued the apostasy sentence as “ignorant”.

(ST)

June 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The National Umma Party (NUP) and the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) signed a joint agreement in the US emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive solution in Sudan that leads to a specific transitional period after which free and fair elections are held in which everyone can participate.

A fighter of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) (file/Reuters)

On Monday, the NUP in Khartoum distributed the text of the joint statement of the coordination committee consisting of JEM and NUP offices in the US. The agreement was signed by the deputy chief of the JEM bureau in the US Mohammad al-Hassan and his NUP counterpart Osman Abu-Janna.

According to the agreement, which was reached after extensive consultations, the two sides stated that a comprehensive and just solution must be preceded by a creating a favorable environment by undertaking measures such as stopping the war, abolition of laws that restrict freedoms and releasing all political detainees and POW's.

The signatories strongly condemned what they called "appalling abuses and atrocities" committed by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against civilians, and demanded the dismantling of the militia and prosecution of its leaders. They pledged to work together in all forums to detect and expose these abuses if it continues.

Al-Mahdi, who agreed to participate in the national dialogue called for by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir earlier this year, was arrested on May 17th for criticizing alleged crimes and atrocities committed by the RSF in conflict zones.

He was released this and state media said the move was done after al-Mahdi's lawyers appealed to the justice minister Mohamed Bushara Dousa to use his powers under article (58) of Sudan's penal code which allows him to stop criminal proceedings against any suspect at any point before being sentenced by a court.

It also carried a statement by NUP Central Commission stating that they support the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and said that what al-Mahdi mentioned regarding RSF is derived from complaints and claims "that are not necessarily all true".

However, al-Mahdi said in his prayer sermon last Friday that the Central Commission's statement was misinterpreted, adding that it was not an apology but “a clarification action”.

JEM and NUP also rejected any attempt to fragment solutions to the problem of Sudan "because it only prolongs the duration of the regime and leads everyone into the abyss”.

A similar agreement between the NUP and the Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) sealed this month angered authorities in Sudan.

Pro-government lawyers called for prosecuting the NUP Secretary General Sara Nugdalla for criticizing the judiciary in their joint statement and questioning its integrity adding that this move threatens security in Darfur and Kordofan states.

The NUP and the opposition Reform Now Party (RNP) suspended participation in the national dialogue to protest al-Mahdi's arrest and what they said was a government crackdown on political and media liberties.

(ST)

By David De Dau

June 22, 2014 - The current system under the Transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan acknowledges a decentralized system of governance. In order to shade light on decentralization system, it is defined as the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to intermediate and local governments or quasi?independent government organizations and/or the private sector. This is a complex, multifaceted concept that was adopted by the people of South Sudan.

On the other hand, Federalism is the form of governance in which (1) two levels of government rule the same land and people; (2) each level has at least one area of action in which it is autonomous; and (3) there is some guarantee even though merely a statement in the constitution of the autonomy of each government in its own sphere. For those governmental systems, which profess to be democratic, one might add another point: (4) each level of government has powers, which are delegated directly to it by the people. In other words, South Sudan actually meets the characteristics of a federation. Only a few more things are needed to be fix and it shall fully be a federal government.

Diversities are not to be considered as a burden but an asset that a country can build upon. Unfortunately, however, diversity is often considered by most politicians as a problem that a country like South Sudan has to accommodate. On the contrary, we need to consider diversities as an opportunity for South Sudan that is enriched by different languages, cultures, religions and traditions. Only if we are able not only to cope with and accommodate diversities will we contribute to a sustainable peaceful development.

The currently high debates about federal system visa vie Decentralized system for South Sudan is proving that South Sudan is still repositioning herself on the global stage of political and socio-economic stability. Having keenly observed and read more debates why federalism is an option or not for South Sudan is healthy for this country. The debates also show that South Sudanese are at least doing some re-thinking and re-discussing what is good for the people of South Sudan. Federal system is all about giving autonomous powers to a region or a state within a diversified united country. No Region or state in South Sudan has so far registered or claimed independence of one as fears skyrocket some members of the leadership in this country. This autonomy could as well be applied to the counties and payams depending on the constitutional frame work of South Sudan. If South Sudan is ready to accommodate diversity, autonomy could be used as a tool to accommodate diversities. Autonomy is feared and rejected with arguments that it prepares the way to secession, leads to disintegration, undermines harmony within the state, and creates important inequalities. Consequently autonomy is also regarded as an impediment to integration and instead systems of multi-ethnicity based on individual human rights are advocated in the belief that minorities will be to foster their special identities within the melting-pot or multi-ethnic system.

Yet perhaps the benefits are overstated, and some disadvantages may be lost to sight. For example, will the devolution of responsibilities in a federal system sacrifice values of equality and social justice, because of differences between rich and poor regions? Will those values and others be diminished when states and counties are given more power, because citizens of these limited regions may be less tolerant of minorities in their midst? The history of the U.S. South and the treatment of native peoples by Canadian provinces offer sobering examples. Will states and counties compete against each other in destructive ways, undermining the economic- development strategies of all?

However, it is sometimes thought that emphasis on the cohesive and exclusive nation state is the only way to manage conflict among distinct groups. Cohesion can be fostered, however, by processes emphasizing inclusiveness of all the different diversities. This inclusiveness must be based on the values of justice, democracy, tolerance, respect of diversity and rule of law that are not only accepted by all different ethnic communities but that establish for all communities a new and stronger identity making possible unity among the different communities.

Whoever explores these challenges will detect, however, that federations with the guarantee of strong autonomy for their constituent units have in fact had the opposite experience. Indeed, strong autonomy has often fostered the real accommodation of diversities because unity can only be sustained on the basis of mutual respect and tolerance. If we; the citizens feel at home and secure within our regional and local communities, then we may be more willing to also to identify ourselves as citizens of the larger federation. Both the politician and the people will be convinced of the win-win benefit from being part of a federal system. They can both foster their identity within the constituent unit and profit from the advantage of the bigger state through cooperating in the shared rule with other diversities at the central level of the federation.

Autonomy is majorly the principle of self rule. In this sense regional autonomy is the right of a constituent unit in a state to rule on the issues within its constitutional competences. Constituent units may have self rule with regard to their own constitution-making and thus have their own constitution relating to their own legislative, executive and judicial powers. With regard to the content of regional autonomy, there are different varieties and degrees of decentralization as currently featured in the current Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. For instance, the member states of European Union consider legislation is ruled by the European Union. Hong Kong is under the sovereignty of China but has its distinct legal system. Greenland belongs to Denmark but is not a member of the European Union. On the other hand, the federal units in the Russian Federation or in Austria have less autonomy than autonomous regions in the Unitary but decentralised system of Sweden.

Autonomy, in order to accommodate different diversities can be provided in different ways. A unitary system can decentralize, by central legislation and assigning special competences accommodating the particular demands of different regions with regards to their vital interests. In such a system autonomy depends totally on the whim of the majority in the central legislature. In states where particularly minorities desire stronger autonomy and devolution, some constitutional guarantees with regard to the autonomy granted are indispensable to protect minorities. In federal systems the distribution of powers is generally defined by the constitution. Thus, the constituent units enjoy constitutionally guaranteed legislative, executive and judicial powers. Furthermore, through their constitutional autonomy they can in addition also accommodate local diversities by internal decentralization granting autonomy to their municipalities.

Most important with regard to autonomy is the allocation of financial resources. In fact real autonomy is only possible when the autonomous units can also levy their own taxes and have the ability to finances, it is of utmost importance, nevertheless, that financial inequalities among the different autonomous units are equalised by special tools for fiscal equalization since financial disparities can be corrosive. Such equalization is politically feasible, however, only if there is a minimum solidarity among the different autonomous units.

With regard to the challenge of diversity, regional self rule and autonomy is, together with the shared rule principle, the most important structural tool to accommodate different diversities within a country. The various diverse groups can foster their own culture and identity if they have a measure of autonomy. In a federal system different communities are able within the overarching federation to enhance their own interests based on their special identities by enjoying at the same time both the advantages of profiting from being members of the superior federation and retaining their cultural development.

Diversities should not be tolerated only as a special burden by the majority. Diversities in fact enrich national policies with additional values. Only by granting autonomy, which can foster the diversities and the different identities, are federations able to profit from this enrichment. By providing autonomy to different communities a federation both builds on and fosters the diversities. By enhancing diversities it enables all the citizens of South Sudan to feel at home within their motherland. South Sudan is challenged and is enriched by its diversities has to build on these diversities. This again requires that the diversities are given the possibility to develop according to their own ideas, values and interests. Only when the diversities are able to define who they are and build on their own self-consciousness are they able to cooperate on a basis of partnership with other diversities and thus contribute to the added value of one strong and diverse nation.

Should the current South Sudan's Decentralized system fail to be transformed, this may be another uphill task for the government of the day to implement her activities, provide security and keep law and order. Should transformation take place into a federation, then the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) should and ought to constitutionally rename itself as the Federal Republic of South Sudan (FRSS) or Government of the Federal Republic of South Sudan (GFRSS). Without fear or prejudice, the president of the Republic of South Sudan is defending one of his core mandates to protect the constitution which he swore to the people of South Sudan to pay his allegiance and to protect it. Under the demand of the electorates of South Sudan, the president would not be a hinder but to accommodate their diversities. It was one of the SPLM/A war principles in 1983 and even before to see the then Khartoum government have an inclusive government and federation was one the pre-echoed principles of the former Sudan civil war.

However, the people of South Sudan have several choices to make when it comes to what kind of system of governance they want. There are many options in regard to what kind of governance South Sudan wants. There are equally other territorial federal options that include three former regions of Bhar el Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile to form federal regional governments and get rid of the state governments. South Sudanese regional nationalism seems to have taken lead over national nationalism. This act alone automatically portrays South Sudan as Federal by nature of seeing things rather than enforcing divided nationalism. The second option is to strengthen the current ten states of South Sudan and give them federal powers where there are only ten federal states but with no more regional groupings as it appears in the case of Bhar el Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile regions which are contemporarily called Greater regions that are not even constitutional. The third option is to get rid of the current ten states and form a government of 80 counties that will directly deals with the federal central government. The last and not by means the least option is to have Federal Republic of South Sudan that accommodates all the four levels of governments that include National or Central government, Federal Regional governments, State governments and County governments.

In the later government, each of the regional government will have powers that will enable them run their government. The federal central government may be directly in charge of national security, bi-lateral relations and investments, federal roads, and may have concurrent powers with the Regional, state and county governments. The geographical areas of jurisdiction must be well defined by the federal and other levels of constitutions.

The main aspiration of a free country is liberty. A functional government has to provide security for the citizens in order to enable them to pursue their happiness in the liberty. South Sudan with such diversities needs not only to seek individual liberty for all its citizens, but also to look for peace among the different communities. Besides individual freedom, peace among communities is one of the main goals to seek in a multi-cultural Country. In order to promote peace among the different groups, federal political systems can provide special tools to facilitate the reduction of overpowering nationalism and emphasize multiple loyalties. Moderating nationalism is made possible by providing autonomy for the different communities on a territorial or personal basis. The Swiss experience with direct democracy in addition reveals that decision-making through direct democracy in most cases moderates nationalism. Voters are usually less induced by nationalistic feelings, tending to seek more of their personal rather than ethnic interests. Party systems which include different diversities within individual parties or coalitions are additional tools for reducing the intensity of regional nationalism.

The author can be reached at : daviddedau@gmail.com

June 23, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir is currently attending the 23rd ordinary session of the African Union summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the presidency said.

South Sudan's Salva Kiir addresses the media in Juba May 2, 2013 (Reuters/Paul Banks)

The summit, held under the theme, Agriculture and Food Security in Africa, will reportedly build on a series of consultations, bringing out critical agro-industry issues aimed at translating political commitments into concrete actions, and accelerating agricultural transformation as an engine for inclusive growth and private sector investment in agriculture.

The 23-24 June meeting, will also address the security and political situation in the region; the political and security situation in South Sudan, Central Africa Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo and re-admission of Egypt to the AU, among others.

The United Nations secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon and the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy Brey were invited as special guests at the summit, also attended by AU heads of state and government delegations, other observers, partners and the media fraternity.

The summit will later be preceded by the 25th ordinary session of the executive council and the AU assembly meeting scheduled from 26-27 June.

(ST)

June 23, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The editor in chief of al-Saiha newspaper Yasser Mahjoub Hussein told his staff on Monday that authorities will allow them to resume publication and that a formal decision is expected to be made on Tuesday.

Al-Saiha newspaper Logo (mugrn.net)

He told journalists to get ready to get back to work by next Sunday at the latest.

On May 17th, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) ordered the suspension of al-Saiha newspaper after it published stories on corruption at the justice ministry. The famous amongst which was the corruption accusation against the current undersecretary of the justice ministry, Esam al-Din abdel-Gadir.

According to local reports, 13 journalists working for al-Saiha have been charged and are being prosecuted for their writings.

The suspension decision was made under the direct orders of NISS's director, Mohamed Atta Abbas al-Moula.

The Sudanese minister of information Ahmed Bilal Osman said at the time that the NISS has the legal right to suspend al-Saiha and any media raising confusion and dissension in the country.

Hussein and the newspaper's owner al-Tayeb Mustafa, who is president Omer Hassan al-Bashir maternal uncle, held a meeting with NISS officials in which they were informed about imminent lifting of suspension.

According to a senior NISS official there were “good indications” followed the meeting.

The al-Saiha editor in chief told Sudan Tribune previously that authorities are deliberately trying to punish them through the daily summoning of newspaper's staff including chairman of the board and senior editors.

He disclosed that the newspaper suffered heavy financial losses due to the suspension in the amount of 30,000 pounds a day in addition to the moral loss of being unable to reach their readers.

Sudanese journalists work under tight daily censorship controls exercised by the NISS.

Journalists say that confiscation and suspension of newspapers is a commonly used practice by the local authorities to overburden the newspapers with financial losses alongside other non-financial pressures.

NISS recently intensified its crackdown on press in the country accusing them of crossing the red lines through publishing reports which adversely impact the national security.

On May 19th, the Sudanese presidency delivered a firm warning to media outlets on its coverage of certain items that poses a danger to national security and the country as a whole.

(ST)

June 23, 2014 (BOR) – The finance ministry in South Sudan's Jonglei state has unveiled plans uplift the business sector in order to improve revenue generation.

Already, officials disclosed, the state that government has plans to renovate Jonglei state water factory, which was destroyed during the late December violence in the region.

The minister of finance on a visit to the factory in Bor, June 17, 2014 (Photo: Mamer Kur)

“The factory has spent over 50,000 SSP [South Sudanese Pounds] on repair of broken machines and to buy stolen parts of the machines”, revealed the acting factory manager, Nyok Guguei.

Full production, he however said, would immediately resume once the missing equipments are obtained.

The state government owns 51% shares in the water plant, which was established by Joint Access Kilobytes two years ago. The facility provides clean bottled water to citizens at affordable rates and generates revenues.

Last year, Jonglei state reportedly witnessed a rise in state revenue collection, owing to its rapidly improving medium and long term business ventures. Sadly, however, the state lost almost 90% of its revenues when opposition forces controlling the state destroyed most existing facilities.

Before the recent conflict, Bor town was developing slowly as the capital of South Sudan's largest state following the signing of the 2005 peace deal with Khartoum, which ended the over two-decade civil war leading to its independence in July 2011.

Much of the town was, however, destroyed in the recent fighting, which saw the strategic town change hands four times between the opposition and pro-government forces.

(ST)

June 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Central Darfur governor, Jaffar Abdel Hakam, on Monday sacked a number of Salamat and Misseriya dignitaries from the leadership of their respective Native Administrations following the resumption of hostilities between the two sides last Saturday.

Abdel Hakam argued that the dismissed tribal leaders failed to curb violence and to implement reconciliation agreements previously signed by the two groups.

The governor warned in statements to the government sponsored SMC that he would take tough legal measures against those who are involved in any new fighting in his state.

He further stressed that the state government will devote its efforts to deal with the outlaws and root out the conflict between the Misseriya and Salamat through the activation of agreements concluded by the two tribes.

He also pointed to the existing cooperation and coordination between the authorities and native administrations to maintain security and stability.

Dozens of people were killed last Saturday from both sides when Misseriya gunmen raided a Salamat cattle camp in Muradaf at Um Dukhun county near the Chadian border.

A Salamat tribal leader blamed the security forces in the area saying they didn't intervene to prevent the attack.

According to government reports, more than 1000 people were killed and over 500 wounded in a series of attacks and revenge attacks between the two Arab tribes over cattle theft .

The clashes also displaced thousands of people who fled into Chad, the state capital Zalingei, and the capital of South Darfur, Nyala.

(ST)