January 5, 2015 (JUBA) - A senior South Sudanese rebel commander said they are ready for all options adopted by the Juba government as a remedy to resolve the country's over one-year conflict.

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General Dau Aturjong (ST)

“We are ready to withstand what those in Juba are saying. If they want peace, we will talk. If they want war as this is what they are singing, we are also ready. We are ready for any option”, Major General Dau Aturjong exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

He said failure by the international community to support the cause of the movement emboldened Juba to amount an all-out conflict.

Aturjong, recently appointed deputy chief of general staff for training for opposition forces, said it was high time the international community took action and stood with the people of south Sudan who are distressed by the “continued ruthless repression and deliberate stirring of sectarian tension” which plunged the nation into war.

“It is the high time the international community comes out and stand with the people of South Sudan. The longer the international community fail to take action, the more the civilian population will suffer from countless atrocities which are committed by the heartless regime of Salva Kiir and his friends,” said the rebel commander.

“The world needs to understand that until now, the wounded South Sudan still bleeds day and after while the butcher is not deterred to stop the killing of innocent civilians and accept peace,” he added.

The rebel official further claimed the armed opposition was fighting a “just war”, with the aim to “liberate the oppressed” in the country.

“Despite all these odds, the resistance and resilience of our people despite all pain, sacrifice and bloodshed escalates and grows every single day,” he said, further adding, “It is time to stand with them”.

Aturjong appealed to his fellow South Sudanese from all walks of life to join the armed opposition movement so as to “liberate themselves from the bondage of slavery, discrimination and insubordination”.

“If we want freedom, we must liberate ourselves from the regime. If we want justice, we must work for a free and open society, continue our resolve and anger. Our people should not accept anything else apart from demanding their rights to establish the type of governing system they want and build their own state”, he said by phone.

The senior rebel commander said it was sad that some people in the government of Salva Kiir whom they fought together against successive repressive regimes in Sudan from which the new nation seceded in 2011 have turned the country into laughing stock.

He also urged the population to wholly join rebellion, saying the Juba regime only represents the interests of a few individuals, not citizens.

“Our people should join the movement because Salva Kiir and his friends are not only plundering our resources, desecrating our cultural heritage and carrying what was tantamount to a genocide while the world just sat and watched but also sold our national pride and sovereignty to foreign mercenaries just for them to remain in power through the blood of our people”, said the rebel commander.

Last week, the South Sudan army chief of staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan warned the rebels against provocative attacks, saying the national army would retaliate in defense.

(ST)

January 5, 2015 (KAHRTOUM) - The leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) Monday called on the African Union mediation to consider the role of the Sudanese opposition forces in order to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Sudan.

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Malik Agar, chair of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (Reuters)

In a New Year's message, Malik Agar reiterated the SPLM-N's commitment to achieve a comprehensive peace in Sudan and congratulated the group's negotiating team for resisting internal and external pressures saying “they will not commit SPLM into bad peace”.

Also, Agar said the coalition of rebel groups Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), he chairs, worked hard to create the conducive environment for this comprehensive settlement pointing to the various deals and declarations signed with the opposition forces including Paris Declaration and Sudan Call.

The SPLM-N leader further praised the efforts of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for peace in Sudan, “even if progress has been below expectations”.

“Nevertheless, we reiterate that when the contributions of opposition parties (…) are ignored this will pave the way to thwart these efforts and prevent it from achieving its purpose which is the comprehensive peace,” he said.

Delegations from the Sudanese government and SPLM-N are expected to resume peace talks within the upcoming weeks in Addis Ababa.

The discussions on a framework agreement for the peace negotiations are stalled over ways to link between the process on the Blue Nile and South Kordofan with the national dialogue process.

Also, Darfur track of the bicameral process seems threatened with collapse as the government Sunday integrated the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in the constitution, rejecting definitively rebels demand to open it for discussions.

Agar in his 13 page letter further has set four conditions saying a viable peace process should meet.

First the talks should take in account participativeness, inclusiveness and avoid partial solutions. Secondly, the process must begins with a cessation of hostilities agreement in Darfur and the Two Areas, followed by a humanitarian access to the civilians in the rebel held areas. Thirdly, the discussions should address the root causes of the conflict. Finally the security arrangements should end the war definitively.

The rebel leader more than once repeated that the NCP is not willing to achieve peace but seeks only to impose its hegemony and to establish an Islamic state in Sudan.

He also defended a call for self-rule for the Two Areas by the SPLM-N secretary general Yasir Arman saying that during the interim period from 2005 to 2011 and in line with the 2005 peace agreement South Kordofan and Blue Nile had a special administrative status.

“Self-governance is not a synonym for secession as some like to spread. This is a pure propaganda. Our position is to demand self-governance within a united Sudan” Agar said the former governor of Blue Nile state, adding “the issue is feasible”.

(ST)

January 5, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Ethiopian government on Monday dismissed reports circulated by opposition media alleging that four Air Force pilots have deserted to neighbouring Kenya.

The Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) on Thursday alleged that four military Air force pilots have flown from an airbase in Ethiopia's eastern Dire Dawa city to defect to Kenya.

Following the alleged defection, ESAT's report added “a number of pilots have been taken away by security and intelligence agents who swarmed the base confiscating mobile communication devices from selected members of the Air Force”.

However government officials have downplayed the report as fabricated.

“No Air force pilot has defected to Kenya. It is an absolute lie” a military official who is not authorized to speak to media told Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity.

“Such fabricated reports are parts of ESAT's smear campaign aimed to tarnish image of the country and reputation of the Air force” the official added.

Two weeks ago, an Ethiopian senior Air Force pilot defected to neighbouring Eritrea along with the two trainees and MI 35 fighter helicopter during a training session.

The Ethiopian ministry of Defence then said the senior trainer pilot forced the copilot and the technician to land the helicopter in Eritrea by diverting their flight.

In 2014, some 11 Ethiopian Air Force pilots have reportedly defected to arch rival Eritrea.

(ST)

January 5, 2015 (JUBA/BENTIU) – A least six rebels were killed in renewed clashes between South Sudan army and its armed opposition in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile states, the army disclosed.

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The South Sudanese army (SPLA) spokesperson, Phillip Aguer (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

South Sudan army spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer said two pro-government soldiers were killed when rebels attacked their bases about 30 kilometers north of the Unity state capital, Bentiu on Monday.

“They were repulsed and again this is a clear violation of cessation of hostilities agreement,” Aguer told reporters in the capital, Juba.

“Since December 31st, [2014] the rebels of Riek Machar has been shelling Nasser [in Upper Nile state] and this continued for three days. The SPLA are in their defensive positions and will continue to defend themselves and the sovereign of this country,” he added.

The opposition military spokesperson accused pro-government forces of attacking their positions.

"Pro-government militias have continued to violate the ceasefire agreement, resulting into death of six civilians in Unity state," Brig. Gen Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement.

Analysts have warned that clashes will intensify during dry season that started in December and runs through till April in South Sudan.

Both sides are said to have acquired heavy weaponry during the rainy season, raising fears of possible escalation of the ongoing war.

Peace talks between government and armed opposition led by former vice-president, Riek Machar have stalled over the role of the president and prime minister in the proposed transitional government.

(ST)

January 6, 2015 (RUMBEK) – The caretaker governor of Lakes state, Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol announced his new cabinet on Monday amidst criticisms from youth and the elderly.

Gordon Maker Manyiel, Wuol Agang Madhek and Daniel Chol Koknyin are among the new faces featuring on the new cabinet list. Madhek, the youth and sports minister was opposed on ground that he lacked enough experience and was still single.

“The new [youth and sports] minister is widely believed to be primary eight students and he did not hold and position in the past,” a youth activist told Sudan Tribune.

Meanwhile, Daniel Kuol Ayulio was appointed minister of finance, trade and industry replacing his former boss, Joseph Maker Dit.

Dhieu Wal Takpiny is the new minister for information and communication while Philip Kot Job takes over the agriculture, forestry and animal resources ministry.

Monica Achol Abil Aguek was appointed minister for public service as Ezekiel Thiang Mangar took over the gender and social welfare ministry. Others are Jok Ayom Majak (local government), Dut Makoi Kuok (education), Gordon Maper Manyiel (health), Abraham Mayen Kuc (physical infrastructure) and Mariam Paul Jebi (parliamentarian affairs).

(ST)

By Gordon Buay

January 6, 2014 - I want to dispute the propaganda of the rebels in North America who are telling lies about the Nuer who died in Juba on December, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

There are two groups of Nuer who died in December, 2013. The first group is composed of those who participated in the fight of Riek Machar to topple a democratically elected President. The second group is composed of civilians who were killed by looters and criminals.

The Nuer who died as part of the group that wanted to topple the government should not be mourned because they died in the fighting. Anybody killed in the process of attempting to topple a democratically elected President deserved to die. This does not need any debate.

The Nuer civilians killed by looters and criminals in Juba are the people whose deaths are being investigated by the Government of South Sudan along with the civilians killed by the White Army and other criminals allied to the rebels.

President Kiir did not order any soldier to kill civilians in December, 2013. The allegations brought against the leadership of the Government of South Sudan are based on lies and concoctions from anti-peace elements.

It should be recalled that the bodyguards of President Kiir saved 230 Nuer on December, 16, 17 and 18 from criminals and looters in 2013. The leader of Presidential Guards, Brig. Gen. Akok Noon Akok, saved more than 200 Nuer during the crisis. It was President Kiir who ordered his bodyguards to rescue any Nuer in danger during the crisis. Any accusation against President Kiir is a baloney.

The SPLA court-martialed ten soldiers on December, 15, 2014 for targeting civilians in December, 2013. The Government of South Sudan is looking for evidence to bring more looters and criminals to justice.

I call upon Riek Machar to prosecute those who killed Dinka civilians in Bor, Akobo, Bentiu, Malakal and Baliet like what the SPLA army did in December, 2014. Riek Machar should bring the Nuer criminals who committed crimes in those cities to justice as soon as possible.

TWO THINGS MUST BE MADE CLEAR TO NUER IN THE DIASPORA

There must be a clear distinction between Nuer who support Riek Machar's terrorism in the name of avenging their loved ones who died in 2013, and the Nuer seeking justice without supporting terrorism.

The Nuer who support terrorism as a means to revenge are criminals not only in South Sudan but also internationally. President Barack Obama, in January, 2013, rejected any attempt to topple a democratically elected President of South Sudan.

For the Nuer who are seeking justice without supporting rebellion, we have an answer for you. The Government of President Kiir is pursuing two mechanisms of bringing justice.

First, we have domestic courts to bring to justice SPLA soldiers who targeted the Nuer in 2013 either because of looting or criminal acts. On December, 15, 2014, the SPLA Army's justice system court-martialed ten soldiers to death and life imprisonment.

Second, the Government of South Sudan invited AU Investigation Panel headed by former Nigerian President to investigate all killings in South Sudan. That AU investigation is still ongoing.

The Government of South Sudan is the only Government in Africa which allowed AU external body to investigate crimes committed in its territory. The reason we did that is to show to the world and Africa that we have nothing to hide, that is, we are being transparent.

The Nuer who are supporting Riek Machar's terrorism, in the name of avenging their loved ones, are criminals like the rebels fighting the democratically elected government. The only thing we can do, as a government, is to defend the civilians and their properties from terrorists who are supporting rebellion.

The author is Ambassador at the South Sudanese ministry of foreign affairs and regional cooperation.

January 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Two people were killed in clashes between unidentified gunmen and a military patrol unit belonging to the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in Ghrabshi area in the locality of Nateega in South Darfur state.

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Peacekeepers from the hybrid African Union-United Nations operation in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol the damaged and empty Labado village in South Darfur on 10 December 2013 (Photo: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that unknown militiamen on horses and camel backs ambushed the patrol Ghrabshi IDP camp which resulted in two militiamen.

The militiamen withdrew from the battlefield without being able to seize the vehicles of the patrol unit, the eyewitnesses added.

Ibrahim al-Gali, the commissioner of Nateega locality said the UNAMID's patrol was ambushed following its return from an official assignment.

He pointed that the commander of the military area from the Sudanese army arrived at the scene of the incident, saying that bodies have been transferred to Nyala hospital for autopsy.

Meanwhile a source within UNAMID told Sudan Tribune that the patrol unit was ambushed by a group comprised of 5 gunmen, adding that heavy clashes which ensued led to the death of 2 gunmen while the others were forced to flee.

According to the source no one from the Tanzanian soldiers in the patrol unit was injured in the clashes.

Last month, an unidentified armed group also ambushed 2 military vehicles belonging to UNAMID in Ghrabshi area.

They carjacked the 2 vehicles and stripped the soldiers of their weapons and luggage before fleeing to an unknown location.
The incident was similar to an ambush on a UNAMID patrol in Jebel Marra on 5 March 2010 when armed men captured the Nigerian soldiers and released them 24 hours later after robbing their vehicles, equipments, personal belongings and money.

South Darfur state has witnessed a near total security breakdown in recent months with recurrent incidents of looting, banditry and murder including from pro-government militias.

Businessmen and commercial convoys in South Darfur are regularly attacked by armed gangs which demand ransom for their release.

(ST)

January 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan's opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) has firmly rejected a request submitted by the Bar Association to president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to release its chairman Farouk Abu Issa.

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A flyer showing Amin Mekki Mandani (L) Farah Agar (C) and Farouq Abu Issa calling for a solidarity meeting with the three political detainees organised by the National Umma Party on 13 December 2014

Last month, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Abu Issa and head of the Alliance of the Sudanese Civil Society Organisations, Amin Mekki Madani, besides former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) member, Farah Agar, and his office manager, Mohamed Eldoud.

Before their detention, Abu Issa and Madani had signed the “Sudan Call” declaration for peace and democracy with the rebel groups in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

The two lawyers are now charged with subversive activities and use of violence to overthrow the government, charges which carry the death penalty.

Bashir accused signatories of the “Sudan Call” of being agents to foreign powers and warned them from returning to the country.

The NCF, in a statement issued on Tuesday, criticized the Bar Association for demanding the release of Abu Issa and Madani because of their age, health condition and good faith, saying the role of the Bar Association is to defend public freedoms and human rights and it should have asked for their release on these grounds.

“The [Bar Association's] move underscores its affiliation and bias to the authority [government] which uses it as a tool to promote its policies” it added.

On January 2, Abu Issa asked his family and any other party to stop requesting his release on the basis of his age and health condition, assuring opposition forces and supporters that he remains steadfast and his morale is high.

The memo which was submitted by the Bar Association to Bashir through the justice minister pointed that action made by Abu Issa and Madani was only an intent, saying it was not coupled with physical action such as initiating or planning.

According to the memo which was signed by the president of the Bar Association, al-Tayeb Haroun, the charges faced by the two lawyers don't include Hudud (class of punishment under Shar'ia that are fixed for certain crimes that are considered to be ‘claims of God') or Qisas (retaliation) and hence there are no legal obstacles to apply article (58) of the criminal code.

Haroun pointed the return of the accused to the country following the signing of the Sudan Call is a presumption of good faith towards the home country, saying if they had intended to destabilise the country, they would have stayed abroad to organise military or paramilitary groups to target the country and the people.

The memo noted that the age of the accused “requires us to treat them with kindness and gentleness as advocated by all religions and positive laws which give special consideration to elderly people during pre-trial, trial or punishment.”

However, the memo harshly criticised the Sudan Call charter, saying it is not worth the ink it was written with.

It said the charter couldn't be accepted at all because it represents a clear violation for the rule of law.

“We are convinced that trial of the accused on the basis of this charter [Sudan Call] is useless and it is more appropriate to apply article (58) of the criminal code”, it added.

On the other hand, the NCF statement said the Bar Association should have condemned arbitrary detentions and absence of public freedoms and demands release of all political detainees and convicts instead of begging and pleading for their release.

“The two lawyers [Abu Issa and Madani] have not authorized the Bar Association to submit a plea on their behalf”, the statement added

It described the submission of the memo as “unethical” action and an attempt to distort the image of the steadfastness, heroism and resistance demonstrated by all detainees against violations of the regime and its security agencies.

The NCF further demanded immediate release of all political detainees and curbing of the systematic violations of the security apparatus against political leaders and freedoms.

(ST)

January 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army questioned on Tuesday the credibility of threats attributed to the Libyan army that it will shoot down any Sudanese aircraft entering its airspace.

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FILE PHOTO - Sudanese army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad (GETTY)

A number of media outlets quoted the Libyan Air Force as warning Turkey and Sudan from attempting to penetrate the Libyan skies whether through civilian or military jets.

“I doubt that this decision is a formal one that was issued from a body that has an official status in Libya. This decision lacks precision," Sudan's army spokesperson al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa'ad said according to state media.

"If we accept the warning about military aviation, what about the civil aviation that is subject to standards and international agreements and protocols that govern its network with precision all over the world," he added.

"No matter what, this warning for us in the armed forces does not mean anything because we do not infiltrate the Libyan airspace with our military jets, and any country in the world has the right to deal with any military flight penetrating the airspace without its permission, without threat or warning," Col. Sa'ad added.

Yesterday, the internationally-recognized Libyan government announced a ban on the entry of citizens from Sudan, Syria and Palestine.

Libya's interior minister Omar al-Sanki attributed the decision to Intel suggesting that citizens from these countries are flocking in to join “terrorist groups” fighting the Libyan army in Benghazi and other cities in the western part of the country.

Last September, Libyan government said Sudan was arming "terror" groups after an arms-laden Sudanese plane touched down in southern Libya, allegedly bound for a military airbase in Tripoli held by mostly Islamist militias who seized the capital in August.

But Sudan has vehemently denied accusations of backing any side in the Libyan conflict, saying the weapons were shipped for the use of a joint force between the two countries.

Tripoli has previously warned that it might sever ties with Khartoum and Doha over their alleged interference.

On Sunday, a minister in the Libyan government told London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that information obtained Libyan military intelligence indicated that Sudanese technicians had assisted pilots from the Libyan Dawn group in commandeering a plane that struck oil tanks in the Sidra port during the past week.

The attack launched on Libya's largest oil terminal saw militants fire rockets from speedboats, setting alight huge oil tanks and causing Libya's oil production to plunge by two-thirds, to 350,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to the state oil company.

In a related context Sudan strongly condemned terrorist operations in Libya that targeted oil installations, House of Representatives, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and a number of Egyptian citizens there, and expressed deep concern over the continuing violence in the country.

Sudan's permanent representative to the Arab League and its ambassador to Egypt Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim underscored in a statement before the meeting of permanent delegates at its extraordinary session on Libya the gravity of the situation there.

(ST)

January 7, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rival parties on Tuesday traded threats to wage an all-out war on each other despite mounting pressure from international community and the regional leaders to impose sanctions, should they fail to reach a negotiated settlement.

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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)

South Sudanese information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters on Tuesday that his government would pursue the rebels to the last destination if they continue attacks on positions held by its troops.

“The rebels of Riek have refused to listen to what the international community and the region are saying that peaceful settlement is the only way to resolve this conflict, which is the path the government is following and accepted to negotiate with them without conditions,” Lueth said.

He said there is a general feeling from “our people and in the region” that Juba government should not negotiate with the rebels who seek to seize power through unconstitutional means.

He further said the rebels are not for peace and accused them of shelling Bentiu and Nasir over the past days, in a “clear violation of the ceasefire agreement they have signed”.

When the conflict erupted in December 2013 on the backdrop of demands for reforms within the ruling party and the country's constitution, Juba government accused the rebels attempting a coup d'etat.

The IGAD brokered peace talks are deadlocked since last year over the attributions of a prime minister to be appointed by the rebels during a transitional period. The rebel SPLM-In Opposition demands to give him large powers enabling him to implement the agreed reforms but the government rejects the demand saying only the elected president has the executive powers.

Lueth warned that the government soldiers would not be prevented from pursuing the rebels to the last destination if they carry out new attacks against the army.

“As the government, our position is very clear. If the rebels attempt to attack us again we will get them. We will give them a hot pursuit and we will not stop except when our forces reach the place they usually start from,” Lueth told reporters.

“This time if they attack us in any place anywhere, then we will give them a hot pursuit, no going back.” he warned.

Meanwhile a leading rebel figure told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday described the minister Lueth as a “warmonger” and claimed he was one of those who instigated to attack the rebels and defeat them militarily .

“Our people and the international community know who Michael Makuei Lueth is. They know that he is one of the warmongers because he feels that if peace comes, he will not get the benefits he is currently getting,” said Ayii Ayii Akol, deputy of head SPLM-In-Opposition humanitarian affairs committee.

Akol denied the allegations that their forces were the first to have launched out the recent offensive against the government troops in the Unity and Upper Nile states, adding that the rebel leader Riek Machar instructed to observe the cessation of hostilities agreement.

He added that the government intends to resume oil production in Unity state in areas under their controls so its armed forces carried out the attack to make more territorial gain to resume production.

The rebel official went further to say that Lueth's statements are a clear declaration of war by the government, stressing that this is a translation of the plans and threats to end the conflict through war.

“If this is what they want, then they should know we are ready for anything. (...) If they think they have acquired more guns and other advanced weapons that they think it would give them more leverage and capability to end this conflict militarily, then they are wrong,” he emphasised.

Rebel sources disclosed recently that they acquired sophistic weapons including anti-tank and anti-aircraft shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles.

The IGAD mediators last week condemned the resumption of clashes in Unity and Upper Nile states and called on the IGAD leader, the African Union, the United Nations, the Troika, the European Union, and China to join them in pressuring the warring parties to immediately end hostilities and commit to the ongoing peace process.

(ST)

January 7, 2015 (JUBA) - Members of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Northern Bahr el Ghazal who are divided over the manner in which recent changes were made in the party structure have called for intervention from the national government, warning that failure to pay attention could have repercussion on the party.

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Map detail showing South Sudan's border state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal

Tong Kuany Diing, a member of the SPLM's state liberation council from Aweil South County, told Sudan Tribune on Monday it was time for the leadership of the party to wake and live up to the ideals for which it was founded, cautioning those against rule

January 6, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan's national elections commission has urged media houses in the country to effectively inform citizens about the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

The electoral body, in a press release extended to Sudan Tribune, said the country's first post-independence will held on 30 June.

“The commission has been deliberating on the processes of the election in 2015 as stated in the constitution and National elections Act 2012,” partly reads the statement.

The vote, the commission said, will be conducted in accordance with section 15 (I) of the country's National Elections Act 2012.

The electoral body cited several challenges it faces, urging government to provide basic needs required to aid the electoral process.

“All public is to be informed that elections is the only way for getting into power”, stressed the electoral commission's statement.

The government of South Sudan has approved a $517 million for general elections.

(ST)

January 6, 2015 (ARUA) - A senior South Sudan army general was warned rebels loyal to former vice-president to desist from military attacks and pursue peaceful ways of ending the ongoing conflict.

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Soldiers from the South Sudanese army (SPLA) jump off the back of a truck while on patrol in the capital, Juba, following the December 2013 outbreak of violence (Photo: Reuters)

Brig. Gen. Phar Jiek, an army commander in Western Bhar-el-Gazal state, said the current government is more equipped than it was before.

"The guns we have purchases this time were never used during the Arab war,” he said, cautioning the rebels against military options.

Jiek described the ongoing conflict as incomparable to the over two decade civil war fought between north and south Sudan, in which estimated two million people were killed and four million displaced.

"We have power to bring fighters from anywhere in the world who can defend government because we are mandated to protect the constitutional right of the nation," he told Sudan Tribune by phone.

Meanwhile, the senior army official, downplayed reports that the rebels had acquired sophisticated weapons to fight government.

“It will not threaten our strength towards fighting anti-government [forces],” Jiek said, adding, "If the rebels acquired new weapons from friends, it does not mean we do not have friends who can supply us.”

The conflicts in South Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly 1.8 million people into neighboring Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia since it broke out over a year ago.

Peace talks between government and armed opposition group have stalled over the role of the president and prime minister in the proposed transitional government.

(ST).

January 7, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – An unidentified armed group has looted two vehicles loaded with relief supplies which were en-route for the residents of Baraka Sai'ra in the locality Saraf Omra in North Darfur state.

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FILE - Three women carry bags as they walk through the Abushuk refugee camp in the North Darfur state capital of EL Fasher on June 17, 2013 (ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images)

The tribal chief at Baraka Sai'ra, Mahmoud Musa Tibin, told Sudan Tribune that gunmen on armed vehicles and horses and camel backs have looted the vehicles provided by Darfur Regional Authority (DRA).

He said the two vehicles were heading from Saraf Omra locality to Baraka Sai'ra, noting that the relief supplies included sugar, sorghum, cooking oil and lentils besides blankets, tents and plastic sheeting which were intended for more than 20,000 people in the area.

Tibin added that the traditional administration leaders received the food supplies from the representatives of the DRA to distribute it to the needy population, describing the gunmen as lacking human morals and Sudanese values.

He said the gunmen fled the scene after looting about 80% of the food supplies, saying residents including the elderly, women and children are in dire need for the relief supplies particularly during the winter season.

Tibin further demanded the government to protect the affected citizens and provide food and shelter supplies.

Darfur states have seen unprecedented incidents of armed robbery and killing since last November.

Businessmen and commercial convoys in South Darfur are regularly attacked by armed gangs which demand ransom for their release.

On Tuesday, two people were killed in clashes between unidentified gunmen and a military patrol unit belonging to the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in the Burumburum area, about 11 kilometers north-east of Khor Abeche, in South Darfur.

(ST)

January 7, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir today warned that the next national government will be formed only from political parties participating in the upcoming elections.

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President Omer al-Bashir speaks to the press in Khartoum on 30 November 2014 (SUNA)

Bashir, who addressed a meeting of the National Congress Party (NCP) students' secretariat on Wednesday, stressed his party's keenness to broaden participation in the parliament in order to enable it to draft the permanent constitution.

He announced that the NCP will not run in 30% of the electoral constituencies in order to allow other political forces to be represented in the parliament.

Bashir described the justification provided by the political forces which decided to boycott the upcoming elections as “weak”, noting that the same political forces participated in preparation of the elections law and formation of the electoral commission.

Sudan's general elections are set to be held in April 2015, but opposition parties are refusing to participate saying the NCP holds absolute control over power and refuses to make any compromise to end the civil war and allow public liberties.

They have proposed forming a transitional government and holding a national conference with the participation of rebel groups to discuss a peaceful solution for the conflicts in Darfur region, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile states.

The interim government, in accordance with the opposition platform, would organize general elections once a political agreement on constitutional matters is reached, inaugurating a new democratic regime.

The NCP rejects this proposal saying opposition parties must simply prepare for the 2015 elections and that rebels should sign first peace accords before to join the political process.

NCP NOMINATIONS

Meanwhile, presidential assistant and NCP deputy chairman, Ibrahim Ghandour, said in a press conference on Wednesday the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani has notified his party of its participation in the elections.

He said that the NCP will officially nominate Bashir for presidency on the opening day of nominations which is set for January 11th saying that a national committee will nominate Bashir.

Ghandour said that Bashir's nomination was endorsed by 23,000 voters while the National Elections Commission (NEC) stipulates that presidential nominees must be endorsed by a minimum of 15,000 voters.

The NEC had earlier said that names of presidential nominees along with women and political parties' lists of nominees will be placed on the ballot paper according to the primacy of completing nomination procedures.

The NCP official underscored his party selected its nominees for the geographic constituencies and proportional representation lists following six weeks of extensive consultations.

He pointed some of these constituencies include Gessan in the Blue Nile state, Um-Jeradil in Central Darfur state and al-Uddaya and al-Majrour in West Kordofan state.

He stressed that 53% of the NCP nominees will run for the first time, emphasizing they would not hesitate to apply the statute against any NCP member who decides to run in the elections independently.

“Any member who does so will be dismissed from the party”, he added.

The NCP's list of nominees in the geographic constituencies has not included names of the current state governors while names of five executive ministers have appeared on the list including minister of investment Mustafa Osman Ismail, finance minister Badr el-Din Mahmoud, state minister at the information ministry Yasser Youssef and the foreign minister Ali Karti.

The nominees for the geographic constituencies also included the current parliament speaker al-Fatih Izz al-Din, former oil minister Awad Ahmed al-Jaz, former justice minister Abdel-Basit Sabdarat, former vice president, al-Haj Adam Youssef, deputy speaker of the parliament Issa Bashari, former South Darfur governor al-Haj Atta al-Mannan and former director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh.

The NCP proportional representation list included the first vice president Bakri Hassan Salih, former first vice president Ali Osman Taha, presidential assistant Ibrahim Ghandour, former NCP secretary general Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, former presidential assistant Amin Hassan Omer besides Sir al-Khatim al-Mirghani, Joseph Makin and Mohamed Abdel-Karim al-Had.

On the status of the disputed Halayeb region between Sudan, Ghandour said that elections will take place in the part of Halayeb locality that is under Khartoum's control.

According to the administrative division in Sudan, there is a locality (municipality) known as Halayeb within the jurisdiction of the Red Sea state but includes parts other than the one in the disputed region.

This statement is the first of its kind from a government official after the announcement of the election commission that they will hold polls in the region.

(ST)

January 7, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The opposition National Umma Party (NUP) rejected the amendments approved by the Sudanese parliament last week calling it mere "distortions" that harmonized the interim Constitution of 2005 with the actions of the government which consistently breached its articles.

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Opposition Umma Party leader and former Prime Minister Al-Sadiq Al Mahdi speaks during joint news conference with Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir (R) after their meeting at Mahadi's house in Omdurman August 27, 2013 (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

In a statement received by Sudan Tribune, the NUP said the amendments publicly reveal the case of wandering, isolation and anxiety suffered by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The NUP said it has formed a committee that is working on a detailed study of the amendments and their impact on the political, legal and international situation of the government.

The statement mentioned that the transitional constitution expired since July 9, 2011 which necessitated the creation of a new constitution, adding that all Sudanese forces agreed on the drafting of a constitution in an inclusive process.

"Therefore the rush of the parliament to quickly make these distortions as an attempt to impose more control over the outcome of their planned elections that are useless and futile, in a desperate attempt to secure the election of the one ruler, out of hope of finding protection for him from the reach of the International Criminal Court”.

“We reject these distortions in form, content and timing, and we see them as a loss for the dignity of the Sudanese people, and a waste of the sovereignty of the state of Sudan". "If they used any of the Sudanese legal minds the Sudanese parliament would not have indulged in these erroneous, obvious and flagrant constitutional distortions".

Sudanese lawmakers on Sunday approved three controversial constitutional amendments introduced by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

The first bill allows the president to appoint governors who will no longer be elected through universal suffrage. The second transforms the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) into regular force to legitimize the creation of its militia the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Finally the third reform is the inclusion of Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) in the constitution.

The party accused president Omer Hassan al-Bashir of continuing to violate the 2005 interim constitution by removing elected governors and encroaching on their powers as well as creating new states and integrating others.

It also mentioned the passing of the National Security Act contrary to the text of Article 151 of the constitution which defined the functions of the security appratus.

“The regime protected the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that was established by the security apparatus and bestowed immunity on their actions that wracked panic among citizens…therefore, the amendment to Article (151) of the functions of the national security service matched its duties with those of the armed forces and turned into to regular troops belonging to the Head the Republic".

The NUP said that amendments article (151) proved the credibility of the view of the party leader al-Sadiq al-Mahdi in May 2014 when he argued that the RSF is unconstitutional in its composition, and therefore charges brought against him were malicious.

The party felt that the amendments defeat the purpose of the constitution contained in its preamble on democracy and decentralization that have been desired by Sudanese since independence to allow them to rule for themselves.

It said that the amendments asserted the one-party rule and ended the principle of separation of powers as the judicial branch is now under unprecedented presidential control on top of his direct leadership of the security apparatus.

The NUP warned that the amendments will lead to resentments by different regions and further aggravate further violence in further of a feeling of marginalization by ethnic groups.

(ST)

January 6, 2015 (BOR) – In what appears a show of its military might, South Sudanese soldiers on Tuesday tested their newly acquired weapons in Jonglei state.

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

The exercise took place at the army base in Warkok, about 30 kilometers from the state capital, Bor.

A junior military officer who spoke to Sudan Tribune said the newly acquired weapons would protect civilians.

“Being in charge of a number of APCs [Armored Personnel Carriers], I am sure the weapons we have acquired this time would help defend the people and their properties. We will not use them internally here but on external enemies,” said the officer who preferred to remain anonymous.

“But if the situation forced us to, then we will resort to as the last option”, he added.

Multiple eyewitness said they witnessed frequents movements of military hardware, including tanks along the shores of the River Nile, sparking fears of renewed clashes.

On Monday, however, the army advised the public not to be scared, as sounds of rockets and bombs could be heard the area.

“When it started at about between 9:00-10AM [local time] in the morning, the ground was shaken as if we were close to the area they were being tested in”, John Agaau Jok, a resident, said on Monday.

Meanwhile, South Sudan army spokesperson, Col. Phillip Aguer said the military would defend the country from continuous rebel attacks.

Aguer told the state-owned SSTV that intelligence detected mobilisation and rebel movements in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states.

The army has prepared for any result of their movement, he stressed.

Analysts anticipate renewed clashes between the two warring parties should peace talks mediated by East African regional leaders fail to end the ongoing conflict.

(ST)

January 7, 2015 (JUBA) - Faced with an increasingly growing and expanding violent rebellion, governors from the three states in the Upper Nile region have asked president Salva Kiir to allow them arm with air force capability and deploy extra troops to in the region, if the presidential and legislative elections are to be held this year.

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The Ugandan army's deployment in South Sudan has caused friction, with opposition forces calling for their withdrawal

Upper Nile state governor, Simon Kun Puoc said the move follows recommendations made at last year's governors' forum held in the capital, Juba.

The forum reportedly called for deployment of more security forces from states not affected by conflict and that issues of security be treated as key during election period.

“People are concerned that these elections may be disrupted by the rebels and that people would be afraid to go to the voting even centers. This would require deployment of more troops. The troops we have on the ground in our various states are not enough," Puoc said Wednesday.

"We requested the president to instruct the general command to deploy consider deploying more troops with air force capability and full equipment to provide adequate security during the vote," he added.

Although president Salva Kiir has not announced whether the army would deploy more troops in Upper Nile region, a source said the former accepted the request in principle.

An alliance of political parties in the country have called for the delay of this year's polls, citing insecurity and delays by the government to consolidate peace and stability.

The electoral commission says it is prepared to go ahead with the vote meant to restore the legitimacy of the government, although a number of requirements are yet to be met.

Observers from Upper Nile region, however, say these territories are too insecure in some parts of the three states of unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei to hold an election at all and many foreign observers will not get security clearance to go up there.

But governors from the three states have maintain that the vote could go ahead as planned.

"Definitely the elections will be conducted in all the areas and this was why the governors' forum recommended deployment of the security forces from the states which have not been affected by the current conflict to the states which have been affected. This is now the basis of the request. It is a follow up of the recommendations”, Puoc explained.

The conflict in South Sudan broke out late 2013 after disputes within the ruling SPLM party led to confrontations between Kiir's troops and fighters loyal to his former deputy, Riek Machar.

The United Nations says at least 10,000 people have been killed since the conflict broke out although the International Crisis Group (ICG) puts the figure at about 50,000.

(ST)

January 7, 2015 (JUBA) – At least 15 South Sudanese secondary school teachers have been selected for a four-month training course at the United States-based Arizona University.

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Teachers graduating after in-service training in Malek secondary school in Bor (ST)

Edward Eisele, an US-based tycoon, will sponsor the teachers under South Sudan Fellow Education program.

The initiative offers opportunities for educators to enhance their skills and leadership, which are essential for developing the new nation.

The teachers, education officials said, will head to Arizona State's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and participate in “preparing South Sudan's next generation of educational leaders” program.

South Sudan's education minister, John Gai Yol, said the scholarship would benefit more South Sudanese students when the teachers return at the end four months-long training focusing on in-depth curriculum development and other aspects like teacher leadership, equity, technology, and effective instructional methods.

He said teaching was no longer an attractive profession due to low pay, but promised that the education ministry would do everything possible to change this trend.

“Educating more children would help stamp out the sectarianism and tribal- based violence that emerged during the one year old conflict,” he stressed.

Umia Elijah Waren, one of the beneficiaries, said government should position long term strategies to address existing gaps in the education sector by developing teachers.

“The American people and the other people will not continue to take people outside [the country] because it is very costly,” said Waren, a teacher from Juba Girls' secondary school.

“I think the ministry could look at ways certain resource centers could be put in here and then the few can be used to get this information benefit the bigger part of the country,” he added.

Michael McCarthy, the deputy chief of mission at the United States Embassy in Juba, congratulated the fellows.

McCarthy said American tycoon knows the significance of nurturing more well-trained teachers to support South Sudanese children.

“He could have done anything with this money. He could have, I don't know, bought a hotel but you know what, he didn't do that. He chose to spend that money on you because he has faith in you,” he said.

The 15 teachers, among them two females, will return to the young nation in May.

Recent studies reportedly showed that education was one of the main priorities for the people of South Sudan as communities see it as the most important peace dividend.

Sadly, however, South Sudan's education indicators remain among the worst in the world, despite increases in school enrolment over the past few years. It is estimated that more than one million primary school aged children, mostly from rural areas, are not in school, while the few schools that do exist are not conducive to learning.

(ST).

January 7, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president, Riek Machar, has slammed president Salva Kiir's government for not separating the army from the ruling party, saying this was a factor which brought about the recent crisis in the country.

The sharp criticism comes after the South Sudanese army's chief of general staff, General Paul Malong Awan, moved to Northern Bahr el Ghazal state and reshuffled the party's leadership.

“SPLA by law is supposed to be separate from any political party and not to involve in politics, but its members can vote in elections. It is absurd for military chief of general staff to continue as party chairman in the state,” said James Gatdet Dak, spokesman for the leader of SPLM-IO.

Awan, who was governor of the state has continued as the chairman of the ruling party (SPLM) in the region despite switching to the army last year.

But the SPLM-In-Opposition leader's spokesman argued that Awan should have been replaced in the party after taking up the army assignment.

“The SPLA Act passed by parliament has clearly stipulated that the army is a non-partisan organization. Now how come the chief of the non-partisan army also becomes the chief of the party,” he inquired.

“Unfortunately, in Salva Kiir's government a constitutional provision or law is nothing but a non-binding document merely for public consumption without any impact on what he does. To him, he is the constitution and laws,” he lamented.

The rebels spokesman said that as long as Kiir remained president and chairman of the ruling SPLM party with the “consequent lack of vision and direction, the country will continue to be in “confusion, crisis and predicament.”

Awan was appointed army chief in April 2014 by president Kiir, replacing former chief of general staff, General James Hoth Mai.

(ST)