August 14, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has removed Pibor county commissioner Joshua Konyi following the establishment of a new administrative area headed by the former rebel David Yau Yau.

The South Sudan government delegation and their SSDM/A Cobra faction counterparts after sigining a final peace deal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 9 May 2014 (ST)

The executive order issued on Wednesday did not cite any reasons for relieving the commissioner, although presidential sources say the measure was meant to allow the new chief administrator to decide on who should be in his cabinet.

The presidential order broadcast by the official South Sudan Television (SSTV) went into effect on 12 August, the same day Yau Yau was sworn in as chief administrator for the Greater Pibor area.

The swearing-in-ceremony before Kiir was attended by chief justice Chan Reec Madut and the minister in the office of the president, Awan Guol Riak.

Konyi who is also a brigadier general in the South Sudanese army (SPLA) will now be reinstated to active military service.

Yau Yau was officially appointed on 30 July as chief administrator of the Greater Pibor area following a peace agreement signed by the South Sudanese government and Yau Yau's South Sudan Democratic Movement Cobra faction on 9 May.

GOVERNOR TO KEEP CABINET

Speaking to the members of his cabinet at South Sudan Hotel in Bor, Jonglei, governor John Kong Nyuon announced that he would keep the current state government officials from Pochalla and Pibor counties till he receives new directives from Juba.

The governor reacted to calls for the removal of the greater Pibor constitutional post holders from the state administration.

“Better you have to wait, and see what the government will do. It is not for you to say what will be done, the government knows what to do and when,” said Nyuon.

“There are people beating drums in Juba, and now they want us to join them, that cannot happen. We have constitutional post holders from Pibor with us, if Pibor is completely detached from Jonglei politically and administratively, we will be informed by Juba,” he added.

“I know all of us had heard about this agreement, but we did not understand it. The main thing is that we want peace in the country,” the governor said.

In accordance with the peace agreement brokered by the South Sudanese church a special territorial administration called Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) will be established in Pibor enabling the Murle ethnic group to manage their area.

During peace talks, the government chief negotiator, Canon Clement Janda, said the Administrative Area will be based on the principle of decentralisation of government in the country.

He further said the National Legislature shall determine legal position of the area and ensure proper implementation of the agreement.

The South Sudanese parliament ratified the peace agreement on 26 June.

“The establishment of Greater Pibor Administrative Area [will] be done purely on administrative rationale is a healthier measure to address quite amicably the grim development failures that have endured the area,” party reads the resolution unanimously adopted by the MPs.

Jonglei state government encompasses several members from Pibor, including the deputy governor, finance minister and minister of gender child and social welfare.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A leading ruling National Congress Party (NCP) official said that the party is leaning towards re-nominating president Omer Hassan al-Bashir for a new term in the April 2015 elections.

Mohamed al-Hassan al-Amin, member of NCP leadership council, said that most of the party grassroots conferences recommended picking Bashir as their candidate.

“All indicators point towards having Bashir as the party candidate,” al-Amin said.

The NCP official also emphasised that internal and external factors require the retention of Bashir in power, pointing to what he called threats and the international war on political Islam of which Sudan is considered to be adopting as well as other political commitments.

In recent years, Bashir has asserted that he will not run for a new term and went on to say that he spent enough time in power and that the country needs new faces.

But later he backtracked by saying it is up to the party's institutions to decide on the 2015 presidential candidate and that he will respect their decision.

Bashir who ruled the country since staging a military coup in 1989, faces an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) which has restricted his international travels and his meetings with western officials.

His health has also came into question recently after undergoing two throat surgeries in 2012 to remove a tumor and two knee replacement surgeries this year.

The 70 years old leader has also recently started delegating more of his domestic and international appearances to his 1st VP Bakri Hassan Saleh.

In a related issue, al-Amin rejected demands made by the National Umma Party ( NUP) and Popular Congress Party ( PCP) to postpone elections.

The National Elections Commission ( NEC) said the two parties made the requests on the grounds that they need to prepare financially for the polls.

But al-Amin said they will not allow for a constitutional vacuum and stressed that they will not form a transitional government as opposition demands.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the state security prosecution office Yasir Ahmed Mohamed disclosed that the jailed chief of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) Ibrahim al-Sheikh has been moved to a new prison in West Kordofan after returning from Khartoum where he was admitted into hospital in light of his health's deterioration.

Leader of the Sudanese Congress Party Ibrahim al-Sheikh (Al-Sudani)

Al-Sheikh has been held by Sudanese authorities since last June after speaking at a symposium in West Kordofan's state capital of al-Nuhood in which he denounced the government militia known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and accused its fighters of committing abuses against civilians in conflict zones. He faces charges that could hand him the death penalty if convicted.

The prosecutor said that after completion of the investigation and compiling evidence that establishes the charges against al-Sheikh, he was evacuated to hospital in Khartoum at his request after complaining of health issues.

He noted in statements to state news agency that physicians decided to perform surgery on al-Sheikh but that the latter refused.

The opposition leader has reportedly insisted on picking his medical team stating his concern for his safety if he was to allow doctors selected by authorities to perform surgery on him.

“As any surgery is subject mainly to the desire of the patient, medical authorities decided to discharge him from the hospital and return him to where he came from, so police authorities and prosecutors decided to send him to Fula prison with the same security guards who came with him,” Mohamed said.

Sati' al-Haj, one of al-Sheikh's lawyers, expressed deep concern on Wednesday about his client's situation after being returned to jail without receiving treatment thus putting his life at risk. He held the justice minister, Mohamed Bishara Dosa, responsible for not promptly referring al-Sheikh to court.

He stated that al-Sheikh is being kept at the office of the director of Fula prison due to the lack of cells that that befits his health situation.

But the prosecutor asserted that al-Sheikh's health condition is now stable and that he will face court within the next two days.

Al-Sheikh reportedly suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, severe colon infection and hemorrhoids requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Al-Haj said he was holding back tears after meeting al-Sheikh in hospital and seeing his poor health situation adding that he looked frail and lost so much of his weight.

He declared that he will send a formal letter of complaint to the attorney-general, Omer Ahmed Mohammed, that the prosecution has become a dishonest adversary after dragging their feet in moving the case to court.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan's rebel faction the SPLM in Opposition led by the former vice-president Riek Machar has asked that it be able to take part in the upcoming summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), saying its presence was important for resolutions on South Sudan.

South Sudan rebel chief Riek Machar attends the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on June 11, 2014 in Addis Ababa - (Photo AFP/Zacharias Abubeker)

IGAD heads of state and government who mediate the peace process between president Salva Kiir's government and rebels are due to meet on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to discuss the situation in South Sudan and decide on what further measures to take.

The summit comes in response to the failure by the two warring parties to conclude a peace agreement in accordance with the 60-day ultimatum which IGAD imposed on 10 June and elapsed on 10 August.

President Kiir's government takes part in the regional summit.

The rebel group however said it was important for their party to participate in the discussions and resolutions on South Sudan, criticising the regional body for passing disputable resolutions in the past in their absence.

“The leadership of SPLM/SPLA reiterates the need to participate in IGAD summits which discuss the situation in South Sudan. It is unfortunate that IGAD passes resolutions in favour of one party because SPLM/SPLA is not provided with an opportunity to tell our side of the story,” said Machar's spokesperson James Gatdet Dak in a press statement issued on Thursday.

He said the opposition group had the right to dispute any controversial resolution IGAD may pass without their presence.

“IGAD cannot commit SPLM/SPLA to their resolutions where the Movement has no presence. We therefore want to be participant in the upcoming summit,” he added.

Dak said by time the press statement was issued, the SPLM in Opposition had not yet received any official communication from IGAD regarding the expected summit, despite an earlier request made to the regional body to consider their participation.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (JUBA) – The regional bloc (IGAD) mediating peace talks between South Sudan's warring leaders has called for imposition of tougher actions against parties blocking the process.

African leaders at the IGAD heads of state and government meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday, December 27, 2013 (Photo: Moses Lomoyat)

The calls came during Wednesday's extraordinary IGAD Council of Ministers meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ethiopia's foreign minister, Tedros Adhanom chaired the one-day event, where the mediators briefed IGAD member countries on the progress so far made in South Sudan peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

“It was a successful meeting. You know that peace talks which have just resumed were adjourned at the request of the mediators for consultation with IGAD heads of state whose countries are playing an active role in the peace process,” South Sudan's foreign minister, Barnaba Marial exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

“The main issue was the demand of the SPLM in opposition. It was first about the issue of representation and later came up demanding bilateral discussion with the government, which contravenes the June 9th communiqué of the IGAD heads of state that calls for participation of all the stakeholders in the negotiation, explained

According to the minister, the contentious issue of the representation was resolved and peace talks have now resumed.

“The ministers have agreed unanimously that the problem was caused by the refusal of the SPLM/A-in-Opposition to participate in the talks despite the agreement it had signed and they agreed that tough actions be taken against those blocking the peace process,” stressed Marial.

“On our part, we are committed to ensuring that this conflict is brought to an end through peaceful dialogue,” he further assured.

The United States secretary of state, John Kerry has strongly condemned the failure of South Sudan's warring parties to meet a deadline to reach a peaceful settlement to end the eight-month-long conflict.

Kerry, in a statement issued on 11 August, denounced the delay of the parties to meet their commitment, saying neither party engaged in peace talks seriously.

“Along with my troika colleagues from Norway and the United Kingdom, we condemn these failures,” he said. “This is an outrage and an insult to the people of South Sudan. Their leaders are letting them down again and again,” he added.

He further called on IGAD and the African Union to take the “appropriate action” saying the African leaders have previously called for punitive measures, if the parties failed to secure peace by the agreed deadline.

We're well past the point where enough is enough,” he further stressed.

A 31-member delegation from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday visited the South Sudan capital, Juba and met president Salva Kiir, government officials and civil society activists.

Mark Lyall Grant, the Britain's permanent representative to the world body, clearly stated that the Security Council was ready to consider "all appropriate measures" against those undermining peace, stability and security in South Sudan.

“There would be consequences for those who try to undermine agreements that are reached in the Addis Ababa talks,” he stressed.

Grant, the UNSC president for August, also talked to opposition leader, Riek Machar via video link, but described the engagement as "disappointing.”

"We did not hear much from them that gave us hope that there will be rapid agreement,” said UK envoy, adding that both leaders had admitted there was no military solution to the country's eight-month old conflict.

“We underlined a very strong message that there will be consequences for those who undermine the peace process that is not willing to put aside their personal agendas in the interest of the people,” added Grant.

The Security Council members also met with the IGAD ministers on Wednesday in the Kenyan capital to discuss the next possible steps to be taken.

(ST)

August 15, 2014 (JUBA) – Heavy fighting erupted on Friday between South Sudan army (SPLA) and rebels in Unity state, with the latter accusing pro-government forces of attacking their positions in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

South Sudanese rebel troops loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar stand on guard in Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 after recapturing the strategic town from government troops (Photo: Reuters)

The rebel spokesperson, Peter Riek Gew told Sudan Tribune that fighting started at dawn in Guit, Kaljak and Kuergueyni areas of the oil-rich state.

"We surprised this morning when the SPLA attacked three of our position in Unity state. This is a very clear signal that the government was not committed to the peace talks," Gew said by satellite phone.

"The battle is now around the main capital, Bentiu pushing the SPLA troops away from three attacks on our position this morning to Maan Kuach, 3 km west of Bhar main military barrack in Rubkotna county and Thowmangor, [located] 4 km south of Bentiu town," he added.

The rebel spokesman accused government troops of mistreating innocent civilians in its controlled areas, an allegation Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.

"We are ready to fight them if this is their plan to attack us. Meanwhile our leaders are currently engaged in peace," he stressed.

The rebel military spokesperson, Brig. Gen Lul Ruai Koang further claimed the “long awaited” government offensive operations against rebels had started east and south of Bentiu as well as around Ayod in Unity and Jonglei states respectively begun at dawn.

“This is totally unacceptable development and the blame squarely lies at the [president Salva] Kiir's door steps,” he said in a statement issued Friday.

The two warring parties have repeatedly traded accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement signed on 23 January and re-committed to on 9 May in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The South Sudanese army spokesperson was not readily available for a comment.

NO MILITARY SOLUTION

On Tuesday, Samantha Power, the United States special envoy to the United Nations said the Security Council was concerned over reports that arms were being brought in to South Sudan, stressing that there was no military solution to the young nation's conflict.

“The council has made it very clear that it is prepared to impose consequences if there continue to be spoilers, if there continue to be people carrying out gross violations of human rights, United states ambassador to the united nations,” said Samantha.

“We will not tolerate violation of the cessation of hostilities and people who spoils peace agreement. We have delivered that message here and we will deliver it to Riek Machar,” she stressed.

The US secretary of state, John Kerry on Monday accused both sides of failing to commit to the peace process, a day after they failed to meet the 60-days ultimatum to form a transitional government.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese rebels leader Riek Machar says president Salva Kiir has lost all creditability to lead a transitional government of national unity, accusing him of being liable for the killing of civilians at the genesis of the country's crisis.

Machar told China's Talk Africa on Thursday that he doubted whether the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is facilitating peace talks between the two warring parties, would be able to deliver a lasting political settlement.

“The mediation group set 10 August to be [the] deadline for peace talks, but [you can] see now they have pushed another time for mediation. To me I do not see any peace to be achieved because of the weakness of IGAD mediators,” the former vice-president said.

He also said it would be hard to achieve a final peace deal with president Kiir due to his alleged role in the deaths of up to 20,000 civilians in the capital, Juba.

In his interview for China's CCTV broadcast in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Machar said IGAD countries should have applied more pressure on the government to restore peace in the young nation.

“It is hard to leave out the root causes of [the] crisis and the recent wound created by president Kiir himself for ordering [the] killing of thousands of people in the national capital, Juba,” said Machar.

Machar denied that he was an obstacle to peace, blaming the Kiir administration's rigid approach to negotiations for stalling the peace process.

Echoing recent comments while a visit to Khartoum, Machar said Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya remained the most legitimate and trusted IGAD countries, adding that they could potentially play an important role in resolving the crisis in South Sudan.

Machar stressed that the root cause of the conflicts and the killing of innocent civilians in Juba must be addressed by IGAD mediators in order for national reconciliation to move forward, calling for fresh elections in the country.

The rebel leader said Kiir had lost the respect of the people due to his role in inciting the killing of civilians and that he had no programme to unify the country.

“People will contest, a new president will come. It could be me or somebody else in [a] democratic election. What would Salva [Kiir] present to the people as the programme to unite the people? He committed genocide, he committed mass killing – what programme would he talk about? Nothing,” he said.

Pro-Machar rebels and troops loyal to the government have been engaged in an armed struggle since conflict erupted in the country in mid-December last year following a political rift in the country's ruling party (SPLM).

Thousands have been forced to seek refuge in UN camps, while many more have fled to neighbouring countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Some 1.3 million people in some of the worst conflict-affected area are facing food insecurity as aid agencies warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe.

On a recent visit to the country, the UN Security Council (UNSC) condemned the ongoing conflict, warning both warring parties to fully engage in dialogue or face serious consequences.

(ST)

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

August 14, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia's ministry of defence announced on Wednesday that it had reached an agreement with its Sudanese counterpart to establish a joint military force which would operate under the same command.

An Egyptian farmer stands by his cow as it takes a drink from the Nile. Egypt fears a massive Ethiopian dam project will ultimately diminish its historic water rights (Photo: Reuters)

The military agreement was reached on Tuesday during the11th Ethiopia-Sudan joint defence ministerial meeting held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia's defence minister, Siraj Fegessa, told reporters that the joint force will be operational by the end of September.

Forces will be deployed on eight fronts along the two countries' common border with the aim of ensuring border security, boosting economic cooperation and allowing the two countries to carry out joint development activities.

Sudanese defence minister Abdul-Rahim Mohamed Hussein said that the formation of the joint force would further reinforce the existing security cooperation between the two countries.

Lt. Gen. Emad Al Din Mustafa, the chairman for the Sudanese side on the expert committee, said that Tuesday's agreement was based on a memorandum of understanding previously signed between the two neighbours.

“The most important outcome of Tuesday's talks is the conclusion of an action plan for the Ethiopia-Sudan joint forces” he said.

Ethiopia and Sudan share a long and porous borderline, which stretches around 800 kilometres.

It's hoped the military agreement will help both countries to safeguard their common borders and defend themselves from any external aggression or other cross-border attacks.

ATTACK ON NILE DAM

Ethiopians see the joint military agreement as a key defence strategy to avert any possible sabotage of a controversial dam project it is building on the Nile, some 40km from the Sudanese border.

Egypt fears the dam will eventually diminish its water share and insists its historical water rights must be maintained.

During president Mohammed Mursi's leadership Egyptian politicians were caught live on TV in June proposing to sabotage the massive dam project, known as Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Some politicians suggested taking hostile action, including a direct air strike and backing Ethiopian rebels to destroy the $ 4.6 billion power plant project.

Although Ethiopian officials say a direct attack from Egypt is unlikely, the country's army remains on high alert.

Ethiopian rebels, Eritrea and Somalia's Al-shabaab, which is suspected of supplying mercenaries on Egypt's behalf, are all considered to be a potential threat to Ethiopia's national security.

The military agreement between Sudan and Ethiopia is expected to guard against any potential attacks from Sudanese soil.

Leaked files published by Wikileaks in 2012 alleged that Sudan had agreed to allow Egypt to use an airbase in Kursi in the west of Sudan's Darfur region to strike Ethiopia's dam, which will be Africa's largest hydro power facility upon completion.

Sudan has dismissed the allegations.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese defence minister reiterated government's rejection of a unilateral cessation of hostilities the rebels declared recently, announcing that the counterinsurgency military campaign mostly achieved its objectives.

Defence minister Abdel-Rahim Hussein and NISS director Mohamed Atta wave to NISS soldiers after the farewell celebration in Khartoum on May 18, 2013 (SUNA)

Abdel Rahim Hussein made his remarks in a long interview to the official Sudan TV on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Thursday .

On 8 August the leader of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) Malik Agar announced a two month cessation of hostilities as gestures of goodwill during the signing ceremony of the Paris Declaration for peace and democracy in Sudan he inked with the leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) Sadiq al-Mahdi.

“The Sudanese army is not concerned by the cessation of hostilities announced by the Revolutionary Front,” said Hussein adding “this truce will be used to rearm their troops after the recent defeats inflected on the rebels by the government forces”.

The military campaign of the “Deceive Summer has achieved may victories and the rebellion now is limited to certain areas,” he said.

Last week, Sudanese presidential assistant, Ibrahim Ghandour, also refused the unilateral truce saying they only can accept a lasting ceasefire agreement to be implemented within the framework of a peace process.

Following the signing of the Paris Declaration, the SRF leader and chairman of the SPLM-N Malik Agar told Sudan Tribune they decided the cessation of hostilities to express their “willingness for a just and comprehensive peace”.

Agar added that was the reason they didn't even link it to their demand for humanitarian access to civilians in the war zones.

Hussein minimised the threats posed by the rebels to his government saying the rainy season prevented them from crushing them, and vowed to resume the attacks at the end of the wet season.

He further said that Darfur region is free from rebel groups, adding they are only present in two areas.

SAF soldiers and the militia of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched this year a unprecedented military offensive on the rebels' positions in South Kordofan state mainly. They also carried out reprisal attacks in South and North Darfur after assaults by the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minnawi in March and April.

The SPLM-N rebels say SAF military operations in South Kordofan are mainly directed to areas inhabited by civilians where they have no presence.

PRAISE FOR RSF

The defence minister praised the RSF militiamen who are accused of attacks and atrocities against civilians in Darfur region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

Hussein said the militiamen “supported the army in a very critical time”. He further said that they fully coordinate with the Sudan Armed Forces, stressing are trained by military instructors from the army.

He emphasised that what is raised against the RSF is “unfair and unpatriotic”. However he acknowledged “some individual excesses which must be blamed on those who have committed them”, stressing the misconduct “should be not generalised” as the perpetrators are held responsible for their acts.

The RSF militia which is part of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), is formed from former militia members in Darfur and Kordofan regions.

The NISS arrested the chairman of the National Umma Party last May after criticism against the war crimes committed by the militiamen in Darfur and South Kordofan. Also, the leader of the Sudanese Congress Party al-Sheikh Ibrahim is jailed since June as he faces the same charges.

During the years of civil war in South Sudan, SAF used local militias to reduce the pressure on its troops.

SAF was established in 1954 following the evacuation of British troops after an agreement between the condominium countries United Kingdom and Egypt that Sudan should be put on the path of independence.

Previously, the British Army formed the Sudan Defence Force (SDF) as local auxiliaries in 1925 after the expulsion of Egyptian units accused of fomenting a military revolt by the Sudanese elements in 1924.

(ST)

August 12, 2014 (RUMBEK) – The manufacture of alcohol as resumed in Lakes state's Wulu county despite a state-wide ban.

Manufacturing alcohol is now illegal in South Sudan's Lakes state after governor Matur Chut Dhuol imposed a state-wide ban in January 2013 (ST)

Local residents were caught by surprise after the appearance of alcohol in the local market.

Military caretaker governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol imposed a ban on the sale of alcohol across Lakes state's eight counties in January 2013

Wulu commissioner Benjamin Akol Muorwel has reportedly opened a shop where he sells beer purchased in Western Equatoria's Mvolo county.

It has been alleged that Muorwel bought his brother, Aboki Jor, a new motorcycle for the purposes of transporting beer from Mvolo to Wulu and has threatened local youth over social media posts related to the sale of alcohol.

Market prices have continued to increase in Rumbek Central county, with traders complaining of high taxes and poor road connections between the capital, Juba, and Rumbek.

Trader Moses Amule said the compulsory 10% tax and poor road conditions meant it often took a month for lorries to reach Rumbek.

He said roads between Yirol and Rumbek town are particularly dangerous for businessmen due to the deep potholes and swampy water that covers the main road.

Local consumers have complained of high price hikes for basic goods, with a small sack of maize now selling for 100 South Sudanese pounds (SSP), up from 60 SSP, while 50kg of maize has increased from 150 to 200 SSP.

Residents also say that Dhuol's ban on alcohol last year has left many war widows without a livelihood.

Thousands of people from remote villages around Rumbek East, Rumbek North, Cueibet counties are now seeking refuge with relatives in Rumbek Central county.

Following Dhuol's announcement that alcohol sales would be banned, several women's groups, mainly comprising those who lost their husbands during the long civil war with Sudan, protested the decision, saying the ban would leave them without a viable income alternative.

A local alcoholic consumer spoke to Media clarify how his consume the alcohol although being officially banned.

However, local resident Emmanuel Kenyi said that the ban had caused significant stress for war widows, many of whom have been forced to withdraw their children from school as they were no longer able to afford the cost of education.

Kenyi also maintains that the ban has done little to halt alcohol consumption, instead driving the industry underground.

“I drink in [a] special manner. I buy it from [a] dark room from women who [are] prepared to face [the] risk,” he said, adding that one bottle of beer costs 10 SSP.

Authorities in Lakes state banned the drinking of alcohol in social gatherings and ceremonies to curb the rising levels of insecurity in the area.

However, activists have publicly disputed the motivation for the ban on alcohol, saying the government should instead focus on reforms to the justice sector, improving access to education and reducing bride dowry prices.

Local police say state authorities have become increasingly isolated, with the public refusing to share information with law enforcement officers, making it increasingly difficult to investigate killings and maintain law and order in the region.

There are growing calls for South Sudan's president Salva Kiir Mayardit to relieve the caretaker governor, however, those calls have so far been overlooked.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (KAMPALA) – South Sudan's ambassador to Uganda, Samuel
Luate, has dismissed claims by the country's rebel faction that Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni had denied the coflict was triggered by a coup.

Luate was reacting to comments last month by former vice-president turned rebel leader Riek Machar who said Museveni had dismissed claims of a coup d'état in the capital, Juba, in mid-December last month, saying it was simply a misunderstanding among the presidential guards.

The comments were reportedly made during a sideline meeting with Machar, Museveni and other IGAD leaders in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune in the Uganda capital, Kampala, Luate maintained that evidence supported the government's view that the events of last December constituted an aborted coup attempt.

“When there is shooting in [the] presidential guards and then there is shooting at the military barracks in Bilpam, then there is defection at the same time in [Jonglei state capital] Bor, another defection at the same time in Unity state; what do you call that if there is no coup d'état?” he said, adding that the evidence suggested a degree of coordination.

Luate said comments attributed to Museveni had been misrepresented by Machar, dismissing the claims as lies and propaganda.

Ambassador Luate also accused South Sudanese living abroad of inciting more hatred in the country and deliberately undermining the peace process by making inflammatory comments on social media.

He also warned youths against turning against each other along tribal lines, saying it endangers the country's unity.

“We are expecting that you outside have learnt a lot of things. Those [who] are in America you see democracy, those in Canada you see democracy there, in Australia you see democracy, even in Uganda and Africa as a whole there is democracy everywhere,” he said.

He called on South Sudanese people to refrain from taking sides along tribal lines, urging them to put national unity above tribal differences.

“We, as intellectual or people who are outside, they must understand that we should speak one language of peace,” he said.

“Whether you are in America, whether you are what part of the world, with us here in Africa we want peace and so South Sudanese over the world must speak of peace not say ‘[we] must divide on tribal fight,'” added Luate.

The ambassador called on South Sudanese across the world to unite in their support for Kiir, saying leadership is a gift from God and not solely related to a person's education background.

(ST)

August 14, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) confiscated copies of two newspapers on Thursday without giving any reasons for the censorship.

Journalists told Sudan Tribune that security agents waited at the printing house until Al-Tayyar and Al-Khartoum issues were printed and then ordered the confiscation.

Such measure is seen as a penalty aimed to prevent the sale of printed copies and impose financial loss.

Journalists from the two newspapers said they ignore the reason of the measure. However they believe that the confiscation intends to retroactively punish a newspaper for daring to publish a news item the security apparatus disapproves.

A journalist in Al-Tayyar told Sudan Tribune that the two newspapers, targeted by the measure, had published on Wednesday a news article saying that NISS agents transferred the leader of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party from Al-Nihud to Al-Foula prison in West Kordofan state.

Sudanese transitional constitution of 2005 guarantees freedom of expression, but the national security forces act of 2010, can be used to curtail press freedom.

On 21 July, Al-Tayyar editor in chief Osman Mirghani had been beaten by masked armed men who also confiscated the laptops and cellular phones of the journalists.

Many reports linked the assault to statements made by Mirghani on the normalisation of relations with Israel.

At the time, police officials said the investigation was progressing and pledged to arrest the perpetrators of the attack but still nothing was announced.

(ST)

Paris Declaration

The delegations of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the National Uma Party (NUP), under the leadership of Malik Agar and Alsadig Almahdi, respectively, met in Paris between the 6th and the 8th of August 2014, to fulfil the aspirations of the Sudanese people and the active forces who yearning for the unity of all forces of change, including political forces and civil societies. Such a unity puts an end to the Khartoum regime strategies to remain in power through the creation of divisions and doubts between forces of change and through the tearing of the Sudanese social fabric.

The meetings addressed, in full transparency and constructive criticism, the past experiences in Sudan and affirmed the desire of the Sudanese people for a bright future which will not be attained without the unity of the democratic alternative forces and the mobilization of forces of change in order to stop the war, provide security for the Sudanese citizens, specially the internally displaced and refugees in order to return to their original home, comprehensive democratic change and the establishment of the state based on citizens' equality. Moreover, the meeting discussed how to lift the sufferings and improve the deteriorated living conditions of Sudanese people. It also encourages campaigns to reveal the magnitude of corruptions in Sudan and how to return stolen capital and assets to the Sudan treasury. At the conclusion of the meetings, the parties agreed on the following;

End of the Wars:
1- The parties affirm their commitment to the unity of the Sudan on basis of justice and equal citizenship.
2- The end of the war is the right approach to any credible national dialogue and serious constitutional undertakings, coupled with explicit provision of freedoms and agreement on the arrangements for transitional government.
3- Recognizing the urgency of addressing the humanitarian situations and in a gesture of appreciation for the meeting, the SRF declared its readiness for cessation of hostilities in all areas of operations.
4- The parties call for the use of this opportunity of cessation of hostilities, which is extendable, in order to provide security and safety for citizens, address the humanitarian situations, stop the indiscriminate aerial bombardment and to chart a more credible process of national and constitutional dialogue.
5- The parties agreed to abide by the principles of non- impunity, realization of justice, accountability, restitution, and addressing grievances.
6- The parties agreed to make this agreement available to all regional and international stakeholders, especially the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP), Ethiopia, Egypt, Chad, the League of Arab States (LAS), the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), and to seek their support for the attainment of the agreement's goals.
7- The parties affirms that the regime in Khartoum bears responsibility for the promotion of violence in the Sudan politics, the targeting of civilians, the expansion of war zones, war crimes and the separation of South Sudan.
8- The SRF affirms its desire to end the war, which has been imposed on them by the Khartoum government, and to move to a democratic system of government, however, the main obstacle has been the attempts by the regime to buy time and consolidate its power through an unreliable and void national dialogue.
9- The regime in Khartoum bears responsibility of deliberately and systematically promoting ethnic rivalries to tear the Sudanese social fabric. The parties affirm that the avoidance of such ethnic confrontation rests on the establishment of state that is based on equal citizenship and the achievement of a comprehensive democratic transformation.
10- The parties affirm that the war affected regions have special situation. Hence, the parties agreed that the priority is to address the humanitarian situations, citizens' security and safety, internal displacement and refuge, the land, individual and collective restitution, the region and centre relations, the rebuilding of the state and the importance of affirmative arrangements for war affected regions.

Public Freedoms and Democratic Transformation:
1- The parties discussed the relation between state and religion in depth as one of the central issues, and agreed to continue the dialogue in order to arrive at a formulation acceptable to all.
2- The Sudanese opposition forces agree that the measure to create a conducive atmosphere for a serious national dialogue, or a purposeful constitutional process, requires measures to establish a conducive climate and providing public freedoms. In this regards, the two parties are calling for the immediate release of all political detainees and those convicted of political crimes and journalists, and chief among them is Mr. Ibrahim Al-Shaikh, Chairman of the Sudanese Congress Party, and the exchange of prisoners of war between the SRF and the Government of Sudan.
3- The Election: The two parties agreed on the boycott any future general elections, unless it is held under a transitional government that end the wars and provide public freedoms and supported by a national consensus as a result of an inclusive dialogue involving all.

Unity of the Forces of Change:
1- The two parties are full cognizant that the achieving the aims of this declaration without achieving the unity of the forces of change, thereby the parties, present the Paris Declaration to all political forces and civil society organizations within the framework of our joint efforts with these forces to realize change and the forces that working to bring it about.
2- The cause of women, youths and students, and their active participation in formulating the program for change, and in uniting the forces for change is a pivotal issue which demands approaching these forces to ensure their effective participation.
3- Engaging with the issue-based movements, and key among these are those representing communities affected by the building of dams along the Nile, and those of the unfairly dismissed from public service, as well as, addressing the destruction of national landmark public projects; all of which demand an appropriate attention within the scope of actions aimed at uniting the forces of change.
4- The two parties agree that there is no contradiction between our people desire for a comprehensive peaceful solution within the framework of a constitutional process to end the war and achieve democratic transition, and a popular peaceful uprising as tried and tested alternative. We must work for a comprehensive peaceful solution as preferred option, and to press ahead with working for a popular uprising so long as the regime continues to reject a peaceful settlement.

The War in the Republic of South Sudan:

The Republic of South Sudan is closest country to the Sudanese people: in the past, the present and in the future. The two parties confirm their support for the regional and international efforts to bring about peace, reconciliation and stability in South Sudan. They further agree to call upon the two-sides of the conflict and urging them to bring the war to a speedy end, and on the aspiration of the Sudanese peoples for union between two independent states.

Regional Neighbours and the Wider International Community:

The two parties agree that Sudan must not become an arena for polarization where regional and international rivalries are played out. At the same time, Sudan must fully normalize relations with its African and Arab neighbours, and desist from destabilizing its neighbours, especially those on its borders, and it must dedicate itself to work for international cooperation and stability. The parties agreed to engage it's regional neighbours and the international community, and to contribute in the search for a formula that will enable Sudan to normalize relations with it's neighbours and with the broader international community.

In conclusion, the two parties agree on further engagement to continue their dialogue, organizing visits to displaced persons and refugee camps, and in promoting the Paris Declaration to Sudanese, regional and international communities. The parties further intend mobilize internationally support for the Declaration, and for its aim of ending the war, achieving democratic transition and of establishing a new regime that can satisfy the Sudanese people's demands for change.

Signed:
Saddig Almahdi Chairman Umma National Party
Malik Agar Chairman Sudan Revolutionary Front.

Paris on 8 August 2014

August 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) leading figure Amin Hassan Omer mocked the head of the National Umma Party (NUP), al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, saying that the latter signed the Paris Declaration with the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) out of jealousy over the rising star of Popular Congress Party (PCP) leader Hassan al-Turabi in the national dialogue process.

President of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) Sadiq al-mahdi (L) shake hands with the chairman of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) on 8 August 2014 (ST)

He also stressed that what happened with NUP deputy chairman Mariam al-Mahdi was that she was detained after returning from Paris for investigation purposes only and not as punishment.

“Some people think that they can go out of Sudan and sign cooperation agreements with the movements that bear arms and then return home to sleep quietly in their warm beds.This cannot happen in any country in the world,” Omer said.

The NUP and SRF leaders signed the declaration last Friday in the French capital which committed the rebels to cessation of hostilities for two months.

Omer, who heads the office of Darfur peace followup, also scoffed at the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur, likening him to a movie star, stressing that the Darfuri leader is outside the peace process.

He claimed that the head of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Jibril Ibrahim, had expressed his readiness before the head of UNAMID, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, to go to the Doha peace forum, but came back later and said they did not see any outcome to this gesture.

The official declared their categorical rejection of any move to merge the forums of African Union (AU) mediator Thabo Mbeki and Ibn Chambas or the integration of the Sudan People Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) Northern and the Darfur movements negotiation tracks into one platform.

Omer said that Khartoum conducted contacts with arm bearers through mediators, diplomats and envoys, friends and partners.

“I will not talk about where we are with these contacts,” he said.

He accused the Sudan Communist Party (SCP), Sudan Congress Party (SCoP), Baath party, Nasserist Party and Haq movement of rejecting Islamic law.

The NCP figure also said that there is only limited impact to those forces which boycotted the national dialogue.

Last January, Bashir called on political parties and rebel groups to engage in a national dialogue to discuss ways to bring peace in the country and to discuss constitutional reforms.

The opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF), gathering left forces, boycotted the political roundtable, asking the government first to stop war and create a conducive environment for the dialogue.

Al-Mahdi's NUP suspended its participation in this political process after his detention last May.

Omer emphasised that al-Mahdi has a dilemma of wanting to be the only star in politics which prompts him to maneuver and incite multiple problems.

He said the government knew that after al-Mahdi was released from detention that he would seek to leave the country and seek an agreement.

He described the Paris Declaration as “political pressure card” as al-Mahdi wants to empower himself using the SRF as it has military power while the SRF uses the NUP chief for political cover.

Omer underscored that they will not negotiate with the SRF on peace, adding that al-Mahdi did not lead the helm of dialogue inside the country.

He described the SRF as an alliance of warlords, and pointed out that the west does not support it but at same time does not work against it and considers it a means to pressure the government.

The official argued that al-Mahdi contacts with political forces after the Paris declaration was not in good faith and downplayed reactions whether positive or negative by parties on it.

(ST)

August 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir left Royal Care hospital in Khartoum on Friday after undergoing a surgery this week to replace the joint in his left knee.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir speaks during a press conference in Khartoum on 22 September 2013 (Photo: Ashraf Shazly/AFP/Getty Images)

The pro-government Sudani news website showed video of Bashir walking to the car accompanied by doctors and other hospital staff.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted presidential press secretary Emad Sid Ahmed as saying that Bashir headed home to complete his recovery.

He said that the Sudanese leader expressed his thanks and gratitude to hospital staff who took care of him during his stay.

SUNA said that Bashir left amid prayers and greetings from ordinary citizens around the hospital.

Last May, it was announced that the Sudanese leader had a replacement surgery in his right knee. He resumed his official duties three weeks after.

The 70-year-old president underwent throat surgery in Qatar more than a year-and-a-half ago and another one a few months afterwards in Saudi Arabia.

A year ago, he secretly flew again to Saudi Arabia again for a medical checkup, according to a presidential source at the time.

Bashir's brother, Abdullahi al-Bashir, a physician, later admitted that his younger sibling was suffering from a throat tumor, but insisted that medical tests proved that the swelling is benign.

The president was reportedly advised at the time by doctors to cut his public appearances and speeches but his aides say he did not heed to their advices.

At the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa in 2012 he appeared visibly frail with a weak voice.

Despite his health woes, Bashir will likely be the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) presidential candidate in elections slated for next April.

He has previously said he will not run again but but later he backtracked by saying it is up to the party's institutions to decide on the 2015 presidential candidate and that he will respect their decision.

This week a ruling party official said that most of the ruling party grassroots bases recommended picking Bashir as their candidate.

(ST)

August 15, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan's rival forces traded accusations on Friday over violations of a cessation hostilities agreement after fighting broke out in Unity state, forcing aid workers and civilians to seek protection at the United Nations base in the capital, Bentiu.

Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) disembark from a pick-up truck in Unity state capital Bentiu on 12 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

“What happened today (Friday) in Unity state is a total disregard of the cessation hostilities agreement. It is an outright violation of the ceasefire. The rebels of Riek Machar under the general command of Peter Gadet launched an attack on the positions held by our gallant forces in four different locations this morning,” presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny exclusively told Sudan Tribune.

He claimed the rebels intended to capture Bentiu to enhance their position at the ongoing peace talks with government under the mediation of the East African regional bloc (IGAD).

“The SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) forces eventually repulsed the rebels. This belligerent act, given the level of consistency, shows the rebels do not care about the ceasefire agreement which their leaders have signed,” said Ateny.

“It [is] also proving that Riek Machar is actually not in control of the forces he claims to be under him or else he is the one violating the agreement for political pressures and gains in the talks, which is totally unacceptable,” he added.

Acting SPLA spokesperson Lt. Col. Joseph Marier Samuel separately confirmed the incident, accusing rebels of launching a dawn attack, prompting government troops to act in self-defence.

“It was [a] coordinated attack, but our forces managed to repulse them with heavy casualties. This is part of a continuous violation of the ceasefire agreement by the rebels. Our forces acted only in self-defence because they were attacked in their positions,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.

Rebel forces, however, are claiming to be in full control of Bentiu, with the opposition's spokesman in Unity state, Lt. Col Peter Riek Gew, telling Sudan Tribune by satellite phone that troops were pursuing remnants of the SPLA, which had fled into the bush towards Parieng county.

“We have now captured twin towns of Rubkotna and Bentiu from government [troops],” he said.

Gew said rebels had been forced to respond after continuous shelling by government forces on various rebel strongholds in the state.

He claimed that more than 150 government troops had been killed during the intensive fighting, including a SPLA brigadier general and Mayiandit county commissioner Ruai Gai.

Mayom county MP Peter Dak Khan also told Sudan Tribune that Bentiu had fallen to rebel forces, accusing the SPLA of instigating the fighting.

“It is unfortunate that our brother does not give peace a chance to solve the ongoing conflicts,” he said.

A resident at the UN camp in Rubkotna county who spoke on condition of anonymity said gunshots could be heard to the east of the camp in the direction of Parieng and that rebel forces appeared to be in full control of the capital.

UN MISSION SHELTERS CIVILIANS

Meanwhile, the UN mission in the country (UNMISS) said it had provided protection and shelter to civilians who fled Bentiu town after fighting broke out.

“During the violence approximately 340 civilians fled from Bentiu and took shelter with UNMISS troops stationed at the airport. UNMISS protected the civilians and then escorted them from the airport to the protection of civilian area in the UNMISS compound outside Bentiu,” UNMISS said on Friday.

According to UNMISS, fighting broke out between 6:30am and 9:00am (local time), involving the use of heavy, sustained small arms and artillery fire, which could be heard to the south-east of its base in Bentiu. One artillery shell reportedly exploded next to the UN base without harm.

“I am deeply troubled by this morning's outbreak of violence and condemn it,” said Toby Lanzer, the officer in charge of UNMISS, adding that the mission took swift action to protect civilians who sought shelter at the airport and those that continued to arrive at its Bentiu base.

“I call on those responsible for today's (Friday) hostilities to refrain from any further violence and to avoid any action that hinder the protection or assistance provided by UNMISS and aid agencies respectively,” the top UN official said.

During its extraordinary summit held in Kenya on Wednesday, regional leaders from IGAD called for the imposition of tougher actions on parties obstructing South Sudan's peace process.

(ST)

August 15, 2014 (JUBA) – A group of former South Sudanese political detainees, most of whom were senior members of the governing Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), have outlined a series of reforms aimed at addressing a number of issues the country has been grappling with since its secession from Sudan in 2011.

Former South Sudanese political detainees hold a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 13 February 2014 (Photo: IGAD)

The ambitious document is the first of its kind to be released by the group after political differences divided the senior leadership in December 2013, before erupting in violence.

According to the document extended to Sudan Tribune, the group aims to establish a federal and democratic system of governance reflective of the country's true composition.

It says the adoption of comprehensive reform programs would help to guarantee better governance, adherences to rule of law, human rights, gender equality and affirmative action, as well as the transformation of economic, political and social sectors.

“We shall work towards the realisation of building a federal democratic and prosperous homeland for all our people based on justice, equality, respect for diversity, human rights and dignity, constitutionalism and the rule of law,” the document reads in part.

The groups said the current system of decentralisation would also be reviewed in light of current demands for a federal system of government.

This will entail changes to the current administrative organisation of the country and more devolution of powers to the states and local government, with a view to creating more states to ensure the government is taken closer to the people.

In the document the group also expresses a desire to carry out significant reforms to enhance transparency in the oil sector, as well as outlining plans to diversify the economy so that it moves away from the dependence on oil revenues.

“We shall encourage exports, especially in the forest and farm products, livestock, fisheries and raw materials in order to diversify the economy from over-reliance on oil revenues and realise more potential in generating comparative advantage in other areas of the economy,” the document adds.

The group has pledged to promote people's participation in the governance of the country through democratic, free and fair elections, as well as the devolution and exercise of power.

Other areas covered in the 12 reform programs include plans to establish a national commission for reconciliation and healing, building a democratic federal state and developing an efficacious strategy for transforming the security sector and boosting the country's resilience.

It expressed commitment to full separation and containment of the forces of the warring parties after which disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programs would be implemented.

The reform programs will extend to revitalising external relations, debt management, promotion of private sector development and investment, curbing corruption and petroleum and natural resource management.

Management of land and Nile water flows have also been covered, as well as agriculture, livestock, fisheries, wildlife and tourism and environmental protection have also been covered.

Significant attention will be given to institutional reforms favourable to social policy, particularly around education, health, women, youth and people with special needs.

Priority is also given to the building of physical infrastructure, including energy, roads, airports and sanitation, as well as civil service reforms at national and state levels.

The document also recognises the need for a comprehensive constitutional review, census and elections.

It is the group's view that the current national crisis can only be comprehensively resolved through inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue involving both warring parties, SPLM leaders (FPD), political parties, civil society representatives and faith-based groups.

This is important in order to ensure the ownership of the peace agreement by all South Sudanese and guarantee its sustainability, the former detainees said.

It is also noted that under the previous administration the civil service structure was limited in scope and functions.

“It was militarised to some degree as the civil servants were subjected to military training in preparation for combat functions. It was understaffed, disorganised and its traditional values and impartiality were greatly compromised,” the document said.

The proposed reform programs have drawn significant attention from the government and the members of the general public, although it remains unclear how they would be rolled out.

(ST)

August 15, 2014 (BOR) – South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Friday repulsed what officials described as a “heavy attack” in Jonglei state's Ayod county, with the numbers of causalities involved still unknown.

South Sudanese rebels pictured in Jonglei state on 31 January 2014 (Photo: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Ayod county commissioner, Michael Buoth Malual accused the rebels of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement thus interfering with the on-going peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“At the moment as you know, peace negotiations are going on in Addis Ababa. Our position as government is that we are committed to peace. This has made us to be on a defensive position as rebels violated the peace talks,” Malual told Sudan Tribune by phone.

“The rebels should abide by the talks in Addis Ababa,” he added.

His Duk county counterpart, Mocnom Wuor said the rebels twice attacked Ayod on Friday, before they were repulsed by pro-government army.

“They attacked Ayod two times today [Friday] but they were pushed back by our army. What we don't know now is the number of people killed or injured”, the commissioner said by phone from Panyagor.

In a separate incident, Wuor said, armed Duk youth intercepted a group of rebels who allegedly attempted to confiscate SPLA communication equipments at an army base in Kuach-deng.

“No physical engagement took place between the two groups as they rebels never crossed the border where youth of Duk had laid an ambush,” said Wour.

Both warring factions have traded accusations with each blaming the other of violating a ceasefire deal agreed upon in January and recommitted to in May.

ACTIVISTS DEMAND PEACE

A South Sudanese civil society body said it was disturbed over the recent resumption of heavy fighting between the two warring parties of South Sudan.

"The option of resolving the political difference militarily is dangerous for the lives and properties of our citizens. We urge South Sudan's warring parties to concentrate on the peaceful settlement of the political crisis of December, 2013," said Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

(ST)

August 15, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has extended to 28 August the ongoing peace talks between South Sudan's warring parties and postponed the proposed heads of state and government summit scheduled for Sunday.

An extraordinary session of the IGAD heads of states meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on 10 June 2014 (IGAD photo)

The decision comes as South Sudan government and the opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM-in-Opposition) led by the former vice president Riek Machar failed to meet the 10 August deadline to conclude a peace agreement.

Both sides also traded fresh accusations on violations of a cessation hostilities agreement after fighting broke out Friday in Unity state, forcing aid workers and civilians to seek protection at the United Nations base in the capital, Bentiu.

The acting spokesperson for South Sudan army, Lt. Col. Joseph Marier Samuel confirmed the attack, saying government forces reacted to the rebel attack in self-defense.

“It was [a] coordinated attack, but our forces managed to repulse them with heavy casualties. This is part of a continuous violation of the ceasefire agreement by the rebels," Marier said Friday.

Government sources confirmed the recapture of the strategic capital by the rebels on Friday, but said they pro-government forces were putting further resistance 7kms south of Bentiu town and might retake the town. This is yet to be confirmed.

The IGAD heads of state and government announced this week that they would convene a summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to decide on appropriate measures to take against any party in the conflict that is seen to be perpetuating the war.

Although it remains unclear under which circumstances the summit was postponed, observers blame it on the failure by the two parties to reach an agreement on issues of governance system, permanent security arrangements, new constitution and formation of a transitional government.

On Thursday, the rebel group said they wanted to participate in Sunday's summit, criticising IGAD for previously passing resolutions on South Sudan crisis excluding them in favour of one party

The rebels on Friday said they had no idea on the postponement of the proposed summit.

“Our leadership has not been contacted by IGAD about the summit. Whether it is going to take place as scheduled or it has been postponed, we have no idea,” Machar's spokesperson James Gatdet Dak told Sudan Tribune on Friday.

Dak also said IGAD extended the peace talks for two weeks because the 10 August dateline was unrealistic.

“You know IGAD previously adjourned the talks in the middle of 60 days ultimatum which they imposed on the two parties within which to reach a peace agreement. A lot of time was wasted when the two parties could not directly hold talks to address the issues. So the dateline became unrealistic,” he said.

The rebel leader's spokesperson also doubted whether a peace agreement mediated by IGAD will be struck by 28 August, accusing the government of “violating the cessation of hostilities agreement in total disregard to the peace process.”

He however said the opposition group was committed to the peace process and ready to address the root causes of the conflict and reach an agreement as soon as possible.

The nearly eight-month long conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced 1.5 million people internally and to neighbouring Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia.

(ST)

August 16, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Mohamed Osman al-Mirhgani has rule out its participation in the general election scheduled next year unless a comprehensive national consensus is reached.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ex-presidential candidate in the 2010 elections (AFP)

A report released on Saturday the Sudanese Media Center (SMC) says that the DUP which, participates in the federal government, has formed committees to prepare for 2015 election if the latter takes place in April 2015 as it was announced by the electoral body.

The pro-government website further says that the party's former candidate for president in 2010, Hatim Alsir, has been chosen to head the DUP's election committee.

However, Alsir in statements to Sudan Tribune from Sydney where he is currently dismissed the report saying any election under the current political situation “will be a waste of time and a repetition of an old scenario”.

He further stressed that his party will not participate in the upcoming elections without the needed guarantees to ensure the organisation of fair and free elections.

"It is a prerequisite for our participation in the electoral race."

The former candidate for president added they are not ready to repeat the experience of 2010 stressing the “election was rigged” and the electoral body failed to “remedy the obvious defects”.

He further expected the continuation of the national dialogue process, the postponement of the elections and the formation of a transitional government adding “after all that we can speak about elections”.

However he said the party is holding large consultations but he excluded that means they agree to participate in the election of next year.

After the secession of South Sudan in 2011 and despite the strong resistance of the DUP leadership, the party's leader decided to join the National Congress Party (NCP)-led government saying Sudan's unity and territorial integrity is threatened.

Nonetheless, observers say Mirghani is not satisfied from the partnership with the ruling NCP as the government did not take fully into consideration his call for national consensus. Since the bloody protests of September 2013 the DUP leader resides in London.

Alsir criticised the NCP rejection to postpone the election and to accept the formation of a national unity government saying the current political crisis is caused by the wrong order of national priorities pursued by the government.

He said that the government reviewed the electoral law, appointed a new head of the National Election Commission and fixed the date of election without consultations with its partners.

Alsir in 2010 refused to accept the results of the presidential elections and called to investigate the alleged fraud that “characterised the whole electoral process” as he claimed.

The DUP is taking part in the national dialogue mechanism along the NCP and other government parties.

The national dialogue parties on 25 July endorsed a framework agreement including the attributions of the supreme coordination committee known as (7+7 committee), the General Conference, the sub-committees, the agenda of the dialogue and how to implement the outcome of the national dialogue.

(ST)